Liverpool Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2014 - Mod Note in OP 28/8

rob316

Hollister11 wrote: »

Probaly the best thing rafa left us is beating Arsenal and UTD to the signing of Raheem Sterling 4 years ago. Best academy product since Stevi

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1254287/Liverpool-sign-England-starlet-Raheem-Sterling-QPR.html

With add ons we will have spent £5m on him, absolute bargain.

NEDDURC

Mickalus wrote: »

I am very optimistic about Lambert.

What we saw last year was flexibility. I wouldn't rule out Sturridge and Lambert playing together - either as 2 up top or Sturridge out wide.
I also don't see any need for us to change our style to accommodate Lambert. He can play just fine in our system.

Will be interesting how the team set up tonight. I know you can't read much into it at this stage but it feels like the right time to try out a near full strenght team. I'm sure he'll try Lambert and Sturridge together at some stage tonight to see how thy interact. Won't be anything like S&S I'm sure.

I'd also like to see Markovic played centrally close to Sturridge to see how that goes. Cos if that was a realistic option the need for another striker may not be as urgent.

SlickRic

klose wrote: »

At the current moment in time uniteds squad is fairly average bar mata/rvp/rooney. 2 full backs, one out of form and an 18 y/o who came in for an astronomical fee, 3 centre halfs, none of which never fully claimed a stake in the team, out of form wingers for ages, ageing midfield. They've a fair bit of shopping yet to do if they are to make a mark this season imo. They'll undoubtedly improve but nothings a given as they say.

the team is not as average as you think.

just like our team was better than most people thought last season. quite often, all it takes is the right manager to ignite something.

even if they go into the season as is, they'll be strong IMO.

the players didn't become average overnight.

NEDDURC

mosstin wrote: »

£15 million for Coleman? What are they smoking over at Anfield?

I konw he's worth more but that's why I'm saying to put in a low bid to start!! He wouldn't be on high wages though so could unsettle him abit with the lure of Champo league!!

klose

Few people of twitter saying lambert and sturridge will start tonight in a diamond formation. Cou,allen hendo and gerrard behind them.

No reason Sturridge and Lambert can't play together if needs be.

Sturridge could play either side of him in a front 3 or beside him in a front 2

Cjs21

Looks like Agger might be gone after all.

Tancredi Palmeri saying Barca agreed personal terms with agger.

To be fair he's been spot on with some transfers so far. He's also saying fellaini is meeting Napoli reps.

Lord Trollington

Mickalus wrote: »

I am very optimistic about Lambert.

What we saw last year was flexibility. I wouldn't rule out Sturridge and Lambert playing together - either as 2 up top or Sturridge out wide.
I also don't see any need for us to change our style to accommodate Lambert. He can play just fine in our system.

Liverpool - Sturridge & Lambert/Borini
Man Utd - RVP & Rooney/Welbeck
Arsenal - Sanchez & Giroud/Walcott/Podolski
Chelsea - Costa & Torres/Drogba/Schurrle
Man City - Augero & Dzeko/Negredo

We are definately bottom of the pile up front at the moment.

Agent Coulson

£12m for Agger and replacing him with Lovren for £20m and also saving about £30k a week on wages for a younger better defender is great business.

Cjs21

Lord Trollington wrote: »

Liverpool - Sturridge & Lambert/Borini
Man Utd - RVP & Rooney/Welbeck
Arsenal - Sanchez & Giroud/Walcott/Podolski
Chelsea - Costa & Torres/Drogba/Schurrle
Man City - Augero & Dzeko/Negredo

We are definately bottom of the pile up front at the moment.

Completely agree with this. Although our attacking midfielders are probably top of that pile.

NEDDURC

Cjs21 wrote: »

Looks like Agger might be gone after all.

Tancredi Palmeri saying Barca agreed personal terms with agger.

To be fair he's been spot on with some transfers so far. He's also saying fellaini is meeting Napoli reps.

If Agger, Borini and Assaidi all go for the rumorered amounts then we'll soon have a negative net spend. I'd therefore be expecting at least 3 more signings. Hopefully, one or two to really excite.

Utopia Parkway

Cjs21 wrote: »

Looks like Agger might be gone after all.

Tancredi Palmeri saying Barca agreed personal terms with agger.

To be fair he's been spot on with some transfers so far. He's also saying fellaini is meeting Napoli reps.

Will be sad to see Agger go as I think he has a genuine attachment to the club. That said I can't remember the last time I was impressed with his defending. He might do better in a slightly less physical league.

Does this mean Illori will stay as 4th choice CB?

Kess73

rarnes1 wrote: »

No reason Sturridge and Lambert can't play together if needs be.

Sturridge could play either side of him in a front 3 or beside him in a front 2

Or Lambert could play the deeper lying of the attacking roles as he often did for Southampton, more or less in a second striker role. Can recall him dropping deep quite a bit for the Saints and being very good at it. Was able to link up as part of quick passing moves and also be just as willing to receive the ball with his back to goal in order to allow runners from midfield to join in an attacking move. Pretty good at speading the play with his passing as well.

Can see him proving to be a very useful (and adaptable) squad player.

Tusky

We have signed lots of good players but no top class players - I'm concerned about that. If you look through the squad I don't think we have a single top class player in there now that Suarez is gone. Teams that win things always have at least one or two stars. It will be interesting to see if anyone will step up a level this season, with Sterling, Sturridge or Coutiniho being the most likely. However, I am disappointed that we haven't signed anyone from that top bracket.

murpho999

Lord Trollington wrote: »

Liverpool - Sturridge & Lambert/Borini
Man Utd - RVP & Rooney/Welbeck
Arsenal - Sanchez & Giroud/Walcott/Podolski
Chelsea - Costa & Torres/Drogba/Schurrle
Man City - Augero & Dzeko/Negredo

We are definately bottom of the pile up front at the moment.

I'm sure there will be a striker bought before the window closes.

Wouldn't be that impressed with Chelsea's line up either.

Cjs21

Utopia Parkway wrote: »

Will be sad to see Agger go as I think he has a genuine attachment to the club. That said I can't remember the last time I was impressed with his defending. He might do better in a slightly less physical league.

Does this mean Illori will stay as 4th choice CB?

I'm thinking the same. Still ahven't seen him play in a Liverpool shirt unfortunately, still can't believe he's 6ft 3in :pac:

whatawaster

Utopia Parkway wrote: »

Does this mean Illori will stay as 4th choice CB?

Would probably be better for Toure to stay as 4th choice and Ilori to get a season of first team football.

woodyg

SlickRic wrote: »

the team is not as average as you think.

just like our team was better than most people thought last season. quite often, all it takes is the right manager to ignite something.

even if they go into the season as is, they'll be strong IMO.

the players didn't become average overnight.

i fear they will be a force again this season
honestly can see Utd making a title challenge.

Mickalus

Lord Trollington wrote: »

Liverpool - Sturridge & Lambert/Borini
Man Utd - RVP & Rooney/Welbeck
Arsenal - Sanchez & Giroud/Walcott/Podolski
Chelsea - Costa & Torres/Drogba/Schurrle
Man City - Augero & Dzeko/Negredo

We are definately bottom of the pile up front at the moment.

Yeah, we definitely need another striker.
Jovetic for City as well. Good player if he can avoid injury this season he'll do well. They're top of that list IMO.

x43r0

Cjs21 wrote: »

Completely agree with this. Although our attacking midfielders are probably top of that pile.

Really? I love you optimism

Granted - Our midfield pisses on Utd's but you wouldn't prefer to have

Silva/Toure/Navas/Nasri or
Ozil/Ox/Cazorla/Ramsey
or Hazard/Willian/Oscar/Fabregas?

Connavar

Cjs21 wrote: »

Completely agree with this. Although our attacking midfielders are probably top of that pile.

I'm not so sure about that. City and chelseas attacking midfields are above ours imo

Kirby

Lord Trollington wrote: »

Liverpool - Sturridge & Lambert/Borini
Man Utd - RVP & Rooney/Welbeck
Arsenal - Sanchez & Giroud/Walcott/Podolski
Chelsea - Costa & Torres/Drogba/Schurrle
Man City - Augero & Dzeko/Negredo

We are definately bottom of the pile up front at the moment.

You forgot Jovetic and I think Negredo is badly injured at the moment so he wont figure for most of this season. At least until December I would say.

Cjs21 wrote: »

Completely agree with this. Although our attacking midfielders are probably top of that pile.

Chelsea have Oscar, Willian, Schurrle, Hazard, and Salah who can all play at number 10 or out wide. Fabregas also spent most of his time at Barca in that role too. Frankly, they spank everyone in that department. Imagine if they had kept Mata! :P

Kess73

Tusky wrote: »

We have signed lots of good players but no top class players - I'm concerned about that. If you look through the squad I don't think we have a single top class player in there now that Suarez is gone. Teams that win things always have at least one or two stars. It will be interesting to see if anyone will step up a level this season, with Sterling, Sturridge or Coutiniho being the most likely. However, I am disappointed that we haven't signed anyone from that top bracket.

Would be very unusually for Liverpool to sign a top level star though. Not saying that I would not like for it to happen, but it is something that the club has rarely done.

If we look at the players who became or look to be becoming our bigger names of the past decade or so

Torres
Suarez
Mascherano
Alonso
Hyypia
Konchesky
Coutinho
Sturridge
Reina
Hamann


And we get lists of players who were seen as having the potential to be very good, or who had stagnated elsewhere.


We never really were a club that went out and bought players who were established as being one of the best in Europe. Even when we brought in club legends like Kenny, Hansen, Souness, and Barnes we were buying players on the up rather than players who were at the peak of their powers.


Plus although we are without doubt a big club, we are also one that has not been a CL regular for a number of years and many players may view us as being a once in a blue moon CL team. We may all, as supporters, point to things like 2005, but that was 9 years ago and to a young player, especially one from outside of England, that is a long time ago.

Utopia Parkway

SlickRic wrote: »

the team is not as average as you think.

just like our team was better than most people thought last season. quite often, all it takes is the right manager to ignite something.

even if they go into the season as is, they'll be strong IMO.

the players didn't become average overnight.

Thing is a lot of their players were average all along. Especially in defence and midfield. Covered up for by Ferguson's force of personality and the fact that they had very good strikers to bail them out.

A lot of parallels with us last season in that they have no European football and they have a ridiculously easy start to the league (even easier than we had last season) where they can build up some momentum and points in the bag.

Kess73

Lord Trollington wrote: »

Liverpool - Sturridge & Lambert/Borini
Man Utd - RVP & Rooney/Welbeck
Arsenal - Sanchez & Giroud/Walcott/Podolski
Chelsea - Costa & Torres/Drogba/Schurrle
Man City - Augero & Dzeko/Negredo

We are definately bottom of the pile up front at the moment.

Don't think we are bottom of the pile in terms of the main striker starting for each team. Our current main striker did better than every other name from that list that was in the EPL last season.

Costa and Sanchez are exciting additions to the league, but until they actually start netting on a regular basis we don't know if they are going to be able to outdo our guy.

Now our depth up front looks like it lags behind all the rest, but then again look what Lambert managed in the EPL last season compared to the other names who were in the same league, and then it seems that we are not so weak that one more decent addition up front would not have us trading punches with the other attacks in the league.

NEDDURC

Utopia Parkway wrote: »

Thing is a lot of their players were average all along. Especially in defence and midfield. Covered up for by Ferguson's force of personality and the fact that they had very good strikers to bail them out.

A lot of parallels with us last season in that they have no European football and they have a ridiculously easy start to the league (even easier than we had last season) where they can build up some momentum and points in the bag.

I think this is a major factor. Means they can pretty much play there best team in most games. However, if they play 3-5-2 as LVG is saying they will then I think they need to sign 2 more centre backs and a top holding mid player.

If LFC sign Moreno soon I'd at least be happy to start the season with a back four of:

Flanagan Lovren Skrtel Moreno and hope that Sturridge can stay fit.

Techniques07

Scout Nation just uploaded this

Mickalus

When discussing and comparing players from various teams, it's important to remember:

murpho999

Kess73 wrote: »

Would be very unusually for Liverpool to sign a top level star though. Not saying that I would not like for it to happen, but it is something that the club has rarely done.

If we look at the players who became or look to be becoming our bigger names of the past decade or so

Torres
Suarez
Mascherano
Alonso
Hyypia
Konchesky
Coutinho
Sturridge
Reina
Hamann


And we get lists of players who were seen as having the potential to be very good, or who had stagnated elsewhere.


We never really were a club that went out and bought players who were established as being one of the best in Europe. Even when we brought in club legends like Kenny, Hansen, Souness, and Barnes we were buying players on the up rather than players who were at the peak of their powers.


Plus although we are without doubt a big club, we are also one that has not been a CL regular for a number of years and many players may view us as being a once in a blue moon CL team. We may all, as supporters, point to things like 2005, but that was 9 years ago and to a young player, especially one from outside of England, that is a long time ago.

Can't argue with that!

tritium

NEDDURC wrote: »

Might be a good time to throw in a bid of £15m for Seamus Coleman. At best we get him, at worst we unsettle Everton abit and maybe get an good Irish player a pay rise!! Would love an Irish player back in the LFC team!

He's realistically the only one good enough or maybe James McCarthy either.

More chance of Reuss tbh














That RB and LB sorted so.......

OwaynOTT

brevity wrote: »

We need someone else here. Perhaps it will be Can or Allen, perhaps having Lovren and Sahko will improve thigs....but it's a mess at it's current state.

I would also have accepted

brevity

Perhaps the reason we haven't won the league in a long time is because we don't purchase top level stars?

It's all well and good finding diamonds in the rough but to actually push on maybe we need gamble on some big names.

T-K-O

x43r0 wrote: »

Really? I love you optimism

Granted - Our midfield pisses on Utd's but you wouldn't prefer to have

Silva/Toure/Navas/Nasri or
Ozil/Ox/Cazorla/Ramsey
or Hazard/Willian/Oscar/Fabregas?

you can keep the rest for me :pac:

K-9

gosplan wrote: »

Don't forget that the team was organised to get the most from Suarez.

I don't think it's a case of just having to replace his goals and assists like for like.

BR isn't stupid. He was right last year when he said that Liverpool really made Suarez shine in the pitch. He'll get the team playing to their strengths.

It'll probably be very like the opening six games of last season.

Was it really set up to get the best from Suarez?

For me it was just as set up to get the best from Sturridge, I don't think the 2 of them gelled as well in the second half of the season. The pace and skill of the team on the counter with Coutinho and Sterling suited Sturridge to a tee. Luis often just did his thing!

Agent Coulson

This would be my team starting against Southampton if I could bring in a few more players.

---

Mignolet

---

Clyne---Lovren---Sakho---Moreno

---

Gerrard

---

---

Can

---

Henderson

---

---

Coutinho

---

---

Sterling---Sturridge

---

Bench; Lambert, Markovic, Ibe, Allen, Lucas, Flanagan, Skrtel and A keeper.

Lallana not counted because of injury.

I see a need for two full backs the ones I would be happy with are named above and a back up keeper.

We also need a striker but thats the major signing we all want different people but my choice is Jackson Martinez.

K-9

Lord Trollington wrote: »

Liverpool - Sturridge & Lambert/Borini
Man Utd - RVP & Rooney/Welbeck
Arsenal - Sanchez & Giroud/Walcott/Podolski
Chelsea - Costa & Torres/Drogba/Schurrle
Man City - Augero & Dzeko/Negredo

We are definately bottom of the pile up front at the moment.

We are adding to it though, so I'd be shocked if we don't have one more option come September. Remy would have made a bit of a difference but probably not enough. Bony as well, tbh I'm not sure who is out there that is available and gettable that could make up the difference.

Cjs21

x43r0 wrote: »

Really? I love you optimism

Granted - Our midfield pisses on Utd's but you wouldn't prefer to have

Silva/Toure/Navas/Nasri or
Ozil/Ox/Cazorla/Ramsey
or Hazard/Willian/Oscar/Fabregas?

Connavar wrote: »

I'm not so sure about that. City and chelseas attacking midfields are above ours imo

Sterling, Lallana, Coutinho and even Hendo although not an attacking midfielder, the chances they create are greater than any other team combined in my opinion.

Take into consideration how young they are and the experience they have then yes, I can't see any other team having a better unit in attacking midfield.


Silva/Toure/Navas/Nasri - Toure and Silva fair enough, wouldn't be as happy if Nasri and Navas took any of our attacking midfielders position.

Ozil/Ox/Cazorla/Ramsey - none of these players are better than what he have, Ozil just can't adapt to the English game as of yet. Ramsey will be injured more than he was last season this year by the looks of things. Carzola is only a free kick taker at the majority of times.


or Hazard/Willian/Oscar/Fabregas? - Willian, really? If anyone Schurrle? Hazard is one of, if not the best attacking midfielder in the league but the other 2 can be hit and miss.

5live

Agent Coulson wrote: »

This would be my team starting against Southampton if I could bring in a few more players.

---

Mignolet

---

Clyne---Lovren---Sakho---Moreno

---

Gerrard

---

---

Can

---

Henderson

---

---

Coutinho

---

---

Sterling---Sturridge

---

Bench; Lambert, Markovic, Ibe, Allen, Lucas, Flanagan, Skrtel and A keeper.

Lallana not counted because of injury.

I see a need for two full backs the ones I would be happy with are named above and a back up keeper.

We also need a striker but thats the major signing we all want different people but my choice is Jackson Martinez.

I like that team.

And Llama and Coutinho alternating games when fit.

Agueroooo

brevity

It worked for Batman!

evil_seed

Agueroooo wrote: »

How did he pass a medical? :rolleyes:

Tusky

Kess73 wrote: »

Would be very unusually for Liverpool to sign a top level star though. Not saying that I would not like for it to happen, but it is something that the club has rarely done.

If we look at the players who became or look to be becoming our bigger names of the past decade or so

Torres
Suarez
Mascherano
Alonso
Hyypia
Konchesky
Coutinho
Sturridge
Reina
Hamann


And we get lists of players who were seen as having the potential to be very good, or who had stagnated elsewhere.


We never really were a club that went out and bought players who were established as being one of the best in Europe. Even when we brought in club legends like Kenny, Hansen, Souness, and Barnes we were buying players on the up rather than players who were at the peak of their powers.


Plus although we are without doubt a big club, we are also one that has not been a CL regular for a number of years and many players may view us as being a once in a blue moon CL team. We may all, as supporters, point to things like 2005, but that was 9 years ago and to a young player, especially one from outside of England, that is a long time ago.

I'm not calling for us to buy a "star" necessarily. I just think we should at least be buying one or two players that are a level above where we are shopping this window.

I would argue that Torres, Suarez and Mascherano were approaching that top bracket when we bought them. Great players who were close to being world class - those are the type of signings we should be making. I don't rate any of our current signings in that bracket though.

I would also argue that what we have done in the transfer market historically is irrelevant. Just because we don't traditionally buy top players doesn't mean we shouldn't.

We have more funds than ever before this window so there's no reason why we shouldn't be going after better players. I just feel the teams around us are making bigger strides forward this window.

I am pie

brevity wrote: »

Perhaps the reason we haven't won the league in a long time is because we don't purchase top level stars?

It's all well and good finding diamonds in the rough but to actually push on maybe we need gamble on some big names.

change "don't" to "can't" and you might be onto something there....

greendom

Cjs21 wrote: »

Sterling, Lallana, Coutinho and even Hendo although not an attacking midfielder, the chances they create are greater than any other team combined in my opinion.

Take into consideration how young they are and the experience they have then yes, I can't see any other team having a better unit in attacking midfield.


Silva/Toure/Navas/Nasri - Toure and Silva fair enough, wouldn't be as happy if Nasri and Navas took any of our attacking midfielders position.

Ozil/Ox/Cazorla/Ramsey - none of these players are better than what he have, Ozil just can't adapt to the English game as of yet. Ramsey will be injured more than he was last season this year by the looks of things. Carzola is only a free kick taker at the majority of times.


or Hazard/Willian/Oscar/Fabregas? - Willian, really? If anyone Schurrle? Hazard is one of, if not the best attacking midfielder in the league but the other 2 can be hit and miss.

I disagree with most of what you said about the Arsenal midfield but can you expand on the bit I've bolded ?

Charlie19

Maybe only for a season or two but I reckon Lovern & Skrtel are going to become the best CB pairing since Hypia & Henchoz:eek: I think Skrtel will start off the season rock solid, leaving Sakho & Lovern competing for the LCB position and imo Lovern will fill that slot.

I'm not forgetting Carra but he didn't really have a stand out partner over the years.

Washington Irving

And another one down.

We'll hardly be able to justify a match thread between the two or three LFC fans left by the Southampton game.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Washington Irving wrote: »

And another one down.

We'll hardly be able to justify a match thread between the two or three LFC fans left by the Southampton game.

What did he do?

Knex*

Washington Irving wrote: »

And another one down.

We'll hardly be able to justify a match thread between the two or three LFC fans left by the Southampton game.

It'll be like Southampton trying to field a team.

OwaynOTT

Washington Irving wrote: »

And another one down.

We'll hardly be able to justify a match thread between the two or three LFC fans left by the Southampton game.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=91449761&postcount=9399

And I was right

OwaynOTT

Knex. wrote: »

It'll be like Southampton trying to field a team.

Except the best guys were kept, right?