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View from the Kop

Why this matter needs to be dealt with some URGENCY

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I honestly believe that before the arrival of Joe Cole, outside of Gerrard, Liverpool had the most docile attacking contingent of the original ‘so called’ top four. Pair that fact with the single biggest problem, which is having only one top-class striker, and you definitely have the ultimate prescription for failure. Lest we forget, Mascherano and Lucas had zero goals between them last campaign and I need not highlight where the goals should come from.  Undoubtedly, most Liverpool fans will agree in an instant and that’s why we have been crying for new strike partners for Torres for the longest while – not to mention dumping the boring strategy from the Benitez era of playing with a lone striker.

The rumoured interest in the likes of Remy from Nice, Turan from Galatasaray and also Bryan Ruiz from FC Twente really generates the kind of belief that Roy Hodgson knows what he is about but he must do some quick deals to bring these players in and thereby restore the fading faith in our ability to compete for the title this coming season. Torres and Gerrard are simply wonderful but they also need competition for places as well – this is one of the best ways to keep them on top of their game. Kuyt is the one other gem of a player who gives his all for this club and he must not be overlooked. Nevertheless, what we need is another two players that can give us the assists and also score anywhere between 10 to 15 goals per season – if not more.

Sense of urgency

The attacking midfield options must still be the second most urgent area of concern. On the one hand, I must admit that with the lack of funds there is almost an impossible hurdle of bringing in new players of quality. However, this is not necessarily a good excuse when there are a few players that can be sold and the funds used for the stated purpose. For this reason, the Mascherano sale needs to be done expeditiously and with the least amount of fuss. Finalizing the list of players that Liverpool are seriously considering need no further delays as this club needs a sense of urgency in this regard. The new season is actually here, finally, and the chemistry of the team from last year would have been affected especially with the fact that Benayoun is out and with Mascherano soon to follow. My greatest concern is why does it take us so long to pull the required strings if the powers that be know what is needed at this club?

I definitely love the Cole acquisition, especially at no fee, but he cannot be the solitary ‘new’ spark to this team. As I stated earlier, I still see the need for another two midfield transfer targets who have speed, wit and definitely can create the chances – and also will finish the job as well. We need that other vital source of inspiration from more ‘new blood’ in the middle as Aquilani and Cole need the competition for places to keep that hunger and desire to lift their game to that higher level at all times.  The conclusion of the recent World Cup should have created a transfer buzz at Anfield, but sadly, I am not seeing that type of imagination. Alexis Sanchez, Witsel and Banega are some of the exciting names linked with the club, all of whom are great prospects to lift this club, but we are almost two weeks away from the end of the transfer window and the silence could not be more deafening at this point.

Left side of defense still open

Furthermore, the left-back problem is yet to be solved in my mind as Insua might still get a deal done before the transfer window closes and based on past history, we cannot depend on Aurelio to endure the entire season injury-free. Figueroa, Konchesky and lately Fabio Coentrao from Benfica have turned up on the wish list in some quarters but nothing concrete seems to be in the pipeline just yet. The aim is to have two quality players per position, that’s still the only ideal way, so there is no need for any unnecessary anxiety in the dressing room with the first league game just days away.

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I am a serious football lover and play for fun but to win. I love Liverpool(since the days of Rush, Barnes and the rest), Brazil and Barcelona(Samuel Eto'o and Messi are two joys to watch when in form). I am Jamaican and live and work in the capital - Kingston.
I am married to the most wonderful woman(Debborah) in the world and we have two daughters - our beautiful gifts from God are the best one can ask for(Kimberli and Yendi).
I work with the National Commercial Bank Jamaica Ltd as a Data Management Unit Supervisor. I hope to visit England one day and see the kop in Live and Living colour for myself. Bless.

11 comments

  • Woy says:

    totally agree. the longer this goes on the bigger the effect will be. we are now going into the season no stronger than how we finsihed last season and have so far made a profit on transfers. where is the BIG summer that Hicks promised? If Barca want Masch why not do a swap with some of there strikers i.e pedro, Bojan, Ibrahimovic? same with Inter, you want masch and need to sell Balotelli before being able to afford him. how about a swap deal then!

  • Nobbs says:

    Definitely need a new striker. Even if we cant get a top rated striker, we should at least get a 2nd tier striker who can bang in goals on a somewhat regular basis, like Darren Bent.

    As for a left sided defender, I thought Martin Kelly looked good. If he plays a steady game, that might actually solve that vacant spot for free

  • Yus says:

    Takeover must complete ASAP and summer transfer budget need to release for Roy. With this LFC can bring below player for challenge BPL tittle 2010/11 :-
    Left Back – 1)Fabio Coentrao or at least Figueroa
    D.Miedfielder – 1) S.Defour and M.Flamini or Banega or M.Bolatti
    L.Winger – 1) A.Turan
    R.Winger – 1) A.Sanchez or at least S.W.P
    Striker – 1)D.Forlan or at least C.Cole

    SELL
    J.Mascherano for at least 30 million
    E.Insua – 6 million
    Lucas Leiva – 8 million
    D.Ngog – 6 million

  • hobbes says:

    “If Barca want Masch why not do a swap with some of there strikers i.e pedro, Bojan, Ibrahimovic? same with Inter, you want masch and need to sell Balotelli before being able to afford him. how about a swap deal then!”

    Mainly because (perhaps Pedro aside) those players are on huge wages. Balotelli is after £180k\week from Man City and Ibra is on at least that at Barca.
    Mascherano is on less than half that.

  • paul bishop says:

    ibrahamovic wud not cut it in the prem he is slow and very lazy thats why i cud neva understand why they got rid of etoo 4 him but bent wud defo b a gud option tho

  • BigJanMolby says:

    Whilst I agree that we need another striker as back up for Torres, can I also remind you that we are not in as dire straits as some of our fans like to make out. All this talk of buying 5/6/7 players is well of the mark. We have a good squad as it is. At most we need another striker and a left back. We have an abundance of players in midfield, including the left side, where we can play Babel, Jovanovich, and possibly Pacheco maybe given a go. Even Cole could play there. On the right we have Rodrigues, Kuyt and possibly Amoo could get a couple of games. And in the centre we have Lucas, Aquilani, Gerrard and Mascherano (or whoever his replacement is going to be). The reason for our poor season last season was not because our players suddenly turned bad, it was a number of things – confidence, tactics, team selection, injuries, luck. Remember the season before – top scorers in England and 2nd in the league with a similar squad.

    With good man management and a few new players Roy is going to get the best out of this team. We don’t need 5/6/7 new players.

  • Greg says:

    The “boring strategy from the Benitez era of playing with a lone striker” took us to 2nd place and highest scorers in the league one season! I’d take that boring strategy this season.
    You may have noticed the 3 best teams at the World Cup – Spain, Holland and Germany – all played with a lone striker. So did Brazil. It’s how you support them that matters, and that’s what Gerrard, Cole, Maxi, Jovanovich, Kuyt, Aquilani and Pacheco will have to do. They’re good enough. If we had to, we could go into the season with those 7 + Torres as our attackers. We’d all like another good striker to back up Torres, but I’m not sure we can afford one.

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