As the 2011/2012 Liverpool FC season comes to a close, we’ll all look back at this season’s highs and lows and take stock about what needs to happen to get ready for next season.
In the cut-throat world of football, that can mean players saying their goodbyes and taking stock about who we would love to have in the famous Red strip.
May 5th, at least for the first 60 minutes, again demonstrated there is no doubt that there are some weaknesses in the squad that must be addressed before aiming for Champions League qualification. Or is there?
Keepers: Pepe Reina. Spain’s #2 keeper is strong and consistent (barring this season’s red card). His backup Doni has made mention of needing to regularly play football to warrant his place in the Brazillian National Team, so I have a feeling that he might be on his way out. Brad Jones could be able to step up as the #2.
Defence: Daniel Agger: Absolutely brilliant in the defence. A necessity to stay. Jamie Carragher: an unfortunate back-pass in the FA Cup Semi-Final might have his critics calling, but he’s a must-have stand-by to have on defence. Even if at this point in his career he can’t be regularly starting games, he has the experience and calmness that every team needs. He’s got another year left on his contract and I for one want to see him on the team as long as he wants to be there. Martin Skrtel: Another hardman that you want on your team. A definite stay. Jose Enrique: A definite stay. Sebastian Coates: Goal of the season for me. He’s forcing his way into the team and I can’t wait to see what he can do. A stay. Glen Johnson: A defender who loves to score goals. What’s not to love?
Midfield: Steven Gerrard: Captain Fantastic! Here’s hoping that he’s put a bit of the injury curse behind him and that he can come back strong next season. Maxi Rodriguez: A fantastic player. I know he’s a bit unhappy with not starting as many matches as he wants, but hopefully he can stick around. A super sub. Jordan Henderson: Seems to be either really brilliant or really…not. But he’s young. Is it better that he stays or goes out on loan to get experience? I say a season loan might help immensely. Jonjo Shelvey: If he can get the minutes, he’s going to be a great player. I feel like he’d benefit from another loan move but he’s developed so much this season that maybe it’s better that he sticks around. Stewart Downing: A fantastic performance in the Carling Cup Final, but needs to find more consistency.
Strikers: Luis Suarez. A brilliant start to the season followed by what appears to be a brilliant finish with a hat-trick against Norwich. Let’s just put that stuff in the middle behind us. Can’t wait to see what he can do next season. Andy Carroll: Undecided. I’ve read rumors of a season-long loan and again I feel like this might do him good…but maybe time will help him form a great partnership with Luis Suarez. Definitely has the passion, but wants to start games. Dirk Kuyt: I think he’s on his way out. An absolute engine in the team and an incredibly nice guy that I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. But he’s getting a bit homesick now that his career is reaching the twilight and wants to return to Feyenoord.
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A lot of signings this past summer and not exactly the gelled season that everyone was hoping for. Are we missing the talent or is it just an issue of getting the players time and experience playing with one another? As mentioned above, there’s not a lot of players that I want to lose for next season. Our defence is strong but the midfield just seems to be missing that spark, maybe a nouveau Alonso. If we can add another couple players and get the Carroll/Suarez partnership defined we might be pretty unstoppable.
I would love to see the addition of an Adam Johnson or David Villa (dreaming perhaps), or anyone else with the talent and passion to put on the famous Red shirt.
Until next time, stay positive Reds fans!
Darren Taylor is also the Resident Blogger at AnfieldShop.com
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Need to sort the midfield out as we need more goals from midfield.
Spearing to definately go
KD to move upstairs. AC,CHA,SD,JH,JS,JC. And bring back señor BENITEZ.
need to look at the defence ,one strong left back and a good goalkeeper,for me it pepe reina the main culpirit for the debacle of liverpool
What are you smoking? The defence has been the only plus point of the season, (Carling Cup aside) and that is with Reina admitting he hasn’t had a good season by his high standards.
Henderson, Downing, Spearing, and Adam have done nothing and can go as far as I’m concerned. Unfortunately we’ve spent too much money on two of them to get anywhere near the money we’ve spent, so may have to stick with them. And I doubt we have money to replace any of them. 🙁
And of course Henderson must still have whatever blackmail he has on the owners or the King which has kept him in the team when his performances have certainly not warranted it, 😉 lol so he’ll probably be staying. 🙁
I agree with redhead the midfield players named are simply not up to playing for my club SELL!
and to be honest i haven,t been impressed with the two fat spanish waiters in defence goalkeeper and left back needed.
Kelly has proven he can be a great right back and Johnson, in reality, has been our best right winger. Personnel already here, money saved.
Reina is a flop so far.Erique plays like a glutton rat; he has no pace but likes overlapin,he can‘t dribble,has bad pass as well(is a newcastle plater).INFACT I PREFFER AURELIO TO HIM
This article is a complete joke! With such a headline, one would expect you’d go through all players. Must we assume that when Kelly, Lucas, and Adam didn’t get a mention, then they are the ‘who goes’ players, with no ‘why’, as all the players you mentioned are to stay barring loan deals which are ridiculous. Oh and I suppose Bellamy will just disappear too, not to mention all the others. Christ! the lasy articles!
I am not in favor of us signing anyone, as long as KD is in charge that is. The author had forgot to mention KD, to many of us LFC fans (real LFC fans, do not confuse us with KD fans) the priority is to get a replacement for KD than we talk about players, whether in or our.
We need a manager we knows about tactics, who his best eleven is, who knows something about man management, how much to pay or players and what type of players to buy. KD had proven throughout the whole season, knows none of the above.
Latest romour has it KD is looking to buy Darren Bent. Yes i know many fans eyes would pop out upon reading this but don’t be shock. We are talking about a clown who gave us Downing, Adams, Henderson and Carroll for a combine fee of 85 mill and thinks that players such as Spearing and Henderson is good enough to play in a team aspiring CL football and a cup final, so KD wanting to sign Bent is possible.
Change the manager, that is our priority.
shut up chan …..you moron. go support manure or chelsea you plastic supporter… IDIOT
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