“SILLY Season”, coined as long ago as 1861 by the now defunct Saturday Review newspaper, aptly refers, in the context of football, to the Summer transfer window’s spurious rumours that do their rounds for all clubs in all leagues. The bigger and more popular the club; the more numerous, absurd and untruthful the rumours.
Fans, devoid of games and the associated controversies to occupy our passionate attention, are drawn towards postulating and arguing about hypothetical new signings and sales that rarely have any truth to them. I’m no different.
With Brendan Rodgers’ job clearly safe for another season (or at least a half of a season, dependant on early season form), most of these rumours refer to comings and goings, and primarily comings. Although we have not actually signed anyone yet (Toure still has to wait for his Man City contract to expire before finalising the deal) I have been rather pleased by the type and quality of many of the players linked to us.
Players like Kyriakos Papadopoulos and Iago Aspas may not be at the level of Neymar and Falcao, but have ability, value and youth. Furthermore they play in positions in which we need to strengthen.
Papa is a strong, aggressive central defender, a position we are clearly weak in considering the retirement of Carra, the poor form of Skrtel and Coates, and the likelihood that Agger won’t be quite as injury free next season. Aspas is a forward who is comfortable playing in the No. 9 position (where he has played primarily for Celta Vigo) but also wide right and left. He is fast, versatile and above all a mobile attacker who should fit well in a fluid attacking formation.
With Sterling still 18, Assaidi below standard, and Downing hardly a world beater the wide areas are in need of reinforcement. Furthermore with only 3 strikers at the club, and both Morgan and Yesil still needing much improvement to challenge for the first team, another player who can play as a striker will be useful.
I’m pleased when I hear good players are linked to positions I think we need to fill. I’m angry when bad players are linked to positions we need to fill. However I am also a little worried when a good player (more so a bad) is linked to a position that I don’t think we need to fill.
One such position is the Number 10 role.
It is said that you can never have enough good players. That good players can always play together. But if that is the case, then a team of 11 Messis would be unstoppable. It clearly wouldn’t be. Players fit certain profiles and bring certain skills, abilities and attributes to the particular needs of their positions. New players being brought in must fit well with the players already at the club, and meet needs that are not already being met by the present squad.
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Luis Suarez is still a Liverpool player. ‘If’ he stays a Liverpool player, his best position for me is the No.10 role. Playing a free role behind a striker (e.g. Sturridge), that allows him the freedom to cause havoc while still giving us another player to lead the line and occupy the opposition centre-backs.
Philippe Coutinho’s best position is No.10. Since Suarez’s ban, the diminutive Brazilian has played the role like he was born to it, linking midfield to attack with intelligence, incisiveness and sublime passing.
Jonjo Shelvey’s best position is No.10. It’s where he has been most successful in his career, primarily at Charlton but also for us. It’s where he plays for England Under 21s.
Suso’s best position is No.10. He may only get the occasional outing in the wide areas, but given he hasn’t the physicality to play deeper, and he already has a good sense of dictating tempo and utilising his wonderful passing range, playing just in front of a midfield 2 (or just off a striker, depending on how you look at it) is where he is best suited.
We’ve also seen that in some games, rather than a No.10/Second striker we are better off playing a 3rd pure midfielder to help control the game.
Suarez, Coutinho, Shelvey and Suso all suit the No.10 position (when we have need of it), and yet all play the role differently and have differing development needs. The last three are young, but talented, and need opportunities. And we all know how well Steven Gerrard can play the role as well.
Players like Christian Eriksen, Henrik Mkhitaryan and Luis Alberto Romero are very good players. Players that excite me by playing quality attacking football. However they all prefer to play the central No.10 role, and either haven’t got experience playing out wide of have said they don’t want to.
Don’t get me wrong. I’d still be pleased to see any of these three at the club, but it would concern me that we were spending a sizeable amount of a minimal transfer kitty on players for a position we are already strong in, when that money could be spent getting better quality players in positions where we are weak.
This is Silly Season. And perhaps, in fact probably, Liverpool aren’t pursuing the players we think they are. If, however, they are looking at players for the No.10 role, and these targets aren’t able to also fulfil other roles, I for one hope we aren’t making a big mistake.
Though, of course, if Luis Suarez does leave, that changes everything.
Do you agree that Liverpool FC don’t need any more players for the No.10 role? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
You can catch more from me on my own blog: http://taintlessred.blogspot.co.uk/
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What we seriously need are central midfielders and wide attackers
If Rodgers plays Allen , all is lost. We need steel in central midfield – at least 2 I would think as Henderson doesn’t do enough
We seriously need to replace Downing too. In two seasons you can count his goals and assists on both hands , it’s not good enough
Downing definitely doesn’t it it. No end product and simply doesn’t win us goes. Goal and assist record is awful.
And 2 goals and 0 assists in 22 apps Borini doesn’t do it
And 1 goal 0 assist for Joe Allen in 40 appearances
How did these 2 lemons get so many chances ? No other big club would give these two so many chances. They have to go
Despite what Rodgers says, before coming to Anfield he’d never managed a top player before. Hence he didn’t really know what a top player looks like and so bought what he thought were the best two players he’d ever managed. After 6 months of working with the likes of Suarez and Gerrard, and probably guided / helped by others, he bought better in the Winter. Hopefully that continues.
I really dont getvur point, just cause we have players who could somewhat fit that role-we dont need improvements?? So why in Earth did we get Suarez when we had Bellamy at that time???
No. The point is clear. Focus our minimal transfer budget on buying quality for positions that we are actually in need of. e.g. CB, winger… Etc. Not another Number 10 player if he can’t also play other positions.
Get your facts straight we didn’t have Bellamy when we signed Suarez
We need a striker like Huiguin but preferrably Mario Gomez, a good winger or two, more creativity in midfield (even though Aspas looks good and may be able to add to our talent) with another enforcer to help Lucas, a left side and a central defender!
Although Tevez would be good, he could also be problematic so we should leave well alone!
Agree, though Higuain is going to Juve I think.
The midfielder is a tough one because if we play with Suarez or Coutinho off a number 9,then we have a midfield 2. One of these would be Gerrard so the other would need be strong defensively as well. I think we are sorely lacking of other options if Lucas doesn’t play (I hate to see Allen playing in his place), I’d go for Kevin Strootman if we had the money and Manchester United don’t get him.
We actually need a lot to be a real force again. And it doesn’t look like our cowboy owners won’t be spending what is needed .unlike you I haven’t been impressed with those linked with us. Toure was good , but now ? Aspas looks a back up nothing more, and llori is potential nor for now
Thank you so much I’ve also said it that we are not concentrating on our need in this transfer market,but I believe is that they are buying for resale purpose
I guess we can only judge after we have seen the new signings (whoever they may be) perform week in week out. Fingers crossed we buy well, we’ll have to if we want to progress.
Good article. I agree we have enough number 10’s even if Saurez goes, it won’t be the most needed use of 50m.
Mykhitaryan can play deeper though and would be great addition. Winger, Def mid and central defender must be top priorty surely.
Thanks Rob. Fair point on Mykhitaryan, my concern would be that if Suarez or Coutinho play the no. 10 position then Mykhitaryan would have to play alongside Gerrard, who’s much rather play with a more defensively capable player. If we went for a midfielder I’d prefer Strootman. I rate Mykhitaryan highly but am worried if whether he’d make a good partnership with Stevie G.
Dont forget that we need a cover for no.3 (left back) Jose has been injured alot this past season
Agreed. I don’t think Robinson’s ready yet.
Allen,henderson and to some point lucas are similar players. But rodgers wont bench allen yet we all know that we need another defensive midfielder likes of wanyama to bring steel to the midfield.
Agree we need another defensive midfield to challenge Lucas. I don’t like Allen playing that role. Strootman fits the bill for me.
Is this article a joke or some kind of trolling? We are trying to compete in the most competitive league on earth and your implying we don’t need more creative players?? We need quality overflowing in every department, get real mate before posting this rubbish, go look at our rivals
Obviously if we had 100s of millions of £s we could buy all the players you’d like but we don’t. I’d rather we spend our money on a quality centre back, quality winger, and a quality midfielder as priorities.
I didn’t say we don’t need more creative players. I said rather clearly and specifically that we don’t need more no. 10 type players. If a player can play that position as well as others as well (e.g. Like aspas) then that’s great.
Lad we need more, it creates competition and strives players to perform better
Steve, we just don’t have the money. If we buy a cb (replace Carra, Toure isn’t enough) , winger (Downing isn’t hood enough) , left back (to cover / challenge Enrique), defensive midfielder (to cover / challenge Lucas) there is no money left.
In fact we probably don’t have enough money to buy ‘real’ quality in those 4 positions already and have to settle for £6m-£8m players rather than £15m – £20m players.
If we buy another pure No. 10 then we can’t fill one of those positions which is vastly more important. That’s all I’m saying. We aren’t loaded like City or Chelsea.
Gabriel . When you say we just don’t gave the money …that’s not true .
Our owners have the money ..but they choose not to spend it – big difference
I’m sick of hearing this ‘we don’t have money ‘ bull
We are in the top 10 in the world for revenue. John henry has a personal fortune alone of 2.5 billion according to Forbes.that’s not including the other members of FSG
They could afford to splash 500 m if they wanted
We ve too many in the no 10 role even pacheco who is anoda class on his own. So y anoda midfda. Hendo can share wit lucas nd gerrard whilst cout,shelv, suso nd pacheco can share de no 10 role.thats all!
Pacheco ? He is going . Not very smart at all !
Wat we need is central midfielder atleast 2, right & left wingers & a central defender try 2 hold on 2 suarez
We DO need a number 10. Coutinho looks great out wide. Shelvey n Suso are not good enough
Gerrard should be playing there,but our trainee manager plays him in wrong position , so we need a no 10 to support suarez (hopefully)
If Suarez stays, then I’d prefer yo see Sturridge up front with Suarez in the No.10 role.
Gerard replacement needed . That’s the thinking . Get the right type in b4 they go elsewhere. As Gerard is a vital cog it needs looking at. That’s why it’s so difficult running lfc and what makes the job so big .
you clearly know nothing of football.
We need 2 central midfilders,2 more defenders and one more attacker added,but also try to retain Surez at all possible cost.He is a great tilent but needs to be counselling.
We do need another Number 10 as the writing is on the wall for Suarez, he claims he wants out blah blah blah, he is a great player and will be missed but i just hope the owners and Rodgers stay strong and firm and do not accept nothing less than £65M for Suarez.
Suarez is better than Bale and Real Madrid have offered over £65M for Bale, so that should be the going rate OF Suarez.
Suarez only recently signed new contract so he can say he wants to leave all he wants he has contract he is signed into and even though there is £40M clause in his contract , club do not have to sell at that price, they can let him talk to teams if £40M clause is met but do not have to accept offer at all.
Suarez should be sold for no less than £60/£65M
And then 5 Attacking players need to be brought to replace and yeah one of them is a NO 10; As apart from Coutinho at club, Suso and Shelvey will need another year or two to adjust to league to play consistantly to a high standard and meet the demands of what is needed week in week out. And Suso and Shelvey are good but not class, quality that will keep Coutinho on his toes and performing to his best ability week in week out knowing someone is as good as him can take his spot.
If Suarez is sold this summer, it should be for no less than £60/£65M and these are the five players who should be brought to club to replace him 5 good class players with the potential to being world class players in future for the price of 1 world class player:
1: CM: De Guzman (25) Of Villareal for £4-£7M to compete with Allen, Gerrard and Henderson Quality Competition for places
2: AM: I Munian(19) Of A Bilbao for £8-£14M to compete with Coutinho, Suso and Shelvey Quality competition for places
3: RW / RWF: C Tello(21) Of Barcelona for £8-£10M to compete with Sterling.
Quality competition for places
4: LW / LWF: D Capel(25) Of Sporting Clube De Portugal / Lisbon for £4-£7M to compete with IBE Quality Competition for places
5: FD: L Muriel(23) Of Udinese for £10-£14m to compete with Aspas and Sturridge
Quality competition for places
Thanks for the reply Dennis. If Suarez is sold we do need to bring in another Striker for sure. Ideally he should be a player who can both play as a No 10 and no. 9 position like Luis, but these players are rather rare.
II doubt that we’d get £65m for him. Because of his misdemeanours and the fact that if Madrid make an offer Suarez will certainly cause a big fuss to force his way out, the most we’ll be able to get is £55m imo. Possibly less. Bale peachy clean image (despite his persistent diving) and fact he won’t force through a transfer increases his price. He’s also 4 years younger.
I like Tello & Capel as well. Due to Neymar’s arrival I hope Tello sees he’ll barely play and decides to leave. Munian is a good player too but flush with cash from Suarez sale we could push for a better player like Eriksen or Mykhitaryan.
I don’t think de Guzman is quite Liverpool Quality. Muriel is talented but hardly prolific. Udinese sent him on loan and he scored only 7 in 29 for Lecce.
Liv shld sel Shelvy 4 around £8m 2 support the funding of a quality, mature and wel experience no.10.
suso and shelvey need to go on loan, and Suso needs a bit of speed work, though not too much as he’s still young.
And Coutinho is only 20. You don’t want to burn him playing every game, and at his age, there are games where he will be nullified/go missing despite clearly being world class.
So we do need another creative player and Buck wants a dangerous AM which will make me happy as Mkhitaryan looks like the dogs’, despite his price (which in reality is the same as a £16m of a few games ago.
Fix the defence, buy a couple more decent attacking players for AM and wide and send the kids out on loan. Keeping them in the squad is holding back their development eg Shelvey who is going backwards.
If the scouts pull another January job in quality then this summer will see us go a long way to fixing the calamity Commolli/Kenny’s awful transfers. then we can be serious top 4 challengers.
If we go into next season without a midfield enforcer – we is doooomed
Strootman the mam, but I doubt we’ll go for him and if we do doubt we’ll get him.
I love this up liverpool for life
We have found it soooo difficult to find excellent wide players since….since…..John Barnes really. Now we finally have someone class there in coutinho , you want to play him in the middle ? That’s crazy
Coutinho should stay wide and a no10 should be bought as neither Suso or Shelvey are ready._ and playing Allen there is ridiculous
Coutinho is wasted out wide. He needs to b central . He is not winger anyway
I love d work of our boss. He knws what he is doing and he also knws d kind of players dat fitt his style of playing. Thanks