Reading on Guillem Balague’s website today that Liverpool had once again been linked with Juan Mata of Valencia, I have to admit I go a little bit excited about the possibility of the Spanish midfielder plying his trade at Anfield. Saying that, I have been excited when players such as Eden Hazard, Ashley Young, Alexis Sanchez and many other wingers/creative midfielders have been linked with the Reds over the past few months.
There is a part of me who is desperate to see such lauded players in the Red of Liverpool, but another part of me that knows full well that there is a need to be realistic. After all, for the time being, Liverpool are out of Europe’s premier European competition, the Champions League, and there are many other clubs interested in such players who are in fact in a much better position than us, either winning their respective leagues, or have guaranteed Champions League places next season.
The hopes and dreams of every Liverpool fan this summer have to be tempered with the realisation that the Reds will not be first choice for every top player in Europe. Even though it is Liverpool Football Club, we have to be mindful of not expecting Damien Comolli and Kenny Dalglish to pull rabbits out of the hat with the signing of players, who will more likely leave for other clubs.
That is not to say the Reds should not be ambitious in who they try to buy. I am not particularly enamoured, to be honest with you, about the prospect of buying players such as Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing and Jose Enrique, even though all three are very decent players in their own right. For my money though, they are not players who will make the difference between us finishing 5th and winning the title. They maybe in the bracket of players who could help us finish back in the top four, but they will not, most probably, help us to the league title in the short term.
Continue Reading on Page 2 . . .
The difference between winning the title and finishing fifth could well be starting to play at the beginning of the season instead of at the start of Febuary. Also if the likes of Adam and Enrique are bought and we do make the top competition then maybe they should be given the chance to compete in it. Sometimes having top class players in every position won’t work – its more about team balance, some players are class through and through (Suarez) others are a little below (kuyt) but what a team?…..
I agree. It was only a couple of weeks ago that I was saying we need to get our act together FROM DAY ONE of the new season! We are developing a more than useful team as it is so a few key additions will be welcome as well as having Aquilani back!
The likes of Adam, Enriques and Downing are squad players and no better than we have. We need them like we need a hole in the head! If that is what they come up with, then Dalgleish, Camolli and FSG go down in my estimation!Squad players we have – look at our results. What makes the difference between clubs is their quality players. All that will propel us back into contention is some world class players and, if they are too difficult to get, don’t bother settling for more squad players.
Agree mate! Adam not needed (Lucas has settled in), Downing (Why? when you can pay the same money for Turan). Unfortunately, Aquilani can go as well as Agger (hopefully he’ll be somewhat fit for the next 2-3 yrs), Skrtel(may be), Jovanovic, Ayala, Insua, Cole, Poulsen and Konchesky. However, I’m not too sold on Enrique as his Defence is shaky! Izzaguire is good both def and offively and is Scottish player of the year (that might not say much though). LFC need 2 wingers, A LB and another experienced CB to replace Agger. Bring in Park Chu Young (Monaco), Arda Turan, Daniel Sturridge (off the bench), and Commoli/King add the rest
We need a few stars like Juan Mata, Gareth Bale or Edin Hazard. Not overweight players like Charlie Adam or 2nd rate Spanish players like Jose Enrique.
Look at Man Ure winning the league with Luis Valencia, Carrick and Ji Sung Park in their team. Yes, they are champions but nobody respects them as a great team because they haven’t top class renowned players in midfield or attack besides Shrek and 37 yr old Giggs.
Liverpool is one of the world’s biggest clubs. Yes, we need trophies desperately. But we also need world class footballers in our team, not ordinary players like Valencia and Ji Sung Park who just do a job.
What a stupid stupid comment
Thanks Decky. I suppose there will always be a conflict between those of us who want Liverpool to be the number one club in the world and people like you with the corner shop mentality.
Come on Alan! Ji Sung Park is not World Class? Well, he sure plays that way and is used often as a sub! Was Yossi World Class? so so, but these types are players you need to succeed. Just look at Maxi! At one time he was a World Class player! but he’s proving his worth when we need him the most! Funny how the “so called” T.V. pundits aren’t ringing in our ears…”Liverpool are a 2 man team! Without Gerrard and Torres they have nothing!) I love Rafa, but to be honest, Kenny has pedigree and knows how to motivate his team! Tactics aren’t always everything and Rafa rode a early wave of success. After his “coldness” to his team became a norm, they just didn’t play for him! Kenny’s jumping and is so smart not to discuss his contract during an important time in the season! The contract is already there, but the King knows there are more pressing issues! Europe. Anyhow. Park Chu Young from Monaco is exactly what we need. I’d even bring back Djibril Cisse as a back up striker. He would love that!
@Alan – Valencia IS a top class winger – just because he doesn’t do stepovers every two seconds that doesn’t mean that he isn’t top class.
There’s a very good reason that Ferguson is keeping him in the team ahead of the player that deserved to be Player of the Year – he makes the entire team (most notably the strikers though) look a lot better
Lets not forget that comolli talked Bale and Modric to join Spurs before they were in CL.
It was always going to take us more years to compete for the title again. We might get one marquee signing. Get back into CL and improve our squad even further in 2012. Than we will be competing again.
We will get a player like harzad, eriqeu, adam and striker like gomez, negredo or lavezzi.
Are John O’Shea, Park Ji-Sung and Wes Brown world class talents? No…but they do their job and contribute to the success of their team. A champion team isn’t built by having the best players alone. You need to have players who’s style will be conducive to a team’s playing style. Downing’s undoubted crossing ability will add to Carroll’s potency. Jose Enrique is a very balanced left back who knows his duties well and also has an understanding with Carroll from his Toon days. Charlie Adam will add another dimension to our midfield (though I’d rather keep Aquilani). Reina, Agger, Johnson , Carra, Meireles, Gerrard, Carroll, Suarez, Kuyt and Lucas make for a very solid spine. Add to that youngsters like Shelvey, Spearing, Kelly, Flanagan and Robinson who have broken into the first team plus a few quality players in the summer and we could be fighting for a top 3 place next season.
downing – left wing
navas – right wing
cahill – central defender
enrique – right back
mata – attacking mid
this is supercrazy….
……………….reina……………….
……..cara…….skertel……enrique….
………….spearing……lucas………..
navas……kyut………maxi……..downing
………………suarez……………….
sub –
mata for maxi
johnson for navas
cahill for canterback
kelly for rightback
gerrard for spearing
robo for enrique
flano for rightback
meireles for midfield
class action.. this team have his value.. more better than now.
out :
cole } swoop for downing
kyargiakos }
kocesky } swoop for enrique or clicy
insua }
jonjo } swoop for cahill – Good deal
aquilani } swoop for navas
} NESV for Juan Mata
onion.. jonjo out?