Liverpool FC have been linked, in the past few weeks, with what seems like an endless list of players. From Juan Mata to Joey Barton, it feels as though every half decent player’s name has appeared in the press linked with the club since the season ended in May.
It is obvious that we do not need all these players otherwise we run the risk of having an unmanageable squad size that would rival that of Manchester City.
Fans and followers alike have a pretty accurate and concise idea of the sort of players and the sort of positions that we believe King Kenny should target this summer. Of course, the final say rests on the shoulders of the manager, but we all like to think we can predict what Dalglish will look for.
So far, there has been no messing about in regards Liverpool’s summer transfer ‘spree’, as it has been branded. Jordan Henderson has became the first player through the doors of Melwood, costing the owners in the region of £16 million to purchase the 20-year old England international from Sunderland, if reports are to believed. It was thought that French striker David Ngog would be off to ply his trade at the Stadium of Light as part of the Henderson deal, however it is now being suggested that Ngog will stay at Liverpool for now.
For me, the Henderson signing was a strange one. £16 million is a significant amount of money. Especially considering the youngster is primarily a central midfielder, a position in which Liverpool are currently well stocked. Although he can work out wide, the general consensus is that Kenny will look to ploy him down the middle, utilising his creativity and guile.
The question is what players do Messrs Dalglish and Comolli look for now? Well, if the expected exit of Ngog eventually comes to fruition, effectively our third choice striker, there is room for a young, exciting forward to fill his boots. Did somebody say Connor Wickham? The ‘next Alan Shearer’ has been strongly linked with a move to the Reds recently and it would seem like a perfect fit. The move would also fall nicely in with FSG’s policy of signing young, preferably English players with a healthy resale value.
If we do tie up a deal for Wickham, you would have to believe that a winger would be next on the horizon. The majority of Liverpool fans would love to see two quality wingers come in over the summer rather than one and with a few names being linked; it could be a distinct possibility. One player who looks nailed on to be wearing the red of Liverpool next season is Aston Villa winger Stewart Downing. The left-sided midfielder would provide the width that is sorely needed to complement the aerial prowess of Andy Carroll.
Continue Reading on Page 2 . . .
Id like to see young adam johnson at liverpool, not getting enough game time for his development at city. I wonder if he would submit at transfer request if liverpool make there interest known, god knows city dont need the money. Fits in perfectly in with our new policy.
jordan henderson wasnt mentioned as a terget until it was official so we can talk all we want but i think kenny has his own plans. everyone says we have plenty of CM but i think aqua be sold and spearing,shelvey be better out on loan to prem clubs.its gona be an interesting summer hope kenny does a good job in the market. tough job for commolli getting rid of the dead wood.
Fluid formation for me next season.
Generally Lucas holding and Carroll up top with 4 of the following making up the other positions:
Gerrard
Suarez
Meireles
Henderson
Kuyt
Maxi
New winger (TBC)
In certain games Lucas or Carroll could make way for two of the others dependent on what’s required on the day, e.g. front two of Suarez and Kuyt with Gerrard behind……..
Gotta be Baines left back, Mata left wing. Baines bombs outside and Mata provides variation.
I can’t believe we haven’t been linked with Leighton Baines or aren’t pushing for the lad. I read this article like on the lad and if the stats are true, then he’d take care of assists on the left:
http://footballneutral.blogspot.com/2011/06/why-liverpool-need-leighton-baines.html
Good article! I don’t know what is with the Henderson deal but it’s done and we have to accept it. It would have been better if he was left footed. If not, it was better to get Koo from Wolfsburg for a quarter of the price paid!
Coming back to your question, I think the priorities should be worked-out properly. A left winger is the minimum and we should go for a pacy, physically strong and creative player with excellent crossing ability. We also need to ensure an excellent left-back is acquired. Again, we need a balance between defensive and offensive qualities with strength, pace, creativity and crossing ability as the yardsticks.
Our opportunity to bring a left footed defensive mid (like Matiudi or Veloso) seems to have evaporated with Henderson so Gerard is likely to be restricted to deep play and is unlikely to do what he did in 08/09 our recent best year. We can differ the DM issue to next year but for now we need to bring a CB with ball-playing ability like Lovren, Subotic, Hummels or Cahill (if he is not over priced)! YNWA
I don’t understand these buys. Why Connor we have ample fire power coming through the youth, what’s going to happen to sterling, Amoo and CD’s like Wisdom and Coady. Why do we have sooooooooo many CM’s. Does this mean Spearing is going out on loan?? I really don’t get it.
I really hope Dalglish has a plan up his sleeve regarding the signing of quality players and I hope he doesn’t just look within just the UK for them.
Henderson is a good buy but we were far too slow in getting him, thus meaning we lost out on Jones and soon to be Young also.
Being linked with the likes of Downing (Crap), Dann (ok but too slow), Adam (slow and another CM), Enrique (crap) and other average players is very concerning if the links turn out to be true.
We have always needed more flair, preferably on the wings, so really hope we beat United to Young and bring in Mata also plus umpteen other quality players.
Exactly Lee. I wouldn’t mind Wickham and he looked like he had a bit of something when Arsenal played Ipswich in the Carling Cup. As for Downing, Dann, Adam and Enrique, I wouldn’t be happy.
Apparently Mata is interested in coming and I’d go nuts if a player like him is interested even tho we can’t offer Champs League this season like.
We def don’t need Adam. A top left back like Baines and a classy winger like Mata should be focused on first cos those are gaps in our first eleven. Happy with Hendo but need to deal with first team now!
I think he is signing Home grown quality to comply with the squad rule although I’d like to see our own youth come through. And all this talk about wingers but we are being linked with cheap ones like Downing, he’s good I’ll give him that but he’s no Mata, Hazard or Carzola…also 3rd choice striker could be Chu-Young park although there’s lots of rumours about Aguero…if that is true maybe we are reverting to 4-3-3 hence the cheap wingers? Just a though.
Lewis..agreed! about Park Chu Young (good option to have and his work rate is huge! plus he brings intangibles where he could play off striker as well as a winger as Yossi did!)…As well as Carzola, however It would have been nice if we took Sturridge for £5m in the deal that sent Torres the other way, but Sturridge’s stock has risen because he’s shown that he can be a regular scorer when given a constant run-in!. I’m still all go for having a 3 pronged attack with Kuyt either starting or coming off the bench and Falcao added to the mix! Would be unstoppable as in the Chelski days of old!
spot on about Sturridge.
But Pacheco counts as home grown and we have plenty of those. Suso will be considered home grown, ditto every youngster we’ve got!
4411/433 are options but Lucas has to start, so does Gerrard. Meierles, Spearin and possibly Hendo if he doesn’t play on right side. Would love to hear at least a couple of players such as Mata, Honda, Hazard come to the club on top of the English players. Would be great.
Guess we’ll have to see what happens.
Agred Chris but Hazard doesn’t even have ‘Pool in mind (He wants European challenges to up his stock) and Honda all ready said NO because he prefers La Liga…Remember we want players who want to be here and your right when you say Pacheco, Suso, Sterling, Silva, Coady, Wisdom, Morgan and Co. want to be here and eventually contribute, thats why I’m not to hyped on purchasing young players if we’re going to stump the opportunity for Sterling, Suso and Co. to get a regular run in! Buy some experienced players in their mid-20’s. FACT – Heard on broadcast on the Tele for a game: Championship Teams in the Prem are at a avg age of 26 years! You would think Wenger would know that his “spritely” young lads are going to win with years of growth! not buying a bunch of 21 yr olds to try to win the Prem!
Fair do’s Shaun on Hazard but was just giving an example of the type of quality we need. Mata and Honda would be sufficiently older than our youngsters to envisage a route for them coming through.
Honda would be brilliant on so many levels. Maybe his frustration in Russia might provide an opening for a move to Liverpool but we have the quality in reserves and academy if given a chance…
Why all the stress about us not buying European players “yet”??? We or anyone else are not able to buy rom Europe until next month… And why would anyone think Kenny has not seen the holes in teh team and be working night and day with Commoli to find the best we can get without the cash of a Man City and whilst juggling getting rid of a load over payed players not worthy of the red shirt…. Be patient as I think we have a great management team and very supportive owners. Fingers X’d. Law
We spend £35m on Carroll and we can’t spend £30m for Radamel Falcao!!! COMMMME ON. Falcao had 38 goals in 42 games for Porto with 17 goals in Euro alone! Thats goalscoring at its finest! Just Imagine if we can sell a few players like Aquilani, Jovanovic, Cole, Poulsen, Agger or Skrtel(Dann a better and replacement and he’s true red scouse!), Jones, Glen Johnson(don’t want to but I think Kelly will solidify the position as Arbeloa did when we came 2nd) and bring in Falcao and Baines, may be even Ryad B or another top class winger if you don’t like Ryad (ie: N’Zogbia, Turan, Affelay, Brunt, but pls no overpriced Downing!)
Shaun, most of what you say makes sense but to get rid of Skrtel? Ok he isnt the best – but he is good enough to keep the bench warm.I think Kelly is the natural replacement for Carragher at some point but I dont see any harm in continuing to develop Flannagan at right back and I think Johnson should play left back but either way it is good to have him to cover both positions – so its a left back required if we can get one.
The names don’t matter too much – as long as the players are very strong in at least 3 of the following criteria
Speed, technical ability, strength and size,
then they’ll add massively to our team.
The positions to be strengthened in order of priority should be;
1. First choice winger
2. Left back
3. Backup wideman
4. Ball winning midfielder
Anything after that would just be a bonus, that we could just as easily do without, by just using the reserves whenever the needs arises