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Who will be the Ace up Rodgers’ sleeve?

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Henrikh-MkhitaryanAS reports continues to surface regarding the pending departure of Liverpool forward Luis Suarez to Real Madrid, Brendan Rodgers seems determined to continue in his efforts of building a Liverpool squad capable of challenging on all fronts with or without the star striker.

In anticipation of the upcoming transfer window, the media seems to be having a field day.

The number of players constantly being linked to Liverpool FC is mind boggling to say the least.

It has become a cliché to say you don’t trust the media and you may be correct not to do so.

However, regardless of the players linked to the club one thing is certain, it will be an extremely busy period in Brendan Rodgers life as Liverpool’s Boss.

And as we welcome the uncertainty that this period brings, I’ve attempted to dissect as best as possible the more realistic and likely transfers that may be brought in by Rodgers.

Goalkeeping

Pepe Reina looks set to continue between the sticks for the Reds, at least for another year. In fact his agent recently stated that the stopper has no intentions of leaving the club, however, reports continues to grow as to his possible departure to Barcelona, the signing of the Belgian international Simon Mignolet from Sunderland looks like a sensible move, let’s hope Brendan Rodgers can get this done.

Defence

Now this is an area that certainly is in need of reinforcements and regardless of the acquisition of Kolo Toure on a free transfer, the likely players to be on Rodgers’s short list are:

Sporting Lisbon’s Tiago Ilori, with Sky Sports recently reported that a £3 million initial offer was rejected by Sporting and a subsequent follow up bid is expected. At 21 years old and stand at approximately 6ft 3inches tall, the center back has good aerial ability, versatile and quick, a solid defender indeed, and at that price would be a bargain.
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Another player being linked is Greek international centre-back Kyriakos Papadopoulos. Indeed, reports are that Liverpool FC is ready to offer Schalke £12million for the 21 year old’s services. Papadopoulos would certainly be the steel in the centre of Liverpool’s defence that is lacking right now, and although priced a bit steep would be a decent investment.

There are also reports of ongoing talks between Reading’s Alex Pearce and Liverpool FC, but nothing concrete at the moment. However, Papa seems to be Brendan Rodgers top defensive target, and appears to be the best option of the three, let’s get him.

Midfield

There are an abundance of talented players in our midfield, and mostly youngsters. I wouldn’t take too much away from what we have at the moment. However, with Rodgers intended on lowering Liverpool’s wage bill, there are going to be casualties. Rodgers stated recently that he is looking to add 20 or so goals to the team. There are reports that FSG are ready to back Brendan in his attempt to secure £22 million rated Armenian international Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

In addition, Rodgers has also identified Sevilla winger Luis Alberto as a potential signing and indications are that he has already agreed personal terms with the winger but is yet to finalise with Sevilla.

Forward

On the attacking front, the addition of Iago Aspas meant that Liverpool for the first time in a while will have a quartet of forwards and despite the financial backing of FSG, will not need to make any additions in this department. However, there will definitely be some shuffling if we lose Luis Suarez.

Should Suarez be allowed to leave here are two candidates who would fit well into that role of goalscorer; Christian Benteke and Mario Gomez.

Looking at the potential signings and identified targets thus far, there is no doubt that the Liverpool’s Squad will be a lot stronger. However, I still think that Brendan Rodgers has another Ace up his sleeves. (Hopefully).
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I have been a Liverpool F.C supporter since the mid 80's, I fell in love with this club when I saw the likes of Ian Rush and John Barnes play. I hold a Law degree from the University of London ,and a Bachelors of Science Degree from the University of the West Indies.

82 comments

  • Ray says:

    We r dooooooomed
    With Rodgers as boss – w r doooooooooooommmmmmmeeeeeed

    • Cou says:

      …says the bluenose.

      Meanwhile your new manager is in Brazil stroking his ego doing TV commentary while Brendan is at Mellwood plotting our successful season.

      • realist says:

        ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

        Rodgers is too stupid . Hopefully he will be sacked by xmas

      • paullfc30yrs says:

        Lol, Ironic really, This time last year our manager was stroking his ego, whilst lording it up in a reality TV show lol.

  • RAY2 says:

    With Bendan in charge we wil be MAGIC – he is briliant

  • Young maxi says:

    We need mkhitaryan,alberto and magnolet

  • Terry says:

    In 42 years of following liverpool this is the most exciting June that I can remember !!

    • Terry says:

      Come on never before has so much been going on!!

      • Erin says:

        Never b4 our best players is trying to leave. Openly!! Never before have we had a manager who wants to sell a reliable keeper . Never b4 has a manager tried to sell a very gd defender.
        Never before has so much change been attempted do quickly . There is a reason for it. It could backfire spectacularly ! Enjoy the ride mate. At least you are excited.

        • Terry says:

          Look we are living in 21 century things are changing, everywhere we are leaders not followers embrace the future love the past but move on be positive stop moaning.

        • chri5jo says:

          You said never b4 best players want to leave, what about these below

          Keegan
          Clemence
          Souness
          Rush
          Owen
          McManaman
          Torres
          Mascharano
          Even Gearard wanted to go

          Some of them players left when we were at the top and winning leagues. Don’t know your history

          • paullfc30yrs says:

            Yes but the circumstances and position the club was in when these players left was relatively stable, I don’t believe the club would be stronger if Suarez were to leave, we look to be re-building….again. Another season of excuses is all I can see on the Horizon.

          • Zed Red says:

            Could add Alonzo….

        • Jack The Lad says:

          One word to bring down that load of tripe you just wrote……..Mascherano!!!

      • scouse ed says:

        Are you serious terry ? Every other summer we had high expectations of challenging for trophies and signing top players

        This summer no top players are coming …NONE . Our best player wants out !!!! ….and we have NO chance of challenging for the top next season

        Never before has so little been going on

        • Terry says:

          I’ve never heard such negativity , remember we are building the future, even I know we won’t win the prem for at least 3years but we must think positive , Brendan is trying to build for the future and I believe he’s got the right approach the owners have got the right approach, the two yanks before we’re mercenaries and wrecked us, Kenny was old school, , we must accept that we are playing catch up and it takes time, we can’t live in the past, we don’t have the money to buy instant success , my prediction is top 5 which is progress , Brendan is growing as are the youngsters, We are on the right track love to you all.

    • paullfc30yrs says:

      lol, now I know you are taking the *.

  • Andrew says:

    We need a better holding midfielder, Lucas doesn’t have the steel that someone like Wanyama or diame offer. That should be a bigger focus. So players like Gerrard and mkhitaryan can get further foward without needing to track back as much.

    • Cou says:

      Lucas is better than either of those players. I think a lot of people have a “grass is greener” thing going on with Diame and Wanyama but I have watched both many times and neither are close to Lucas at his best…and even at his semi-best. A backup would be wise but Lucas will keep that spot. I’m surprised no one has mentioned that Toure will be a great a backup for Lucas. He has played that position very well in the past.

    • chri5jo says:

      Lucas was injured for a good part of the season but still made 2nd most tackles in pl. Clearly you don’t like Lucas, doesn’t matter what anyone says.

  • stephan says:

    If suarez goes liverpool will have to buy a world class attacker.

  • tommy says:

    coming up the hill lads , exciting times

  • kelvin says:

    Dis is d most exciting news eva..mkhitaryan,alberto,papa,mignolet,toure,aspas….to mention but a few……welcome in advance….up Kopities.

  • Ray Maxie says:

    Wait for transfer window to open, then we will see .BR’s investment s.

  • James Russell says:

    i think personally the comments on this website are made by idiots and probably closet homosexuals, Ray especially is finding it difficult to socialise properly, since he’s been allowed out unconditionally.

  • Smurtonio says:

    Looking very good for this season ,Rodgers and the scouts are pulling out some gems ,top4 this season behind City, Chelsea and Aresenal

  • juan says:

    No one can ever deny it, lucas is among the best defensive midfielder in the premier league if not the best, but i cant understand why other lfc fans do not see his contribution,. a good example, remember first leg of europa best 32 against zenith, as when he came in the game changed, nt only that southampon 3-1 victory over us, i dont think if lucas could start from de begining we could lose that match, also i just want to say that our success from january to the end in this season, lucas play a vital role in order for us to achieve that, but some of fans do not see, REMEMBER j LUCAS ISNT A BOX TO BOX MIDFIELDER BUT A DEFENSIVE ONE, i just cant wait to see him at his best in the next season.. also i would love to see mkhitaryan in the liverpool shirt next season, also TRY TO PUT TRUST ON YOUR MANAGER(BR), I do believe if we give him enough time we will successed.

    • paullfc30yrs says:

      Lucas is nowhere near the “Best defensive midfielder in the premier league”, where do fans pull these things from.

  • Temilovic says:

    wel, i commend ian A. n B. rodgers wit work they ar doing ‘though they are all paper talks’. But if by august 31st i c d lyks of; henrik M, luis A, aspa I, kyriakous P, den i’ll knw dat dey both mean wel 4 lfc. I wish rodgers wat he wish himsef or face sack @ d end of nxt season.

  • s'toidi ot says:

    Rodgers would love for Suarez to hand in a transfer request, that would give him another season of excuses. People like him always look for ways to put the blame on someone else, it’s the way he works. Look at how he tried to blame the poor season on skrtel , even tho he was the best cb in the league the last few season’s. man management skills of a dope. Suarez use to love this club before Rodgers came here and now look,Rodgers is forcing him out by playing mind game with the media, telling the cameras he wants Suarez to stay. While privately trying to force Lois out of the club so he can spend the money on signing more of his talentless wimps. Rodgers out now.

    • chri5jo says:

      Prove it that Rodgers wants Suarez out. You can’t….

      Clearly you don’t like Rodgers, but don’t spout things you can’t prove. Pity we can’t get rid off fans, because you’d be first one out the door if you could

      • s'toidi ot says:

        I don’t need to prove myself to stupid fans. When it is obvious rodgers tried the same-thing with skrtel but is to stupid to do it right. Everyone that thinks Rodgers isn’t stupid is stupid them selfs. Fact

        • chri5jo says:

          It’s not fact, if it’ fact you can prove it, which you can’t with the Rodgers/suraez comment you posted. So you hide behind that you don’t have to cos of stupid fans. That just proves to all that your facts have more holes than a sponge. So it’s your opinion and that is all it is neither right or wrong but it’s not fact. Have a nice day

          • Sam Coulls says:

            Chris . U are a typical stupid fan . You can’t see what is staring right at your face

          • chri5jo says:

            @Sam coullas – what is staring me in the face (except my TV at the moment). Stupid as our opinions are different. Not sure where you’re coming from. If you think you’re opinion as more weight than others, then it’s not me who is stupid

    • Hoodin says:

      Let’s be objective. Skrtel played well in the previous season but the team did perform better when Carra started in his place. There are stats to prove this. Suarez in all his latest interviews said he still loves the club and it is the media and the big wigs of the FA that are pushing him out. That aside, there is no proof that rodgers does want suarez out. Unless you are a fly on the wall of rodgers’ office.

      • s'toidi ot says:

        That’s just stupid, stupid, stupid! Just like Rodgers.

      • chri5jo says:

        Your asking a lot lol, he thinks his opinion is fact. You can’t hold a discussion with peoplelike that. Now i wait for the name calling.

  • Stannard says:

    Rodgers is a great manager all u after look at is the football we play now it’s great footy trust in who he wants to sign look at coutinho nobody really new who he was now he’s one ov our best players Rodgers nows what he wants to make the team better n challage for top four * Suarez if he wants out let him go get the 50m n get erikson n dzeko n swop Reina for tello sell skertl n get papadopalous n sell downing Carroll shelvey Flanagan there’s 30 plus m then go n get someone world class

  • Erin says:

    Ace up his sleeve? Last year it was Dempsey! Bullet dodged a bit! Lets hope a better ace this year…

  • Sammy says:

    Never before has a summer transfer window been soooooooooo depressing. Our best player wants to leave, along with probably pur excellent gkeeper and our best centre back has retired.

    Also we have a unproven manager that nobody trusts who is signing average average players because no star layers would join him .

    Honestly. Things have never been as bad as they are now. And it won’t be long before the likes of Coutinho says he wants to leave too

    FSG out . BR out. FOR THE SAKE OF OUR CLUB

    • chri5jo says:

      I remember we signed hyypia, I bet you thought he was average, fans are fickle.

      Were have you been for the last four years….. players want champs league.

      I shouldn’t reply as usual fans are so fickle nowadays. Thank god shankly wasn’t managing today

  • Willy d'gaffer says:

    Hey Mr. s’toidi ot……what do you know about soccer management? If you personally hate Rodgers go knock on his door and let him know about that and not post comments without facts. Liverpool is rebuilding and it takes time and patience so if you can’t wait just check the next door (trameree rovers). Stop being clueless bro. #YNWA

  • ibk says:

    just sign a good replacement for suarez

  • me says:

    Like seriously,I don’t understand some fans o,why don’t u go and buy liverpool and kick fsg and rodgers out.I guess u re as well calling coutinho and sturridge average and talentless players,plzzz watch ur football well…dont hate on rodgers,support

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