LIVERPOOL FC were refreshingly quick out of the blocks this transfer window; a lot quicker than we have become used to, leaving many of us in a somewhat giddy state.
The signings of Kolo Toure, Simon Mignolet, Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto were all done in time for the start of pre-season training – which can only a good thing. They all get a full pre-season in their new environment and by the time the season starts they should be well integrated to the group.
Since then though, there’s been a bit of a tumbleweed feeling about all things transfer related. We were almost given too much too soon. The whole Henrikh Mkhitaryan thing became a bit of a damp squib in the end, with Borussia Dortmund seemingly being in advanced talks with everyone needing to be talked with even before we entered the race.
We all probably knew something would happen the very moment we heard Mino Raiola had entered the fray, and whenever one of these so called ‘super agents’ get involved it’s all smoke, mirrors, hurricanes and a white rabbit – in this case personified by a grinning Jürgen Klopp, whose quotes in the immediate aftermath made me think we never really stood a chance and in retrospect makes it look like a waste of time.
It was a bit of a collective disappointment, I think; a feeling of here we go again, settling for another Jermain Pennant because another Dani Alves slipped away from us. Been there, done that. Once again settling for second best; a hideous word in the context of football transfers.
However, even without any solid links to a similar calibre of player since then – despite the deafening silence – one can still sense a general feeling of optimism among Liverpool fans. I think the successful January transfer window and the highly efficient start of this window has given many of us not only hope, but also belief about the competence of those in charge of identifying and buying players.
The recruitment team has so far proven their worth, and done nothing so far to make us not trust them. It’s too early to give any sort of final verdict, but there definitely are signs suggesting the club has turned a corner as far as scouting and recruitment is concerned.
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There still is business to be done though. Important business, if Brendan Rodgers is to be believed. His recent interviews don’t give too much room for interpretation: so far we have by and large been shopping for squad players; now it’s time to land a couple of players for the starting XI. More specific, a central defender and an attacking midfielder.
As for who those players may be, it looks like pure guess work at the moment. Some rumours about Kyriakos Papadopulos are starting to re-emerge, and the lack of serious links to other central defenders during these silent weeks does suggest he is the primary target and that we could be about to make a second attempt.
Which leaves the question about who this mysterious attacking midfielder could be. The little Brazilian trickster Bernard from Atletico Mineiro has been mentioned; a player who looks like he would slot perfectly in next to players like Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge in the front line. Then we have a certain Christian Eriksen from Ajax Amsterdam, who seems to have been linked with a move for ages now – without much evidence suggesting serious interest from Liverpool.
Everything remains highly speculative at this stage though, with nothing concrete being mentioned as far as names are concerned. One gets the feeling a lot of work is happening behind closed doors, which is where we prefer it to be kept – no matter how frustrating it can be sometimes.
I’m on Twitter @ChristerEikrem. There’s a picture of a funny owl next to my name.
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I sure would like 2 c some more new additions. The question is does liverpool have the resources 2 buy them?
Just watched the match live,entertaining but still a long way to go for good understanding between the players. Bit Rusty..but as all freindly tour matches,we never humiliate the hosts. Perfect guest. Indonesian boys too played well. The new away kit kind of looked smart too.
LFC need Sturridge back from injury and need to bring in another new forward asap. Definately need a centre back. Top four, maybe but still a long way to be champions.
I watched the game against Indonesia, we were bang average, Arsenal beat the same side 7-0 recently. We need heavy investment in new players AND a proven world class manager. How can any right minded fan not see what is going on here?
The manager isn’t the problem. In fact he’s just what a team with limited resources compared to rivals needs as he has a system and a good record of working with youth teams which is what Liverpool will have to contend with as they can neither attract nor afford the top players.
Rodgers wont attract top players, hes too small-time. His record is poor, one season in the top flight with Swansea before he joined LFC and finishes 7th. As for the youth, they’re dropping like flies.
Spot on brig
The youth r dropping like flies? Hey? Coutinho, sterling and to a lesser extent ibe have been shining lights in the first 2 games, suso out on loan is the right move. Henderson, Alberto, wisdom, Kelly back etc… Where does a comment like that fit with reality?
Suso is nowhere, Shelvey sold, Flanno/Robinson have gone backwards, Pacheco on his way out, Wisdom reportedly being loaned, you obviously dont follow the club very closely Ozred, you are living outside of reality in a dreamworld. What will become of Kelly under Rodgers, i fear for the lad.
Ozred shut up you bellend
haaaaaaaaa. that’s funny.
So because we sold Shelvy for 6m, sent suso and pacheco out on loan to get experience and Flanno / Robinson aren’t playing 1st team the youth are dropping like flies… are you insane… Tell me how this is different to any other club you flogger.
BR – Great move to put Suso and Pacheco out on loan. Both need to be playing regular first team football which they won’t be doing here. Was the right time to cash in on Jonjo as he’s not going to be in our top 10 attacking mid / forward options and therefore would have been on the bench most of the year.
Suso, Sterling, Wisdom, Ibe, Coutinho, Henderson all playing the best football of their careers under Rogers.
There’s alot that you could and do whine about but Rogers youth promotion and development couldn’t possibly be one of them.
If Liverpool sell Suarez to Arsenal then it’s a sign they’ve just given up and accepted season after season of seventh and eighth place. Just like Arsenal selling van Persie to Man Utd and giving up on being a side that can win the title.
If he is to go then it has to be abroard. And they need to get a replacement but sadly no player of comparable quality to Suarez would come to Liverpool.
It’s a bit depressing really.
I know there’s still 6 weeks left in the transfer window but if we don’t get the players quickly enough it will take even longer for the new guys to gel because they were not involved in pre-season.
Lets just wait and see……
Optimism ? No way . Rodgers is continuing to downgrade our squad . We have signed nothing top class yet
And didn’t Rodgers say ” we need 3 top class keepers ” ??
Now he is letting reina go . What a ly!ng pr*ck . The man is a disgrace
Top comment. Rodgers IS a disgrace. Constant bullsh1t and a yes man for FSG. Get out Brenda !!!
Rodgers need to downgrade our expensive players. FSG made a big mistake by spending too much in King Kenny’s era. I think the next one to go will be Downing and Skrtel .Luis Suarez will be sold if the right price come along . But going to the Gunners is wrong move for him as he will never win anything there . The only thing he will get is to play in Championship football.
Our summer signings have been terrible for a long time under 4 different managers. So far we haven’t improved the squad other than add some depth. Need to find a couple of world class signings or it’ll be another 5th – 6th place year
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Ozred, stop embarassing urself ya jockey. Coutinho was a 9m transfer, hardly a youth product, Wisdom being loaned because BR cant coach him. Ibe’s played just 2 or 3 games, suso has vanished not even playing, Brenda cant coach these lads so he’s admitting defeat and shipping them out. Coates nowhere under BR yet an international. Wake up you muppet!
In all honesty, Rodgers is a yes man and needs to ask for some serious investment from FSG £40-£50M for transfers and whatever else B Rodgers can make on selling dead wood average players. As even Southampton have backed their manager with nearly £50M already this summer
As it just seems that all FSF want to do is clear out all the experienced players on descent salaries/wages, yet expect the club to serious contend for a top 4.
Its comical to say least, our club needs a mix of experience and youth, we need more class and quality in squad for sure.
But do you think Manchester United would have won the league last season without R Ferdinand, Evra, Vidic Or Scholes? We all know Van Persie was a huge player for United last year but so was their most experienced players.
Since Rodgers reign he has shipped out: Adams, Aquilani, Aurelio, Bellamy, Carroll, Cole, Doni, Kuyt, Rodriguez and Shelvey.
In Bellamy, Kuyt and Rodriguez those were three experienced class quality players who would have offered us more class. Goals and quality last season than Assaidi, Borini Downing and Sterling did all last season.
And i think Bellamy, Kuyt and Rodriguez have more class, quality and goals in them than Alberto, Aspas, Borini, Downing and Sterling.
So bascially we have gone backwards. Whereas Bellamy, Kuyt and Rodriguez had the class, experience and created and scored many goals when they were given chance. Bellamy, Kuyt and Rodriguez guaranteed the club 20-25 goals a season
Between Borini, Downing and Sterling whole of season last year i don’t think they even scored 6 goals.
And i think Alberto and Aspas my struggle to adapt to the physicality, Speed and intensity of the premiership and if both of them score 7 goals each a season i will be very surprised.
B Rodgers needs to bring in class and quality players to club: We need no more average players with potential.
B Rodgers needs to ship out these 7 dead wood average players this summer:
1: GK: B Jones 2:RB: Flanagan 3:CB: Coates
4: DM: Spearing 5: RW / RWF: Assaidi 6: LW /LWF: Downing
7: FD: Borini
And then if Rodgers can bring in £20-£25M on selling those dead wood average hard working players and owners give him £40-£50M also he needs to bring replace those 7 players with more class and quality
But Agger and Skrtel should not be sold at any cost.
Positions that need strengthening and more class, quality competition for places within the Squad:
Goalkeeper: When P Reina(30) Is sold, Mignolet(25) will need some class, quality competition for his place as Reina is world class and proven,Mignolet is class but he is not in the world class bracket. So if Reina is to be sold this summer, Mignolet should not be the only GK. A Mccarthy(23) Of Reading should be brought to club for £4-£7M to compete with Mignolet(25). We cannot go backwards, selling a world class Goalkeeper for a class goalkeeper is a backward step. But selling world class goalkeeper for two class Gk’s with potential to being world class Gks in future is forward step
Defence:
Two Centre Backs: Young class, Quality Centre backs are needed for now and future of club: K Papadopolous(21) Of Schalke and M Sakho(23) Of PSG should both be brought to club for combined total of £26M
A Left back: An experienced mobile pacey Quick Strong left back is needed to compete with Enrique week in week out: A Cissokho(25) Of Valencia should be brought to club this summer for £3-£5M
A Defensive Midfielder: A Powerful Strong No Nonsense Combative Enforcer is needed at club to compete with LUCAS as apart from Spearing who is average, there is no other midfielder at club who can win the ball back, tackle, protect back 4 when Lucas is out injured or suspended. And we have missed the Mascherano and Sissoko type Defensive Midfielder: E Capoue(24) Of Toulouse is a must/priority , he needs to be brought to club for £7-£11M this summer. As he would offer club more class, quality and worth.
Attack:
AM: I Munian(20) Of A Bilbao is a young spanish player in the iniesta Mould, just he has more pace and speed than Iniesta and has youth on his side. Munian has the class, quality to be Spain’s New improved Iniesta. And he is a player that would offer us more class and quality than C Eriksen(20) Of Ajax, Munian can play in numerous positions in attack and with his mobility, pace and speed who would cause any team in world problems. Munian has goals in him but is more of a creater than a goal getter but Munian in a better team than A Bilbao, could and would be a bigger threat than Isco Of Real Madrid. He should be brought to club this summer for £12-£17M Instead of C Eriksen(21) Of Ajax.
RW / RWF: C Tello(21) Of Barcelona should be brought to club this summer for £8-£15M.
C Tello is a better player than any winger we have at club and as club spent this amount on these three players : Allen (15m) Downing(20m) Henderson(18m) , Then Rodgers if he seriously wants our club to compete with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham for a 3rd and 4th position in the league. Then Tello should be a priority, one thing our squad lacks in attack is pace and speed. When Sturridge and Sterling are not in team , we struggle to stretch teams.
LW / LWF: B Arfa(26) Of Newcastle should be brought to club this summer for £12-£15M to compete with IBE, B Arfa is a class, quality player who would cause any team in world football problems. If Rodgers could bring in Arfa and club could help him with his injuries and fitness, a fully fit injury free B Arfa could play for any top side in Europe. He is that good
If Club can keep Suarez and bring in these 7 players then we would have stronger squad, more depth and class within it:
And Top 4 would definately be on the cards if Club could keep hold of L Suarez and bring these 7 players to club
We could have two strong line ups:
Premiership side:
Mignolet
Johnson Papadopolous Agger Enrique
Capoue Gerrard
Coutinho / Munian
Tello Sturridge/ Suarez Arfa
Carling Cup and Fa Cup side:
Mccarthy
Kelly Skrtel Toure Cissokho
Allen Lucas
Sterling IBE
Aspas
And i am sure the first team mentioned if Given time to gel, would cause Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham some serious problems and any team in Europe would struggle against the first team mentioned if those 7 class, quality players brought to club this summer and Club keep L Suarez.