Liverpool Thread: Road to thinking we might get top 4, only to feel stupid at the end of the season

by **Crimey** Wed 05 Jun 2013, 2:52 pm

Transfer ins:
Kolo Toure (free transfer from Manchester City)

Transfers out:
Danny Wilson (free to Hearts)
Jamie Carragher (free to Sky)
Peter Gulacsi (free to Salzburg)

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 05 Jun 2013, 2:53 pm

Danny Wilson. Whatever happened to him, he was meant to be quality

by **Crimey** Wed 05 Jun 2013, 2:57 pm

6 fingered tractor boy wrote:Danny Wilson. Whatever happened to him, he was meant to be quality

Basically went on loan a bit, when Liverpool used him he looked a little out of depth. He wasn't bad, just not really good. Never really got a shot at Liverpool, disappointed to see him move back to Scotland, think he'd have been better off playing in the Championship where he could build his reputation back up.

by **Kenny** Wed 05 Jun 2013, 2:58 pm

Some idiot on Sky is saying Monaco have bid 15 million for Agger , why would we sell him for that when he has signed a new contract and when we apparantly turned down more from Man City last year ?

slow day for rumours on Sky by any chance

by Guest Wed 05 Jun 2013, 3:54 pm

Why should thinking top four but feeling stupid at the end of the season be any different for us this year as opposed to any others?

What I WOULD like though, is for the "Oh balls, we're definitely out of the running for top four now" feeling to kick in a bit later than mid-November.

Even my wife (a staunch Manure fan) can't keep a straight face when she says "Don't be so negative, there's still plenty of games to play"

by **Kenny** Wed 05 Jun 2013, 7:31 pm

Good to see 4 of young lads being picked for tonights U21 game , first cap for Jack Robinson tonight .
Plus Borini playing for Italy aswell

by **Crimey** Wed 05 Jun 2013, 8:02 pm

Was just saying that on the U21 thread, it's been a good few years since Liverpool were so well represented for England at any level. For all of Benitez's good work, he didn't do a lot for the English side of the club.

We could make a decent XI out of English players from the squad.

--------------------GK---------

Flanagan-Wisdom-Kelly-Robinson

---------Henderson--Gerrard

Downing-------Shelvey-----------Sterling

-------------------Sturride------------------

by **Kenny** Sat 08 Jun 2013, 9:52 am

Quote from the Daily Mail

Pepe Reina " To be honest, I would like for Luis to stay at Liverpool but I understand if he is thinking about leaving for a bigger club. When I say bigger I don't mean as a club. I mean challenging for titles, playing in the Champions League and competing with the best."

by Guest Sat 08 Jun 2013, 11:58 am

That last sentence says it all. Not sure why Reina would want to stay either, especially if a Barcelona move is on the cards. I just don't see Liverpool being anywhere near a top 4 side next season. The signings are not taking you to the next level and, if anything, your now facing the consequences of no champions league football. Some of the players can go without for a couple of years but the continuation of Europa league football means the top players will end up leaving sooner rather than later.

by **Crimey** Sat 08 Jun 2013, 5:11 pm

Doesn't anyone think a move for Scott Sinclair would be a good idea? Rodgers is obviously a fan having coached him in the youth squads of Chelsea and taken him to Swansea.

I think he was stupid to move to City, but if he's forced out for a cheap fee I think a move might be a good idea. He'd definitley push Downing for a starting spot and might regain some of the form he had at Swansea.

by **Kenny** Sat 08 Jun 2013, 6:25 pm

Given the number of players we have been linked to , yes i am surprised Sinclair hasn't been mentioned . He would weigh in with a few goals aswell

by MIG Sun 09 Jun 2013, 10:18 am

I think Sinclair would be a very good signing for anyone outside the top 4. Problem is he's probably on big wages at City so that could be a stumbling block. Would like to see him move on and get some game time. His talents are wasted there.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sun 09 Jun 2013, 10:21 am

I thought Sinclair was very good for Swansea in the Championship, but in the Premier League I thought Dyer was much better than Sinclair. If I was Liverpool I'd hope to do better tbh

by MIG Sun 09 Jun 2013, 10:25 am

I certainly think Sinclair is a better option than Downing at the very least.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sun 09 Jun 2013, 10:26 am

Surely it'd be better to give Sterling gametime?

by **Crimey** Sun 09 Jun 2013, 10:29 am

6 fingered tractor boy wrote:Surely it'd be better to give Sterling gametime?

It's all about squad depth. At the moment I think the first eleven is actually pretty good, but once one or two player are injured, or we want to change the game with a substitution or just want a little rotation the quality levels drop off of a cliff edge.

I imagine Sterling will be the first choice winger if no more are signed, along with Coutinho on the left, but I want to see one or two wingers be brought in.

by MIG Sun 09 Jun 2013, 10:33 am

Yeah good point. I guess a lot depends on whether Suarez goes and if he does is he replaced like for like and what formation they'll be playing. Cause if they'll still have Suarez, Sturridge, Coutinho and Sterling then Sinclair wouldn't be a priority.

by **Crimey** Sun 09 Jun 2013, 10:45 am

I think for me wingers are the priority, Downing and Sterling are the only two actual wingers we have in the squad that Rodgers would ever use. Assaidi will almost definitely be out, Sturridge and Suarez are both better through the middle and while the likes of Henderson/Coutinho can play out wide, it'd be better if we had some more true wingers to adapt how we play and offer something different.

I'd definitely be looking at the likes of Sinclair, if we get him cheap enough, my thinking is that if City force him out, and he wants football then Liverpool can offer him it, and it'll be attractive move because of being managed by Rodgers again.

by **Crimey** Sun 09 Jun 2013, 10:56 am

Another I'd consider buying provided he was cheap enough, so around £5 million, is Arouna Kone. I really liked him at Wigan, I thought he had the pace to be a good winger, but decent enough finishing ability to be able to pop in with a few goals.

Sinclair and Kone would both be good signings, provided we don't overspend on them. If we could get them both for £10 million and have them on average rather than high wages I'd think they'd constitute two decent signings.

by MIG Sun 09 Jun 2013, 11:01 am

I think you'd be lucky to get them both for £10m.

by **Crimey** Sun 09 Jun 2013, 11:24 am

MIG wrote:I think you'd be lucky to get them both for £10m.

I agree, but if we can I'd take them.

My thinking is that City will probably want Sinclair out of the club, he's obviously not needed and I can see a lot of the dead wood being moved on, so the likes of Lescott, Kolarov and Sinclair. I can't imagine many people will be massively eager to spend a lot of money on Sinclair, he moved to City for £6.2 million and has barley played so they can't exactly demand that much for him. The bigger issue for me is his wages, I can't imagine he'll be eager to drop down anywhere near to his Swansea levels, but I don't think he'll be worth how much City are paying him. I'd hope the Rodgers thing might swing it though.

As for Kone, Wigan are relegated, Kone along with McManaman and McCarthy, is their best players and will probably be sold. The fact that they've been relegated puts them in a poor negotiating position, Kone most likely wants the move and Liverpool would be a good move for him. It depends, I suppose, on the financial position that Wigan are in. If the parachute payments and the general financial situation of the club puts them in a good position then they might be demanding quite a bit, in which case I'd walk away, but if they're eager to sell they might let him go for £5 million. That'd be nearly double the amount they originally paid for him. Again wages may be a stumbling block, he is probably in the position where he could move abroad and earn a pretty penny, but I'd hope he'd be tempted by a move to Liverpool.

by MIG Sun 09 Jun 2013, 11:34 am

Yes it is a possibility I guess. I think the amount of clubs that come in for them could bump the prices up a bit. I wonder how many of the Wigan players Martinez will want to take with him as well. If any.

by **Crimey** Sun 09 Jun 2013, 11:53 am

MIG wrote:Yes it is a possibility I guess. I think the amount of clubs that come in for them could bump the prices up a bit. I wonder how many of the Wigan players Martinez will want to take with him as well. If any.

I think McManaman and McCarthy would be the most logical ones for him to take to Everton, I think they'd fit in well in that side.

by MIG Sun 09 Jun 2013, 11:59 am

Not Kone then? What about Carroll then? If you were in charge at Liverpool what would you do with him?

by **Crimey** Sun 09 Jun 2013, 12:07 pm

MIG wrote:Not Kone then? What about Carroll then? If you were in charge at Liverpool what would you do with him?

I can't see him taking Kone, but he'd be a pretty good signing as well for Everton who lack a good forward. Particularly one with pace.

I just don't know any more. I really like Carroll, I think he's an excellent player who could be one of the top forwards in Europe. He's strong, he's good in the air, he's good with the ball at his feet, he puts a shift in, he has surprisingly good control, defenders are terrified of him and he has a very good left foot. However, I can't see him starting at Liverpool, Rodgers just doesn't want to. I don't think there is any point keeping him as somebody to sit on the bench, under Dalglish he was never as good coming off the bench (bar the FA Cup final) and it's not good for a player who struggles with his fitness, he needs to be playing week in, week out to get the best out of him.

I am so conflicted in what I want from him, because I'd love him to stay, I think he's been unfairly treated at the club, Henderson and Downing had poor first years but have started to turn it around last year, Carroll if he can stay fit is a player who'd be an asset to any side. The problem is that Rodgers just doesn't want to use him, and if that's the case it's better to cash in now. I wouldn't accept a penny less than £15 million though.

by MIG Sun 09 Jun 2013, 12:25 pm

I really rate him personally. But Liverpool would have to change their style to suit him. If Suarez goes you could get a hefty fee for him then you've still got Carroll and Sturridge. The money could be used else where on the team. Like you say wingers would be priority especially with Carroll. But like you've already said that's very unlikely under Rodgers.

by Dr Gregory House MD Tue 11 Jun 2013, 12:50 am

6 fingered tractor boy wrote:Danny Wilson. Whatever happened to him, he was meant to be quality

First I heard of this, shame that his move didn't work out for him, he always seemed assured in champs league action for Rangers whenever I saw him, not many 18 year old defenders could say that, hope his move gets him back on track, though he must have taken a hell of a wage cut to go to hearts

by **Mat** Tue 11 Jun 2013, 12:06 pm

What happened to Assaidi? Played against us in the Carling Cup earlier in the season and he was absolutely electric, don't think I've seen him play since!

by **Crimey** Tue 11 Jun 2013, 12:09 pm

Mat wrote:What happened to Assaidi? Played against us in the Carling Cup earlier in the season and he was absolutely electric, don't think I've seen him play since!

It's a mystery.

Rodgers just doesn't use him at all, I don't know who signed him because despite him looking really good when he has played, and our lack of real wingers, Assaidi has barely played and will likely leave.

by Fernando Tue 11 Jun 2013, 12:16 pm

Aspas is currently having a medical

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Tue 11 Jun 2013, 1:23 pm

I think they say Ascope nowadays

by Guest Tue 11 Jun 2013, 1:49 pm

chris.wilkerson13 wrote:I think they say Ascope nowadays

No doubt Suarez will be incurring the wrath of yet another group when he's running around shouting "Aspas"

by MetalMotty Tue 11 Jun 2013, 3:40 pm

Kenny wrote:Some idiot on Sky is saying Monaco have bid 15 million for Agger , why would we sell him for that when he has signed a new contract and when we apparantly turned down more from Man City last year ?

slow day for rumours on Sky by any chance

Latest rumour i heard regarding Agger was a move to Napoli along with Skirtel for combined £30 million fee. Could just be a Rafa link what do others think?

by **Kenny** Tue 11 Jun 2013, 4:41 pm

MetalMotty wrote:
Kenny wrote:Some idiot on Sky is saying Monaco have bid 15 million for Agger , why would we sell him for that when he has signed a new contract and when we apparantly turned down more from Man City last year ?

slow day for rumours on Sky by any chance

Latest rumour i heard regarding Agger was a move to Napoli along with Skirtel for combined £30 million fee. Could just be a Rafa link what do others think?

Given they both signed new contracts last year i can't see either being sold , and if they were then surely it would be for 20million+ each

by **Crimey** Tue 11 Jun 2013, 4:54 pm

MetalMotty wrote:
Kenny wrote:Some idiot on Sky is saying Monaco have bid 15 million for Agger , why would we sell him for that when he has signed a new contract and when we apparantly turned down more from Man City last year ?

slow day for rumours on Sky by any chance

Latest rumour i heard regarding Agger was a move to Napoli along with Skirtel for combined £30 million fee. Could just be a Rafa link what do others think?

Yeah lazy journalism. A lot of Benitez' old players are being linked with him.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sat 15 Jun 2013, 2:59 pm

tariq panja ‏@tariqpanja
Liverpool MD Ian Ayre was due to travel to Brazil for conference on Monday. Pulled out because of 'urgent club business'. No idea what

What do you guys reckon?

by **Crimey** Sat 15 Jun 2013, 3:07 pm

Probably something to do with Suarez.

by **Kenny** Sat 15 Jun 2013, 3:09 pm

I would imagine it would be a meeting regarding the Suarez situation ie whether we just say no your staying or to decide that enough is enough and to cash in now .
I don't see it dragging on all transfer window i would think the club would be making a decision sooner rather then later to enable Rodgers to bring in other players .

by **Kenny** Sun 16 Jun 2013, 6:01 pm

6 fingered tractor boy wrote:tariq panja ‏@tariqpanja
Liverpool MD Ian Ayre was due to travel to Brazil for conference on Monday. Pulled out because of 'urgent club business'. No idea what

What do you guys reckon?

According to the press it is to tie up the transfer of Shakhtar Donetsk's Henrikh Mkhitaryan

by liverbnz Tue 18 Jun 2013, 8:08 pm

So Andy Carroll looks to be on his way then. I think 17.5m is brilliant business for Liverpool, firstly considering his overall value, and then considering his value to Liverpool. West Ham could easily have played hard ball in the full knowledge that he wasn't wanted at Anfield. Thankfully for LFC, David Sullivan writes the cheques at WHU.

Still, doesn't eradicate the woeful piece of business we did in buying him for 35m in the first place, but it goes a bit of the way to easing the pain.

by **Kenny** Tue 18 Jun 2013, 11:20 pm

That's what you get when you sell your main striker on transfer deadline day then have to replace him there and then !!

Hopefully lessons have been learnt

by **Crimey** Tue 18 Jun 2013, 11:43 pm

Will always a little bit of sadness that we sold him, even if it does make sense. Still think he's a top striker, and I thought his attitude in the second half of the 11-12 season was top notch.

by nasisillmatic Wed 19 Jun 2013, 9:32 am

Yeah I'm sad to see him go, but it's for the best.

by Guest Wed 19 Jun 2013, 10:02 am

Looking at the League fixtures for next season, we have a great opportunity to make a damn good start to the year.

Only "big" teams are Man Utd and Arsenal between the first match and 2nd November. Surely to God we should pick up some points

by nasisillmatic Wed 19 Jun 2013, 10:07 am

I'm very pleased with these fixtures. If we don't make a good start there is no excuse.

You just know Moyes first game at Anfield in charge of Man Utd will end in victory for him.

by liverbnz Wed 19 Jun 2013, 10:16 am

10 of the first 11 home games are decent fixtures for Liverpool and the other 1, whilst being against Utd, Moyes has never won at Anfiled, or come close for that matter.

by Guest Wed 19 Jun 2013, 10:18 am

You just know Moyes first game at Anfield in charge of Man Utd will end in victory for him

the ony thing worse would be Utd signing Torres and watching him score in front of the Kop in what will come to be known as "Moyes Minutes"

by nasisillmatic Wed 19 Jun 2013, 12:20 pm

Copyright that.

The fixtures have not been kind to Moyes. I think Jose will be relishing a trip to Old Trafford for the 2nd game.

by **Kenny** Wed 19 Jun 2013, 11:48 pm

I'm amazed at the 6 year £100,000 a week deal Carroll has signed at West Ham , but good look to you Andy .........................just don't score against us

by **Kenny** Wed 26 Jun 2013, 7:38 pm

I see a few are underwhelmed by the signings so far , i think they make the squad better

Mignolet should prove far better competition for Reina then any of the other keepers we have had .

Aspas looks a decent signing

Albert is one for the future yes but could feature now as well

Toure adds experience ( don't think he will start many games )

I don't think we are finished in the transfer market by a long way yet either , if Suarez leaves we will sign another striker i'm sure .

what do you think ?

by Sponsored content