Sports Forum - The official Liverpool 11/12 Season Thread - Page 1

I'm not convinced on the signings yet.

It's strange that you've bought two central midfielders when outside goalkeeper, that was probably the strongest positions in your squad already.

The lack of movement out would probably be a concern to me aswell, as time goes on Joe Cole, Jovanovic etc have all gone from £4million sales to being offered for free.  Ngog was apparently £7million, but nothings happened on that front.

No one is willing to pay the £10million for Aquilani which just confounds the central midfield conundrum.


Downing looks like he's on his way to you for £18million to be confirmed in next day or two.  Although a good player, whether he's quite the player to make you challenge at the top again is another matter.


Although with regards to the above I appreciate that Liverpool have missed out on targets, as they have not been willing to overpay on their targets which is sensible and will be good long term.  Only concern would be if it continues that no players are signed that you panic as the window draws to a close and overpays.


For what it's worth of Utd's signings considering we've spent best part of £50million - Young, I'm not convinced (Nani and Valencia are both better and the same age), De Gea and Jones- Both I've not seen much of.



www.last.fm/user/1mills

This item was edited on Tuesday, 12th July 2011, 08:49

I would agree with every word you've said mills..
Think we will get a few quid though for some of those players.  Not seen anything at all good from Henderson for England - but he's young and promising.
Downing should be good for us on the left - but he's a player I'd have liked a few years ago..

Ste
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We will pay the price but we will not count the cost..

So £20million bid for Downing confirmed by Liverpool.


Me and mate were looking at your squad yesterday and how your lack of players that qualify as trained in England.

Kelly, Henderson and the other youngsters (all under 21 so will be outside your 25man squad).


Adam is classed as a foriegner.

So leaves with UK trained as:

Brad Jones
Glen Johnson
Steven Gerrard
Andy Carroll
Joe Cole  (Probably on his way aswell)
Jay Spearing
Jamie Carragher


Explains why pushing for English based players, obviously long term at least Jones, Cole, plus Carragher and Gerrard (with age) will eventually drop out (although next season Henderson and Kelly will be in the squad though).

So probably need to bulk up on English players, so maybe explains why your pushing for the English players and prepared to pay the premium.


Also worked out that getting rid of the 7 or so players that are expected to leave will save about £22million off the wage bill , so regardless of if they go on free will make a big difference for the club.

Think big mistake in the long term was getting "free" players, but then paying such inflated wages that it's been the equivalent of paying £5/6million at least for them. Obviously you have to pay premium on freebies, but think from the Rafa days there's a few that were just given stupid contracts.

www.last.fm/user/1mills

Looks like Christian Poulsen is after getting paid to leave Liverpool

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_7036511,00.html


I'm guessing Degen will want paying also, by the way when me and mate estimated the £22million going off the wage bill we had Maxi at £50,000 per week and that is still included at that price in the total.


I've seen stuff since suggested he's on £100,000, I generally wouldn't believe this but given was Jovanovic is on, it wouldn't surprise me if he is on £75,000 at least.  Which again explains, why you are keen to get rid even though he did well back end of last season.

www.last.fm/user/1mills

Bloody Hell another Brazilian keeper in the EPL, no one watched Spurs last year then , in seriousness, if Downing is worth £20 million im a dutchman, i mean i realised this might happen with the European rules on foreigners etc and hes a good player but realistically is he much better than that?? is he twice the player of Charlie Adam and half the player of Sneidjer?? not for me i dont think

He's a player who is great going down the left.  I think he got the second highest amount of crosses in the Prem last season - way ahead of the likes of Nani and Bale.  He played every league game last year and more or less all of them for the few years.  He doesn't have any discipline issues so doesn't miss (m)any games through bookings etc. and was Villa's Player of the Year last season.  He doesn't struggle for fitness either.  He scores and assists, sends in quality crosses and will have the likes of Carroll on the end of them.  I think he's a great buy and one that we've needed for a while.  Would have liked him 3-4 years ago.  He is 26 so we'll probably 'only' get 4 years or so of his best game but as I said, a great signing who should fit in well with the players we have.
Quality left back next please..

Ste
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We will pay the price but we will not count the cost..

This item was edited on Saturday, 16th July 2011, 15:29

So, Jovanovic has gone so there's a good few quid off the wages bill.   Konchesky too.  Aquilani has showed a few flashes of greatness in pre-season.  Got a few goals last week when he came on from shots of his.  Maybe he'll stay for now - after rumours of going back to Italy next week.  Looking a great midfield and great up front too.  Still looking very dodgy at the back though - not sure we've conceded less than 3 a game pre-season friendlies....
Hopefully get Enrique who I imagine will go straight into a needed LB position.  Which means Johnson back to RB?  Which means Kelly/Flanagan???

Ste
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We will pay the price but we will not count the cost..

What are your hopes for the season then this year?

Think most seem to be saying 4th place would be settled for, but I'm not sure if it should be under rated as an achievement that much as I think it'll take a lot to get that.

I think Arsenal are being under rated by many though, even if Nasri and Fabregas go they still have a pretty strong squad.

It looks likely they will be buying a centreback at least before the window closes, which will help, especially if Vermalen is fit and also Djourou stays fit.

www.last.fm/user/1mills

I think Arsenal have actually slipped into the 'fighting' for fourth place list with us.  Can't see anyone else challenging Utd, City and Chelsea..   For maybe a long time.
Fourth, hopefully us and Arsenal, Spurs, maybe Everton but they're desperately short of money and a squad.
Maybe though with a quality defender or two in and we could be challenging too...

Ste
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We will pay the price but we will not count the cost..