Liverpool FC Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

Dont be at yourself · 23-07-2008 12:32PM

The passport situation is all up in the air. There's an enquiry into the validity of a lot of Italian passports held by South Americans, and Leto's is amongst those being queried.

Karmafaerie · 23-07-2008 12:48PM

I think that Queresma came off a lot better in that than I thought he would have.

He doesn't actually say that he's not coming to Liverpool though.
He said that Liverpool came to him last season and asked him to play differently and he said no.

When the Reporter asked if Liverpool had been back in contact this season he said "I cannot comment, many clubs have spoken to my agent and me."

That tells me that we have gone back looking for him.

Dont be at yourself · 23-07-2008 12:52PM

Liverpool sign Spanish teenager

Liverpool have signed 18-year-old right-back Emmanuel Mendy on a free transfer from Spanish third division side Murcia Deportivo.
The Spanish teenager, who can also play at left-back, is expected to compete for a place in the reserve set-up overseen by Gary Ablett.
The Reds have made several youth signings over the summer.
Mendy joins Christopher Buchtmann, Nikola Saric, Zsolt Poloskei and Vincent Lucas Weijl at Anfield.
Manager Rafael Benitez has added Philipp Degen, Andrea Dossena and Diego Cavalieri to his senior squad.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/7521323.stm

Spanish 3rd Division? That's some scouting network.

MementoMori · 23-07-2008 12:54PM

Karmafaerie wrote: »

When the Reporter asked if Liverpool had been back in contact this season he said "I cannot comment, many clubs have spoken to my agent and me."

That tells me that we have gone back looking for him.

I doubt that highly - I'd imagine it was other clubs beside Liverpool he was talking about. Would imagine there is virtually no possibility that Liverpool are going to sign him.

Also on the Leto thing - shouldnt have said work permit - meant passport.
I think the ten day quote from Rafa was after the last friendly was it Thursday or Friday? So should know early next week - fingers crossed

Karmafaerie · 23-07-2008 01:00PM

MementoMori wrote: »

I doubt that highly - I'd imagine it was other clubs beside Liverpool he was talking about. Would imagine there is virtually no possibility that Liverpool are going to sign him.

I don't really agree there.

Queresma will cost a lot less now than last season, and nobody can doubt the potential.

He hints towards the premiership repeatedly.
Won't go to Chelsea.
Utd wouldn't have shown interest seeing as they're insisting on keeping Ronaldo.
That leaves us and Arsenal realistically.

Well maybe Man City.

raven136 · 23-07-2008 01:01PM

NekkidBibleMan wrote: »

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/7521323.stm

Spanish 3rd Division? That's some scouting network.

if even a third of these kids turn out half decent then we might have something special.Rafa seems to be following the wenger route and we also have signed these lads from all over the world,danish,spanisg,dutch.
A bright future hopefully

MementoMori · 23-07-2008 01:26PM

Karmafaerie wrote: »

I don't really agree there.

Queresma will cost a lot less now than last season, and nobody can doubt the potential.

He hints towards the premiership repeatedly.
Won't go to Chelsea.
Utd wouldn't have shown interest seeing as they're insisting on keeping Ronaldo.
That leaves us and Arsenal realistically.

Well maybe Man City.

sorry Karma will have to disagree to agree on this one

- just don't see Rafa as being interested in a prima donna player who refuses to adapt his game for the benefit of the team. Doesn't sound like a Rafa signing at all. We shall see in the fullness of time, I suppose.

Could also see Chelsea being possibly interested if they don't get Robinho. Also in the unlikely event Ronaldo does move, I think he would be one of the players Utd might consider.

Karmafaerie · 23-07-2008 01:32PM

MementoMori wrote: »

sorry Karma will have to disagree to agree on this one - just don't see Rafa as being interested in a prima donna player who refuses to adapt his game for the benefit of the team. Doesn't sound like a Rafa signing at all. We shall see in the fullness of time, I suppose.

Could also see Chelsea being possibly interested if they don't get Robinho. Also in the unlikely event Ronaldo does move, I think he would be one of the players Utd might consider.

Scolari would never sign Queresma in a million years.
Big personal issues.

Rafa obviously sees something in Queresma.
I'm not a big fan myself, but IRWT.

A player not wanting to change, and then coming to the club and changing are two different things.
I seem to remember a certain Fernando Torres saying that one of the reasons he came to Liverpool was so that he would no longer have to play up front on his own.
Look how that worked out!

rosboy · 23-07-2008 01:34PM

On the issue of David N'Gog, I was checking him up on Wiki. His underage stats for France are impressive:

---Year

Level--Appearances--Goals
2004-2005 - U16

6

5
2005-2006 - U17

6

2
2007-2008 - U19

3

3

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Ngog

Not quite sure if he's ready for 4th choice striker spot though. Could be a little inexperienced. Would prefer to see Nemeth take the step up instead, and let N'Gog get a little conditioning in the reserves.

monkey9 · 23-07-2008 02:05PM

Jimmy Rice 23 July 2008

Stephen Darby admits he is desperate for more first-team action after holding his own in front of 51,000 fans in Berlin's Olympic Stadium.

The Scouse right-back put in a decent display during 45 minutes against Hertha Berlin on Tuesday night.

Darby has been integral to the success of the under-18 and reserve teams over the past three seasons – and now he's aiming for a competitive debut for the first team in 2008-09.

"I am pleased with how it went," the 19-year-old told Liverpoolfc.tv after the Hertha friendly.

"To play in that stadium was great. I think the attendance was 51,000, which is the biggest crowd I've played in front of. I'd obviously like to do it more often in the future.

"It has been an amazing experience to play alongside the first team through pre-season. It's the kind of thing you dream about as a kid. Hopefully there is more of it to come during the season.

"The main differences I have noticed are the speed of the game and the strength of the players, but Rafa, Sammy Lee and the other staff have been and always are here to help me improve."

dardoz · 23-07-2008 02:37PM

Karmafaerie wrote: »

Scolari would never sign Queresma in a million years.
Big personal issues.

Rafa obviously sees something in Queresma.
I'm not a big fan myself, but IRWT.

A player not wanting to change, and then coming to the club and changing are two different things.
I seem to remember a certain Fernando Torres saying that one of the reasons he came to Liverpool was so that he would no longer have to play up front on his own.
Look how that worked out!

Well actually no, it was more along the lines of, he felt like the expectations to score did not only rest on his shoulders whereas in Athletico he always felt like HE has to score.

Karmafaerie · 23-07-2008 02:51PM

dardoz wrote: »

Well actually no, it was more along the lines of, he felt like the expectations to score did not only rest on his shoulders whereas in Athletico he always felt like HE has to score.

Well yes actually.

I'll try to find the interview now, but he most definately said that it was because he wouldn't be playing on his own.
I know the interview that you're talking about, but I'm reffering to something else.

monkey9 · 23-07-2008 03:19PM

In regards to Dossena and Degen, i'd imagined they'd be played a lot more against the lesser teams. They could be handy to have to cut out those stupid draws and dropped points that cost us so much last season. They'be be great attacking options to help cut open these lesser teams, but the way the play i could see us being caught out a lot more against the better teams because they leave so much space behind which is probably where the likes of Finnan would come in (if he's still there) to provide better defensive cover.

Karmafaerie · 23-07-2008 03:41PM

monkey9 wrote: »

In regards to Dossena and Degen, i'd imagined they'd be played a lot more against the lesser teams. They could be handy to have to cut out those stupid draws and dropped points that cost us so much last season. They'be be great attacking options to help cut open these lesser teams, but the way the play i could see us being caught out a lot more against the better teams because they leave so much space behind which is probably where the likes of Finnan would come in (if he's still there) to provide better defensive cover.

But that's why we play with two deep defensive midfield players.
When the wing backs go forward, Masch and Balonsy are there to cover.

and by all accounts Dossena and Degen are trains!
They'll run up and down all day.

Chardee MacDennis · 23-07-2008 08:15PM

so anyone any idea why the keane transfer is dragging out, it coudltn be a funding issue could it? are we waiting to sell any players besides Xabi and Pennant?

HashSlinging · 23-07-2008 08:18PM

raven136 wrote: »

if even a third of these kids turn out half decent then we might have something special.Rafa seems to be following the wenger route and we also have signed these lads from all over the world,danish,spanisg,dutch.
A bright future hopefully

No irish from what I hear.. shame. so many liverpool fans over here.

Dub13 · 23-07-2008 10:27PM

BastardPrince wrote: »

so anyone any idea why the keane transfer is dragging out, it coudltn be a funding issue could it? are we waiting to sell any players besides Xabi and Pennant?

Some websites are reporting Keane's medical will be Thur/Friday this week - also the price is £16m.

Liverpool are back at Melwood on Thursday and fly to Spain Sunday.

This Info is coming via Tony Barnett at The Echo (allegedly).

~Rebel~ · 23-07-2008 10:42PM

HashSlinging wrote: »

No irish from what I hear.. shame. so many liverpool fans over here.

Well he hasn't signed up any Irish in a while, but Michael Collins is in the Youths over there, and doing well. Very highly rated.

Karmafaerie · 23-07-2008 10:57PM

Dub13 wrote: »

Some websites are reporting Keane's medical will be Thur/Friday this week - also the price is £16m.

Liverpool are back at Melwood on Thursday and fly to Spain Sunday.

This Info is coming via Tony Barnett at The Echo (allegedly).

£16 would be an absolute steal!
Surely there'd be add ons.

Dont be at yourself · 23-07-2008 11:53PM

Rumours of performance-based add-ons as well as an add-on for winning the league or champions league while Keane is with us. Hopefully there'll be movement on this before the squad jet off again!

mayordenis · 23-07-2008 11:59PM

I wouldn't panic before the middle of next week, hopefully ngog and keane join by friday. and we can consider 1 more but probably/hopefully not.

Jazzy · 24-07-2008 05:15AM

4-4-2 please. lets not pray at rafas mathematical penis and stick a centre forward on the right.... thats wat overpriced RWF are for, not robbie keane, who is a brilliant centre forward.

basically - lets not be softcocks

Dont be at yourself · 24-07-2008 05:49AM

A static 4-4-2 is dead and buried in the modern European game.

Look at the top teams in Europe. Do any of them play 4-4-2? Man Utd don't. Chelsea don't. Arsenal don't. Barca don't. Madrid don't. Milan don't.

Increasingly, attackers have to be more and more mobile, to 'play between the lines' as they say. It's not enough to saunter around the penalty area hoping to get on the end of a cross for 90 minutes. Strikers like Robbie Keane and Fernando Torres are thankfully very mobile, are comfortable coming from deep and will work a huge amount off the ball to create space for themselves and their teammates.

Rafa's not going to play Keane on the wing. I doubt very much he's going to start Keane and Torres together in a 4-4-2. Keane will drop deeper, and as we don't have wide men, our width will be from fullbacks. Our attacking midfielders will be tucked-in, as this suits the playing style of Babel, Kuyt, Gerrard and Benayoun.

Ergo, a 4-2-3-1.

zAbbo · 24-07-2008 08:59AM

Yup, my preference is basically a 4-2-3-1, with a slight variation of 4-1-1-3-1 playing a DM and CM.

The benefit of having Keane / Torres / Gerrard is that none of them will be playing a traditional role, and like NBM says they'll be moving between the lines in the attacking third - the huge benefit here is the difficulty in marking them (who picks up who)

If Keane does come, it will be the first time in a long time that we can say we've got 3 quality matchwinners.

I expect to see a variation in formation, as it seemed that we played the best formation for the players we had, and when Rafa trusted the team with the 4-2-3-1 - the performances were surprising, implemented almost by accident when we didn't really have the players for it (no attacking FBs / WFs)

gixerfixer · 24-07-2008 09:19AM

NekkidBibleMan wrote: »

A static 4-4-2 is dead and buried in the modern European game.

Look at the top teams in Europe. Do any of them play 4-4-2? Man Utd don't. Chelsea don't. Arsenal don't. Barca don't. Madrid don't. Milan don't.

Increasingly, attackers have to be more and more mobile, to 'play between the lines' as they say. It's not enough to saunter around the penalty area hoping to get on the end of a cross for 90 minutes. Strikers like Robbie Keane and Fernando Torres are thankfully very mobile, are comfortable coming from deep and will work a huge amount off the ball to create space for themselves and their teammates.

Rafa's not going to play Keane on the wing. I doubt very much he's going to start Keane and Torres together in a 4-4-2. Keane will drop deeper, and as we don't have wide men, our width will be from fullbacks. Our attacking midfielders will be tucked-in, as this suits the playing style of Babel, Kuyt, Gerrard and Benayoun.

Ergo, a 4-2-3-1.

Good point and i have to agree.4-4-2 is a thing of the past and there is no way Rafa will employ Keano in this system.No doubt Rafa's thinking behind the system is the signing of the two attacking full backs and keane will play deep.Looking forward to seeing us play with this system

Mr Velo · 24-07-2008 09:49AM

Talks of Keane having a medical either today or tomorrow are very premature IMO - pics of him training with Spurs in Spain yesterday looking happy and content.

Christ, why can't we just hear some concrete news on this - either say yes Spurs have accepted an offer, or no, Spurs have told us to **** right off.

Need some closure on this, not only for getting the team ready for the season ahead, but for the sanity of idiots like me that keep checking various news sources every couple of minutes to see if there's any "Keane to Liverpool" news.

Sheesh!!!

rosboy · 24-07-2008 10:43AM

N'Gog signing not far away now.....

Striker On Merseyside To Complete Anfield Switch

Reports are emanating from the French press that David Ngog is on Merseyside in order to complete a £1.5million move to Liverpool.

It is claimed that the PSG striker arrived in Liverpool on Wednesday to be shown around the club and to undergo a routine medical.
Setanta Sports stated that the player’s club, had permitted the 19-year-old to miss training on Wednesday due to ‘exceptional circumstances’.
Rumours are gathering pace in France that the forward is on the verge of signing a long-term contract with the Premier League side.
Despite having scored just one Ligue 1 goal, Ngog is believed to be ready to make the considerable step up to the English top flight.
Earlier this week, Rafa Benitez completed the signing of Emmanuel Mendy from Murcia of Spain’s third division, although the player is believed to be heading to Liverpool’s reserve side under Gary Ablett.

http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=789472