Liverpool FC Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread [mod warning #11145, #32140 (see OP)]

8-10 · 16-10-2009 09:00PM

mayordenis wrote: »

Am I the only one who thinks Rafa might throw Aqualani into the squad tomorrow?

I don't. He was rumoured to be ready for the 17th, but without even a reserve appearance I doubt he'll be on the bench. You can be sure whenever he makes his first appearance on the bench, he'll be coming on for his debut. He won't make the bench as a backup.

Next game I can see it.

Tusky · 16-10-2009 09:29PM

mayordenis wrote: »

Am I the only one who thinks Rafa might throw Aqualani into the squad tomorrow?

Not a chance - he only started full training yesterday.

16-10-2009 09:45PM

8-10 wrote: »

I don't. He was rumoured to be ready for the 17th, but without even a reserve appearance I doubt he'll be on the bench. You can be sure whenever he makes his first appearance on the bench, he'll be coming on for his debut. He won't make the bench as a backup.

Next game I can see it.

united at home hopefully

mayordenis · 16-10-2009 10:00PM

Aye wishful thinking I know - Just with the Lucas and Masch doing long haul stuff thought the hand might be somewhat forced.

jesus_thats_gre · 16-10-2009 11:11PM

mayordenis wrote: »

Aye wishful thinking I know - Just with the Lucas and Masch doing long haul stuff thought the hand might be somewhat forced.

More likely that he would use Spearing that rush Aquilani in my opinion.

jebidiah · 17-10-2009 12:02AM

johnson cara skrt ensua

masch lucas

kyut beni riera

babel/ngog

or something similar tommorow? maybe babel playing on the right, and diggers up front?

K-9 · 17-10-2009 12:12AM

jesus_thats_gre wrote: »

More likely that he would use Spearing that rush Aquilani in my opinion.

I'd say so. Can't see them risking him too early. I'd say the United game is a non runner too.

mayordenis · 17-10-2009 12:21AM

If he's not involved in the United game I'll eat my own face.

Holsten · 17-10-2009 01:50AM

Yeah I really want him to play the United game, debut for Liverpool and first goal.... :P

5starpool · 17-10-2009 02:07AM

Aquilani won't be ready for the utd game either I'd say.

For tomorrow, I can see Babel getting the start up front as he's played there a bit this season replacing Torres late in game and so on. Hopefully he can put that pace to good use. I'm really nervous about this game now.

Spiritoftheseventies · 17-10-2009 08:26AM

Holsten wrote: »

Yeah I really want him to play the United game, debut for Liverpool and first goal.... :P

Yes cant remember there being so much expectation placed on the shoulders of one player before. Just hope he lives up to the hype.

The Muppet · 17-10-2009 10:06AM

mayordenis wrote: »

If he's not involved in the United game I'll eat my own face.

Unlikely to debut him in such a big game IMO unless ye a go a couple up.

Looking at the pic's of him posted earlier in the thread he looks very slight , his legs in particual look very thin. It will be interesting to see if they can stand up to the physical nature of the premiership, I have my doubts.

I'm looking forward to seeing if he lives up to expectations.

Kimbot · 17-10-2009 10:10AM

Skysports last night said rafa said 2 weeks before Aquaman will play.

Guy:Incognito · 17-10-2009 10:14AM

The Muppet wrote: »

Looking at the pic's of him posted earlier in the thread he looks very slight , his legs in particual look very thin. It will be interesting to see if they can stand up to the physical nature of the premiership, I have my doubts.
.

Cant judge him on looks. Sure Yossi looks like he's had a lifelong heroin addiction and you could knock him over by looking at him

Depending on whats available, a bit of "sink or swim" against Utd could would.

jonny24ie wrote: »

Skysports last night said rafa said 2 weeks before Aquaman will play.

Thats just to get Fergie to drop his guard

jesus_thats_gre · 17-10-2009 10:15AM

The Muppet wrote: »

Unlikely to debut him in such a big game IMO unless ye a go a couple up.

Looking at the pic's of him posted earlier in the thread he looks very slight , his legs in particual look very thin. It will be interesting to see if they can stand up to the physical nature of the premiership, I have my doubts.

I'm looking forward to seeing if he lives up to expectations.

Out of curiosity, what are those expectations?

Boggles · 17-10-2009 10:19AM

jesus_thats_gre wrote: »

Out of curiosity, what are those expectations?

20 millions worth?

The Muppet · 17-10-2009 10:22AM

jesus_thats_gre wrote: »

Out of curiosity, what are those expectations?

Expectations from liverpool fans appears to be pretty high???

As good as or better than Alonso???

daithijjj · 17-10-2009 10:38AM

My only expectations for aquilani this season are to get match fit and injury setback free by january 1st.

I expect him to then push on and be better than the alonso of 2 seasons ago but i dont expect him to be better than the alonso of last season. (makes sense?).

I dont expect miracles and i dont think other fans of liverpool can expect them either. How many italians have made it in englands top division?......not many. He should be afforded the time to adjust to the frenetic pace in comparison to italy. In 12 months we can draw some conclusions but not before then.

Karmafaerie · 17-10-2009 10:39AM

Boggles wrote: »

20 millions worth?

£16 millions worth.

As you know.

Unless you're saying that Liverpool are going to win the Premier and Champions League within the next 4 years.
Thanks for the vote of confidence Boggles.
I always knew you had fate in us and Rafa.

17-10-2009 10:44AM

Stekelly wrote: »

Cant judge him on looks. Sure Yossi looks like he's had a lifelong heroin addiction and you could knock him over by looking at him

LOL :pac:

17-10-2009 10:52AM

Boggles wrote: »

20 millions worth?

Morning Boggles !!

el rabitos · 17-10-2009 11:01AM

The Muppet wrote: »

As good as or better than Alonso???

at what? he wont be playing alonso's game, he doesnt have the range of passing, by all accounts he'll be playing futher up the pitch.

if people are expecting him to be better than alonso at passing and building play from our own half then he's probably already failed.

i think the hope is that he can contribute as many assists and more goals than xabi.

he's not xabi's replacement, i think we still need another midfielder to do that.

Boggles · 17-10-2009 11:06AM

Karmafaerie wrote: »

£16 millions worth.

Where did you get 16?, everything I have read it has been 20.

jesus_thats_gre · 17-10-2009 11:14AM

Boggles wrote: »

20 millions worth?

What does 20 million get you these days? On one hand you have the lines of Torres, Mascherano, Carrick, Adebayor and so on while on the other hand you have the likes of Robbie Keane, Nani, Anderson and so on.

If he sits in or around the Carrick level with a few more goals or assists, I will be happy enough.

The Muppet wrote: »

Expectations from liverpool fans appears to be pretty high???

As good as or better than Alonso???

I have faith in Rafa's signings and for that reason alone I expect him to be worth the transfer fee paid for him. There is no doubting that he is a talented player but there is the obvious concerns as to whether he is injury prone and how long it will take him to settle down in the Premier League.

I wouldn't compare him to Alonso for a number of reasons as Xabi is an extremely rare talent and is also a world class player. There is also the fact that they seem to be quite different players.

Alonso is the type of player that allows play to unfold in front of him and help play develop by being a particularly good at retaining possession when under pressure and having a keen eyes for a defense splitting pass.

I see Aquilani as being a fair bit more offensive that Alonso. I expect him to get more goals and assists than Alonso did purely because I expect him to be further up the pitch.

With Alonso, Liverpool would have played as follows:

Reina

Johnson

Skrtel

Carra

Aurelio

Masch

Alonso

Kuyt

Gerrard

Riera

Torres

With Aquilani, I would expect us to alternate between the following:

Reina

Johnson

Skrtel

Carra

Aurelio

Masch

Aquilani

Kuyt

Gerrard

Riera

Torres

or

Reina

Johnson

Skrtel

Carra

Aurelio

Masch

Kuyt

Gerrard

Aquilani

Riera

Torres

I would liken him more to Gareth Barry than Xabi Alonso. If he is anywhere near as good as Barry, I will be delighted.

jesus_thats_gre · 17-10-2009 11:16AM

Boggles wrote: »

Where did you get 16?, everything I have read it has been 20.

Roma themselves published the exact breakdown of the deal. I thought it was 17m pounds myself but 16m does ring a bell. It only raises to the figure that you quoted if we win both the PL and CL in the next few seasons.

Edit: here is the exact breakdown http://www.asroma.it/UserFiles/988.pdf

Tale corrispettivo sarà pagato dal Liverpool Football Club ad A.S. Roma in quattro rate, di cui la prima, di € 5 milioni, contestualmente alla sottoscrizione del contratto di trasferimento, la seconda, di € 3 milioni, entro il 4 gennaio 2010, la terza, di € 7 milioni, entro il 30 giugno 2010, e la quarta, di € 5 milioni, entro il 30 giugno 2011.

Such corrispettivo will be paid from the Liverpool Football Club to A.S. Rome in four installments, of which before, € 5 million, contextually to the subscription of the contract of transfer, the second one, of € 3 million, within 4 January 2010, third, of € 7 million, within the 30 june 2010, and the quarter, of € 5 million, within the 30 june 2011.

5 + 3 + 7 + 5 = 20 million euro.

anplaya · 17-10-2009 11:16AM

Boggles wrote: »

Where did you get 16?, everything I have read it has been 20.

he cost 20 million euro which is nearly 17 million pounds sterling.

Boggles · 17-10-2009 11:18AM

jesus_thats_gre wrote: »

Robbie Keane, Nani, Anderson and so on.

Nani and Anderson cost 20 million each????

jesus_thats_gre wrote: »

I see Aquilani as being a fair bit more offensive that Alonso. I expect him to get more goals and assists than Alonso did purely because I expect him to be further up the pitch.

Has he got 10 goals in his entire career?

Boggles · 17-10-2009 11:19AM

anplaya wrote: »

he cost 20 million euro which is nearly 17 million pounds sterling.

It's over 18 million.

8-10 · 17-10-2009 11:23AM

jesus_thats_gre wrote: »

Roma themselves published the exact breakdown of the deal. I thought it was 17m myself bu 16m does ring a bell. It only raises to the figure that you quoted if we win both the PL and CL in the next few seasons.

Maybe Boggles thinks we will?

Boggles · 17-10-2009 11:24AM

8-10 wrote: »

Maybe Boggles thinks we will?

Doubt it, since I have already said Liverpool will struggle to qualify for the CL this season.

Liverpool FC Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread [mod warning #11145, #32140 (see OP)]

Comments