Liverpool FC Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 11/12 - Mod Note 4153

yesno1234 wrote: »

No cover for the defence there at all. Hendo and Adam are just not strong enough in the tackle and both concentrate moreso on the attacking side of the cm role.

Quite worrying now, its hard to see where KK can get the cover for the defence. If a team like Fulham were able to constantly get ball in the hole between def and midfield, and that's with a def mid, I dread to think what other better teams will be able do. I thought we'd be able cope adequately without Lucas but the Fulham match has me worried for our season, we need to buy a dm in january or we could be looking at another year out of europe.

Kess73 wrote: »

No arguement about the conversion of chances being a big problem. However do either of you think a finisher, even a cheap one, would be brought in if Carroll stays?

I'm not trying to start a Carroll bashing session here, but I do think that he would be seen as a spare wheel by the owners if Kenny wanted to bring in another striker.

Kess73 wrote: »

If a club can have two, three, or four quality finishers on the books at the same time and keep them happpy, then that's great and I would love it to happen. But if Kenny goes to the owners and looks for big money to get a proven finisher, then if I were the owners I would be asking what about the big money signings we made for up front last January. I would be asking if a new big money striker would be got to be a starter and does the one that cost £35m drop further down the pecking order.

And if Kenny brought in a cheap striker who can bang in goals, I would be asking, if I was John Henry, why it cost the club £35m plus whatever the cheap striker cost to end up with one regular goal getter.

It's not that I don't want a striker that bangs in goals on a regular basis, I just think the owners may be wary of splashing out more cash on that position if there are not plans to get rid of one or two of what we have, and for me Carroll would be the obvious choice if I was looking at it from a certain point of view.

If the club is to look for a goal getter, then I would love for them to look for a player that is a final third only player. I could not care less about looking at forwards that track back or help out in midfield. I would want a player driven by goals and assists. I would want a guy who, when Suarez/Downing/Bellamy/Johnson/Enrique etc get the ball and drive down a flank, only has being in and around the six yard box on his mind.

missingtime wrote: »

Lucas' surgery was successful. Just put it up on twitter th

Tusky wrote: »

But...that's what Torres was and Carroll is supposed to be Torres' replacement. So John Henry would be more than entitled to say: "Isn't that what we Chelsea gave you £35 million for less than 12 months ago?".

Mr Alan wrote: »

Rafa's.

Sappy404 wrote: »

Well, they should have given him the money for double glazing.

Sappy404 wrote: »

Aquilani.

If that ship has sailed, we've looked at similar players recently like Mccarthy and, depending on what you believe, Mccourt/Mcgeady/Hoilett.

Beglin blog: Joe Cole may still have a future at Liverpool

Those who believe Joe Cole's Liverpool career is finished after he was sent on loan to Lille may be a little premature, argues ITV Sport co-commentator Jim Beglin.

Joe Cole is a clever, skilful player but he lost his way during his time at Liverpool. I think he needed a new environment, a change of scene, and perhaps just a little less pressure on him to perform.

That's not to say he can't handle pressure (he has 56 England caps, after all) but daily life at Liverpool is a bit different. It's a cliche, but the club is a religion for the Liverpool fans.

If you're not performing the reality of that can be very difficult for any player. Perhaps Cole has found a bit more peace on loan at Lille, where he is playing some superb football.

I know what it can be like. In my case, it was a serious injury that caused me to lose confidence for a period in my career, and I sympathised with Cole while he was struggling for form at Anfield.

I would like to think there might still be a place for Cole there. Boss Kenny Dalglish is still feeling his way with things, still deciding exactly on the system he wants to play.

A tricky decision for Dalglish

Cole's current French employers Lille have made it known that they want to sign him on a permanent basis but I think it's a bit premature to say there is no future for him under Dalglish at Liverpool.

In terms of formation there is no reason why Cole couldn't slot into the team. At Lille he's flourishing 4-1-2-3 line-up as part of the attacking three. If Liverpool were to play 4-5-1, Cole would be a natural fit to play off the striker, and in theory would benefit as the likes of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll grow into their roles at Liverpool.

Under Rafael Benitez Cole played often played in wide positions, which was a waste of his talent in unlocking defences. He needs to be playing off the striker, or at least in a role where he can pop up anywhere and has licence to improvise.

He is one of the most skilful players England have produced in a number of years but the national team have not seen the best of him - at least not yet.

But when you look at the squad, could he be accommodated? Liverpool have plenty of options in midfield and Cole would perhaps have to settle to be a squad player.

His excellent form is perhaps making it a tricky decision for Dalglish. It's not inconceivable that Cole fights his way back into the England squad. If Liverpool had already offloaded him to Lille they might live to regret it.
For the moment, it's great to see Cole enjoying his football and making the most of his talent. He loves the game, and he's never seemed to complain when things haven't gone his way.

Perhaps he can still have a big impact on Liverpool's hunt for trophies in the coming seasons.