Liverpool FC Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 12/13

Nuri Sahin · 20-07-2012 01:04PM

Sappy404 wrote: »

Stream on UEFA site is down.:

That's either a trip to Macedonia or Belarus.

Looking like the latter. Gomel lead Renova 2-0 after first leg.

SlickRic · 20-07-2012 01:05PM

Chucky the tree wrote: »

Why? Spearing can do a job for a short period if required. Finding a player who can replace him him for a good part of the season will be very difficult and a waste of resources.

because he can't do the job for any sort of sustained period where it doesn't cost us points.

despite him giving his all, he offers little-to-no composure in the middle of the park. he's relegation battling-Championship standard. nothing more IMO.

i love his attitude, and he can plug a gap the odd game, but not for any length of time.

Kess73 · 20-07-2012 01:16PM

Chucky the tree wrote: »

Why? Spearing can do a job for a short period if required. Finding a player who can replace him him for a good part of the season will be very difficult and a waste of resources.

And what happens if it becomes a longer period, like last season?

Last seaon highlighted a hell of a lot of flaws in our midfield options. Take Lucas out and we end up with a very soft centre made up of players who need a DM or a CM with steel in the team in order to play.

Francie Barrett · 20-07-2012 01:19PM

Kess73 wrote: »

And what happens if it becomes a longer period, like last season?

We had a string of appalling injuries last season. Lucas, Gerrard, Adam and we had Aquilani on loan. These guys (for the moment at least) are all back. I sincerely doubt that the likes of Gago is going to come to Anfield and tolerate playing second fiddle to Lucas after winning La Liga.

LuckyLloyd · 20-07-2012 01:23PM

SlickRic wrote: »

yup, keep Spearing.

but we must buy someone more able to replace Lucas if he's injured.

I'd rather we buy someone who can provide a fulcrum for the half of the season that Gerrard will be injured. Spearing struggles when it's:

X

Spearing

X

X

When it's:

Spearing

X

X

He's fine. Lucas / Spearing is a much, much better situation than Gerrard / Adam imo.

whatawaster · 20-07-2012 01:24PM

Francie Barrett wrote: »

We had a string of appalling injuries last season. Lucas, Gerrard, Adam and we had Aquilani on loan. These guys (for the moment at least) are all back. I sincerely doubt that the likes of Gago is going to come to Anfield and tolerate playing second fiddle to Lucas after winning La Liga.

We are looking to take the load off Lucas this season - he shouldn't be playing in cup games. We need someone who can 1) play the 10-20 cup games we will hopefully play this season, 2) cover Lucas in the league in case of injury 3) play alongside Lucas when needed.

IMO Spearing covers none of those bases. I'm not a fan of him just hanging around to be honest. I don't care how little he is paid.

Leiva · 20-07-2012 01:32PM

I would jizz the oul jocks if we could shift Charlie Adam in a Joe Allen deal .

I could live with Adam + <£8mil for Allen .

"sure those crosses are worth £8 million alone

Nuri Sahin · 20-07-2012 01:35PM

Francie Barrett wrote: »

We had a string of appalling injuries last season. Lucas, Gerrard, Adam and we had Aquilani on loan. These guys (for the moment at least) are all back. I sincerely doubt that the likes of Gago is going to come to Anfield and tolerate playing second fiddle to Lucas after winning La Liga.

Well he should tolerate it but he won't, despite Lucas is a far superior player to him.

Also, winning La Liga? He won it 5 years ago or so.

missingtime · 20-07-2012 01:45PM

I'm sorry but if we are not improving on Spearing and getting adequate backup or competition for Lucas, then it is pure stupidity.

MD1990 · 20-07-2012 01:48PM

If Spearing was a foreigner he would be long gone from Liverpool
we definetly need a new DM as well

Chucky the tree · 20-07-2012 01:48PM

SlickRic wrote: »

because he can't do the job for any sort of sustained period where it doesn't cost us points.

despite him giving his all, he offers little-to-no composure in the middle of the park. he's relegation battling-Championship standard. nothing more IMO.

i love his attitude, and he can plug a gap the odd game, but not for any length of time.

So who can do a job for a sustained period that will cost little money and will come here happy to sit on the bench? Spearing is fine, look back at the games last season and he rarely was the main reason we lost/drew games tbh.

Kess73 · 20-07-2012 01:48PM

Francie Barrett wrote: »

We had a string of appalling injuries last season. Lucas, Gerrard, Adam and we had Aquilani on loan. These guys (for the moment at least) are all back. I sincerely doubt that the likes of Gago is going to come to Anfield and tolerate playing second fiddle to Lucas after winning La Liga.

The one injury that cost us in midfield was Lucas. All the rest were replaceable last season.

For the standard CM or AM last season we had Gerrard, Adam, Henderson, and Shelvey available. Yes there were injuries to some of them, but at no point were there more than two of that four injured at the same time, so there was always a choice of two for the CM slot beside Lucas.

But while Lucas was out, none of the four named above were in anyway capable of filling the gap that Lucas left, and Spearing was nothing more than stop gap cover for Lucas.

As for Gago coming to Liverpool? I never for a moment thought he would despite him being nothing more than Real Madrid squad filler for the past two seasons b3efore his move to Valencia. No idea why you brought him up in a reply to me as I don't rate Gago at all and doubt if I have ever suggested him for Liverpool in my time on Boards.

CL7 · 20-07-2012 02:07PM

MD1990 wrote: »

If Spearing was a foreigner he would be long gone from Liverpool
we definetly need a new DM as well

We need a new DM for sure this season imo but Spearing can fill a gap when we need him to. He'll give his all and won't complain about being a bit part player. We can also use him for cup games. Makes no sense getting rid of him before we can afford a better replacement.

Bounty Hunter · 20-07-2012 02:08PM

ush wrote: »

The cat is in the box.

but should he have gotten the sack?

but to be honest I feel for you guys as I remember the MON discussion being an endless one in the Villa thread and tbh no you shouldn't just let it go, if it gets brought up voice your opinion. However I'd hope it doesn't get brought up ad nauseum as it will detract from what I see as an improving Liverpool.

The appointment of Rodgers did seem an odd one to me at the time as honestly I had him in the same category as Lambert who Villa got in and after Villa's past few years despite Liverpool's own hardship I expected more. That said BR can certainly talk the talk afaic and does not come across as a short term solution which is very much so a positive imo.

Oddly i've actually got a feeling Aquaman will be playing in the Premierleague this season and although that could kick start a whole different revolving door conversation with minimal tweaking the Liverpool lineup does look like a decent one imo.

Reina

Skrtel

Agger
Johnson

Enrique

Gerrard

Lucas

Aquilani

Dempsey

Suarez

Borini

A lot of things I read in here confuse me though. Like when Rodgers says J.Cole may have a role to play at Liverpool this season and people go mad. It's not like it's easy to move on Cole considering his wage demands and current (at least percieved) ability. If BR knows this and thinks they wont be able to do so then why not publically talk up the player especially if that role might simply be one of rotation playing in the Europe, Carling Cup etc. It's not like he said Joe cole would be a starter next season or likened him to Messi in training. Rodgers seems to usually word things well to be fair to him and even the Caroll thing suggests this to me.

Very little was actually said from him about Selling Caroll iirc but I get the feeling Caroll is one of the few sell able assets he has at his disposal who would get him good money to play with and not take away too much from the team (wasn't always a starter before and now Borini is here). Caroll could def have a role to play for Liverpool and would be capable of filling the spot I earmarked above for Borini imo but who else could Rodgers get in with an extra 15-20m in hand. Okay that leaves me open for a response about Joe Allen but one would think despite Borini/Dempsey potentially arriving another forward would be needed if Caroll was to be sold and that the money being talked of for Dempsey/Allen/Whoever being talked of atm wouldn't be tied into any Caroll transaction.

Add Allen into the above formation allowing for Gerrard/Aqua (whichever is unfit that week) to be rotated and a 15-20m striker and Liverpool would be flying... things arent that easy though

SlickRic · 20-07-2012 02:09PM

Chucky the tree wrote: »

So who can do a job for a sustained period that will cost little money and will come here happy to sit on the bench

i don't know, but i'd like better than Spearing. i'm not a scout, so i don't know what's about for cheap.

i take LL's point that he can cope if he has 2 other midfielders in front of him, but otherwise i just don't think he can cut it. but just because Adam and Gerrard also can't be trusted, doesn't mean Spearing can either.

Spearing is fine, look back at the games last season and he rarely was the main reason we lost/drew games tbh.

he was A reason, not the main reason of course though...because he doesn't have the footballing ability to dictate anything from the centre of the park. as willing as he is.

he'll run and kick, but he'll rarely pass to a good enough standard to be a mainstay in there IMO.

hopefully Lucas has an injury free season though so this isn't an issue; so we don't have to play any of Gerrard/Adam, Spearing/Adam, Spearing/Gerrard, Henderson/Gerrard, Henderson/Spearing, Henderson/Adam etc...in any sort of 2-man midfield.

he should be our version of Darron Gibson when he played for Utd (in terms of pecking order); as shít an example as that might be, it's the only one i can think of now, even though Spearing is nothing like him, but obviously that's not the point

missingtime · 20-07-2012 02:19PM

What I would be happy with is:

An Other CM/Lucas
An Other CM/An Other DM

Henderson, Adam, Spearing can then fill in after that.

Jax Teller · 20-07-2012 02:20PM

Just seen this on Allen thought some of you mightn't have seen it .

Steve Bateman‏@steviebateman

#LFC can only sign Allen if #Swans and a 3rd club agree a fee for him, or he's listed.

Steve Bateman‏@steviebateman

#LFC: BR's contract has clause preventing purchase of #Swans that aren't listed. Allen must hand in transfer request. He hasn't.

Leiva · 20-07-2012 02:23PM

Coletrickle88 wrote: »

Just seen this on Allen thought some of you mightn't have seen it .

Steve Bateman‏@steviebateman

#LFC can only sign Allen if #Swans and a 3rd club agree a fee for him, or he's listed.

Steve Bateman‏@steviebateman

#LFC: BR's contract has clause preventing purchase of #Swans that aren't listed. Allen must hand in transfer request. He hasn't.

explain the 3rd club part ????

Jax Teller · 20-07-2012 02:25PM

Leiva wrote: »

explain the 3rd club part ????

Another club must have bid for him before you can bid for him . That's how i read it .

ASOT · 20-07-2012 02:27PM

Leiva wrote: »

explain the 3rd club part ????

Club a and club b agree a fee, Liverpool would then be able to offer.

sweetie · 20-07-2012 02:28PM

Leiva wrote: »

explain the 3rd club part ????

once a n other club make an offer that is accepted by swansea then they are interested in selling and liverpool can join that chase

LuckyLloyd · 20-07-2012 02:30PM

Chucky the tree wrote: »

So who can do a job for a sustained period that will cost little money and will come here happy to sit on the bench? Spearing is fine, look back at the games last season and he rarely was the main reason we lost/drew games tbh.

I love this notion that we should have another Lucas in reserve. We don't even have anywhere near the right first 11 at present, and until we do talk of doubling up on quality in positions is mad Ted.

We need midfield help because Gerrard and Lucas are the only two players really up to scratch relative to our ambitions. But the guy we're signing needs to someone who can start week in, week out - not to cover 25 games that Lucas doesn't play. Sign that guy, get the front three finalised, think about Center half cover first and foremost - THEN look to upgrade on Spearing.

People are fixated on the wrong things imo.

LuckyLloyd · 20-07-2012 02:35PM

That's good news if true. Like Rodgers, Allen isn't Liverpool standard. We should be looking elsewhere.

Knex* · 20-07-2012 02:37PM

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

If Swansea start dictating then they should be told to hang on to the player. ****ing Joe Allen for £15m+

AWESOME

Exactly. We are still a big name in European Football and someone like Allen should be told if he wants to join, kick up a fuss as we're not paying 15m for him.

Every other big team does this, and that's when they're signing big name players, look at Barca and the signing of Fabregas for example. We, on the other hand, are looking to sign a player who played one year in the PL for a newly promoted team. They can fuck off with their 15m.

I like Allen and I do think there is something special about him, but at that price I would rather leave him at Swansea tbh.

20-07-2012 02:38PM

^
Definately, a DM isn't needed. Spearing is fine as cover.

We should be looking at a play maker that can do attacking/defefensive duties as well as each other, ie an Alonso type.

I'd imagine that explains the Allen link. He's some way off being a Xabi though.

Dickerty · 20-07-2012 02:40PM

Players watching the Red Sox game.

Most interesting thing - Lucas sitting with Aquilani, away from the rest. They should room together. Lucas could teach him a lot about how to get the fans back on his side, and they could end up playing together a bit...

mike65 · 20-07-2012 02:41PM

Amazed at the idea some of us being comfortable with the idea of Spearing playing maybe 15 games in a row if the worst happens.

cson · 20-07-2012 02:43PM

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

That's good news if true. Like Rodgers, Allen isn't Liverpool standard. We should be looking elsewhere.

I would have thought the powers that be at Liverpool would have learned their lesson regarding stand out players in a promoted team. You all know who I'm referring to there.

Knex* · 20-07-2012 02:46PM

Dickerty wrote: »

Players watching the Red Sox game.

Most interesting thing - Lucas sitting with Aquilani, away from the rest. They should room together. Lucas could teach him a lot about how to get the fans back on his side, and they could end up playing together a bit...

Shelvey(back right) is exactly how I look when I watch baseball

missingtime · 20-07-2012 02:48PM

rarnes1 wrote: »

^
Definately, a DM isn't needed. Spearing is fine as cover.

We should be looking at a play maker that can do attacking/defefensive duties as well as each other, ie an Alonso type.

I'd imagine that explains the Allen link. He's some way off being a Xabi though.

If we are getting in a more of an all rounder CM then I guess the DM is not needed.

But I'm stunned that after the mess that was our midfield last year that people are happy that Spearing would still be cover for Lucas.

Liverpool FC Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 12/13

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