Liverpool Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread Summer 2014 - Mod Warning post #6893

Vicxas · 30-05-2014 09:08AM

Lambert having his medical tomorrow.

machiavellianme · 30-05-2014 09:27AM

2 year deal according to the BBC. Happy enough with that for 4m.

Knex* · 30-05-2014 09:37AM

Yeah, happy with Lambert. Delighted for him too.

Gets his well deserved pay day, finishes his career where he started out, after falling and climbing his way all the way back up, will give his all, and is a quality player too boot.

Good start. Next we need 1st team quality.

Brego888 · 30-05-2014 09:39AM

If it is in fact 4 million. Sky reporting between 8 and 10. Big money for a 32 year old which doesn't really fit with the fsg transfer strategy.

Morzadec · 30-05-2014 09:45AM

Thinking of all the United teams that dominated in the past, one thing they always had was a ton of strikers who could score goals.

Cole, Yorke, Sheringham, Solskjaer.

I think it's a position you need a lot of options. Players drop in and out of form, sometimes they have a day where things just aren't going for them, they're getting marked out of the game.

And this is before we talk about injuries and the sheer volume of games we will be playing next year.

I've heard come people say 'but we scored 100 goals last year, lets just concentrate on defence'. Well I'm glad Rodgers isn't resting on his laurels too much, and I hope we're also after a Kono/Shqiri type too, because relentless attacking and goals all over the team will bring you a long way in the league, even if our defence is shaky. A lethal attack should at least guarantee CL football.

Those who are worried about Borini, or who don't see the point of signing Lambert because of Borini - I don't see it as a problem.

Borini can cover a wide role in a 4-3-3 (in fact there's a decent argument that he may be more efficient in this position due to a high workrate and questionable finishing ability).

And if we go with a 4-1-2-1-2, then we surely need 4 strikers in the squad anyway. Aspas probably needs to go - he does not have the physical or mental toughness, or experience to play at this level in the Premier League. All attributes which I believe Lambert possesses.

So for me the Lambert deal makes sense, doesn't break the bank, gives us a different option off the bench.

Also, he may be 32, but if you track his career he looks to be a 'late-bloomer' type (as strikers of his ilk often are). I believe we are getting a player in his primer, rather than a player on the wane. Ok, he may not offer us more than a few years, and he'll have little sell-on value, but for the fee involved a positive impact over the (supposed) 2 years of his contract is fine by me. I honestly think that Lambert aged 32-34 will be at least as good as Lambert aged 30-32, and better than a Lambert in his 20s. SO we are not buying a decrepit old man imo, we are signing a player who is playing the best football of his career right now.

I'm pretty happy with the signing, I think we could look back on it as a very, very good piece of business.

NukaCola · 30-05-2014 09:48AM

Brego888 wrote: »

If it is in fact 4 million. Sky reporting between 8 and 10. Big money for a 32 year old which doesn't really fit with the fsg transfer strategy.

Nope. Sky reporting 4m now also.

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11700/9331421/premier-league-southampton-striker-rickie-lambert-set-to-have-medical-at-liverpool

Knex* · 30-05-2014 09:49AM

Even if the deal doesn't work out for Liverpool, I am happy for Lambert for how he has established himself in the game the hard way.

Its a comic strip story, almost.

Then again, I am a sap.

tok9 · 30-05-2014 09:51AM

I'm delighted with that signing. Really does give us another option up front.

Keep this up now and let's get a first choice left and right back.

mike65 · 30-05-2014 09:51AM

There should always be room for a little romance in such a dismal cynical industry.

Paully D · 30-05-2014 09:52AM

I've seen quite a few people say that Lambert would be a good impact player. I think that's impossible to judge at the minute. According to ESPN, in his career at Southampton (the last five seasons) he has made a total of 18 substitute appearances in all competitions. He has started 219 games in that period, so only 8% of his total appearances have come as an impact player off the bench. That's not a big enough sample to judge accurately IMO. At a guess, he won't be starting too many games with you having Suarez and Sturridge up there, so I think it's very much a case of wait and see in terms of his ability as an impact player.

For £4m, you can't go too far wrong though. 32 goals and 17 assists in all competitions over the last two seasons. I'd love to see the add-ons and the value of same, has there been any word on those?

kingshankly · 30-05-2014 09:55AM

Lambert at 4/5 million is a no brainer
Shocked but delighted
Spurs didn't see that one coming did they

SlickRic · 30-05-2014 10:03AM

the Lambert signing could prove to be very shrewd indeed. excellent thinking.

we all know what our first choice front line should be, and he's not in it. he'll know that too. we don't need a guaranteed starter in the striking positions, but we do need depth, and we do need options.

Lambert is coming to his boyhood club, with a big payday to boot, will get to play some Champions League football, and as a result, is not going to rock the boat if he doesn't play week in, week out. when he does play though, we'll have a fully motivated, high quality performer, who gives us a presence that we don't necessarily have.

Suarez, Sturridge, Lambert, Borini, Sterling all covering the front 3 positions is a good foundation.

when we look towards midfield and defence, that will be where we need some guaranteed starters who will improve the team.

Dickerty · 30-05-2014 10:05AM

kingshankly wrote: »

Lambert at 4/5 million is a no brainer
Shocked but delighted
Spurs didn't see that one coming did they

He wouldn't have gone there!

I wonder if there are any more Pool fans out there who would love to join us?

Knex* · 30-05-2014 10:06AM

SlickRic wrote: »

the Lambert signing could prove to be very shrewd indeed. excellent thinking.

we all know what our first choice front line should be, and he's not in it. he'll know that too. we don't need a guaranteed starter in the striking positions, but we do need depth, and we do need options.

Lambert is coming to his boyhood club, with a big payday to boot, will get to play some Champions League football, and as a result, is not going to rock the boat if he doesn't play week in, week out. when he does play though, we'll have a fully motivated, high quality performer, who gives us a presence that we don't necessarily have.

Suarez, Sturridge, Lambert, Borini, Sterling all covering the front 3 positions is a good foundation.

when we look towards midfield and defence, that will be where we need some guaranteed starters who will improve the team.

Could add Coutinho to that list as well.

Dickerty · 30-05-2014 10:10AM

All the talk about Lallana and Lambert - is Lovren a real target? And is he a good enough upgrade on Skrtel?

Knex* · 30-05-2014 10:12AM

So...

Is Lambert our fabled Plan B?

mike65 · 30-05-2014 10:16AM

It could be hard to spot the difference between Liverpool and England soon.

Johnson--X--X

X

Gerrard

Hendo--Lallana

Sterling
---Sturridge--Lambert

SlickRic · 30-05-2014 10:18AM

Knex. wrote: »

Could add Coutinho to that list as well.

i thought that too, but he rarely plays in the front 3 positions really anymore.

you are correct though, you could easily include him.

i think himself and Lallana (if he's a target) are vying for the same position.

Gerrard

Henderson

Coutinho/Lallana

that's with Allen also an option for a number of positions.

Agueroooo · 30-05-2014 10:18AM

Rodgers is a class act isn't he? Sent Lambert a fax saying how proud the club (LFC) & all kopites were when he made his England debut

.

ThunbergsAreGo · 30-05-2014 10:18AM

Lambert signing reminds me of Sheringham for Manchester United (or at least its the closest i can think of)

Francie Barrett · 30-05-2014 10:18AM

Rickie Lambert signing just goes to show that Liverpool transfer speculation is the biggest waste of time in the world. All the talk of Emre Can this, Adam Lallana that - then all of sudden, it's Rickie Lambert and the deal ends up practically being closed within 24 hours.

Francie Barrett · 30-05-2014 10:19AM

mike65 wrote: »

It could be hard to spot the difference between Liverpool and England soon.

Johnson--X--X
X
Gerrard
Hendo--Lallana
Sterling
---Sturridge--Lambert

Sign MOAR Engrish pwaya's!

Agueroooo · 30-05-2014 10:21AM

Lambert signing is 0% risk.

low wages, good stats. small fee

joe123 · 30-05-2014 10:23AM

Raif Severance wrote: »

Maybe he wants someone Fashionable like a Dzeko?

Its posts like this that bring the soccer forum down imo. Its condescending mate.

If he is fourth choice and there to help when needed then fine but if we get a serious injury to Suarez or Sturridge, then I wouldnt be to confident in relying on Lambert and Borini to carry the burden.

I would have preferred that we brought in someone who could play out wide and through the middle.

murpho999 wrote: »

I genuinely think your judgement of players is flawed and wonder how often you've seen Southampton play?

Scoring penalties? What's wrong with that. He has scored 34 with Southampton, never missed one for them. Shows coolness, good shot and accuracy.

Have you seen his goals, as he's not a player who balls where just lumped up to (nothing wrong with that now and then). He can score from free kicks and long and short range. Also is a good header of ball. He is also going to the World cup

I would also think in a better attacking force like Liverpool he'll get more chances. Also don't forget he won't be first choice but will put more pressure on the front 2 which is good. He will be ideal for cup matches and back up.
Here's a goal video with obligatory music.
I think he's better all round than Borini.

Try not to assume buddy. Im well aware of how Southampton play and never once did I say that Lambert was a carthorse. Hes a decent player but again if he is considered one of our main attacking signings this Summer then I wouldnt be confident in our attacking options if something happens Suarez.

Its all good and well coming out with something like "in a better attacking force like Liverpool he'll get more chances" but you are forgetting that teams will park the bus at Liverpool where as at Southampton, Lambert would have been afforded much more freedom.

Not sure how you misunderstood my line about the penalties. Why would I suggest something is wrong with penalties? Raif came out stating he scored 28 goals in 2 seasons, but it can be skewed.

Sure Soldados majority of goals came from the penalty spot this season.

Regarding Lambert, I have absolutely no problem with him coming in as 4th choice back up, but if it meant we stopped focusing on an attacking options because we signed him I would be concerned.

Hopefully that wont be the case.

mike65 · 30-05-2014 10:23AM

Guardian

Liverpool are continuing to pursue Lambert’s Southampton team-mates but have not reached agreement on a fee for Lallana, who is keen to move to Anfield, or Lovren.

It is understood further talks with Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Emre Can over the weekend are likely to give a clearer idea of whether the Germany Under-21 international will also move to Merseyside. Although there is a buy-out clause of about £10m which Liverpool are willing to meet, the player’s wage demands are proving a significant stumbling block.

I have to laugh if Can is making demands about wages, a 21 year old who will be paid better just by moving to the Prem - one can only wonder what the initial offer was!

Oh and Vorm is off the radar.

asdfgh86 · 30-05-2014 10:25AM

mike65 wrote: »

It could be hard to spot the difference between Liverpool and England soon.

Johnson--X--X
X
Gerrard
Hendo--Lallana
Sterling
---Sturridge--Lambert

Johnson--Caulker---Flanno

Gerrard

Hendo--Lallana

Sterling
---Sturridge--Lambert---Ibe

That defence

Agueroooo · 30-05-2014 10:29AM

with the signing of Ricky Lambert Liverpool now have 3 out of the 4 players to only hit double figures for goals and assists in the EPL last season

.

Francie Barrett · 30-05-2014 10:29AM

Agueroooo wrote: »

Rodgers is a class act isn't he? Sent Lambert a fax saying how proud the club (LFC) & all kopites were when he made his England debut

It's very clever actually, identifying an opposition player he likes and doing something to give that player a positive impression of him. He did a similar thing with Sturridge when he saw him playing with Man City as a kid.

Small touches like that can pay huge dividends in transfer negotiations at a later stage.

SlickRic · 30-05-2014 10:29AM

i know it's been said by a few others, but signing Lovren really would be top notch work.

Caulker for cheap as backup would have us just about there at CB.

D'Agger · 30-05-2014 10:32AM

*Generic Lambert Moneyball Low risk comment

Give us Shaqiri already!!

Liverpool Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread Summer 2014 - Mod Warning post #6893

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