Liverpool Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2014 mod warning linked in OP 26/07

Kess73 · 19-07-2014 09:49AM

Soft Falling Rain wrote: »

Stevie G should be eased onto the bench anyway starting from now.

Been saying that for a while and said similar last week.

And it would not have to be an out and out DM to take the deep playing midfield slot.

It could be a player with a similar skillset to the likes of Strootman. The type who can playmake from a deeper role, who can organise, but who also has a good defensive side to their game.

Another option would be the guy that I suggested a ciuple of seasons back before he made the move to Cardiff, Gary Medel. Very different player to Strootman, but could play in the deeper role and is not exactly a poor distributer of the ball

dogbert27 · 19-07-2014 09:55AM

What are peoples thoughts on Daniel Agger becoming a defensive midfielder?

Chip Whitley · 19-07-2014 09:56AM

Moreno for LB
Richards for competition at RB
A top top DM
Remy for CF

I'd be happy enough with that tbh, see how we get on til January.

Obviously a marquee signing like DiMaria would be more than welcome. I think a signing like that gives everyone a boost, the club, the supporters, and it also adds a fear factor when opposition sees the team sheet. We don't have that now Suarez is gone.

Iused2likebusts · 19-07-2014 10:13AM

rarnes1 wrote: »

I'd like to think we will add a top striker . Having only 3 with the extra games would be very risky. Sturridge tends to be miss games too.

I think 3 strikers is enough as I feel without suarez we will very rarely play 2 up top. A few years ago all the big teams would have 4 strikers as they would be playing 2 up top I don't think there is a need for 4 now as atleast 1 of the strikers will hardly ever play . Most teams playing a 4 2 3 1 or 4 3 3 formation.

Milkers · 19-07-2014 10:13AM

dogbert27 wrote: »

What are peoples thoughts on Daniel Agger becoming a defensive midfielder?

Was gonna throw up that exact question yesterday but then thought nah I'm not really in the mood for receiving a pile of abuse.

Kess73 · 19-07-2014 10:24AM

dogbert27 wrote: »

What are peoples thoughts on Daniel Agger becoming a defensive midfielder?

That is something that has been mentioned a number of times over the years, and I could see it being an awful move.

As good a player as Daniel Agger is, he is not mobile enough for midfield, and I think he would get brutally exposed in a DM role.

Quality midfielders often get moved back into deeper positions as their legs start to go as their reading of the game can often compensate for declining mobility, but you will not find too many examples of 29 yo (30 later this year) centre backs being moved into a more advanced postion on a full time basis.

I can see the logic behind thinking about Agger playing in a DM role, but my own opinion is that it would end badly for him and more importantly for the team.

5live · 19-07-2014 11:00AM

Kess73 wrote: »

Been saying that for a while and said similar last week.

And it would not have to be an out and out DM to take the deep playing midfield slot.

It could be a player with a similar skillset to the likes of Strootman. The type who can playmake from a deeper role, who can organise, but who also has a good defensive side to their game.

Another option would be the guy that I suggested a ciuple of seasons back before he made the move to Cardiff, Gary Medel. Very different player to Strootman, but could play in the deeper role and is not exactly a poor distributer of the ball

That is the need in the team atm, rather than an out and out DM. We have nobody in the squad to replace Gerrard or even come close to approximating his skill-set.

Throwing a DM like Mascherano would totally wipe out our attacking threat as he would have to pass to a creative player to set up an attack and those 2 or 3 seconds are vital to our attacking play.

I think the 3 midfielders will be a first choice of Lallana, Gerrard and Henderson with Lallana adding to Hendersons harrying of the opposition which will relieve a lot of the defensive pressure on Gerrard and the CBs.

Hidalgo · 19-07-2014 11:16AM

The long term replacement of Gerrard would be an ideal signing.
Buying this player would allow him to be eased into Gerrards role rather than parachuted in when Gerrard is as good as retired.

Was also thinking re the £90-100m available to spend.
Will Rodgers risk holding on to a lot of it for now. Hope they can get back into CL again next season which might make Anfield a more attractive destination. Right now they could be viewed as one season wonders and still a risky destination.

Risky strategy but one I wouldn't be overly syrprised to see Rodgers use to some extent.

billymitchell · 19-07-2014 11:34AM

Hidalgo wrote: »

The long term replacement of Gerrard would be an ideal signing.
Buying this player would allow him to be eased into Gerrards role rather than parachuted in when Gerrard is as good as retired.

Was also thinking re the £90-100m available to spend.
Will Rodgers risk holding on to a lot of it for now. Hope they can get back into CL again next season which might make Anfield a more attractive destination. Right now they could be viewed as one season wonders and still a risky destination.

Risky strategy but one I wouldn't be overly syrprised to see Rodgers use to some extent.

He really should blow a wad of it on top players this season with the aim of us getting as far as we can in the champions league this season and securing champions league football again next season. That should be the main aim this summer.
Then I imagine the top top players will be easier to sign

Kess73 · 19-07-2014 11:38AM

5live wrote: »

That is the need in the team atm, rather than an out and out DM. We have nobody in the squad to replace Gerrard or even come close to approximating his skill-set.

Throwing a DM like Mascherano would totally wipe out our attacking threat as he would have to pass to a creative player to set up an attack and those 2 or 3 seconds are vital to our attacking play.

I think the 3 midfielders will be a first choice of Lallana, Gerrard and Henderson with Lallana adding to Hendersons harrying of the opposition which will relieve a lot of the defensive pressure on Gerrard and the CBs.

That is why I think it would have to be a player with a skillset similar to that of Strootman. Basically a guy who is an excellent passer over short and long distances, who can release a ball quickly but who can also set a tempo, but that also has the defensive nous to organise/intercept when his team is on the back foot.

Do agree that Gerrard in the deeper role with Henderson and Lallana ahead of him looks the most obvious starting trio for midfield. Though in the last few days I have started to wonder about Lallana being pushed into a more advanced attacking role if a top notch midfielder was brought in.

Must say that I am really looking forward to watching Lallana play for Liverpool this season. Think he is a smashing player and that any folk doubting him are in for a very pleasant surprise.

Knex* · 19-07-2014 11:39AM

I wrote about not liking Agger as a DM, a few times, and ultimately, the thought of him getting the ball while facing his own goals, with the opposition harrying him, terrifies me.

Not mobile enough at all. Nor does he have the legs for it. Would be a disaster.

rob316 · 19-07-2014 11:59AM

Really excited by remy coming in, with the way we setup I think he will score 20 league goals easy I have been really impressed with his contributions to poor sides the last 2 seasons.

He's a rodgers player too, a very versatile attacker who can play left, right or centre. Him and Sturridge upfront could be a serious handful for any defence. While we loose the trickery of Suarez we will gain a very direct forward and a good finisher to boot.

Kess73 · 19-07-2014 12:36PM

rob316 wrote: »

Really excited by remy coming in, with the way we setup I think he will score 20 league goals easy I have been really impressed with his contributions to poor sides the last 2 seasons.

He's a rodgers player too, a very versatile attacker who can play left, right or centre. Him and Sturridge upfront could be a serious handful for any defence. While we loose the trickery of Suarez we will gain a very direct forward and a good finisher to boot.

If we get Remy, I don't think he will come close to getting 20 league goals.

But if the likes of Lallana, Lambert, Lazer, and any other new attackers can get 20 to 25 league goals between them, and our defence can conceded between 10 to 25 less goals, then we should be able to genuinely compete for a top 4 place again this season, and maybe even add a little bit of silverware.

taidghbaby · 19-07-2014 12:38PM

willowthewisp wrote: »

The way reactions are going you would think that making a profit on a player is the new measure of success.
I'd rather trophies myself.

Don't be stupid! Everyone knows sponsorship deals are better than trophies!

jcsoulinger · 19-07-2014 12:44PM

rob316 wrote: »

Really excited by remy coming in, with the way we setup I think he will score 20 league goals easy I have been really impressed with his contributions to poor sides the last 2 seasons.

He's a rodgers player too, a very versatile attacker who can play left, right or centre. Him and Sturridge upfront could be a serious handful for any defence. While we loose the trickery of Suarez we will gain a very direct forward and a good finisher to boot.

Yep would be a serious bargain, He's quick and a very cool finisher, Even if hes only a squad player he can come on and get goals which we really didn't have last year.

Francie Barrett · 19-07-2014 12:46PM

dogbert27 wrote: »

What are peoples thoughts on Daniel Agger becoming a defensive midfielder?

The time for trying out Agger in midfield was earlier in his career. To try it now with him turning 30 would probably be a disaster.

mosstin · 19-07-2014 12:46PM

According to Sky - never fully reliable - we've agreed an 8.5 million fee for Remy.

Francie Barrett · 19-07-2014 12:51PM

Soft Falling Rain wrote: »

Stevie G should be eased onto the bench anyway starting from now.

Can't be having that, why would you be talking about easing him onto the bench when he's our best midfielder? Until someone steps up and actually displaces Gerrard based on form, then Gerrard is a first name on the team sheet for me.

Kess73 · 19-07-2014 12:51PM

If Remy does come in, then there has been some very serious upgrading of the back up brigade this window.

Remy > Borini

Lambert > Aspas

Can > Lucas (granted Lucas is not gone, but think Can csan offer more than Lucas is able to anymore save for experience)

Markovic > Moses

Of course it is open for debate as to whether Markovic will start the season as a back up or a first teamer.

And when the first team is looked at then Lallana is an upgrade on Allen, and quite possibly on Coutinho at this stage of Coutinho's career.

Throw in a few more upgrades for the starting XI, and it could potentially turn into one of the best transfer windows that we have had in a very long time.

klose · 19-07-2014 12:55PM

Id say markovic might take a while to settle in. Doubt he has a word of english and nobody speaks serbian.? at the club like unlike if a south american comes in theres a already a group of them here already etc..

Kess73 · 19-07-2014 12:56PM

Francie Barrett wrote: »

Can't be having that, why would you be talking about easing him onto the bench when he's our best midfielder? Until someone steps up and actually displaces Gerrard based on form, then Gerrard is a first name on the team sheet for me.

Which is why the only way to replace him at present would be to bring in a high quality midielder to directly compete with him for his position.

We don't have that player in the squad atm, and would sooner have that sort of player brought in now when Gerrard is still around to share the role/compete for the role rather than waiting for Gerrard to retire and then try to bring a player in to fill the role.

Given we will be competing on four fronts this season, we would have the game time to allow Gerrard and another player to compete for that deeper role.

Francie Barrett · 19-07-2014 12:58PM

joe123 wrote: »

The starting 11 is still pretty weak all things considered especially compared to last season.

Yep, Suarez is irreplaceable, don't care what anyone says. The only thing is that like Kess has just pointed out, our bench is much, much better. Also, you never know, the likes of Sterling, Countinho or Markovic might yet step up to the next level. If so, then we might end up being stronger.

smileyj1987 · 19-07-2014 12:58PM

mosstin wrote: »

According to Sky - never fully reliable - we've agreed an 8.5 million fee for Remy.

Sturrigde , Lambert and Remy is a good strike force to have . As good as Suarez was LFC have three proper options upfront now .

Iused2likebusts · 19-07-2014 01:06PM

Kess73 wrote: »

Which is why the only way to replace him at present would be to bring in a high quality midielder to directly compete with him for his position.

We don't have that player in the squad atm, and would sooner have that sort of player brought in now when Gerrard is still around to share the role/compete for the role rather than waiting for Gerrard to retire and then try to bring a player in to fill the role.

Given we will be competing on four fronts this season, we would have the game time to allow Gerrard and another player to compete for that deeper role.

between gerrard, can, allen, henderson we have enough players for that role. 2 upgrades at full back is the most immediate purchase for now.

Kess73 · 19-07-2014 01:08PM

klose wrote: »

Id say markovic might take a while to settle in. Doubt he has a word of english and nobody speaks serbian.? at the club like unlike if a south american comes in theres a already a group of them here already etc..

He has some english going by his interviews, and was able to give TV interviews in Portuguese when at Benfica.

Plus if we sign Lovern he will have someone else to chat to as Croatian and Serbian speakers can understand each other due to their languages being linguistically compatible

Tusky · 19-07-2014 01:11PM

Kess73 wrote: »

Which is why the only way to replace him at present would be to bring in a high quality midielder to directly compete with him for his position.

We don't have that player in the squad atm, and would sooner have that sort of player brought in now when Gerrard is still around to share the role/compete for the role rather than waiting for Gerrard to retire and then try to bring a player in to fill the role.

Given we will be competing on four fronts this season, we would have the game time to allow Gerrard and another player to compete for that deeper role.

Does it not concern you that we seem to be focusing on upgrading our squad players rather than our first teamers? Especially considering we have just lost our best player and Gerrard is one year older.

Kess73 · 19-07-2014 01:14PM

Iused2likebusts wrote: »

between gerrard, can, allen, henderson we have enough players for that role. 2 upgrades at full back is the most immediate purchase for now.

Would disagree.

Yes we have players that could be a body in the position, but we do not have any players that would, imo, excel in that role for a sustained period of time if Gerrard were to be injured, or any players that currently could compete for the role enough to displace Gerrard.

In terms of first team quality, we basically have one player for the deep lying midfield role. Everyone else is either back up, or future potential.

I do agree that we need to get in some first team quality along the back line, and my thinking would be that we need a CB and FB this window and then another full back next summer.

smileyj1987 · 19-07-2014 01:17PM

Tusky wrote: »

Does it not concern you that we seem to be focusing on upgrading our squad players rather than our first teamers? Especially considering we have just lost our best player and Gerrard is one year older.

The bench and squad need some serious injection of talent . At the end of the day it was the lack of options that lost Liverpool the league . Your only as strong as your worst player .

Tusky · 19-07-2014 01:18PM

smileyj1987 wrote: »

Your only as strong as your worst player .

Well that's clearly not true.

Jesus Wept · 19-07-2014 01:21PM

we're gunna win the league

Liverpool Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2014 *mod warning linked in OP 26/07*

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Liverpool Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2014 mod warning linked in OP 26/07