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

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

2011 called, it wants its failed transfer approach back.

Difference is we all knew how limited Carroll and Downing were, I still shudder that we spent £55m on those two. Lambert, Remy, Lovren and Lallana are a much better calibre of player.

I still believe we are just building the squad and we will still sign 1 or 2 players who can walk into the first eleven. Rodgers knows we need a name to fill that big Suarez void, you cant rely on young potential and standout players from mid table sides.

rob316 wrote: »

Difference is we all knew how limited Carroll and Downing were, I still shudder that we spent £55m on those two. Lambert, Remy, Lovren and Lallana are a much better calibre of player.

I still believe we are just building the squad and we will still sign 1 or 2 players who can walk into the first eleven. Rodgers knows we need a name to fill that big Suarez void, you cant rely on young potential and standout players from mid table sides.

Pity the club didnt....

Oranage2 wrote: »

I seem to remember you lot were pretty happy with all those signings, something about moneyball and winning the league.

No doubt,



But boy did we eat some humble pie the following 3 years....

Charlie Adams.

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

Sigh, you're going to make me trawl through archives and post quotes aren't you?

No need to on my part...will happily admit that I was VERY wrong on Downing.

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

2011 called, it wants its failed transfer approach back.

Big difference the players we are signing are better imo. I was never happy with our summer 2011 business. The players we signed all should fit into our system too . I still think & hope we will try to sign a proven world class player too.

Poor Charlie Adams gets an awful rap. He wasn't all that bad. On par with the Enrique signing for me.

MD1990 wrote: »

Big difference the players we are signing are better imo. I was never happy with our summer 2011 business. The players we signed all should fit into our system too . I still think & hope we will try to sign a proven world class player too.

Maybe - or maybe not. There are similarities anyway, I'll say that much.

Downing had been considered a very good player at Premiership level for a few seasons before we came in for him. The issue was that at Boro and Villa he wasn't expected to produce week in and week out, and hadn't been tested in scenarios where he's up against teams parking the bus on a regular basis.
Adam was the main man at Blackpool and was universally recognised as having had a brilliant season before we acquired him. I think Adam is a very talented player actually, great left peg. The issue was that fleeting moments of excellence stood out for a struggling team with low expectations. He didn't have the drive or desire required at a club like Liverpool where the pressure is on week in, week out.
Carroll had 18 months of consistently strong performances under his belt before he transferred for us between their promotion campaign and first half of the 10 / 11 season. I think the fee hung like a noose around his neck to be honest. He remains a good player, just not aligned with the football we wish to play.
Henderson was young and English and overhyped on that basis. He has come good, but it hasn't been easy.

We're taking in three players from Southampton who have done well there by all accounts - just as Downing / Adam / Carroll / Henderson were all considered to have done well in the seasons before they were signed for us. Southampton lost 12 league games last season and drew 11. They lost 15 and drew 14 the season before. They've had third and fifth round finishes in the cup, only winning games against lower league opposition. The step up is huge. The context within which they have impressed is radically different to the pressure they will now play under on a weekly basis.

That's not to say they are doomed to failure. Many players do make the step up successfully. But the notion that 'we are signing a totally different calibre of player this time round' is nonsense. It's the same idea. Let us hope we get a different result.

Pyjamarama wrote: »

Most controversial post in boards history...

Adam was insanely bad for us. Slowed the game down to a snails pace.

Claiming Downing was worse than Carroll is a worse call.

Boom_Bap wrote: »

Quote from Agger apparently:

"It is no secret that I had problems last season and I am considering things."

Agger was brilliant during 2011 / 12. He's been poor since to be frank. If he was to move on I'd have no real regrets. He's behind Skrtel and Sakho in the pecking order for me anyway.

Turtyturd wrote: »

Also scored a cracker in that Blackburn game.

My only Anfield visit thus far - thumped it home

Lloyd nailed it. Adam was brilliant for Blackpool and Stoke because those clubs don't expect to win the vast majority of their games. If Adam is brilliant for just 50% of his games, then that's probably enough for Stoke to secure a mid-table finish.

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

Agger was brilliant during 2011 / 12. He's been poor since to be frank. If he was to move on I'd have no real regrets. He's behind Skrtel and Sakho in the pecking order for me anyway.

Same story with himself and Reina. During Rafa's days, they were two top class players, but for whatever reason, it's been a long time since they were at that kind of level. While anyone can have a poor/mediocre season, to go through that kind of form 2-3 season in a row, then you're going to rightfully lose patience. I think if Rafa picked him up, he would still be an absolute star in Serie A. His lack of physicality/pace would be less exposed, and his ability on the ball would be enhanced. After a pretty rubbish time with us in the last few years, I think he deserves a few good seasons.