Liverpool FC Forum

[Ola Mr Benitez]

This is the reason we need to keep most of our players at the end of the season... more injuries for the Newcastle game


Liverpool's injury woes have taken a turn for the worse with Neil Mellor being ruled out for the remainder of the season, while Jerzy Dudek and Harry Kewell are among those struggling to be fit for Saturday's trip to Newcastle.
Rafa Benitez has already been hard hit by injuries in his first season in charge at Anfield, having watched big-money striker Djibril Cisse break his leg back in October.
Florent Sinama-Pongolle's season ended with an injury at Watford, and now a third striker has been ruled out for the season.
Mellor has been struggling with tendonitis and has had to undergo surgery on both knees to rectify the problem.
The Reds face a crucial trip to improving Newcastle on Saturday, but Benitez may have to make changes as a number of his starters struggle with knocks picked up in the Carling Cup final.
Dudek had to have ten stitches in a gashed shin he sustained in Cardiff, which could mean a debut for Scott Carson at St James' Park, with Chris Kirkland also out injured.
Djimi Traore and Harry Kewell were forced off in Cardiff with thigh and ankle problems respectively, and they are struggling to face Newcastle.
The injuries keep on coming for Benitez as Dietmar Hamann has a bruised shin that has kept him out of training, but he is expected to recover in time.
Spanish defender Josemi is due to miss another two weeks after suffering torn lining in his knee in his comeback game in the reserves on Tuesday.
Benitez's patched-up squad desperately needs to bounce back from their cup defeat to get back in the race for fourth place.
The Spanish coach has had poor luck with injuries all season with £10 million midfielder Xabi Alonso also still out.

[el_stinger]

At the end of the season, we wouldnt be needing some dead weight because of injuries. Plus we can't sell players until the end of the season anyway mate.

[The Ace1983]

I can't believe that some people actually want to flog most of the players. I'd certainly keep Hyypia and Hamann as their vast knowledge will be vital in training long term replacements that must be brought in. Why sell Baros? His unique style terrifies defences, he scores goals, is still young, has skill and according to him, he wants to play for Liverpool. I'd rather Gerrard stayed and signed a new contract, but who knows on that front. Mellor and FSP? Sell one, keep the other. We need quality and it's not fair to let one of them rot on the bench. Pellegrino will go anyway, Josemi is still young and learning, Garcia is doing well, Finnan is fantastic and Kirkland should be back up.
Who would I sell? Well I'm glad Diouf, Diao and Henchoz are pretty much off the books. Dudek has always looked like a disaster waiting to happen and I'd like to get rid of him. If Kewell goes to Spain, I really couldn't care and I probably won't miss him. Biscan should be kicked out of the country and banned from returning and Cheyrou and Le Tallec still have to prove themselves for my vote.

We are going to get rid of some players, I'm sure and I'm also sure that Rafa will select the finest replacements available to him. I'm actually more concerned over who comes in. Some gifted youngsters, some proven talent, and something special. Whether or not we'll be heading down to the club shop to get Wright-Phillips (1 L or 2?) or Baraja, or even Owen (according to soe people) is a more pressing question for me.

                       xxx
       Finnan                   Riise
            Carragher   xxx
             Alonso   Gerrard
        xxx                       xxx
              Baros Morientes

These are the players which we should be fighting to keep and with the possible exception of Stevie G, I see no real danger in losing any of these. However, If we can't find or cannot afford the players to fill some of these positions, we should hang on to some of those which we have labelled as "dead wood" just to have options in these positions.

The other problems that come from selling players, is that you unsettle the team as a whole and do we want a repeat of this season? The team have had to deal with a new manager, new players (allright, that happens every season) , a new defensive system, the late departure of one of our best goalscorers and one of the worst injury lists ever. A major team shake up may be too much to bare...

[taff]

Agree more or less
I would look to offload Diouf, Diao, Cheyrou and Smicer especially as the first three are still our players loan or not.

I cant see the point in selling Le Tallec or Pongolle in the summer and I would also look at keeping Kewell unless a too good to be true offer came in

Haman for one more season I agree and Hypia although I wouldnt mind a new defender and maybe recall this Diarra who has had some good reviews.

SG stays result or goes then we look at two CLASS midfielders. Remember that Cisse will be available next season so we will have three good strikers and two kids knocking on the door

I think we will see improvement in Garcia and Nunez who will be valuable squad players

Biscan, I like the cult status he has but would like to see him go.  We could use Biscan and Smicer plus money in a deal perhaps.

[Ola Mr Benitez]

At the end of the season, we wouldnt be needing some dead weight because of injuries. Plus we can't sell players until the end of the season anyway mate.

I know, mate, Read my post again!!!  It says "at the end of the season"

[Judge]

I can't believe that some people actually want to flog most of the players. I'd certainly keep Hyypia and Hamann as their vast knowledge will be vital in training long term replacements that must be brought in. Why sell Baros? His unique style terrifies defences, he scores goals, is still young, has skill and according to him, he wants to play for Liverpool. I'd rather Gerrard stayed and signed a new contract, but who knows on that front. Mellor and FSP? Sell one, keep the other. We need quality and it's not fair to let one of them rot on the bench. Pellegrino will go anyway, Josemi is still young and learning, Garcia is doing well, Finnan is fantastic and Kirkland should be back up.
Who would I sell? Well I'm glad Diouf, Diao and Henchoz are pretty much off the books. Dudek has always looked like a disaster waiting to happen and I'd like to get rid of him. If Kewell goes to Spain, I really couldn't care and I probably won't miss him. Biscan should be kicked out of the country and banned from returning and Cheyrou and Le Tallec still have to prove themselves for my vote.

We are going to get rid of some players, I'm sure and I'm also sure that Rafa will select the finest replacements available to him. I'm actually more concerned over who comes in. Some gifted youngsters, some proven talent, and something special. Whether or not we'll be heading down to the club shop to get Wright-Phillips (1 L or 2?) or Baraja, or even Owen (according to soe people) is a more pressing question for me.

                       xxx
       humpty                   dumpty
            tweedle dee   xxx
             diao         diouf
        xxx                       xxx
     stephen hawkin   scooby doo

These are the players which we should be fighting to keep and with the possible exception of Stevie G, I see no real danger in losing any of these. However, If we can't find or cannot afford the players to fill some of these positions, we should hang on to some of those which we have labelled as "dead wood" just to have options in these positions.

The other problems that come from selling players, is that you unsettle the team as a whole and do we want a repeat of this season? The team have had to deal with a new manager, new players (allright, that happens every season) , a new defensive system, the late departure of one of our best goalscorers and one of the worst injury lists ever. A major team shake up may be too much to bare...

i think yer team selection leaves alot to be desired ace