Liverpool FC Forum

by **ivor_the_injun** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 1:49 am

I don't think we should sign a keeper - it's form rather than class issues with both Dudek and Kirkland, and that position is so dependent on confidence that we need to get behind them as opposed to looking around at who else is on offer. Cudicini is a fine, fine keeper, don't get me wrong, but he's had his dodgy moments too - there's no keeper in the world that hasn't.

CB is a tricky one for me - I have a feeling that Hyypia's in a slow but steady decline, and it's not clear whether or not Whitbread's ready to step up yet. Plus there's the small matter of who's worth buying on the market in that position anyway. For me, I think we can cope there until the summer, hopefully giving Whitbread and Raven some experience (maybe subs appearances in Prem games) between now and then.

LB isn't a problem as far as I can tell. Riise started the season really well, and when his form declined, Traore surprised me with how good he actually is. No kind of priority for me, although both players have a lot of room to develop.

RB is being made confusing by the fact that Finnan should be first choice but inexplicably isn't. He's been a revelation for me this year, saving his LFC career with some real quality displays, but for the time being Benitez is sticking with Josemi. Nothing against him, but if his form dips and there's a good player ready to come in and take his place, Benitez has to make the change.

It's a similar story in RM - Kewell's form has been ultra poor, but Benitez hasn't got behind Warnock enough for me. Thankfully Harry's at least showing glimpses now, but it's still not good enough frankly. I can see us making a surprise signing for this position, to be honest.

Thankfully, CM is an embarrassment of riches. Gerrard and Alonso are capable of being the best central midfield pairing in Premiership history, and I actually think that Alonso's signing will be the reason Gerrard resists Chelsea and Madrid's advances come next summer. It's been a really great thing as well to see Biscan stepping up to the plate when needing and doing himself complete justice. He had a miserable time both on the pitch and as a result of the fans off it under Houllier, but Benitez has really got behind him and allowed him to show exactly what we signed him for. Whereas last season I didn't want him within the same postal district as the rest of the team, I now believe that he's a more than adequate stand-in for the position. And let's not forget Hamann, who many thought was on the wane last year and on the way out this year - still a top, top player, who would be an asset to any squad in world football. He's not in my first 11, but he's still one of the best "spoiling" midfielders around.

RM never ceases to amaze me - there are so many decent right-sided midfielders and wingers around, but for some reason we never get involved in the market for one. Nunez still has a lot to prove, and while Pongolle is an interesting stop-gap in the position, I can't help but think that doing so would just be retreading what Houllier did with Diouf - wasting the player's potential by not allowing them the chance in their preferred position. I honestly thought that Garcia would be the solution, but clearly not. People keep bringing up SWP, but he's out of our price range - we really should have made our move in summer, when I'm sure he would've gone for under £10m.

Obviously we're well understrength up front. Baros has hardly been Mr Never Injured in recent years, and now he's pretty much the only player we have that you'd trust to score a hatful. Mellor's worked hard and has got in amongst the goals, but I think both he and everyone else knows that he's going to find himself well down the pecking order again by the time the January window has closed. Two strikers to be signed for me, at least one of whom should be some kind of aerial threat.

by **The Canadian Red Army** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 2:26 am

they wont sell philips
we can pick up edu for 5m
"There are several aspects to life I like here in Arsenal and today I am very well adapted in England - everyone knows how well I am in the club.

EDU OUT, GIVEN IN?
Arsenal could move quickly to snap up goalkeeper Shay Given, after this morning's papers reported that the Republic of Ireland No. 1 wants to leave Newcastle. And according to the Daily Mail, Arsene Wenger will fund the move by selling Edu to Real Madrid. The Spanish giants are said to be keen on signing the Brazilian midfielder but are reportedly only prepared to spend £2m and not the £3.45m that Arsenal are demanding.

and
KEEPER FOR SALE
Liverpool, Arsenal and Man Utd are all reportedly keen on signing Leeds' England under-21 goalkeeper Scott Carson. The Elland Road club stalled on offering the £1m-rated Carson a permanent deal at the club when he became eligible after 15 appearences and now look set to lose him for roughly £200,000 as his current deal expires in June. Wigan are also monitoring the 18-year-old's situation.

by **LiverpoolMadman** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 3:21 am

I think what Liverpool need is one or two defender ( to replace Hypia and Stephane Henchoz; to slow and old for PL ) , one or two creative midfield ( to replace Harry Kewell who is been very disappoint for the last two years and Vladimir Smicer who always injured ) and one or two striker ( to add ) . On top of that we need to call back Anthony Le Tallec and Alou Diarra.

I would like to see Micheal Dawson or Boumsong or both in defends , Simão Sabrosa or Aimar or both in midfield , Anelka or Morientes or even Craig Bellamy.

I'm looking not only this season because this season we play for the 4th spot . At least there a CL next season . That's where we will be a better team.

by **Ade** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 6:59 pm

Dawson's got potential, but he's not that quick. And if he ain't that quick in Div One, then he's gonna be a bit off the pace for the prem. He might be good enough to get round that, and obviously he's got potential, but don't expect him to be the pacy CB we're crying out for.

Interesting ideas from some posters, but my point really was not so much who we sign, but the fact that our biggest outlay has got to be in January, and no hanging around.

by **Rafas Amigo** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 7:10 pm

Id like to get Upson , I bet Wenger would love him back now. What about Bowditch from Ipswich ive only seen him 3 or 4 times on sky but he looks very promising

by **mrcool2003** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 8:08 pm

you need to get your heads examined, anelka isn't good enough for us

but morienties is the player we need, top class goalscore, anelka isn't im afraid

boumsong might be a good option to try although might be priced out

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