Liverpool FC Forum

by **premwanter** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 2:54 am

It goes without saying Anekla would have been perfect, lots of prem experience and natural goal scorer! But he is at Cheski so pintlesss chatting about him...

by **Penguins** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 2:59 am

Santa Cruz would do nicely.

Strong, good finisher, good header of the ball. Really a
great striker at around £10m.

And isn't it time for everyone to forget all about Anelka now??
He will not ever play a game for Liverpool anymore. Practically 100% certain. And Chelski did pay over the odds for him at £15m.

by **premwanter** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 3:09 am

I think he is worth it in the current climate
Proven and class
Anyway no more Anelka!

by **LFC2007** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 3:37 am

If we're going to go down the route of signing a second striker to partner Torres, I think we need top quality, and we need to get it nailed on this time. Tevez was the ideal candidate, but he's no longer an option which is a shame.

In my view, Robbie Keane is not top quality. I think he's better than what we have other than Torres, but I just think we could do better in terms of quality, touch on the ball, control and pace etc. He's perhaps just below the level we require - given the strength of the Manc's, Chelsea and Arsenal.

Anelka - clearly not gonna happen now. Talented no doubt, attitude questionable, but just doesn't fit the position quite right IMO.

I think Gudjohnsen is decent, but not top quality - he'd be a good solid 3rd or 4th option though, just not a contender for a regular starting place if we want to improve to a new level.

I don't think we'd be able to find a solution in the UK tbh, nobody springs to mind immediately. Those who are available aren't quite up to the level we require, and those who are up to the level we require either play for one of the top four clubs or would cost a fortune.

I think we need to be looking for a player whose touch and control is exceptional - two of the most important attributes in this position. He'll be the player operating in tight spaces in between the opposing defence and midfield, infiltrating space and creating opportunities for Torres and Gerrard bombing on. If the Gerrard-bombing-on option is negated by a congested midfield ala Man U at home, there'll be a greater burden on this fella. He'll need to be pacey, not necessarily powerful ala Ronaldo but not a pushover, he must have a good shot on him, be able to engineer space for the shot and get the shot off in time, i.e quick feet and a high level of skill.

One player that immediately springs to mind, although I don't know too much about him, is Sergio Aguero. I think he's scored 9 league goals for Atletico so far this season which is an excellent return, and although having only seen him a couple of times he appears to fit the bill. He's looks supremely talented. Having said that, I don't think it would be financially feasible, and certainly wouldn't fall into the £10-12m bracket given that they paid circa £15m for him.

David Villa is another obvious candidate and would be ideal, but financially unfeasible, and definitely not £10-12m.

Guissepe Rossi's been doing well at Villarreal, and he looks to be developing into quite a talented little player, but I haven't seen enough of him to justify him as a potential signing. Just an idea.

I liked the look of Di Natale when he played for Italy in the Euro qualifiers, I think he's definitely worth a shout. He seems to have the quality, and appears to be the type of player we need.

Fernando Cavenaghi is a possible for sure.

Hatem Ben Arfa looks like a talented little player, and would probably be within the £10m-£12m bracket. Certainly not my preference, but certanly an option worth considering. Not top quality though.

Diego of Werder Bremen is top, top quality and he scores plenty of goals - he's probably our best bet I'd say and quite possibly within the £10-12m bracket if we haggled well, although probably more like £15m.

Anyhow, here is my list of candidates in no particular order who might be financially feasible:

Diego
Hatem Ben Arfa
Antonio Di Natale
Fernando Cavenaghi

There are others, but I'd imagine they would cost significantly more than £10-12m, however, if we're looking for real quality at a reasonable price Diego is the best candidate, IMHO.

Obviously, if finances permit I'd go for Villa or Aguero, but I'm not so sure that would leave sufficient funds to find a top-quality winger, and full back.

by **ruskiy playmaker** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 3:39 am

If I had that kind of a budget I wouldn't waste it on the likes of Keane and Defoe. I'd much rather spend it on Pandev who is a much better footballer or if allowed, Kuyt + £12 for Van Der Varrt.

But I think that it doesn't matter because in a year or two Babel will be playing in that position. I believe Rafa himself said that Babel will be used there, after he settles in.

by **bigmick** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 3:52 am

The perfect partner for Torres from all the footballers I've seen would be Rooney. That said, we'd never sign him, he wouldn't play for us, and he'd cost about 45 million. To me though, that's the kind of player you need, someone who's creative, happy to drop into the hole, has a goal in him and can handle the Premiership.

by **account deleted by request** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 4:48 am

bigmick wrote:The perfect partner for Torres from all the footballers I've seen would be Rooney. That said, we'd never sign him, he wouldn't play for us, and he'd cost about 45 million. To me though, that's the kind of player you need, someone who's creative, happy to drop into the hole, has a goal in him and can handle the Premiership.

You forgot to mention who though, Mick

maybe him?

by **ConnO'var** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 7:05 am

s@int wrote:
bigmick wrote:The perfect partner for Torres from all the footballers I've seen would be Rooney. That said, we'd never sign him, he wouldn't play for us, and he'd cost about 45 million. To me though, that's the kind of player you need, someone who's creative, happy to drop into the hole, has a goal in him and can handle the Premiership.

You forgot to mention who though, Mick

maybe him?

I wish! .... but only a dream I'm afraid.

What about.....

by **maguskwt** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 8:28 am

van der vaart or Diego... personally I don't think they will cost more than 20 million... 15-16 should get them...

by **JamCar05** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 11:25 am

Diego would be my preferred option out of the (realistic) players mentioned in this thread. Scores quite a lot of goals from his position behind the front guys, and has got excellent skill and ball control. Isn't he also just around 22 years old? Anyway, I think there would be quite a scramble for his signature, if he was allowed to leave. I've heard both Juventus and Real Madrid linked with him in the past, and as we all know, the latter team would probably just throw silly money at Bremen to get their guy. So would still be very difficult to get him imo, but I would love for it to happen.

by **Seano Kop** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 11:46 am

I reckon his best partner would be:

I don't care if he's not an out and out striker, they would read each other well.

by **lakes10** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 11:54 am

bigmick wrote:The perfect partner for Torres from all the footballers I've seen would be Rooney. That said, we'd never sign him, he wouldn't play for us, and he'd cost about 45 million. To me though, that's the kind of player you need, someone who's creative, happy to drop into the hole, has a goal in him and can handle the Premiership.

I think you are spot on, Rooney would be great for him.
but as you say we would never bring him to the club.

saying that i often wonder what Marcus Bent would be like up front with him.

by **Raj_Xedos** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 12:39 pm

Nicolas Anelka has revealed his dismay at not signing for Liverpool on a permanent basis and admits the Reds’ result is the first one he looks for on a Saturday night.
The France international, who recently made a multi-million pound move to Chelsea form Bolton Wanderers, scored five goals during a loan spell at Anfield back in the 2001/02 season.

But despite a number of impressive displays from the forward, boss Gerard Houllier opted not to take up an option to sign him permanently and Anelka moved to Manchester City instead.

"I have a lot of regrets about Liverpool and theirs is the first result I look for," said Anelka.

"When I went there, I really wanted to sign. It was wonderful and I thought what I did on the pitch was good enough for them to sign me.

does anyone know why we never signed anelka...??

by **JamCar05** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 12:49 pm

Raj_Xedos wrote:does anyone know why we never signed anelka...??

I'm not absolutely certain, but I think it was because Houllier decided to sign the ever so wonderful Diouf instead, as he had just played a couple of half decent games in the 2002 World Cup. That really worked out well for us :veryangry

by **Seano Kop** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 12:53 pm

Man, Anelka and Torres, what a partnership!

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Torres ideal partner? - 10-12mill tops

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