Liverpool FC Forum

by **tonyeh** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 12:06 pm

zarababe wrote:
lakes10 wrote:Strikers.....big problem if Torres moves on, there are a few good english players around right now that some of the big teams are looking at, each one will cost around 10mil, we could risk getting one and how they go or we could spend 20mil on a mid 20's striker (age).

Torres won't move on - he ain't that shallow.

What's shallow about furthering his career?

If he wants to leave Liverpool to pursue better options, he will.

by **zarababe** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 12:20 pm

.. you're having a laff..

You're joking right - so now fans of this club see players like torress furthering their careers at other clubs

May be I have heard it all - from LFC fans that is...

by **red37** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 12:21 pm

Good shout ciggs.

I personally would shunt Glen Johnson further up the field and draft Kelly or Darby into the side behind him. Solid lads who can keep their position allowing Johnson license to raid. Get Aurelio back in as Left back - dependable enough (aside from a woeful injury record) Hope that we address another Centre Half too.

I would like us to take a look at a Hangeland/Collins (shame) or someone like Turner at Sunderland (ffs he doesn't even have a squad photo on the SAFC offy!) Should have really taken a good look at him when he left Hull.

Mascherano and Gerrard in midfield. On the left flank (new blood required) is all im saying. It doesn't necessarily have to be a worldbeater. Just someone who can supply a good ball, beat a man and be mindful of providing positional insurances when the LB is emptied. Infact, Aurelio himself might provide such qualities already. Then in that case, good (and i mean solid) cover at LB could also be in order. I realise there is Insua, but unless the boy has an outstanding pre-season etc - i'd be tempted to give him either another season to blend in to the team gradually (cup games etc), or, send him on loan to a Blackpool/Preston or somewhere....with the option to recall, if possible. Dont think the deep end is suiting him. He has appeared all over the place at times.

So, in essence and other words - the entire back four needs looking at. Not megabucks needed - just a rejig with one or two additions.

Benayoun and Maxi (possibly Kuyt) are great backups for covering the left and right flanks and going in the lines/picking up second balls etc (imo)

Aquilani i would definately persist with (and i mean persist....) he needs to be in the hole for me. Or at least providing the fulcrum for the attack from midfield. He has the ability, he needs trusting. Gerrard can still 'bomb on' and support, as there is ample insurance with Mascherano and a 're-worked' back line. Hopefully. Im tempted to see if we cant have a look at someone like an Arteta as an option in Midfield also.

That leaves Torres up top. Who i believe is better on his own. He is adept at finishing, creating and holding up play.

What we need is 2 things. Able (and i mean as good as) or at least, comparable to - if there is such a thing, cover. This is where Villa comes in...they can both play together. Proven. They are both clinical and perceptive/creative strikers. Proven. They are both worldclass. Proven.

Unfortunately they are also both susceptible to injury. Who isnt? But at least incase one were out - there would be ample resources between the pair of them to get through a full campaign provided there was also the option of a solid poacher in the ranks. Some mention Bent, Jones others Defoe, Carroll at Newcastle et al...good choices. Not spectacular just - good enough. Babel i'd get rid - or shove in the stiffs for a few months. Nah - cash in or keep as a pacey option? He needs to deliver. What about a loan to the Championship for him as well? Or even to a newly promoted Prem side?

I think we will snap someones hand off for around 9 or 10 mill. Possibly, for the best as well...

In short:

A Centre half a Left sided midfielder and a world class striker. Priorities.

As well as cover for: The entire left flank, and a finisher (of some repute) to supplement the 2 world class strikers (we need)

My shout?

Reina

Kelly
Carragher
(?)/Agger
(?)/Insua

Johnson
Gerrard
Mascherano
Aurelio/(?)

Aquilani

Torres/(?)

[? means new] or at least another viable option.

Disclaimer: Of course, all this is injury permitting.

by **stmichael** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 12:57 pm

tonyeh wrote:What's shallow about furthering his career?

If he wants to leave Liverpool to pursue better options, he will.

he's already said that he won't play for another club in this country. he's not motivated by money so that makes all the man city rumours a load of nonsense imo.

he'd never go to real madrid which make the only feasible option barcelona and they can't afford him imo. italy is a step down.

by **boodiddy1** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 1:46 pm

I feel, (pprob cause an outrage) that we need to replace carra at CB. Cahill would be good for this. Kjaer? Im not so sure.

I feel Carra is holding the defence back at bit now. We sit deeper than previous seasons and this is def due to carras pace diminishing. I aint having a goo at carra, he could become like sammi did in his last couple of seasons.

LB is a major problem. Forget Aurelio, he's physically fooked. We need a new one. Id go for Cissoko at PSG or Abidal. reason we could get Abidal is maxwell is guardiola's first choice.

Midfield needs to see gerrard in centre with masch. Also Aquilani in there.

That means a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation.

Id go a 4-3-3. So, we go Torres, Maxi and Van der vaart up front. Bringing Kuyt in for maxi VDV etc. Jovanovic for torres back up. Lucas for mid back up.

So all in all (hypothtical of course)

Reina
Johnson Cahill Agger Cissoko
Gerrard Mascherano Aquilani
Maxi Van Der vaart
Torres

WSubs:
Carra, Kuyt, Lucas, Kelly, Benayoun, Jovanovic, Cavalleri.

Sell Babel, Plessis, Aurelio, El Zhar, Degan, Riera.

Sounds a bit champ manager, but not really big signings, just fine tune adjustments to playing staff and formation. A bit like Mourinho's Chelsea, compact, creative lots of goals in it.

by **lakes10** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 1:47 pm

stmichael wrote:
tonyeh wrote:What's shallow about furthering his career?

If he wants to leave Liverpool to pursue better options, he will.

he's already said that he won't play for another club in this country. he's not motivated by money so that makes all the man city rumours a load of nonsense imo.

he'd never go to real madrid which make the only feasible option barcelona and they can't afford him imo. italy is a step down.

I think its more to do with that he feel that his body can not take the beating it gets in the prem.

"This is my third season and I'm still amazed to see Gerrard, Rooney and Lampard, players who have been here a long time, still playing at such a high level and with such impressive rhythm because the English league really wears down a player.

"I just can't imagine what state I'll be in within five or six years if I continue to play here - it could easily give me problems when I stop playing. The physical level is superior to all other countries."

by **LFC2007** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 3:25 pm

Not ar'sed with doing this again. After every season; "Where do we need to improve most and who should we sign?". Answer "...two or three players, a quality winger, a striker, possibly a LB, maybe cover for midfield (and possibly a CB and cover for RB)". Season ends. "Well that didn't quite go to plan

So, where do we need to improve most and who should we sign?". :laugh:

Sign the f'ucking good ones. Not the sh!te ones or the crocks. Just the f'ucking good ones. :buttrock

by **bigmick** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 4:12 pm

I'd sell Aquilani, who I think we'd probably get 10-12 million for if we do it quick. I'd sit down with Torres and have a real heart to heart with him. If he does want away, or is thinking about wanting away, I'd do a deal now while Man City have still got cash to burn, I'd ask 100 million for him and take a similar amount to what the Mancs got for Ronaldo. If he wants to stay obviously I wouldn't sell him.

I'd buy Steven Ireland who I think is an excellent player who would be brilliant for us. I'd play him alongside Masherano AND Gerrard in a five man midfield, not 4-4-1-1 but 4-5-1. I'd re-introduce Riera down the left, and I'd play Babel down the right.

I'd buy Roger Johnson off of Birmingham, failing that Ryan Shawcross off Stoke and play him alongside Carragher at centre half. At right back I'd play Glen Johnson, and at left back I'd play Daniel Agger.

I'd have Masherano as my sitter in front, like a Claude Makeleli type role, and I'd have Ireland and Gerrard bombing on to support hopefully Torres. The team would have pace out wide, would be very attacking, and would have IMHO a decent defence too. My second striker would be Kuyt, and I'd be telling him that if he can't cut the role we'd be looking to move him on.

My net spend would be about 10 mill I think. I think I'd get 12 for Aquilani, Ireland would cost about the same and Roger Johnson 10 off Birmingham (Shawcross would probably be a bit more but I'm not sure). I'd go all out for the title from game one of pre-season and feck off the Europa league.

I think that team would go very close.

by **zarababe** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 4:36 pm

bigmick wrote:I'd sell Aquilani, who I think we'd probably get 10-12 million for if we do it quick. I'd sit down with Torres and have a real heart to heart with him. If he does want away, or is thinking about wanting away, I'd do a deal now while Man City have still got cash to burn, I'd ask 100 million for him and take a similar amount to what the Mancs got for Ronaldo. If he wants to stay obviously I wouldn't sell him.

But Mick.. hasn't Rafa alreadfy said that Torress is happy here.. and he himself has said he won't play for any other Anglaiso club.. Torres is pricesless Mick - shouold we really off-load him when keeping him would mean much more?

Gawd I'm depressed :down:

by **dawson99** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 4:42 pm

Torres aint going anywhere, id put money on that right now

by **tonyeh** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 4:47 pm

zarababe wrote:.. you're having a laff..

You're joking right - so now fans of this club see players like torress furthering their careers at other clubs May be I have heard it all - from LFC fans that is...

No "laffs" out of me, I assure you.

However, if Torres decided that enough was enough at Liverpool and wanted to further HIS career at another club that had more chance of actually winning something, that would be well within his rights to do so.

But, ANYONE here that thinks that the likes of Torres etc "love" Liverpool much that they wouldn't be tempted away by more lucrative offers are deluding themselves.

If certain conditions were met, Fernando would be gone in the blink of an eye.

by **JC_81** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 4:49 pm

Unfortunately Torres is extremely injury prone. He seems to have progressively played less games in a season for us over his three years. Hamstring and knee problems are bad news and as he's said himself he's finding the physical nature of the league difficult.

Best striker in the world when fit he may be, but when you look at the bigger picture, would it be sensible to turn down an 80 million plus offer for him?

It would be heartbreaking to see him leave, but the situation will have to be looked at in the summer. The bottom line is that guys who are normally fit for about 60-70% of games in a season don't magically go whole seasons free of injury. Injuries have a cumulative effect and my guess is Torres will be past his best by 29. He's 26 now.

by **tonyeh** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 4:49 pm

stmichael wrote:
tonyeh wrote:What's shallow about furthering his career?

If he wants to leave Liverpool to pursue better options, he will.

he's already said that he won't play for another club in this country. he's not motivated by money so that makes all the man city rumours a load of nonsense imo.

he'd never go to real madrid which make the only feasible option barcelona and they can't afford him imo. italy is a step down.

I've long since learned that the things said in the football world (regardless of who is saying what) need to be taken with a pinch of salt.

by **RED BEERGOGGLES** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 9:27 pm

Posters advocating the sale of Torres ,really need to seriously look at the themselves ,

Liverpool finally have a Striker that is feared throughout the world, his very name fills Liverpool fans with an overwhelming pride ,his name applied to a team sheet can fill defenders with dread at the daunting prospect of facing this deadly predator , this raw powerful thoroughbred of a player chose us, and has been adopted officially as one of us ,players that can turn games single handedly with a burst of speed or a flick of their talented feet are in every respect PRICELESS, and should never even in the throes of a panic attack be forfeited in order to be replaced by inferior players

by **ironman** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 9:34 pm

zarababe wrote:Rafa will be here next season - and if the right investor comes in - he will lead us to the holy grail.. and more !!!

Bring on next season COME ON RAFA'S RED ARMY !!!

SCAREY!!! your exactly why wel stay behind the pack for many more yrs!!!!!

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