16 Aug 2014

Redknapp: 'Fantastic' £35m star is the most 'exciting transfer of the summer'. Agree?

Liverpool's failure to sign Barcelona star Alexis Sanchez is arguably one of biggest transfer disappointments in years. For a few brief, exquisite moments, it seemed like the deal might happen, but the dream died when he secured a £35m move to Arsenal. Sanchez would've been a perfect replacement for Luis Suarez, but it wasn't meant to be, and according to former LFC star Jamie Redknapp, the 'electrifying' Chilean maestro is the summer's top transfer.

In his column for the Liverpool Echo today, Redknapp enthused:

"Sanchez is the most exciting signing of the summer so far, and I hope he settles in well. Wherever he plays, his unbelievable pace will hurt defenders"

In July, Brendan Rodgers dismissed the accusation that Liverpool 'struggles' to attract top-class players, and outlined the reason why Sanchez rejected LFC. He explained:

“Sanchez was one where geography dictated where he wanted to go, simple as that. It wasn’t a lack of ambition. The player and his family simply wanted to choose to live where they did. He’s a fantastic player...but it was not to be”

As disappointing as it is, Sanchez's decision is totally understandable, and it's hard to begrudge his choice. With the greatest respect, London - which has a large South American population - is far more inviting for overseas players than Liverpool.

Indeed, consider Javier Mascherano's experience of living on Merseyside. Prior to his departure, he told The Guardian:

"What kills me about living in Liverpool is that there are only two Argentinians here with me, Emiliano Insúa and Maxi Rodríguez. There are 15 metres between us and we used to look at each other through the window. During the winter, I have to stay at home all day with my family.

"I have no problem living in Liverpool, but I think my wife and daughters deserve to enjoy every day to the full and live their lives – but they have to be at home all day. My wife doesn't speak a word of English, so she depends 100% on me. I live here with them. That's my world, that's my life."


Sanchez may have suffered the same fate, so it makes sense to choose London. Additionally, Liverpool's historical prestige is not strong enough to attract the world's biggest players, and to be honest, it never has been. LFC may be the UK's most successful club, but that is clearly not an attraction for the game's elite.

Alonso, Torres, and Suarez aside (all three of whom were not World stars prior to joining Liverpool), there are very few (if any) elite, world-class signings in LFC's transfer history.

This is the reality, and it continues to this day. Things may change, though. There's still time in the current transfer window for Liverpool to pull an amazing signing out of the hat, and if the club can snag Lavezzi, Cavani, or a player of that quality, then Sanchez's title as the 'most exciting signing of the summer' may come under threat.

Author:


296 comments:

  1. Firstly, I will say that although Sanchez is definitely an improvement to Arsenal's team, they need other players in other positions a lot more so than they need Sanchez.
    Secondly, Liverpool are still talking to Falcao.

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  2. Sanchez is over-rated. Looks like a player that should be able to beat his man but can't. Can't head the ball either. Seems a little over-priced.

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  3. Nevergonnacrackthecode11:45 am, August 16, 2014

    100% ,him or costa


    if we had him our summer would have been perfect
    but no point regretting we have sterling who i believe has far more potential

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  4. United will struggle defensively and no amount of rest will help that.

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  5. Nevergonnacrackthecode11:46 am, August 16, 2014

    if he joined us
    i presume you would not be saying that
    i saw him against brazil in the last 16 no one could get the ball of him

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  6. Wishful thinking my friend.

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  7. He was the perfect player for us, but that milk is spilt now
    Onwards and upwards...

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  8. Nevergonnacrackthecode11:49 am, August 16, 2014

    jaimie
    i dont class lavezzi or cavani as exciting their both reaching their 30s
    lavezzi can't score regularly and is a frustrating player
    while cavani has not been great for psg or uraguay

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  9. The bitter, small-minded football fan in me hopes that Sanchez is a spectacular failure. But I grudgingly concede that he won't be, and I would have gatecrashed the knitting-circle meeting at the local community hall to dance bare-ass naked, Gangnam style if he'd signed for Liverpool. I believe with his pace and close control he is entirely suited to the Premier League. Don't believe we will suffer as a result of losing out though; Liverpool are not lacking in pace and skill. And like you said, there's still time for one more signing.

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  10. Utd haven't yet improved their squad massively. The Van Gaal factor can only attain so much.

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  11. Nevergonnacrackthecode11:52 am, August 16, 2014

    he has the same body build to victor moses

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  12. Nevergonnacrackthecode11:53 am, August 16, 2014

    unless liverpool sign reus or falcao (or ronaldo,messi,bale,neymar)


    sanchez will be the most exciting

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  13. Nevergonnacrackthecode11:54 am, August 16, 2014

    jamie k
    if man utd sign di maria
    who is more exciting di maria or sanchez?

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  14. Nevergonnacrackthecode11:55 am, August 16, 2014

    no way is falcao interested in us

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  15. Nevergonnacrackthecode12:01 pm, August 16, 2014

    no
    it has to be one or the other they both can't play together

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  16. Have you even watched Cavani play before?

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  17. I guess so. Must be why Suarez scored 31 goals hey...

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  18. Nevergonnacrackthecode12:04 pm, August 16, 2014

    yes vs costa rica ,chelsea and in the Olympics


    he looks well poor

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  19. Nevergonnacrackthecode12:07 pm, August 16, 2014

    suarez played on the left wing or in that diamond


    but in the diamond suarez is the creator sturridge the poacher , falcao is more simmilar to sturridge then suarez


    a lot of his goals also came after sturridge injury
    4 vs nowrich,2 vs west ham , 2 vs cardiff , 1 vs spurs


    so 9/31 when he was up front by himself in only 4 games shows that he does betetr up front without stuzza

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  20. Great article, one of the best analyses I've read, though I disagree with your conclusions.

    I don't see any reason for us not to continue the form of the last 18 months, which will put us firmly in the contest for the title. We nearly made it last season with a new keeper, a somewhat laughable defense, a reliance on raw kids like Sterling and Flanagan, and whilst learning tactics on the fly.

    This season we seem so much better prepared. Lovren and Moreno will transform our back-line with their pace and temperament. Players like Johnson and Skrtel will be able to play at a higher level. The team as a whole will be able to stay on the front foot for longer. The instant transition from attack to defence, pressing instantly when the ball is lost, will be back. We won't see the experiments of last season either, even if these weren't a complete disaster: we added the diamond to our repertoire, for example. Players who were raw have become seasoned, even hot properties in the game. Players like Henderson, Coutinho, and Sturridge have stablised their roles in the squad and team and are now leading players in the league. People don't joke about the manager any more. He's won the respect of the club, and of the whole of football. We are stronger than we've been for years.

    I think last season we were still finding out how good we are. It was a surprise that we did so well. This season we are going to be better: more consistent, more determined, less naive, less error-prone: stronger, faster, sharper. Europe will help us grow; the confidence and ambition of the side know no limits. The new signings don't all need to deliver this season for the team to advance, but I'm confident that they will make a difference. Markovic is the marquee signing that many Liverpool fans don't think we've made.

    For me, our rivals have spent to stand still (Chelsea), or gone backwards (Man City) -- with the exception of Arsenal, who have authentically added to what they had and will surely challenge. But it's Liverpool they'll have to beat if they want to win the league.

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  21. Nevergonnacrackthecode12:09 pm, August 16, 2014

    THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT


    has moreno failed his medical or is he being unveiled just before southampton at anfield?

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  22. Arsenal were lucky to finish in the top 4 last season. Everton really should have pipped them to it, as they were poor for much of the season. People think signing Sanchez will turn them into title contenders, yet it was their poor defensive performances in many of their matches against top 4 opposition and general lack of backbone through out the squad which did for them. Despite the return of Ramsey and purchase of Sanchez I don't think Arsenal have resolved this fundamental flaw, and I'd still regard Liverpool as the stronger of the two sides.

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  23. I believe we will have another great season and will finish top 4. Many have written us off, they will be licking their wounds and would not rule out another title challenge.


    Our squad is far better equipped now than what it was last season. Looking forward to the season and seeing us destroy teams again.

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  24. Nevergonnacrackthecode12:12 pm, August 16, 2014

    jovetic could be available for 20m

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  25. This guy's a united fan

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  26. Agree with this. They need to buy. Looks like Van Gaal wants to use a back three but with I sincerely doubt that Jones, Smalling and Evans are comfortable enough on the ball to carry it off.

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  27. 3 games out of his whole career...cool.

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  28. I think a little humility wouldn't go astray.
    Liverpool certainly have a rich history and a big fanbase. But geography dictated it and nothing else?
    So having at least competed at the highest level for years, having a history of developing players, playing good football and having an iconic manager had nothing to do with the choice of Alexis Sanchez?
    That sounds ridiculous to be honest.
    I'm sure money alone would play a bigger part in a player's destination than geography.
    London is quite possibly a contributory factor, but there are lots of others too. Seems delusional to announce it was geography and nothing else.
    Success often comes easier with a bit of humility.

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  29. Nevergonnacrackthecode12:18 pm, August 16, 2014

    every time i watch him play he is poor


    unless i die i will watch every liverpool match so he will be a poor signing for us

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  30. LVG has spent 60m and his squad is weaker than last year. Blackett and Lingaard in defence for the opening match? Better teams will rip them apart if they line up like that that. I think we'll get 3rd.

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  31. He's been photographed doing training drills with the team so there's no way he's failed a medical. There were some paperwork formalities which still needed to be finalised. There's no issue between Liverpool and Sevilla

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  32. I also saw a leaked photo of him standing outside Melwood holding up the scarf in a photo shoot

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  33. Stop talking this way. support the cub. good transfer window in my opinion and it's not bad as the last 5 years or so. I used to hate Rodgers but he made nice looking football stable at our club. I just support him during the season and talk after it's done. I predict 1st place for the reds. Arsenal have the cookie unstable Wenger and will finish again 4th. City will dicline. And theres no way Chelsea will take it because they are too disgusting to be true. Und? haha.



    liverpool.
    chelsea
    city
    arsenal
    und.

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  34. Utd's 4 best centre backs- Evans, jones, and smalling(for 352). I doubt that even LvG can get those 3 monkeys to keep out some of the best players in the world. Jones is always injured, smalling is too clumsy and Evans is overrated.

    Utd don't have that 'midfield destroyer' to protect such a weak back 3 and the wing backs won't do much good if they r bombing forward.

    RVP is too old to go a whole season without injury but Rooney will take care of that and A. Young has been rejuvenated under LvG. The midfield isn't the strongest defensively so it shouldn't be too hard to break them down, unlike holland when they had de Jong and willijandem.

    So as long as utd DO NOT get Vidal it someone in the mould of Vidal then they WILL flop epicly.

    What do the rest of u think? What will happen to utd this season?

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  35. Nevergonnacrackthecode12:21 pm, August 16, 2014

    being in the cl for 16 years has helped

    we have not been in it for 4 seasons now ,this and destination is the main reason

    arsernal have not won a major trophy for 10 years ,last time you were in a title race was 2004/05 , you have not competed by the way at the highest level for about 8 seasons now since that cl final

    if arsene is so iconic why did nasri,van persie,adebayor, fabregas all leave?

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  36. last seasons squad before suarez left desperately required a LB, RB and CB. We have filled those positions and also added (or relegated) quality to the bench. The first team looks alot stronger and more balanced to me. plus we have actually got some potential quality on the bench.
    It all depends if the new signings hit the ground running, IMO they are all signings of a similar mold, the kind of players that will suit a Rodgers system. If we can add a pacey centre foward to cover sturridge we will challange again!

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  37. I was on your side until you said "Stuzza".... :)

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  38. You can let us sign him if you want?

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  39. The voice of reason.12:23 pm, August 16, 2014

    No doubt he is a great player, but i would take a fit Reus any day over Sanchez.

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  40. I'm now on his side because you don't like that name

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  41. "a fit Reus". On that one...

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  42. No doubt Reus is a hottie.

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  43. The voice of reason.12:27 pm, August 16, 2014

    As i said below Reus would be the one player that i personally would choose over Sanchez all day, and that`s not me being bitter.

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  44. Nevergonnacrackthecode12:27 pm, August 16, 2014

    suarez was not very good looking but he was not bad
    i don't think looks should come into the equation
    unless lfc are thinking about marketing

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  45. Their inexperienced and crappy defence will be their downfall.

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  46. Sometimes your articles are all doom and gloom. What a miserable thing to read just before the season kicks off. Where's the optimism?! Where's the positivity?!

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  47. My prediction 4th and if we get another decent striker 3rd. But IMO Markovic to make the biggest impact from all the signings so far and DS to score 28 goals this season (If he stays fit).

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  48. Nevergonnacrackthecode12:30 pm, August 16, 2014

    still scared

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  49. The voice of reason.12:30 pm, August 16, 2014

    I should have said a injury free Reus then Laughing here Ash good call.

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  50. Well win it this time guys!! Players will be hungrier and defensively we have strengthen a lot in my opinion!! Even if you take 31 goals that suarez scored last season away we still got 70.. 3rd highest last season! !

    Well score at least that again but I think with improved players and the team now able to play the true way Rodgers want well score 90+ definitely and we surely concede less to!!

    Title is ours this season! Ynwa

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  51. The voice of reason.12:36 pm, August 16, 2014

    I`ve been wondering why it`s gone all quiet over the Moreno signing myself, unless they`ve hit a snag over wages or something hope we have an update soon.

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  52. The voice of reason.12:37 pm, August 16, 2014

    Stop it your creasing me up here.

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  53. They were at the top of the premier league for 128 days hardly poor if you ask me or anyone else for that matter, they were just unlucky that Ramsey Got injured just as they were starting to break away from everyone.

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  54. The voice of reason.12:39 pm, August 16, 2014

    Stop it my belly can`t take much more.

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  55. comon man, Chelsea arguably have the strongest team, and the bus parking of jose.
    my heart is all up, but my mind has started to miss suarez..

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  56. Your deluded if you think we will finish first I mean I hope for the best but Chelsea are clearly favourites this year they've signed high quality signings were they've needed to and they had a good squad already.

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  57. I've heard that we are also talking to Zlatan, Plastic Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar ...

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  58. I do not care about Sanchez anymore. I might be angry about him but I can understand his decision at his roots. But, the only question I have to ask is why Arsenal? They have been stagnant for so many years and have not done anything worthwhile for some time now in the CL or the League. Juve were heavily linked with him and they were arguably a much better option than both us and Arsenal. That is the only question I have. Maybe that is why Conte left....

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  59. IMO Rodgers has done exactly what he intended to do, I understand the confusion because I thought the same, when he said he would improve the first team I thought BR would bring in some top class champions league players with experience.

    However I've slowly come round to the thought that was never the case, it's clear now with the signings we have purchased that Rodgers intends to bring in players he believes he can mould to become future world class players NOT players already in their prime, you can argue the following:

    .That established world class players would find it difficult to adapt to Liverpool's hard pressing attacking style.
    .Established players at the top of their game would cost a lot more upfront without a significant sell on value.
    .Rodgers Liverpool just doesn't represent an alluring destination yet for the best of the best.

    Even though I'm a little disappointed we haven't brought in a truly world class professional, I'm fairly satisfied with what Rodgers has brought in,

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  60. L Adriano(27) is mobile quick and at his peak, R Lambert(32) is old laboured and not mobile like L Leiva(27) and S Gerrard(34) in our squad.
    L Adriano(27) is a fighter, chases things down has pace and speed to burn and is a very good finisher. He would bring club 15-25 goals a season for £12-£17M
    Yet you want our club to waste £12M on a loan signing who has just come back from serious injury who may struggle to get back to the form he was.
    B Rodgers should not waste his time on Falcao(28) Or Cavani(27) at all, both are big target men striker who are world class but are both too over priced.
    And both players would cost to buy £45-£60M
    B Rodgers needs to spend £48M :
    on M Reus(25) Of B Dortmund £23-£28M ( Marquee Signing)
    Plus either of these strikers: £12-£20M
    1: G Rossi(27) Of Fiorentina
    2: W Bony(25) Of Swansea
    3: L Adriano(27) Of Shakhtar Donesk

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  61. Nevergonnacrackthecode12:44 pm, August 16, 2014

    juventus dont have the wages

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  62. The season has finally started :-)

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  63. Finally. No more international and friendly rubbish. Plus, I am going to scout Bony fully today and see how he does.

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  64. Their best performance came against us at the Emirates. As soon as things started getting tough in the second half of the season they capitulated, as they always seem to do in recent years.

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  65. We don't have to beat Chelsea every week though do we? And will they have the consistency and the inventiveness to beat the others in the league? They're great against the top teams because Mourinho uses these amazing players he has like robots. But we saw last season how they lack tactical ideas and variation to beat teams who aren't under pressure to beat them.

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  66. I agree with that. They were as good as us for the whole of 2013 and then Ozil lost form, Ramsey got injured, along with about half the first team -- Wilshere had injury troubles too, and he's important for them. Giroud stopped scoring... basically it was a nightmare. I can't see them being that unlucky again.

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  67. Nevergonnacrackthecode12:52 pm, August 16, 2014

    shelvy looks more impressive

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  68. Van Gaal has already set the tone, it is called hoofball.

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  69. Nevergonnacrackthecode12:56 pm, August 16, 2014

    bony looks like a carthorse

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  70. Was just about to say that. We might buy him back for 20 mil in a few years I think.

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  71. Nevergonnacrackthecode12:59 pm, August 16, 2014

    de gea is so impressive
    i would take him if i had a choice of man u players
    mignolet does not satisfy me

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  72. Yeah, he is not the quickest which is why it would not make absolutely no sense to spend £20 million plus on him. Do not think he is any quicker than Lambert...

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  73. I for one feel he is the most overrated keeper in the league. I think the one we missed out on was Begovic. He is the best keeper in the league for me.

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  74. Nevergonnacrackthecode1:00 pm, August 16, 2014

    he reminds me of hesky


    maybe we can have the new owen and hesky
    ]in bony and sturridge

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  75. Nevergonnacrackthecode1:01 pm, August 16, 2014

    love the way van gaal is putting young guys in




    we should put ibe in

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  76. Jk u r a critic and lfc pessimist. Chill and watch. LFC under Rodgers will finish 1st

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  77. Nevergonnacrackthecode1:02 pm, August 16, 2014

    i dont know all begovic has to do is hoof it up to peter crouch or knywne jones

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  78. Nevergonnacrackthecode1:03 pm, August 16, 2014

    one player lfc should never ever look at is amat

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  79. Youtube his save from Rooney last year at the Britannia Stadium. Best save in the league for me. He was linked with Madrid as well. My cousin supports Stoke so I know a lot about them and their style has changed a lot. They play much better and Arnautovic might well be the surprise of the season.

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  80. Nevergonnacrackthecode1:04 pm, August 16, 2014

    we must have a buyback clause
    could be gerrards replacement

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  81. Really. Are you sure?

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  82. Nevergonnacrackthecode1:06 pm, August 16, 2014

    oh no a man u player is injured
    they might now dip in the market


    if you are gonna get injured after the window please

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  83. Nevergonnacrackthecode1:07 pm, August 16, 2014

    i dont know it is not a common practice in england

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  84. Ki!Ki!Killer KI! Good play by Bony as well.

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  85. Nevergonnacrackthecode1:14 pm, August 16, 2014

    yes yes yes

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  86. Nevergonnacrackthecode1:14 pm, August 16, 2014

    love it man u losing , yeah !

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  87. UTD's defence is freaking rubbish.

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  88. Nevergonnacrackthecode1:15 pm, August 16, 2014

    shelvy is playing the gerrard role
    s quater back

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  89. ".... keep out some of the best players in the world..."

    Hehe they can't even keep out Ki Seung-Yeung.

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  90. Nevergonnacrackthecode1:15 pm, August 16, 2014

    bring back shelvy next season
    he is doing fantastic in gerrards quarterback role

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  91. Van Gaal though a great manager is very arrogant. How could Utd not invest in defence when they have Tyler Blackett playing.

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  92. Shelvey has no discipline. He is a ticking time bomb. Pressure is his worst enemy.

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  93. Nevergonnacrackthecode1:18 pm, August 16, 2014

    he has been good it is phill jonjes

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  94. Where is Orme? I feel I need to repeat what he said last season.



    Liverpool will finish ahead of UTD this season :-)

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  95. Nevergonnacrackthecode1:22 pm, August 16, 2014

    would not speak too soon
    i think they will sign di maria and with van persie back

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  96. Pablo Von Mooneyo1:23 pm, August 16, 2014

    The squad is so much stronger than last year but there's still 3 big holes to plug
    1. 20 goal striker
    2. Quality defensive midfielder
    3. GK to really rival Mignolet


    If we cud sort that id be 100% confident of a top-4 finish. Realistically id take Bony, Song or Khedira and Romero. The Suarez money is there, and we cud easily off-load Agger, Sakho, Lucas, Borini, Assaidi, Allen and Coates and we wudnt miss them, what are we waiting for.........

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  97. Attack is not their problem. Their defence though...

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  98. All I can see is that they are last...

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  99. Nevergonnacrackthecode1:25 pm, August 16, 2014

    as rodgers showed last season sometimes defence does not matter

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  100. Nevergonnacrackthecode1:27 pm, August 16, 2014

    come on 5 more minutes dont concede
    i need to pee

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  101. Sure but just go look at UTD's squad. It is pitiful. They are going to struggle which they already are in this match.

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  102. Nevergonnacrackthecode1:30 pm, August 16, 2014

    im just really pessimistic after supporting lfc for 8n years

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  103. Nevergonnacrackthecode1:32 pm, August 16, 2014

    still in favour of bony
    but he has been disposseded a lot when coming deep to recieve the ball

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  104. You are very pessimistic. Your name tells the story that's for sure!

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  105. Nevergonnacrackthecode1:33 pm, August 16, 2014

    i dont think giggs is a good assistant manger
    who is ours , colin pascoe?

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  106. Jaimie I'm surprised that you're still so hurt by missing out on Sanchez. Personally, I got over it weeks ago!

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  107. improving the squad depth was the aim since the end of last season. first team was good enough to finish second last term so cant see why improvement of the first team is imperative. i know we have to do something to address suarez's departure. but that apart the first team looks its part under rodgers. i would personally like a world class striker, a proper backup for mignolet and a quality rb in january atleast.

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  108. I'm copy pasting this article right now! You said we'll finish 5th, there'll be no escaping or denying it at the end of the season ;).
    I don't see us finishing lower than 3rd. Lovren, Lallana, Markovic and Can have the potential to get straight into the starting XI so Rodgers has improved the team and not only the squad. Our silky, attacking football won't disappear overnight as we witnessed last weekend against Dortmund. Henderson, Sturridge, Sterling and Coutinho are even better players now, if you add that to the good signings we've made I don't see why we can't challenge for the title again. Bring on the Saints!
    Oh and Man Utd are losing :-)

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  109. laughed at man und and right now they are losing.

    Chelsea have a coward of a manager as a manager and i don't care for their money. Liverpool are playing brave football and i don't look side ways. The hell with Chelsea. Look what Atletico Madrid did last season. Dortmund two and three seasons ago.

    . . .

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  110. Moses joins Stoke on loan. Wonder how he will do there... Hopefully WBA for Assaidi then

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  111. No need for that George. Liverpool probably have actually made contact.

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  112. Nicolas Chamberlain1:48 pm, August 16, 2014

    Well, time will tell.
    From what I have seen I'm not that convinced that Sanchez will be the best signing. I think Diego Costa will be the buy of the season.

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  113. Nah, Lovren will be the buy of the season :-)

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  114. I think Costa wil fail. Riviere or Bojan might end up being the signing of the season.

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  115. Three points:

    1. Improving squad depth by spending £90m+ and then ending 5th will not be a good outcome I would suggest.

    2. First team was good enough last year because it had 10 players and Suarez. This year it would be appear we have the same 10 players + a new player not as good as Suarez. Thus it may be possible to conclude we have regressed, or remained at the same level (at best).



    3. Given 2 above (ie staying at same level) all our competition have SIGNIFICANTLY improved first team from last year.


    JK is absolutely right. Despite all the spend, unless we close out the transfer window by buying a premium attacker who can score 20+ goals, we are not going to finish in the top 4.

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  116. If we fail to buy a good striker, and a proper keeper to displace Mignolet, top 4 will be tough

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  117. Good points but after Moreno, we may JUST have money for 1 attacker - no more.

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  118. Nevergonnacrackthecode1:57 pm, August 16, 2014

    i dont normally praise man u players but this januzajack kid is special

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  119. Rooney scores... Come on Swansea!

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  120. Nevergonnacrackthecode1:57 pm, August 16, 2014

    stupid rooney

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  121. See what I mean?

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  122. Perfect time for Bony to score..

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  123. Jaimie's article made me panic, but then I remember when he predicted we'd still win the league after the Chelsea loss :-p

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  124. The thing with the "Van Gaal" factor is also that you need to give him time. Today's line up, win or lose, shows just that. He just throws in a few youngsters because he knows they will work for him. We saw that last year with Flanagan as well and in some way with Sterling. It can pay dividends but it takes time. Van Gaal is the one that launched Muller at Bayern and everyone said he was crazy. The results from that actually didn't fully start showing until after Van Gaal left so he never got the credits but there is no doubt he can make young players excel. Another thing Van Gaal and Rodgers have in common is that they both allow their players to play football. Gone are the days of the rigid systems of Benitez and Houllier. Players are actually encouraged to use their skill every once in a while. That's why those teams are so good to watch. I voted we'd finish first but it may just as well be fourth. That's what the Premier League is about these days. You can't expect to win it every season so you aim for a top four finish and being in the top four usually also means you're within a few points of actually winning the league. I believe Rodgers can deliver that consistently.

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  125. Arsenal could have better spend the money IMO. Yes, Sanchez is a fantastic player, but he's not what they needed the most.

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  126. Pablo Von Mooneyo2:03 pm, August 16, 2014

    Borini 14m, Assaidi 6m those prices are guaranteed. Lucas maybe 7m, Agger 8-10m. those 4 alone are potentially 35-40M, they add nothing to the team and are IMO a waste of wages. The money is defo there to strengthen further so we shud do.

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  127. What was so unrealistic about that?

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  128. I make no apologies to keep defending JK but :

    1. If you do not like his views you have a choice of not coming to this website.

    2. Everyone is entitled to a view, whether you, I or anyone else agrees with it or not

    3. This is one of the last bastions where the majority of exchanges are done with sensible well thought out views and where debate (no matter how much disagreement) is undertaken civilly.

    4. Being critical does NOT equate to being pessimistic. Setting high standards and wanting to achieve more than average needs analysis of what is wrong and proposing suggestions of how to fix the problem. Having the courage to come up with ideas is the hardest aspect - not just to say something is wrong but then what could be done about it.

    5. Finally, I along with many who repeatedly come back to this site, have the problem that we use the few brain cells given to us, instead of religiously following a herd without question.

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  129. Nevergonnacrackthecode2:09 pm, August 16, 2014

    referees helping utd again

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  130. How about when you move to England to spend your husband's 100k a week, you actually make an effort to learn to speak the language. The weather, fine, but that's no better in London. And before anyone starts, I lived in Spain and was able to interact in Spanish within two months of arriving. It's all a matter of making an effort.

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  131. We got a lot of that from opposition fans last year as well...rubbish

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  132. Well that could also have something to do with Brazil's defense being utterly horrible of course...

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  133. Given Stoke have just signed Moses, I think the Assaidi deal is sunk. As for the others, again my view is we a) wont sell and b) if we did we would get less than you suggest.

    Kelly went for £1.5m, where normally £5m would be the going rate for a reserve EPL player with a number of years of experience.

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  134. I think this match confirms why Bony is not quite the player we are after.

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  135. What do you reckon they should have gone for?

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  136. If we sign Song from Barcelona I'll be over the moon.

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  137. Lovren :-) Moreno :-) Lallana :-)

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  138. Nevergonnacrackthecode2:16 pm, August 16, 2014

    bony is really disappointing has not got past a man yet

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  139. Nevergonnacrackthecode2:17 pm, August 16, 2014

    sigggggggguuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuurdddddddddddddddddddddddddsssssssssssssssssssssssssssssooooooooooooooooon

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  140. The theatre of nightmares.

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  141. Hehe!

    I've not forgotten you backing LFC to win the title at Christmas, when people were writing us off after the Man City and Chelsea games and we were down in 5th for a while. What do you reckon this year?

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  142. If as you suggest, this is a moulding shaping phase, then it would be possible to deduce that we may repeat history and regress this year.

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  143. Van Man won't get Fergie time ......

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  144. As always I am hoping (aka dreaming) of winning it :-)

    My heart is suggesting 4th.

    Unfortunately my head is saying 5th. Chelsea 1, Man City 2, Arsenal 3, Man U 4.

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  145. OH you mighty Swans!

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  146. Pablo Von Mooneyo2:28 pm, August 16, 2014

    The money we were offered for both Borini and Assaidi id hav taken your arm off for, i cannot for the life of me understand why they're still there, its almost gross negligence not to have taken both offers. Kelly has barely kicked a ball in 18 months so that price was fair enuff i think. When Lucas is mentioned in the press its usually "15m rated Lucas etc", that IMO is complete pie in the sky which is why i think we'd only get half that. Agger i honestly don't know, his injury record will affect his value but 8-10m seems realistic.
    At the very least they shud in the meantime be bringing in a DMF and GK, instead of concentrating all our efforts in a marquee signing like Falcao or Cavani wud wud cost in the region of 40m+, altho id obviously love to see all 3 done, if we did id be looking at us challenging for the league. cant see it tho :/

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  147. The van Gaal factor = The Moyes factor = mediocre.

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  148. Best piece you've written since I've been coming here.


    Completely realistic take. How has this team improved other than the Lovren signing? Who is going to replace the 31 Suarez goals?


    How will this team fare with the additional schedule load that they didn't have last season?


    Everything changes for a much more optimistic view if we go out and sign one superstar. On the high end, I want Reus or Cavani. On the low end, I want Balotelli. If we can get any one of those players, my take on this off-season will dramatically change towards the positive.


    But until we get one of those types of players, we better hope this team can play some defense because we are not going to be pouring in goals like we did last year.

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  149. You should never call a cannibal a vampire.


    It's very unbecoming :)

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  150. Again good points - however, don't see a GK or a DMF. We missed out on Yann M'Vila, and I would have bought the Celtic keeper who is now at Southampton.

    It looks like Moreno, and one striker from the usual suspects - prob one of those last minute deals on Sky @ midnight on transfer deadline day ;-)

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  151. Apologies - I stand corrected :-)

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  152. Falcao or Cavani are going to cost much more than £40 million plus we are talking ridiculous wages.


    Signing players unfortunately is not as simple as fans make it out to be.

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  153. Well said. The only hope I have is with Lovren, our defense should improve so that while we won't score nearly as many goals, we should also give up significantly less.

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  154. Holy Fergie Time Batman!

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  155. In fairness, that would because Gylfi got hurt at the beginning of stoppage.


    There was nothing wrong with that time extension.

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  156. 100% agree. Although:

    Reus - I don't understand why he is destined to Ath Madrid and we are not in there with a shout

    Cavani - rumours of £300k a week salary

    Falcao - £10m for a one-year loan

    Lavezzi - seems to fancy going back to Italy


    Leaving us to close out Bony on transfer deadline day!!

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  157. Nevergonnacrackthecode2:41 pm, August 16, 2014

    yes

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  158. He did but they still could not score.

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  159. There is nothing better than seeing the mancs lose especially at old toilet :-)

    Welcome to the EPL Louis van Gaal.

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  160. And I know his stats are good, but Bony would be a nice player for us. He's not the difference-maker we need.

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  161. New season , new manager , new captain .... same old , same old . Well done Swans !

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  162. woodward @ Van Gaal: Moyes, is that you?!

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  163. Looks as tho he did !

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  164. Jaimie, I suggest you hold your predictions until the transfer window is over. Utd will not get into the top 4 with that defence.

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  165. We could never beat Dourtmount that would be a very hard group.

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  166. Exactly.

    Once we new "cannibal" was wanting out and before we bought in the likes of Can, Markovic, et al, we should have had a plan to land one marquee replacement. My fear is that was Sanchez who chose London - leaving us with no plan B.

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  167. The funny part is now they are trying to find excuses for LVG saying that he struggles in his first few months and nonsense like that. Few days back, they were title contenders but now it will ' take time for them to settle'. Absolute garbage. By the way, Bony might not have played well but he played a major part in both goals and that might be needed. A players who performs when others have an off day. Montero and Gomis look good too. The League is wide open this year for sure.

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  168. Theatre of broken dreams

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  169. Fair point. But our GK was at fault as well (flapping and poor kicking/distribution not retaining possession) and that has not been addressed. This is going to be our Achilles heal this year.

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  170. He plays alongside Stezza, with Gezza, Hezza and Cozza in midfield,

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  171. Pablo Von Mooneyo2:52 pm, August 16, 2014

    signing a world class striker is proving to be next to impossible, maybe they'll pull sumthing outta the bag on deadline day. BR will hav known Suarez was going this summer, something shud hav been sorted out long b4 this satge in the window, its getting onto panic buy territory now.
    But defence is as much a priority as attack esp as it was defence that cost us the league last yr. i never want to see Glen Johnson in a Liverpool shirt again, i like the look of the two young Spanish lads and IMO Lovren will be seen as the signing of the summer and a future LFC captain. we have a plethora of mid-fielders but only Lucas is a dedicated DMF but he doesnt hav any pace whatsoever and as we all know LOVES giving away cheap free kicks, an upgade in this department is lonnng overdue.
    Mignolet made more mistakes than any other top-flight keeper last yr and doesn't even come close to controlling the 6 yard box so again needs top-class competition.
    Great signings so far but like i say 3 more are a must.

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  172. You say all our competition have "SIGNIFICANTLY" improved their first team, but who is our competition?

    Obviously Chelsea, City and Arsenal - yes they have theoretically gotten stronger so let's assume that's 3 of the top 4 places wrapped up.

    But have United significantly improved? They've arguably regressed with players getting older, established defenders yet replaced etc. I don't agree with the "Van Gaal factor" - how did that go for them today? He doesn't have a magic wand, he's going to take awhile to get that team playing good football again.


    So unless you see Everton or Spurs finishing above us (both of whom were nowhere near us last season and haven't significantly improved), I don't understand how you can with such assuredness that we will finish outside the top 4.

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  173. Agree. However vG will get it right in due time.

    I was living in and around Amsterdam in the 90's and I watched him first hand being called a crazy person by the Dutch press, before he turned Ajax around and then the national team.

    Believe me he is very good (and still crazy!!)

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  174. Don't you mean "vampire"



    hahahahaha

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  175. Hmm - more or less right, I'd go with 4th given the present squad - don't see UTD, Everton, or Spurs finishing higher, but don't see Liverpool finishing higher than Arsenal, City, or Chelsea. But it will be a close race.

    I can see a higher finish with any of the following happening
    The squad keeps healthy, and the attacking players all have better seasons than last year.
    A new high profile signing comes in and adds serious ammo
    There are some fortunate injuries with the opposition
    The defense improves immensly.

    I think for the most part there are positives - I believe Sterling and Coutinho will have better seasons than last year, Sturridge hopefully stays fit and is at least at the same level. The cover is much better so if any of these guys get injured, it's good.

    As for an improved starting 11, Lovren, and Manquillo, even though he's only played 1 pre season game - he has given hope that there is an improvement in defense at the so often exploited RB position.

    If no striker comes in, Sterling playing further up, as a 2nd striker could be a good move - he'd get few more goals, and draw a few more penalties.

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  176. I think our GK was trying to compensate for our defensive frailty and took too much on his shoulders.


    I think our defense improving will only improve Mignolet.

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  177. Van Gaal made absolute no sense in his post match interview. More a case of fook me, nobody wants to join a a team with no Champions League football.


    Shame.

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  178. We need the depth.


    Unless we are prepared to start using some of the younger players for that depth.

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  179. yeah he is...but he's trying to turn around a team which has immense competition for the top 4, remember. It might be too late by the time they are turned around.

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  180. Jaimie you create an article for every Liverpool fixture, how about creating an article every weekend for discussing other fixtures? Am sure, regulars would love to banter about the results.

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  181. Because City f**king it up seemed unrealistic.

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  182. Nevergonnacrackthecode3:24 pm, August 16, 2014

    my line up:
    .................................................mignolet
    manquillo...............skrtel/sakho...................lovren............johnson
    .................................gerrard.......................allen/can
    hednerson.................................coutinho...........................sterling
    ................................................sturridge

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  183. Nevergonnacrackthecode3:26 pm, August 16, 2014

    idk why i am watching west brom

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  184. Rodgers ain't going with two holding midfielders.

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  185. Nevergonnacrackthecode3:29 pm, August 16, 2014

    could bayern munich buy lucas leiva with martinez injured
    i would recommend schniderlin or song


    but hopefully they sign lucas

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  186. The current squad - yeah, I think you're close. The club are clearly still one striker short and I don't think we just need a backup to Sturridge, I think we need someone who can be a part of a front 2 and is at the level that Liverpool need to play the way they want. Sturridge will have injuries, periods out, and Lambert seems to be the only viable backup. No matter that the rest of the team is still very good, without those goal scorers we'll be slightly stunted in attack. We won't be a bad team, not by any stretch, and when Sturridge is fit an firing the first choice 11 should expect to beat every team in the league, plus most of Europe. But those times when he's on the sideline there is a gaping hole in the squad that Lambert won't be able to fill. Last season Suarez was more than capable of playing up front on his own, to the extent that Aspas was simply never called on, and without a player like that who can lead the team when Sturridge is out there will be too many games where we'll be a goal short. Those few goals will only mean a few points, but a 5-10 point drop in the league could see us out of the top 4, depending on how everyone else does.


    Of course Sturridge could have a good run with injuries and if he's fit most of the season he'll score 30+ goals across all competitions. We'll get more from Sterling, Henderson and Coutinho while Lallana will score and create. The rest of the team will have their moments, Stevie G will probably mop up the penalties but the bulk of our goals will come from those guys. While they are on the pitch I think we're as good as any team in Europe and Lovren is already showing how our defence can improve. At full strength we're a very good football team, I think that's obvious. Only the challenge of playing so much football and dealing with injuries to key players will change that.


    I agree on Markovic, he'll be an impact player from the bench in his first year, score a few goals and show some impressive moments, but he won't be a significant contributor. Can I disagree on and I actually see him playing a lot of football. Lallana ... I don't understand any of the pessimism or even reluctance to be excited about him joining the team. He's going to play a lot of games for Liverpool this season and he'll create a bunch of goals for himself and for others. He'll be even better than he was for the Saints last year, Rodgers has that ability to get the best out of quality players. He's managed injuries before and will work his socks off to get integrated into the team. He'll be a bit off the pace for a couple of games for sure but that's it, after that he'll be an exceptional player for Liverpool.


    In my view Rodgers has signed 2 unquestionably quality players in Lovren and Lallana, despite the lack of European experience. I can't see how that's really important because Liverpool will simply play the kind of football Rodgers trains them to play. Both are international players so they know what it means to travel, so what else about playing in Europe is going to be a problem for them? If anything I think it will provide them with a bigger opportunity to show their quality. There are few teams in Europe better than Chelsea and City, so Lovren and Lallana know how to compete against quality.


    The missing piece is the replacement striker so if that piece of transfer business can be wrapped up I'd say we'll be as good as we were last season with a definitely improvement in squad depth and options from the bench to change games.

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  187. Nevergonnacrackthecode3:31 pm, August 16, 2014

    the side can play any formation
    allen can play number 10 while can can play deep lying playmaker

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  188. But Rodgers is not going to play with two holding midfielders.

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  189. If we offload Agger, Sakho and Coates then the only CB on the bench is Toure. One injury and Toure is our regular starting CB across potentially 4 competitions. Two injuries and we're dead in the water.

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  190. It may not have been the most eloquent of postings but why do you feel the need to make a defence? JK is indeed a critic, that's an admitted fact. It's probably also fair to call him a pessimist although he uses the term "realist" instead. You seem to have gone to some lengths to argue some points that don't seem to have needed arguing. No insults have been thrown, no false accusations made. Was there something about the post that bothered you?

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  191. Nevergonnacrackthecode3:40 pm, August 16, 2014

    so who is the second holding midfielder ?

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  192. We don't need to score 101 goals, we need to concede less and we will.

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  193. Sheshna Hauradhur3:42 pm, August 16, 2014

    Don't bother of MU think only LFC will need 3 more players to kill other teams.( Reus,Falcao,Cavani) and if we have M Kovacic with £10m+Lucas instead of paying loan deals to Napoli.LFC will kill any teams sure and sure with BR.

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  194. Bayern probably don't know about a player named Lucas.

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  195. Here's the list of top quality players we know Liverpool targeted:


    Sanchez
    Cavani
    Falcao
    Benzema


    After that we tried for Remy, very strong links to Bony, rumours for Lavezzi ... that theoretically means we currently on plan H, so I'm not sure there is any room to suggest Liverpool didn't have a plan.

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  196. I reckon we'll wrap up the striker. Will be done in January at absolute worst case scenario but I don't think it will get to that.

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  197. If Lucas does move it will either be to La Liga or the Serie A where he is most suited.

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  198. My Team
    Migno
    Manqui-Skrtel-Lovren-Enrique
    Stevie
    Hendo-Can
    Coutinho-Sturridge-Sterling

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