10 Jun 2013

'I'm getting worried' - Nicol warns LFC not to sign €25m goal-machine. Agree...?

Liverpool are reportedly close to completing a £22m deal for Shakhtar Donetsk maestro Henrik Mkhitaryan, a player watched by the Reds' scouting team twelve times over the last year. Brendan Rodgers is keen to tie things up as soon as possible, and although most Reds fans are excited by the potential signing, Anfield legend Steve Nicol is 'worried' that Rodgers is targeting the wrong type of players.

The Guardian reported recently that FSG have signed off on the transfer, but discussing the potential deal on ESPN over the weekend, Nicol warned:

"He [Mkhitaryan] has talent. He scores some goals, but I’m getting worried now because every player that’s linked with Liverpool is an attacking midfielder.

"Can you imagine Lucas, Allen, Coutinho, Sterling and Mkhitaryan against Stoke away? Lucas? The guy's a good player, but I don’t know where he’s going to fit in.

"You need a squad that’s got strength, size, pace and ability. Liverpool are building an army of attacking midfielders"


Nicol does have a point - Many of LFC's transfer targets at the moment seem to be attacking midfielders (Mkhitaryan, Eriksen, Aspas, Alberto etc), but this is (arguably) a good thing. Over the last few years, Liverpool have lacked regular goals from midfield, and at present, the club lacks strength and depth in that department.

* Gerrard: Will score goals, but he's in the twilight of his career.
* Henderson: Scored a few goals last season, but still not enough.
* Downing: Much improved last season, but still not scoring enough.
* Sterling: End product is still extremely low.
* Suso: Doesn't look like he'll be a regular scorer.
* Allen: Never scored more than two goals in one season.
* Lucas: Forget it! (Not suggesting Lucas is an AM; just pointing out that he's another midfielder who won't score goals)

Sterling and Suso are young and inexperienced, so their lack of goals is understandable, but the same cannot be said of Downing, Hendo, Allen, Lucas etc. If Liverpool have an real ambition of qualifying for the Champions League, then more goals are *consistently* needed from midfield. As such, the more goalscorers signed, the better. For me, LFC need:

* 1 x dedicated attacking mid (Share the role with Coutinho)
* 2 x right-sided attackers (One experienced; one youngster)
* 1 x left-sided attacker (Experienced)

This would give the following cover:

- Attacking Mid: Coutinho/Gerrard/New attacking mid
- Right: Suarez/Downing/2 x new right-mids
- Left: Sterling/Suarez/Borini/1 x new left-mid

I'm probably biased as I want as many attacking midfield options as possible, and I'm sure a lot of Reds fans feel that defence should be prioritised this summer. Both areas can be strengthened, and with the right buys (youth and experience), they can all fit into the team over an entire season.



NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)


102 comments:

  1. liverpool4life5657:35 pm, June 10, 2013

    I want to sign him! be good to have FINALLY to have options from the bench also good first team members, been to long having only one good attacking option but now we will have a couple it's exciting!:-)

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  2. Keeping options open is the way I look at it.

    Don't want to target one player and be left without options if he changes his mind down the road and goes elsewhere.



    Also, I absolutely agree we need more goals from midfield. It's been sorely lacking for a few years now. Other than Stevie, we just didn't have anyone else contributing on a somewhat regular basis.


    The only part I disagree with is holding Lucas partly accountable for lack of goalscoring. He's purely a defensive midfielder. Anything he scores should be considered a bonus. It's not his role and hasn't been for some time.


    And given where Allen was playing, I'd say something similar. Everyone else is fair game as far as I am concerned.

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  3. What dies the old fossil Nicol know. He thinks we need Carrol. He should be commentating rugby

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  4. When does Nicol ever agree with who we are signing

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  5. Thing is, the media can link us what whoever they like. We are allegedly interested in 10 different players, every day. Make of that what you want, but my guess is that we won't end up with a squad of 200 players anyway.

    Nicol has a point, given that he takes all the transfer rumours serious. We are getting linked to attacking midfielders mainly, and hardly to no defensive midfielders. I would like to see a proper back-up/competition for or even a better, stronger player than Lucas brought in. And, of course, on young centre-half who has a few games to his name and real talent and potential (Alderweireld, Papadopoulos, de Vrij and the like).


    You have a point, too, Jaimie. Strengthening our attacking play is also a good idea. As we are good enough offensively, the opposition have other things to worry about than to attack themselves.
    Given the transfer suggestions you make, I don't understand what system you want us to play/consider us playing. In a 4-3-3 you'd play without a central attacker? Surely not.

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  6. Big Bepe Malone7:51 pm, June 10, 2013

    But most of the names you'll see us linked with are just rumours. We seem
    to be linked with every man and his dog right now. I think they're all options but each deal is based on the value and interest from the player. If one is interested, available, cheap, wants to play for LFC and is hungrier than the others then we'll take them over the rest. If we buy one, we most likely won't buy the other. BR is looking for strength in depth, I think we're also looking for a Lyon model of buying £5m rated targets who will prosper and can be sold for double the amount (or more) in a few years time (or longer) once we have an adequate replacement. For a club outside the Champs League it's a solid business model (regards of if you think of our club as a business, it is and needs to run that way).

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  7. jaimie do you really believe we are bringing him in if so id be over the moon i think hes a better player than eriksen and thats says something

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  8. Do you ever publish anything positive about LFC?

    Always negative

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  9. Nicol, comments are a load of bull , all these ex players need to keep it zipped and let br get on with his job

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  10. Well if he comes in and has even half his goals/assists this season for us next season he'll be a kop favourite in no time :D

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  11. He never said that this is a bad player instead he said that we are increasing the squad with attacking midfield.. may be the system that rodger will play will not focus more on defense.. the more you will attack the more safety will be on the defense..

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  12. liverpool4life5658:08 pm, June 10, 2013

    Can I say aswell stoke won't be the same without pulls. Hughes wants to change there style...

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  13. Pretty sure Barcelona could deal with Stoke away with ease...not saying we are them, or that we will become FCB, but they have very small stature players as well. If we had a team full of Coutinhos then they would run circles around Stoke and many other teams...

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  14. How do you pronounce his name?

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  15. please sell downing

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  16. Its sorta like mick ar ta jan here go to 1:45 in this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiRKMttqfmE

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  17. Jamie u made a spelling mistake :P instead of more u used mor :P and as for the young attack right either suso or sterling could do the job so we just need to get experience i daresay ......

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  18. mhiktaryan ? meek-tar-yan(yawn)

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  19. But it is "Mkhitaryan". Wouldn't that make it "Mkhee-tar-yan"?

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  20. well easier for beginners to say meek than mkhee so i suggestes meek ......but yes ur right :)

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  21. he posted positively on us signing mhitaryan ......cheers :P

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  22. I don't know whether my suggestion is anywhere near the truth. My Armenian is massively lacking. Totally to be honest.

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  23. I can not understand why Liverpool isn't looking for defensive midfielder. Lucas maybe will never be the same player he used to be under King Kenny first half of the second season.

    Liverpool under Kenny could be in the better position if Lucas was fit all season. Maybe his team even finish in the first 5.

    Just image what will be if Lucas get injured. There will be only Allen who is not DM. That will be total disaster. So im my opinion first of all we should be going for some good, experienced DM.

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  24. Liverpool might be looking for strong DM, maybe we just don't know yet.

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  25. Just thought I'd mention that Lucas also started his career as an AM so if played up there might well do a job as well. That saying I know as well as everyone else that that's never going to happen after we spent years training him to be a DM but just thought is say because of the Lucas Forget it comment, the boy has one hell of a shot on him when he is allowed to stray up the top end of the park!!!

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  26. Sorry that'll be why you included him in the list of AM's! Engage brain then post Jimbob you plonker

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  27. NonEventHorizon9:23 pm, June 10, 2013

    If you believe the rumours Wanyama's agent is talking to several prem clubs, we might be one of them... hopefully

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  28. Errr, illogical, illogical...have you not read that Suarez s leaving or are you burying your head

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  29. Think Celtic would ask for quite a handsome fee for him. In excess of 10m. Don't know what our kitty is, but, if rumours are true, Diame has a 3,5m release clause in his contract. I'd rather go for that one, considering we don't have that much money to spend.

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  30. I will believe that, as soon as it is on the official website. Just checked, there's nothing there about Suaréz leaving.

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  31. mmm burying your collective heads

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  32. It matters little,...facts are we can afford only to sign players under 10 million whereas better off clubs are looking to bring in established and proven multi million pound players... unfortunately for us this will always make a difference to league standings

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  33. liverpool4life5659:54 pm, June 10, 2013

    Where you been living? last year Allen-15 million,Sturridge 12, then before that downing 20, hendo 16 and, we can buy players for fees more than 10 million, also it doesn't matter if a guy who well known or not, there are bargains out there, michu-2 million, cabye-4 million and coutinho-8 million :-)

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  34. Don't bother... he's just looking for a response

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  35. NonEventHorizon9:59 pm, June 10, 2013

    Diame would be a good shout. He completely bossed some better midfields than West Ham's when the players around him were on their game too. With Gerrard next to him and Meek-tar-yawn ;) in front I think he'd probably step his game up on a more consistent basis

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  36. Shevchenko, Torres, Crespo, Dzeko to some extent, Podolski, Morientes, Jelavic some would argue, Reyes, Djibril Cisse to name a few of the top of my head that were/are established and/or multi million pounds and/or proven players that don't support your claim.
    Quality players can be found for low prices that go against their impact and contribution, just ask Arsene Wenger about Thierry Henry.

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  37. Nicol certainly has cause to be concerned. I hope we are not expecting Allen and Lucas to provide the 'steel' in midfield, because that plan is doomed to fail. One of the main reasons we have been vulnerable against teams like Stoke is the lack of a robust midfield. I'm afraid that area needs to be addressed before we can even contemplate making the top 4.

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  38. I'm positive Rodgers is thinking the same and knows we need goals from midfield. Liverpool have been linked with lots of midfielders but in the end will only buy one.

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  39. Nicol is a vat of platitudes and he's once again showed it today. The man has achieved absolutely nothing as a manager in football and when he had his chance of doing what FSG are doing today, his big bankroller backed out at the last minute. So really, what Nicol needs to do is make a LOT of sense or shut the fk up. Since the former seems to be a bit of a challenge for him, he should probably do the latter. Now, to support that dig (because I'm really getting fed up with the guy) with some logic - We play 4-3-3 for all intended purposes. So far, being linked to a player isn't actually the same as signing one. So assuming we sign Myk, we have Aspas who is a wide forward and this kid from Sevilla who is hardly going to be a starter. So where does Lucas fit in? Right behind Gerrard and Myk. With three of Suarez, Coutinho, Sturridge and Aspas in front of them. I don't see much to be worried about to be honest.

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  40. I totally agree, Sign Him! Depth is always a good thing, considering how often injuries seem to occur these days. Also...

    1) Gerrard - Great, but nearing the end of his career. You need to have a young talented replacement learning from him now.


    2) Lucas - Might be heading off to re-join Rafa Benitez if some of the other LFC sites and news organizations are to be believed.

    3.) Sterling - Still way to young and inexperienced to be the every game starter. Needs to pack on some muscle and come off the bench more until he's ready.

    4.) Allen - See Sterling. Same deal. May be good later, showed some progress late, but still awfully inexperienced.

    5.) Suso - If you believe another website, he's out of here too.

    6.) Henderson - Came around late last season. Too little to make a difference, and too late in the season. If he plays well early, and is consistent, great. If not, I'd expect him to be transferred or placed on loan come the winter.

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  41. Aw come on, who doesn't love Beef Stu?

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  42. get him to replace Downing...please...

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  43. Lets leave Mkhitaryan out of our future plans just yet. He's far from signed, and even the rumours have dried up a bit. Maybe there wasn't very much to that story right from the off. Just a contingency plan in case Suaréz was sold, and those rumours have been strewn fewer in the past few days.

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  44. I second those remarks about Nicol.

    One question about Aspas. I thought he was a central attacker/striker, though I only have this source: http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/iago-aspas/profil/spieler_72047.html


    Can you, or someone else, give clarification about his real playing position.

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  45. Nicol is Jason Carr's long lost twin ...

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  46. Oh, and err... Carroll

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  47. Pronounced Me - Khi - Ta - Rian apparently. not in a position to argue though lol

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  48. Relax guys, the window isn't even open for two weeks yet!

    I think we need to find out what is happening with two key players before deciding on the final targets, Suarez and Skrtyl.

    If those two go, that's upwards of £60m we'll have to buy defensive cover and a striker. Most of us can come up with several options for that.

    If they both stay, then £25m is still left just from Carroll and Spearing and the change from our spending so far. Let alone if we sell Shelvey, Downing Assaidi and Coates, all of whom could leave without creating too big a hole in our squad
    Kelly can save us a fortune, we need a top CB - Papa, Alderwiereld is still about, don't forget he can play DM too. Diame is a possibility.
    If Suarez leaves we can go to town on the CF and CB /DM roles AND get Eriksen or Mhkitaryan. We just need to know how many of them we can go for...

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  49. I can't believe you're writing Lucas off again just because he didn't keep his form following injury. With a full preseason he may just make you eat your words ...Again.

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  50. Strictly speaking Henrikh is a striker who was played in the AM role last season. I have posted a lot about him on other posts so wont go over all that again, but I have to agree that we lacked goals in different areas last season. Other than Suarez and Sturridge we just didn`t get enough goals from the other attacking positions. Coutinho did well, and looks like he could get a few, but we need more goals from the AM and right side of attack, along with defenders from corners.

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  51. Aspa from my understanding plays in exactly the same position as Suarez, just off the striker, ideally with freedom to rome. They both ideally play in that role, although as seen Suarez can play up top as the main striker too.

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  52. what happened to that Brazillian CB who was being talked about earlier this year?

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  53. I just prefer to call him Henrikh. much easier

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  54. Douglas? not a clue tbh. Rumours gone dead on that.

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  55. liverpool4life56512:47 am, June 11, 2013

    I agree with your points, but where is suso going? Haven't heard about that one? Also it seems Alberto will sign this week too :-)

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  56. If Suarez still keeps harping that he does not want to play in england, then B Rodgers and the owners need to stand firm and not accept no bid lower than £60-£65m, Real Madrid offered over £65M for Bale. And Suarez is a better footballer than Bale.


    So Suarez should be sold for no less than £60M, with that £60M and also the £15M from the Carroll sale.


    These 6 attacking players would replace Carroll and Suarez : And bring more overall class, quality, quality competition and depth to the squad:


    And they would bring more class, quality and depth to the side.


    1: CM: De Guzman Of Villareal for £5-£7M to compete with Allen, Gerrard and Henderson


    2:AM: I Munian(19) Of A Bilbao for £12-£14M to compete with Coutinho ,Shelvey and Suso


    3: RW / RWF: C Tello(21) Of Barcelona should for £8-£10M to compete with Sterling


    4: LW / LWF: D Capel(25) Of Sporting Clube De Portugal/Lisbon for £4-£7M to compete with IBE


    5: FD: L Muriel(23) Of Udinese for £10-£14M to compete with Aspas and Sturridge


    6:FD: P Cisse(25) Of Newcastle for £10-£15M


    Those 6 players would bring mobility, pace, speed, creativity and many goals to the squad:




    In De Guzman , you have experienced dutch player with class, quality who is a box to box midfielder with a good engine, good on ball, good at passing , scores a few goals and keeps things ticking in the middle of the park.


    In Capel. Munian and Tello, there are 3 young spanish players with class, creativity, pace, quality and speed. Who can open up some of the best defences in world football, the cost for those three players would be between £24-£31.



    Those 3 players would cost our club a million less than what Chelsea Paid for Eden Hazard. .


    In Cisse and Muriel , you have two mobile quick strong strikers with good eye for goal and are both very good finishers.


    These are the players B Rodgers should bringing to the club this summer, players who will improve the squad dramatically and players who have something to prove,players who could cut it playing in the champions league.


    In Capel, Cisse, De Guzman, Munian, Muriel and Tello, our club would have some serious attacking class creativity and quality at club capable of causing any team in world football problems. And those 6 players would cost club: £44-£67M

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  57. Peter from Perth WA2:39 am, June 11, 2013

    At last an excellent comment Jamie, I will always agree with you if you include Suarez with 10 other like minded attacking players. For some unknown reason the past glory years when even the keeper was an attacking threat have long since gone, as with the silverware.

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  58. PAPISS CISSE ????

    Not sure about him he was nt half as good as he he began his career at Newcastle

    Plus his issue is that he wants to leave Newcastle because of the new sponsor which is a bank/ loan company that deals with interest which is against the teachings of Islam. Liverpools sponsor is also a bank so that might be a problem for him too

    I'd rather have BENTEKE or LUKAKU or from recent rumours that mourinho is going to sell DEMBA BA is rather have him

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  59. the way liverpool plays, they need three attacking midfielders / wingers to support the striker (sturrridge or suarez or borini). These 3 men play in front of the central midfielder and the defensive midfielder. In this case Lucas, Gerrard, Allen and Henderson (who plays as an attacking mid also). Now for 3 attacking places, we have Coutinho, Downing, Sterling, Aspas, Suso. Clearly Downing is leaving and quite possibly Suso is going out on loan and maybe Sterling also as they are too young to be relied upon. So that leaves us with Coutinho and Aspas. I believe aspas has been brought to act mainly as a cover. So I believe Mkhitaryan will be a wise transfer together with someone like ince. so our midfield will be something like this: Lucas Gerrard Mkhitaryan Coutinho Ince Suarez. Second Team: Allen Henderson Aspas Borini Sturridge luis Alberto. Brendan knows what he is doing.

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  60. This guy looks good on paper and I did see the video of him on this site a week or so back when they show the best of him. I did however notice they didn't show any of his game when shaktar played Chelsea in the champs league last season I believe it was. If you go on u tube your see he had a terrible game but that's not to say he won't be any good if we were to sign him who knows.i do however believe there are other areas that need strengthening more importantly but I suppose there is a best time for each player to be bought due to interest from other clubs etc

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  61. As opposed to Newcastles sponsor for last season which was 'Virgin Money' another bank, Cisse is just using the sponsor as way to force a transfer. however, i would not want him at LFC, not good enough.

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  62. Guess that's a pretty close call. I'd go for Ree - an instead of Rian, though.

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  63. what about their wages? 2 off the books with 6 added, thats clever.

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  64. We may have enough time to think about the correct pronunciation of his name should he ever sign for us.

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  65. Henderson and Allen are still young and as such I feel you can't put them in the same bracket as Downing or Lucas. they have much more experience than Suso or Sterling, obviously, but they still lag far behind the likes of Downing and Lucas. With that in mind I think it is unfair to judge their goal scoring ability, or lack there of, at this stage. That said, you are correct, more goals from midfield are essential.

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  66. Lucas does need some proper competition for his place and i hope B Rodgers brings E Capoue(24) Of Toulouse to the club this summer. He is exactly what we need a player in the Makele, Mascherano and Sissoko Mould. A No Nonsense Mobile agile strong Tough tackling Defensive Midfielder, who would be able to match the likes of Yaya, Tiote, Diame, Nzonzi, M Sissoko, Mikel and Mulumbu
    for power and strength in the middle of the park.



    E Capoue(24) is the only defensive midfielder we should bring to club this summer, he would be great addition to club and Rogers could bring him to club for £7-£10M.

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  67. I see. Looking forward to see him playing. We will then find out what position exactly he excels most in.

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  68. Stoke, Stoke, Stoke, it is one team!

    Nicol was a Liverpool player when "the Liverpool way" way was in full swing was he! well he certainly seems to have thought "the way" needs ditching!

    With the biggest majority of what he comes out with he certainly seems a bitter chap, quite sad really.

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  69. My dear Nikol these are one of the few reasons why liverpool suffers desperate seasons without champion ship qualification u top u oppse signing strong players u fear spending and u know that winning a trophy depends on spending on gd players that is the reason why players like Suarez are tirelessly working for exit because they see no improvement on the squad

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  70. dede ? he signed to some rival brazil club ....... santos i think

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  71. Would be good to have proper back-up for Suaréz.

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  72. No mention of Shelvey i think his time may be up and am praying Downing is shown the door so theres 2 attackers need replacing.also there is a chance Suso will go on loan.
    To an extent i agree with Nicol a bit of muscle needed in the squad no more getting bullied around the park.
    The likes of Diame are essential as they add something extra to the squad and a striker that has assets like Bony would be a great plan b.

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  73. Absolutely. I just would have thought that we'd improve the first team first and then worry about backup.

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  74. I wonder if Sunderland wouldn't swap McClean for Downing...

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  75. As I suggested, direct swap with Sunderland's McClean. That way they can have Johnson AND Downing reunited in one team again! Go on Paulo, you know you want to!

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  76. Until a journalist asks him if he likes to eat scouse and he says he prefers a prawn sandwich which will kick off a week long Suarez wants to move to Man United and play with Ronaldo there frenzy. Obviously he'd be more than willing to run over some of the OAPs Rooney keeps around the place to get to OT as well.

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  77. It's a funny old world we live in... :-)

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  78. Well, if he can play as one of the front three, he probably would be an improvement on our current set-up. He seems to be better than Borini.

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  79. I agree, he seems more mobile and agile.

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  80. He's older and more experienced, too. Maybe Borini will be a decent player when he is 25.

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  81. the only Sunderland player I would even think about in interest is Sessognon.

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  82. Bring Alonso back to sit just in front of the back 4, his stats speak for themselves.

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  83. I think we will approach this player to sign if suarez leaves, and then hopefully sign muriel too giving us added firepower in midfield to compensate for his loss. I'd like to see him come in, but priority should be RW, CB and CDM-Atsu/Grenier, Anderweild/Llori, Diame/Wanyama YNWA

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  84. In an ideal world Steve Nicol would have 6 centrebacks on the pitch, all from darkest depths of the English landscape.

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  85. I agree that we shouldn't sign Mkhitaryan but not for the reasons Nicol suggested. More due to price, better options and overall quality of the player. He is never worth £20+mill, he's a good player but not world class. I wouldn't mind if he was signed with Suarez still in the team, but I would prefer we look at better targets with that sort of money. Eriksen seems unlikely now but he would be a better option. Honda would be a better option also. I agree that rogers isn't targetin the right type of players with the likes of Tiago illori being targeted...

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  86. We definitely need an aggressive midfielder, a tough tackling one in the middle of the park against certain 'physical teams'. Because, with an array of tiny players, we are going to get run over...


    True, we need flair, skill, vision... But we cannot ignore the importance of a tough midfielder to kick some ass in the middle and provide a platform for the more creative players to perform on...

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  87. Alberto looks class and like one for the future. We seem to be investing in a lot of future talent which isnt at all a bad thing but I'd be very happy with us signing an experienced striker. Maybe send some players out on loan for the season too. I think Shelvey needs to go out on loan to another EPL team if possible, Suso too actually. Stunting their development having them sit on the bench and only play occasionally at U21 level. I would even like to see Sterling go out on loan to a club like Swansea providing we get in some cover over the summer.

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  88. True. Although looking at the amount of players in that role/roles we are linked with I can`t see us signing him. I might be wrong, but I think we are more likely to sign Alberto and Tello than him. Thus making the need for him not so great.

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  89. Yep, I`m a little intrigued to see what Rodgers does with the line up. We have a number of players who play in the same position now up top, and will be interesting to see if he plays them out wide or just rotates them so they only play there best position.

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  90. We actually don't have that many players up top. Borini may eventually come good, but right now I wouldn't want him to start every week.

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  91. we have a few.


    Borini
    Sturridge
    Suarez
    Aspa
    Downing
    Coutinho
    Sterling


    There all starters, or players who will want a place in the team to be happy anyway. That is without Alberto if we get him, and not including the AM role. That 7 players for 3 places (based on 4-3-3). Add to that is the fact only Downing really plays on the right. Therefore we have 6 other players for 2 places. Thats too many imo, although maybe workable if we didn`t sign anyone else at all, but I think we will., This highlights that its all about the quality of the players we have and balance. There just can`t be any room for average players when we are filling up with more. For me regardless of if they might become good if we are to add to that list above, which I think we need to to improve we have to sell to even it out a bit. On the right Downing is still are only true option. The one I would sell is the one who we have no true cover for.


    note: I based it on 4-3-3 as if you do it on 4-2-3-1 then you need to add a AM really.

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  92. B.Rodgers..........Please be more creative.Why not try to using Sebastian Coates as new CDM or Holding ball for next season?Steven Gerrard is getting older now,maybe his stamina will be slow.Gerrad also look very good for this position because he have advantage in tackling and tough player as defender.

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  93. his nickname in his homeland is HENO !!! will represent and make all Armenians around the world, PROUD!!!

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  94. Ah well. I'll start with Downing. Don't expect him to be here come September. I have nothing against him. He is a solid performer, quite consistent and you know what you get from him. There lies the problem. He is a zero-trick pony. He doesn't do anything imaginative, isn't the greatest at beating his man and won't change games either. If he stays I don't expect him to get too many starts.

    Coutinho may well be seen as one of our midfield three than one of the front three. Only my opinion, but there you go.

    Sterling is raw and young. Give him a few starts, but usually he should be brought on as an impact sub.

    Borini has quite a long way to go. Yes, his movement is good and so on, but he didn't set the world on fire last season. Has difficulties getting in Italy's U-21 starting line-up. Why would we start him? I see him as an impact player, too, at least for now.

    That leaves us with Sturridge, Aspa and Suaréz as our starters. Sturridge has picked up quite a few injuries and Suaréz has picked up quite a few bans. Therefore, I'd like to see another forward player being brought in. One who will really challenge the three starters and may push one of them down the pecking order.

    Yep, two player per position plus youngsters. I consider Borini and Sterling as youngsters and Downing as an expendable player.

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  95. Martin have you forgot since Rodgers reign he has cleared these 8 players permanently of wage bill who were all high earners and 4 loan players were taken off bill.

    8 permanent players of wage bill:

    Adams was estimated to be on £45,000-£55,000 a week

    Aurelio was estimated to be on £60,000- £65,000 a week

    Aquilani was estimated to be on £80,000-£110,000 a week

    Bellamy was estimated to be on £60,000-£70,000 a week

    Cole was estimated to be on £90,000- £100,000 a week

    Doni was estimated to be on £45,000-£55,000 a week

    Kuyt was estimated to be on £75,000 a week

    Rodriguez was on £65,000 a week

    The 6 players i mentioned , none of them would be signed more £60,000 a week tops until they excel in league and become a success.

    And with Carroll soon to be leaving on £80,000 a week off the wage bill.

    If Allen and Henderson are both on suposedly £45,000-£55,000 a week, he would command same rate.

    In Capel,Munian and Tello three attacking players with more class creativity pace and speed than Downing. Downing is on £60,000 a week. They will all be put on the same amount until they have shown what they can do in the best and hardest league in world football.

    In Muriel, He is young, powerful striker who would offer club/squad and team alot more than Borini, yet borini is estimated to be on £55,000 a week. Muriel would be put £45,000-£50,000 per week contract

    In P Cisse, An Out and Out finisher, someone who has scored goals in premiership and Europe. But had a poor season by his standards in a poor newcastle side this year, He would command between £65-£70,000 a week.

    The 6 players i mentioned would all bring more class, quality to side and they would change the wage bill.

    But the 6 players mentioned wages would be less than Half of what Aurelio, Aquilani, Kuyt, Rodriguez and J Cole were Making at the club.

    And Mark , we have not been in Champions League for 4 years now and just getting in Champions League is extra £20M to the club. So our club has lost £80M in 4 years.



    With the 6 players i mentioned our club would get back in champions league and there wages would have been fully justified.


    At club now we have 4 people who may regularly score for us: Coutinho, Gerrard,Suarez and Sturridge.


    In P Cisse, Capel, De Guzman, Munian, Muriel and Tello, thats at least 40-60 goals extra to squad.


    And those players are of champions league class and quality

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  96. Mkhitaryan is an exception because he is a real gem of a player and I for one would love us to sign him

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  97. This is inaccurate. Gerrard is versatile and plays any midfield position and with aging he's best staying deeper. Lucas is a defensive midfielder he's never been an attacking midfielder and same with alLen. Henderson finished the season amazingly and is playing as a midfielder that can play central. Suso is amazing, his touch and passing is incredible for his age but is a cam or winger. With this said he's buying young and being smart. We need another CB because we don't want Skerlta starting and I'm not sure Coates is ready yet.

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