12 Nov 2013

Transfer Update: Benitez makes €35m LFC duo his TOP Jan targets. Who will leave...?

After experimenting with the 352 formation for most of the season, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers reverted to four at the back for last weekend's 4-0 victory over Fulham, and if it stays like that for the rest of the year, Rodgers is going have one hell of a defensive headache on his hands. With the reduced number of games this season, there's simply no way to keep four senior, international defenders happy, and with the January transfer window approaching, something may have to give, and if Rafa Benitez has his way, one of either Martin Skrtel or Daniel Agger will be turning out for Napoli on February 1st, 2014.

According to Italian newspaper Tutto Mercato today:

* Agger and Skrtel are now Benitez's top defensive targets.
* The Spaniard is determined to nab one of the two during the upcoming transfer window.

Earlier this week, Agger hinted at the frustration he feels over playing second fiddle to new signing Mamadou Sakho, and in a new interview today, he admits that he finds it 'difficult' to be out of the team:

"It’s been difficult. I want to play every time, in every single game, so when you’re not playing it’s difficult. I feel I belong there. I feel I’m more than capable of being in the team, but it’s the manager’s decision".

Agger insists that he won't 'complain' when he's not in the team (!), but the Dane also made it clear recently that he would leave the club if he doesn't play regularly. He told Danish TV:

"If I don't play, and if the manager doesn't think I am good enough, that could make me leave Liverpool. I'm here to play football, nothing else. So if I don't play football, then I don't want to be here anymore."

It's all wine and roses now that Agger is back in the team, but where does that leave Sakho, who cost the Reds £18m? Perhaps someone can explain this to me, but I just cannot see how Rodgers can keep Skrtel, Sakho, Agger and Toure happy for the rest of the season.

Sakho, especially, is a problem. He left PSG because he refused to accept being third/fourth choice at centre-half, and now, the same thing is happening at Liverpool. Additionally, with the World Cup fast-approaching, the defender will be acutely aware that his chances of making the France squad are very much in Brendan Rodgers' hands.

If €18m-rated Agger plays well for the next few games, how can Sakho come back into the team? And if Rodgers takes out Agger just to accommodate Sakho, then that will upset the Dane, who will probably go back to not complaining in the media (!)

As I said, something has to give. It's great to have competition in the squad, but Rodgers has (IMO) really made a rod for his own back here with his defensive buys over the summer. He's created a massive problem that can only really be solved by playing 352, and even then, it still means one of the four senior defenders will miss out on a regular basis. And let's not forget Tiago Ilori, who has not had a look-in this season, and is probably thinking that he made a massive mistake joining Liverpool in the summer.

I was in favour of the Sakho signing over the summer, but only because it seemed likely that one of either Agger or Skrtel would be sold. That didn't happen, and to be honest, if Liverpool hadn't signed Sakho, would it have made any real difference to the Reds' results so far? Probably not.

For me, this is a massive problem, and I don't see how it can be solved without selling someone in January, and if one of Agger or €17m-rated Skrtel has to leave in January, who should it be...?


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43 comments:

  1. Based on current form, Skrtel is our best CB, i've been told he can score also.
    We saw how bad at times Skrtel was last season, Oldham for example.
    Based on that, I imagine BR decided we needed more at CB. Then Toure comes in as back up, we might get a season or two out of him to fill in when required. Eventually then we get Sakho, all problems solved.
    Suddenly Toure plays and has a stormer, he cant be dropped. Then Skrtel decides to play some of the best football of his life, Agger is dropped after injury and rightfully so, in a 3 at the back formation. Now back to 4 at the back Agger returns, and we are left with a lovely problem, we have 4 players all capable and deserved to be playing for two places. Players making veiled threats as Agger has done, should be told to shut up, or ship out.
    Suarez, Reina, Agger, all threatening to move, maybe they dont see BR as a strong Manager, as evidenced by the return of Agger after his veiled threats. If it was up to me, I would pick my best team irrespective of reputation or status, but simply based on current form, and if that does'nt suit some players, let those moaners have a chat with their agents if they cant accept the competition. Who is picking the team, the players or BR. God help us if this is true, I can see SG playing longer than Giggs, unless BR developes some bottle. This is not an attack on BR, just an observation, what would Shanks say to those players who disrupt and moan, would he have brought Agger back in, not a chance, it would distance him further from playing. Thats my take on it, but its a welcome problem, pity we dont have the same problem all over the team.
    Gimme 5 mins, No replies until I get into my shitproof suit please.

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  2. How many times does it need to be explained that competition for places is not a rod for anyone's back, it's a good thing, and something that Liverpool has been missing for years of mediocrity with too many players comfortably assured of their starting places. I don't see any warrant for complaining that we have too many international class players on the club's books at all.

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  3. Not really simple as Dortmund may not be in the champions league.

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  4. Agree. I can't see the logic in signing Sakho, unless Rodgers pre-planned to sell either Skrtel or Agger in January. If that's the case then fair enough, but I sincerely doubt it.

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  5. Skrtel is (arguably) LFC's best defender this season so far, so it would seem a bit strange to loan him out. Plus, it would then leave the club with two left-sided central defenders. That may not be a major problem, but with Skrtel out of the picture, Sakho would probably expect to play most games. After all, he cost £18m and is 9 years younger than Toure, who cost nothing.

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  6. Great post. I agree that Agger made veiled threats; and he then has the chutzpah to say he's not a complainer, and that he'll abide by whatever the manager decides (!)

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  7. I disagree. In theory, competition for places is a good thing, but if it ends up irritating players, and making them want to leave, how is that 'good'? Competition is only good (IMO) if you can keep all the players competing moderately happy and motivated. I don't see how that's possible with 4 centre-backs competing for 2 spots, in a season with no Europe, and only one domestic cup competition.


    Take Agger, for example. He is a prime example of why the competition is unhealthy. Twice in the last month he's made veiled threats about leaving and/or his place in the team. These are unsubtle warnings to Rodgers. What happens when Agger gets dropped again for Sakho? Clearly, he's not going to be happy about it, and that will breed further resentment.


    It's a mess, and it will not end well.

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  8. From watching interviews with former Liverpool players about Shankly I honestly don't believe Agger would even be a Liverpool player anymore. From what they said he didn't like his players being injured at all let alone an injury prone player like Agger. Shankly once signed a player from Coventry I think it was (for the life of me I can't quite remember his name) The lad was only young but was quite injury prone. Every time the lad got injured he sent him to train by himself. Quite extreme but it shows if they wanted to play for Liverpool they should try and not get injured. Obviously there are unforeseen things that happen which can't be helped but nowadays players are out injured with a dead leg. If I got a dead leg at school I just ran it off. Players now compared to players back then are soft. I can't remember who said it but he was on about Rooney. "Wayne may be out of the World Cup with a broken metatarsal. The metatarsal wasn't invented when I was playing" Obviously players would have broken them in the past but that's not the point he was making.

    I'm not saying that these players haven't hurt themselves but some of the injuries are just stupid. Bert Trautmann once broke his neck in the FA Cup final of 56 and went on to make a match saving save in the last minute and he went on to win the FA Cup. I'm not saying that's what we expect but some toughness to players would do. It even annoys me when players on Football Manager or FIFA get these injuries. If I could I would play them anyway.

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  9. IMO I think we brought in Sakho as a starter to be lined up with Agger. I know two left footed centre backs but that's not an issue as teams use two right footed centre backs all the time and Toure to bring experience in as Carra had just retired. I also think BR was expecting Skrtel to leave and didn't expect Skrtel to come back in the team in the form of his life.

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  10. I am certain BR doesn't feel he's rodding himself. I am certain he is happy to have such talent. He'll be even happier when he gets a great #10 in January...and so will we.

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  11. every top team needs a top squad, 2 players of similar quality in each position to compete for the jersey, what are you suggesting that we weaken our team by selling a top defender for an average one whos happy to sit on the bench in order to keep the peace! if were serious about being a top team than we have to have top quality all over the squad, will some players moan now and again, if they are quality then yes, its when they stop moaning you need to move them on but if they are liverpool standard than they will take it on the chin and up their game, like skrtel who was dropped had a little moan but is now playing top class, agger was dropped, had a moan and is back looking solid and desperate not to lose his place, thats what its all bout, look at citys squad, spurs, chelsea, united. u dont see them worrying bout keeping the peace, its about having the best squad possible to have the best chance possible, mata benched by chelsea had a moan than comes in and plays top class, rooney benched by united had a moan and is now on top form, you can find examples at every top team, lets not forget the last time we were a top team we had agger skrtel sami and carra fighting every week for the jersey, xabi masch lucas and gerrard in d middle fighting, our problem has always been lack of squad quality, at the moment we have 4 top center backs at the club and one is being spurred on by the other, of course we wil hear moans now and again but thats what its like at every top club with top players, if we had a similar "problem" all over the pitch we would finally be back where we belong, champions. YNWA

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  12. U should have added a Neither option there Jamie. We shouldn't sell anyone. All top four teams usually have more then two top CBs and we shouldn't be any different. Yes we have less games to play but skirtel, agger and sakho will not remain on top form whole season we need cover. The club is in a good space and building towards something good personal ambitions must take second place.

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  13. I believe Skrtel was on his way out after a very poor 12/13 season. But he has been fantastic this season so we're now left with 4 very good centre backs and young up and comer. Better position to be in then last year where our backup was Carra and..... well only Carra. If only we could have a team full of Carras. Alas, Skrtel, Agger, Sakho, Toure, Ilori will have to do as the great man's replacement.

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  14. 1 Sakho said himself he didn't leave due to competion.
    2 were going to be in Europe next year, what competion we will see. So more games for Kelly, llori etc.
    3 Rogers has said he wants two players for each place.
    4 Toure is on a two year contract. Getting rid of proven cb when he will leave next year is ridiculous.
    Other wise good article.

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  15. Although Skrtell has been on fire recently the club cannot leave Agger leave as he is one of the top central defenders out but having said this him and Sakho play in the position on the left and both are too good to be on the bench so it is a problem.I really think that BR wants all his own signings so it will probably mean both Skrtell and Agger will be leaving in the near future.As for Suarez(a Kenny signing) who knows as it all depends on our top 4 hopes.

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  16. I do not believe for a minute BR planned to use 3-5-2 as his tatics are 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 .formations.

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  17. The amount of Value in defence at LFC is not right when you think of the lack of depth in the midfield. It has to be balanced out in the team. Right now the team could be even better if there wasn't money wasted on Aspas,Assaidi,Allen,Borini, and 18m on Sakho . That could be a couple of big players.

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  18. Our midfield needs more depth, but our starting XI still needs an AM/winger. Hendo looks like he could be a good competitor for Lucas place. His work rate is great but he lacks the final product.
    Also coutinho needs to improve his striking a fair bit if he's going to be a top, top player

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  19. To be fair he tried to put more money in midfield and we all know what happened.
    Everyone knows we need more strength in midfield. Need a proven winger asap. Then if we get champion's league. We should not have the trouble we had last summer in signing players.

    Nb we are not doing to bad for a club that was in administration 3 years ago.

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  20. hahaaahhah!!
    As if Dortmund would want Skrtel...

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  21. Didn't we get Toure to replace Carragher? I'd think Sakho was got in because Coates was injured and out for the season. Last season, we had 4 CBs. Same thing this season. Only problem is Skrtel is playing well so far.

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  22. Certainly what you say is a possibility. But two things that I hope might soothe you a little bit. First: I think it won't become a really pressing concern unless we fail to qualify for Europe this season. With the extra games next year, if we make the CL -- though it's much too soon to be talking about that as a real prospect -- the squad can be rotated to everyone's satisfaction. Not only that, but we'll have players like Sakho who are properly settled at the club and ready to make a real contribution.

    Look at the resources Chelsea, City, even Arsenal have in defence. There are in each case four or five players of real quality competing for the starting positions at centre back. But I don't see many signs of significant unrest coming from those clubs, or not for that reason, at least partly because the manager can give all his players games.

    Second, injuries. We have a clean bill of health right now but there's just no way that will continue all season. I hardly need mention Agger's record with various forms of knackery. If he himself doesn't think it's important for there to be real competition for him, in a player who can not just step in and replace him when he's out, but who promises to push him out of the starting XI for key matches altogether, he's living on another planet, and so would we be.

    Lastly, I get the impression that Rodgers, like Mourinho, is happy to just show failing players the door. If Agger can't keep out Sakho, if he's not good enough, then fine: off he goes. It's not a big deal; we can get someone else in who will be willing to work for what he wants. As long as the manager is fair-minded, and doesn't have pets and favorites; as long as all the players feel there's a level playing field, and they can make the team if they are performing better than their rivals, this isn't a problem at all.

    It's hard to adjust to this new situation, of course, not just for the players but for us fans too -- especially because we *do* have favorites, players we pin all our hopes on, especially players who, like Agger, we watched develop and grow over years. Let's hope the manager isn't under such illusions: and serving up the established players with serious competition for places suggests to me that he's not.

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  23. Maybe on Fifa or whatever, but not in the Premier League.

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  24. "Lacks the final product", about a player who made a beautiful assist at the weekend makes no sense. He doesn't lack final product; he doesn't lack energy; he doesn't lack skill. What he is is a very good all round footballer.

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  25. I think maybe Rodgers felt Benitez was coming in for either one or the other in the summer and was willing to let them go. Having had his fingers burnt the summer before by loaning out AC before a striker was brought in to replace him, i think he wanted to push ahead with the signings and let the sales come after, which is the right thing to do.
    Unfortunately that neved happened and we are left with a couple of potentially unsettled CBs. I'm of the opinion Toure was signed for cover more so than a start, and it is his outstanding form that has kept him in the team. So should he get injured or cannot force his way back into the team for legitimate reasons (the other CBs are playing well) then i dont think he will complain too much. Agger and Skyrtel different story.

    But here's how i look at it. If we are in a good position in Jan i dont want to see the club selling any players who are not dead wood. Any players who are of the quality to start in the first team should be kept until the summer, regardless of their feelings on the matter. A chance to get into the CL is only going to diminish next year as Moyes, Pelligrini, Mourihno etc cement their positions. This year is the year to get the top4 and then attract some world class players again.
    I realise we are heavy at the back, but Agger is always just one match away from six weeks on the sidelines, Toure is not a young man fatigue could set in in the second half of the season, or he picks up a nasty injury, suddenly we're not so covered at the back. I realise this is improbable, but i would not take any chances. Next year we may not get a sniff at top four if we cannot strwnghten with top players in the summer. If the price to pay for this is upsetting one or two players until the summer, so be it. Agger and his injuries have been supported for years by the club., i dont think six more months is too much to ask, skyrtel was probably told he could leave in the summer if someone came in, but not in Jan. If w
    And if we do manage to qualify for CL, how many games then?
    No sell nobody in january we may possibly need. Lets qualify for CL and come the summer re-evaluate.

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  26. Daniel shouldn't be crying about not being in the team. In fact I thought he loved the club so much because he the fans still loved him despite very rarely getting a full season out of him. When we did get him playing more last season he was guilty of some terrible lapses. He feels he belongs in the team, then he has to make himself undroppable.The fitness team has done a great job keeping Agger fit but it's his own job keeping himself in the team. Skirtel has certainly benefited from the change in stance about keeping possession. He looks so much more assured now that he can just get rid. And from that his defending has improved. If we were to change focus again would Skirtel be the man for the job? I'm afraid that I believe that all the other CB options fill me with confidence on the ball much more than Skirtel does. Form, injury and horses for courses might make this whole argument moot. But if it does need to be decided then I think that we need to find out whether Agger and Sakho can play together in the two CB roles. We have seen plenty of right sided players play on the left side of the two so can a lefty play on the right? I can't see anyone going in Jan. But the summer will be a different story. Sakho is 23 and as we all know this new ownership is planning for the future by buying young. At 28,28 and 31 Agger, Skirtel and Toure are no spring Chickens. You could argue that Agger and Skirtel are in their prime but Toure is not and was Agger's prolonged stay in off the treatment table a one off? Like I say I don't see either leaving in Jan but come the summer who knows. If Rodgers decides to change things again perhaps he may feel Skirtel is the man to go. Perhaps Ilori may get a run the FA cup and force his way in to the team meaning both players will be sold. I think it's way too early to worry about this question tbh, despite how much I waffled about the matter.



    352 for most of the season? was it even half?

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  27. I think that it was about the injuries (niggles or no) to the players in the team plus the Suarez question. It would not surprise me if there was a bit of player power over the summer re Suarez. He was not happy that he may be the one to play out wide and so Rodgers gave him guarantees that he would play him centrally. That meant playing both Sturridge and Suarez centrally and his solution was 352. Rodgers has said in the past he likes the 3 at the back and like I said it may have been to appease the players. Add injuries, niggles and youth to this and it sort (emphasis on sort of) makes sense.



    I thought Rodgers was going to sell Skirtel in the summer, he had clearly lost a bit of faith in him, but since there is less emphasis on keeping the ball he has done well. In the future the emphasis may change again and then Skirtel might be gone. But that means the lefties need to play together.

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  28. He is capable of bringing the ball out but doesn't do it as much as people seem to suggest.

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  29. I honestly don't think that it was a case of Sakho instead of a midfielder. Were we not after Willian late on in the window? We had clearly tried to get some targets and failed. We had been after a first choice CB all through the window and no one was complaining at the time. Toure came in and did much better than anyone could have expected and Ilori is not prem ready.

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  30. Skirtle is looking at his bets after being dropped. If dropping players means that they play to their best then this competition for places is a good thing and I wish we had it more in the rest of the team.

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  31. Agger is complaining now just like Skirtle was last year. Look at Skirtles form now after being dropped for so long. These prima donna players go to the press before they get their sh!t together on the training pitch. Like I say Skirtle is in the best form he has been in for ages after his non subtle threats, if Agger continues in the team it should be because he is knuckling down. He has been guilty of losing focus and Sakho breathing down his neck shoul not help him keep his focus. If not dropped. I don't think the manager and certainly not the fans should be worried about some player whining to the press. Look at Suarez! He tried to force a move and that didn't turn out and now he is on fire. That was a "mess" and it may not have ended but it is going very well. Who cares what they are saying to the press. It's what is happening on the pitch that matters.

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  32. I am sure he did,Skrtel..

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  33. In fairness Robbo it's not as usual as we would like. I think it's fairer to say that Henderson's end product is not at the level we want it to be yet. I think there are plenty parts to his game that could improve. Having said that I think he has the mindset and commitment to try and do it. I would have to say I think he is not yet a very good all rounder, but hopefully he will be.

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  34. Same with the Mignolet situation I think Slip. A very good point.

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  35. Not at this point. None either. No chance. They're the the team.
    If you ask me the problem is that Sakho was never worth what we paid for him. That causes stress and confusion.

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  36. Why not? They won't find a better short-term fix eligible to play in Europe anywhere ...

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  37. Biggest honesty is that for the money paid for Sakho we should have got a much better center back - Than this problem wouldn't even exist. Either stay with what we got and see how the form develops till summer - or i would only give up Sakho; I can't let either Skrtel or Agger go at this point. No chance.
    Plus it's weird that Bentiez will only want one of them for they play in different sides. ?

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  38. Having 4 top CB's fighting for a place in the starting eleven is not a bad problem to have, especially when we have no choice but to qualify for CL this season. That is what we have been lacking for many years i.e. competition for places. If one player performs badly he will lose his place = performances levels are at the maximum.


    If one of Skrtel or Agger do not leave in January 2014 then one of them will most definitely go next summer.


    Skrtel could also be in the shop window. Napoli only wanted to take him on loan whereas LFC wanted a permanent deal so January could see Benitez stumping up the cash for a permanent deal and would decrease the wage bill even further and make space for a top midfielder?


    There must be a real good reason why Rodgers signed 2 CB's. FSG would not have sanctioned the Ilori and Sakho deals just for the fun of it...

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  39. Actually if we manage to pull it off and buy a TOP CB for that money that will be perfect.

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  40. Rodgers is forced to play Sakho anyway. You just can't spend 18m on a centre back and leave him on the bench. Plus: Agger & Skrtel didn't work that well last season ... Rodgers admitted as much, when he dropped Skrtel in favour of Carragher after the Man Utd away game.

    Also: Skrtel is better suited to 3-5-2 than he is to 4-2-3-1. He will likely be dropped again sooner or later in favour of either Sakho or Touré. Consistency was always an issue with Skrtel, too, so we might just see another loss of form over the next month ...

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  41. Get Montoya, A better LB than Enrique, Sell Sakho and get a better CB. Get two great Midfielders, one extra striker. Sell the dead wood - And were all set.

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