Over the last few weeks, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has repeatedly confirmed that he plans to bring in new players during the January transfer window, and according to Anfield legend Mark Lawrenson, three specific areas of the team need attention.
In his column for the Liverpool Daily Post this week, Lawro urged Rodgers to sign 'a central midfielder, a striker, and a left-back', adding:
"Liverpool don’t want to jeopardise their good position by not being proactive in January.
"They could be able to prise a striker out of somewhere, especially if they continue to stay up near the top.
"Henrik Larsson went to Manchester United for a few months back in 2007, and Liverpool could do with someone like him"
Lawro seems to be suggesting that Liverpool go for an older, experienced striker who'll basically serve as a stop-gap for the second half of the season. In his book, Alex Ferguson describes Larsson thus:
"On arrival at United, he seemed a bit of a cult figure with our players. They would say his name in awed tones. For a man of 35, his receptiveness to information on the coaching side was amazing. At every session he was rapt. He was into every nuance of what we did. In training he was superb: his movement, his positional play. His three goals for us were no measure of his contribution"
That certainly sounds like the type of player LFC could do with, and I personally think it's a better idea that spending big money on first-team striker who'll probably expect to play most games. With Suarez in the team - and Sturridge to return - that 'aint gonna happen, so a *quality* squad player who won't mind being on the bench a lot of the time may be the best option. That could either be an older head, or a young, hungry striker.
Is Lawro right about the positions LFC need to strengthen? A central midfielder is a must, but should the Reds focus on a defensive-minded player, or a more attack-minded midfielder?
Ideally, LFC need both: proper competition for Lucas, and a proven, experienced midfielder who can *regularly* score/create goals. Yes, Jordan Henderson had a stormer against Spurs, but his goals/assist record this season is nowhere near good enough, and his goal at White Hart Lane was his first in SEVENTEEN games. It would be great if Henderson now went on a goalscoring run, but history suggests that's unlikely.
Allen and Lucas are not going to score/create regularly, and Gerrard hasn't scored from open play in over TEN MONTHS, so there is clearly a creative void in LFC's midfield. The goals of Suarez and Sturridge have papered over these cracks so far, but it would be foolhardy (IMO) to ignore the problem in January. What happens if Suarez gets injured and/or has a barren spell?
Left back remains a problem position for Liverpool, and Aly Cissokho clearly isn't the answer. Additionally, it seems like Rodgers acknowledge this as he keeps leaving the Frenchman out of the match-day squad. The Reds should just cut their losses, dump Cissokho in January and bring in someone else to fight it out with Jon Flanagan.
Who should Rodgers sign?
Author: Jaimie K
In his column for the Liverpool Daily Post this week, Lawro urged Rodgers to sign 'a central midfielder, a striker, and a left-back', adding:
"Liverpool don’t want to jeopardise their good position by not being proactive in January.
"They could be able to prise a striker out of somewhere, especially if they continue to stay up near the top.
"Henrik Larsson went to Manchester United for a few months back in 2007, and Liverpool could do with someone like him"
Lawro seems to be suggesting that Liverpool go for an older, experienced striker who'll basically serve as a stop-gap for the second half of the season. In his book, Alex Ferguson describes Larsson thus:
"On arrival at United, he seemed a bit of a cult figure with our players. They would say his name in awed tones. For a man of 35, his receptiveness to information on the coaching side was amazing. At every session he was rapt. He was into every nuance of what we did. In training he was superb: his movement, his positional play. His three goals for us were no measure of his contribution"
That certainly sounds like the type of player LFC could do with, and I personally think it's a better idea that spending big money on first-team striker who'll probably expect to play most games. With Suarez in the team - and Sturridge to return - that 'aint gonna happen, so a *quality* squad player who won't mind being on the bench a lot of the time may be the best option. That could either be an older head, or a young, hungry striker.
Is Lawro right about the positions LFC need to strengthen? A central midfielder is a must, but should the Reds focus on a defensive-minded player, or a more attack-minded midfielder?
Ideally, LFC need both: proper competition for Lucas, and a proven, experienced midfielder who can *regularly* score/create goals. Yes, Jordan Henderson had a stormer against Spurs, but his goals/assist record this season is nowhere near good enough, and his goal at White Hart Lane was his first in SEVENTEEN games. It would be great if Henderson now went on a goalscoring run, but history suggests that's unlikely.
Allen and Lucas are not going to score/create regularly, and Gerrard hasn't scored from open play in over TEN MONTHS, so there is clearly a creative void in LFC's midfield. The goals of Suarez and Sturridge have papered over these cracks so far, but it would be foolhardy (IMO) to ignore the problem in January. What happens if Suarez gets injured and/or has a barren spell?
Left back remains a problem position for Liverpool, and Aly Cissokho clearly isn't the answer. Additionally, it seems like Rodgers acknowledge this as he keeps leaving the Frenchman out of the match-day squad. The Reds should just cut their losses, dump Cissokho in January and bring in someone else to fight it out with Jon Flanagan.
Who should Rodgers sign?
Author: Jaimie K
I'll be available from 1st January,, and I don't mind warming the bench either. I'm versatile in that I will play anywhere you want and as an added bonus I'll do it for a season ticket for next season.. Give me a shout if that is good with you and I'll give you my details. Cheers
ReplyDeleteMatic. And even though I don't think we -need- a lb,Kolarov seemsto be available for 17 mill...
ReplyDeleteNo post about Suarez signing his new contract JK?
ReplyDeleteYour name says it all mate .. dream on ;)
ReplyDeleteFar to mainstream ;)
ReplyDeleteA striker, CM, and a left back?
ReplyDeleteStriker-having a quality 3rd striker to spell a tired/injured SAS would be nice...but he's going to sit the bench a lot. But if we get a couple of good quality MFs, why couldn't Coutinho be the third guy?
CM - definitely yes --defensive or attacking? one of each please. Rakitic and Salah come to mind for attacking. But we also have Alberto who should be playing more. Don't forget Suso either. Witsel might have had enough of the cold by now.
LB - don't need one tright now. We have good guys and we have young guys who can play...let's stick to the mid-fielders
There wont be cuz it would mean being positive about the club
ReplyDeleteNow that Suarez has signed new deal, we need more players of his calibre, class and quality at club.
ReplyDeleteAnd Rodgers needs to bring in these 5 players in January:
1: DM: M'Vila(23) Of Rubin Kazan for 10-14M to compete with Lucas
2: CM: Y Cabaye(27) Of Newcastle for 15-18M to compete with Henderson
3: RW / RWF: M Salah(21) Of Basel for 10-14M to compete with Sterling
4: LW / LWF: D Capel(25) Of Sporting Clube De Portugal /Lisbon for 4-7M to compete with Ibe, so we can send average/mediocre V Moses(22) back to Chelsea
5: FD: L Remy(26) Of QPR( on loan at Newcastle) for 6-10m to compete with Sturridge to play alongside Suarez
Jaimie- wrong about Suarez again! ;)
ReplyDelete17 mil is way too much for Kolarov.
ReplyDeleteI doubt that QPR have the right to recall Remy. Even if they did, they're probably banking on him next season if they get promoted. My expectation is that they loaned him out to a Prem team partially because of his wage, but mainly for the player's benefit in a World Cup year in return for his loyalty should they get back in to the Premiership.
ReplyDeleteAlso I'd be reluctant to pay that much for M'Vila considering his disciplinary problems and his decision to play at a less competitive level (presumably) for money.
ReplyDeleteCabaye, excellent player, but pricy and we wouldn't get too many years out of him. How's his injury record? I've noticed he has missed a few games for Newcastle.
Easier said than done. Who fits this bill. Everyone says Berbatov, but I could imagine Fulham making things awkward.
ReplyDeleteAny suggestions people?
Great comment by the guy above.
ReplyDeleteAgree completely.
youre a freak hahah :) but i agree with you
ReplyDeleteYou would look at central/defensive midfield and another attacking option as the two main areas for improvement (IMO). I reckon realistically these could work-
ReplyDeleteCm/DM- diame, m'villa,rakitic banega, a cheeky attempt for Alonso maybe in jan
Then attacking wise- salah, shaqiri, morata, tello, mata (would love this), berbatov(one that could do well for us- if the real verba turns up),
Glad Suarez signed a new deal, I didn't expect this but its great. YNWA
ReplyDeleteI disagree with them all but salah , would people just drop chapel and remy
ReplyDeleteWhy so we need Alonso ? Sounds like a vanity signing to me ...
ReplyDelete