In May, Reports suggested that Brendan Rodgers planned to axe at least eleven players this summer, with Reds defender Kolo Toure reportedly one of those on the 'surplus to requirements' list. Toure had a mixed first season at Anfield, and with Liverpool reportedly ready to let him go, the Ivorian could soon be on his way out of Anfield.
According to The Independent today:
* Trabzonspor want to sign Toure.
* Liverpool will consider offers for the defender.
* Trabzonspor president Burak Gürdal is flying to Liverpool this week to hold talks with the club over signing Toure.
With Liverpool almost certain to sign another centre-back this summer, Toure's chances of playing regularly next season seem slim, so it will come as no surprise if he exits the club this summer.
When asked about his Anfield future in May, Toure hailed LFC as an 'unbelievable club', but suggested that he may have to leave if his playing opportunities continue to be restricted. He told the official LFC website:
"I will speak to the manager and we will see what will happen. I am a leader and I like to play a lot. I like to help the team from on the pitch rather than the bench. We will see"
This seems very clear to me: Toure will speak with Rodgers about his playing possibilities next season, and based on the answer received, he'll decide whether to stay or go.
Like so many other LFC players, Toure - described by Rodgers in February as 'brilliant' - made some costly errors during the season, and I can't see Rodgers placing his trust in the 33-year old to the extent that he makes him a staple in the first-team.
I like Toure; his enthusiasm, vocality, and leadership are exactly what Liverpool need in defence, and to be honest, I'd rather see Sakho leave ahead of him.
Granted, he made a couple of mistakes, but when Toure gets the ball, I'm not immediately afflicted by the 'Sakho Effect', which I define as an 'immovable sense of creeping fear and dread'.
Maybe I'm being too harsh on Sakho; I was initially in favour of his signing, but so far, there's not much to indicate that he's the long-term solution. Hopefully, he'll prove me wrong next season.
Author: Jaimie K
According to The Independent today:
* Trabzonspor want to sign Toure.
* Liverpool will consider offers for the defender.
* Trabzonspor president Burak Gürdal is flying to Liverpool this week to hold talks with the club over signing Toure.
With Liverpool almost certain to sign another centre-back this summer, Toure's chances of playing regularly next season seem slim, so it will come as no surprise if he exits the club this summer.
When asked about his Anfield future in May, Toure hailed LFC as an 'unbelievable club', but suggested that he may have to leave if his playing opportunities continue to be restricted. He told the official LFC website:
"I will speak to the manager and we will see what will happen. I am a leader and I like to play a lot. I like to help the team from on the pitch rather than the bench. We will see"
This seems very clear to me: Toure will speak with Rodgers about his playing possibilities next season, and based on the answer received, he'll decide whether to stay or go.
Like so many other LFC players, Toure - described by Rodgers in February as 'brilliant' - made some costly errors during the season, and I can't see Rodgers placing his trust in the 33-year old to the extent that he makes him a staple in the first-team.
I like Toure; his enthusiasm, vocality, and leadership are exactly what Liverpool need in defence, and to be honest, I'd rather see Sakho leave ahead of him.
Granted, he made a couple of mistakes, but when Toure gets the ball, I'm not immediately afflicted by the 'Sakho Effect', which I define as an 'immovable sense of creeping fear and dread'.
Maybe I'm being too harsh on Sakho; I was initially in favour of his signing, but so far, there's not much to indicate that he's the long-term solution. Hopefully, he'll prove me wrong next season.
survey tools
Author: Jaimie K
Think you're being very harsh on Sakho. His first season was pretty good (if not quite what you'd expect of a €19m player), but he's young for a centre back and should get better. He seems like a natural leader, so if he can apply that to our back 4, he'll hopefully do very well for us.
ReplyDeleteToure is done at the very top level. Great player and a good man, but we should let him go to somewhere he can get more playing time
I always thought he was a one year type of player, I refuse to believe we will need him this season. Though he had put some good performances..
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of defense is there a real possibility(threat) we will line up Glen Johnson and Enrique in our firs CL match? i STILL RATE THEM BOTH, BUT IT SEEMS A BIT TOO UNRELIABLE FOR that level.
Bloody caps lock...
IMO, Johnson has become a liability at right back over the last 12 months sadly. It's odd that he looks a much better defender when he plays left back.
ReplyDeleteA smart guy guy said on this site that he might be more concentrated when played out of position..
ReplyDeletemakes sense as it is definitely concentration issues that have caught him out - wonder who that smart guy is? :-)
ReplyDeleteB Rodgers should sell K Toure(33) for 2-3M
ReplyDeleteAnd B Rodgers needs to ship out these defensive and attacking players this summer also :
1: GK: B Jones 2: GK: P Reina 3: RB: M Kelly 4: RB: G Johnson
5: CB: S Coates 6: DM: L Leiva 7: CM: C Coady 8: RW: O Assaidi
9: FD: F Borini
And bring in these 6 Defensive players:
1: GK: M Vorm(30) Of Swansea for 2-4M
2: RB: S Aurier(21) Of Toulouse for 6-8M
3: CB: D Lovren(24) Of Southampton for 17-21M
4: CB: S Caulker(22) Of Cardiff for 7-9M
5: LB: B Davies(21) Of Swansea for 9-11M
6: DM: B Matuidi(27) Of PSG for 14-18M
Maybe you are being too harsh on Sakho? Young leader of France defense vs well passed his prime, once a great player..
ReplyDeleteSakho is a scapegoat and has been since he joined LFC. I am not the ***ONLY*** person to say this by the way.
ReplyDeleteI think it was OriginalChan, not sure. But I do miss his posts..
ReplyDeleteHa - I assumed it was you! OC was very good.
ReplyDeleteNo, I just liked the post..
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to OriginalChan? Also enjoyed his comments.
ReplyDeleteDon't know. There was also Anteater, ChocolateChib, and another guy- forgot his name.. Them and Jaimie got me hoked on this site..
ReplyDeleteHe's not going to do the biz for us this season ship him out.. Great player in his day but he's too old now.
ReplyDeleteArgument incoming...
ReplyDeleteswans have accepted a bid from the spuds for davies (£10m).
ReplyDeleteI have made my point. There is no pointy in arguing it.
ReplyDeleteI don't really fancy the idea of Kolo playing and taking the playing time of younger CBs like Wisdom, Kelly (if they're to be used there), Ilori or even Coates but we have such a young squad, it'd be wise to keep some older heads around.
ReplyDeleteAh, go on. Do you disagree with my statement? Consider it unfair? Or do you think it's alright?
ReplyDeleteTake your best shot, I can take it! :)
Jason Carr? Think he is continuously predicting the end of LFC elsewhere now...
ReplyDeleteI've made that point, but can't say I know if OriginalChan did too. I can't have been the only one to think it.
ReplyDeleteI also always thought Johnson played better against quicker players too, like Bale, because he had less time to fanny around and had to be on his game.
I still have nightmares about watching Danny Murphy skin him at 4mph.
Think he is in a clandestine subterranean mega-base trying to devise the most elaborate and dastardly takedown of FSG anyone could imagine.
ReplyDeleteFor the good of the club.
Squad for the match
ReplyDeleteJones, Agger, Coutinho, Lucas, Allen, Ilori, Borini, Suso, Ibe, Kelly, Coady, Skrtel, Flanagan, Adorjan, Smith, Phillips, Rossiter, Wisdom, Jones, Ward, Teixeira, Peterson, Stewart.
Starting eleven: B Jones, Kelly, Ilori, Agger, Smith, Lucas, Rossiter, Coutinho, Suso, Borini, Teixeira.
Substitutes: Ward, Allen, Ibe, Coady, Skrtel, Flanagan, Adorjan, Phillips, Wisdom, L Jones, Peterson, Stewart.
Finally we get to see Illori play a game for LFC.
He's regularly on one of the Anfield.com sites - i liked him. He's still not forgiven Jaimie judging my his description...
ReplyDeleteSurprised to see now Can.
ReplyDeleteNo I'm Brian ;-)
ReplyDeletePoint to an occasion on which Sakho was shaky and we'll analyse it? These claims that Sakho is bad are never backed up by anything other than a feeling or a general sense, or an impression. It's a contentious claim, that flies in the face of the judgements of seasoned football people, and I'm yet to see it backed up.
ReplyDeleteMaybe this match = Shop window?
ReplyDeletehahahaa i see like all player there dressing up for potential suitor
ReplyDeleteLooking at the line-up, you can't rule that out, I suppose.
ReplyDeleteOn this is Anfield...
ReplyDeleteHe thinks Sakho is a world beater, trust me..
ReplyDeleteLINK, anyone?
ReplyDeleteI like Toure and would sell him at the last; there are other guys who should go long before him like Reina, Coates, Allen, Assgas, and even G Johnson who I used to like but was gravely disappointed in last season.
ReplyDeleteTry fırstrowsports.eu
ReplyDeleteTry fırstrowsports
ReplyDeletenope..
ReplyDeleteTwist,
ReplyDeletewhat do you think of Arturo Vidal, DiMaria and Blind. Selling Assaidi and Allen and buying Vidal would still add cost but we would get grit and mental toughness. I watched DiMaria in the game vs Althleti and he was tireless and very effective.I think caulker is a goner elsewhere. Would you be shocked in LFC / FSG cowboyed up and signed Pedro?
Played well at the start of the season and I believe he would have been a positive influence on the squad in general throughout the season, but unfortunately he will probably be remembered for his assist to anichebe. Still if we got him for free last year and if we can make over 2-3m off his sale then it would make sense to sell him. It would be fairer on him too to let him see off his career on the pitch rather than the bench! Id keep him in the good books either way and maybe offer him a coaching role when he hangs up his boots.
ReplyDeleteAnd if the talks of Agger going are true we shouldn't sell him till his replacement is in! Lovren, varane, benatia, inigo martinez, javi martinez, are all quality. Cb is too important a position to be caught short!
http://firstrowusa.eu/soccer/first-brndby-vs-liverpool-row50b223
ReplyDeleteCheck your email.
ReplyDelete??
ReplyDeletefirstrowusa dot eu/soccer/first hyphen brndby-vs-liverpool hyphen row50b223
ReplyDeleteTried to post the link but went for moderation. See above, hopefully that will help!
ReplyDeleteit's up now, but google couldn't find a match for my bloody search.. You are watching it?
ReplyDeleteOn tv.
ReplyDeleteHaha.. I fcuking hate you.. Do share some thoughts from time to time..
ReplyDeleteLead the charge logan, I'm right there with you on this one!
ReplyDeleteOn a personal note, I've seen what he can do in an environment he's totally comfortable with in the French national team and PSG prior to Silva. Once he's totally settled I'm sure we'll see him become a huge asset for us
I suspect that Barca were only willing to sell Pedro or Sanchez and I doubt Pedro would push for a move, at this point at least. I suspect our chance to sign Pedro has been and gone.
ReplyDeleteVidal and DiMaria would be dream signings.
In South Africa we have a service called DSTV. Shows pretty much all EPL, CL, Europa League, La Liga, Bundesliga etc matches.
ReplyDeleteExpensive but well worth it!
I hope sakho with a season and a World Cup under his belt will be a better player next season. Would rather give Ilori a place in the squad and move toure on
ReplyDeleteIs Suso in charge of free kicks?
ReplyDeleteMust be honest. I hardly even heard the commentator mention Suso's name.
ReplyDeleteAnd Llori gets injured?!? Not the best of starts..
ReplyDeleteI was always convinced that balloon Jason Carr was Jaimies alter ego !
ReplyDeleteLooks like it. May be precautionary.
ReplyDeleteIs he a critical realist, an unrealistic critic,a negative optimist or...
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of injury? Muscle strain or did fall awkwardly or something?
ReplyDeleteHamstring injury I read..
ReplyDeleteI don't think that is entirely fair.
ReplyDeleteA sense or impression isn't worthless. The players who play alongside Sakho are human and a sense of insecurity transmits quite easily to fellow players. You only have to look at the Crystal Palace game to see the effect of that.
The idea of 'no harm, no foul' doesn't exist in top level defending. If a player messes something up but nothing comes of the error, the rest of the team doesn't think 'meh'. It puts them on edge. Consider the effect of that ballooned backpass Sakho played to Mignolet (against Tottenham I think, someone here will remember- it was awful). Mignloet nearly gave away a pen trying to control it but we got away with it. That puts your defence under pressure and gives the opposition confidence.
I remember Lawrenson (not everyone's favourite pundit, but certainly a 'seasoned football' person) during the World Cup talking about how you can see that he plays (or is at this moment in time) playing with a certain insecurity and that inspires forwards because they're waiting for that error. Someone like Suarez has a field day when players are like that.
Also, I could comb through his games and point out specific failures, like against Newcastle (mix-up with Cissokho, Dummett scores) or against Swansea when he lunged in and we conceded but I think the other thing I've talked about is more important. Compare it to the way Kompany dominates. He still makes mistakes from time to time, but he rarely transmits anything other than confident control.
Thanks. Hopefully not too serious.
ReplyDeleteAlso read Ibe set the game on fire, assisted too! He'll be as good as Sterling, at least..
ReplyDeletei worry about sako if im honest in fact i worry about the entire defence
ReplyDeleteNeeds to work on his finishing.
ReplyDeleteWith respect, that's totally ridiculous.
ReplyDeletesurely sell if we can get 2M for him?
ReplyDeleteIt's like Ferguson having a go at Henderson because of his gait. Sakho is unsettling because of how he appears but he's a totally effective player, he passes the ball very well, he's quick and strong and very rarely mistimes his sliding tackles. Fans will need to get used to it because he's going to be a Liverpool player for quite a while.
ReplyDeleteJamie has to have someone to complain about. With Suarez gone he's just warming up his Sakho campaign.
ReplyDeleteWarming up? The Sakho 'campaign' started last season ;-)
ReplyDeleteSent from Samsung Mobile
Deference to what Vermhat said below which is that if Sakho has an air of uncertainty about him then it can also unsettle his defensive partners. I can see how this would happen, but I still think it's more likely the fans feel this way than other players on the pitch. No one else in the team is spending the match watching Sakho, they just assume he is doing his job, which he does. When you're under pressure to defend you're focused on your own job. Sure, if another player is out of position it will throw you off, and that's something I think Liverpool have a problem with, but I think it's a team issue, not just Sakho. Our wing backs consistently got caught out and I actually think that was our biggest problem. Sakho looking a bit ungainly and unsure on the ball isn't something that seems to worry his team mates, and that's backed up by the fact that we build from the back and had no trouble scoring goals when Sakho was on the pitch. Note very clearly that Jamie says the Sakho effect is when Sakho has possession, not when he's covering defensively. His running style is weird, he's not naturally two-footed and he seems to take a fraction longer to deliver a pass. I don't really see how that can impact his ability as a defender and his 90+% pass success rate is the best in the squad.
ReplyDeleteFor me the Sakho Effect is:
- A new player in a new league in a new country
- An established defensive partnership
- Injuries during the season
- A team with poor defensive tactics, an inexperienced manager and an attacking philosophy that almost renders defending irrelevant
- A guy who looks a bit strange when he runs with the ball and fans who have nothing better to do than single out scapegoats to "blame" for losses
You're still in pre-season. Sure, you've had a world cup to keep fit but you didn't play much and in terms of club football you're still a bit off the pace. Give yourself until the season kicks off, then you'll be in full swing and you will be ready to pick up where you left off. I expect "The Sakho Effect" to be the number one reason why teams score against us next season, at least when I read about it on here.
ReplyDeleteNo, you're 100% wrong about this. I will only criticise Sakho if there is a legitimate reason to do so. Last season, I didn't post a single Sakho-centric article, even though I could've done so. I was constantly on Suarez's case because there were constant legitimate reasons to do so, and his behaviour regularly brought the club into disrepute. Sakho is different; he's not a trouble-maker; he's just not performed at an optimum level yet.
ReplyDeleteAnother very eloquent post and some very good points. You should ask jaimie about writing a guest article
ReplyDelete;)
ReplyDeleteI think the running joke around here is who you're going to pick on now that Suarez is gone. If I'm willing to be impartial for a second I can acknowledge that you are mostly justified (if not always right) when you write something about a player, but we'll happily try and rile you up by saying otherwise.
What i do not get is: Before we even sold L Suarez(27) B Rodgers was promised 60-70M. And he has now spent 60M cash
ReplyDeleteWe have now sold the 3rd best player in world for 75M, so B Rodgers should be given the full 75M to spend and he should bring in another 35-40M Selling / shipping these 10 players out: Huge whole sale clear out:
GK: B Jones GK: P Reina CB: K Toure
CB: S Coates RB; G Johnson RB: M Kelly
DM: L Leiva CM: C Coady RW: O Assaidi
FD: F Borini
I think A Vidal is a good player but he is not worth 30-35M and that is what Juventus wanted. But B Rodgers could bring a class quality DM for a quarter of Vidal's price who has experience( E Banega(25) Of Valencia)
Di Maria is an amazing player but for 40M , he does not score enough goals.
D Blind is a good defender but i would prefer B Davies(21) Of Swansea to be signed as he knows the premiership inside out.
The thing is people say we should not do a Tottenham,we would never do a Tottenham as they panicked and brought players who did were not better than what they had the previous season.
B Rodgers needs to spend 70M on these 4 attacking players:
1: CM:B Extrebarria(27) Of A Bilbao for 15-20M to compete with J Allen(24)
2: CM: M Sissoko(24) Of Newcastle for 8-12M to compete with J Henderson(24)
3: RW/RWF: Pedro(26) Of Barcelona for 22-28M to compete Sterling(19)
4: FD: L Remy(27) Of QPR for 8-9M
And 50M on these 6 Defensive players:
GK: M Vorm(30) Of Swansea for 3-4M to compete with S Mignolet(25)
RB: S Aurier(21) Of Toulouse for 7-9M to compete with J Flanagan(21)
CB: S Caulker(22) Of Cardiff for 7-9M to compete with Sakho
CB: D Lovren(24) Of Southampton for 17-21M to compete with Agger and Skrtel
LB: B Davies(20) Of Swansea to compete with J Enrique(27)
DM: E Banega(25) Of Valencia for 5-7M to compete with Can and Gerrard
I honestly think that our defense is just 'under-performing' and the reason for this IMHO is not having a genuine leader who will grab his unit by the throat, give them a good shake up and demand better performances from them. If we can acquire one of these leaders then I would have full confidence in players like Flanagan and Sakho and whoever putting in better shifts. From what I hear Lovren is one of these. And BTW, I whole heartedly believe that its OK to pay the extra 2-3m pound to get a player like this.
ReplyDeletefair play but think defensive targets should be;
ReplyDeleteLoïc Perrin 28 French CB / DM
Mats Hummels 25 German CB
Dejan Lovren 25 Bosnian CB
Marcos Rojo 24 Argentinian CB / LB
Ricardo Rodriguez 21 Swiss LB
Attacking targets
Jackson Martinez 27 Colombian STR
Edison Cavani 27 Uruguayan STR
Loïc Rémy 27 French STR
Carlos Vela 25 Mexican RWGR / STR
Alexandre Lacazette 23 French FWD
Bojan Krkic 23 Spanish FWD / WGR
there's enough talent here to sort our team right out