13 Aug 2014

Transfer Miracle? - LFC favourites ahead of Man Utd to sign 'stunning' £55m striker

Despite Brendan Rodgers' apparent interest in ex-Chelsea striker Samuel Eto'o, it seems that Liverpool (thankfully) remain in the market for another top class goalscorer, and the Reds are now odds-on favourites ahead of Manchester United to sign 'stunning' Paris St. Germain striker Edinson Cavani.

According to Sky Sports last night:

"Liverpool continue to head Samuel Eto'o's next club betting, having leapfrogged QPR in the market yesterday. The Reds also head the market on Edinson Cavani's next club"

Speculation over Liverpool's alleged interest in Cavani has intensified over the seven days, and over the weekend, ESPN claimed:

"Liverpool have asked after the availability of Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani".

Cavani's Agent, Claudio Annellucci, also confirmed Liverpool's interest, when he told Uruguayan newspaper El Telegrafo:

"Cavani heard proposals from Liverpool and Arsenal. He would love to play in England, but has not made a final decision. He's not interested in money and fame; he just wants to be happy playing football."

Liverpool were also linked with Cavani in 2012, and at the time, his Agent told reporters:

"Liverpool and Arsenal are the first clubs that Cavani has agreed to talk to. It is no secret that Edinson want to play in England. It is one of his greatest dreams".

Liverpool are currently 11/10 favourites to sign Cavani (with Man Utd 2nd favourites), and Reds fans are definitely in favour of the move. A few days ago, I conducted a poll asking whether LFC should sign Falcao or Cavani:

* 15400 fans (approx) voted (the poll is still ongoing)
* 62% of participants chose Cavani.

Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson is seemingly not enamoured by the idea of Cavani at Anfield, and in his column for the Liverpool Echo this week, he noted:

"I can't really make my mind up on him [Cavani]. If his Napoli form then he would be a fantastic signing. Recently, though, he's played second fiddle to Ibrahimovic and Suarez, so we've not seen him at his very best".

Cavani may not be at his 'very best', but his creative return is still excellent:

* 25 goals/7 assists in 43 appearances.
* Goal/Assist every 1.3 games.

The above stats prove that Cavani is an extremely effective asset, even when played out of position. Imagine how he'd perform in a central role for Liverpool, with Coutinho, Sterling and Sturridge around him...

But therein lies the rub: both Sturridge and Cavani are at their most effective when played centrally, so if by some miracle Liverpool manage to sign the Uruguayan, it could conceivably create more problems that it solves.

Cavani - who cost PSG £55m - is an exciting potential signing, but I just can't see it happening. It's very rare for players who cost so much to leave their clubs after a single season, and Liverpool seem incapable of attracting the elite of Europe to Anfield.

That said, Liverpool do (historically) have a record of signing great strikers, so perhaps that run will continue with Cavani...

Author:


148 comments:

  1. he will be adirect suarez replacement

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  2. I would not pay more than 35 million for Cavani and certainly only half of the 300k per week he is rumoured to be asking.
    He is over priced and a little over rated Eto'o on the other hand is expensive wages wise but in my books is finished.

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  3. I can't imagine PSG are interested in letting him go. It would surely only happen if they are being pressured by the FFP rules. But if they are open to offers and Cavani fancies a move then I think Liverpool would be an attractive option to him. He'd like it here for the same reason Suarez did: the attractive football, the history and heart of the club and the great fans. PSG might have more money but if Cavani want's to play in England then Liverpool honestly seem like his best option.


    Is he worth the likely 60 million pounds transfer price? That's a tough call. It's a hell of a lot of money but when Cavani went to PSG he was leading Suarez in goal scoring terms. His record at Napoli was extraordinary, amongst the best goals per games return of any modern player. Given that we sold Suarez for such a monster fee I think it's reasonable to consider spending a similar amount on a similar calibre of player. I think with the right adjustments Cavani can get back to his absolute best.


    The reality of how Liverpool operate with a front three is that there are no clear cut positions. Sterling flies all over the place, he can operate on any flank, down the middle, it doesn't matter. Sturridge tended to play centrally and to the right. Suarez played centrally and to the left. The two strikers generally alternated as to who came deep and who was left on the shoulder of defenders and that role switching happened during games, not from one game to another. So if Cavani came he might theoretically operate on the left side of a front three or as a second striker in a 4-4-2. There are plenty examples of two up front working well and Suarez and Sturridge had no issues combining well and both scoring plenty of goals. I don't see a conflict there, it's just a question of the two strikers having an understanding with each other and Rodgers is the right man to develop that.


    I'd see our main option being to play a 4-4-2 with a diamond. Gerrard plays holding with Henderson and Lallana/Coutinho just in front. Sterling plays at the point of the diamond and then Cavani and Sturridge are two dedicated centre-forwards.


    It's nice to dream ...

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  4. PSG are under pressure with FPP rules have been since the end of last season buggered if i know how they paid for Luiz.

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  5. Gerrard in a 4-4-2, come on Adam...


    I think with Suarez gone it's an opportunity for Rodgers to fully implement his system and put his ideal players in their ideal positions, no more accommodating players. As I result I think we will be more of a 'team' in the sense that we control games better and keep the ball better.


    With 4-3-3 (Sturridge in the middle a must) we are a very fluid team. Lovren and Skrtel should be ready to go and Manquillo provides the natural fluidity of a proper fullback, not a one dimensional player like Flanagan or Kelly. If you get me, everyone there clicks, it all seems to gel.


    So, a Remy type player would be a good back up for Sturridge if not let it be Borini. But IMO the team doesn't need Cavani and we shouldn't change the team dynamic because of one signing.

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  6. simple not worth 55m but we 100% need world class striker .
    I still have feeling Ian ayre will say we tried hard but Failed .
    So Borini will be Sturridge replacement .if he gets injured which he does;
    Otherwise they would of sold Borini already to Sunderland.

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  7. Doesn't appear to me that the system will be much different to last season barring the outside possibility of a 4231.

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  8. I mean, they couldn't buy DiMaria because he was too expensive, and we all know what that 'too expensive' means. So you'd think they'd like to free up a bit of space so they can sign big players in the future...

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  9. Jaimie, reading your articles about marquee players is like taking a girl home only for her to tell you she won't do the dance.

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  10. I'd rather have Bony for less than half the price.

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  11. If Cavani comes to our Club....Then that would be the Proper Squad with Depth in Every Position...We can compete for the title Again...YNWA

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  12. I have my doubts about whether this would happen.....because I don't believe Rodgers would want Cavani..I don't think we need another elite level striker who has to play because of what it means for the system. A lot has been made of our defensive problems last season and put down purely to the need for personnel, granted we did need a more of organiser and that's why we have brought Lovren. But if you listen to Rodgers many post match interviews last season and the comments made since, it is the system also that contributed to our issues.....playing the diamond with two forwards narrow simply means there is no covering wide player to track back when the full backs are forward, and given the fact that their starting position when we have a goal kick is the half way line, I believe this is a problem. You can't play Sturridge wide....you talk about those Cavani stats in Ligue 1 but Studge got 21 in 26 starts in the league last year....he has earned the right to play up top, and you can bet Cavani would want assurances that he would play through the middle if her were to come... Then we have the same problem as last year, but would be accommodating an inferior player to do it (Cavani). People get caught up in the need to sign a world class striker but we already have one. How much would Sturridge be worth on today's market with that record. He is a better player than Cavani for me and we should look to sign back up only. Bony if he lowers his wage demand to something reasonable (50-60k Max) or if not Eto'o for a year until Origi is back.

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  13. I would too. We've had a really good transfer window, but we still need a proven quality striker and if We can sign Bony for Borini +£5m (or less), then that is great business

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  14. I am not a huge fan of the Bony deal but I would take him over Eto'o and Cavani anyday. As you pointed out Jaimie, both like to play centrally so this is a no-go for me already. I noticed that Gameiro was not in the Sevilla squad yesterday. Is a double deal on the cards?

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  15. Agree. I think our defensive frailties were down to the system because we had so many attacking players and barely any cover. Eto'o is not a player I would want. i would want a Gameiro or a Lacazette type of player.

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  16. I don't believe a word of it..

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  17. Didn't Cavani openly criticize Rodgers as well for the Suarez transfer saga.

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  18. Instead of spending 55m on cavani buy rues for 30m and he can play on the right

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  19. If we can get him for 35m and not more than 150k per week then i say bring him on!! But i thinks Rodgers prefers to find some cheaper striker and take him to Suarez level...But if he cant find striker on the market then he should sign Etoo as a short term solution until some better striker is there.

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  20. I just remembered. We were linked with this guy many times before. What happened to the Jordan Rhodes links? He could be cheap and reliable backup for us;

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  21. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:03 am, August 13, 2014

    yeah lets sign a lot of championship players that will help us win the premier league, you sir are a genius!

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  22. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:06 am, August 13, 2014

    cavani last year said :

    "The Liverpool coach can talk about loyalty and disrespect, but maybe he needs to look up what it means.

    Luis had the chance last year to join a big club like Juventus, who went on to win the league in Italy. But, instead, he chose to stay and fight with Liverpool. Now, that’s what you call loyalty. I’ve known about his agreement with Liverpool and understood that he would be leaving, if they were not playing in the Champions League.”

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  23. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:07 am, August 13, 2014

    i dont think cavani is a fan of rodgers

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  24. He doesn't know Rodgers and was commenting on press stories about his mate, Mr Suarez.

    Football is a fickle old game, i wouldn't read too much into that.

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  25. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:09 am, August 13, 2014

    fans criticized torres after he said he wanted to play at a "higher level" and interpreted it as him saying liverpool are not as big as chelsea


    so cavani quote can also be interpreted as him saying liverpool are small "had the chance last year to join a big club" , also if liverpool did not finish in cl position you can bet he will throw his toys out the pram like robin van persie

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  26. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:11 am, August 13, 2014

    but do we need a player like that ,
    he was clearly trying to help suarez move on
    that is wrong thing to do ,

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  27. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:13 am, August 13, 2014

    The Liverpool coach can talk about loyalty and disrespect, but maybe he needs to look up what it means.

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  28. Thank you sir. What is so bad about Rhodes? The guy scores close to 30 goals every season albeit in the lower leagues but would not cost that much. Cavani for 50 mil or Rhodes for 10.

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  29. You know as well as I do that a 4-4-2 operated as a diamond with no actual wingers uses the same 3-man deep midfield formation as 4-3-3. If you want to be pedantic you could call it a 4-3-1-2. Why do you think I explicitly noted that Gerrard would play holding just behind two other midfield players? We used that exact formation a number of times last season.


    You're advocating for playing one less striker, effectively what we had last season but without Suarez. I'm comfortable with Sterling on the right of a front three although he's developing into a more central player, but the other compromise is to have either Coutinho or Markovic on the left. It's not that I don't think it would work but in what reality is that not a step down from what we had last season? The 4-3-3 wasn't in any way a compromise for any player last season because that left side attacking role was perfect for someone like Suarez. I'm interested to see how Markovic goes but are you really indifferent to having Cavani in that position instead?

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  30. 9 goals in 21 appearances for Chelsea isn't a bad return. As an option for a year until Origi is ready then it might not be too bad an idea.

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  31. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:14 am, August 13, 2014

    the thing is rhodes is too simmilar to lambert in play and quality




    i think we will sign danny ings next summer though to replace suarez if he has a good pl season

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  32. Normally what dictates the betting market is the amount of money being laid on a particular direction, if people start throwing money at Cavani in the hope of making a few quid then he's 'backed' into favourite.It seldom has a lot to do with statements or media headlines.Personally wouldn't want Cavani, i'll take Reus.

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  33. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:16 am, August 13, 2014

    how much would he cost ?60m , no way
    we should not bid more then 24m for him
    60m should be spent only players between 23 and 26 not 28
    but if we can get him for 20m and 150k a week i would be alright with it

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  34. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:18 am, August 13, 2014

    especially when you have silva and marquinho

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  35. It's funny he said all that and he himself wasn't considered a key player at psg

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  36. Ings is a good player but has only been around for one season as a main player. The names being touted around are underwhelming. i do not want Cavani. Arrogant and as you said, criticized Brendo in publiv. Falcao is a no with injury issues. Icardi is too expensive. I would settle for Bony now that we got the best out of the Moreno deal but his wage demands are too high. Helll no'o to Eto'o. Rhodes seems like a reliable and cheap option compared to the others.

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  37. The voice of reason.9:23 am, August 13, 2014

    It all makes for a good story, but that`s exactly what it is Cavani won`t be coming to Liverpool nor will Eto,o! Brendan will be looking for a cheap striker not a £200k per week headache in S,Eto,o Or a overly inflated £50m E,Cavani, all we need is somebody to take the load off D,Sturidge someone quicker than Lambert, and stronger than Borini so yet again we`re back to W, Bony. I know its obvious that Loic Remy didn`t pass his medical with a minor heart defect, but if he`s still going to play in the Premier league for QPR, then why doesn`t Rodgers take a chance on him himself? I would like to see him as back up for Sturridge more than all the above mentioned players, i think Remy would well be worth his fee of £8.5m so i hope Brendan and the LFC medical team can reconsider, and hopefully come up with a plan of action maybe monitoring his condition daily.

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  38. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:24 am, August 13, 2014

    but he clearly has no ambition playing for the venkys , why not join a side like leicster and play pl rather then earn big bucks at balckburn

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  39. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:25 am, August 13, 2014

    it is not even worth thinking about remy joining




    bony would be alright now

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  40. Spirit of the Shadows9:25 am, August 13, 2014

    I don't think he'll be available for less than 50 m because even though he hasn't been his best at psg he still has a great workrate. He'll fit in nicely but he isn't the player worth the massive price tag and wages. Honestly for that price it's better to chase someone with that extra spark like dimaria and play sterling up front

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  41. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:27 am, August 13, 2014

    i dont think sterling is ready to play upfront maybe just off sturridge like sanchez played just off vargras for chille


    but not upfront by himself


    i wanna see markovic play upfront though

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  42. Actually, I indicated in the Dortmund thread that I'd love to see Suso in the mix and, lets remember that Rodgers will start Lallana when he returns, making the 4-3-3 even more attacking.


    I don't want to see two up top to suit one or two individuals which displaces everybody else and makes everybody else less effective. Coutinho won't play the 10 in a diamond if Lallana is there. If Lallana is there where is Sterling? And the thing I dislike the most, Allen and Hendo being slaves in the wide midfield role, Gerrard in the middle who last season couldn't even mark Jonjo Shelvey. The diamond last season was a reactive approach from Rodgers and it was also somewhat experimental along with the 10 other formations we used.


    Now, there is an opportunity for Rodgers to use what he prefers. We've seen all throughout pre season it's going to be 4-3-3. The system is in place and it's already effective enough. Yes, Suarez is gone but you discredit everybody else. I've suggested we will be a better team in terms of controlling things and keeping the ball and it seems Lovren will be a real leader in defence, too. I'm backing Sturridge as the main man and Coutinho and Sterling look like they will pick up where they left off last season. You want Cavani for a crazy price, couple weeks ago you wanted Di Maria for 60 Million. It's not feasible for Liverpool and IMO, we don't need them anyway.

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  43. Any idea why my comment was removed ?

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  44. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:35 am, August 13, 2014

    team vs southampton:
    .........................................sterling............sturridge
    .....................................................coutinho
    ...................................allen..............................henderson
    ....................................................gerrard
    .................................johnson...............................manquillo
    .................................................lovren.......skrtel
    .........................................................mignolet


    if flanagan is fit he starts ahead of johnson , or if moreno can be registered in time
    markovic should be on the bench if just fit too much of a risk to put straight back in
    my biggest dilemma is allen or can


    do people agree with this side ?

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  45. Would prefer Cavani didn't sign for LFC !

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  46. Don't think betting market is an accurate indicator of Liverpool managers intentions !

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  47. SSB, Sturridge, Sterling, Bony9:37 am, August 13, 2014

    Rather see Can starting than Allen otherwise you are probably right. A bit hard to guess the fullbacks with 5 possible starters but Johnson/Manquillo is a good guess and so is Enrique/Johnson.

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  48. Suarez was awesome but I bet he lost possession of the ball over 100 times. Especially during times when we needed to hold on to it and soak up some pressure.


    I think we will still have the flair and the spark this season but we will also be more disciplined. We will control things far better. Less Palace games if you like. I think Lovren is top quality and someone like Manquillo adds fluidity to the team. Who knows if he will play well but there's no comparison with Flanagan or Kelly.


    I think you said it a few days ago or it might of been gilstrap but I believe too, that the stars did line up for Liverpool last season (and we still didn't win the league...) but this season I believe there's a decent foundation in place and with Sturridge and Coutinho looking good we don't need a big money savior in the form of Cavani.

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  49. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:39 am, August 13, 2014

    i hope by the end of the transfer window johnson is nowhere near the squad ,


    interested to know why you prefer can to allen?

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  50. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:39 am, August 13, 2014

    i think it is bony or eto !

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  51. SSB, Sturridge, Sterling, Bony9:41 am, August 13, 2014

    Can has been better than Allen preseason. And Allen usually disappears completely in 2nd half so for me he is max 60 min player. He can come in later in the game when Liverpool wants to calm down the game with posession.

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  52. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:42 am, August 13, 2014

    just saw this on skysports:

    The Times reports that Samuel Eto’o has turned down Liverpool’sinitial contract offer but hopes to receive an improved deal. Evertonare also said to have expressed an interest in the former Chelseastriker.

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  53. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:44 am, August 13, 2014

    why is rodgesr overpraising sterling so much right now?


    does he want to increase his value to sell him on later?

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  54. Out of interest do you post bully slap down vids on youtube?

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  55. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:45 am, August 13, 2014

    he does , 100%

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  56. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:46 am, August 13, 2014

    i think allen works harder and completes more distance
    against southampton last season he was really good

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  57. The voice of reason is an LFC fan, that's really made my day:) :)

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  58. Agree with most of the side but Can instead of Joe and Moreno instead of Glen.

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  59. Your narration is ledgendary! This may sound weird but if you're from London I'd love to catch a game. To clarify I'm not gay!

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  60. Please, Brendan, the time to step away is now.

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  61. The Remy deal would have been perfect but that's dead, talk of Cavani & Falcoa seem to far fetched. I agree that Bony is a viable option & perhaps Jackson Martinez!

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  62. Knowing Porto, we aint getting Jackson Martinez for cheap.

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  63. fabregas we thought wasn't a fan of Mourinho

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  64. As goal scorers go he's good, big & strong may be not blistering quick but no slouch either! I'm with you on the price issue which is why Bony is probably our best option!

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  65. I don't think the text box will accommodate my clumsy sketch of how the team would look - but I'd go with Gerrard holding, Lallana in front on the left side midfield and Henderson on the right. That's where they play anyway and you still seem to think I'm talking about a 4 man midfield with wingers, I'm not. Those roles are what I've seen those players in last season, Lallana especially, and it's not as if they need to hug the sideline, it's the same as if would be in a 3 man midfield. Henderson is a right sided football player, that's undeniable, just like Lallana is left sided. They don't have to be charging down the wings to fill that role and Rodgers doesn't use his midfielders like that anyway. Maybe it's a negligible distinction.


    Sterling or Coutinho play the 10 role at the top of the diamond with two strikers in front. The versatility comes in that Coutinho can also swap in for Lallana. People think he's wasted playing central midfield where he has to make more tackles but I disagree, I'm excited by the idea of having his kind of creativity sitting deeper. I'm actually not convinced that playing Coutinho on the left side of a front three is his best position.


    Yes, another striker puts one of Sterling, Lallana or Coutinho to the bench but I also don't subscribe to the idea of a static starting 11. With the amount of work these players are asked to do they simply can't play Sunday-Wednesday-Saturday and that's when you have no choice but to rotate them. You pick combinations for what's required in a particular game, there is no assumed "best 11".


    The biggest issue I have is the drop in quality when Sturridge isn't playing. Talk about not all players getting on the pitch - I'd rather we had too many players rather than too few. Every time Sturridge missed a game we had Suarez able to play alone up front and lost nothing. Remy was a nice option but I can't see that rotating in Borini is good enough, and neither does Rodgers. Having two top class strikers provides the best possible coverage in all situations vs the unenviable prospect of having to use someone from the bench. I'd just rather have too many players than too few.


    Not to mention that Cavani would be more than capable of playing on the left side of a 4-3-3 anyway. So what's the objection? If we have to financially prudent then sure, I'm always supporting of that, but if the player was available and wanted to come here and we had the money to spend ... I just don't understand turning that down just because it doesn't fit perfectly into a 4-3-3 every single match.

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  66. BR has a plan and has bought players that specifically fit that plan. For example he wants high pressuring attacking fullbacks with pace. By the looks of it Moreno and Manquillo fit the bill. He wants goals from Midfield in order to try and somewhat decrease the gap left by Suarez. Lallana can score and create as shown in the past two seasons. Can's forward runs also look exciting. One more decent striker should do it but I do not think it has to be a 30+Mill striker.

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  67. 4-3-3 is one of my favourite shapes but I'm not banging on about it due to personal preference, I'm sticking to it because all indicators suggest Rodgers will walk into the new season using it. You're right that Cavani could play wide, or you could just put Sturridge wide and Cavani central. Cavani would be a good signing the more I think about it but I maintain we could go by just fine without him and a dedicated back up for Sturridge would suffice. Let's remember we have Origi to return.


    My understanding of the diamond midfield is somewhat different to yours. There is a difference between the 4-3-3 midfield and the diamond midfield. In the diamond midfield the two central midfielder's role is usually but not always a 'wide midfield' role. This means that they are primarily central but because you have a number 10 and two strikers centrally, there are no wingers to cover your flanks in defence, so in defence the central midfielders strafe wide, the 10 would drop in the hole. A perfect example is Saints v Liverpool, a good match up was Hendo v Shaw down our right for the whole game.


    On the other hand, in the system you describe where the midfielders would sit as ordinary 4-3-3 midfielders, there would be far too much space for the opposition to exploit out wide because you have no midfielders tasked to the wide areas.


    Just from my experience watching and assessing the game, the diamond system isn't very successful at the top level. I objected to it last season with a passion. We couldn't keep the ball as well and individuals like Coutinho and Hendo suffered. I just don't think it's worth switching to just to throw your favourite individuals onto the pitch. The option to go to 4-2-3-1 and have an extra attacker is available too.


    The Dortmund game was only a friendly but I felt our attack was pretty devastating and when Lucas came on and unleashed Hendo it got even better. Last season we finished 2nd largely due to SAS having awesome seasons. However, the Dortmund result was due to there being a specific system in place with everyone working well together and I'm hoping we will grind out results this season due to our specific system and play style rather than Suarez bailing us out. Okay, there's no Suarez this time round, but we look a better team.


    You've made a good case for Cavani, but people are so fixated with big name out, big name in. If Cavani was really coming Lambert and Origi should not have been bought. So let's just go with what we've got now. If you dump Borini/Assaidi there's room for more. Ultimately, we will just have to wait and see what happens.

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  68. why is everyone rating can ahead of allen? Can has offered very little this pre season to earn himself a first team place and Ive been v disapointed. other than his physical presence, hes no better then allen. I just dont think he knows the system as yet, always seems to be wandering.. and is subsequently taken off half time. Huge potential mind.

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  69. If you live in London it would be great to catch a game!

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  70. The only reason he has struggled is because PSG put him in a bad position for him, as Ibhrimovic is the main striker and he is put on the left or right striker (mostly right, Lavezzi left). He is a main striker nothing more, if he plays with Sturridge at the centre he would be better. He is worth that and I don't care about the pay, he is a world class player, who we need.

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  71. He should have kept his mouth shut when Suarez was with us.

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  72. What Uruguay to blame to for his shitty performances go away with your excuses for that money he should not struggle in those positions in that league.
    He is totttally over rated.

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  73. Dont need Cavani and his outrageous pay claims but be realistic another striker who is probably similar in attributes to Suarez would be mighty handy.

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  74. Theres a lot of SMOKE AND MIRRORS going on as well as a lot of dis-information, speculation and diversionary tactics being deployed by Liverpool in the transfer market .

    This is good thing, as it stop our competitors in the market from really having any idea what we are up to.

    Personally., I agree with Jaimie I think this wont happen for a number of reasons.

    1) Whenever we are after players at the elite level we cannot compete financially in terms of wages or price

    2)We have a history of when going for players William,Mkhitaryan,Eriksen as examples they CHOOSE (we dodged a bullet as well) other clubs.



    That having been said the best news I heard today was that Kelly was on his way.
    How this guy managed to stay so long in the squad is beyond me, truly a awful player.
    How ANYONE on here had the nerve to call out Johnson while allowing this player to go relatively unnoticed mad.

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  75. Pay that lay about 300k a week when Suarez is only on 200k p.w that idiots not fit to tie Suarezes bootlaces.
    Did you see him in the world cup very average actually only really only done much in Italy not world class in my books but definitely a world class price.

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  76. Greg - please stop personally insulting Cavani. Please read the notice above the comment section.

    Sent from Samsung Mobile

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  77. Tell him i'm sorry but u know i am right.

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  78. I'm being pernickety here, but 11-10 is not "odds-on"

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  79. I can't remember who wrote it but I think it has a ring of truth. LFC don't buy world class players. LFC makes world class players and then tries to keep them.

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  80. (...not that there's anything wrong with that).

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  81. I don't know about Cavani. Those stats were in France. Bony's stats were just as good 26 goals/ 9 assists in all comps last year. He is a proven PL goal scorer. We could get him for a LOT less than what Cavani is going to cost. If we get Cavani, the price will dictate that he plays...always. If we take Bony that pressure lessens quite a bit.

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  82. I have a differing opinion but I'm happy to leave things at that! This is not the best forum but I'm all for tolerance of polarising opinions.

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  83. Hopefully by the end of the transfer window it will be

    Sterling. Sturridge. Rues


    Lallana. Continho


    Gerrard



    Moreno. Lovren. Skirtel. Manquillo/Johnson

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  84. It was a Seinfeld reference.

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  85. Apologies that went over my head!

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  86. Yes, but I think we will pay around 20mn anyway. Actually Liverpool will like to pay the full add ons as it will mean that player has come good.

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  87. Apology denied ;-)

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  88. Serenity Now!


    Sent from Samsung Mobile

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  89. Where would Reus play now that we have Sterling, Markovic, Hendo, Ibe, Allen, Coutinho, Lallana, Can, and Suso. As good as he is, we just don't need another MF right now. We need an out-n-out striker.

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  90. Toure released a statement that he rejected Turkish side as we want to stay at this 'Legendary' club. Of both the defenders, I thought Kelly will be the one who would reject and fight for his place. Reminds me how we nearly lost Hendo for Dempsey. BR got that one terrribly wrong and thanks to Hendo for staying.

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  91. For some strange reason I expect United to win the League.

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  92. You mean where would Markovic, Hendo, Ibe, Allen, Lallana, Can, and Suso play don't you?

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  93. If you're going to convert someone into a striker from our current crop of players why not think about Suso?

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  94. Ah the voice of the junk mail king :)

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  95. In my opinion, Lallana, Lovren, Moreno, and Markovic would not have come here if we didn't have Champions League to offer.


    If you consider the levels of players on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the most talented, we are now attracting in that 5-7 range.


    Last year, without the Champions league we were stuck in that 3-5 range.


    If we establish ourselves perennially in the Champions League AND increase our wage offers, we will start attracting that 8-10 range.

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  96. In my opinion, it's because we aren't offering the wages that they want.


    I think the overall transfer fee is not as big of a deal this year only because we have the Suarez money.


    But the club has worked hard to get the wage bill under control, and they're going to want to create an incentive-laden contract, which is relatively unattractive to a player when compared to a guaranteed contract.

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  97. You got a link Bob?

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  98. twitter.com/_The12thMan/status/499529821949796352

    Link isn't working for me now, but was working twenty minutes ago.

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  99. I personally don't believe it. But it makes more sense than an already known heart defect strangely enough

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  100. Tried to post, but it's not working anyway. Will try to find another.

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  101. Pelligrini has to drop a foreign player from his CL squad. It looks like he's chosen Alvaro Negredo...WTF? Can you imagine what Negredo is feeling right now? He score 23 goals in all comps for them...5 in the CL...and he gets the axe? Hmmmm...wonder if he wants a move?

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  102. Exactly. A player proving he is worth the higher fee rather than having to live up to it.

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  103. Might explain why BR was so terse about the deal's collapse. It's Remy's business what he does in the off-season...but I'm sure BR would look at that as a deal killer and move on without a second thought...much better to be done with it totally than have it be a daily worry during a season. If true it sends a good message to the team and to anybody thinking LFC would be a good career decision.

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  104. It would fit the scenario, although you're right to be cautious, it's a pretty serious allegation to be throwing around. However it does go to show that no matter the reason Liverpool are right to keep this kind of information under wraps. It just wouldn't make sense for a club that didn't sign a player to go around blabbing about why.

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  105. Just a heads-up - I'll be deleting all tweets related to this rumour in a few minutes. It's totally baseless at this stage, and I don't want this site to engage in rumour-mongering about a player's personal life.

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  106. hopefully we will be able to keep Sterling and Coutinho when Real , Barca come calling

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  107. I have a sneaky feeling that the fee is that low because there are some ridiculous add ons in the deal. We initially offered around 16mil if im not mistaken and that was rejected. Their president has always said that we need to pony up to get our man. Now all of a sudden the fee is 8mil less? If we did put in add ons, I really hope they aren't really stupid ones that will have us paying out that 8mil (or more) before we've kicked off this Sunday!

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  108. Pretty sure you've been slating my man Sakho from day one….just saying ;)

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  109. Why is it a miracle? We are in CL and they are not! Any self respecting player should go to a club that gives him a chance at the highest level and Cavani choosing LFC should not be considered a miracle.

    It will be great if it happened!

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  110. I think he means that we do not usually sign these kind of players and if we do it indeed would be a miracle. We do not usually sign players from the top of the top.

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  111. Well, you'd be wrong. I was in favour of Sakho's signing, and I'm sure someone who's a regular can confirm that.

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  112. Rodgers must have been counting his blessings because we nearly sold Hendo to a side who just got relegated

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  113. Johnson will leave at the end of his contract, Liverpool want to halve whatever he is on while Johnson does not want a pay cut

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  114. Yes you were in favor of the signing (only after Lovren didn't work out), but soon after he debuted I recall you critising him because of his unorthodox style of play. I feel there was a quote you had somewhere along the lines of "every time he has the ball I think I'm going to have a heart attack" :)

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  115. Yeah but I still think we need more goals from midfield and he would most likely provide them before any of the above mentioned.

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  116. Maybe I spoke too soon if Kolo has rejected the move. Can't really blame him...Liverpool will be a rockin' place this season and he'll want to be a part of that. Besides who'd want to leave balmy Liverpool for cold, clammy Istanbul;-)?

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  117. That looks about right. Lallana would be ahead of Allen if he was fit and Moreno will earn his spot soon enough. But for now I think it will be a heavy reliance on last season's players. Lovren has worked himself in very quickly, he should be congratulated for that. Not sure what will happen to the wing backs because the pre-season selection is not always the key to who plays the regular games. I suspect if Enrique is truly fit then he'll start.


    We'll see what Rodgers really thinks of Can based on how he uses him in this game. The player has had enough time to integrate himself into the side. If he can't push Allen out of the side then you have to wonder what's the point.

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  118. Nevergonnacrackthecode2:58 pm, August 13, 2014

    ye were the first to find to get to Seville and from there we were inseprable thank you for how you have welcomed me just hope that you embrace as you have done to me because you deserve it this is not a goodbye but a see you later hopefully someday podems back TQ brother to play together



    this is what i got form google translate

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  119. Nevergonnacrackthecode3:01 pm, August 13, 2014

    I dont want to stoke conspiracy theories but is the scudamore a liverpool hater .


    last year if i am not mistaken he said man utd not being in the league top 4 is bad for the premier league , now he is saying eh is happy suarez has left

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  120. What worries me though is what he said about his reaction last night. I can absolutely relate to the fact that he's been at this club his entire life and that leaving there always happens with mixed emotions but what he said sounds like the club decided to sell him and he had no choice in the matter but to leave. Had he said it hurts leaving your hometown club but it is a step he wants to make to further his career, that would have made perfect sense to me. But what he's saying to me sounds like he wanted to stay at Sevilla and he could have end up at any given club they would have sold him to. I wonder how well he can do if that is the attitude he is coming in with....

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  121. LFCTV have unwisely decided to broadcast the Micheal Owen story.

    The traitorous money grabber shouldn't get air ..

    Tweet them (@LFCTV) to Cancel IT! ...

    http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/168827-coming-soon-the-michael-owen-story

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  122. Mate, everyone in the FA and the media have some tie with Utd. I do not know why. They could not handle them playing like they did last season and that is why are hyping them so much for this season.

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  123. Liverpool today announced that Alex Inglethorpe has been named in a new role as Academy director.

    Elsewhere, coach Michael Beale, who worked alongside Inglethorpe last season, will take charge of the U21 team for the 2014-15 campaign.

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  124. That last bit gives me hope. Liverpool do have a fabulous knack of bringing in top strikers and why should this season be any different!! Bring it on.

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  125. A former Porto and PSV youth coach Pepijin Lijinders has become the U16 coach. Good times for the academy.

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  126. A relatively poor season for PSG in a weak league, an insistence on playing through the middle (his main gripe at PSG last year was being played wide of the central striker) 1 assist at the World Cup and not much else, and an age where there's likely very little resale value, anyone who thinks this will happen is nuts

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  127. I am hoping and praying B Rodgers does not spend £50-£60M on E Cavani(28). But £60M on these three attackers:


    1: Marquee Signing: M Reus(25) Of B Dortmund for £23-£29M RW / RWF


    2: L Adriano(27) Of S Donesk for £10-£15M FD


    3: W Bony(25) Of Swansea for £14-£16M FD


    L Adriano(27) would compete with D Sturridge(24) Like for like strikers


    W Bony(25) would compete with R Lambert(32) Like for Like strikers


    M Reus(25) would be the club Marquee star signing this summer

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  128. Bony competing with Lambert? I can tell you who wins that one right now.

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  129. Can't argue with you on the new keeper - I think Mignolet is great for us but we could use a better backup than Brad Jones. As for right back, I think Manquillo is just what we needed...we've already got Flanno competing for a spot, and Manquillo's arrival might give Johnson a kick in the rear and get him going a bit...but even if it doesn't I see Manquillo as our starter.


    As for the defensive midfielder...nope. BR would have no interest in a destroyer, he calls that role the pivot for a reason. It's mostly about passing and distribution. A lot of people (not necessarily you) comment on these forums talking about the need for a midfield destroyer, but it's not how BR wants us to play and it wouldn't make us better.

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  130. Good points. Is it just me, or does Moreno look like a young version of Steve McLaren?

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  131. I'm talking about a starting keeper, Mingolet is an accident waiting to happen, Jones is comical.


    Manquillo has played 2 minutes in a friendly. He looked decent, but the prem is a different ball game. It will be a miracle if he plays all season.


    On the defensive midfield role. Teams get STRAIGHT through the centre of us, far too easily, Buck needs to address this for me.

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  132. Theycallmemrburt5:10 pm, August 13, 2014

    wouldnt touch another target man at LFC. We need quick technical strikers.

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  133. I don’t get why so many people would be against this
    transfer, or other transfers for top strikers like Falcao. It’s not your money,
    so what do you care about the cost – it’s not like we’re talking about Carroll
    here, these are proven strikers.



    The only reason Liverpool did as well as they did last
    season was because of their attack. Sure
    the rest of the team has improved, and will probably concede less goals, but
    the current squad won’t make up the difference left by Suarez (either less
    goals conceded or more goals scored). Dude scored 31, assisted 12, won a bunch of
    pens, and was involved in so many other goals. I’m not saying it’s doom and
    gloom without him, rather someone needs to take the place of “El Pistolero” –
    someone with an equally cool nickname like “El Matador” or “El Tigre”,
    etc. Sorry but a Bony-Sturridge,
    Remy-Sturridge partnership won’t cut it. Liverpool almost won due to having the
    best attack – in order to win, they need to have the best attack – even with
    the improvments in defence, Liverpool won’t have the best defense, just not the
    style, so attack it is.



    City have Aguero, Dzeko, Jovetic, Negredo being supplied by
    Silva, Navas, Toure

    Chelsea have Costa, Torres, Drogba, being supplied by
    Hazard, Willian, Oscar, Fabregas

    United have Rooney, RVP, Chicharito being supplied by Mata,
    Januzaj and some other dudes

    Arsenal have Sanchez, Giroud, Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlin,
    Being supplied by Ozil, Ramsey , Cazorla, etc.



    As good as Sturridge is, and Sterling, Coutinho, Lallana,
    Lambert, Markovic, Gerrard etc. are, just can’t see this attack winning the
    league, even if a Bony or Remy are added – even so, Top 4 would be a
    struggle. Add a Cavani or Falcao –
    changes things drastically.



    Don’t get me wrong – huge improvements in depth and defense
    looks a lot better, and players are improving, but at this point, what has been
    done might not be enough to compensate for the void left by Suarez – a player
    of similar pedigree is needed to compete for the title / top 4.

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  134. 16m is the new reported amount post ad-ons. And if we do pay that well it means Moreno's become a valuable squad member (and we've likely won a trophy or two).

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  135. we should not be asking top players do they want to join us .They should be belting down the door to get in to anfield .we have 5 european cups 18 league titles we are the most supported club in the world.We play some of the most attractive football in the world if you an attacking skillfull team player then lfc is ideal

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  136. The thing is Cavani(28) would cost £50-£60M to bring to the club and i doubt he would be a success straight away for that money he needs to be:


    M Reus(25) should be the clubs Marquee signing this summer for £23-£30M


    And as D Sturridge(24) is going to be out for 5-10 games of season at some point, always has and always will due to his dodgy ankles. B Rodgers should spend £32M on these two strikers to help fill the void with lambert(32) whilst shipping out F Borini(23) to Sunderland for £14M:


    1: L Adriano(27) Of S Donesk: class, quality, lively, mobile, pace and good finisher, has champions league and european experience and regularly scores goals in all competitions. Should be brought to our club for £10-£16M


    2: W Bony(25) Of Swansea: Should be brought to club for £14-£17M But if he is wanting £100,000 a week the club should not sanction it at all. He should be on just more than half of that ( £65,000 a week and if he can score goals to win us the league or a trophy or two then maybe get a pay rise in future.


    3: M Reus(25) Of B Dortmund: needs to be the club's Marquee signing this summer, class, creativity, European experience, Mobility, pace, speed and goals with high work rate and he is german international and will only get better. for £23-£30M

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  137. Don't quote me on it, but I think many people are against this transfer because it would essentially push Studge out wide, and many people feel this would be a slap in the face after his input last season.

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  138. I don't know 'Bones and Studge' has a nice ring to it...sort like a detective show on TV. Seriously, Sturridge is a 'world class' striker and will prove it this year. Bony scored with 26 goals last year and pretty much had to do all that himself. If he comes to us he'll be the beneficiary of a very fast, very inventive mid-field. They will be scoring threats themselves and will thus open space for Sturridge and Mr. X....whether that's Cavani or Bony or whoever. I realize you are a little nationalistically biased towards all things Uruguayan...and that's ok because Uruguay sure has been good to LFC, but 50-60 million pounds for a capability that we can get for less than 20 million doesn't pass the sanity check for me. We're not buying Cavani's reputation, we're buying goal scoring skills and I think Bony's are just as good.

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  139. We know who wins that, but that is what it would and should be: W Bony(25) would guarantee the club 15-30 goals a season for £12-£17M is a bargain.


    R Lambert(32) will bring 5-10 goals a season and cost the club £4M


    B Rodgers should bring in L Adriano(27) Of S Donesk and W Bony(25) Of Swansea for combined total of £32M


    So the three strikers of £36M Would have cost less than Half of what we sold L Suarez(27) for £75M


    But in L Adriano(27) would bring 10-20 goals a season


    so those three strikers could and would bring : 30 to 60 goals a season on top of D Sturridge's(24) 20-25 goals a season. And we would have proven goalscorers

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  140. Toure says BR has convinced him to stay at LFC.

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  141. BR has convinced Toure to stay at LFC.

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  142. I think he's the love child of mcclaren, gerrard and alonso!

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  143. Ashley Cole, Alaba, Lahm etc. the list of world class but small full backs is a long one. I don't think height will be an issue.

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  144. colonel cocknocker3:45 pm, August 14, 2014

    I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say I would be much more disappointed if raheem left than when luis did. I absolutely love the kid he's the best youngster i've seen at anfield. I know you say he's overhyped jamie but i'll prove your point- I honestly think he's world class already. There's no one I'd swap him for. An english attitude with amazing technical ability....he wiil light us up this year he's a constant threat to oppositions and because he's so fast he's everywhere and impossible to track.
    A bale type fee might warrant consideration MAYBE but i'd still hold onto him personally. For 20 million I'd ask for ronaldo in exchange instead....

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  145. Just seeing this now. The skill Mignolet has, you can't teach...the skill he lacks you can. He's a fantastic shot stopper and is lacking in terms of command of the box and dealing with crosses, and many of the times he was left exposed on crosses last year was the fault of our RB and LB, who just weren't good enough. But, that skill can be taught, and he'll improve at it I'm sure. Accident waiting to happen though? No offense but that's absurd...Pepe Reina at the end of his time with us was an accident waiting to happen, letting the most random shots past him. Mignolet got screwed over by defensive errors and own goals way too many times to come out looking great, but his pure shot stopping was excellent.


    Manquillo is straight up good, he wasn't just good for '2 minutes of a friendly', he showed it at Atletico as well when he wasn't recovering from that awful fall on his neck. His performance was better than decent, and it wasn't some flash in the pan, it's just the type of player he is...good going forward and good defensively, fast, athletic, and able to pass and tackle well. And clearly he's a tactically intelligent player...the way he was linking up with Henderson down the right after barely being with the squad was very impressive to me. We'll have Flanagan and Johnson to back him up, though personally I'd have preferred Wisdom.


    About a DM...I think the additions of Lovren and Can, as well as the fact that Gerrard should be fully adapted to the defensive duties of his new role by now, will take care of that problem for the most part. I don't see BR bringing in any of that type of player, or at least not a destroyer type...he likes versatility, not one dimensional guys. If he brought in a DM they'd have to be an excellent passer, and he won't bring one in this summer...I think he wants box-to-box type players to be alongside Gerrard, e.g. Can and Hendo, and I at least am happy with that setup.

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  146. I don't rate Mignolet. Reina is a far better keeper. Manquillo played well, but he is very inexperienced. I still feel we need a defensive midfielder. Many good teams have two.

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