30 Jun 2015

Legend raves: Liverpool must sign 'perfect' £15m star; medical completed; done deal soon?

With five transfers already in the bag, Liverpool are on the verge of sealing a deal for 'impressive' Southampton full-back Nathaniel Clyne, and according to Reds legend Alan Kennedy, Clyne is the 'perfect' signing for Liverpool.

Clyne underwent a medical in Liverpool on Sunday ahead of a reported 5-year transfer, and when asked about the imminent deal, Kennedy told TalkSport:

“He [Clyne] is fast, tenacious, he likes to tackle he can get forward. I think he’s just what Liverpool need and will probably go straight into the first team.”

Clyne is set to cost Liverpool around £15m, which is just about good business for an England international with no significant injury history.

Hopefully, if/when the actual fee is announced, it won't be any more than that as £15m is the absolute maximum Liverpool should pay without moving into fleecing territory.

Prem legend Harry Redknapp shares Kennedy's enthusiasm, and speaking to the Daily Star today, he hailed the transfer:

"Nathaniel Clyne to Liverpool is a great move. He took his game to another level at Southampton and I think that’s a great buy by Brendan."

Redknapp Jr. is a also fan of Clyne, and in a recent column for Sky Sports, he enthused:

"I’ve been really impressed with him [Clyne]. He’s athletic, technically good and he’s showing plenty of promise. He’ll learn an awful lot from Ronald Koeman".

With the acquisition of Clyne, the new-look Liverpool team is slowly taking shape, and with the players in the squad right now, the following is (IMO) the club's best line-up:

-------------------- Mignolet

Clyne ------- Skrtel ------ Sakho -------- Moreno

---------------- Lucas - Hendo

------ Ibe ------- Coutinho ---- Firmino

------------------ Sturridge/Ings

In a 343:

-------------------- Mignolet

-------- Can ------- Skrtel ------ Sakho

-------------------- Lucas

-- Milner ---------- Hendo --------- Moreno

----------- Coutinho ---- Firmino

------------------ Sturridge/Ings


In my view, reinforcements are still needed in the following positions (in order of priority):

* Experienced, proven striker.

* Defensive midfield (to replace Gerrard)

* Attacking midfield (Ibe is too inexperienced; Lallana is not consistent or prolific enough; Markovic is unreliable. All three are on the smaller side, just like Sterling, Coutinho, Firmino et al)

* Left back (Moreno isn't getting the job done, and proved last season that he's prone to costly mistake. He should be a squad player).

According to Ronald Koeman Clyne is 'one of the best right full-backs' he's managed 'in the last 15 years', so hopefully the defender will show that he's worthy of that glowing praise.

survey services


Author: Jaimie K


151 comments:

  1. We need a LB( Moreno can't defend as he's a natural winger) a goalkeeper ( we need a keeper who is good with the ball at his feet, and who's to say mignolet maintains his God form given his form previous to that) possibly a DM( we should give can and Ilori a try there during preseason) and a striker( preferably Kevin Volland as not only can he play as a striker when sturridge is injured, he could play on the wing when he's not and wouldn't be too dear)

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  2. Henderson is shit. Liverpool treated gerrard appallingly!

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  3. Lucas look likely to be on his way out (Rodgers don't and have never rated him) and with Clyne coming there's no sens in playing in a 3-4-3

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  4. I agree that an experienced striker is required along with a DM because that is where our squad is lacking in most that all top sides need.

    However an additional attacking midfielder is more of a luxury signing with Firmino and Milner already brought in (And Illaramendi in soon hopefully) we should have enough attacking mids. If need be and Ibe, Markovic and Lallana arent cutting it then we can push Hendo forward because he proved last season that he is a very creative player when given the licence to go forward.

    Moreno, admittedly, had a sketchy season but we shouldn't write him off just yet. He has shown glimpses of what he is about and if he can work hard on the defensive side of his game during preseason then we would have a deadly fullback on our hands. Another full back is required as cover/ competition for Clyne and Moreno with Flanno injured for the start of the season so we might bring in one but not to replace Moreno.

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  5. Moreno has always been a LB where do you get that he's a natural winger ? (he's just an horrible one)
    If we get a striker we need a proven one not a youngster.

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  6. I'm not sold on this signing.


    Chalk it up to spending 61.5m on Soton players over the course of this and last summers.

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  7. Signing a quality RB can only mean playing 4 at the back, with a probable 3-3 of some variation in front of them depending on how much character the players have shown in training that week. Henderson, Can, Milner is an experienced, mobile and intelligent 3 for the middle.
    Leaving lots of options for the main attacking threat in Lallana, Firmino, Coutinho, Sturridge and Ings. With so many fringe players returning from injury or loan, it is difficult to assess what players have improved over the last 12 months. Pre season should provide a better idea of what other positions we need greater strength in.

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  8. Moreno is a natural fullback. That is half the problem.

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  9. Very pleased with the addition of Clyne, great player for a reasonable price, we needed a RB and he's a very good 'proven in the Prem' RB, can't ask for more really.
    With the players we have at the moment I feel BR would be more likely to use Lallana as the third attacking mid, drop or sell Lucas and use Hendo and Milner in central midfield. Milner I feel would be asked to play Gerrards 'deep lying playmaker' role and Hendo will do his box to box Duracell bunny bit (in a good way that is)
    Just a 'marquee' Striker to go and I think we're set really, although one or two more genuine upgrades also wouldn't hurt.

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  10. Was talking to a Sevilla fan recently was telling me that Moreno played as a winger throughout his time at sevillas academy, was only turned into a fullback when he joined the first team.

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  11. Mignolet
    Clyne Ilori Sakho Flanno
    Hendo Lucas Can
    Firmino Coutinho
    Sturridge


    At this point, that would be my starting 11.

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  12. Flanno is not healthy til early 2016 because of his leg. Have to assume for now that Moreno is the starting LB.


    Sturridge won't be around until October.


    Ilori over Skrtel?

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  13. Where do you live Logan? I spent my childhood in Cape Town (10 years), most beautiful city in the world :-)

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  14. You got the lineup spot on with all the square pegs in the round hole,just like how Brendan Rodgers would set up his team. Except that you left out his love child Joe Allen and is pet Lovren. Sakho will be left out Lovren will be in to partner Skertle. Joe Allen, the Welsh Xavi, as described by Rodgers, will be in place of Lucas. The Brazilian has played his last game for the Reds as he will be sold soon. Hendo Headless chicken will be partnering Joe Allen and Chan pushed to the right of midfield and played in unfamiliar positions. Firmino will be captain he has cost the most in the team and he is the new Kop idol to replace Gerrad.

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  15. Ilori over Skrtel most definitely. We need a ball playing CB. I am not saying Ilori is Agger but he he looks likely to be given a chance.


    Skrtel has been part of the problem of our leaky defence over the last 3 seasons. In a back three he is ok.


    F*ck help us if we continue with a back 3.

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  16. And get pass cl group stage

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  17. I think you have summed it up quite well but I do believe Hendo is going to have a very good season.

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  18. With JK as LFC manager we'd be replacing the whole team every transfer window. Never seen anyone write players off so quick.

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  19. I just don't think Studge will go through an entire season unscathed.

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  20. I was watching Chile last night pretty closely, what a fantastic midfield. Best coached team in International football, easily. Sampaoli is just incredible.

    Did you see it? I was watching the way Vidal, Diaz and Aranguiz worked behind Valdivia, thinking about what we've been talking about, how a midfield three or diamond can negate the need for a DM by rotational movement and working hard in and out of possession.

    They were so impressive at it. It takes a lot of game management in order to make sure everyone keeps up their energy, but when it works it's just fantastic, and you don't have this predictable build up. They come at the opposition from all angles, and vary their attacks a lot -- they aren't afraid to try and hit the forwards early.

    I think what really makes it work, the necessary part of the puzzle that we lack, is having genuine pace and and quality up front. I don't see how we could play that way without having a proper darter like Sanchez somewhere in the forward line.

    Lacazette or bust!

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  21. That would just be my preferred starting eleven at this point irrespective of who is available.

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  22. I like Moreno, and yes he has character. give him time.

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  23. Er... yes he is!?

    ... just to see what it feels like ;)

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  24. who do you put his place if get' injured. I just
    hate the idea to move Firmi higher up the pitch

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  25. That £15m link actually states the fee is £12.5m...

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  26. this u-21 sweden side looks mean Robo

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  27. There are so many things wrong in this paragraph I don't even know where to start...

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  28. Hendo is so shite that he got 22 goals/ assists in all competitions, more than any other player in our whole squad. So bad right(!)

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  29. What about goalkeeper - you've said we need a goalkeeper before

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  30. Perhaps there exists a 'person x' who's views lie somewhere in the 'happy medium' - accepting and certainly not 'ignorant' of historic facts but perpetually hopeful of change for the better.

    So we then have someone who talks of the problems at hand, possibly writing articles detailing these shortcomings; then we have those who acknowledge them but wish and hope for them to improve (the prior is almost certainly also simultaneously in this latter group) and then we have... FSG, who hopefully listen to all parties, put their hands in their pockets and sort it all out.

    And... everyone's happy :)

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  31. Yeah why not.... But the thing is Coutinho has never really looked comfortable on the left and Firmino is not a right-sided player. The day Rodgers plays him there watch everybody slate him for playing square pegs in round holes.

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  32. Fantastic. Poor in-game management from the Portugese I thought. Sweden deserved it... and of course England beat them in the group stage... so in a sense... England are champions!

    Hurray!

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  33. Despite injuries making that line up impossible for the first half a season, it actually looks pretty decent. In fact probably worthy of a top four place IMO. However Rodgers is a stats man and wouldn't have the balls to drop Skrtel for Ilori even though I think would be the right choice. Illori is the future and knows how to play out from the back whereas Skrtel performs admirably in a back 3 but he is an utter disaster with only two Centre Backs.

    If we can then I hope we can get Illaramendi or Clasie to join as one of those along with a striker in the ilk of Aubameyang would represent a job well done by Ayre and co. Not sure if Rodgers gets any credit for the signings because he is on holiday. Either way if we can add some protection for the back four (Illaramendi) and some penetration and raw pace and power (Aubameyang) then we will have United quaking in their boots about their position as a Top Four team.

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  34. GK should be more of a luxury signing since we already have Bogdan (Who, despite playing for a Championship club last season, showed that he can perform admirably in the Premir League) and I think having three senior 'keepers is going to create unhealthy competition.

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  35. It's £12.5m with an additional £2.5m in performance based add ons.

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  36. Oh I soooo know where Lambert's gonna play next season;)

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  37. Not about being left or right. 4-3-2-1 They are not going to play as wingers.

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  38. Clyne is what I would describe as an adequate signing. He is not the best that we can do but for the price, he can play well. Of course, I am not a big fan of buying so many players from the same club but still, this deal is better than the others we have conducted.


    My team for next season
    Mignolet
    Clyne-Skrtel-Sakho-Moreno
    Lucas
    Hendo-Can
    Coutinho-Striker( D Studge if he is fit)-Firmino


    Bench - Bogdan, Origi, Ings, Illori, Milner, Lallana, Markovic

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  39. That is just a myth. Sterling and Ibe are all the only youngsters Rodgers has given a chance to. There have been plenty more of Rodgers' signings/loans who have not been given a proper run in the team.

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  40. We just can't have Mignolet and his janky nerves and poor feet if we're going to make the most of our strengths. I like Simon, I think there's a really good keeper in there, but we need to bring in someone who can participate reliably in our possession game without panicking.

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  41. Looks much better then ;)

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  42. Let's see how much we fleece city over $terling. I want all those additions too case.

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  43. Add ons seem to be the name of the game these days!

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  44. and commanding of the box! i do get the feeling i have heart attack everytime they put a cross in

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  45. That Aranguiz guy really looks a player. I was impressed with him in the World Cup and now in the Copa as well. He would be quite a decent signing.

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  46. Sorry I am not convinced by Mig and don't know enough about the Bog but if he gets a chance we'll see though I would prefer a proven goalkeeper but they are few and far between and I suspect Cech will go to Arsenal

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  47. Now my question is, if Iker is 'flattered' by Roma interest and calls them ' one of the biggest clubs in Europe' i wonder what that makes us?

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  48. That's a good shout, he would! Didn't occur to me to think of him as a potential signing, because I was watching Vidal more closely, since we've been credibly linked with him... But yes, Aranguiz does look decent. Quite similar to Allen both in the good and bad ways :)

    You've got a good eye for a player mate! I'm impressed.

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  49. At least we wouldn't get fleeced for average players. But yes they are dismissed very quickly. "We have confirmed the signing of James F Milner buuuuuut *continues rant* oh and the Mercenary can stuff himself.

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  50. He is more dogged than most which is no bad thing........

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  51. Not long ago I watched our 3-0 win at White Hart Lane again, when we played the diamond with Gerrard-Henderson-Allen-Sterling + Sturrdge-Balo in attack. I can tell you we are capable of doing what you've just said, we were attacking Spurs from everywhere, relentlessly.

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  52. Mig and The Bog.

    Sounds like some ropey 80s kids books franchise.

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  53. I agree completely! So many people are writing him off as if he had a disastrous season. He was good in attack but got caught out in defense once in a while due to concentration lapses. People can't just expect a young LB playing in a new team in a new league to slot in seamlessly without inconsistencies. He needs time that's all.

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  54. Never been too sold on Casillas. He is nowhere near good enough now and is only in the RM team because of politics.

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  55. Somewhere among all the alternate realities, there's one where we kicked on from that game -- Studge never got injured, Mario scored 25 goals, Gerrard's legs never went, Sterling never turned into a bad apple, we walked the league and got knocked out in the semis of the CL in a classic 9-8 aggregate encounter with Barcelona.

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  56. Cech to Arsenal is already done. But I didn't say I was convinced by Migs- what I meant was just that if we are going to buy a new 'keeper then he should replace Mignolet instead of just trying to challenge/ scare him.

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  57. Agree completely

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  58. Yea actually me too but i take him over migs any day of the week, he's just the closest thing to the experienced calm keeper we cant target

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  59. We're outstanding - don't you know

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  60. The good news is we're only a couple of players away from being a team that can challenge for the title, Unfortunately those players are Messi and Neuer!

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  61. It seems quite good because we don't have to pay a big chunk of money straight away- only if the player does well enough which is a win-win (kind of)

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  62. Maybe we should both apply for the scouting team :) Could not do worse than the current lot.

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  63. Some info about the new No. 2:

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3144459/Sean-O-Driscoll-scouting-report-need-know-Brendan-Rodgers-new-assistant-manager-Liverpool.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

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  64. i thin that game will officially move into the LFC classics in no time;)

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  65. A couple of thoughts. BR has bought Milner on a free probably on a pre-condition that he is an automatics starter.

    And also I think LFC will revert back to a 4-3-3 formation (note new coach hire!). Hence based on this assumption, likely starting line-up with current available squad is likely to be:

    Migs
    Clyne-Skrtel-Sakho-Moreno
    Hendo-Lucas-Milner
    Couts-Sturridge-Firmino

    Still expecting LFC to buy a DM and Striker.

    Would also hate Lucas to be sold in favour of keeping Allen - obvious the result of some love tryst BR had on a trip to Wales ;-)

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  66. I like how subconsciously you retained Allen in the side;)

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  67. Well after all he is the Welsh Xavi born out of wedlock when BR sowed his oats on a teenage trip to Swansea.

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  68. WARNING: THE FOLLOWING POST IS OUT OF TOUCH WITH REALITY

    For me we still have these four gaps. If we can get upgrades in these positions... well it doesn't look bad to me at all. Not that I'm greedy or anything but I'm looking at Ospina, Vidal, Laporte, and Alex Sandro :)

    _____

    Clyne _____ Sakho _____

    Hendo _____ Can

    Lallana Firmino Coutinho

    Bench: Mignolet, Origi, Ings, Skrtel, Moreno, Milner, Allen

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  69. Heh, you might not, but I dread to think of the kind of the kind of monstrous disaster of a squad I would create! :)

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  70. In truth all Rodgers needed to do after that was push Sterling further up in Sturridges position and play Coutinho in the n°10 role. Alas it wasn't to be. Here's hoping for sensible decisions in 2015/2016, we know what he is capable of when he thinks straight.

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  71. Very disturbed by the appointment of the new coach for a number of reasons:

    1. The new coach is very much a BR appointment
    2. It would appear FSG clearly trust BR to continue at the moment
    3. BR was therefore responsible for letting go of Marsh and Pascoe - a completely heartless and selfish act to blame others for his incompetence
    4. What will the new coach bring in big time experience of "winning" that the previous lackies failed to?
    5. With the departure of Marsh and SG, there is no longer a Scouse heart left in LFC. Lucas is the nearest thing to that..!

    Ultimately, this looks like a steady-as-you go appointment, waiting for the inevitable failure by Xmas to then wipe the slate clean.

    This decision smacks of short-termism and the fundamental point of why Klopp was not appointed simply to skimp on BR's termination fee.

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  72. I agree those 4 positions probably need strengthening, but at the moment, LFC are only in for a DM and Striker.

    If we can close that out quickly before pre-season starts, I think that would be the best overall close season transfer window we've had since Houllier brought in Hypia et al.

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  73. There's some good work going on isn't there. Good to see. I know we disagree about this, so I won't labour the point, but I like the coaching changes too. There's going to be a fresh look at the club this season, some new ideas and new players, but with stability too, it's not just a rip-it-up and start again approach. Encouraging stuff.

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  74. Begovic is going to Chelsea at a steal for less than £8m.

    Would have been a cheap and simple upgrade on Migs.

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  75. Like the signings as an overall package if we can get the DM and Striker.

    Still, as you know, fear the reality of BR screwing it up with his mismanagement - and most likely to end in tears by Xmas.

    And alas the next guy will be able to take virtually the same players/team and get them to work/gel.

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  76. Could be! I think Rodgers is especially good when he gets momentum -- he's one of those sportsmen who's able to keep the excitement going and push for more, thrives on positive energy. I feel like if we can get a good start then we could end up in the mix again... but that's just close-season fantasy really ;)

    It was shocking o see how bad his teams could be this season when they didn't have that forward drive -- how passive and lost they could be, especially in the communication of play through the midfield. I've still not made my mind up about what was behind those performances. It's only just started to sink in for me how bad some of them were but I haven't had the heart to watch them again yet. What do you reckon? Don't just say "because Rodgers!" -- can you be specific?

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  77. Just thinking further on the above 4-3-3 line-up which I think BR will start with. For this to work optimally, BR will actually need to tweak it during the game such that Sturridge/Firmino run the channels, and Couts stays more central.

    Hence may actually play more like a 4-4-2 diamond:

    Lucas
    Hendo-Milner
    Couts
    Firmino-Sturridge

    This way with the full backs overlapping, the most likely play to overcome the lack of width in the team.

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  78. Highly doubt we will get a new GK. BR signing Bogdan is putting confidence in Mignolet which IMO will most probably not work. I think CB we are fine - Skrtel and Sakho are a good pair and Illori provides a decent backup along with Kolo ( not counting Lovren). DM is an issue obviously. For LB, I think Moreno is good and given time, he will do well for us

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  79. Brendon Rogers do you think ? We could do with upgrading him

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  80. Then within three weeks we'd scraped a win against Ludogorets and lost to Villa and West Ham. It was the West Ham one that was the real disaster, with two goals conceded in the first ten minutes, and then being unable to make a chance tell in the second half... I'm going to watch them both now... wish me luck :)

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  81. Agree with all that, and at the same time I want more!

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  82. Nothing would give me greater pleasure than for LFC to win something under BR - anything!

    Unfortunately, BR over the 3 years he has been in charge has a number of foibles that he can't help but have foot in mouth syndrome.

    1. His primary passion (a good thing!) is to try to play open expansive attractive football. But, there needs to be a balance between attack and defence, and BR has never cracked this. In the last two seasons, we've nearly conceded a 100 goals, never heard of previously in any LFC team.

    2. When things start to go wrong, he does not learn or is unable/or unwilling to fix them straight away. In each of the 3 season in charge, we've started lethargically. But it took him 10+ games before coming up with a change. This is unacceptable to virtually right off 25% of the season before we get started.

    3. When Plan A fails in a game, he reacts too late and there often is no Plan B. He has one of the worst records in terms of making substitutions that impact a change in the game.

    4. At the end of last season he had lost the dressing room. Hopefully, time away and new players may give him a temporary rest-bite. However, if there is still no respect for BR from the senior players, he is a dead man walking.

    5. As much as I believe Sterling and his shameful advisor are to blame for Sterling wanting out, BR mismanaged the whole situation by his over-praise and over-reliance on a teenager, who quite frankly is good but not a world beater at the moment.

    6. Point 5, leads naturally to his press briefings and general hyperbole and arrogance. He needs to learn from the likes of Paisley and be humble yet equally determined to win.

    7. Our record under BR against the top 4/5 teams has been pretty dismal. This needs to change if a) we are to challenge for a top 4, or b) dream of winning the EPL.

    8. BR has too many favourites and he does not pick his teams on merit. Allen is a prime example.

    9. BR, as the final arbiter in transfers, has a shockingly bad success rate in picking new players. And his preference for British brawn over foreign skill/technique is worrying.

    10. As much as there is a misnomer that BR bloods youngsters, the reality is he does not. Only Flanno, Sterling and Ibe have been given a fair crack from our youth set-up.

    I could go on.. but hopefully the above is a fair critique of BR's 3 years in charge of LFC.

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  83. Wow, thanks for all this Neutral, it's very generous of you. I'm having a think and watching a few of last season's key games, looking for the on-pitch explanations... Food for thought.

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  84. Begovic is available at a knock-down price.

    Alas, I think his head may now be turned by Chelsea and we've missed out.

    A while back he was worth £15-20m, now Chelsea will get him for less than £8m.

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  85. Again, I'll point out that I do not hate BR. I just feel he was always the wrong choice, is way out of his depth, and the past 3 years have proved that.

    If any top coach (Moreno, Fergi, LvG, Hiddink, Rafa, Ancelotti) had been top of the league, with points to spare and 3 games to close out the season, each one of then would have won the league. BR showed his inexperience by not doing so, and I doubt he will ever get the chance to do so again, whether with or without LFC.

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  86. I'd start by watching:

    1. The first home game against Southampton, which we were lucky to win despite being played off the park
    2. The away game to Southampton, where we were at the end of our winning streak
    3. The next game against against Man U, when BR did not learn anything from the previous game at Southampton, and where Man U flooded the midfield, and BR could not think of a Plan B.

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  87. Welcome to liverpool nathaniel clyne great signing for us, best rb in england by a country mile. Wish you all the best for coming season. YNWA

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  88. I've gone for Tottenham away, West Ham away, Man Utd away, Southampton away, Man Utd home. It's interesting viewing. Not sure my narrative will be the same as yours, to be honest, and I do tend to look at players more than coaches... but it's interesting to think about it from someone else's point of view.

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  89. Tottenham away was probably our best team performance.

    West Ham away was a loss due to playing Lucas and Gerrard in the wrong positions. Lucas should have played as DM not LM.

    Man U was heartening, as we outplayed Man U but lost the game because of poor finishing and De Gea making some amazing saves. It was also when BR changed tact and his formation to a back 3.

    You know my views of Southampton away and Man U home, when BR was at his worst all season. At that point, we still had hope of a top 4 finish and were the form team.

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  90. It certainly would've helped the cause

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  91. I quite like the look of the 3-4-3.

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  92. I hope Clyne does step up and do the business! He has all the attributes to make it work...So good luck to him

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  93. I think if you modify this slightly to a sweeper system, it may actually suit the players in the squad.

    ie: 1-2-4-2-1 formation,

    With top end like a diamond (Couts #10 with Sturridge/Firmino up top) and with Can playing sweeper.

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  94. In my opinion, our defense struggled specifically because of Stevie playing as the holding midfielder.


    They had no protection in front of them.


    Put Lucas in that position, and the back 4 become better instantly.

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  95. Yeah... That seemed odd. I won't pretend to know why for sure, but perhaps it's because they aren't officially booted until July 1st? I mean, player contracts usually end at that time (or in Jan), so maybe it was the same with the coaches. Marsh will be "released" per say when his is up, and Pascoe's contract will be terminated at the "year's" change.

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  96. Mignolet.
    Cleyn Skrtel Sakho Moreno
    Song Can Kovacic
    Coutinho Firmino
    Sturidge
    or
    #
    Mignolet..
    Can Skrtel Sakho
    Song Hendo Kovacic
    Coutinho Firmino
    Sturidge Banteke

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  97. Haha I think I've never rewatched a defeat in my life. Only focus on the positives, that's how everything should be :-p

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  98. Theycallmemrburt3:34 am, July 01, 2015

    I have the feeling we'll go

    ------------migs

    clyne Lovren sakho Moreno

    ------Milner Henderson

    ---------Coutinho

    Ibe-----Firminho-----Lallana

    If Sktel signs and stays he plays cus BR loves his goal threat. Ive been watching a lot of 'Firminho Vs' on youtube and he hasn't impressed me at all. By and large he has been playing as a 'roaming 9' BUT he has a touch of the Iago Aspas' about him. Lightweight gives the ball away alot and lacks a spark. In the highlight reels he looks a decent player, but when you dig a little deeper and watch im over 90 minutes I'm not overly impressed with what I've seen. I really hope he proves me wrong but at the moment he does look like Iago Aspas with a R-type 'Powerup'

    please prove me wrong, please prove me wrong.................

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  99. Your formation is kinda realistic, except for Flanno and Ilori. Haha...and that makes our spending of 117 mil pounds from last summer seemed abjectly pathetic with only Can making the first 11. I seriously doubt BR will ever use this formation because it reminds everyone his gross negligence in the transfer market, or at least the collective lot of the management who decided those ill-fated transfers.

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  100. He's made in china!

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  101. Linked to that Swede LB... looked solid to me!

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  102. I thought we have great character?

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  103. JK..Milner rejected City only to get more first-team football at Liverpool. Am sure BR gave him certain kind of assurance and I feel he will be in our starting XI

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  104. New GK
    Clyne- Skrtel-Sakho-New LB
    Henderson-New DM
    Milner-Coutinho-Firmino
    New ST

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  105. If our starting eleven was where it needs to be, signing a couple of standout youngsters make sense. The fact is we are not at that point. Need at least 1 real striker, preferably 2. Ings and Sturridge = too many questions.(sadly) Our midfield has questions all over it like useless Allen, aimless Markovic, Sterling (in or out; what's it going to be) and highly breakable and not impactful Lallana. Surely Ibe is a breathe of fresh air and optimism and hopefully Emre Can may be the DM along with Lucas but we need better finishers from midfield & wings because we just didn't create and finish like top 4 teams MUST do. By the way, why didn't w chase Petr Cech?
    Instead of kids we should have 2 simple priorities:
    1. add proven quality starting with 2 strikers and finishing skilled mids
    2. delete the remaining deadwood to help fund the new signings.
    6 or 7 in and 9-10 out. Difference filled by our top youth prospects we ALREADY HAVE. Lets give them a shot and see if they are the goods or not as opposed to BR ignoring them but playing Allen..senseless to me.......

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  106. Completely disagree abou Moreno. The lad had a great start but like so many others, was poorly managed.

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  107. Just stick to American football.you know feck all about liverpool fc

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  108. NotIin a million yrs.another player to loan

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  109. I felt the same watching him at copa america.. looked clumsy and never really in control of the ball.. I'd would also like to be proven wrong...

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  110. Is it official yet? Haven't heard anything...

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  111. Stick to not commenting if you are just going to snipe at someone who regularly posts on here, and has actually contributed in some way.
    Just to be sure, I did a quick check and your main contributions have been 'If you knew anything about football and teamwork, you wouldn't ask that question' and 'unlike city who got handouts from the ragheads'. Forgive me if I say that you clearly know feck all about feck all.

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  112. LLori FOR CAPTAIN - Finally a player at the back who looks comfortable on the ball WHATEVER NEXT

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  113. Pearson sacked at Leicester ???????????/ WHAT ?????????????

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  114. If the plan was to sign Firmino to play as a striker or mainly use him as a false 9 then we have just wasted our money.


    His best position is at no 10.

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  115. All will become clear within the next week but I am not going to be ecstatic about the new season with Rodgers in charge.

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  116. Jaimie, I actually only noticed now that you picked Milner as a RWB :-o

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  117. If Milner has to be in the team, then let him toil away in that role. He can play as a wide-man, and with his much-vaunted work-rate and defensive application, it should be a doddle. I just don't want to see bona-fide attackers like Ibe, Firmino etc playing as wing-backs.

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  118. No, it states the following:

    "The fee for Clyne could reach £15m if certain conditions are met".

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  119. I really hope and pray that Milner is not played there.

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  120. Get off them drugs Logan Ilori over Skrtel hmm.

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  121. There is no doubt that Lucas is the best out of any of our midfielders to shield our defence but can you honestly see him starting matches even if he does stay this coming season?


    Milner would have been guaranteed playing time, Hendo will always start so that leaves us with Can, Allen and Lucas and then maybe another CM addition to the squad. If we did ever go and sign Kovacic (who is not a DM) then Lucas might not even find himself on the bench.


    Skrtel is the first player I would drop if we are going with a back 4.

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  122. I'm in Cape Town, too.

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  123. Ah, yes, thank you kind Logan :-)

    I came across a similar can of worms while doing some research. At the moment we're trying to figure out how to make it to at least more than two of the recommended spots without running out of fuel money along the way.

    Either way, dang right it could be the trip of a lifetime. Nature is awesome. Thanks, Case. Hope we both make it there and forget about transfers for a while :)

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  124. Thanks, Logan! Appreciate it.

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  125. He ran his mouth off before the England game that England won 1-0... which is also obviously excellent behaviour.

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  126. Ghost of Suarez9:40 am, July 01, 2015

    It looks like the fee is 12.5m (Sky Sports, BBC) which is even better considering his nationality and that's he is a regular in the England squad, so these deal looks to have been 'financed' by the impending £8m for Borini and £4m for Coates....probably saving a few quid in wages as well. Telegraph reckon that Pulis is about to make a £3.5m bid for Lambert too....so the deadwood is moving. Provided we get one of Benteke, Higuain, Lacazette soon (one of those obvs more likely than the others you would think) then I may have to revise my view of Ian Ayre's negotiating

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  127. 31 goals at youth level? So what?... in a country that regrads 'soccer' as a girls' sport? So what? Where in their 'professional level' league, the top scorer is Robbie Keane and it's a major deal when some over the hill European signs to play there. So what?
    Probably THE most underwhelming new signing of this decade.

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  128. I very much believe the tripe about BR over hyping players has anything to do with his leaving look at the terrible way in which his agent handled things.
    You cant tell me thats not an agent who is out for a big pay day and cares nothing for his clients reputation.

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  129. we wants him now no more histories please, they have to confirm that the signing of clyne is finish.

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  130. moreno is not good enough as a fullback we need one like clyne on jonson place and moreno side we need another like jone from everton

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  131. looking at a defender like shako, for me is not a defender liverpool need one more defender agresive and very good sense

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  132. Most youth prospects fail. That's the nature of the game.
    Buying and then either farming out or selling youth prospects if they're deemed not quite good enough, is a tactic that CFC and it has netted them a fair bit of cash.
    Yes some will fail entirely but as the outlay is minimal it's a sound business policy.
    Also there's always the slight chance that we'll get another prospect like Sterling who if we sell for £50m we'll make a tidy profit on.

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  133. What about Flannagan and Can? They would both be considered youth teamers when they played under Rodgers.

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  134. Clyne has officially gone through for £12.5m

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  135. Click bait. Getting blocked for criticism..You are pathetic JK.

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  136. Absolutely...

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  137. You can't call me ignorant, and then prescede to edit my reply... That smacks of arrogant ignorance....
    PS. don't worry, I'll ban myself.

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  138. No one said the rest of them ain't shite either ;-)

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  139. My problem is, individually they may look like decent signings but look at what we're adding to our squad: Clyne, Milner, Ings, Bogdan, Firmino. That's hardly something to get really excited about isn't it? It reminds me an awful lot of last summer. I'm not saying their poor players but how they will bring us up a level, I can't see. I really hope the best is yet to come. But I doubt it.

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  140. aqueel siddique1:44 pm, July 01, 2015

    4-4-2 diamond
    ---------Mignolet
    Clyne Skrtel Sakho Moreno
    -----------Can
    ---Hendo-------Milner
    --------Coutinho
    ----Firimino---New

    4-3-3
    ---------Mignolet
    Clyne Skrtel Sakho Moreno
    Hendo----Can----Milner
    Firmino---New----Coutinho

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  141. you mean 2-1-3-1-2?

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  142. Either get off them, or try sharing!

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  143. original-gideon2:49 pm, July 01, 2015

    Probably the fall out from Thailand.

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  144. I agree with you there.


    I was thinking the same thing, which is that our midfield is going to be incredibly crowded, which is part of the reason I think he's going to play 5 or even 6 midfielders in almost every game.


    Milner, Henderson, Firmino, Coutinho, Ibe, Sterling (for now), Allen, Lucas, Can, Markovic, Lallana.

    I would expect all to think they are worthy of starting regularly.


    There are 11 midfielders right there. Let's assume Sterling is out, so we're down to 10.


    Lucas is the only real defensive mid in there, but as you alluded to, he's probably not in the top of the rotation. We could play Can there, but even with his experience defensively last season, I think his best role is further forward.


    As you said, Milner and Henderson are essentially guaranteed to start when healthy. So then you've got 3, maybe 4 spots left.

    Lucas won't start over Coutinho or Firmino. And I don't think he'd start over Lallana.


    Could the formation look like this?


    Clyne-Skrtel-Sakho-Moreno
    -------------Lucas/Can----------
    Milner--------------Henderson
    ----Coutinho-----Firmino----
    ----------Sturridge-------------

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  145. Yep and really don't understand why he is so flagged. Milner is an upgrade and will make the team better.

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  146. I think Firmino can be a real difference maker (and his price tag reflects as much in terms of expectation).


    Clyne, Milner, and Ings are really brought in as improvements on spare parts and are there to really maintain our league position as opposed to improving it. Clyne for Glen, Milner for Stevie, Ings for Borino/Balotelli/Lambert.


    The problem is that our season really didn't work out because we didn't score. Our defending was good for the most part.


    And what worries me is that our main striker target is seemingly Benteke, a player that will cost too much and won't fit our style of play.


    The player that I'd want to fill the void at striker are Tevez or Higuain, and I don't think either are realistic options unfortunately.

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  147. Ghost of Suarez4:32 pm, July 01, 2015

    Actually fee is £10m rising to £12.5m based on success.....even better....

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  148. Redboondocksaint5:15 pm, July 01, 2015

    I keep reading that Higuan is interested in a Liverpool switch, might just be rumors . But lots are saying we cannot afford him is that true though? If my prediction is correct they would let him leave for a fee of 50m. If we sell Sterling to City for 50m we buy Higuan. To cater for transfers we sell Lucas 8m , Borinin 8m, Coates 4m, Markovic 12m , Enrique 3m , lambert 3m, Alberto 4m , Aspas 7m, Bolatelli 7m, Joe Allen 12m and the Fsg would atleast have to give us 30 m for transfers to atleast compete. In total we will have 140 million to spend. We have already spend 47.5 m (Firmino, Clyne and Gomez) leaving us with 92.5m. Buy Higuan 50m, kovacovic 21m and Illarramedi 18m . Line up ............................Mignolet.....................Clyne........Skrtle.........Sakho.....Moreno...................Hendo.......kovacovic.............Milner ...........Firmino.........Coutinho .........................Higuan...........................Bench:Bodgan,Llori,Illarramedi,Lallana, Ibe, Emre Can, Ings(until Sturridge is fit)

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