Liverpool Banter Archive May 09 2014

09 May 2014 20:57:28
Hi lads, I know its a blow to his confidence but does anybody else think its a blessing in disguise that Coutinho didn't make the Brazil squad? I think a full summers rest will be great for him.

Feel a bit sorry for him actually. Maybe being in that environment and them players might have given him a bit of confidence going into the champs league next year.

Can only assume brazil will have one hell of a feckin squad!

I personally think its a bad decision and scolari is a bit of an imbecile. His team selection is a bit bizarre to say the least, and he very much gives players in the brazilian league an equal opportuinty against those who have played in europe. he's taking Jo, the man city flop for gods sake! And fred!

If Coutinho can't make the LFC first XI as a regular, he has little chance of playing for Brazil.

He has one cap from 3-4 years ago (off the top of my head) so it's hardly a surprise he wasn't picked.

Scolari has won the WC before, so I'd be a lot slower in calling him an imbecile if I were you.

Well to be honest I don't think Coutinho did enough to get in the Brazil squad. The side seems to have been picked from the confederations cup last season and barring a severe decline in form, an injury or a massive improvement in form by a fringe player it would always be the same. Coutinho has had flashes in the pan but hasn't consistently lit up this season.

09 May 2014 19:07:57
Hello reds, I would just like to ask a question to ed. Feel free to put yours in as well. We've known for a while now that the areas we're looking to improve in are a LW, left back and a central midfielder. What would be your choice if we were to sign a player for each of the 3 positions?

{Ed001's Note - Arda Turan, Moreno and Medel.}

Lb: Ashley Cole
Cm: lallana
Lw: konoplyanka

09 May 2014 20:50:33
Turan, muller, lallana , all team players . Put in hard yards also

Luke Shaw
Adam Lallana
Jay Rodriguez

Coentrao
Lallana
Konoplyanka

Cole would be good aswell, but not at his wage

Moreno/kolorov
konoplyanka/nathan redmond
lallana/w Hughes

{Ed003's Note - that's cheating.}

Moreno, Konoplyanka & Lallana. However I would not say no to Coentrao and Turan and if we can wangle it Boateng from Bayern if Skrtel were to leave.

Just to be a bit different, I'll go:

LW: Son
AM: Meyer
LB: Erkin

I think I'd go

LB - Coentrao
CM - Sandro
LW - Lallana

Haven't watched Rojo play really and I'd be happy with medel!

Lallana would obviously be quite pricey but got that premier league experience konoplyanka and tello don't have. Although I think kono would be a good addition as well.

Cole, Richards, Medel, Barkley, Lallana, Konoplyanka, Vela

LB - Luke Shaw
LW - Yevhen Konoplyanka
RB - Martin Montoya

(we can all dream. )

Had to choose between a RB or CD.

Figured that Kelly, Llori and Wisdom are decent backup options for CD next season in addition to Sakho and Skrtel (who I reckon will stay). I'd love to give these lads a chance.

If Toure and/or Agger remain (though I expect one or both to leave) then 1 or 2 of the younger lads could enjoy a loan spell.

Rojo
Xhaka
Konoplyanka

Coentrao
Lallana
Shaqiri

R. Rodriguez
Rakitic
Shaqiri

Sorry ed I gave 3 that I would love to sign and 3 that I'd be more than happy with, although both LBs are I assume out of our current financial grasp?
(Kolorov and moreno)
on a side topic do any of the eds rate Redmond or have MOTD highlights shown him to better than he actually is?

10 May 2014 10:02:17
Lb: shaw
Cm: kroos
Lw: greizman
Well I can but dream can't i? Lol

T.Muller (right forward/advanced wing of 433)
A.Lallana (LM of 433)
M.Rojo (left back)

alternatively: Cole, Pastore(AM of 4213), Griezmann (LF of front 3)

09 May 2014 17:47:22
Evening eds was just wondering if we do get lallana will that end the interest in any other wide fowards or attack minded midfielders such as rakitic?

{Ed001's Note - it would end any interest in Rakitic yes.}

So would we still be in the market for a wide forward?

{Ed001's Note - yes.}

Thanks for the reply ed any idea what kind of fee it would take to get lallana?

{Ed001's Note - a lot more than I would expect us to be willing to pay mate.}

09 May 2014 17:18:23
Eds how do you think involvement in the World Cup will influence the performance and endurance of players next season

{Ed002's Note - At least one club is trying to give the players protection by cancelling their pre-season tour. Players need a break.}

I don't think the English lads have to worry to much, we will get knocked out in the group stages ;0)

09 May 2014 20:22:31
Thanks Ed002 - I am more concerned by the demands of our players having to play a tournament in S America in extremely hot temperatures than the demands of taking part in the CL next season. I hope the team is well rested before the new season

{Ed002's Note - To be fair the Liverpool players have played a lot less games than the players from some other English clubs in recent years, with Suarez taking an extended holiday each season as well.}

Which club if I may ask?

{Ed002's Note - Chelsea.}

Is it Chelsea Ed?

{Ed002's Note - Yes, they want to look after the players.}

Can I ask which team is this?

{Ed002's Note - Chelsea.}

09 May 2014 16:36:17
Hi eds and reds, does anyone know how many ex Liverpool players are ivolved in youth teams, reserves and first team as I've heard steve mcmanaman is involved in u21's

Robbie Fowler?

Rob Jones

09 May 2014 15:44:05
I had a dream last night, Liverpool won the league, I can remember me running out the pub in the middle of the street, Crying with excitement and disbelief we pulled of something so unrealistic off, The feelings I had were so uncontrollable and felt so real.
And then I woke up, to disappointment as it was Friday morning and it's still 2 days away. I would give anything for this to be real come Sunday,
All season long even when we was at the top even after the Chelsea game I started to believe but I tried to ignore this ache, but now I've finally realised that I've always believed. Even if I didn't want to, maybe a 'jinx'
I am so proud to be a red it's unreal, The feelings they give me is something to be proud of.

Second. Third . First I'll always remember this season.
Have a good weekend fellow reds
Y.n.w.a
96

09 May 2014 17:30:16
Amen

09 May 2014 15:19:33
Really not getting all the lallana hype. Awesome player, have always thought of him highly.

But the fact is we have coutinho, suso, alberto and teixiera in that position who are all more than good enough. And as I recall, the eds said he doesn't want to move and southampton don't want to sell.

We should be looking at a wide forward and if another central midfielder is needed, i'd imagine it will be a more all round approach, not a number ten. A commanding centre back to replace skrtel, agger or toure is also
required, as well as a left and right back. Possibly a back up striker like heung min son but who knows. Other than that we are sorted.

09 May 2014 15:23:47
Texiera would be going on loan and Alberto is just a name, Llalana is a versataile player, and BR like such player.

Got to agree with you there A.W
He is an excellent player but his arrival will hamper suso's progress and he would cost in excess of 20 million
A wide forward (please Konoplyanka) should be the priority along with a left back (Rojo would be a nice option)
And then if money is left perhaps a younger cm like xhaka or hughes

Quite right reet2107, 20+ million for the one position in which we are covered just fine.

I have to say, on the very odd occasion I have seen konoplyanka, in the world cup qualifiers and europa league, he does look special. He just has that X factor, that unpredictability, almost like suarez or ronaldihnio. You can tell when he plays he's on a different wavelength to everyone else on the pitch. I really do hope we get him over someone like shaqiri, who is basically just sterling but not as good.

And harry, that's disrespectful towards alberto. Personally I've very much liked him when he has played, and can't understand why he doesn't get more of a chance. All players who try deserve recognition, good or bad. Moses for example, is just a face, but not alberto, the boy has talent.

09 May 2014 16:20:54
AW,

Mate I wasnt disrespecting him, I nor anyone saw him much this seaosn. And I fear, he would be here next season, He has talent, and got the skills, But he is too slow, Something BR doesn't wanna see.

Cant lallana play wide? and I've never seem konoplayanka dominate a game?

Lallana is known for not having great pace, so i'm not sure how it matters much in this case. If, by your description, he has talent and the skills, what we're basically paying 20 million for is a luis alberto who is 3 years further in progress. i'd rather stick with alberto than part with that money tbh mate.

Have to agree with Bon, lallana dominates games and is a class act and will be for years, potential Liverpool captain in the making.

09 May 2014 16:46:41
AW,

I agree, that's a great point made, I am not sure, what's BR thinking, He defeneatly need players with pace.

Why do we need players with pace? We have plenty!

Clearly didn't watch kono vs spurs, he tore naughton a new one ;)

09 May 2014 19:29:46
so did Sterling, who ripped him a new one on a whole other level than Kono actually. Naughton is nothing to judge a player by.

A deep lying playmaker to replace gerrard and left and right back centre back is stronger than people think

Lallana is like a slower version of Gerrard in his prime.

Right there that makes him one of the most valuable players in the EPL.

20m? I would bite their hand off

Lallana can play wide, as can Suso. They are both versatile players and that is something BR likes. I wouldn't worry about Lallana's arrival limiting Suso's chances severely.

Teixera and Alberto perhaps need loans.

I will be very happy with Lallana.

Steer clear of a David a Silva too. He's as slow as Lallana.

09 May 2014 14:56:27
Great article from sly on Rodgers deserving the MOTY award.

09 May 2014 14:05:05
Got an idea for poll of the day. Stick your comments below. Would love ed001s view as well.

Would we have won the league this season if carra stayed an extra year and played instead of skrtle?

I think yes and with a game or 2 spare. He never made as many mistakes as skrtle and organised the defence a whole lot better as well.

{Ed001's Note - I would have to vote yes, we have been desperately lacking a leader at the back all season.}

I'd say no, because we would have had to play much deeper because of carras lack of pace, which in turn would have affected us going forward.a 25 year old carra yes, but not last seasons carra.just my opinion

Yes, yes and yes again! It's really frustrating seeing him in that Sly studio with dog face Neville when he could have been making the difference on the field

Yes, yes and yes again! It's really frustrating seeing him in that Sly studio with dog face Neville when he could have been making the difference on the field

09 May 2014 15:37:35
We had a leader Steven Gerrard r did I see that wrong.

{Ed001's Note - clearly as Gerrard is in midfield, not the back.}

What about hiring him as a defensive coach

09 May 2014 16:22:08
Sorry didn't see it was about leaving r best defender out and putting carra in.

{Ed001's Note - you really do have reading issues, it was actually about leaving out Skrtel.....}

Haha love that comment ed001.
Carra as defensive coach? Dunno, he was a great leader and defender but does that automatically make him a great coach? I dunno, but I'm sure there will be a place for him one day should he want it.
The pace issue is a valid one, although skrtle is maybe a bit quicker he drops back too deep himself anyway, also carra would have Johnson covering properly. Still carra for me.

09 May 2014 16:43:05
Good 1ed.

If he had stayed on as player/coach to help organize the defensive line & then perhaps start the odd game when we need a defensive performance. yes it might have made a big difference. That was actuqlly expected of Kolo when Carra decided to retire b
ut seems he might still have an icy blue heart.

No. Carra was a great player for us but he had his weaknesses too.

09 May 2014 13:27:37
I see that Sturridge's goal against Palace has been awarded to Delaney. Looking back at all the goals not only do I disagree but believe that Delaney's goal for Palace should be awarded to Johnson.

09 May 2014 11:59:57
Plus, I know people say we haven't used aspas/Moses much, but that's because they haven't quite made the grade, you can still have decent players on the bench, doesn't mean they'll be sub every week!

I 100% agree. Rodgers has been forced to use about 13/14 players for 40+ games this season due to Aspas, Moses and Alberto not being up to the required standard to replace people without compromising quality. I was one of those defending the signing of all 3 of these players as they looked like good signings. However they have flopped and forced Rodgers into burning out the rest of the squad.

Chelsea have the likes of Lampard, Willian, Eto'o and Ramires on the bench some weeks. If you want to be part of a title challenging team, you have to accept that you might not play every week. Doesn't mean you'll be a sub every week, just means you've got to up your game and take your chances when they come.

We lack the depth required to compete with CL footbal. Its not just a case of 6 more games before Christmas. We need to start getting further in the domestic cups too. Playing 3 games a week isn't as simple as just rotation. It increases the chances of injuries further increasing the need for a bigger squad.

You simply cannot go into a season with a starting XI and a few back ups. It's not the 1970's anymore. We cannot rely on playing kids out of position just so we don't get anyone complaining. If we sign Kono and Lallana, then Suso and Borini moan, fine. We'll sell them next summer and replace them with a couple more youngsters, maybe even from the academy, who want to fight for their position rather than expect to be catered to.

When we tried to sell Hendo he refused. He wanted to stay and fight. Flanagan could've asked for a loan or transfer, but instead he chose to stay and fight. Sterling could've gone on loan, but again he stayed and fought for his position, wrestling it from Downing and forcing him out of the club.

There is no room for sentiments in football. Good players have 2 choices.
A) Play for midtable teams and retire with a Carling cup runners up medal as your only silverware.
B) Be a squad player for a title contending side, playing with world class players.

We've always had a squad where the gulf in class between our best XI and our back ups was far too large. That needs to change. When Willian gets injured, Chlesea put in Salah. When Ramires gets injured, they pur in Mikel. You simply have to have those sorts of good players waiting in the shadows for a chance to play and stake their claim on the starting role. Rosicky at Arsenal only plays when someone is injured. He'd walk into 16/20 premier league teams.

{Ed002's Note - It is Rodgers who you need to get out then as he pissed all of the money up the wall on players who are not "up to the required standard" as you say.}

When you don't have much money available and you need to fill multiple positions, you have to take risks. Aspas, Moses and Alberto were calculated risks who for whatever reason, failed. that's as much their fault as it is Rodgers fault. Moses puts in no effort on the pitch and Alberto and Aspas failed to adapt to the English game quick enough. Alberto has time on his side, Aspas does not.

I fail to see how 100% of the blame can be attributed to Rodgers. Those 3 players between them scored 37 goals and claimed 30 assists last season for their respective teams. On paper they looked like great signings. Besides Rodgers still squeezed a few good performances out of them and bled the rest of the squad dry for their talents. His job is to help us finish as high as possible. He did that regardless of whether his signings were hit and miss or not.

We now find oursleves in the position where we have a core of players good enough going forward, with a lot of excellent youngsters to help out. Its a simple case of buying 2/3 defensive players and 2/3 midfielders/attackers. that's 4-6 signings and you are shooting me down as if I have suggested signing an entire new starting XI. Rodgers has even said that is what we are looking at.

I don't care if its Lallana, Parejo, Hughes etc. We are clearly after a midfielder.

I don't care if its Konoplyanka, Tello, Lacazette. We are clearly after another forward player.

If you want to question where that leaves Suso, ask Rodgers, not me. I can't see why this will affect Suso that much when he will still be very much part of the squad and will be given opportunities to stake his claim on a starting role in Cups, rotation and sub appearances.

He is 20 years old and will improve by fighting for his place. If he doesn't want to fight, I don't want him anyway. We cannot compromise our ability to compete on all fronts to appease players with poor attitudes.

{Ed002's Note - Making up these feeble excuses for the likes of Assaidi, Ilori, Moses, Cissokho, Aspas due to money is pretty poor when the answer clearly is that Rodgers needs help in the transfer side of things which he now has.}

Then why are you snapping at me for wanting one midfielder and one forward?
Also why suggest sacking Rodgers for pissing money up the wall when you've just admitted he's got help now?

{Ed002's Note - Your the one telling how bad all of the Liverpool players are. This is no surprise and very common on the pages. I feel sorry for those players that have to read how little the so called Liverpool fans think of the players.}

Besides those players cost a grand total of £17m. Ilori may yet prove to be a great piece of Business and money will be recouped through the sales of Aspas and Assaidi. Even if it's only half of what these 5 together cost us.
You always complain Liverpool fans are too critical, so why am I having to defend the players and Rodgers from your criticism?
I have great respect for your knowledge on transfers and finances Ed, but you are really shooting me down here for wanting 2 players. that's not fair when there are persons on here every day asking for Rakitic, Lallana, Muriel and Griezman.

{Ed002's Note - I am not being critical of the players - it was you who said they weren't good enough. I have told you who the club are looking to in terms of players, but you need to understand the reality of making players who are used to first team football at a high level third choice. And one of the reasons we don't discuss money is the confusion it causes folks like you - Aspas, Ilori, Cissokho, Moses, and Alberto cost Liverpool in Excess of £24M in transfer fees alone plus significant fees and wages.}

09 May 2014 13:46:15
Is that long well written post meant to say, Moses is a decent player and should be kept in the team next seaosn?
BTW, Ed02, How you get such awesome replies

I'm not going to argue with your financial knowledge but in modern football, £24m on 5 players is comparatively low, even still. I haven't said anywhere they are bad players. I genuinely expected Aspas to step up to Premier league football and be excellent for us. I was also a public supporter of Moses and Alberto when others were not. However they have failed to provide adequate competition. That doesn't mean I am calling them bad players. I'm sure they will go somewhere else and be big players. But they have clearly failed at Liverpool (you must agree with that as you've criticised Rodgers for signing them in this very thread) and will need to be replaced with players capable of taking our squad to the next level.

{Ed002's Note - Two of those players were on loan. So £22M on three players. Your words were "Aspas, Moses and Alberto not being up to the required standard to replace people without compromising quality."

Rodgers has been very asive in the transfer market and even if Liverpool had made something better than a laughable bid for Salah Rodgers opened his mouth and ensured that there was no way the transfer would go ahead.}

Harry do you even read the posts?

09 May 2014 14:23:46
East Midland

hehe lols. Most of the times, But I did mentioned, how well written post is urs.

09 May 2014 14:30:11
Hi Ed02

you said above that Rodgers has made mistakes in the transfer market and needs help to improve. I would agree with that.

At the end you said "help which he now has". Just wondering what you meant by this. Has something changed to give Rodgers further help when selecting targets?

Apreciate the comment and hard work as always.

{Ed002's Note - He has the assistance of a new scouting team that as part of a group based decision process they now have an input.}

They weren't up to the required standard. That doesn't mean I'm calling them bad. Failing to meet the standards set by Sturridge Suarez and Coutinho is no embarrassment.

Why does ed mention llori personally think he's going to be a right good player marked messi out of game the other week and has plenty of time on his side

{Ed001's Note - because of his attitude before he went on loan.}

09 May 2014 15:54:33
Ed02, I suppose Andy Jacobs of is the shining light in fan behaviour or is slating forwards at Chelsea innate. Indeed, this is of course a £50mill striker I'm referring to here!

{Ed002's Note - I have no idea why you think this is anything to do with Chelsea nor Andy Jacobs - and I have no idea what Jacobs has been saying.}

Suarez was signed by kenny, or in the kenny era, either way! Rodgers does seem to be in one good, one bad category though!
I think the main problem is, is that he bought players into a 7th place team, and ended up with a title challenging squad! If we were still battling for 4/5th I'm sure players like aspas, Moses, might have got game time more often. Also, this would suggest sterling wouldn't have shone so much, hendo, Allen etc playing so well, allowing players like the mentioned to come in for a spell! You simple can't drop the likes of hendo or sterling, when thye are playing so well, to give aspas a chance!

For one Alberto hasn't flopped you have 5 centre backs Flanagan to cover both fullback positions all that is needed is a left back winger and centre midfielder to replace Gerrards standard of drive in midfield Henderson has that covered so more of a Modric Alonso type player loads of great cover for just need more first team quaility

Agreed EMS.

I trust BR. The arguments against his transfer record are rather spurious.

I have faith that he'll have learned a lot from last summer's transfers and I hope he signs more good players like Sturridge (inspired) Sakho (potentially brilliant) or Coutinho (well-spotted on his availability).

Allen and Mignolet have done well and still have lots of potential to improve, whilst Borini, (now that he's fit again) could yet show his quality in a side that is a step-up from Sunderland. Llori is another bright prospect who could yet prove a bargain, as is Alberto.

Trolls will point at Aspas and Assaidi and the Moses and Cissokho loans, but overall, they didn't cost too much in todays' terms, and we could recoup a fair bit for both players (maybe even net a profit on Assaidi?).

BR has done pretty darn well in the transfer market imo. I think that's pretty obvious and the future is bright!

09 May 2014 11:16:33
With Suarez likely to be linked to a number of clubs this summer I wonder how possible a move for him is, firstly how many clubs could realistically afford the fee, Real, PSG, Monaco, City, Chelsea and maybe Juve if they get a fortune in sales. Out of those teams only Real and PSG seem likely and with PSG soon to be under the same spotlight as City I doubt they'd spend £70m-£90m on one player, so that leaves Real. A club i'm sure Luis would love to play for, I wouldn't blame him but Real have a long shopping list of strikers they've been linked with, Aguero, Cavani, Falcao to name a few.

Now as for in comings i'm sure everyone would agree Lallana is a fantastic player and while I would love him to sign for Liverpool is he really what the team needs? His arrival would come at the cost of either Coutinho or Suso a very tough call to make, especially while there is a glaring need for a quality left back and not Luke Shaw! A wide forward will probably be on the shopping list as well and a name that divides opinion is Ben Arfa, hell I keep changing my mind on him. There is no doubting he is a very talented footballer but the lads application is terrible, very similar to Glen Johnson, all the talent needed and more to play in their respective positions but no real desire to do so. Now Ben Arfa is 27/28 so I don't see him improving much but Rodgers has a knack for the best out of most players as long as they actually want to improve, if it were up to me i'd look elsewhere for a winger but we'll see what the summer brings, no doubt it will be hectic and a pain in the backside for the ed's but I for one appreciate the tireless hard work they do.

09 May 2014 11:03:20
Someone asked about marcos rojo?
He will become a top player IMO. he's still quite young. I believe he's 6'2' he's tall, quick, good on the ball, good at defending and very good going forward. He is not rash and is still improving his game. Very tidy footballer. Excellent coup if we could get him

09 May 2014 12:46:09
Ricardo Rodriguez, Looks even better

{Ed002's Note - The difference being Liverpool are interested in Rojo.}

I hope they get him Eds do you? He looks a great player to me. He looks as good as Rodriguez to me.

{Ed002's Note - You just said Rodriguez looks better. As for Rojo, the so called fans are already trashing him for not being good enough.}

09 May 2014 14:25:17
Rodriguez looks like a real good player.

Not me Ed.



Rojo looks very decent to me. Would be a great addition. I can't understand people trashing him tbh.

Hope we get him

I honestly know nothing of Rojo so wouldn't deign to judge the lad, but would work permit be an issue in bringing him in? Looks like he's played at least a few friendlies for Argentina but not sure how difficult it would be?

Rojo a similar player to Kolarov.

When I saw Kolarov playing for Lazio, I was unsure he would adapt to the premier league as he looked very slow. I have similar concerns about Rojo.

09 May 2014 10:07:56
Good day everyone. I have a little question.

Has any of you watched Marcos Rojo play and how would you describe him? I have never seen him play to be honest.

PS, I don't want or need descriptions from fifa 13 or Football manager, I really want some honest opinions of someone who has actually seen him play in real life. Cheers

Seen him play once. He's big for a left back. Didn't really watch him that closely though as we had no interest and I was looking at a different player! From what I remember he was very solid and composed.

He's very positive, a good crosser and seems to have that tough South American temperament. Reminds me a bit of Gabriel Heinze to be honest.

Actually, he reminds me of Kolarov. He is quite big for a LB, and of course plays CB for Sporting Lisbon.

He does dive in a bit and backs himself to win the challenge, but does get caught out a couple of times. He is an aggressive player, a trait BR likes in his players I think.

09 May 2014 08:08:10
Good morning Eds

Can you give your thoughts please, if we are interested in Lallana is he seen as the wide man we have been looking for in the same ilk as Konop and Tello? Or is he more of a central option, or eveb both? If we do get him do you suspect we will still push for an out and out winger?

{Ed002's Note - I really have no knowledge of how Rodgers would look to utilise Lallana. Additionally I have zero interest in formations and the like.}

09 May 2014 09:10:52
Lallana is wasted out wide or too far forward. You want him creating behind the forwards and picking the ball up from deep to drive us forward. Konoplyanka on the other hand can play across a front 3 (yes, even as a striker) and is the sort of player you want to try and play in behind the defence. Kono would likely be a squad option to compete with SSS. Lallana is far more likely to push the likes of Coutinho, Hendo and Allen for a starting role. If we signed both it'd be good business so long as Kono can make the step up to a much stronger league.

I would expect Lallana to play as part of a midfield trio (Gerrard, Hendo, Lallana) with Kono fighting to break into the front 3, or providing an option from the bench/in cup competitions.

{Ed002's Note - So would you sell Coutinho or keep him? And what about Suso, I assume he would certainly be gone then? Folks need to remember that the club cannot keep adding players without moving some on.}

09 May 2014 09:43:42
Ed there is a lot more football to play next season we are going to need a bigger squad and players that can come in and do a job no passengers so the need to move players on contradicts what everyone including yourself have been saying r squad lacks depth and quality from the bench.

{Ed002's Note - Initially there are 6 more games - that is it. The squad is restricted in size and you cannot simply add players without making space unless they are under 21.}

Its a squad game Ed. You need at least two players for each position. Signing Lallana and Konoplyanka will not exactly flood the team with players when Moses and Aspas look certain departures. At least one of Suso, Teixeira and Alberto will go out on loan. So in real terms the squad would only be increased by about one player.
Gerrard would compete with Lucas for a holding role.
Hendo, Allen, Lallana and Suso would compete for the 2 sides of the Diamond.
Sterling and Coutinho would compete for the tip of the diamond.
Leaving Suarez, Sturridge, Borini and Kono to fight for the other two forward roles.
Youngsters would fill in for injuries.

Even if its not Lallana and Kono, Tello and Parejo, Rakitic and Lacazette etc it'll likely be two similar players and it'll still be the same sized squad. I get that a lot of people are asking for the moon but to ask for 2 signings for 6 positions is hardly going to over flood our squad.

{Ed002's Note - How many games have Moses and Aspas managed this season. If you think that Konoplyanka and Lallana would accept getting a few appearances from the bench no doubt it will be fine. If Rodgers is then going to change formation and play folks out of position I am sure it will also be fine. Don't be surprised to see some pissed off players - the losers here are the likes of Suso and the other youngsters.}

09 May 2014 10:05:24
I would happily buy Llalana over konoplayank and play him in the front three pushing sterling for the place. Suso would push Countinho in the middle for a starting berth. Lucas to cover Gerrard, and another top class CM to push Hendo and Allen.

If we were to sign lallana I would put suso out on loan next season to a PL side

I agree with EMS. We cannot expect the players playing in the diamond or the front 3 to perform to the level they have done this year. To expect the trio of Gerrard, Hendo & Coutinho and SSS to play at the same level for the entire season next season is asking a lot and a huge assumption.

Signing Lallana and Kono would be excellent business IMO. Just look at the options Chelsea have in that area, we need the same level of depth. The last few weeks has highlighted the need for the same quality of player when changes are required.

09 May 2014 10:34:20
I'm sure if Brendan needs to trim the squad there is lesser players than suso can be moved out and if we come 3rd were going to be put into that Europa league which as far as I know is a route into the cl so you will need good quality players imo.

Harry, Lallana will not fit into our front 3. Southampton play slightly differently to us. They attack with much less pace due to Lallana, Lambert and Rodriguez not being blessed with it. He is however an excellent playmaker and would be utilised in midfield for us.

If he played in our front 3 it'd simply slow our attacks down and make us less effective on the counter attack. He is also not the sort to run in behind, but rather the sort to look for runners in behind.

I am not really convinced we need both Kono and Lallana. It would be a slap in the face to Suso and Texeira who can both play out wide. We need 6 players for the front 3 positions. We already have Suarez, Sturridge, Sterling, Borini, Suso and Texeira (who will probably go out on loan). So we need a LWM to make up the 6 players. We also have Ibe to play in the domestic cups.
In midfield, Lucas and Gerrard will fight it out for the CDM role. Coutinho and Allen will compete to play as the CAM, while Hendo and the the new midfield player ed says we are looking to sign (possibly Parejo) competing for the CM position. that's effectively 12 senior players for 6 positions which imo is more than enough to give everyone a decent amount of game time. We also have Ibe and Yesil who can come in as impact subs. So one of Lallana or Kono would be ideal, not both.

09 May 2014 10:39:55
Great pearls of wisdom there Ed02, let's just look to build a squad in expectation of not progressing in CL. As for players coming in to warm the bench, I think even with your limited interest in the sport you know better!

{Ed002's Note - The trouble is that the club needs to spend wisely and not spend like Rodgers did last season with very significant amounts on players who have not really played at all. There should be youngsters who can take on the Aspas, Ilori, Alberto roles of very occasional cameos. Liverpool has a good reputation for bringing youngsters through but sadly the many of the fans live beyond realism and want the club to sell most of the players that has taken the side to the upper end of the league and replace them with players with long and exotic sounding names that no one seems to have the ability to spell. I am just waiting for someone to say it will have to be another yea of transition. The likes of Suso will be expecting significant game time, not a few appearances from the bench. Obviously you have twisted my words, but that can be expected.

09 May 2014 11:00:16
Ed02, are you suggesting we sell Suso, Borini, Aspas and Moses and just go with what we have already got? City have 4 strikers competing for what is sometimes only one position with all costing roughly £30m.

I don't want Liverpool to end up as ridiculous as that but there is nothing wrong with having 2 players for every position.

Aspas and Moses didn't play much because they simply weren't good enough. Alberto wasn't either but he is young enough to improve hence why he will likely only be loaned out. I'm not sure who you think I'm suggesting gets played out of position. You may be thinking of our formation as being rigid with no scope for tactical change. 12 players for 6 positions with 8 of them being 24 or younger is hardly over stocking. 5 of them are under 21!

If they don't want to stick around and fight for their place, good riddance. Players like that don't deserve to play at the top of the game.

Look at Hendo, Flanno and Sterling. All of them have ran through barbed wire then crawling across a mile of salt to be part of our team. If Suso, Borini or any potential new signings won't do the same, I quite frankly don't want them here.

You are very knowledgeable about all kinds of aspects of football Ed, but you are wrong on this one I assure you. You cannot compete in the CL and the league without 22 quality players. Chelsea, City and Arsenal all have 2 or more players for every position. Liverpool need the same. Its not as simple as "this is the first team, and this is the second team" its a squad game.

I don't agree with fans who want 3 players for each position. That will just cause upset players and completely block youngsters from breaking through. But 2 options with players from the academy covering in the case of injuries/suspensions is absolutely fine in my opinion.

{Ed002's Note - I didn't say anything like this and certainly did not say that two players were needed for every position. I suspect the club would struggle to sell Moses.}

09 May 2014 11:17:12
It's really simple. We need greater depth to compete with other big clubs. It's about a squad not a starting XI. Lallana would cover upto 3 positions really well. In squad terms he'd replace Alberto who will go on loan probably. Konoplyanka would replace Moses and Assaidi who plays in the same position will be sold. Suso would be behind Sterling who has no cover on the right at all. Don't see how the squad is being overloaded. At the moment our attacking cover is Moses, Alberto & Aspas. If Rodgers was happy with them they'd all have played more.

Suso, Borini & Konoplyanka a much better three to support Suarez, Sturridge & Sterling. In midfield Ed02 has already said we are looking to add one of two players. Lallana would be a better fit on the left of a midfield two in front of Gerrard than any of Lucas, Allen or Coutinho. They're all different players so Rodgers would have more options which is surely what we want?

Thats been our problem for years Indian Buzzer. Going into a season thinking its okay to have too many players in one position because sone of them "can" play in other roles. Suso and Teixeira are not players you want in a front 3. They are neither strikers nor wingers. They are playmakers/midfielders and to play them out of position out wide in an advanced position is a massive waste of their talent.

Lets just sign an actual winger and stop shoe horning kids into positions they don't suit. Suso made 20 appearances as a wide forward for us and got 0 goals and 0 assists. Almeria play him in a deeper midfield role, were he has the freedom to come inside more centrally and get involved and he has 3 goals and 9 assists. Why bring him back here and then dump him in a forward role again?

If we get lallana, I reckon suso will leave, Permanently or on loan. This doesn't affect coutinho as he can rotate in the creative midfield role and wide if necessary!

09 May 2014 13:46:38
See now that's a good insight. I agree that players such as Suso and Borini should come back into the fold and play more often. Spending wisely is the way forward and I'm not saying we should go buy a Lamborghini. I'm not going to reel off who I'd buy and sell because frankly I'm not a backseat driver, but if I could write a dear BR letter it would definitely start with KonoplYesplease! Thanks for your straight reply Ed02, if I twisted your words it's only because karma made me

{Ed002's Note - It reminds me of the old album from the Electric Toilet.}

Spot on. Just let me play my guitar!