Liverpool 2014/15 | WARNING: Contains strong amounts of Scouse nonsense

holyland red said:
It appears that he's won next to nothing in almost a decade now.
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As an individual your maths is seriously off but then not many players continue to win personal awards after they hit e.g. 30 yrs old.
rotherham_red said:
That doesn't sound right. I was only 7-9 during that period but I cannot for the life of me, remember Gerrard in any of the Liverpool teams during that time, unless these Young Player awards were for Youth/Reserve performances, in which case ignore me :)
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Sorry you are right ! Don't know how they messed that up. He won it once in 2001.
 
It is difficult to see where Pool go from here.

They put up a good title fight last season and looked dangerous. This season maybe they under achieved a bit, by their own expectations, but what is their aim for next season? Title challenge? Top 4?

Their squad looks weak. I wouldn't have Henderson on a free let alone as captain. Gerrards their best player and leaving. Strikers are naff. Skirtal is considered their best defender and is terrible.

Getting linked with the likes of Ings can't be great reading either.

What is next? Any pool fans?
 
I think that Stevie is leaving with bitterness in his heart. Like Keane he is that kind of man and Rodgers and Liverpool did not treat him how he he thought he should be.

I still think there was some sub-conscious sabotage in his stamp on Herrera.
 
Rafateria said:
As an individual your maths is seriously off but then not many players continue to win personal awards after they hit e.g. 30 yrs old.

Sorry you are right ! Don't know how they messed that up. He won it once in 2001.
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One league cup is the only trophy he has won outside of individual awards in the last ten seasons.
 
Vanrouge said:
It doesn't matter. Once the narrative takes hold, it's what everyone remembers. Denis Law's reluctant backheel didn't technically relegate us back in 1974, but everyone remembers it that way, and there's no point trying to argue, really. As someone else said, his Roy of the Rovers act was equally damaging, but the slip was so perfect, given his "this won't slip" dramatics, that it's what most fans will remember decades on.
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Well of course you (and R.I.Dublin and SalfordRed) are quite correct in saying that, unfortunately for Gerrard that such a mishap - that could happen to any player - should become one of the defining moments of a wonderful career. However that obviously wasn't what I was saying and I'm sure I don't need to elucidate any further - you all get where I'm coming from ;)
 
Funny story just heard from Lawro on the BBC whilst talking about getting stick from certain crowds.

Lawro had just signed for Liverpool from Brighton and they were back down there for a league match. Bob Paisley comes up to Lawro and says he can be captain for the match and so they give him the ball to lead the team out. Lawro's happy as punch as runs out ...... alone. Whilst all his team-mates stayed back in the tunnel laughing their socks off :D
 
LawCharltonBest said:
It is difficult to see where Pool go from here.

They put up a good title fight last season and looked dangerous. This season maybe they under achieved a bit, by their own expectations, but what is their aim for next season? Title challenge? Top 4?

Their squad looks weak. I wouldn't have Henderson on a free let alone as captain. Gerrards their best player and leaving. Strikers are naff. Skirtal is considered their best defender and is terrible.

Getting linked with the likes of Ings can't be great reading either.

What is next? Any pool fans?
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We royally screwed up wishing/hoping/praying for Sturridge to remain injury free and expecting/praying/hoping Balotelli, Lambert, et al, would score at least (AT LEAST!) 10 league goals between them. Had the worst possible outcome in both scenarios, probably karma kicking in from the previous season when we got a 100 goals.

This weak squad still ran Utd (admittedly with some injuries but still with Di Maria, Rooney, Mata, Falcao, RvP, De Gea) into a reasonably close fight for 4th. And just like Utd's squad, our squad is also relatively new (Markovic, Ibe, Can, Moreno, Manquillo, Lovren, Lambert, etc) and needed this season to settle in. Whether they're any good next season remains to be seen, same with any team's squad barring the money laundering clubs obviously.

If you watched us, Gerrard was the second largest cause of our failure this season. He demanded to play more and as a result the likes of Lucas didn't get a look in earlier in the season. Once Gerrard got injured and Lucas had a run of games we went on a wonderful unbeaten run. Him leaving allows the whole of Liverpool to breathe a sigh of relief when the 'burden' of a not so good anymore ageing legend is lifted. Utd probably had the same with Scholes, Giggs and Rio near the end of their usefulness.

If we don't sign one big name proper striker we could be starting next season with a stone around our necks again. Yes being linked with Ings at the moment is not great reading for us.
 
Billy Blaggs said:
What a class interview. If one of ours would have said that you'd had all wet your jeans.

I do believe he was going to Chelsea at one point. But there's no doubt he loves Liverpool fc. And good for him. If there wasn't players like that for other clubs then ours wouldn't be so special. I've enjoyed making fun of him through the years. But respect! A true Liverpool captain.
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Cheers mate. Couldn't have said it better.
 
Dumbstar said:
We royally screwed up wishing/hoping/praying for Sturridge to remain injury free and expecting/praying/hoping Balotelli, Lambert, et al, would score at least (AT LEAST!) 10 league goals between them. Had the worst possible outcome in both scenarios, probably karma kicking in from the previous season when we got a 100 goals.

This weak squad still ran Utd (admittedly with some injuries but still with Di Maria, Rooney, Mata, Falcao, RvP, De Gea) into a reasonably close fight for 4th. And just like Utd's squad, our squad is also relatively new (Markovic, Ibe, Can, Moreno, Manquillo, Lovren, Lambert, etc) and needed this season to settle in. Whether they're any good next season remains to be seen, same with any team's squad barring the money laundering clubs obviously.

If you watched us, Gerrard was the second largest cause of our failure this season. He demanded to play more and as a result the likes of Lucas didn't get a look in earlier in the season. Once Gerrard got injured and Lucas had a run of games we went on a wonderful unbeaten run. Him leaving allows the whole of Liverpool to breathe a sigh of relief when the 'burden' of a not so good anymore ageing legend is lifted. Utd probably had the same with Scholes, Giggs and Rio near the end of their usefulness.

If we don't sign one big name proper striker we could be starting next season with a stone around our necks again. Yes being linked with Ings at the moment is not great reading for us.
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Allen,Lucas or Gerrard. It doesnt matter. All three are useless.
 
Rafateria said:
Funny story just heard from Lawro on the BBC whilst talking about getting stick from certain crowds.

Lawro had just signed for Liverpool from Brighton and they were back down there for a league match. Bob Paisley comes up to Lawro and says he can be captain for the match and so they give him the ball to lead the team out. Lawro's happy as punch as runs out ...... alone. Whilst all his team-mates stayed back in the tunnel laughing their socks off :D
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He should've just walked
 
I thought Gerrard's interview yesterday was great and spot on. Totally pissed all over Sky's narrative about what a great moment it was.

I mean, if we did that for him at Old Trafford (which I doubt would ever happen - for one thing, it would be totally disingenuous) - I wouldn't expect Gerrard to praise us for it afterwards considering the shite we've given him for years.
 
LawCharltonBest said:
It is difficult to see where Pool go from here.

They put up a good title fight last season and looked dangerous. This season maybe they under achieved a bit, by their own expectations, but what is their aim for next season? Title challenge? Top 4?

Their squad looks weak. I wouldn't have Henderson on a free let alone as captain. Gerrards their best player and leaving. Strikers are naff. Skirtal is considered their best defender and is terrible.

Getting linked with the likes of Ings can't be great reading either.

What is next? Any pool fans?
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I think Dumbstar has said it near perfectly above but I will expand on that below.

In the eyes of Red Cafe we have an awful team/squad (which had out injured for most of the season, our only real striker) .... a team which could very easily have pipped the United Allstars, who had no Euro matches in intrude on match preparations, to the Top 4, even this late in the season.
So imagine what improvement the team/squad can make next season when the strikers have been overhauled, our young squad (which will be the youngest in the PL next season) has some experience and games under their belts and hopefully some squad strengthening occurs. Yes we will be playing in the EL but then we did this season in addition to CL and also made both domestic cup semis. Next season United will have CL to contend with, and many players will prioritise that over the PL., United should expect to do better in both domestic cups and will again be targeting Top 4 (LvG), though I know the United fans will expect a title challenge.

Strikers : I expect Balotelli (if you listened to BR yesterday), Borini and Lambert to all leave. There should be no way that BR & FSG should be so utterly vacuous as to make the same mistake again of relying on matchstick legs Sturridge to remain injury free (WTF were they thinking). I expect our strikers next season to be : 1. A.N.other , 2. Sturridge, 3. Ings (maybe) 4. Origi .... and there is surely, surely, no way they will be matching the 8 goals our strikers managed between them this season. I expect BR to revert to 4 at the back and two up front so the strikers should be seeing more action.

Wide Midfield : I don't expect any additions to wide midfield / #10, in Sterling, Ibe, Lallana, Coutinho, Markovic and maybe also some games (in the LC and EL) for the excellent Kent & Wilson from the U21s, we have more than enough.

CM/Defensive MF : I expect strengthening here as Lucas may leave in addition to Gerrard, and Henderson and Allen simply aren't strong enough together. Can will get games in midfield and maybe even RWB in certain formations. We have young players but they are not ready (maybe Canos will see some games ? Hopefully). I'd be surprised not to see us buy 2 CMs, one of which will be a specialist DM, and I expect us to persuade Lucas to stay .. otherwise we'll need to replace him too.

Defence : I expect us to sign a GK to seriously challenge Ming (though after a sticky patch he's done superbly). Skrtel, Sakho & Lovren to form the CM partnership. Toure to leave (pity). If we play 3 at the back then expect us to bring back Ilori and sign another CB. If we revert to BR's favoured Back 4 (which I believe we will) then we can just add one CB. FBs are an issue. If Flanno is fit then not so much of a problem but I expect Enrique and Johnson to leave. In a flat back 4 then Manquillo will get more games, Flanno can play equally as well on either side and it seems we are already chasing another Spanish RB. Can / Sakho can play as emergency FBs if required. The defence has actually done quite well, after a poor start, despite the derision they receive here.

How does that change the makeup of the 1st team squad ? Well with possibly 8 players leaving (Gerrard, Enrique, Toure, Johnson, Balotelli, Borini, Lambert & Jones - the reserve keeper) we can expect to see 3 new 1st teamers (RB, CM, Striker) & 4 squad players (CB, CM, Striker, Keeper) and despite FSG's policy for mainly buying young players I expect a couple of those to be mature players (midfield).

Where does that leave us ? I expect us to have a very young but, based on the promise some youngsters have shown this season, a good team, probably good enough to challenge for Top 4 and to challenge for EL 1/4s and do well in the domestic cups. They will be much stronger, as they mature and we inevitably have to fill 2-3 slots, in a season or two. So 4th or 5th next season.
 
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Classical Mechanic said:
@Rafateria

What about Benteke, he seems gettable for you and is a cracking player on form.
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I really like Benteke. Strong as an ox, excellent heading ability (which we, ironically, miss), good technical skills, powerful shot and good link player. He averages close to 50% scoring rate too. I'm not sure we'll be happy to pay the 30M he'll cost but I wouldn't be too disappointed if we do. Unlike some Liverpool supporters I thnk he would suit us down to the ground and is sufficiently different from our other strikers to also provide variety. There are not going to be too many excellent strikers available (in the PL or Europe) this Summer.
 
I read a lot of names that could potentially be available this summer (as opposed to last). Dzeko, Cavani, little pea, Dybala, Martinez, Mitrovic to name a few. They can't all go to the same club(s).
 
Rafateria said:
I really like Benteke. Strong as an ox, excellent heading ability (which we, ironically, miss), good technical skills, powerful shot and good link player. He averages close to 50% scoring rate too. I'm not sure we'll be happy to pay the 30M he'll cost but I wouldn't be too disappointed if we do. Unlike some Liverpool supporters I thnk he would suit us down to the ground and is sufficiently different from our other strikers to also provide variety. There are not going to be too many excellent strikers available (in the PL or Europe) this Summer.
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Yeah, he'd be a great foil for Sterling (assuming he stays), Ibe, Coutinho, Sturridge etc. to play off of. And he's PL proven (cliche!), a reliable finisher (great finisher on form) who's injury record isn't too bad, iirc.
 
Dumbstar said:
I read a lot of names that could potentially be available this summer (as opposed to last). Dzeko, Cavani, little pea, Dybala, Martinez, Mitrovic to name a few. They can't all go to the same club(s).
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Dzeko is hugely odds on (something like 1/6) to stay at City (esp. with a new manger coming in), Cavani is off to Monaco (I think), Dybala is in great demand and won't be coming here, Martinez is an option. I'd like Lacazette or Firmino (not a true striker but still) but doubt either are in reach.
 
Rafateria said:
Dzeko is hugely odds on (something like 1/6) to stay at City (esp. with a new manger coming in), Cavani is off to Monaco (I think), Dybala is in great demand and won't be coming here, Martinez is an option. I'd like Lacazette or Firmino (not a true striker but still) but doubt either are in reach.
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Cavani to Juventus are the rumours. Monaco can't afford him.
 
Rafateria said:
I think Dumbstar has said it near perfectly above but I will expand on that below.

In the eyes of Red Cafe we have an awful team/squad (which had out injured for most of the season, our only real striker) .... a team which could very easily have pipped the United Allstars, who had no Euro matches in intrude on match preparations, to the Top 4, even this late in the season.
So imagine what improvement the team/squad can make next season when the strikers have been overhauled, our young squad (which will be the youngest in the PL next season) has some experience and games under their belts and hopefully some squad strengthening occurs. Yes we will be playing in the EL but then we did this season in addition to CL and also made both domestic cup semis. Next season United will have CL to contend with, and many players will prioritise that over the PL., United should expect to do better in both domestic cups and will again be targeting Top 4 (LvG), though I know the United fans will expect a title challenge.

Strikers : I expect Balotelli (if you listened to BR yesterday), Borini and Lambert to all leave. There should be no way that BR & FSG should be so utterly vacuous as to make the same mistake again of relying on matchstick legs Sturridge to remain injury free (WTF were they thinking). I expect our strikers next season to be : 1. A.N.other , 2. Sturridge, 3. Ings (maybe) 4. Origi .... and there is surely, surely, no way they will be matching the 8 goals our strikers managed between them this season. I expect BR to revert to 4 at the back and two up front so the strikers should be seeing more action.

Wide Midfield : I don't expect any additions to wide midfield / #10, in Sterling, Ibe, Lallana, Coutinho, Markovic and maybe also some games (in the LC and EL) for the excellent Kent & Wilson from the U21s, we have more than enough.

CM/Defensive MF : I expect strengthening here as Lucas may leave in addition to Gerrard, and Henderson and Allen simply aren't strong enough together. Can will get games in midfield and maybe even RWB in certain formations. We have young players but they are not ready (maybe Canos will see some games ? Hopefully). I'd be surprised not to see us buy 2 CMs, one of which will be a specialist DM, and I expect us to persuade Lucas to stay .. otherwise we'll need to replace him too.

Defence : I expect us to sign a GK to seriously challenge Ming (though after a sticky patch he's done superbly). Skrtel, Sakho & Lovren to form the CM partnership. Toure to leave (pity). If we play 3 at the back then expect us to bring back Ilori and sign another CB. If we revert to BR's favoured Back 4 (which I believe we will) then we can just add one CB. FBs are an issue. If Flanno is fit then not so much of a problem but I expect Enrique and Johnson to leave. In a flat back 4 then Manquillo will get more games, Flanno can play equally as well on either side and it seems we are already chasing another Spanish RB. Can / Sakho can play as emergency FBs if required. The defence has actually done quite well, after a poor start, despite the derision they receive here.

How does that change the makeup of the 1st team squad ? Well with possibly 8 players leaving (Gerrard, Enrique, Toure, Johnson, Balotelli, Borini, Lambert & Jones - the reserve keeper) we can expect to see 3 new 1st teamers (RB, CM, Striker) & 4 squad players (CB, CM, Striker, Keeper) and despite FSG's policy for mainly buying young players I expect a couple of those to be mature players (midfield).

Where does that leave us ? I expect us to have a very young but, based on the promise some youngsters have shown this season, a good team, probably good enough to challenge for Top 4 and to challenge for EL 1/4s and do well in the domestic cups. They will be much stronger, as they mature and we inevitably have to fill 2-3 slots, in a season or two. So 4th or 5th next season.
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Not that this is about United, but I will just quickly correct you: LvG has said on a few occasions that this season was stability and back in the top 4, next season is the title challenge.

Back to Liverpool.. You can't blame injuries, all the top teams (except Chelsea) had many. Realistically, you will not get another Suarez. Memphis would have been an amazing signing (and I'm not just saying that because he went to United) but without Suarez, I think you should look to make your team more rounded than just going out and trying to find Suarez 2.0

Turning Pool into top 4 challengers should be reasonable with 2-3 very good investments in the transfer markets. To turn yourselves into title challengers again, I would say you need at least 5. Barring a masterstroke signing (Ala Suarez or Torres)
 
Stretford End Phil said:
Slippy had the limited ambitions of any home boy, and now in his mid-life crisis is justifying a mediocre career!! Can't wait for his book Slips and Prozac.
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:lol: I'm pretty sure 95% of the players out there would snap their hand off for a career like his.

LawCharltonBest said:
It is difficult to see where Pool go from here.

They put up a good title fight last season and looked dangerous. This season maybe they under achieved a bit, by their own expectations, but what is their aim for next season? Title challenge? Top 4?

Their squad looks weak. I wouldn't have Henderson on a free let alone as captain. Gerrards their best player and leaving. Strikers are naff. Skirtal is considered their best defender and is terrible.

Getting linked with the likes of Ings can't be great reading either.

What is next? Any pool fans?
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Top four should still be our aim and I think that's possible if we target the right players this summer (and actually get them for a change). Of course, it will be difficult to achieve with United's spending power, while Arsenal, City and Chelsea all have better squads than us already.

Gerrard hasn't been our best player for three years now though. He'll be a big loss in the dressing room and for the moral of the lads and the fans, but it might be a relieve for some players as well, maybe there are others now who'll step up to the occassion. We need to replace Gerrard as soon as possible and bring in a quality striker, those are our top priorities imo. I'd be happy with either one of Nainggolan or Pjanic for example, rumours are the former will be available because Cagliari and Roma can't work things out. As for the striker, it will be hard to get one out of the Vietto/Dybala/Lacazette pool because a lot of teams will be in for them and they just won't choose to come to us. Someone a little bit more low profile might be possible though, like Martinez or Benteke. It'd be disappointed if the likes of Ings and Berahino would be the only striker we bring in, and absolutely livid if we buy Mitrovic because he's utter shit.
 
Rafateria said:
And how are you doing compared to this lot ? ;)

Honours
Liverpool - Winner
League Cup: 2000/2001, 2002/2003 2011/2012
FA Cup: 2000/2001, 2005/2006
FA Community Shield: 2001, 2006
UEFA Champions League: 2004/2005
UEFA Cup: 2000/2001
UEFA Super Cup: 2001, 2005
Personal
PFA Young Player of the Year: 1995, 1996
UEFA Fair Play Award: 1997
Premier League Player of the Month: December 1995, January 1996
PFA Team of the Year: 1996
FWA Footballer of the Year (1): 2009
PFA Players' Player of the Year (1): 2006
PFA Young Player of the Year (1): 2001
PFA Fans' Player of the Year (2): 2001, 2009
PFA Team of the Year (7): 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
EPL Player of the Month (5): Mar 2001, Mar 2003, Dec 2004, Apr 2006, Mar 2009
Standard Chartered Player of the Month Award (1): March 2012
Liverpool Top Goalscorer (3): 2004–05, 2005–06, 2008–09
Ballon d'Or Bronze Award (1): 2005
UEFA Club Footballer of the Year (1): 2005
UEFA Champions League Final Man of the Match (1): 2005
UEFA Euro Team of the Tournament (1): 2012
UEFA Team of the Year (3): 2005, 2006, 2007
FIFA/FIFPro World XI (3): 2007, 2008, 2009
FA Cup Final Man of the Match (1): 2006
Goal of the Season (1): 2006
England Player of the Year (1): 2007
Member of the Order of the British Empire: 2007
Honorary Fellowship from Liverpool John Moores University: 2008
BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award – 3rd Place: 2005
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The bolded part wasn't even Gerrard. They're Fowler's awards.

Why did you feel the need to fill out his achievements with things he didn't even win?
 
Rafateria said:
And how are you doing compared to this lot ? ;)

Honours
Liverpool - Winner
League Cup: 2000/2001, 2002/2003 2011/2012
FA Cup: 2000/2001, 2005/2006
FA Community Shield: 2001, 2006
UEFA Champions League: 2004/2005
UEFA Cup: 2000/2001
UEFA Super Cup: 2001, 2005
Personal
PFA Young Player of the Year: 1995, 1996
UEFA Fair Play Award: 1997
Premier League Player of the Month: December 1995, January 1996
PFA Team of the Year: 1996
FWA Footballer of the Year (1): 2009
PFA Players' Player of the Year (1): 2006
PFA Young Player of the Year (1): 2001
PFA Fans' Player of the Year (2): 2001, 2009
PFA Team of the Year (7): 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
EPL Player of the Month (5): Mar 2001, Mar 2003, Dec 2004, Apr 2006, Mar 2009
Standard Chartered Player of the Month Award (1): March 2012
Liverpool Top Goalscorer (3): 2004–05, 2005–06, 2008–09
Ballon d'Or Bronze Award (1): 2005
UEFA Club Footballer of the Year (1): 2005
UEFA Champions League Final Man of the Match (1): 2005
UEFA Euro Team of the Tournament (1): 2012
UEFA Team of the Year (3): 2005, 2006, 2007
FIFA/FIFPro World XI (3): 2007, 2008, 2009
FA Cup Final Man of the Match (1): 2006
Goal of the Season (1): 2006
England Player of the Year (1): 2007
Member of the Order of the British Empire: 2007
Honorary Fellowship from Liverpool John Moores University: 2008
BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award – 3rd Place: 2005
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Im no expert here but Has Stevie G resorted to stealing ROBBIE FOWLERS personal achievements or is this just scouse steriotyping?

EDIT; Just read on and realised that this has already been picked up on
 
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RobinLFC said:
:lol: I'm pretty sure 95% of the players out there would snap their hand off for a career like his.


Top four should still be our aim and I think that's possible if we target the right players this summer (and actually get them for a change). Of course, it will be difficult to achieve with United's spending power, while Arsenal, City and Chelsea all have better squads than us already.

Gerrard hasn't been our best player for three years now though. He'll be a big loss in the dressing room and for the moral of the lads and the fans, but it might be a relieve for some players as well, maybe there are others now who'll step up to the occassion. We need to replace Gerrard as soon as possible and bring in a quality striker, those are our top priorities imo. I'd be happy with either one of Nainggolan or Pjanic for example, rumours are the former will be available because Cagliari and Roma can't work things out. As for the striker, it will be hard to get one out of the Vietto/Dybala/Lacazette pool because a lot of teams will be in for them and they just won't choose to come to us. Someone a little bit more low profile might be possible though, like Martinez or Benteke. It'd be disappointed if the likes of Ings and Berahino would be the only striker we bring in, and absolutely livid if we buy Mitrovic because he's utter shit.
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There you go building crappy squads around a poor player, ever the eternal Scouse excuse for over 25 years ,and spending money you haven't got. 95% of players in the league don't aspire to Slippy's career path unless it included joining a big club, serving a top manager, winning leagues, and playing in a squad of champions. Time for a reality check.:lol:
 
Cina said:
Are you claiming Utd don't?
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That wasn't what I was trying to imply but this season, the gap between our team and United's is certainly closer than the one with the others, imo. Intrinsically, your team might be on par with them, if not better, but the style of play isn't right yet, but that was to be expected in your first year under LvG.

Rooney in Dublin said:
You think a player of Gerrard's ability should settle for what 95% of players would want?
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Maybe he shouldn't but that's what you do when you really love your club and I admire him for that (death threat stories aside). He won everything there is to win except for the Premier League, that's a huge void in his career but you can't win it all - for all his titles, Ibahimovic will probably never win the Champions League and that has always been his biggest dream.
 
Rafateria said:
Strikers : I expect Balotelli (if you listened to BR yesterday), Borini and Lambert to all leave. There should be no way that BR & FSG should be so utterly vacuous as to make the same mistake again of relying on matchstick legs Sturridge to remain injury free (WTF were they thinking). I expect our strikers next season to be : 1. A.N.other , 2. Sturridge, 3. Ings (maybe) 4. Origi .... and there is surely, surely, no way they will be matching the 8 goals our strikers managed between them this season. I expect BR to revert to 4 at the back and two up front so the strikers should be seeing more action.

Wide Midfield : I don't expect any additions to wide midfield / #10, in Sterling, Ibe, Lallana, Coutinho, Markovic and maybe also some games (in the LC and EL) for the excellent Kent & Wilson from the U21s, we have more than enough.

CM/Defensive MF : I expect strengthening here as Lucas may leave in addition to Gerrard, and Henderson and Allen simply aren't strong enough together. Can will get games in midfield and maybe even RWB in certain formations. We have young players but they are not ready (maybe Canos will see some games ? Hopefully). I'd be surprised not to see us buy 2 CMs, one of which will be a specialist DM, and I expect us to persuade Lucas to stay .. otherwise we'll need to replace him too.

Defence : I expect us to sign a GK to seriously challenge Ming (though after a sticky patch he's done superbly). Skrtel, Sakho & Lovren to form the CM partnership. Toure to leave (pity). If we play 3 at the back then expect us to bring back Ilori and sign another CB. If we revert to BR's favoured Back 4 (which I believe we will) then we can just add one CB. FBs are an issue. If Flanno is fit then not so much of a problem but I expect Enrique and Johnson to leave. In a flat back 4 then Manquillo will get more games, Flanno can play equally as well on either side and it seems we are already chasing another Spanish RB. Can / Sakho can play as emergency FBs if required. The defence has actually done quite well, after a poor start, despite the derision they receive here.

How does that change the makeup of the 1st team squad ? Well with possibly 8 players leaving (Gerrard, Enrique, Toure, Johnson, Balotelli, Borini, Lambert & Jones - the reserve keeper) we can expect to see 3 new 1st teamers (RB, CM, Striker) & 4 squad players (CB, CM, Striker, Keeper) and despite FSG's policy for mainly buying young players I expect a couple of those to be mature players (midfield).

Where does that leave us ? I expect us to have a very young but, based on the promise some youngsters have shown this season, a good team, probably good enough to challenge for Top 4 and to challenge for EL 1/4s and do well in the domestic cups. They will be much stronger, as they mature and we inevitably have to fill 2-3 slots, in a season or two. So 4th or 5th next season.
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It's going to be very difficult to get 7 player's, 3 of which will have to be first team players with the budget Liverpool will have. I've seen the likes of Dybala, Benteke, Lacazette, Martinez mentioned as one of the strikers, none of which would come for less than £25m. The likes of Nainggolan, Pjanic and Bender mentioned as potential midfielders who would cost at least £20m. On top of this you're looking at a right back who'll slot straight into your first team (say £15m) and 4 more squad player's. Best case scenario that's around £90m with around £20m coming in, which is pretty unrealistic in my opinion.

I think more likely is bringing Origi back, signing a player like Ings and maybe spending big on Benteke (or possibly taking a punt on someone like Bacca). Keep Lucas, Allen, Can and Henderson as your four midfielders, whilst adding a central defender and full back for c. £5-10m each (Montoya linked, possibly someone like Vlaar/Williams also). That would represent around £50-60m spent with £20m coming in from sales.
 
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stevoc said:
The bolded part wasn't even Gerrard. They're Fowler's awards.

Why did you feel the need to fill out his achievements with things he didn't even win?
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When you've finished reading the following posts you can go back and edit your stupid accusations.
 
LawCharltonBest said:
Not that this is about United, but I will just quickly correct you: LvG has said on a few occasions that this season was stability and back in the top 4, next season is the title challenge.

Back to Liverpool.. You can't blame injuries, all the top teams (except Chelsea) had many. Realistically, you will not get another Suarez. Memphis would have been an amazing signing (and I'm not just saying that because he went to United) but without Suarez, I think you should look to make your team more rounded than just going out and trying to find Suarez 2.0

Turning Pool into top 4 challengers should be reasonable with 2-3 very good investments in the transfer markets. To turn yourselves into title challengers again, I would say you need at least 5. Barring a masterstroke signing (Ala Suarez or Torres)
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Oh I thought I read recently that LvG said it was a 3 year plan to challenge for the title ? Maybe I'm wrong.

Injuries - all the top squads have them but some far more than others. A month or so back I posted on here the ridiculous lack of injuries Chelsea have had this season (and last) and wondered how they manage it. They were virtually bottom of the number of 'Injury Days' per squad. United were something like 5th /6th in the table of most injuries and Liverpool were top (so maybe we did win something this season - do we get a trophy) ? Delving further though I'd say that it affected us the most because it meant we had (one way or another) now lost the scorers of 50% of our goals from last season (Suarez and Sturridge) and were reduced to depending on wide midfielders and 3 back up strikers that proved to be WTF buys. Now the transfers are the fault of BR and FSG but that aside even a blind man could see how more damaging losing Sturridge was to us, more even than United's defensive woes.

5 seasons is an eternity as we've seen in the last 2-3 seasons with United's fall and rise and Liverpool's rise and fall. It's impossible to say if it will materialise but 2-3 years is a reasonable time-frame to challenge if it all comes together.
 
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