Almost certain the money will be invested in a striker. This team needs goals.
Our Rivals Squad's next year - Liverpool 2015/2016
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A lot depends on how well Firmino settles and deals with having to carry the rest of that shower.
Is Firmino going on the tour? Or is he on holiday?
On holiday because of the Copa America, same for Coutinho.
I thought he might be. Shame. They're in Australia soon and I was curious about how he might go.
Can't see who they're going to knock out of the top four to be frank, no chance of City or Chelsea doing so, we've made signing that mean we should be looking above us rather than below and Arsenal will strengthen and always manage to get there. They might finish ahead of Spurs and Saints but unless Rodgers does well in the Europa League or FA Cup he'll be gone next summer I think.
Do you not think that defensive cover is even more of an issue than a striker? With Flanagan injured and Enrique probably on his way out there doesn't look to be much cover in either fullback postion. And injuries to Skrtel and Sakho would lead to a centre back partnership of Lovren and Toure.
I suppose Wisdom's back from loan and they've signed Gomez but their both fairly inexperienced and unproven to be relied on.
Sounds reasonable, but right now, I'd say City are the most vunerable club in the top 4.
Is sturridge injured right now? Guy always seems to be injured
I do think City could be in danger of finishing out of the race early in 3rd/4th but Aguero really is an exceptional player and it would be very surprising to see them lower than that with him (and Silva) there. If they don't make significant strides in the Champions League (semi final possibly needed) then they're at risk of Madrid signing him next summer.
I think you're right, they may have finished runner up but their team is aging and their midfield is wank despite what they'd have you believe, Aguero is an immense player when fit but I wonder how long he and Silva (who's only 5/6 months off 30) will be able to carry them. Toure dropped off massively, their defence is looking weaker with Kompany's slow decline. If they don't start rebuilding their core soon then they could drop out of the top four very easily.
"Most Vulnerable" sure. They're not very vulnerable though.
I don't disagree at all. Chelsea first, City fourth, and Arsenal/United 2nd/3rd depending on how well the new signings settle in. Decent gap between 4th and 5th.
Obviously my predictions are moot because the window doesn't close for like 7 weeks, but that's how I see it right now.
He is by a few Liverpool fans. I like him but don't feel he has that extra bit to take him to Sterling/Ibe levels. I reckon moving on is a good idea for him and maybe the club.
Obviously football's not played on paper, the window's not been open long etc, but that's some difference in quality. They'll have to be great to break into the top 4 this season.
I don't think it's United we're going to have to edge out of top four (see above). Honestly, I can't see (m)any of our players getting into a combined United/Pool XI at the moment. Skrtel alongside Smalling, maybe. Coutinho/Sturridge would at least make the bench - Possibly Milner, too.
On last seasons form, I'd have Cou in the squad.
Looking at those squad lists United's is stronger for sure, but we are taking a few more players and nearly half of them are youngsters.
Coutinho, Sturridge, Can , Firmino ,Ilori and Flanagan are missing also.
We need a top striker - granted United will probably get one too.
Coutinho, Sturridge, Can , Firmino ,Ilori and Flanagan are missing also.
We need a top striker - granted United will probably get one too.
In the context of the last 6 years that season was a complete anomaly unfortunately.
We are signing otamendi so even skrtel wont start
Would have a fit sturridge before rooney though.
We are signing otamendi so even skrtel wont start
Would have a fit sturridge before rooney though.
Not seen much of him, so can't comment.
On last seasons form, with signings (in and out) so far, I'd go something like...
Rooney
Depay Coutinho Mata
Herrera Carrick
(A LB) Smalling Skrtel Clyne
De Gea
That's pretty fair, no?
Depay Coutinho Mata would be pretty amazing in motion I reckon.
Cant argue with that based on last season's form as I didnt see anything of darmian. Otamendi was the best defender in la liga though, is immense on one on ones so think he deserves a start. As is better than both smalling/skrtel.
Although rooney on last season form doesnt deserve to start as a striker at all
To be fair, none of Liverpools strikers were better.Although rooney on last season form doesnt deserve to start as a striker at all
Sterling was our best striker... And he's not a striker... And scored only 7 goals.
No-one to blame but Rodgers for that. Buys Borini, Aspas, Lambert & Balotelli, and plays none of them ahead of a young winger
But yeah, Rooney up top is probably the least difficult choice... Except for maybe DDG.
I think Sturridge is a very, very good striker assuming he rehabs fine. He can be selfish, but his combination of pace and skill are only bettered in the Prem by Aguero, in terms of strikers, and he has good vision (which he ignores often) and is a strong finisher. If he's healthy, then after Aguero and Costa, I'd say he'd be my 3rd choice for top scorer, ahead of everyone else.
Coutinho has spark and creativity and Firmino (or even conceivably Ibe) may well too.
Liverpool's problems will result from their midfield being gung-ho and largely without guile or ability in tight spaces and their lack of defensive excellence. Not a Koscielny, De Gea, Terry or Matic there just pissing excellence.
Don't know how I missed this, my apologies.
Any word on how they plan to spend the Sterling money?
Any word on how they plan to spend the Sterling money?
Their squad is the poorest it's been in a long time. Losing Gerrard, Suarez, Sterling and Sturridge becoming a perma-crock since their near miss in 13/14 is pretty crushing for them, in all honesty. Glen Johnson was also a good player between 2012 & 2014 and he has also departed. I guess the overrated and inconsistent Coutinho will be their saviour now, although I feel he may be the man to step up to the plate. They will heavily rely on him, Firmino and Ibe.
Out of all their signings, it looks like Milner and Clyne will be solid additions and Firmino could potentially be a very good player. I have absolutely no worries about the rest of their signings and I think Ings is bang average.
I don't see them challenging for top 4 with their current squad and if things stay as they are, theywill finish between 5th - 7th.
Out of all their signings, it looks like Milner and Clyne will be solid additions and Firmino could potentially be a very good player. I have absolutely no worries about the rest of their signings and I think Ings is bang average.
I don't see them challenging for top 4 with their current squad and if things stay as they are, theywill finish between 5th - 7th.
I don't disagree with your points. I think Milner though given added responsibility could thrive and provide a decent platform for Coutinho and Firmino. That said both the Brazilians need to be consistent and injury free along with Sturridge and have great seasons to get 5th. I worry that we haven't strengthened at centre back. I don't rate Skrtel and think we lack pace in the central positions.
It's the middle of July now and I still feel the same way.
Aside from Firmino, none of their signings are remarkable. Even he doesn't give me great confidence after Kawaga's struggle to adapt from the Bundesliga.
Also despite the angry protestations that I might get from Liverpool supports on this, I think the fact they've had to give Henderson the armband is symbolic of just how poor their squad is currently.
Although speaking of captains, at least they won't have the elephant in the room (or elephant that needs dropped immediately) in Slippy G, this season.
Henderson will be a decent captain, but yes the options were limited.
Most of the signings so far are upgrades on what we had, Clyne (for Johnson), Bogdan (for Jones), Milner (for Gerrard of last season). Ings (for Aspas).
Firmino will hopefully add some quality and he and Coutinho clearly will be very important.
If we can get Sturridge back fit and bring in another couple of players, especially a goal scorer AND Firmino does well then we could surprise a few people.
Ibe assuming he gets some game time could be a very good player and I still think Lallana can be good for us, he had terrible luck with injuries last season. I still rate him.
Sakho too missed a lot of games.
As it stands whilst the aim has to be top 4 - that looks unlikely as I cannot see at the moment any of the current 4 dropping out of those positions.
But at least nobody will be worried about us!
Hopefully the building of the new stand won't restrict our spending too much.
Yes Skertl signing a new deal was probably bad news to some Liverpool fans as I'm sure an upgrade was the preferred option. I do think Milner will be a good signing and the general consensus from City fans is that they wanted to keep him. Ings is a very meh player but he's relatively low risk providing the tribunal fee isn't extortionate.
The main emphasis will most definitely be on how well Coutinho and Firmino play. Coutinho on his day is brilliant but I still find his form patchy and he definitely has a tendency to go missing.
Skrtel isn't the problem. it's been finding a consistent partner for him. Lovren hasn't settled, maybe a good pre-season and fresh start may do him good, and Sakho was in and out of the team because of injury.
Be interesting to see what happens with Ilori, Gomez maybe too young just yet.
Have to see if we play 3 at the back too.
As you said, if you keep Sturridge fit you've got a pretty nice team on your hands. Then again Firmino is quite versatile and could do a job, Ings is decent but it's best for the team if you've got a system with Sturridge at the attacking pivot as the cover strikers you have are; shall we say... less capable.
Sturridge
Coutinho------------Firmino
Henderson Milner
Can/Lucas
It's true the top 4 teams are strengthening but if you beat the teams you need to like you did in that 13 games unbeaten streak was it? And do your part then there's nothing to suggest that you can't make a respectable challenge for the Top 4.Coutinho------------Firmino
Henderson Milner
Can/Lucas
Indeed, the strikers situation is a bit of a mess, we are too reliant on Sturridge being fit. I am hoping Ings can do well to be honest, you would imagine he would get more chances than at Burnley and he scored goals there.
The Balotelli, Lambert and Borini issue needs sorting and a new proven goal scorer brought in, it's hard to have any confidence in Sturridge ability to stay fit.
Is Balotelli injured? Because he's not on the tour, so surely it's a case of finding a club and he's off?
He isn't injured.
You would think so - he had a family bereavement recently though, so may have been excluded due to that. Most likely though because of the chance of a move elsewhere.
I see. I only ask because there's seems to have been no rumours about a deal which is strange, would have thought a couple of teams would have made some enquires by now despite how dreadful he's been for you.
Gomez is only 18, high-rated but probably at least 2 years off challenging, we should loan him out to a PL team where he will get played, Middlesbro/Bournemouth perhaps (though I have no ida what their CB situations are like).
All the chatter is a reversion to 442 pyramid and 443, especially since BR prefers 4 at the back and that seems highly likely bearing in mind we bought Clyne and let Manquillo go (who put in his best performances when we had 4 at the back).
With regard to strikers if we end up with something along the lines of : Sturridge, Benteke, Ings, Origi then that is a massive improvement on last season. It comes as no surprise though to see United supporters saying we are in decline when in fact all pointers say the opposite. The loss of Sterling has already been covered in my book (I think Carra was spot on with his rating of 30M, a good player with potential but he didn't carry the team and was only at the top of his game with better players around him) with Firmino and Milner replacing Gerrard is clearly a step up in terms of team solidity. Now if we can just sign Illarramendi or similar to anchor the midfield.
Oh come on now.
You can perhaps argue that you're not declining from last season but there is very little improvement thus far in your signings.
Much more will be needed. At the moment even Spurs are comfortably more threatening than Liverpool.
There's quite strong runners of Fiorentina and his former coach has come out and said it would suit Balo, as well as putting him closer to his family at this sad time.
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