Our Rivals Squad's next year - Liverpool 2015/2016

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Badunk said:
How? When your goal is to get in the top 4, it's going to be very difficult to do if hardly any of your players are good enough to get into their teams.
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We were second last season with almost exactly the same team bar Suarez - did any of our players meet the requirement of being good enough to get in another top four team back then? Of course not, because there are so many other factors that are equally as important as the quality of your players. United was seventh last year and got top four this year while the majority of the players was the same. It wasn't the quality of your players that was different this year, it was your manager and style of play.

Those two plus confidence, character, leadership, ... are all necesarry ingredients for a team to succeed. How many Atletico players would've gotten into Real's or Barca's team last year? It's the team as a whole and all the surrounding circumstances that counts, not the individual quality of the players. Sure, it helps if they're very good players, but that doesn't garantuee you anything.
 
Rooney in Dublin said:
'Best XI' is just as shite a criteria to use to judge a team's chances to do well in the league. Of course it's important, but squad depth is equally as important, especially if you have permacrocks in your starting XI, and if you're going to play European football.
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Where did I argue otherwise? I only said those eleven form a young and decent core to build around and I'm happy with the quality of those players.
 
1. Just how big of a miss will Steven Gerrard be? they wont miss last season's form but they are missing the leader he has been over the past decade for them.

2. Can they keep hold of players like Sterling and Coutinho? Should Sterling stay?

Coutinho probably will stay but I am sure he is looking for big recruits this year to join.

Will Sterling Stay? No, there's no point in keeping a disruptive player who wants out. His interviews and comments bring a focus onto the the team that I am sure fans and management alike want to avoid.

Should Sterling stay? No I dont see why he should stay if he doesn't believe that as a team they are going in the right direction. I don't agree that players should learn their trade and pay their dues when they are being missused as players or if your manager's lack of ambition in the CL means you get roasted by Madrid. Careers are too short and the same management would kick you to the curb if you were under performing. I think he could have gone about it in a better manner but dont see that it would hurt his development to leave.

3. Can any of their new loanees or returning players add to the squad? I dont see any game changers in the returnees so no.

4. Which dross needs to be shipped out? I would say Coutinho, Sterling, Henderson and Sturridge are the only players that are good enough to be in a premier league winning team. The rest could all be upgraded (although leaving out players like Ibe who could be decent).

5. Which 3 positions are needed to be improved upon? GK, CD, CM - team needs a spine first and foremost.
 
RobinLFC said:
Where did I argue otherwise? I only said those eleven form a young and decent core to build around and I'm happy with the quality of those players.
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Ok, your post wasn't really that clear and again I find it bizarre to just list 11 players that most likely won't be lining up week in, week out, and dismissing your biggest injury problem by saying 'injury troubles aside'.

In any case, I agree with other posters that it's a very uninspiring selection of players.
 
If Liverpool win the best-of-the-rest battle and finish 5th, I'd say that's a good season for them. Spurs and Southampton both have a clear Plan A right now, and while they both have deficiencies in the squad, I expect both to have fairly stable seasons. Indeed Stoke and Swansea look to be heading up not down and one of those clubs could get a few extra points next season and close the gap on that gang chasing 4th. Obviously it depends on the transfer window - Southampton again look at risk of losing key players, but after last season no-one will write them off. But, right now, I think at least three of those teams mentioned will go into next season in good health.

Liverpool, on the other hand, look all over the place right now. Its really hard to even say who their peak performers are. Coutinho is a decent player, but beyond that there are question marks everywhere you look. They're relying on so many players suddenly getting better, that its hard to believe it'll happen - Mignolet, Manquillo, Lallana, Lovren, Moreno, Sakho, Markovic & Origi all need to step up their game by a large margin. I'll give Can the benefit of the doubt. You'll always have a couple of underperformers who need to improve, but to have as many as Liverpool do is problematic because the chances of all of them - or even most of them - suddenly getting better is slim.

As for transfers; they need a better goalie, a right back, a centre back, a creative central midfielder, two strikers and (if Sterling goes) a replacement winger would be ideal. Hard to imagine them outperforming City and ourselves in the transfer market, and we're all going for similar players. So its hard to see them being successful there either, particularly given the lack of CL.

They also need the manager to stop worshiping his own image. Rodgers was part of the problem last season, even ignoring the motivational guff. Endless formation noodling made the team look lost at times. He also handled a few of the players horribly, playing some to death while others hardly got a kick.

That's just so much to turn around in a season. To have 6 or 7 players suddenly get loads better, to have nearly every transfer you make to work out ideally and to have your manager suddenly turn it around on a sixpence - its possible, but its pretty unlikely. My prediction would be 6th, with 5th possible, but a bigger gap to 4th than last season. If they do make a meaningful fight for 4th place, it'll be because one of the current top 4 go backwards, not because Liverpool improve so much.
 
1. Just how big of a miss will Steven Gerrard be?

In terms of the player he was the last few years, I don't really think he'll be missed much at all, aside from the occasional moment of brilliance and goal here and there that is unlikely to be replicated by any of their other midfielders. He will be missed as a figurehead in the dressing room and Henderson really doesn't compare on a captaincy level.

2. Can they keep hold of players like Sterling and Coutinho? Should Sterling stay?

I doubt Coutinho will leave this season as the club will do everything to make sure they don't lose two of their prized assets in one summer, but losing star players depict the club as a feeder/selling club and then it becomes a vicious cycle. Especially as it looks more and more challenging for them to get top four. Same applies for Spurs, Southampton, etc.

3. Can any of their new loanees or returning players add to the squad?

Just Origi, who would be an improvement on Lambert, Borini and probably Balotelli even though he has come in for strong criticism himself at times.

4. Which dross needs to be shipped out?

All their forwards aside from Sturridge and Origi and a few of the of the return loanees. On top of that I don't think it would hurt letting either Toure or Lovren go and bringing in another centre back. Then there's Johnson, Jones, Enrique, etc.

5. Which 3 positions are needed to be improved upon?

Up front definitely. Central midfielder is needed, but not sure in what capacity, obviously there's a void left by Gerrards departure, Can has featured predominantly in midfield, Lucas adds something to the team whereas Allen adds little and Henderson has improved exponentially in the last few years, but will never be top tier. A goalkeeper definitely is needed with Jones being shocking and Mignolet - despite his improvement - still failing to convince. They look weak at right back too.
 
SonnyTheHaloPro said:
Kolo Toure has signed a contract extension haha, I have no hope for that club.
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I don't mind this. Decent 4th choice CB, great personality, and a senior head in the dressing room. For the price of nout, and modest(ish) wages, I'm glad Kolo is staying.
 
I think Liverpool need 7 quality players to be any good. A goalkeeper, 2 defenders, 2 central midfielders and 2 strikers.
 
1. Just how big of a miss will Steven Gerrard be?

As a player he won't be missed. He's been far more of a hindrance on the pitch than a help this season, but I'm struggling to see who's going to step up and replace his leadership qualities. Skrtel seems the obvious choice, but he's hardly going to put in a storming performance to turn a game around, which Gerrard was known to do on occasion. Not sure why they bothered giving Henderson the vice-captaincy because he just doesn't strike me as a leader.

2. Can they keep hold of players like Sterling and Coutinho? Should Sterling stay?

I think Sterling will go. The fans have turned on him and it's become such a soap opera that I can only see one ending for this. I think they're kidding themselves if they think they'll get £50+ million for him, and they should jump at the chance to take anything close to £30 million. Coutinho will stay, I think, but only for another season or two at most. Any decent run of form and the two Spanish giants will likely come sniffing, but I can also see Chelsea, City, PSG, Juve and Bayern as possible destinations.

3. Can any of their new loanees or returning players add to the squad?

I doubt it, certainly not to the extent that they'll need them to. Coates seems as good as gone, and Ilori's not managed to get anywhere near the team yet. Aspas is simply not good enough, and they've got enough crap wingers without trying to find room for Luis Alberto as well. I'm not convinced Origi is the answer to their problems up top, and I imagine there'll be an unfair weight of expectation on him given their failings in the final third this season.

4. Which dross needs to be shipped out?

If they want a squad capable of entering and staying in the top 4 year after year, a lot of it. Enrique, Coates, Aspas and Borini are already surplus to requirements, and Johnson and Jones are pretty much deadwood too. If it wasn't going to completely decimate their squad, you'd probably have to say Lambert, Balotelli, and possibly even Lovren should be nowhere near it either.

5. Which 3 positions are needed to be improved upon?

I'd say all of them, but I think the three positions they're most in need of quality are central defence, up front, and full-back. Their back line is shockingly bad, and for all of Rodgers' talk of strength in depth and buying players for the first team, it's probably the weakest it's been in years. They barely have two trusted centre-backs, don't appear to have any trusted full-backs, and their forward line spends most of his time with the physio. Mignolet isn't really good enough, but he's good enough (not bad enough?) for the goalkeeping position to not be an overly pressing concern this summer. They've got an abundance of wingers that can at least do the job Rodgers wants them to do, and their midfield isn't too bad if they can keep their best players fit.
 
The can’t/won’t/haven’t/shouldn’t play/have been ostracised/combinations of other reasons XI 2014-15:

1. Mignolet

2. Johnson

3. Manquillo

4. Enrique

5. Sakho

6. Lovren

7. Gerrard

8. Lambert

9. Balotelli

10. Sterling

11. Borini


Manquillo back to Spain; Gerrard to the MLS and Johnson’s contract up.

What do they do with the rest?
 
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What's the deal with Can in midfield? Why is he incapable of playing there, and is it something that is expected to change?

Everyone seems to love/ rate him, and I don't see why. He's a rubbish defender who can look classy on the ball, but doesn't seem to be trusted in his proper position.
 
ThierryHenry said:
What's the deal with Can in midfield? Why is he incapable of playing there, and is it something that is expected to change?

Everyone seems to love/ rate him, and I don't see why. He's a rubbish defender who can look classy on the ball, but doesn't seem to be trusted in his proper position.
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Rodgers is an idiot. Can started off well in midfield for us, got dropped for no reason and then when he was brought back in he was considered a defender for some reason.

I do think his future is a box-to-box player though rather than a holding midfielder. And I'm not sure whether it's possible to play two players like that (with Henderson) in the same midfield.
 
Bob Loblaw said:
Rodgers is an idiot. Can started off well in midfield for us, got dropped for no reason and then when he was brought back in he was considered a defender for some reason.

I do think his future is a box-to-box player though rather than a holding midfielder. And I'm not sure whether it's possible to play two players like that (with Henderson) in the same midfield.
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Pretty much this. We're talking about a manager who plays 442 with Coutinho & Lallana up front after buying Lambert Borini Aspas Sturridge and Balotelli in his time at the club :lol: Expecting him to play a midfielder in midfield? Get the feck outta here with that sorta thinking! Mignolet in the holding role for the first game of 15/16.
 
Its gonna be massive job for whoever is in charge but there's some serviceable talent in that team. All hope is not lost.
1. He won't be a miss, he was holding them back if anything.

2. No one seems interested in Coutinho, so that should be easy. Sterling looks on his way though, which although they'll get some money for him, its bound to set them back.

3. Nope, straight to the transfer list if anything.

4. I wouldn't take a shot at listing the dross there, it'd take me too long.

5. They need some midfielders in there. 3 to be exact. A centre back since they bottled the last attempt at signing one, and a right back. A wide forward/ second striker would go a long way in helping them because Sturridge is perennially injured. A striker is also in need.

Coutinho-----New striker-----Sturridge
------------New CM------New AM-----------
---------------------New HM------------------
Moreno----Skrtel-------New CB-----New RB
-----------------------Mingolet------------------

Is basically how they should be looking at the new team and fill in the blank spots. There are enough decent squad players at the club for them to put all their focus into building a great first 11.

The striker situation is a particularly difficult one. Sturridge is always injured, Ballotelli doesn't seem bothered and although Origi is very gifted, no one really knows his level.

I'd go for young talent with lots of potential for most of the holes. They might as well initiate a transition phase rather than have mediocre proven players.
 
RooneyLegend said:
5. They need some midfielders in there. 3 to be exact. A centre back since they bottled the last attempt at signing one, and a right back. A wide forward/ second striker would go a long way in helping them because Sturridge is perennially injured. A striker is also in need.

Coutinho-----New striker-----Sturridge
------------New CM------New AM-----------
---------------------New HM------------------
Moreno----Skrtel-------New CB-----New RB
-----------------------Mingolet------------------
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I see what you're saying, but I don't think an overhaul that side is conceivable. For me, 4-2-3-1/4-4-2 like this...

4-2-3-1
Mignolet
New RB--Skrtel--Sakho--Moreno
New CDM---Henderson
Ibe--Coutinho--Lallana
New Striker

Subs: New GK, Lovren, Toure, Lucas, Allen, Milner, Sturridge, Origi

4-4-2 (Diamond)
Mignolet
New RB--Skrtel--Sakho--Moreno
New CDM
Henderson--Milner
Coutinho
New Striker--Sturridge

Subs: New GK, Lovren, Toure, Lucas, Allen, Ibe, Sturridge, Origi, Lallana

Edit: Forgot about Emre Can! But we do need a CDM improvement on Lucas that's ready to go now. Can can improve as a midfielder in cups/Europa.

Obviously my idea is a more conservative than what I hope for. Realistically, if we let Sterling go, I'm expecting at least a RB, GK, CDM and preferably two strikers. We can pretty much sell all our strikers other than Sturridge & Origi and our situation wouldn't change at all (I know about Origi's rating in the Lille squad and whatnot, but he suits our style of play down to a tee and he's no doubt a better bench option for us than Aspas, Lambert & Borini).
 
They don't actually look awful on paper, just a bit Spurs. This is bordering on Match of the Day level inanity but to me they do look like they're missing a couple of big players, who can spur on the others or inspire the others. Not a Gerrard thing, it's just that reading their team-sheet is very drab, there's no real romance there, no great hopes or mavericks.

They're doing the right thing this summer by not going for youth again. A couple of decent goal scorers, a winger and a lb/rb, one of which being someone who can get the others upping their game and they'll be ok. Still can't see them making the top four unless someone implodes spectacularly though.
 
Parry Gallister said:
They don't actually look awful on paper, just a bit Spurs. This is bordering on Match of the Day level inanity but to me they do look like they're missing a couple of big players, who can spur on the others or inspire the others. Not a Gerrard thing, it's just that reading their team-sheet is very drab, there's no real romance there, no great hopes or mavericks.

They're doing the right thing this summer by not going for youth again. A couple of decent goal scorers, a winger and a lb/rb, one of which being someone who can get the others upping their game and they'll be ok. Still can't see them making the top four unless someone implodes spectacularly though.
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I think this is a fair analysis. We definitely can't afford to go into this window and buy young potential - We need to buy players that are ready go right into the first team.
 
Parry Gallister said:
They don't actually look awful on paper, just a bit Spurs. This is bordering on Match of the Day level inanity but to me they do look like they're missing a couple of big players, who can spur on the others or inspire the others. Not a Gerrard thing, it's just that reading their team-sheet is very drab, there's no real romance there, no great hopes or mavericks.

They're doing the right thing this summer by not going for youth again. A couple of decent goal scorers, a winger and a lb/rb, one of which being someone who can get the others upping their game and they'll be ok. Still can't see them making the top four unless someone implodes spectacularly though.
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Makes sense. Spurs have finished just a bit above Liverpool for 5 of the last six seasons,
 
Tommy said:
I see what you're saying, but I don't think an overhaul that side is conceivable. For me, 4-2-3-1/4-4-2 like this...

4-2-3-1
Mignolet
New RB--Skrtel--Sakho--Moreno
New CDM---Henderson
Ibe--Coutinho--Lallana
New Striker

Subs: New GK, Lovren, Toure, Lucas, Allen, Milner, Sturridge, Origi

4-4-2 (Diamond)
Mignolet
New RB--Skrtel--Sakho--Moreno
New CDM
Henderson--Milner
Coutinho
New Striker--Sturridge

Subs: New GK, Lovren, Toure, Lucas, Allen, Ibe, Sturridge, Origi, Lallana

Edit: Forgot about Emre Can! But we do need a CDM improvement on Lucas that's ready to go now. Can can improve as a midfielder in cups/Europa.

Obviously my idea is a more conservative than what I hope for. Realistically, if we let Sterling go, I'm expecting at least a RB, GK, CDM and preferably two strikers. We can pretty much sell all our strikers other than Sturridge & Origi and our situation wouldn't change at all (I know about Origi's rating in the Lille squad and whatnot, but he suits our style of play down to a tee and he's no doubt a better bench option for us than Aspas, Lambert & Borini).
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Tommy said:
I see what you're saying, but I don't think an overhaul that side is conceivable. For me, 4-2-3-1/4-4-2 like this...

4-2-3-1
Mignolet
New RB--Skrtel--Sakho--Moreno
New CDM---Henderson
Ibe--Coutinho--Lallana
New Striker

Subs: New GK, Lovren, Toure, Lucas, Allen, Milner, Sturridge, Origi

4-4-2 (Diamond)
Mignolet
New RB--Skrtel--Sakho--Moreno
New CDM
Henderson--Milner
Coutinho
New Striker--Sturridge

Subs: New GK, Lovren, Toure, Lucas, Allen, Ibe, Sturridge, Origi, Lallana

Edit: Forgot about Emre Can! But we do need a CDM improvement on Lucas that's ready to go now. Can can improve as a midfielder in cups/Europa.

Obviously my idea is a more conservative than what I hope for. Realistically, if we let Sterling go, I'm expecting at least a RB, GK, CDM and preferably two strikers. We can pretty much sell all our strikers other than Sturridge & Origi and our situation wouldn't change at all (I know about Origi's rating in the Lille squad and whatnot, but he suits our style of play down to a tee and he's no doubt a better bench option for us than Aspas, Lambert & Borini).
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I see a few issues with the teams you've posted. First things first, between Sakho and Skrtel none of them are comfortable with the ball at their feet.

Then the diamond with Milner and Henderson definitely isn't the way too go. So much mediocrity won't be getting Pool anywhere.

An overhaul of the first 11 is needed especially after sterling leaves. That is of course if Pool have any ambitions of getting back to levels they've achieved in the past.
 
Tommy said:
I think this is a fair analysis. We definitely can't afford to go into this window and buy young potential - We need to buy players that are ready go right into the first team.
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To be fair, a few of the players ye've brought in came with good stats and good reputations. Rodgers has made a bit of a mess of a few of them though by either playing them in wrong positions, not playing to their strengths and not doing any defensive work at all (it seems). Sakho has shown he has some ability, as PSG and France. Markovic was a lot better for Benfica, especially in Europa League. Playing him RWB was braindead (and destroyed his confidence). Can is a decent allrounder in midfield. Even Moreno isn't too bad compared to other full backs around. Ibe, Texeira and Rossiter look good too. Those lot, Sturridge, Coutinho,Lucas and Sterling are all decentish players. Rest of the squad's pretty cack though I reckon.
 
They are screwed, Benteke, Ings and Milner? FSG and Rodgers must be taking the piss, they really need some rich owner to save their arses.
 
Mignolet
Flanagan - Squirtle - Sakho - Moreno
Henderson - Lucas
Milner - Coutinho - Lallana
Ings

I can see them lining up like this next season. Rodgers will waste whatever money he gets.​
 
All the top 4 squads are going to be spending big this summer...Liverpool are screwed for next season.
 
That's pretty funny to be fair. Brentan would be proud the spirit is as good as it is. Maybe they should become comedians, they have knack for it, it seems.
 
They'll need a really impressive Summer to be challenging for the top 4. If I were a Liverpool fan I'd be looking for something like:

J. Martinez / Benteke
Moutinho
Felipe Anderson
Milner
Ings
Clyne
Keylor Navas

If Sterling leaves I think they'll also need to add some depth in that area. They could do a lot worse than getting Walcott/Nani/Salah/Nasri included in any deal. Not a chance their Summer is that impressive though.

I'd also want to see a whole raft of player's booted out irrespective of the money offered (for nothing if necessary): Balotelli, Lambert, Enrique, Johnson, Coates, Borini, Alberto, Aspas, Jones and a raft of younger player's who clearly aren't going to make it.
 
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If Liverpool can get Redmond on a cheap, they should sell Sterilng. Rodgers would be an idiot to let him go on a free.
 
Tommy said:
I think this is a fair analysis. We definitely can't afford to go into this window and buy young potential - We need to buy players that are ready go right into the first team.
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Young potential is sometimes ready to go right into the first team. Learn from Juve with Pogba and Moratta. Sign them, play them and hope for the best.
 
YouOnlyLiveTwice said:
They are screwed, Benteke, Ings and Milner? FSG and Rodgers must be taking the piss, they really need some rich owner to save their arses.
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I think that these two would be excellent signings for them, and probably the top level of player that they can go for. The problem is that they need much more than these two. Their defence is a joke and with Sterling off they need another winger too. I can't see them getting close to top 4 next season, the gap is already wide and its going to get wider.
 
finneh said:
They'll need a really impressive Summer to be challenging for the top 4. If I were a Liverpool fan I'd be looking for something like:

J. Martinez / Benteke
Moutinho
Felipe Anderson
Milner
Ings
Clyne
Keylor Navas

If Sterling leaves I think they'll also need to add some depth in that area. They could do a lot worse than getting Walcott/Nani/Salah/Nasri included in any deal. Not a chance their Summer is that impressive though.

I'd also want to see a whole raft of player's booted out irrespective of the money offered (for nothing if necessary): Balotelli, Lambert, Enrique, Johnson, Coates, Borini, Alberto, Aspas, Jones and a raft of younger player's who clearly aren't going to make it.
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I'd be very, very happy if that was our summer business.
 
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