What exactly is wrong with Sturridge? Had a killer season with Suarez and I can't recall him playing much ever since.
Our Rivals Squad's next year - Liverpool 2015/2016
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That reminds me of Diaby. 
But I thought Benteke could only score headers and was only good for lump it forward football?
That's what the vast majority of United fans thought when I was saying we should sign him. We've missed out on a gem with him, he could easily smash 20 goals a season. Great signing for Liverpool.
That's what the vast majority of United fans thought when I was saying we should sign him. We've missed out on a gem with him, he could easily smash 20 goals a season. Great signing for Liverpool.
There was a sense of lumping the ball to him creeping in against Swindon. I can see our centre backs suddenly waking up to the fact they have an 'out' ball as the season progresses and legs tire. That's not his fault obviously but a byproduct of having someone like him.
Yeah he's a big bloke and is deadly eith his head so it's usual for them to lump it up to him but he has much more to his game that people don't give him credit for. He has a great touch and can run with the ball, I would've loved him at United but our loss is your gain. He will do well for you.
I thought most people recognised that Benteke would get goals playing for Liverpool. I personally think he'll do well I'm just questioning the money paid for him. But if he scores ~20 goals a couple of seasons in a row no one's going to care about the fee.
I think fans as a whole pay too much attention to the fee's their players sign for. As you say, if he does his job, it makes no difference to the fans if he cost £1 or £100m.
It matters a lot if he doesn't though.
The only time I'm bothered about a fee is when someone better was available for less/the same really.
I think it can make a huge difference to people who go to the game.
With lifelong fans priced out and new generations unable to pay their way in, there is something absurd and distasteful about transfer fees and wages. I don't suppose there will ever be an answer to this problem but football has become completely divorced from real life and it's only a matter of time before there's a global league with all the matches played in Las Vegas and Macau. Or something.
This is an issue with individual clubs moreso than the transfer money thrown about (see Swansea as an example of a club treating its fans right), although I do accept that it does play some part in ticket prices rising above inflation.
Would much rather they did that then constantly trying to play our way out of trouble, of course if it becomes a regular tactic then it will become an issue but I don't see that happening.
Playing your way out of the back is a perfectly good tactic, which Liverpool utilised very well in the 13/14 season. However, it's reliant on movement and a midfield who can serve as a pressure valve for a harangued defence. This was absent last season and it caused issues. I feel with the new additions Liverpool are far more balanced than last season and have players who can collect the ball short from the defence without the need for a long out ball. However, the option is useful and will make Liverpool far more pragmatic with the ball. The Benteke signing isn't just about goals, it's also about making Liverpool less predictable.
its not even only about going to the game now, people cant even afford to watch it on TV
I wondered about that. When I first moved to the US, I had to go the pub on Sunday mornings to see most games, now I can see pretty much anything I want at home. I suspect that when I move back to the UK, I'll be watching down the pub again, or on streams.
Yes exactly, my mind just harps back to occasions last season where we passed the ball amongst the defence under pressure and eventually one of Moreno, Skrtel, Johnson would hoof the ball up ceding possession, will be nice to have Benteke collecting the ball and shielding it rather than Sterling, although he himself was no slouch in that department. I disagree with your assessment about having players capable of receiving the ball under pressure, I don't think that's a strong suit of either Henderson or Milner who appear to be our preferred midfield pairing. Neither are comfortable receiving a pass under pressure, swivelling and moving the ball on, something which Allen and Lucas are infinitely more comfortable doing. Which is why it's imperative one of them plays alongside the aforementioned two.
Most interesting this season however for me personally will be how the defence is set up and structured, we can no longer afford to have international defenders looking like Sunday league players. Rectifying the defence whilst maintaining our strength in attack will be key, we have to get that balance right and its concerning that the only time we've looked defensively solid is in a back three, here's to hoping the new coaching additions will help in that department.
Did they get rid of Balotelli, doesn anyone wants to take him. I heard he was offered to Roma but they refused?
Something nice for the scousers. Old Kop.
(I hope I wont get grammar lectures like in Arsenal thread)
Don't hate on my post styleLiver bird, more utilisation of paragraphs and spacing between them please.
And a few more comparisons to classic literature, e.g. Orwell's 1948, @Liver_bird.Liver bird, more utilisation of paragraphs and spacing between them please.
I prefer the white devil meself, but to each there own.
I think he will be very good for them. He's a beast.
So could Rooney!
Mirror article stating Sturridge could be back in training in the next two weeks. Flying back from the states this weekend. Aiming to be ready for the match against Utd in September.
Edit: I'm no fantasist. He'll be injured soon after he's started training.
Edit: I'm no fantasist. He'll be injured soon after he's started training.
Yeah but Rooney doesn't play for Liverpool - this signing makes Liverpool a better team as there wasn't a fit striker at the club capable of 20ish goals last season.
Benteke doesnt lift them above us. He wont improve them that much.
He supports Liverpool
If rooney scores 20 goals next year I'll eat my dogs turd.
Guarantee Benteke will outscore rooney next season
Forgot that they've signed Firmino too. Liverpool might become a serious contender for the top 4, don't rule them out just yet.
We've improved our first team, but we're still miles away from Chelsea, and the gap between ourselves and United has probably grown this window, not shrunk. We might have made a little ground on Man City so far, but we're still some distance behind them, and they're almost certainly going to bring another big signing or two in. Arsenal have been quiet, but they are also quite some distance ahead, and will add another great player this window, I reckon.
So yeah, we've improved our squad, but not our position... Well, we've done better business than Spurs so far, so fifth is a possibility.
Post recorded and mirth cannon loaded.
I think Liverpool have a decent squad and some very good talents. Coutinho is their reference, imo. Benteke and Firmino are very good playres and especially the belgian will do well.
Their midfield may not be great, but has some positive aspects. Milner is quite good and Henderson on his day is great. Can is ok, and a jack of all trades.
Their defense is where I think they'll have lots of problems. I think they'll be conceding a lot, CBs are not great and Moreno is a very average LB.
Their midfield may not be great, but has some positive aspects. Milner is quite good and Henderson on his day is great. Can is ok, and a jack of all trades.
Their defense is where I think they'll have lots of problems. I think they'll be conceding a lot, CBs are not great and Moreno is a very average LB.
They've made Liverpool signings, reacting to the players who have left by signing decent replacements, but never really upgrading their quality.
Clyne, Milner and Firmino are sensible but none of them make you think, "oh sh*t, we need to worry about them". As for Benteke, he could surprise us, but I think he will struggle to justify his pricetag and show he is a CL level player, doubts which made me worry about us signing him.
I don't think any of the top 4 would've signed any of their players - except Firmino - and that's what makes me think that they will be the same sort of place as last season.
Clyne, Milner and Firmino are sensible but none of them make you think, "oh sh*t, we need to worry about them". As for Benteke, he could surprise us, but I think he will struggle to justify his pricetag and show he is a CL level player, doubts which made me worry about us signing him.
I don't think any of the top 4 would've signed any of their players - except Firmino - and that's what makes me think that they will be the same sort of place as last season.
John Waters to film.
Really?
Clyne is an upgrade on Johnson.
Benteke is an upgrade on any fit striker from last season.
A 29 year old Milner is comfortably an upgrade on a 35 year old Gerrard.
Ings is a better deputy than either Lambert or Borini.
Firmino has better numbers than any player at the club last season.
Whether this is enough to mount a serious top 4 challenge is unclear but to conclude that Liverpool have stood still without upgrades seems totally inaccurate to me.
Suppose we must disagree then. I'll give you Clyne and Benteke, but those serve as evidence on just how bad their players in those positions were last season. The strikers were so awful because they were reaction signings who were nowhere near good enough to replace Suarez's goals (I should've been clearer in my wording!).
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