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

[Tommy]

According to transferleague, our netspend over each of the last four summers has been...

11/12 - £35.3m
12/13 - £41.3m
13/14 - £20.3m
14/15 - £38.4m

With our improved sponsorship deals, the BT money (our TV money is up over 100% in the past few years, right?), and our dying need for a striker, I can't see us leaving this window with a netspend south of £35-40m. As Johnny says, we can also raise a decent penny selling players surplus to requirements.

 

[Parry Gallister]

I like Clyne. Him and the brazilian could/will improve their first team, well done 'pool.

 

[iBoss]

I like Clyne. Him and the brazilian could/will improve their first team, well done 'pool.

Not that difficult to improve on Manquillio and Johnson.

 

[Roboc7]

They are putting together a solid squad that will see them be stronger competition for fourth, not going to get any higher than that but I am sure they will be better than last season.

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

Sturridge
Coutinho Firmino
Milner Can Henderson
Moreno Sakho Skrtel Clyne
Mignolet
Merry Christmas
Looks a pretty solid side, should be able to get 4th the way things are looking.​

 

[Tommy]

Looks like a Christmas tree to me.

 

[Dumbstar]

Certainly feels like Christmas.

 

[NoPace]

Sturridge
Coutinho Firmino
Milner Can Henderson
Moreno Sakho Skrtel Clyne
Mignolet
Merry Christmas
Looks a pretty solid side, should be able to get 4th the way things are looking.​

Sturridge was hurt all year and is out until October-ish.

That midfield 3 is lacking a brain and the ability to keep the ball in tight spaces. This will make for open games and leave the defense without protection at times when possession is lost and Milner, Henderson or Can have strode forward.

Mignolet is still the keeper with Bogdan seemingly his only competition, Moreno had some shocking performances defensively and the other defenders aren't special.

They scored 101 goals in 13/14 (with Suarez, obviously) and 52 last year. Conceded 50 then 48. Assuming Sturridge plays about half the season I figure they could get back up to 65-70 goals as their attack rebounds, but hard to see them conceding any less than 40-45.

That would have been enough to challenge us hard for 4th this past season, but I expect United to score more than 62 goals and still keep things relatively tight under LVG. Citeh's demise has been greatly exaggerated and Arsenal will look stronger than both if they do sign Cech and Wenger can make another signing like has the past 2 summers in Ozil and Sanchez.

A roster looks best in the summer when there haven't been injuries. Liverpool are in the Europa League and that seems to have hurt teams.

Unless they sign the right DM, I think they'll be shaky defensively. Can is a wanderer, Milner and Henderson can get outfoxed and Moreno and Clyne in his first year with a new team doesn't inspire a ton of confidence, especially with Mignolet back there and Rodgers still having failed to prove he can get Liverpool to defend, even when teams are terrified of their attack.

I will be surprised if the top 4 isn't the same next year.

 

[RooneyLegend]

Benteke, Kovacic, Firmino & Clyne would be good enough for me. All four improve our starting XI, with Clyne & Firmino bought with the money from selling Sterling, and Kovacic & Benteke coming in under perhaps £40m combined once we sell the other deadwood in the squad. I mean, if we can get £5m for Aspas and Lambert, it'll help.

Having firminho, coutinho and Kovacic in the same team doesn't make much sense though.

 

[Tommy]

Having firminho, coutinho and Kovacic in the same team doesn't make much sense though.

How so? FM2014 hat on (too cheap to buy 2015 ).

Cou & Firmino can both play as an attacking mid or on the wings, with Kovacic in midfield or even as an AM.

Sturridge
Firmino Kovacic Coutinho
(Probably way too offensive, although Cou does put in work further back)

Or maybe.

Firmino (playing off) Sturridge
Coutinho
Milner Kovacic
Can
Back four

We'll just have to see. If the Kovacic signing does go through, we'll probably have one of them in defence and one of them as a lone CF.



Hell, what if we kept Sterling? (I know he's gone)

Sturridge
Firmino Coutinho Sterling
Kovacic Can
Moreno Sakho Skrtel Clyne
Mignolet

 

[Damien]

March 2013:

"I am happy with the squad if I can then put another three or four quality players to it. It is quality we are after, not quantity."

May 2014:

"I don't want to put a figure on how many but I would rather have one or two absolute top players than seven that might not help us,"

April 2015:

“We need to bring in a few players to improve the starting XI but it certainly won’t be as many as last summer. It will be more settled."

 

[paulscholes18]

Hell, what if we kept Sterling? (I know he's gone)

Sturridge
Firmino Coutinho Sterling
Kovacic Can
Moreno Sakho Skrtel Clyne
Mignolet

And drop Hendinho surley not

Mignolet
Clyne skrtel Sakho Moreno
Can Hendinho
Markovic Firmino Zlatancoutinho
Leosturridge

 

[johnny boy]

Liverpool agree £4m Coates sale to Sunderland as summer clearout begins

Uruguayan centre-back will make permanent move to the North East

By James Pearce

Liverpool's summer clearout is set to start with the £4million sale of Sebastian Coates to Sunderland.

The Reds have a deal in place with the Black Cats and the centre-back is expected to complete a permanent move to the Stadium of Light next week.

 

[BobbyManc]

Still think Mignolet needs upgrading. Finished the season very strongly but prior to that he was poor in pretty much his whole time there and he impressed at Sunderland yet still had his dodgy moments there. Another striker is required as well in all likelihood. If Sturridge stays fit they should be fine but if not I can't see Ings or Balotelli stepping up when it matters. The signings of Milner, Clyne and Firminho are impressive though and Liverpool could actually mount a decent challenge for top four if they continue to act decisively in the transfer window as they have done so far.

 

[Tommy]

Liverpool agree £4m Coates sale to Sunderland as summer clearout begins

Uruguayan centre-back will make permanent move to the North East

By James Pearce

Liverpool's summer clearout is set to start with the £4million sale of Sebastian Coates to Sunderland.

The Reds have a deal in place with the Black Cats and the centre-back is expected to complete a permanent move to the Stadium of Light next week.

Not bad. Shame the kid had lots of injuries, but him and Aspas out for £7.5m is good news.

Still think Mignolet needs upgrading. Finished the season very strongly but prior to that he was poor in pretty much his whole time there and he impressed at Sunderland yet still had his dodgy moments there. Another striker is required as well in all likelihood. If Sturridge stays fit they should be fine but if not I can't see Ings or Balotelli stepping up when it matters. The signings of Milner, Clyne and Firminho are impressive though and Liverpool could actually mount a decent challenge for top four if they continue to act decisively in the transfer window as they have done so far.

Agreed, although I reckon an upgrade on Mignolet is unlikely given the Bogdan signing. If we do get rid of a few more squaddies, I wouldn't mind us going after Begovic for the reported £10m.

Definitely need a first choice forward, though.

 

[Truedevil]

How so? FM2014 hat on (too cheap to buy 2015 ).

Cou & Firmino can both play as an attacking mid or on the wings, with Kovacic in midfield or even as an AM.

Sturridge
Firmino Kovacic Coutinho
(Probably way too offensive, although Cou does put in work further back)

Or maybe.

Firmino (playing off) Sturridge
Coutinho
Milner Kovacic
Can
Back four

We'll just have to see. If the Kovacic signing does go through, we'll probably have one of them in defence and one of them as a lone CF.



Hell, what if we kept Sterling? (I know he's gone)

Sturridge
Firmino Coutinho Sterling
Kovacic Can
Moreno Sakho Skrtel Clyne
Mignolet

Funny how you are missing captain Hendo from your fantasy 11s.

 

[Bob Loblaw]

Still think Mignolet needs upgrading. Finished the season very strongly but prior to that he was poor in pretty much his whole time there and he impressed at Sunderland yet still had his dodgy moments there. Another striker is required as well in all likelihood. If Sturridge stays fit they should be fine but if not I can't see Ings or Balotelli stepping up when it matters. The signings of Milner, Clyne and Firminho are impressive though and Liverpool could actually mount a decent challenge for top four if they continue to act decisively in the transfer window as they have done so far.

Finished the season back with his usual shite performance against Stoke actually

Agree though aside from that.

 

[BobbyManc]

Not bad. Shame the kid had lots of injuries, but him and Aspas out for £7.5m is good news.



Agreed, although I reckon an upgrade on Mignolet is unlikely given the Bogdan signing. If we do get rid of a few more squaddies, I wouldn't mind us going after Begovic for the reported £10m.

Definitely need a first choice forward, though.

Not a big fan of Begovic to be honest, think he makes a few too many mistakes that get glossed over because he plays for Stoke and no one really remembers them unless they are in a big game. He's decent but Liverpool should be doing better. Bogdan's signing I wouldn't have thought would mean too much, Liverpool needed a back-up keeper and whether Mignolet leaves or not Bogdan's role will remain the same, although I agree it doesn't seem as if you are currently in the market for a keeper.

As for a first choice forward, I think you need someone who is a physical threat as your attack is quite lightweight. Benteke, Llorente and Rondon could be effective in your side and would offer something different to Sturridge even when fit.

 

[Tommy]

Funny how you are missing captain Hendo from your fantasy 11s.

What? I have Captain Sakho in both teams But you're right, sadly.

Not a big fan of Begovic to be honest, think he makes a few too many mistakes that get glossed over because he plays for Stoke and no one really remembers them unless they are in a big game. He's decent but Liverpool should be doing better. Bogdan's signing I wouldn't have thought would mean too much, Liverpool needed a back-up keeper and whether Mignolet leaves or not Bogdan's role will remain the same, although I agree it doesn't seem as if you are currently in the market for a keeper.

As for a first choice forward, I think you need someone who is a physical threat as your attack is quite lightweight. Benteke, Llorente and Rondon could be effective in your side and would offer something different to Sturridge even when fit.

I want Lacazette, but concede that isn't likely to happen

 

[Red Dreams]

I think Liverpool have spent wisely this time round.

some good team players there.

 

[Cheech Wizard]

I don't think we'll be signing another keeper now. It worries me that I think Mignolet will become complacent throughout the season, Bogdan is just not good enough to challenge him. I still want us to sign another CB, and wouldn't mind us going in for Alderweireld. Another midfielder and striker are priority.

 

[ZDwyr]

I don't think we'll be signing another keeper now. It worries me that I think Mignolet will become complacent throughout the season, Bogdan is just not good enough to challenge him. I still want us to sign another CB, and wouldn't mind us going in for Alderweireld. Another midfielder and striker are priority.

Bogdan is better than Jones and Jones challenged (and displaced) Mignolet from the starting XI at one point.

 

[Cheech Wizard]

Bogdan is better than Jones and Jones challenged (and displaced) Mignolet from the starting XI at one point.

Slightly better than Jones. There were many keepers they could have brought in before they opted for Bogdan. Jones was only forcibly brought in last season because Mignolet was a bag of nerves and liability for a period, he only displaced him because Rodgers intended to give him a break and then that was cut short because Jones got injured after 2 games, so he was brought straight back in.

 

[B20]

Slightly better than Jones. There were many keepers they could have brought in before they opted for Bogdan.

Who?

 

[Liver_bird]

Not a big fan of Begovic to be honest, think he makes a few too many mistakes that get glossed over because he plays for Stoke and no one really remembers them unless they are in a big game. He's decent but Liverpool should be doing better. Bogdan's signing I wouldn't have thought would mean too much, Liverpool needed a back-up keeper and whether Mignolet leaves or not Bogdan's role will remain the same, although I agree it doesn't seem as if you are currently in the market for a keeper

As for a first choice forward, I think you need someone who is a physical threat as your attack is quite lightweight. Benteke, Llorente and Rondon could be effective in your side and would offer something different to Sturridge even when fit.

Adding a physical threat sounds good in theory but a target man is ill suited to the way we play, a quick mobile pressing striker brings out the best of our other attacking midfielders. You could see how coutinho went from absolutely useless behind Lambert to our best player when he had Sterling to feed. Baffles me that Benteke is our first choice target taking that in to account, seems to be a real disconnect in our targets and the way we want to play. I'm sure Firmino and coutinho will be thrilled looking for knock downs off the big lad up front, ideally we get in bacca he's the one who suits us best out of the players linked, provides clever movement and pressing will fit in nicely with the rest of the side also has a physical threat. Hoping Rodgers abandons going back to his Swansea template and instead opts to replicate the 13\14 one as best he can.
Pipe dream signing would be Aubemayang, would happily throw Dortmund 25-30 mill, suits us to a tee.

 

[Brown Toothpick]

Who?

Ospina

 

[marukomu]

This is depressing. They seem to be getting back on track. Something shit needs to happen.

 

[PedroMendez]

Adding a physical threat sounds good in theory but a target man is ill suited to the way we play, a quick mobile pressing striker brings out the best of our other attacking midfielders. You could see how coutinho went from absolutely useless behind Lambert to our best player when he had Sterling to feed. Baffles me that Benteke is our first choice target taking that in to account, seems to be a real disconnect in our targets and the way we want to play. I'm sure Firmino and coutinho will be thrilled looking for knock downs off the big lad up front, ideally we get in bacca he's the one who suits us best out of the players linked, provides clever movement and pressing will fit in nicely with the rest of the side also has a physical threat. Hoping Rodgers abandons going back to his Swansea template and instead opts to replicate the 13\14 one as best he can.
Pipe dream signing would be Aubemayang, would happily throw Dortmund 25-30 mill, suits us to a tee.

I actually think, that firmino could play as #9 for you. That would work well with your current style. Buying a better central forward is actually pretty difficult. Bacca is almost 29. Imo slightly too old for his price-tag. I think much more important is to buy another midfielder. During the last two years your defence sucked, because the midfield never properly shielded them. You need a clear-cut DM to balance your team. Illara comes to mind, who would be a fantastic transfer for you. Milner, Can and Henderson are all the same: Hard working all-action midfielder, who need someone behind them. Playing 2 of those three in front of Illara with 3 out of coutinho, Sterling, firmino and lallana as front 3 would be a great line-up.
Up to this point your transfer decision were spot on. Still that will all be for nothing, if Rodgers decides against signing a proper DM.....

 

[Manchester Dan]

Sturridge
Coutinho Firmino
Milner Can Henderson
Moreno Sakho Skrtel Clyne
Mignolet
Merry Christmas
Looks a pretty solid side, should be able to get 4th the way things are looking.​

At who's expense?

 

[Orc]

At who's expense?

Exactly what I was going to ask. No matter who they buy it seems impossible to think of whose top 4 place they'd take. Even City and United who need a bunch of new players are miles better than they are.

 

[BorisDeLeFora]

To me I think it's going to be a case of building a team full of good (but not top quality) players, with a half decent fit striker, which lays the foundation for a good team, a fifth placed team (depending on what Spurs do).

Then from that, it's a case of hoping that Henderson and Can and kick on in midfield, Coutinho will continue to improve, Firminho will hit the ground running and get better, Markovic will wake up, and Sakho and Moreno will cut the errors out of their games, which will elevate decide depending on how high their respective ceilings are and how quickly they reach that higher level.

You would like to think that because of their ages, they will all only get better, and that after a year of bedding in for some of them, as well as playing in more natural positions, will also help.

It's a lot of variables though.

 

[ShadesOfTomato]

Benteke is more than just a big lump. Wouldn't be the end of the world if we got him (how some Liverpool fans are making it sound), I'd prefer Bacca though.

 

[iBoss]

Sturridge
Coutinho Firmino
Milner Can Henderson
Moreno Sakho Skrtel Clyne
Mignolet
Merry Christmas
Looks a pretty solid side, should be able to get 4th the way things are looking.​

back four and goalie still shit, can yet to prove he can do a job in there and sturridge is always injured.

 

[devil in me]

Sturridge
Coutinho Firmino
Milner Can Henderson
Moreno Sakho Skrtel Clyne
Mignolet
Merry Christmas
Looks a pretty solid side, should be able to get 4th the way things are looking.​

That side is getting nowhere near top 4. The back 5 is pretty awful and Sturridge may as well not be there with the amount of games he plays. I really cant see how Liverpool will do any better than battling it out for the Europa again. The top 4 will get further away from them, not the other way around, IMO.

 

[Sad Chris]

Benteke is more than just a big lump. Wouldn't be the end of the world if we got him (how some Liverpool fans are making it sound), I'd prefer Bacca though.

Benteke is a perfect match for Liverpool
Mid-side player for a mid-side team

 

[PickledRed]

Bacca looks a better buy. Not convinced Benteke is good business. Although he'd be an upgrade on strikers at the club barring DS.

 

[PickledRed]

Top 4 chances for Liverpool depends on how well the team clicks. 5th favourites right now, which is fair enough, but developing a rhythm like a couple of years back isn't impossible. Maybe not quite to that level but 4th is different to a strong title push.

 

[Ramshock]

According to transferleague, our netspend over each of the last four summers has been...

11/12 - £35.3m
12/13 - £41.3m
13/14 - £20.3m
14/15 - £38.4m

With our improved sponsorship deals, the BT money (our TV money is up over 100% in the past few years, right?), and our dying need for a striker, I can't see us leaving this window with a netspend south of £35-40m. As Johnny says, we can also raise a decent penny selling players surplus to requirements.

netspend

 

[sullydnl]

If we signed absolutely nobody else this summer then Liverpool could overtake us with the signings they've made. That obviously isn't going to happen though so realistically they'd need one of the current top four to either have an awful transfer window, be riddled with injuries or have a managerial meltdown. Other than that I just don't think they have the resources to close the distance, even with the sort of good buys they've made already.

 

[Tommy]

netspend

What else matters? If we spend £200m in a window but sell £250m worth of players (I know we don't have that), then we're doing fine. If we spend £200m in a window and sell no-one, we're in deep trouble.