Liverpool FC Forum

I think if we can hold onto our big name players (Suarez and Agger) and quietly add another striker, a center back, competition at GK, and a midfielder, then the summer will be a success.

Reina is a tricky one. I'd keep him unless someone comes in with a stupid bid (over 10m) while adding at least one talented backup keeper (Brad Jones is bobbins-nowhere near good enough to be out backup).

Arsenal Plot £8m Bid for Defender Heavily Linked with Liverpool – Report

March 6, 2013 12:11 AM EST

Arsene Wenger is hoping to find a solution to his defensive problems at Arsenal by making a summer offer for Swansea centre-back Ashley Williams.

The Guardian reports that Wenger has become increasingly frustrated with the performances of his two favoured central defenders Thomas Vermaelen and Per Mertesacker and has now made Williams his priority.

Tottenham managed to repeatedly expose the two defenders in the 2-1 win at White Hart Lane last weekend and it seems as though Wenger has decided that he needs a more natural leader to restore order to his leaky defence.

Williams captained Swansea to success in the Capital One Cup and has been a near ever present in the heart of defence ever since moving to the club back in the summer of 2008. His powerful displays have also led to him being repeatedly linked with a possible move to Liverpool where he would once again link up with former boss Brendan Rodgers.

According to the Guardian, Rodgers has also made strengthening his defence a priority and he is keen to reunite with Williams in the summer. With the Welsh defender under contract until 2015 it is believed that Arsenal and Liverpool would have to bid in the region of £8million.

Liverpool are preparing for life without the organisational skills of Jamie Carragher and are keen to find a defender in a similar mould. With question marks over the future of Martin Skrtel and Sebastian Coates it seems as though Rodgers may need as many as three new defenders in the summer.

Rodgers has concentrated on recruiting players under the age of 23 but there is a feeling that a more experienced defender would have to arrive in the summer.

While Liverpool are looking for replacements, Arsenal are desperate to find a defender who can bring some stability to the backline. Vermalen and Mertesacker endured a torrid time against Tottenham and it seems as though Wenger has lost faith in the two experienced internationals.

Steve Bould, who was promoted to assistant manager in the summer, had seemingly helped fix the Arsenal defence in the early weeks of the season but consistent lapses and poor judgement has cost the Gunners dear over the course of the season.

Williams may only be in his second season in the Premier League but he has quickly established himself as one of the most consistent performers in the top flight and is seen as a natural leader both on and off the pitch.

How old is Bassong? He's having a great season at Norwich

I like Williams but I think if we do go for him we will get the moaners on saying BR can only buy players he has worked with before!!!  Boring augument with little or no legs!!!

RedHands » Wed Mar 06, 2013 4:23 am wrote:How old is Bassong? He's having a great season at Norwich

Newcastle reject, no thanks

He is also a tottenham reject. 26 years old though not a bad player dont think he would be happy occupying the bench.

Watching Ever Banega play for Valencia at the moment. Very skiful player.

bunglemark2 » Wed Mar 06, 2013 9:05 pm wrote:Watching Ever Banega play for Valencia at the moment. Very skiful player.

We were linked with him a lot when Benitez was here.  Although if we're to go for a central midfielder then I'd go for someone with a physical presence, that's what we could do with in there.  Not sure who mind.  That Sissoko that Newcastle have just signed for about 2-3 mil looks like he would have done!

john craig » Wed Mar 06, 2013 10:49 pm wrote:

bunglemark2 » Wed Mar 06, 2013 9:05 pm wrote:Watching Ever Banega play for Valencia at the moment. Very skiful player.

We were linked with him a lot when Benitez was here.  Although if we're to go for a central midfielder then I'd go for someone with a physical presence, that's what we could do with in there.  Not sure who mind.  That Sissoko that Newcastle have just signed for about 2-3 mil looks like he would have done!

Paul Pogba on loan. Can't believe Man U let a player like him go. But even though he's not a starter for Juventus, I doubt they'd be looking to loan him. If we're looking to sign someone, Diame looks like a player that we might use. And there's always the possibility of Xabi coming back 

I wonder if Rafa would make a good head scout?

Reg » Thu Mar 07, 2013 7:31 am wrote:I wonder if Rafa would make a good head scout?

not sure but he'd make a much better manager than Rodgers, that's for sure,plus he really really has a point to prove now.

heimdall » Thu Mar 07, 2013 5:18 pm wrote:

Reg » Thu Mar 07, 2013 7:31 am wrote:I wonder if Rafa would make a good head scout?

not sure but he'd make a much better manager than Rodgers, that's for sure,plus he really really has a point to prove now.

Did you know that since Rafa took over at Chelsea they have gained the same amount of points as we have in that period. So Rafa with a far more talented squad is doing no better than BR.

heimdall » Thu Mar 07, 2013 4:18 pm wrote:

Reg » Thu Mar 07, 2013 7:31 am wrote:I wonder if Rafa would make a good head scout?

not sure but he'd make a much better manager than Rodgers, that's for sure,plus he really really has a point to prove now.

Well he isn't proving it very well

Boocity » Fri Mar 08, 2013 6:44 am wrote:

heimdall » Thu Mar 07, 2013 4:18 pm wrote:

Reg » Thu Mar 07, 2013 7:31 am wrote:I wonder if Rafa would make a good head scout?

not sure but he'd make a much better manager than Rodgers, that's for sure,plus he really really has a point to prove now.

Well he isn't proving it very well

i wouldnt use chelsea as any sort of barometer for gauging a managers ability, their dressing room rules the roost there.
the day after rafa`s post boro game press conference i was listening to the keys and grey show on talk sport radio and richard keys was saying that he`d been talking to people behind the scenes at chelsea off the record and they`d told him that rafa was lucky he wasnt `chinned` by john terry. apparently rafa pulled terry to one side and had a frank conversation with him but a few people at chelsea seem to think rafa went too far.
as we all know rafa is a manager who doesnt take sh1t and he`s obviously taking the dressing room clique straight on so it`s not a surprise results are patchy there.
once players run the club you are f##ked, it was the downfall of leeds in the 70`s and it even took someone like ferguson years to get to grips with it at united

Looks like LFC.tv is as desperate as this thread to fill space.
Links there to alleged targets in Grameiro, Sakho, Alonso......
Personally I think re-signing Alonso would be a mistake. I don't think he'd fit with BR's philosophy....