Liverpool FC Forum

by **eds** » Tue May 21, 2013 12:46 am

i actually don't understand why people think we don't need Christian Eriksen in our side.

Our CM is far from sorted. With Gerrard in the twilight of his career, Shelvey not being good enough, Allen having a very poor end to his season (before his injury) and Henderson really being the only player in the middle of the park showing improvement we are FAR from sorted.

Eriksen is one of the BEST young players on the planet and "fans" are scouffing at this 15 million price tag. :no

Something which I remind you we paid for "side-ball" Allen, which was just ridiculous. It's so funny listening to some lemmings on here talk up Shelvey and dismiss Eriksen on the other hand. They are poles apart in terms of quality and skill. I think a few people need to watch a few of his games of Ajax before making stupid assumptions.

I was right about Coutinho and I'm 100% on Eriksen, SIGN HIM UP NOW!

by **Reg** » Tue May 21, 2013 12:52 am

I've never heard of Eriksen so cannot comment however in the past our best buys have been the less obvious players who've been spotted early then allowed to blossom. Lets hope these Citeh scouts can make an early impact, in many ways their role is as important as the managers.

by **Red Indian** » Tue May 21, 2013 12:53 am

Eds, do you think he'll be able to play in the same team as Coutinho though?

by **Reg** » Tue May 21, 2013 12:59 am

Liverpool close to signing Manchester City defender Kolo Toure
Liverpool are close to securing the signature of Manchester City defender Kolo Touré as they look to fill the void left by Jamie Carragher’s retirement.

By Chris Bascombe
11:00PM BST 20 May 2013

Brendan Rodgers has identified numerous targets to reinforce his central-defensive options, and Touré - available on a free transfer - is poised to have a medical at Liverpool after Manchester City’s tour of the United States after next weekend.

The 32-year-old Ivory Coast international has seen his contract run out at the Etihad Stadium having rarely featured since being suspended for six months after admitting accidentally taking a banned substance in 2011.

Toure was once one of the most highly regarded centre-halves in the country, moving to Manchester City for £16 million in 2009, and Rodgers will feel that if he can regain full fitness with regular football he will be a useful asset.

The Liverpool manager is anxious for a proven Premier League defender to join his squad alongside a developing star.

In recent weeks, the Merseyside club have also assessed Schalke’s Greek defender Kyriakos Papadopoulos and Sporting Lisbon’s Tiago Llori.

Rodgers is also eager to be reunited with Swansea captain Ashley Williams, but his age and valuation in excess of £10 million have made it increasingly difficult to conceive such a transfer.

Much depends on the future of Martin Skrtel, who has been out of the side since January. A substantial bid for Skrtel would offer Rodgers an opportunity to reassess - Zenit St Petersburg were eager to re-sign the centre-half in January - but if a valuation of Skrtel beyond £12 million was not met the Liverpool manager is equally willing to give the Slovakian another opportunity to rediscover his form.

Rodgers, meanwhile, believes Philippe Coutinho may prove one of the most astute purchases the club has ever made if he begins next season as thrillingly as he ended this one.

Coutinho cost just £8.5 million from Inter Milan in January, unable to cement a place at the San Siro after numerous injuries.

At Liverpool, however, his performances in the second half of the season have generated hopes Coutinho will fulfil his potential as one of the future stars of Brazilian football.

“He’s a real find for us in terms of the price we have paid. Hopefully his value will be much greater than the cost in the coming years,” said Rodgers.

“When you bring somebody in during January, you hope they can make an impact. You are also looking at it as a six-month adaptation period before you get the best out of them from pre-season onwards.

“We are all pleasantly pleased and surprised by how well he has done. His numbers tell you the story in terms of goals and assists.”
++

Is he the good Toure or the cak one?! :laugh:

The Man Citeh scouts didn't have to go very far to make that recommendation did they? :oops:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/footba ... Toure.html

by **eds** » Tue May 21, 2013 1:02 am

Red Indian » Mon May 20, 2013 11:53 pm wrote:Eds, do you think he'll be able to play in the same team as Coutinho though?

Of course he would. Are we really asking ourselves whether we need another attacking / creative player? Of course we do!

He is adaptable to play in the middle as an attacking forward or on the wings.

I have watched him play 4 or 5 times now for Ajax and have been impressed every time. If the money is there, just sign him.

Would hate to lose this kid to another club, as he could potentially be one of the best midfielders on the planet in a few years time. :no

by **damjan193** » Tue May 21, 2013 2:08 am

The thing is, eds, we need to spend big on other areas. 15 mil for Eriksen is what I expected him to cost and if we didn't have Coutinho I wouldn't think twice before spending the money. But we do have Coutinho and we also have positions that are in a need of more urgent improvement, positions that will require most of our effort and money. If we want an attacking player we should go for a player that would provide width, because only Downing is a wide player and he kinda sucks. I get what you're saying mate, we shouldn't let players like Eriksen slip away from our hands, that's why I'm still undecided whether we should go for him or not, but at the end it all boils down to a simple question; where the hell are we going to play him?

As for those who are in favor of signing Kolo Toure, I recommend they watch a replay of the match against City, where the center back couldn't contain a 17 years old Raheem Sterling.

by **redno7** » Tue May 21, 2013 10:54 am

Now we've lost Carragher do you think we'll go 'world class' on a centre back?

by **SouthCoastShankly** » Tue May 21, 2013 12:42 pm

Reg » Mon May 20, 2013 11:59 pm wrote:Liverpool close to signing Manchester City defender Kolo Toure
Liverpool are close to securing the signature of Manchester City defender Kolo Touré as they look to fill the void left by Jamie Carragher’s retirement.

By Chris Bascombe
11:00PM BST 20 May 2013

Brendan Rodgers has identified numerous targets to reinforce his central-defensive options, and Touré - available on a free transfer - is poised to have a medical at Liverpool after Manchester City’s tour of the United States after next weekend.

The 32-year-old Ivory Coast international has seen his contract run out at the Etihad Stadium having rarely featured since being suspended for six months after admitting accidentally taking a banned substance in 2011.

Toure was once one of the most highly regarded centre-halves in the country, moving to Manchester City for £16 million in 2009, and Rodgers will feel that if he can regain full fitness with regular football he will be a useful asset.

The Liverpool manager is anxious for a proven Premier League defender to join his squad alongside a developing star.

In recent weeks, the Merseyside club have also assessed Schalke’s Greek defender Kyriakos Papadopoulos and Sporting Lisbon’s Tiago Llori.

Rodgers is also eager to be reunited with Swansea captain Ashley Williams, but his age and valuation in excess of £10 million have made it increasingly difficult to conceive such a transfer.

Much depends on the future of Martin Skrtel, who has been out of the side since January. A substantial bid for Skrtel would offer Rodgers an opportunity to reassess - Zenit St Petersburg were eager to re-sign the centre-half in January - but if a valuation of Skrtel beyond £12 million was not met the Liverpool manager is equally willing to give the Slovakian another opportunity to rediscover his form.

Rodgers, meanwhile, believes Philippe Coutinho may prove one of the most astute purchases the club has ever made if he begins next season as thrillingly as he ended this one.

Coutinho cost just £8.5 million from Inter Milan in January, unable to cement a place at the San Siro after numerous injuries.

At Liverpool, however, his performances in the second half of the season have generated hopes Coutinho will fulfil his potential as one of the future stars of Brazilian football.

“He’s a real find for us in terms of the price we have paid. Hopefully his value will be much greater than the cost in the coming years,” said Rodgers.

“When you bring somebody in during January, you hope they can make an impact. You are also looking at it as a six-month adaptation period before you get the best out of them from pre-season onwards.

“We are all pleasantly pleased and surprised by how well he has done. His numbers tell you the story in terms of goals and assists.”
++

Is he the good Toure or the cak one?! :laugh:

The Man Citeh scouts didn't have to go very far to make that recommendation did they?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/footba ... Toure.html

In terms of his ability, he was a great player at Arsenal but got caught out chasing the money at city. I presume he'll be taking a pay cut if he comes here, which could be a good sign.

I'd support the move.

by **aCe'** » Tue May 21, 2013 1:37 pm

Not sure signing Toure would be a step in the right direction. We already have Agger, Skrtel, Coates and Kelly in the position. If we were to add another to the squad then it might as well be a top CB who would walk straight into the starting lineup and make a difference. I understand that one of Agger/Skrtel might leave in the summer (wouldnt sell either, myself) but if we do then I'd still rather give Coates and Kelly the chance of being 3rd or 4th choice.

Regarding Eriksen, I dont think many would argue his abilities or the fact that he is worth the reported 15 mill. Personally, I'd have him in the starting lineup ahead of Downing any day of the week. If we are indeed interested, he'd make a great buy for the club in my opinion. Where does he fit ? He fits wherever he's played. He's versatile and much like Coutinho, he'll drift to the flanks and keep possession well out wide or he can play more centrally as a second striker. Either way, Brendan Rodgers is going to field 4 attacking players and at the moment Coutinho/Suarez/Sturridge have 3 of these 4 positions sorted out.

by **damjan193** » Tue May 21, 2013 3:11 pm

Looks like Toure is a done deal. Oh well, better than 10 mill for Ashley Williams. Hope Toure takes a pay cut though and that his contract won't be longer than a year.

by **jacdaniel** » Tue May 21, 2013 3:15 pm

aCe' » Tue May 21, 2013 12:37 pm wrote:Not sure signing Toure would be a step in the right direction. We already have Agger, Skrtel, Coates and Kelly in the position. If we were to add another to the squad then it might as well be a top CB who would walk straight into the starting lineup and make a difference. I understand that one of Agger/Skrtel might leave in the summer (wouldnt sell either, myself) but if we do then I'd still rather give Coates and Kelly the chance of being 3rd or 4th choice.

Regarding Eriksen, I dont think many would argue his abilities or the fact that he is worth the reported 15 mill. Personally, I'd have him in the starting lineup ahead of Downing any day of the week. If we are indeed interested, he'd make a great buy for the club in my opinion. Where does he fit ? He fits wherever he's played. He's versatile and much like Coutinho, he'll drift to the flanks and keep possession well out wide or he can play more centrally as a second striker. Either way, Brendan Rodgers is going to field 4 attacking players and at the moment Coutinho/Suarez/Sturridge have 3 of these 4 positions sorted out.

Well Suarez will miss the opening 6 games of the season. We'll also have to allow for injuries.
Downing has improved and Borini needs to be at least given a chance.
But I still feel we have room for one more quality attacking player. (let Downing and Borini fight for a place).

As for Toure, I assume if we take him for free he'll be back up on the cheap and a quality CB will be signed to replace Carra. (seems like Skrtel and Coates will probably go too)

That would leave Agger, a quality new CB as first choice, Toure to add some experience for a season or two, and Wisdom promoted to 4th choice.

by **ycsatbjywtbiastkamb** » Tue May 21, 2013 3:16 pm

apparently tonights echo says that we are interested in signing papadopolous. i f##king hope so!!
that lad is exactly what we need, he`s like a younger, more intense version of vidic. he`d become a cult hero here.
toure wouldnt be the worst signing either, especially on a free. he does the basics well and thats what we need.
i like the players we are being linked with, rodgers obviously knows what he is doing by making our defence a priority.

by **damjan193** » Tue May 21, 2013 3:18 pm

We're also being linked with Diego Capel from Sporting. Looked like a young prospect while he was at Sevilla but hasn't really improved since. If we can sign him for the rumored 4 mill though, I think he'll be good enough as a back up.

by **LFC1990** » Tue May 21, 2013 3:37 pm

I cant see Kolo coming to warm the bench to be honest as i thought that was the reason he was leaving City.

I think Toure would be a great addition to the side a little small for a CB but still think he has the quality to improve us

by **red till i die!!** » Tue May 21, 2013 3:53 pm

this is excellent news regarding pepe.
http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/reina ... 84820.html

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