Liverpool FC Forum

I'd let Skrtel go before Henderson, because as I've said many times I just don't rate him.  He's 28 and should be at his peak as a centre back, but he's error prone, gives away too many free kicks and for me he's a bit of a softie when it comes to a physical battle (just because he's got a skinhead and tattoos doesn't impress me).  Last summer was our best chance to make money on him though after he'd had a good season (his only good season I might add!).  That said we've already lost Carra, Coates probably needs to go somewhere at least on loan to get football and Agger (last season apart) is an injury prone player, so can we afford more upheaval at the back?  I'm not sure.

Henderson I probably wouldn't sell.  He's improved and I've always said I think he'll turn out to be a good player.  He's also the only midfielder we've got who genuinely has the legs to play box to box.  Gerrard's days of that are gone, Lucas has never been the most mobile, while Allen is a sitter rather then a marauder.

That's the one area, even above centre back, that I'm concerned we haven't strengthened.  And we don't even seem to be getting seriously linked with athletic central midfielder types.  It'll see us come unstuck at the Britannia and Upton Park etc next season when teams get in our faces in the midfield, I have no doubt.  Most fans can see it, surely that many people can't be wrong!

Benny you'd think we'd have to have more than that even if Suarez stays wouldn't you?  I mean only Toure in at the back seems like a huge mistakes, and I know Carra said multiple times that we'll be bringing in a couple CB's this summer, and I'm almost sure BR said the same thing.  THe original rumors about Henrik also claimed that the deal was not dependent on Suarez leaving.  I can't, however, imagine we planned on spending 20 on Henrik, 15 on Papa, plus all we've spent already and seem going to spend on Atsu and Llori, (£70 million?) with the idea of holding onto Suarez.  Unless we are selling a few others, our net spend would be 55 there, maybe knock of spearing, Skrtel, a couple others down to 40 would maybe be possible, but I don't really think so.

At this point if we're going to get players like Henrik, Waynama or a good CB, I think it's dependent on the sale of Suarez.

Can't disagree with anything you have written John - spot on.

Especially a physical presence in the middle of the park - someone to stop us being bullied - but I don't think that sits in with BR's team make up - didnt have one at Swansea and doesn't even look like getting one this summer. Lucas is a terrier but against a big unit like Dembele or Diame he just gets smothered by big units.

Wanyama would be perfect - can even fill in at CB very well

ethanr » Mon Jun 24, 2013 8:35 pm wrote:Benny you'd think we'd have to have more than that even if Suarez stays wouldn't you?  I mean only Toure in at the back seems like a huge mistakes, and I know Carra said multiple times that we'll be bringing in a couple CB's this summer, and I'm almost sure BR said the same thing.  THe original rumors about Henrik also claimed that the deal was not dependent on Suarez leaving.  I can't, however, imagine we planned on spending 20 on Henrik, 15 on Papa, plus all we've spent already and seem going to spend on Atsu and Llori, (£70 million?) with the idea of holding onto Suarez.  Unless we are selling a few others, our net spend would be 55 there, maybe knock of spearing, Skrtel, a couple others down to 40 would maybe be possible, but I don't really think so.

At this point if we're going to get players like Henrik, Waynama or a good CB, I think it's dependent on the sale of Suarez.

I'm not sure how much we have to spend - i can't really see us spending more than £30mil plus sales unless the owners are dipping into their own pockets to fund purchases ( not going to happen)

We Ilori and Atsu arriving that will put us up to around £35mil so I think will leave us around £10 for another CB ?
Any big purchases dependant on Suarez staying or going

Benny The Noon » Mon Jun 24, 2013 7:37 pm wrote:Can't disagree with anything you have written John - spot on.

Especially a physical presence in the middle of the park - someone to stop us being bullied - but I don't think that sits in with BR's team make up - didnt have one at Swansea and doesn't even look like getting one this summer. Lucas is a terrier but against a big unit like Dembele or Diame he just gets smothered by big units.

Wanyama would be perfect - can even fill in at CB very well

Wanyama has improved, no doubt about that, and he had some excellent performances in the CL last season.

I actually used to joke about Wanyama when he first signed, with my mate who's a big Celtic fan, that he was awful!  And he was awful in his early Celtic days - his passing was abysmal!  He always maintained he would come good though and looks like he was right.  I'd think for 12 mil though we'd get a better all round midfielder, not sure who but there's gotta be a few big lads like that kicking around the European leagues.  He'd still make a difference for us though, simply because he's different to anything we have.

Like I said though, Rodgers just doesn't seem to be interested in that type of player!

I'm not sure around the continent ? Most of the physical DM's that I have noticed are in the big clubs already.

I can't think of many at the moment tbh.

Benny The Noon » Mon Jun 24, 2013 7:58 pm wrote:I'm not sure around the continent ? Most of the physical DM's that I have noticed are in the big clubs already.

I can't think of many at the moment tbh.

Me either, but I can't claim to have great knowledge of all the European leagues.  Apart from the Premier league, Europa, CL, SPL and La Liga I don't watch many live games (if at all).  Wenger managed to pluck Vieira from AC Milan reserves for 3.5mil so you never know!

Activating Fellaini's 23mil release clause would be controversial!  Never happen though.

Even in the ressies we don't have one - Coady is the DM.

I would say Bender but I'm not sure if he would be physical enough ?

john craig » Mon Jun 24, 2013 8:04 pm wrote:

Benny The Noon » Mon Jun 24, 2013 7:58 pm wrote:I'm not sure around the continent ? Most of the physical DM's that I have noticed are in the big clubs already.

I can't think of many at the moment tbh.

Me either, but I can't claim to have great knowledge of all the European leagues.  Apart from the Premier league, Europa, CL, SPL and La Liga I don't watch many live games (if at all).  Wenger managed to pluck Vieira from AC Milan reserves for 3.5mil so you never know!

Activating Fellaini's 23mil release clause would be controversial!  Never happen though.

There's actually a few but not sure if we would be able to afford them. Nemanja Matic for example, is being linked with Chelsea for around 30m. But who I really wanna see is Kevin Strootman or Asier Illarramendi.

Matic is a big until - talented player but as you say he would cost a lot

Strootman I think is similar to Lucas

Illarramendi  is another terrier like - feisty

Quite funny that Matic was on Chelsea's books and they traded him as part of the Luiz deal... now they're apparently considering buying him back for 30 mil!

Oh any link for a guy called Padro is completely false and fabricated

would Diame not fit the bill or would we be too worried about possible health issues ?

I've probably said it before but seeing you guys talking about DM prospects always brings me back to Michael Bradley.  Hard as fook and has gotten really good on the ball in the past couple of years.  Had an amazing spell in the last International break.  Really bossed the games for the US. Offers a bit going forward (Scored against us) as well but is best used as a DM.

I would love us to bid for  Schalke's  Roman Neustädter ,excellent DM reminds me of Hamann at his peak.