Liverpool FC Forum

No chance of Ivan Rakitic now, seems he is on the way to Barcelona for 15 million

What a mistake not going for him... 
Such a good player

cardiff-red » Fri Jun 06, 2014 1:53 pm wrote:No chance of Ivan Rakitic now, seems he is on the way to Barcelona for 15 million

15 million. Smart move by Barca, sell Fabregas for 30 million, buy Rakitic for half of that.

Offering Agger plus money for one of Barca's wingers doesn't sound so bad, as long as we value Agger highly and don't give them a lot of money. And as long as we replace Agger of course.

Shaqiri for 15 million isn't bad either.

stmichael » Fri Jun 06, 2014 1:08 pm wrote:The latest rumour is that we're offering Agger to Barcelona + cash for either Pedro or Alexis Sanchez.

Good deal for all concerned as long as we get a replacement for Agger aswell. Lovren for example.

This is probably the best transfer rumor I've heard so far. If true, it would pretty much force us to bring in another CB (hopefully a top quality one) and it would add a top class player to our already impressive attacking lineup.Either one of the 2 mentioned would improve our side but my only worry is that it might mean that we either change our setup, or that Sterling/Sturridge is dropped from the starting 11.

Agger plus cash for Pedro? Barcelona must be rolling around laughing their heads off at us.

Why yakka

Yakka I seriously think you need to watch Pedro mate, and if you have I cant quite understand how you dont rate him? He's a fabulous player who offers goals skill pace add work ethic.

He'd walk into pretty much any side in world football and I would love us to sign him. As for Danny agger he's a bit overrated and ridiculously injury prone.

ycsatbjywtbiastkamb » Fri Jun 06, 2014 6:37 pm wrote:Agger plus cash for Pedro? Barcelona must be rolling around laughing their heads off at us.

Actually, it's more likely that it's Agger plus cash for Sanchez. Apparently we've been scouting him for a while now.

Take some doing luring a player from Barcelona to Liverpool, especially a regular in their side like Sanchez.

They have to want to come and with respect no one will make that switch unless you are literally being pushed out
of the door and bundled into a taxi at gunpoint by the Barca President.

Surprised we haven't had a nibble at Lukaku to be honest.

Prob available for under £15m.

Ben Patrick » Fri Jun 06, 2014 7:49 pm wrote:Why yakka

He's a lightweight even in Spain, and let's not forget here that we are talking about a league where Aspas was described as a 'pit bull'. He'll spend more time on the floor than on his feet over here.

Can someone enlighten me, if we buy shaqiri, where are we going to play him? who is to be sacrificed?

hardly the area we need strengthening...

maguskwt » Sat Jun 07, 2014 7:42 am wrote:Can someone enlighten me, if we buy shaqiri, where are we going to play him? who is to be sacrificed?

hardly the area we need strengthening...

Same question could be asked with regards to most of the names we've been linked with (Pedro, Sanchez, Lallana, Shaqiri, konoplyanka). I think we'll most likely see Coutinho make way with Sterling getting less time than he's been getting in the last few months of the season. Lets not forget that we're in 4 competitions next season and having quality+quantity is the only way we can remain competitive on all fronts.

aCe' » Sat Jun 07, 2014 8:01 am wrote:

maguskwt » Sat Jun 07, 2014 7:42 am wrote:Can someone enlighten me, if we buy shaqiri, where are we going to play him? who is to be sacrificed?

hardly the area we need strengthening...

Same question could be asked with regards to most of the names we've been linked with (Pedro, Sanchez, Lallana, Shaqiri, konoplyanka). I think we'll most likely see Coutinho make way with Sterling getting less time than he's been getting in the last few months of the season. Lets not forget that we're in 4 competitions next season and having quality+quantity is the only way we can remain competitive on all fronts.

I doubt Sterling will lose his place, he's been exceptional this season and really come on leaps and bounds. One of our best players, which considering his early season form is truely shocking. We need a wide player, we have done since last season. Sturridge for me would be the one to make way, he'd obviously still get plenty of game time, but having a natrual wide player like Pedro with Sterling the other side and Suarez through the middle would allow us a more natural and controlled shape and allow us more flexibility. When Suarez has to accomodate Strurridge I think we lose a bit of solidity and he doesn't quite have the same influence on games.

For me...

Begovic

Richards
Lovren
Sahko
Enrique

Gerrard
Henderson/Can(if he's as good as made out)
Coutinho

Sterling
Pedro/Sanchez
Suarez

Subs:

Jones
Flanagan
Agger/Skrtel (sell one)
Allen
Can
Sturridge
Lambert

Looks pretty comfortable, if any of the front three are out, Sturridge comes in, you also have the option of playing Coutinho wide if you're desperate, in terms of attacking options they're all different with a tremendous amount of quality. Worst case scenario is Suarez, Sterling and Sanchez/Pedro are injured and you go into a game with Lambert and Sturridge up top, which still isn't a bad strike force.

In terms of the midfield it looks pretty solid providing Can is half decent. Defensively, we'd have cover, options and decent quality to cover injuries and suspensions and defensively, Lovren, Richards and Begovic are absolutely miles ahead of Johnson, Mignolet and Skrtel in just about every department and would without a doubt be a massive improvement. For me, they'd easily be good enough to knock 10 goals (maybe more) off the goals against columb (despite our attacking style) which would put us pretty much on par with City's record this season. It would also allow us to be able to play a more defensive game when needed as we'd have players who can actually keep a clean sheet.

Stu while I'm not convinced by Mignolet either, there have been absolutely no noises about his position being under threat this summer.  IMO the only way he'll not be first choice next season is if Reina somehow ends up back at the club having not found another club willing to take on his wages, and he forces his way back in.  I can't see it though.

Don't disagree about needing a right back and centre back either, but Richards has a worse injury record than Agger and I'd avoid him.  I think the idea behind buying in a quality left back is that we can also get Flanagan in his preferred position at right back, or at least put enough pressure on Johnson there that he starts looking like a footballer again.  If you buy in a top right back this summer then that's Flanagan's development stunted and we might not find out how good he can be.  I suspect the lad McLaughlin is a better prospect there anyway but time will tell. 

Not sure which CB I'd go for, but certainly not Hangelaand who turns like he's got Parkinsons FFS.  With the high line we play he'd be torn apart.  I'd get rid of Agger while his stock is still reasonably high.  The question is do we really need to buy though.  We have Skrtel, Sakho and Toure, while Llori, Coates and Wisdom (naturally a CB) are all on the books still.  I don't know why Coates has been completely written off while Llori was hot property last summer and had a good season in la liga.  Don't get me wrong if a top quality commanding CB becomes available then yes we go for him, but is it essential?  Even Ashley Williams, who I was never keen on for 10mil, has been subject to a 4mil bid from Sunderland - for that sort of price is he worth a punt as a 'Lambert-esque' signing at the back.  At least he's vocal and an organiser.  There's also Mussachio going on a free this summer as a cheap option.

As bad as our defence looked at times last season, we left massive gaps in front of them.  I think a dominant midfielder with presence was what we lacked most and hopefully this Can lad can be it. 

We need to be careful of the FFP rules too - currently we are in breach of them too but it doesn't become active until next May after a season back in CL.  We can't afford to buy a 20mil player in every position we feel needs strengthening.