Liverpool FC Forum

by **JC_81** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 2:22 pm

Ok we all know that one if not two strikers will be brought in this summer. There have been loads of rumours and speculation in the press about who could be coming and some members on here have also suggested a few names. Here's a list of what I would consider (reasonably) realistic targets, what's your take on them?

Torres - A no for me. Overpriced, overrated and inconsistent. If he's not convincing me that he can be a star in Spain then he's certainly not convincing me he'd adapt to the Premiership.

Yakubu - Not my cup of tea either. Dare I say it but he reminds me of a young Heskey - pace, physique and powerful shot, but not convinced by his link up play (in fact he's been out of the Boro team recently because Hasselbaink and Viduka combine much better together than with Yakubu).

Ashton - A yes from me, I think this guy has the ability to do it for us. Not only can he finish but he is one striker who I am actually convinced with his all-round game - he's good in the air and on the ground, can link play well and has good technique.

Defoe - Sometimes he impresses me but I can't make my mind up about him. Good finisher and quick but his all-round game is average.

Tevez or Aguero - Put these guys together because don't know much about them - all I've seen are the clips on here. Always a gamble bringing someone over from the South American leagues, for every Ronaldinho unearthed there are plenty of flops. The fact though that we're well represented out there now with scouts means we're less likely to make a mistake.

Keane - I'm a fan of his. Last summer I said we should sign him, things weren't going that well for him at Spurs then. People argued he didn't score enough goals and maybe he didn't, but his performances consistently for Ireland at International level have been excellent over the years and his form this season for Spurs (with a good run in the team) have been very good. He's another that grew up supporting Liverpool and I like his attitude on the pitch - he never gives up. His link-up play is also excellent and for a guy not that big he holds the ball up well.

D. Bent - I've always said no and I'm still not convinced. His pace is good and he's scored a lot of goals, but he's not that developed technically and his first touch can be erratic. However his scoring record cannot be sniffed at - if he repeats this record next season I might change my mind about him but no for now.

A Johnson - No one talks about him anymore but last summer half the forum wanted us to sign him. I rate him, scores goals and looks a good player all-round, but I'm not sure if he's quite good enough.

Owen - Well this could be a thread in itself just for Owen. No from me, for now I'll not talk about the principles of whether we should sign him (because of what's happened) and just look at it in terms of football. Too injury prone imo (he was unlucky to break his foot but it's his hamstrings I'd worry about long term), he'd cost a lot of money and his wages wouldn't be cheap - not good business.

Mido - Only on loan at Spurs and rumours say that there is interest from other Premiership teams. I think he's a good player to be honest - he's 1st choice at Spurs ahead of Keane and Defoe who are in competition to partner him. But I wouldn't sign him as he's a temperamental git - those of you who saw the African Nations fiasco will know what I mean.

Anelka - He'd jump at the chance to come back I'm sure and I think he's a very good player, I'd say yes. He's maturing and hopefully isn't so much of a sulk these days, he's proven in the Premiership and importantly has bags of pace - which I think we need as an option when Cisse leaves.

Villa - Looks a class act, but to be honest he maybe doesn't deserve to be on this list because I think he's beyond us getting at present. Should have put more effort into getting him last summer instead of Owen.

Bojinov/ Luca Toni - Both these guys have looked good in Italy but again they may both be slightly beyond us. Toni especially I reckon will move to a bigger Italian team after the world cup and Bojinov is widely expected to move to Germany to play for Bayern at some stage.

Forlan - Bigmick has suggested it in the past. He didn't settle in England first time around and he did play for the enemy but he's been exceptional for Villareal. No convinced myself but I don't think it's a bad suggestion.

I'm sure ther's loads of others I've left out but that should be enough to get you thinking anyway!

by **wrighty (not mark!)** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 2:25 pm

Defoe seems the most likely seeing that he is out of favour at spurs in preference for a mido-keane partnership. He's sharp, got pace, decent touch and a good finisher. An ideal, superior replacement to cisse

by **stmichael** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 2:32 pm

david villa for me. was listening to a spanish journalist on the radio the other day and he was saying that villa was a fantastic player who should be playing in the premiership as he has all the attributes. having said this, i don't know how much he'd cost. you're probably looking at £10-12 million at least.

failing that, robert earnshaw eh bigmick?

where is bigmick anyway?

by **JC_81** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 2:33 pm

stmichael wrote:david villa for me. was listening to a spanish journalist on the radio the other day and he was saying that villa was a fantastic player who should be playing in the premiership as he has all the attributes. having said this, i don't know how much he'd cost. you're probably looking at £10-12 million at least.

failing that, robert earnshaw eh bigmick?

where is bigmick anyway?

Villa looks the business but I think 10-12 million is optimistic to be honest.

Come to think of it haven't seen Bigmick on line in a while, dunno where he is.

by **Redman in wales** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 2:45 pm

yeah David Villa for me too, but he would cost more like £18-22M rather than than the optimistic 10-12.

Any 1 of the thress spurs strikers I would be happy with. All goalscorers in their own right.

Ashton, yes. - the good thing about him and the spurs three is that they are all settled in english football.

Tevez, Aguero, Toni, Bojinov, Torres I havent actually seen play (dont get a chance to watch much footy from abroad) so I'm not gonna comment

by **48-1119859832** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 2:57 pm

Defoe is one, he's clever player and a bright spark, capable of scoring over twenty goals a season, has a great first touch, doesn't lose the ball easily, a good all round striker. I'd spend £12million on recruiting his services.

&

I'd like to see someone you haven't mentioned on the list & that's Craig Bellamy, he's shown at Blackburn this season what he's capable of doing, he's got speed, skill and a great shot, I'm sure with the service and creativity that we make he'd bang the goals in we need.

Some ppl will choke on their drink or food reading this but Yorke, Cole & Shermingham all did for United and they weren't touted as being "world-class" by any means.

by **JC_81** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 3:09 pm

0asis wrote:I'd like to see someone you haven't mentioned on the list & that's Craig Bellamy, he's shown at Blackburn this season what he's capable of doing, he's got speed, skill and a great shot, I'm sure with the service and creativity that we make he'd bang the goals in we need.

I hear what you're saying mate, but personally I wouldn't go for him. He's a good player don't get me wrong, bags of pace and scores goals as you say - he's a constant threat when he's on form.

On the downside he's another one that often finds himself in trouble and seems to care more about himself than the team. Somewhere like Blackburn suits him as he's the 'main man' there, but at Liverpool he'd have to be prepared to sit on the bench which as we saw at Newcastle he doesn't like.

Also he seems to do most of his damage by pulling out wide, rather than doing it centrally. I feel we need someone who will play more centrally and feed off Crouch, which I don't see Bellamy doing.

Having said all that, I do think we need a forward in the squad who is quick if Cisse goes. You need that option, even if they're only on the bench. If Bellamy could be convinced to come and be a good squad man I'd take him - but I can't see that happening.

by **H_K_LFC** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 3:12 pm

Torres and Defoe would fit in nicely and would almost complete the perfect team.Players like Ashtion are good but with Crouch we already have a player winning headers in the air,we need quicker players who have a finishing touch.

by **stmichael** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 3:23 pm

lucas podolski looks like a decent prospect. young aswell. wonder how much he'd cost.

by **JC_81** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 3:25 pm

stmichael wrote:lucas podolski looks like a decent prospect. young aswell. wonder how much he'd cost.

That's the German teenager isn't it?

Not seen him play but the Germans have high hopes for him in the World Cup.

by **JBG** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 3:32 pm

Buy Juan Roman Riquelme and play him off Crouch. With Alonso and Gerrard behind him we'd be some team. :nod

by **Ace Ventura** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 3:32 pm

Has to be Defoe for me, if there was another then Ashton would be a great option.
But i just think Defoe has the ability to do that little something extra that can unlock the best defences, he is quick got two good feet and scores different type of goals.
I think we have a very good chance of signing him as well, i cant see why Rafa would comment on his situation otherwise, he hasn't done it before.
Oasis's shout about Bellamy is a decent one, i also mentioned him not to long ago, and think Blackburn got a bargain at something like £3.5 million last season.
He is a problematic player but with the right kind of squad around him, he might be ok.
I havent seen much of the foreign players listed so cant make a comment on them, but tbh i feel there are plenty of players already on these shores that would represent far less a gamble than there foreign counterparts.

by **stmichael** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 3:36 pm

i'm going to watch the boro-basle match on thursday night with a mate of mine who's a season ticket holder so i'd be interested to see yakubu live again. i rate the guy highly and he's scored 19 goals this season in a struggling premiership side. he's also played upfront on his own at times.

however, he's been dropped in recent games because both hasselbaink and viduka have been banging the goals in for boro.

by **Red @ Heart** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 3:50 pm

sorry to put a dampner on things, but didnt Defoe sign a new contract with spurs on the week end?

by **48-1119859832** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 3:51 pm

Ace Ventura wrote:He is a problematic player but with the right kind of squad around him, he might be ok.

He's calmed down an awful a lot over the past few months. I haven't really heard anything negative about him. However I do partially agree with John when he says that Bellamy won't like sitting on the bench, perhaps he wouldn't fit in here but I like him, so I'd thought I'd put him as well to see what everyone thought.

I've always been a person that admires strikers like Yakubu who don't cost you an arm and a leg but do the job just as well as anyone in the sport and Bellamy also fits that description.

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