Liverpool FC Forum

by **puroresu** » Sat Aug 02, 2008 11:02 pm

Red H wrote:how about this for a tough midfield

GB JM XA SG

no width but hard to play through.

no thanks. When teams ask us to break them down we struggle with no width.

by **bigmick** » Sat Aug 02, 2008 11:15 pm

puroresu wrote:
Red H wrote:how about this for a tough midfield

GB JM XA SG

no width but hard to play through.

no thanks. When teams ask us to break them down we struggle with no width.

Well we saw last season that while Alonso and Masherano as a central pairing does provide defensive solidity, the sight of the two of them playing the whole 90 minutes within ten paces of each other doesn't do a whole lot for us from an attacking sense.

If (and FWIW despite what some of the people have apparently said on RAWK I think it's unlikely) Rafa still considers Xabi as part of his first choice central midfield pairing, then surely we are going to see Alonso encouraged to be much more expansive in his game. I've said it many times that I think he is very capable of providing that umbilical chord to the front men, if he stays and plays he desperately needs to develop his game, or be allowed so to do.

Like I said though, I don't actually think it will happen. If we play 4-4-2, our midfield will be Barry, Masherano, Gerrard and Kuyt as a first choice combination, IMHO of course.

by **Kharhaz** » Sat Aug 02, 2008 11:24 pm

I think Babel will see more first team games, even if we do see Barry arrive. Babel has that 1st season behind him and has shown glimpses of talent. Also I think if we did sign barry it would be rotated with gerrard playing more on the right ahead of kuyt.

by **bigmick** » Sat Aug 02, 2008 11:32 pm

Kharhaz wrote:Also I think if we did sign barry it would be rotated with

Please God no :sniffle

I so hope you're calling this one wrong mate :;):

by **Kharhaz** » Sat Aug 02, 2008 11:34 pm

bigmick wrote:
Kharhaz wrote:Also I think if we did sign barry it would be rotated with

Please God no

I so hope you're calling this one wrong mate

Me too, but should we sign him, it will happen ! We all know it !

by **Reg** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 12:50 am

I accept that in the big gameplan Xavi may have to go, but I'll be mighty disappointed if we give him away for 12m.....

by **account deleted by request** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 1:05 am

Little bit in the mail online saying that FB have offered £13million for Alonso but Rafa still wants £16.5million for him. Maybe now we have taken out a loan (or maybe just a loan guarantee) we are no longer as desperate for money and can hold out for better prices. While I think £16.5million is a bit OTT for Xabi, maybe I just haven't caught up with todays prices yet.

by **Okan Kalo** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 1:46 am

s@int wrote:Little bit in the mail online saying that FB have offered £13million for Alonso but Rafa still wants £16.5million for him. Maybe now we have taken out a loan (or maybe just a loan guarantee) we are no longer as desperate for money and can hold out for better prices. While I think £16.5million is a bit OTT for Xabi, maybe I just haven't caught up with todays prices yet.

FB can do 16 Million Euro..Liverpool can do 20 Million Euro..

Forza Alonso..Forza Feberbahce..

by **account deleted by request** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 2:08 am

Okan Kalo wrote:
s@int wrote:Little bit in the mail online saying that FB have offered £13million for Alonso but Rafa still wants £16.5million for him. Maybe now we have taken out a loan (or maybe just a loan guarantee) we are no longer as desperate for money and can hold out for better prices. While I think £16.5million is a bit OTT for Xabi, maybe I just haven't caught up with todays prices yet.

FB can do 16 Million Euro..Liverpool can do 20 Million Euro..

Forza Alonso..Forza Feberbahce..

Yeah but it said pounds not euros mate. I don't think FB can do 16 million pounds, especially with the type of wages Alonso would want to go to Turkey. Maybe there was a chance last week for you to snatch a bargain, but I think that chance has gone now.

by **ConnO'var** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 4:14 am

s@int wrote:Little bit in the mail online saying that FB have offered £13million for Alonso but Rafa still wants £16.5million for him. Maybe now we have taken out a loan (or maybe just a loan guarantee) we are no longer as desperate for money and can hold out for better prices. While I think £16.5million is a bit OTT for Xabi, maybe I just haven't caught up with todays prices yet.

Don't quite agree with you on Xabi's valuation mate..... In today's market, Xabi's talent is more than worth the 16.5 million quid we're asking I reckon.... What is making prospective buyers a little hesitant about the price, I believe, is his form over the last 2 seasons or so....

by **Salty Sock** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 5:29 am

This is ridiculous. I am of two minds to which he should really be placed. Can we as spectators and fans be so selfish to make such foulgandering demands?? I think I will go with the selfless choice and say INDUBITABLY 'YES'. That is all I can do as a man in my own integrating right; is this too much??
This is hordically depressing and I am disappointed friends..
I'm open to PM discussion, but keep it low profile ok??

by **account deleted by request** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 6:24 am

ConnO'var wrote:
s@int wrote:Little bit in the mail online saying that FB have offered £13million for Alonso but Rafa still wants £16.5million for him. Maybe now we have taken out a loan (or maybe just a loan guarantee) we are no longer as desperate for money and can hold out for better prices. While I think £16.5million is a bit OTT for Xabi, maybe I just haven't caught up with todays prices yet.

Don't quite agree with you on Xabi's valuation mate..... In today's market, Xabi's talent is more than worth the 16.5 million quid we're asking I reckon.... What is making prospective buyers a little hesitant about the price, I believe, is his form over the last 2 seasons or so....

I think thats the point though Conn', two years ago I think Alonso's value was probably near enough £20million, just as Riise's was probably £8-10million. They have both had a couple of bad years since then though, and I would think Alonso's value has tumbled in just the same way Riise's did. I would be surprised if we got anything near £16.5million for Alonso now, in fact I would put his value at no more than £14million.( not that I would wish to sell him at that price!)

by **ConnO'var** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 8:17 am

s@int wrote:
ConnO'var wrote:
s@int wrote:Little bit in the mail online saying that FB have offered £13million for Alonso but Rafa still wants £16.5million for him. Maybe now we have taken out a loan (or maybe just a loan guarantee) we are no longer as desperate for money and can hold out for better prices. While I think £16.5million is a bit OTT for Xabi, maybe I just haven't caught up with todays prices yet.

Don't quite agree with you on Xabi's valuation mate..... In today's market, Xabi's talent is more than worth the 16.5 million quid we're asking I reckon.... What is making prospective buyers a little hesitant about the price, I believe, is his form over the last 2 seasons or so....

I think thats the point though Conn', two years ago I think Alonso's value was probably near enough £20million, just as Riise's was probably £8-10million. They have both had a couple of bad years since then though, and I would think Alonso's value has tumbled in just the same way Riise's did. I would be surprised if we got anything near £16.5million for Alonso now, in fact I would put his value at no more than £14million.( not that I would wish to sell him at that price!)

Fair point..... However, it should be taken into consideration that we have Momo as an example.... He'd lost confidence and form for us but we still managed to get 10 million quid (Wiki says 13 million Euros) for him..... which is a fair amount for a player which many of us had given up on.

The lad's done well for himself at Juve and fair play to him. He's a better player than many of us gave him credit for. I think besides the fact that Xabi's a little older, the same could and would likely would happen to Xabi if he leaves for the Serie A or Primera Liga... the so-called slower and more deliberate leagues. Both Xabi and Momo are IMO more suited to the kind of game that's played in Spain and Italy.

If we sold Xabi for less than 16.5 million, it's my belief that we've undervalued a talented player and it may come back to haunt us in the future. Our style of play and team composition doesn't suit these 2 guys games making them look less effective than they actually are.... Doesn't make their talent worth any less though.

As far as Xabi is concerned, we need to either set up the team (and fill in the necessary quality down the wings for him to have an outlet) or if that's not possible, let him go and flourish elsewhere, at a reasonable profit to us.

The way this has been handled must be humiliating to such a talented and model professional such as himself. All the hullabaloo in the press and the effect it may have had on the player's psyche can't be good if he stays.

by **Okan Kalo** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 10:01 am

No,no,no..Alonso Go to Istanbul..[B]

by **Fo Dne** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 11:05 am

bigmick wrote:
puroresu wrote:
Red H wrote:how about this for a tough midfield GB JM XA SGno width but hard to play through.
no thanks. When teams ask us to break them down we struggle with no width.
Well we saw last season that while Alonso and Masherano as a central pairing does provide defensive solidity, the sight of the two of them playing the whole 90 minutes within ten paces of each other doesn't do a whole lot for us from an attacking sense. If (and FWIW despite what some of the people have apparently said on RAWK I think it's unlikely) Rafa still considers Xabi as part of his first choice central midfield pairing, then surely we are going to see Alonso encouraged to be much more expansive in his game. I've said it many times that I think he is very capable of providing that umbilical chord to the front men, if he stays and plays he desperately needs to develop his game, or be allowed so to do. Like I said though, I don't actually think it will happen. If we play 4-4-2, our midfield will be Barry, Masherano, Gerrard and Kuyt as a first choice combination, IMHO of course.

It would be a hell of a strong midfield.

What all the numbnutz and "pace, pace pacers" don't understand is how much ball rentention counts for breaking sides down aswell as other things. What some teams lack in quality they can make up for by keeping the ball. The fact is if you have four good midfielders like Xabi, Mascherano, Barry and Gerrard, they all know not to needlessly give the ball away and all of them are capable of making something happen should the oppurtunity arise.

The problems in the past have always stemmed from having a Babel, or Bennayoun or a Pennant in the side and being off form and everything breaking down with them giving the ball away. Having one player giving the ball away in games is extremely frustrating for yourself aswell as the rhythm of the side and it can cause alot of problems. Just as having one player playing a blinder can sometimes win you a game.

The fact is with those players in midfield we've got alot consistency and no weak link to give the ball away time and time again.

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