Liverpool FC Forum

I heard a straight swop at Blackpool, Alonso going one way and Tom Ince the other.

Reg » Sat May 04, 2013 3:30 am wrote:I heard a straight swop at Blackpool, Alonso going one way and Tom Ince the other.

With Carragher retiring we could definitely do with bringing in some experience this summer.  If there was an opportunity to bring Alonso back I would take it.  I would have reservations about how he and Gerrard could play together in our current system though, neither are that dynamic and Gerrard has almost assumed the 'Alonso role' this season by sitting deeper and pinging long passes.  Lucas isn't the most dynamic either so there's no way they could play as a three imo.  On the other hand we've been lucky that Gerrard has been injury free this season (doesn't often happen for a whole season).  Without Carra and if Gerrard picks up a long term injury we are really short on experience, so having Alonso around would still be a good move maybe.

We need at least one centre back (a potential starter, not a young lad) and a box-box midfielder (currently only Henderson in our squad is capable of this).

Centre backs?  There will be plenty of options abroad, but closer to home someone like Lescott has good experience and decent quality.  Alderweireld at Ajax is getting a few mentions, the young Belgian.

Central midfielder?  Diame gets talked about a lot, same as Wanyama.  Either might be worth a go.  I also like James McCarthy at Wigan - developing well, always been tidy on the ball but this season looks to have filled out a lot physically too and gets up and down the pitch.  With Wigan looking like relegation fodder to me I'd look to bring him in.

Other areas?  McManaman at Wigan also looks like he could be a good player.  Released by Everton as a youngster I bet they regret that one now.  Remy could be available at a decent price and in a decent side he could do some damage.  Eriksen talk has gone quiet.  Links to Barce youngsters like Cuenca and Tello always come out every transfer window.

Outgoings?
Carra
Maybe Downing if we get a decent offer and have a replacement lined up?
Coates (at least on loan)
Suso or Sterling on loan?  More likely Suso.
Shelvey?  I think Rodgers likes him though.
Carroll - Can't see him being loaned again but either a straight forward sale or he's a bench warmer.  Should get 15 mil I think.  A few clubs will want him.
Assaidi?  Looking like a strange signing.  Looks decent when he plays but doesn't even get chances from the bench.
Flanagan?  Loan?  Another who needs games to progress, and I actually think the Irish lad McLaughlin is a better prospect at right back.
Coady and Morgan surely need a step up from reserves.  Loan?


On the other hand if we get in the Europa via the back door like it looks like we may be able to give some of the young lads enough game time to avoid loaning them all.

You need about 23/24 players, less than that and the squad becomes stretched with a few injuries and more than that and you have senior players who don’t kick a ball all season. I don’t think it makes too much difference if we are in the Europa League or not because if we aren’t, it just means the domestic cup competitions take on more importance. For the front 3 positions we need 6 or 7 players who are fairly versatile and can play from the left, right or centre. At least 3 of those have to be comfortable being the furthest forward. We also need to utilize the loan system much better. We have a glut of players who are 19/20 and are just not going to progress any more by playing in the U21s.

The below doesn’t necessarily place everyone in their best position or represent the correct pecking order but it’s just a way of showing where I see the obvious positions to strengthen. It also looks like we’ll let Skrtel and/or Coates leave so I suspect we’ll need to bring in more than 1 centre back.

Sell Ngoo? That doesn't make any sense, the lad seems to be developing well?

I wouldgive Assaidi a chance to see what he can do and you seemed to have left out Borini and Wisdom.

Man Utd 0, Chelsea 1.

Alex Ferguson has confirmed Howard Webb will be sold at the end of the season.   

Assaidi has had all season. I think Rogers will sell him. What's the point of keeping him around if he isn't going to play him.

in yesterdays echo it mentioned that we were looking at douglas texiera, i`ve never heard of him but apparently he`s a brazillian CB playing in holland.

He is at Twente FC - he was highly rated a couple years ago when they won the title but has drifted away and will be available on a free at the end of the season

Benny The Noon » Tue May 07, 2013 4:57 pm wrote:He is at Twente FC - he was highly rated a couple years ago when they won the title but has drifted away and will be available on a free at the end of the season

on a free? doesnt sound too promising.
i hope we dont try to solve our CB problem on the cheap, we will not get into the top 4 next season if we dont address our weakness in the air at the back.

Yep he will be a free - he also changed his allegiance to Holland and still hasnt been picked for International duty. Maybe a move will revive him ?

watching Wigan lead Swansea. God only save us if he expect Ashley Williams to replace Carragher.

I'd take McCarthy from Wigan, but apparently the Chavs and the Ar$e are looking at him closely....