Transfer policy still a shambles!
Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2014 9:53 am
I couldn't find the other thread, but I have to say this summer I'm not at all impressed by the clubs lack of ambition so far and the "names" we've been linked with.
Having just qualified for the champions league and narrowly missing out on the premier league title, having one of the top players in world football, a world famous name in Gerrard and the style of football we play, and being Liverpool FC we should be an attractive club to most players. Some forget, we also pay bloody good wages (see the "right back") 100k a week. Make no mistake, this club can and should be competing in the market. It should also be able to compete with Chelsea and City (unless the money gets stupid which it often doesn't) (see Fabregas deal).
The lack of ambition so far is absolutely shocking if I'm being honest. I said early in the season I believed us to need in order:
A right back
A Centre half
A Goalkeeper
A Wide forward who can operate through the middle
A Central midfielder who can tackle and run
So far we've signed an aging centre forward, who to be fair, I wasn't too disappointed with and understand the reasons behind and an unproven midfielder (who does have a good reputation) but I can't see being a first teamer. Already, we've spent £14,000,000 again, to sit on the bench. Baffling.
We have been linked with Lallana, Pedro and Sanchez... now out of those, I'd be happy with one of the Barca players and Lallana, BUT the reality is, Lallana, is only going to really be a squad player and isn't a MASSIVE improvement if at all on Henderson and Coutinho, he's just slightly different. He would add quality and variation to the squad, so wouldn't be a bad signing, but for the kind of money being mentioned why on earth wasn't Fabregas seriously approached? Players of that quality win you leagues. The lad is pure and utter and class. He'd replace Coutinho or Henderson in the side and be a massive improvement on both.
I know he wasn't a priority in my list, but when players of that quality come up for a fee you're being quoted for a lesser player you re jig your transfer plans surely.
Also, we are yet to be linked with any defenders. Only a left back, which coincidentally, depending on Jose Enrique's fitness is the only position in the back five where we're decent.
Last season, the reality is, of all the signings, you have to ask, could we have had the same system had we signed other players? and the answer is again clearly yes. Had we signed any other keeper than Mignolet we wouldn't have been worse off and I'm sure had we signed another centre half instead of Sahko we'd have been probably no worse off either. The main differences last season was the form of Suarez, Flanagan and Sterling... obviously along with the additions of Sturridge and Coutinho the season before.
So the point being, after 3 and a half windows:
Rodgers is yet to sign a truely world class talent. (although its still early so I'd give him another two years before I think this is an issue)
He's wasted millions and millions on players who've got nowhere near the first 11.
He's only used the window once to good effect to improve the first 11.
We really need to step this up, the club needs to show more ambition as does the manager. He also needs to be more ruthless.
Mignolet has had his chance, as has Skrtel, as has Johnson. Pack their bags and f*ck them off.
Having just qualified for the champions league and narrowly missing out on the premier league title, having one of the top players in world football, a world famous name in Gerrard and the style of football we play, and being Liverpool FC we should be an attractive club to most players. Some forget, we also pay bloody good wages (see the "right back") 100k a week. Make no mistake, this club can and should be competing in the market. It should also be able to compete with Chelsea and City (unless the money gets stupid which it often doesn't) (see Fabregas deal).
The lack of ambition so far is absolutely shocking if I'm being honest. I said early in the season I believed us to need in order:
A right back
A Centre half
A Goalkeeper
A Wide forward who can operate through the middle
A Central midfielder who can tackle and run
So far we've signed an aging centre forward, who to be fair, I wasn't too disappointed with and understand the reasons behind and an unproven midfielder (who does have a good reputation) but I can't see being a first teamer. Already, we've spent £14,000,000 again, to sit on the bench. Baffling.
We have been linked with Lallana, Pedro and Sanchez... now out of those, I'd be happy with one of the Barca players and Lallana, BUT the reality is, Lallana, is only going to really be a squad player and isn't a MASSIVE improvement if at all on Henderson and Coutinho, he's just slightly different. He would add quality and variation to the squad, so wouldn't be a bad signing, but for the kind of money being mentioned why on earth wasn't Fabregas seriously approached? Players of that quality win you leagues. The lad is pure and utter and class. He'd replace Coutinho or Henderson in the side and be a massive improvement on both.
I know he wasn't a priority in my list, but when players of that quality come up for a fee you're being quoted for a lesser player you re jig your transfer plans surely.
Also, we are yet to be linked with any defenders. Only a left back, which coincidentally, depending on Jose Enrique's fitness is the only position in the back five where we're decent.
Last season, the reality is, of all the signings, you have to ask, could we have had the same system had we signed other players? and the answer is again clearly yes. Had we signed any other keeper than Mignolet we wouldn't have been worse off and I'm sure had we signed another centre half instead of Sahko we'd have been probably no worse off either. The main differences last season was the form of Suarez, Flanagan and Sterling... obviously along with the additions of Sturridge and Coutinho the season before.
So the point being, after 3 and a half windows:
Rodgers is yet to sign a truely world class talent. (although its still early so I'd give him another two years before I think this is an issue)
He's wasted millions and millions on players who've got nowhere near the first 11.
He's only used the window once to good effect to improve the first 11.
We really need to step this up, the club needs to show more ambition as does the manager. He also needs to be more ruthless.
Mignolet has had his chance, as has Skrtel, as has Johnson. Pack their bags and f*ck them off.