The Official Liverpool FC Thread [Vol 10]

[Pommygranite]

jammy_basturd said:

Apparently we still want Benteke, but we won't pay the £32.5m asking price.

Kinda glad and hope we look elsewhere.

Agreed, just don't see the value.

[RedTrident]

If we really want him I'm sure we could for 20 million plus a couple of players - Lambert and Allen would fit in a Villa team.

[NRS]

RedTrident said:

NRS said:

I think the general lack of spending on defense is recognising it's not going to help much with Rodgers. He goes for attacking football, so it's about him adapting slightly but without losing goals (if the new players work, which was the problem last season).

I saw very little attacking football last season. Yes we were unbelievable the season before but that seemed more a blip if you look at Rodgers 3 seasons with us and take into consideration his previous tenure. He goes for death by football, technical unassuming players that pass it sideways a lot. Joe Allen is a living example of Mr Rodgers preferred style of play.

We've got to get a stronger defence. I doubt very much its about players. We've got two 20 million plus centre backs and two 10 million plus full backs. That's separate to Skrtel. I doubt we'll be bringing in another centre back, Lovren was the strange one, left sided to compete with a 20 million plus left sided centre back. He was Mr Rodgers leader when we needed a right sided centre back. Regardless, we need a defensive coach, someone who actually knows how to set up a defence. Mr Rodgers has demonstrated that he is unable to do this.

I don't think anyone will disagree about the lack of attacking football - it's why I said if the new players work. Last season we had no attacking option that worked, and it just meant we shipped lots of goals but got none back. So he had to change it, with the result we still weren't very attacking but at least slightly stronger at the back for the most part.

I also agree about the defense, which is why I was thinking there isn't necessarily much point in getting lots of new defenders in - it just doesn't seem to matter because of the coaching and/or the way the team is set up under Rodgers. Thus a new coach and perhaps slightly different setup from BR are more important.

The main problem I can see is so many new players these last few seasons meaning we have a slow start as they get to know each other. Hopefully BR sticks with a relatively stable team otherwise we will have some problems if he chops and changes all the time.

[jammy_basturd]

Well the U16 coach that has just been promoted, Pepijn Lijnders, is also very attack minded, so don't expect our defence to improve with him either.

[revrange]

jammy_basturd said:

Well the U16 coach that has just been promoted, Pepijn Lijnders, is also very attack minded, so don't expect our defence to improve with him either.

No doubt the guy is a great coach, but i think he may better best suited to youth football from what i read and developing players there than working on a 1st 11.

Maybe though him replacing Marsh and then an experienced number 2.

why we ever let steve clarke go!

[jammy_basturd]

Coates looks like he's off: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/liverpool-agr...

[BossHogg]

I like this bit in that article too.

The strike trio of Mario Balotelli, Fabio Borini and Rickie Lambert, who managed just four league goals between them last season, are all available for transfer.

Edited by BossHogg on Friday 26th June 19:50

[jammy_basturd]

I can't imagine the for sale advert will lead with that little treat!

[RedTrident]

BossHogg said:

I like this bit in that article too.

The strike trio of Mario Balotelli, Fabio Borini and Rickie Lambert, who managed just four league goals between them last season, are all available for transfer.

Edited by BossHogg on Friday 26th June 19:50

Mr Rodgers hardly played them or when he did didn't play to their strengths. I'm not a fan of either Borini or Lambert but that line in isolation is unfair.

[BossHogg]

Looks like the author is a firm believer in "saying it as it is" you're from that same train of thought as well aren't you RT?

[RedTrident]

Yes, the one that is looking forward to seeing how Mr Rodgers lines up his team in about 6 weeks time.

If we're looking for a striker, I have no idea why we're not in for Berahino. Surely he's a better fir than Benteke or Bacca and we'd get him for 20 million? 20 goals last season of which 14 were in the league.

[jammy_basturd]

RedTrident said:

Yes, the one that is looking forward to seeing how Mr Rodgers lines up his team in about 6 weeks time.

If we're looking for a striker, I have no idea why we're not in for Berahino. Surely he's a better fir than Benteke or Bacca and we'd get him for 20 million? 20 goals last season of which 14 were in the league.

Wouldn't Berahino fall under 'potential' though, despite his impressive tally last season?

Besides, he is represented by the same agent as Sterling, so no chance we'd get a deal done.

[NRS]

jammy_basturd said:

Wouldn't Berahino fall under 'potential' though, despite his impressive tally last season?

Besides, he is represented by the same agent as Sterling, so no chance we'd get a deal done.

Not to mention why would we sign someone from a mid-league team?

[Harbuzi]

Isn't Berahino represented by Aidy Ward? I don't think LFC are on speaking terms with him.........

I'd rather Benteke than Berahino. Unlike Ballotelli and Borini he has proven to be a prolific goalscorer in the Premier League. But not at over £30m.

[GloverMart]

NRS said:

jammy_basturd said:

Wouldn't Berahino fall under 'potential' though, despite his impressive tally last season?

Besides, he is represented by the same agent as Sterling, so no chance we'd get a deal done.

Not to mention why would we sign someone from a mid-league team?

Really? You've signed Ings from a relegated team!

[anonymous-user]

GloverMart said:

Really? You've signed Ings from a relegated team!

He's awesome though

https://vine.co/v/e5DVEVru7Pe

[RedTrident]

NRS said:

jammy_basturd said:

Wouldn't Berahino fall under 'potential' though, despite his impressive tally last season?

Besides, he is represented by the same agent as Sterling, so no chance we'd get a deal done.

Not to mention why would we sign someone from a mid-league team?

So where's Benteke from?

[RedTrident]

Harbuzi said:

Isn't Berahino represented by Aidy Ward? I don't think LFC are on speaking terms with him.........

I'd rather Benteke than Berahino. Unlike Ballotelli and Borini he has proven to be a prolific goalscorer in the Premier League. But not at over £30m.

We finished 6th last season. If we buy 2x 30 million pound players (Firmino and Benteke) and also agree to pay another player 150k a week in wages (Milner) I'm pretty sure all 3 are going to figure in a regular starting 11. Coutinho and Sturridge (when fit) are also guaranteed starters. Only leaves room for a central midfielder - Henderson or Can.

Is that back line defensively strong enough, Clyne Skrtel Sakho Moreno with Henderson and Milner in front?

Of course the other question is whether we play to Benteke's strengths regardless of how prolific he has been. We don't cross the ball much in the style of play I've seen for the last 3 seasons, Benteke in the main feeds off crosses right?

[Harbuzi]

RedTrident said:

We finished 6th last season. If we buy 2x 30 million pound players (Firmino and Benteke) and also agree to pay another player 150k a week in wages (Milner) I'm pretty sure all 3 are going to figure in a regular starting 11. Coutinho and Sturridge (when fit) are also guaranteed starters. Only leaves room for a central midfielder - Henderson or Can.

Is that back line defensively strong enough, Clyne Skrtel Sakho Moreno with Henderson and Milner in front?

Of course the other question is whether we play to Benteke's strengths regardless of how prolific he has been. We don't cross the ball much in the style of play I've seen for the last 3 seasons, Benteke in the main feeds off crosses right?

I think Rodgers aim is to win games by dominating possession of the ball and attacking. Difficult to execute over a season but we came oh so close in 2013/14, admittedly hugely aided by the world class football of Suarez. I do think Henderson/Can/Milner/Lucas give us a solid base and a decent choice of 4 to choose from. Regarding the back 4, providing Moreno improves his defending i think that is a good (not great) defence.

We lost a lot of points with individual errors last season. But I maintain the pressure the gk and def were under due to our impotent attack was to blame as much as anything for that. I am a little nervous about our defensive depth beyond that 4. Lovren may still struggle, Toure is past it, Flanagan injured, Enrique?? But I would still spend whatever budget we have on a striker first - not sure who is available and Benteke wouldn't be my first choice (but as I say I would choose him above Berahino).

Your point about Benteke and goals from crosses has merit. But unlike Ballotelli, it would seem Rodgers really wants him, so I can only assume he knows how he can fit into the team he is building.

[m3sye]

https://twitter.com/Musker_LFC/status/614523132385...

Not bad ...wonder what the others in the top 10 would have cost...21m rising to 28m seems to be a cracking deal

Edited by m3sye on Saturday 27th June 08:18