Reina on our new boys

[Shanks65]

Sky Sports


Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina has welcomed the club's new summer arrivals.

The Reds have brought in Craig Bellamy, Mark Gonzalez, Fabio Aurelio and Gabriel Paletta and more arrivals are expected before the start of the season.

Reina believes the likes of Bellamy, Gonzalez and Aurelio will be valuable additions to the squad as they look to mount a serious title challenge.

"I know Fabio Aurelio and Mark Gonzalez from Spain," Reina told Sky Sports News.

"They have a lot of quality both of them, they are solid players, great players.

"In the case of Bellamy I know him less than the others, but he can be important with his pace for us.

"In England I think pace is important.

"Gonzalez has a lot of pace, he has done a really good end of season with Real Sociedad.

"He is now with a lot of confidence, he is absolutely over his knee injury and he has a lot of pace."

Meanwhile, Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has admitted he is playing with Bellamy rather than against him this season.

""Craig has been a nightmare to play against in the past so it's nice to have him in a red shirt and to be playing with him," said Gerrard.

"It is mine and the other midfielders' responsibility to create chances for Craig and make sure he scores a lot of goals for us.

"There were times last year where there were little droughts in front of goal. I think it was important that the manager brought a player in who can get us 20 league goals and I think Craig could be that player for us.

"But let's not forget Robbie Fowler, who is looking really lean and sharp. It's important to have options up front and we have definitely got that.

"Craig's pace is the obvious thing, we all know he is a really good character out on the pitch."

[Bob]

The key word in all that for me was pace. Something you certainly didn't associate with us last year! I remember watching the Boro home game (one example of many) and being so frustrated with the pace of our attack (Moro and Crouch). They were there for the taking (their back line wasn't particular quick), ok we won 2-0 , but it could have been so much more!

Ok. I'm not exactly ecstatic with our summer. But compared to last year it's a decent progression of the squad and with another to come i'm fairly optimistic with a good league run this year. Nailed on second.

[Shanks65]

Totally agree mate. The addition of pace is a whole new dimension to the way we play. I think (injuries permitting) we'll get 2nd place wrapped up, and we could run the Chavs close.

:lfc:

[brendan]

The key word in all that for me was pace. Something you certainly didn't associate with us last year! I remember watching the Boro home game (one example of many) and being so frustrated with the pace of our attack (Moro and Crouch). They were there for the taking (their back line wasn't particular quick), ok we won 2-0 , but it could have been so much more!

Ok. I'm not exactly ecstatic with our summer. But compared to last year it's a decent progression of the squad and with another to come i'm fairly optimistic with a good league run this year. Nailed on second.


Every time I saw Spanish Erik and Lurch on the teamsheet, I nearly cried inside. Watching those two lumbering about the place like a couple of superannuated rocking-horses made me so angry.

Cisse had blistering pace, but hopefully Bellamy's will be used in more central areas.

Add Gonzalez and you have a serious pacy threat that was lacking all too often alst year.

[Bob]

Every time I saw Spanish Erik and Lurch on the teamsheet, I nearly cried inside. Watching those two lumbering about the place like a couple of superannuated rocking-horses made me so angry.

Cisse had blistering pace, but hopefully Bellamy's will be used in more central areas.

Add Gonzalez and you have a serious pacy threat that was lacking all too often alst year.

:handshake:

Agree, though I sometimes literally cried. This is why i'm somewhat appeased by pennant's impending signing - we have a specialist RW now, with stevie who is obviously more than adept also.

If bellamy was utilised on the right, with possibly Crouch on his own up front... well its razor blade time again. However with rafa's transfer strategy revolving around wide play and remedying the failed forward line i think we can look forward to some exciting football next season.

Also, we have some quality back up in central defence now. I nearly had a coronary every time SH or JC got a knock last year. I think it was underestimated how much of a risk that was last season. It would have been a total disaster if, heaven forbid we had troare playing CB for any length of time.

[Bob]

Unless Utd get their act together they could be a shambles next year (albiet a champions league place). Arse, I reckon (hope) the stadium move could have an adverse effect on the continuity of their good end of season form. Spurs haven't lived up to their potential murmurings in the t/fer marker.

Unfortunately Chelsea, whilst they'll need to come up with a new system are looking awesome. If they get Cole well they could be spectacular. One only hopes they concentrate heavily on the CL allowing us to nick them on the slipstream.

[dww]

Every year for the last 4 or so Utd have started the season looking like they might fall apart - they never have. Looks like they will get Carrick which I think will improve them a lot. I think they will be very dangerous.

Seen no evidence that Arsenal won't progress again next season but I think they will have many of the same problems with inexperience and a relatively lightweight midfield. I guess the biggest worry for them is the need for a new CB with Senderos injured and Campbell released.

Spurs haven't improved from last season in my opinion, they will challenge for 4th again I suspect.

Chelsea still have the best squad. Remains to be seen how the rate of transfers affects the team. Obvious favourites for the league.

We have so far done well in the transfer market. Have addressed the problems of pace and defensive cover. One major problem needing a solution is the right wing, we need an option to allow us to bring Gerrard inside. If we get Pennant I think we will have made the biggest improvement in our squad of any of the top 5. The obvious potential problem is cover upfront. I think we will be second but I can see another season where lack of firepower limits our challenge on Chelsea.