Henrikh Mkhitaryan

[RichC]

I think it would be a great signing. I would say that it is a big risk that Coutinho could leave after the coming season if we don't qualify for the CL and if that happens then we don't need to panic because we have HM.

I believe Rodgers is planning to play all three players behind the striker in a free position in a 4-2-3-1.

They will change positions a lot during the games.

[Vermilion]

Gabriel Marcotti was on the radio just now, and he was asked about the players we've been linked with, on Henrikh Mkhitaryan, he said he just couldn't see why Shakhtar would sell except for silly silly money, and also, if he is going to leave because he insists he wants to, he will have a lot of good offers from clubs far better off than Liverpool are as of now.

Not that what Marcotti says means ****, but it does sound like this lad is a decent player, question is though, would he choose to come to Lfc?

[Fredo]

Because we're a legendary club.

[Daffy Duck]

They sold Willian to Anzhi for £30m, which is not exactly 'crazy money', considering how easy it is to get Anzhi to overpay for anything, plus I think Willian was at the time considered a bigger talent than Mkhitaryan is now?

[rudedog]

He looked really strong on the ball in that chelsea vid - would certainly add a good physical presence in the attacking end. I thought we were particularly weak against physical teams this season so perhaps this is something Rodgers is trying to counter.

[ianbridgeman]

A family guy classic;

Peter (in Patrick Stewart's voice): I'm going to make a list of famous Armenians, Eric Bogosian, Andrei Agassi, Jerry "The Shark" Tarkanian....That is all.[/I]

We can now add Henrikh Mkhitaryan!

[Neil Young]

And Armen Tamzarian.

[Fosterbloke]

I can hear a crowd chant for him already -

Oh Mkhi you so fine, you so fine you blow our minds hey Mkhi...

[TheElephantMan]

I can hear a crowd chant for him already -

Oh Mkhi you so fine, you so fine you blow our minds hey Mkhi...

Bender?

[Mostar]

Picks the ball up quite a bit in the central area. I don't know Mostar but in a 4-3-3 I can see him being played just ahead of Gerrard and Lucas which would mean moving Coutinho to the left or right of the front 3. For me Coutinho should be the man in the CAM role.

Shakhtar used him in many different roles, as classic CM, box-to-box mid, AM, and occasionally on the left and also on the right and I think that versatility is exactly what BR is after.

I agree that Coutinho role as AM should not be disrupted but I see Mkhitaryan more as a complement rather than competition, more playing in a similar role as Hendo toward the end of the season with exception that he is much more skilled than Hendo with a good eye for the pass, can take a man, quick decision making and has goals in him.

[Fosterbloke]

He has a huge nose. We don't have enough of those in the first team. Enrique needs some competition there.

[Corndog]

I think when Rodgers took over he felt that Jonjo Shelvey was the only 'goalscoring midfielder' in the squad. although to his credit Hendo chipped in with more this season but I reckon Henrikh is seen as the solution to this problem. We have lacked it since Gerrard has become older and moved deeper.

Players like Gerrard and lampard who can chip in with 10-15 goals a season are not really in abundance. Mkhitaryan hit 25 but I expect that to be reduced when he steps it up to prem level week in week out.

The likely capture of Aspas is the replacement for downing imo. a hard worker with pace on the left side so suarez (or his replacement) can play wide right. or vice versa

Coutinho is better as a no.10 but he was still insanely effective on the left too and still managed to play some sublime through balls and score a goal. I think he said it was his favoured position?

Either way if the moves come off, the squad will be dramatically more flexible and alterable for different opponents.

[BrooklynRed]

Good points all. I look at this like Chelsea with Hazard / Mata/ Oscar playing off one another and interchanging all over the place. If we had Coutinho/ Mkhitaryan/ Suarez doing that behind Sturridge, it would be class, with Gerrard/Lucas in the Lampard/ Ramires (or Mikel) roles. 4-2-3-1. Bring in Eriksen and push Suarez up top, bring on Aspas, Borini, Henderson, etc etc. Would be great to watch, anyway.

[Arn]

Good points all. I look at this like Chelsea with Hazard / Mata/ Oscar playing off one another and interchanging all over the place. If we had Coutinho/ Mkhitaryan/ Suarez doing that behind Sturridge, it would be class, with Gerrard/Lucas in the Lampard/ Ramires (or Mikel) roles. 4-2-3-1. Bring in Eriksen and push Suarez up top, bring on Aspas, Borini, Henderson, etc etc. Would be great to watch, anyway.

So in short. 4-2-3-1 Rafa style.

[Captain Stu]

So in short. 4-2-3-1 Rafa style.

Our squad is more suited to a 4-2-3-1 anyway, has been all season and we've looked better when we've played using that system rather than trying to force the beloved 4-3-3.