Mateo Kovacic

[Paddy]

I agree, but I just can't see how we'll fit in Kovacic.

Could easily be Lucas or Allen leaving. He can do a central role similar to Henderson or Lucas, even though he's not a DM?

[frank the tank]

we need a decent defensive coach more than more CBs and FBs, utilise fully what we have rather than constantly changing them. Midfield and defence need to work more as a unit when defending, a coach would sort that out.

or else we could just go all Ossie-****in-Ardiles on the whole thing. Play 5 strikers and make it first to ten.....

[kubrickscube]

So if we're assuming Firmino replaces Sterling, and assists Coutinho in an attacking 3; Milner replaces Gerrard and forms our midfield core with Henderson and Can (Allen as backup), Ings replaces Lambert/Borini and Clyne or Montoya comes in as right back, not really seeing a huge need for Ilaramendi or Kovacevic.
Surely they'd only come in to replace Lucas who doesn't even play in the proposed midfield. Confused!

[The_weatherman]

So if we're assuming Firmino replaces Sterling, and assists Coutinho in an attacking 3; Milner replaces Gerrard and forms our midfield core with Henderson and Can (Allen as backup), Ings replaces Lambert/Borini and Clyne or Montoya comes in as right back, not really seeing a huge need for Ilaramendi or Kovacevic.
Surely they'd only come in to replace Lucas who doesn't even play in the proposed midfield. Confused!

That would leave Can as a squad player IMO, but Kovacic is more of an attacking player, at least what very little I've seen from him. Inter have Medel for the dirty work, Kovacic, Firmino, Lallana, Coutinho, Markovic, Ibe etc. would be too much IMO. I'd rather get a top striker and a RCB.

[BobTheCharmer]

In 6.5 seasons or 247 games he scored 38 but as I mentioned above he was always the deeper player in the partnership

no one is arguing differently. what I'm saying is, if he played today, he wouldn't be playing like a Lucas. He couldn't play as he did mind, but a guy with that ability would not be content sitting knocking 5 yard passes about.

[Lecter]

no one is arguing differently. what I'm saying is, if he played today, he wouldn't be playing like a Lucas. He couldn't play as he did mind, but a guy with that ability would not be content sitting knocking 5 yard passes about.

He would play deeper now imo

The games quicker he would be caught out of position if he played higher and couldnt foul to break up the play

Go back and listen to Souness talking about Gerrard vacating the midfield space in front of the back four and how he himself rarely did that unless someone filled in

I actually think he would be similar to Alonso in style today.

A young Alonso player would be tremendous for us now but not only for his passing but because defensively he was good, he would get stuck in was reasonably strong and positionally incredible

Oh and for the record I ****ing love Souness as a player he was sensational and even in todays game he would be brilliant but I do feel he would be a different player today for the reasons I have cited above

[kev776]

He's a bit old now Lec, may struggle a bit.

[BobTheCharmer]

He would play deeper now imo

The games quicker he would be caught out of position if he played higher and couldnt foul to break up the play

Go back and listen to Souness talking about Gerrard vacating the midfield space in front of the back four and how he himself rarely did that unless someone filled in

I actually think he would be similar to Alonso in style today.

A young Alonso player would be tremendous for us now but not only for his passing but because defensively he was good, he would get stuck in was reasonably strong and positionally incredible

Oh and for the record I ****ing love Souness as a player he was sensational and even in todays game he would be brilliant but I do feel he would be a different player today for the reasons I have cited above

I agree. Sadly with the non contact game we now have he couldn't play in the same manner as before and I think he would certainly play deeper, however he would still go forward and grab goals, something that these limited defensive midfielders rarely have in their lockers these days.

I don't think we need to play Lucas or similar to succeed however we do need an Alonso type, someone has to sit deep on occasions.

[CJ]

Does anyone know how goals souness scored in his 6.5 years?

[shanks69]

Does anyone know how goals souness scored in his 6.5 years?

feet and his head

[baitman]

to be fair souness did supplement his goals and assists with right hooks and head butts

[Tatterdemalion]

Does anyone know how souness scored in his 6.5 years?

It was his muzzy. Proper f***y magnets in the day.

[Paul12]

...I actually think he would be similar to Alonso in style ....
Oh and for the record I ****ing love Souness as a player he was sensational and even in todays game he would be brilliant but I do feel he would be a different player today for the reasons I have cited above

Fantastic player in his prime. Great captain. Destroyed LFC when he was manager. Not a nice man

[wavydavy]

Fantastic player in his prime. Great captain. Destroyed LFC when he was manager. Not a nice man

The second half of this is utter bollocks. He didn't "destroy" Liverpool and hes a lovely fella.

[Daffy Duck]

Is anyone able to tell whether we're really interested in him or are all these foreign journos just making **** up?

I'd love us to sign him, but I have no idea where he'd play