Next season - best case scenario

[mersey86]

Scenario first
- DIC take over and have money available (I know the best case would be something else, but its the best realistic scenario for next season).

- Rafa still is our manager, has appointed a decent #2 ... and has learned a few lessons.

- Staff and players are contented and pulling in the same direction.

- This season ends well; semis or better in Europe and 4th place.

Question: what changes do we need to our squad - which youngsters can fill the needs:

GK: Reina, replace Itandje?, Martin
RB: Finnan, Arbeloa
LB: Aurelio, Arbeloa, Insua
CB: Carra, Agger, Skrtel, Hyypia, Hobbs

LM: Big need, Benayoun, Hamill
RM: Pennant, Benayoun

CM: Gerrard, Mascherano, Lucas, Alonso(?)

Attack: Torres, Kuyt/Crouch, Babel, Nemeth

So, I think we need a change of #2 goalkeeper, a decision on LB - ie keep Aurelio/Riise/both, a top class left midfielder and maybe a Xabi replacement if Xabi does not get his game back. I'd wait and see on Kuyt/Crouch, who plays better the rest of the season and perhaps who we could get the best deal for.
Questions - are Insua, Hamill and Nemeth ready for bigger roles?
I don't think we want a large-scale turnover again. If we can get settled behind the scenes and have a certain amount of money, we need to pull off a Torres-type deal rather than manage a few bits and pieces gambles.

[Icon]

I don't see SG and Rafa working together for too long...

[mersey86]

If that's really the case - we'll get lots of money for Gerrard, we'd lose lots if Rafa leaves.

[Icon]

The general vibe (dunno where it started, mind!) is that DIC are NOT fans of Rafa.
So that means maybe SG stays.

It's probably all bollocks...

[Gray]

Is "Big Need" in the youth team? Is he any good?

[Craig_H]

Scenario first
- DIC take over and have money available (I know the best case would be something else, but its the best realistic scenario for next season).

- Rafa still is our manager, has appointed a decent #2 ... and has learned a few lessons.

- Staff and players are contented and pulling in the same direction.

- This season ends well; semis or better in Europe and 4th place.

To be honest, i'd be pretty chuffed with the above, let alone asking for more

[souliv]

Having watched Insua quite a lot playing for the reserves on LFC TV , he looks far better than any of our current left backs and I think he would able to make the step up , not sure about your listed strikers as good a Nemeth is, think we need another quality striker brought in to play with Torres.

[dww]

We have the Hungarian lad on loan at Twente (or wherever) to come in as a reserve keeper.

I think the possible places for youth in the team are left back and fourth choice CB. Possibly one of the forwards like Nemeth could come in but in general I think all the young players will face a battle to get anything other than cameo appearances although with a bench of 7 I can see two attacking youngsters as subs in a lot of games.

I would want us to get experienced (preferably experience of winning a league) players in on the left wing and as a second striker.

[Chrono]

Personally I think our number 2 is a pretty damned good keeper from what I have seen so I wouldn't rock that boat.

[dww]

Personally I think our number 2 is a pretty damned good keeper from what I have seen so I wouldn't rock that boat.

I think he is an exception shot stopper but I'm not convinced by his organisation or positioning at times. He is however perfectly acceptable as a back up - I would rather we had someone either more experienced or with real potential to be top class in the role though.

[lfc1394]

We need a minimum of 2 world class players, a full back and a winger. Preferably both left side.
OK we could do with a striker etc, but here’s where we’ve failed in the past by going for 5 players of x quality rather then 2 that are exceptional.

Exceptional players make up for others deficiencies.

The most important thing is that Rafa stays and plays the best 7 or 8 players available to him week in week out, and see where that takes us.

[AFII]

What we need is an excellent right fullback, attacking playmaker, a left and right winger and maybe a striker.

Right fullback, Alves or Rafinha.
Attacking playmaker, Diego or Aguero.
Right winger, Joaquin or Ben Arfa.
Left winger, Capel or Ribery.
Striker, I would give Nemeth and Pacheco the chance as our third and fourth choice strikers. Diego or Aguero would be second choice and first choice to play with Torres.

Very realistic targets if you consider that we would get in a lot of money by selling some players like Crouch, Kuyt, Pennant, Carson, Riise, Voronin and Alonso.

[blacky]

I think the squad still needs major investment i.e 3 or 4 top quality players

A goalscoring winger (preferably comfortable on both wings)
A striker/in the hole player to play with Torres
2 attacking fullbacks who are comfortable on the ball and have pace

Rafa needs to trim down the squad size. Voronin, Riise, Kewell, Kuyt, Aurelio, Hyppia, Alonso (?) are all past their best or underperforming for too long / not good enough. Out with 6/7 players and in with 4.Quality over Quantity. This will give more oppurtunities to the upcoming reserve players.

Rafa badly needs a recognised right hand man. Bring back a member of the old boot room. Thommo, Evans, Lee. These guys are an essential part of the clubs history and future.

Rafa needs to take a closer look at some of his policy's regarding rotation and team formations. It's clear that what worked in la liga and works in europe does not work in the premiership. I think he is man enough to change his way of thinking to win us #19.

MOST IMPORTANTLY the club needs stability on and off the pitch. If that means new owners (DIC) then they need to respect the liverpool way. Rainforests have been wiped out with the amount of newspaper headlines we have generated this year and all for the wrong reasons. The club needs to unite from boardroom level to manager to coaching staff to players. If it requires a siege mentality so be out. If we need to shun certain media outlets then so be it but we need to all remember that we are liverpool fc and will never walk alone.

[dww]

I think the stability is key.

I think the right one or two players could have a massive effect. A lot of our current ones are playing below their level and there is a lack of balance in attacking areas which puts too much pressure on certain individuals IMO.

I agree we need to improve at fullbacks but I think that can be done on a longer timescale and we can still progress to challenge for the league. Hopefully if Insua develops as a player one side at least will sort itself out from within the current squad (and Arbeloa give a decent option on either side as it is).

[mersey86]

I think the stability is key.
I think the right one or two players could have a massive effect. A lot of our current ones are playing below their level and there is a lack of balance in attacking areas which puts too much pressure on certain individuals IMO.

Yes, well said.