What is going on this summer?

[Assassin]

When the chips are down and you need inspiration a spark of genius are the likes of Barry, Milner or Downing going to provide it?

......apparently only on a wet wednesday night at hull

[DannyMan2006]

When the chips are down and you need inspiration a spark of genius are the likes of Barry, Milner or Downing going to provide it?

Whilst they are not at the level of Kaka, Messi or Ronlado, yes they the players you metioned are able to create a bit of quality. And they have also poved themselves as players who can produce on a weekly basis in the premiership. Maybe Milner hasn't reached that level, but he is yound and is on an upward curve.

Other players we have been linked with in the past, Quaresma, Joaquin and Mancini have all had question marks raised about their concistancy and ability to track back. Traits that are a must in the Premiership. There's no point being world class once every three weeks if you are gonna be a liability in the other two.

As Rafas tactics are as much dependant on being solid as they are attack minded, it would probably be foolish to go for the lazy type winger. Ideally we need someone in between Kuyt and Joaquin. One is hard working but lacks the attributes we need from a RW/RF whilst one has all the attributes but does not apply himself.

[Jack D Rips]

......apparently only on a wet wednesday night at hull

Unfortunately we're away to Hull on Saturday 25th April

[Imy]

OK, i'm being a bit tight on Barry, he is solid and versatile and i suppose I wouldn't be angered if we signed him.

Milner and Downing epitomise the inconsistent English players who eventually cost them a birth at the Euro's. One game they are brilliant MOTD, Goals on Sunday etc rave about them, then the next 8 games nothing.

We need consistently good attackers that provide spark and genius, we have and have had far too many that are inconsistent, where is our Ronaldo? Pires? etc

[DannyMan2006]

......apparently only on a wet wednesday night at hull

To be fair his goals tally last season included goals against ourselves and a winner against Arsenal.

[Resu]

There's a chap on RAWK who is adamant that Downing has signed for us as a friend of his is a player at Boro. Also Balague seems to think that he has RAFA's confidence and is intimating that there's a big surprise heading our way. This is why we have been linked with so many players - rumour - conjecture except this time we are having a bigger clearout which could recoup £30m. Last year we did not recoup too much apart from the Bellamy sale and we got decent money for Sissoko. Also if Pezzer is right (and I have no reason to doubt him or his sources) DIC may already own us so if the conspiracy theorists are right, more "LFC are skint" rumours = having to sell players rumours = deflated prices = we get more value for money before the DIC announcement. The only fly in the oitment is that we are having to pay more for average players like Barry and having to settle for less for the likes of Crouch. We might actually be going about this in a clever manner, however if Rick Parry is involved, may be not!

The info from Pezzer new to me, as I can`t open the DIC thread (It seems to be to big, anyone know a fix?). Hopefully it`s true, but I`m having problems understand some of our targets if it is.

[Kenneth]

There's a chap on RAWK who is adamant that Downing has signed for us as a friend of his is a player at Boro. Also Balague seems to think that he has RAFA's confidence and is intimating that there's a big surprise heading our way. This is why we have been linked with so many players - rumour - conjecture except this time we are having a bigger clearout which could recoup £30m. Last year we did not recoup too much apart from the Bellamy sale and we got decent money for Sissoko. Also if Pezzer is right (and I have no reason to doubt him or his sources) DIC may already own us so if the conspiracy theorists are right, more "LFC are skint" rumours = having to sell players rumours = deflated prices = we get more value for money before the DIC announcement. The only fly in the oitment is that we are having to pay more for average players like Barry and having to settle for less for the likes of Crouch. We might actually be going about this in a clever manner, however if Rick Parry is involved, may be not!

We seem to be doing our best to give the game away then, with silly bids for a slogger like Barry.

[redwien]

Downing and Bentley are hardly second rate. They are regulars in the England squad. And whilst the quality of England as a team can be argued over, what is not in doubt is that England have some hugely talented players, and to get in the squad you have to have something to you as a player.

I beg to differ England has very few talented players.

[lfc1394]

English players are of a sub standard full stop.

Pick your premiership 11 and there will be 2 or 3 english players in there.

Compare that with La Liga or Serie A and you see why we ain't at the Euro's.

[Exiled_red]

Downing and Bentley are hardly second rate. They are regulars in the England squad. And whilst the quality of England as a team can be argued over, what is not in doubt is that England have some hugely talented players, and to get in the squad you have to have something to you as a player.

I agree that the England squad as some good players but IMO they are all focused in a few areas mostly through the centre, I think that like us the spine of the team is good but it lacks the creative and flair players in wide areas. Which are the areas Bentley and Downing play in. I think Bentley will be a good player, but to be honest if it weren't for the drastic shortage of left footed players Downing wouldn't be a regular in the England squad, I think he's only rate so highly (don't laugh) because he's left footed

[Van Halen]

Downing has his own forum on RAWK?

It's appeared on a few forums/threads here it is:

http://forums.liverpoolecho.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=43207

[DannyMan2006]

I agree that the England squad as some good players but IMO they are all focused in a few areas mostly through the centre, I think that like us the spine of the team is good but it lacks the creative and flair players in wide areas. Which are the areas Bentley and Downing play in. I think Bentley will be a good player, but to be honest if it weren't for the drastic shortage of left footed players Downing wouldn't be a regular in the England squad, I think he's only rate so highly (don't laugh) because he's left footed

Apparently Capello was the most suprised and impressed by Stewart Downing. So add his name to a long list of top coaches who rate him. I know alot of people rave about Ashley Young on here, but Capello rates Downing as the better player. I'm not saying Downing is a genius, but he is better than what we have and would improve us. And lets not forget, he's only 23.

[-V-]

I rate Downing. I think he is a quality player. Good crosser, good shot on and beats players down the left all day long. He's getting better and better and i would happily take him at Liverpool

But not many on here agree with me

[Dero]

There's no point being world class once every three weeks if you are gonna be a liability in the other two.

Rotation just have to get the timing right, resting him on the world class days and playing him all the other times does not work.

[kev776]

The young coloured lad at Surs is much better and has played for England, cant remember his name.