The Liverpool squad, what is really missing?

[red g]

Confidence and a kind fixture list at the start of next season to get momentum going.

However the worrying aspect for me is I think we're bringing in Shelvey and Wilson because we don't have money to spend on 6-10m 'squad players' so we have taken a punt on younger players with more experience than the players in our reserves, more promise and the all important sell on value to bridge a gap.

If Rafa stays I can see Babel(8m), Riera(5m), Degan(2m), Kyriakos(3m) or Skrtel (8m), El Zhar(500k) and maybe Aquilani(10m) going with a left back, striker and hopefully another wide left player coming in

maybe its just a shift in focus, Rafa hasnt had the best of luck with this cost bracket. Perhaps he has realised it doesnt work and thinks this maybe better. Stronger first team and experienced kids asback up instead of wastes like pennant, riera etc

[Exiled_red]

IMO we need:

left back
left winger
right winger
striker


And reserve keeper and a back up right back

[el matador]

Out should go

riera
benayoun
kuyt
babel
aquilani

The above lot should raise in the region of £45 - £50m

We definitely need a new left back, a left sided creative player and a striker, I think we will be there or there abouts next season.

If we can add carlton cole, joe cole, david silva, milan jovanovic, and a proper left back

[Reece]

Kuyt is going absolutely nowhere.

[the rev leeroy brown]

Out should go

riera
benayoun
kuyt
babel
aquilani

The above lot should raise in the region of £45 - £50m

We definitely need a new left back, a left sided creative player and a striker, I think we will be there or there abouts next season.

If we can add carlton cole, joe cole, david silva, milan jovanovic, and a proper left back

really??? 45 mil??

riera 4 mill
benni 5 mill
kyut nowhere but poss 6 mill
babel 9 mill
aqua 8 mill

thats only 33 mill if we're lucky.

Kuyt is going absolutely nowhere.

[PTP]

Providing nothing disastrious happens (gerrard/mascher/torres)

Top Left back
Top left winger
Quality striker

probably in that order - maybe the striker over the winger? - but those three positions have to be the bare minimum!!! Only after we have those three positions sorted should the club even consider anything else.

if we get them sorted and by some miracle still had the option to look at more players then an attacking mid and right back cover would be the next positions i'd look at. Not as important though - we have to get the three other positions sorted properly!!

[el matador]

really??? 45 mil??

riera 4 mill
benni 5 mill
kyut nowhere but poss 6 mill
babel 9 mill
aqua 8 mill

thats only 33 mill if we're lucky.

we will get around £15m for aquilani, £6m for riera and 8 for benayoun and if kuyt goes we will get at least £8.5m for him.

that makes it closer to the £45m i was thinking.



being realistic the club needs £40m for interest repayments and that leaves us with about £5m for carlton cole, joe cole, david silva, jovanovic and a decent left back.

joe cole, jovanovic - freebies, and that leaves £5m for a leftback.

[Fierce]

Turan & Vargas as 'big' signings (for us anyway, oh) I think would improve us no end. Jovanovic, if it's a definite, should be able back-up to Torres as well as being able to play as a second striker or winger. Vargas gives attacking options also

£25m? Sorted

[dww]

Turan & Vargas as 'big' signings (for us anyway, oh) I think would improve us no end. Jovanovic, if it's a definite, should be able back-up to Torres as well as being able to play as a second striker or winger. Vargas gives attacking options also

£25m? Sorted

Who is Vargas (pardon my ignorance)?

Also would you leave the left back slot as is?

[Fierce]

Who is Vargas (pardon my ignorance)?

Also would you leave the left back slot as is?

Fiorentina's left back!
Ultra attacking, but I think that is what Rafa wants from his full backs

EDIT: Actually, it looks like he hasn't really played as a left back for a while now. Perhaps TOO attacking:

Vargas' regular position is left wing back but he has also played as a left midfielder for both club and country. Vargas plays at left back, on the wing, or in the midfield, in both offensive and defensive positions. Vargas impresses with his ability to dribble the ball and make remarkable shots on goal. He is also known for his free kick ability and accurate crosses. His Fiorentina teammate Alberto Gilardino stated that Vargas is probably the best "crosser" he has played with.

[dww]

Fiorentina's left back!
Ultra attacking, but I think that is what Rafa wants from his full backs

EDIT: Actually, it looks like he hasn't really played as a left back for a while now. Perhaps TOO attacking:

Ah. I see.

My feeling is that two out and out attacking fullbacks is too much and the priority should be players who can move the ball into midfield. I also think it is troubling when the defensive midfielder and fullbacks are poor in the air. I would prefer that we had a defensive 5 that while capable of adding to attacks was a balanced defensive unit first and foremost.

[gentingfrmhell]

we are missing a good coach thats what it is. players dont seem to grow and develop. they just rot and get ****ter

[red g]

we are missing a good coach thats what it is. players dont seem to grow and develop. they just rot and get ****ter

unless your name is reina, lucas, masher, benayoun, torres, gerrard or kuyt?

[ukfootballfan101]

If we sign Juan Vargas, I would like to see him play left midfield rather than left back, thats where he has played most of this season.

I would sell/release:-

Reira
Aureilo
Babel
Degen
Plessis
Spearing
El Zhar
Itandje
Darby

Players I would sell but I don't think Rafa will:-

Kuyt - I'd like to see 2 new out and out strikers plus a right winger with Maxi as back up.

Insua - I used to like him, but I think he's too slow, he'll stay as a squad player IMO as he's now classed as "home grown"

Kyrgiakos - I'd like to see a new young centre back brought in, who could play in the 1st team straight away if need (maybe Kjear, not Wilson - he's too young) but with limited resources the Greek could be worth keeping for another 12 months, we can depend on him if we need to.

Benayoun - he's a class act, but right now his stock is high, we could get a good price for him and if we hopefully sign someone like Van Der Vaart he might not play much next season.

I also like and would keep both Lucas and Aquilani, I think they will both be very good for us next season.

I agree with the general consensus that we need a new left back, ideally 2 if we can sign at least 1 who is "home grown".

I would sign 2 or 3 wide players, the only one I would keep is Maxi as back up for the right hand side, so 2 1st choice wide midfielders and backup on the left.

I would also sign 2 strikers, one being Jovanovic...

Back up right back, either promote a reserve player or sign someone, Degen has to go, he looks ok, but he's not worth keeping.

[Fierce]

unless your name is reina, lucas, masher, benayoun, torres, gerrard or kuyt?

Meh. Sensationalist ****e >>>> facts