Daniel Agger

[Pablo]

Given the restrictions on transfer funding and wages I think it is going to be very tough to replace so many key members of the squad in the next three weeks. Do we even have a scouting network in place?

Our squad is already weak in attack. A couple of injuries to key personnel and it is going to be very very tough for Rodgers. In fact it is unfair on a young manager to handle the LFC expectations with a limited transfer amount.

It was recently reported the two scouts we recruited from City have changed their minds and decided to stay with City

[Mostar]

I said £20m would buy us "every defender in world football who would be prepared to come to us at the moment". Name one £20m+ defender (sensible value) who would sign for us without CL football. Realistically, we would need to go out and find another Agger, Hyppia cost us £2m once upon a time.

There was one.

Vertonghen. Almost like for like but he is gone.

Given that we are late in transfer window (12 days before season starts) I wouldn't sell him for any money now.

Remember last time we had pockets full of cash and how we spent it..

[doogle]

But the chances of his replacement being as good as Agger are very slim, cheap or otherwise. So it's a big gamble, and one we don't need to make.

More than anything though he's just such a class act, that it will be a devastating blow to lose him

unless he wants to go? which ofcourse we don't know but the choice might not be in our hands

[Exiled_red]

No, its loads. Jesus, can you imagine a fan of most other clubs reading that?

We paid ~£5m for Agger, about the same for Skrtel. I can only think of a handful of defenders in world football who have cost more than £20m, especially ones not involving the stupid money clubs. £20m would buy us every defender in world football who would be prepared to come to us at the moment, plus some.

But City are a club with stupid money

[Pablo]

Let's get Savic off them in a swap deal, class act that lad!

[MrMichael]

You're right that those players you mentioned didn't contribute much (although Maxi would've if given more opportunities), but Borini is unproven and has scored something like 16 goals in his life, Cole's a waste of space on £90k a week (why is he still here?) and Pacheco couldn't get a game for Rayo Vallecano. It's grim at the moment, we need to make some smart moves in the market and sharpish.

When you consider though the contribution of the players who went out, I think those three plus some appearances for say Sterling, Suso, maybe one or two others coming through (hopefully)... as I said its hard to say we're better off, but I don't think we can call it "stripped out" or much worse either.

[Chazza]

We have enough quality ready for a break in the first team to make it a risk worth taking imo. If it doesn't work out, we're six to twelve months ahead with the squad versed in a new way of playing, so adding some established players will be easier. And we are already firmly in the b group of the PL so i doubt we'll be damaged too much if it doesn't work out. Would rather not take such risks, but would be quite interested if we do.

Bit Agger needs replacing of he goes for sure.

Really?

Coates is good enough to play week in week out with Skrtel?

Carra can play another season and be solid?

Wilson can make it? Kelly can start CB? Wisdom or Sama can make the step up?

The other worry here is that Skrtel looks so much better and assured with Agger next to him.

[Paul12]

Agger is a fab player, but he is always one minor knock away from being a long injury absence.

[MrMichael]

We have enough quality ready for a break in the first team to make it a risk worth taking imo. If it doesn't work out, we're six to twelve months ahead with the squad versed in a new way of playing, so adding some established players will be easier. And we are already firmly in the b group of the PL so i doubt we'll be damaged too much if it doesn't work out. Would rather not take such risks, but would be quite interested if we do.

Bit Agger needs replacing of he goes for sure.

There was one.

Vertonghen. Almost like for like but he is gone.

Given that we are late in transfer window (12 days before season starts) I wouldn't sell him for any money now.

Remember last time we had pockets full of cash and how we spent it..

Oh I do remember. But it is not fair to tar Rodgers with the Commolli / Kenny brush is it?

Aye, Vertonghen was a miss. But sort of proves my point, Spurs paid what, about £9m for him was is?

By no means am I saying replacing Agger would be easy, or that we should contemplate selling him unless he is adamant that he wants out and will not be signing a new contract. However if that is the case then I do think anything over £20m and we will not be excessively hurt in the long term IF it is reinvested wisely.

[Exiled_red]

You're right that those players you mentioned didn't contribute much (although Maxi would've if given more opportunities), but Borini is unproven and has scored something like 16 goals in his life, Cole's a waste of space on £90k a week (why is he still here?) and Pacheco couldn't get a game for Rayo Vallecano. It's grim at the moment, we need to make some smart moves in the market and sharpish.

I've just been looking at our squad and with Aurelio, Maxi, Kuyt, Aquilani gone and Bellamy and Agger looking likely to go that leaves us with an out field squad of:

Defenders
Johnson, Enrique, Coates, Carragher, Kelly, Skrtel, Flanagan, Robinson and Wilson

Midfielders
Gerrard, Henderson, Downing, Spearing, Lucas, Adam, Sterling, Shelvey and Cole

Forwards
Suarez, Carroll, Borini and Pacheco

That's 22 outfield players, but then you consider that the likes of Flanagan, Robinson, Wilson, Sterling, Pacheco and even Shelvey and Borini are fairly inexperienced, that leaves us with 15 experienced outfield players. Of those 8 were at either the Euros or the Olympics so could not yet be up to speed or could be tired, and we've been looking to ship 2 (Carroll and Cole) out. I'm not wanting to spread negativity but as things stand this is very concerning. We need to bring in a few players and top quality ones at that.

[Shaggy]

I've just been looking at our squad and with Aurelio, Maxi, Kuyt, Aquilani gone and Bellamy and Agger looking likely to go that leaves us with an out field squad of:

Defenders
Johnson, Enrique, Coates, Carragher, Kelly, Skrtel, Flanagan and Robinson

Midfielders
Gerrard, Henderson, Downing, Spearing, Lucas, Adam, Sterling, Shelvey and Cole

Forwards
Suarez, Carroll, Borini and Pacheco

That's 21 outfield players, but then you consider that the likes of Flanagan, Robinson, Sterling, Pacheco and even Shelvey and Borini are fairly inexperienced, that leaves us with 15 experienced outfield players. Of those 8 were at either the Euros or the Olympics so could not yet be up to speed or could be tired, and we've been looking to ship 2 (Carroll and Cole) out. I'm not wanting to spread negativity but as things stand this is very concerning. We need to bring in a few players and top quality ones at that.

Yup. That's how I see it.

[Chazza]

Buxton probably talking ****

Richard Buxton @Richard_Buxton_
#MCFC reportedly offering #LFC part-exchange deal involving Adam Johnson in return for Daniel Agger. Selling club should definitely consider

[dww]

Not sure we should. He's a player whose most useful role is as a sub to break awkward defenses (and any player at city will likely be on massive wages).

[Muddled]

One thing Rodgers had going for him, was a solid back five; a foundation for him to rely on, knowing that if our midfield or attack looked impotent (again), he'd be safe in the knowledge he'd have a resolute back line and the potential for a clean sheet.

Developing a centre back pairing is not something that can be done overnight, it needs time and a variety of ability that complements the other. Two weeks before the start of the season and losing the vital cog that makes two central defenders look good, could be catastrophic.

[danperkins]

Just reading the threads last few pages, certainly seems worst fears are coming to pass, the sale of Agger.

Losing Agger will be a disaster, him and Skrtel were forming a serious partnership in defence. He is perfect for the way Rogers wants to play and there are very few players around like him, the only one proven that i would say near his level and style is Vermalen.

It's just a bad message, LFC yet again losing one of their best players. This is happening in every window. We are lucky enough to still have few quality players. What my worry is that when someone like Agger is sold... the likes of Suarez,Reina etc will follow suit sooner rather than later.

The more i think about it, if Agger is sold and yet we still have likes of Downing,Carroll,Spearing,Henderson,Adam,Cole on our books, it's a sickening thought.