Title challenge next season?

[SB]

We're not that far off. Posted this in the 'Formation Tinkering' thread...

I can't believe you'd sell 3 strikers in Lambert , Balotelli & Borini & only replace them with two in Orighi & Ings ? a world class striker is priority number 1 in my books. The name of the game is tour score the opposition & we've had problems all year converting our opportunities. We create enough chances to win 6 or 7 nil but we're lucky to get 1. It will improve once Sturridge is back in the groove but if he gets injured again who knows how we'll score. Not sure how Orighi or Ings would go but neither fills me with great optimism.

[Rigadon]

It's a tricky one. I can see the argument for a world class striker - we came close (to winning the Prem) because we scored goals, however we lost it because we were weak in the middle (midfield). I think a fit Sturridge, Origi and Ings/Berahino will be enough (up front) as I expect players like Sterling, Coutinho, Markovic, Ibe and Henderson to contribute more goals (next season).

[topscorer]

I just think you are being far too risky thinking that Origi and Ings can cover for Sturridge. One thing we've seen this season is that young new signings can take time to adapt and settle and three strikers won't be enough to win the title anyway.

If Balotelli has an incredible second half to the season maybe we will think that he can be our world class striker to play with/cover for Sturridge but I'm still a doubting Thomas on that. Assuming he goes and we've already made a decision on Borini and Lambert then I would say it's an absolute must for another world class striker. And, it could take up most or all of our budget to get him.

[topscorer]

Another thing, considering how much players are going to cost soon with the new TV money kicking in then I think the sooner we spend big for a striker the better.

Then I think we should be buying up all the best young talent in Europe and sending them back out on loan like Chelsea have been doing.

I have a feeling their strategy is going to look very clever in 3 or 4 years time. It's already not looking too shabby to be honest.

[Exiled_red]

For me we have a good squad at the moment, I think we are lacking a top quality player who can put the ball in the net and create things (i.e. a Suarez type player).

For me we need to push on this season and nail down the system we are looking to play to allow us to make sure we buy (and sell) the right players. Especially with the constraints of FFP there is no point in buying full backs if we are sticking with 3 at the back etc. We need to figure out who should stay and who should go and we need to identify a list of targets and try and get them early, as I'm not sure that happened last year (Balotelli).

[Exiled_red]

It's a tricky one. I can see the argument for a world class striker - we came close (to winning the Prem) because we scored goals, however we lost it because we were weak in the middle (midfield). I think a fit Sturridge, Origi and Ings/Berahino will be enough (up front) as I expect players like Sterling, Coutinho, Markovic, Ibe and Henderson to contribute more goals (next season).

There is no way I would go into the new season with just Sturridge, Origi and Ings, the latter two are unproven and Sturridge has had a lot of injuries. Look at the problems we have had this season, Borini is about as experienced as Ings, and Balotelli and Lambert have more experience both in the game and in the league than Origi and Ings and that hasn't worked out. Even if both turn out to be class it's too big a risk at this stage.

I'd like to believe that Sterling is chipping in with his fair share of goals I agree that the others should be getting more, Coutinho in particular should be capable of about 10 a season, but that looks a way away at the moment. Markovic has started chipping in with a few since he's been getting games, Henderson really needs to work on his shooting though.

[topscorer]

For me we have a good squad at the moment, I think we are lacking a top quality player who can put the ball in the net and create things (i.e. a Suarez type player).



For me we need to push on this season and nail down the system we are looking to play to allow us to make sure we buy (and sell) the right players. Especially with the constraints of FFP there is no point in buying full backs if we are sticking with 3 at the back etc. We need to figure out who should stay and who should go and we need to identify a list of targets and try and get them early, as I'm not sure that happened last year (Balotelli).

For me one of the things I have liked about Rodgers is that both last season and this he has shown an ability to adapt the shape of the team to suit the players available to him.

I'm really not worried about buying players to suit the current system and from what I've seen Rodgers isn't either. Just buy the best players we can and Rodgers will find system/s that work for those players.

Being able to 'mix it up' during a season with two or three different formations that our squad have successfully played with over the past two seasons is going to make us really strong and difficult to play against.

I'm sure a top striker is on our shopping list, I hope so anyway, we need a new goalkeeper to challenge or take over from Mignolet too.

They are the two most important positions to fill out this summer.