Cooger

I think young players need games to progress, otherwise they'll stagnate and won't reach their potential. We've seen that happen to numerous youngsters here over the years.

I really don't care if Johnson or Enrique or any full backs for us get goals or assists. For me that's not their job, it is merely a bonus if they get any. Their job in this system is to be solid defensively, get forward and offer width. Johnson can be vulnerable defensively, he can be brilliant - he just needs to be more consistent in that regard. He can be brilliant going forward, but it is rare. He often gets forward, cuts in on his weaker foot, where all the opposition players and our wide attacking player is and it reduces the space and we lose the ball. He doesn't offer width doing this, Kelly is better when he plays as he actually stays wide and stretches the opposition, as well as being more solid defensively, just a shame he is made of glass. Enrique I think is perfect for the way we play. Solid defensively, gets forward and mostly stays wide. He also has contributed more in the final third than Johnson for a fair while, which is an added bonus. I like Johnson, but I do think he needs some competition to bring the best out of him, he needs to stop always cutting inside on to his left foot and I don't think he is much of a loss personally. I'm confident Toure or Wisdom can just slot in that role. Or maybe we'll go 3-5-2 and have Henderson as a right wing back?! Given we've got so many centre backs.

But they need games. Paletta didn't get them and when he did, he struggled. But now he is proving to be a good defender. Coates was young players of the Copa America one year wasn't he? He came, never played (I'm not a big fan of his either, but he has been treated poorly up until his injury). Unless Ilori gets games, he'll struggle like the other two did.

It's not. Did you not watch him in the second half of last season? He was in woeful form. He played very well vs United and hasn't let us down this season so far. But he can be vulnerable defensively and when was the last time he contributed to one of our goals?

Not really, he gets forward but then does f*** all. He's not been good going forward for the last half of last season and the beginning of this one. Enrique has offered more than him and he's not the best in the final third either. Johnson had a great game defensively vs United, but he's been costly defensively last season. Would just put Toure at right back if he is fit. If not, Widsom, who did well vs United..

He's not said anything to suggest that. But then again he said Carroll wouldn't leaving last summer or that Reina would stay and compete with Mignolet etc. Since FSG have come the plan has been to get a younger squad, get players on wages which match what they bring in performances - I don't think Agger is matching that. He's also not the youngest and we might want to sell him at a peak price before he hits the age of 30. Add to that his history record. He's was better last season, but that was mainly because he didn't have to play 3 games a week as he was hardly used in the Europa competition. It would also make sense why we got Ilori, I could see him coming to be a promising 4th choice. But 5th choice? If Skrtel and Agger leave and we get Papa, then our centre backs could be sorted for the next 5+ years. Rodgers rates Agger, but I'm sure he has a price he would sell him for.

That would make sense.

I don't understand this transfer. He must be 5th choice at centre back behind Skrtel, Toure, Agger and Sakho. It was a big fee for someone so young and to be 5th choice. That's without mentioning Kelly, Wisdom or Coates. We've seen over the years unless these young centre backs get games as 4th or 5th choice, they struggle with Paletta and Coates. Strange transfer for me.

I think Rodgers means, although Agger and Skrtel are experienced, they aren't necessarily leaders and organisers, which is why he mentioned those two and not Sakho.

He's not playing awfully, as we have had three clean sheets. He's a good player. But last season he made a lot of mistakes, he's made one clear mistake already this season, a few other poor decisions, which luckily haven't been punished. I have always thought Skrtel is a better defender than Agger (and he's not great either). Agger is better on the ball, but Skrtel is better defensively for me. But I'd have Toure over both of them, he's been flawless since he has arrived. If Sakho is a left footed clone of Toure, that we all hope he is, then those two could be formidable at the back.

I know what you mean, as we've had 3 clean sheets. But has Agger looked convincing during those games? He gave the penalty away vs Stoke with a silly challenge with his hands up. He let go of Van Persie twice vs United which could have been costly. He's a good player is Agger, but he makes too many mistakes for me, to be a great player. His ability on the ball does not make up for defensive mistakes. I'd say Toure and Skrtel are both in better form and I think Sakho is going to be a beast. Agger might be vice captain, but unless he ups his game, I think he has a challenge on his hands. Hopefully the competition will bring the best out of him.

He probably will as Rodgers seems to rate him higher than I do. I'd hope he picks on form though.

Not sure why Agger's place is so certain given the amount of mistakes he made last season and the way he has started this one. I think he is overrated. He's a good defender, not a great one.

Bench does look weak today but with Allen, Toure, Suarez and Cissoko to come back, plus Sakho, Ilori, Moses and maybe Given that's eight players to come back or into the squad.

What do you mean by that? The great dinosaur in the corner?!

Highly unlikely we'd need him given we have no Europe. He's probably fourth, maybe even fifth choice upfront now behind Sturridge, Suarez, Aspas and possibly Moses. I think Sunderland would be a good loan for him. The Italian link with Di Canio and he can show us whether or not he can do it at the top level, because if he goes to the Championship there will still be doubts whther he can cut it in the Premiership, regardless how well he does.

At least it isn't Sly...

Those tweets are awful. Some of our fans really are clueless and give us a bad name.

Yeah he was there yesterday with Ilori.

Henderson is a key player, in big games or away matches his energy really helps Gerrard and Lucas get a grip of the midfield and helps us control games. No surprise our biggest losses came when he wasn't in the side last season and when he played in most of our impressive wings. He gives us the right balance between defense and attack. I know everyone would love to see four attacking players, but I think we can only really get away with playing that way against the weaker sides at home. Otherwise Henderson is a must for me.

Haha don't be silly. All managers don't get all the players they want, he's building the squad up nicely, with or without Mata. Toure has already improved our XI, you could argue Mignolet has as well given how he has performed the first two games. I am pretty sure Mouriho is just resting Mata. If you look he has played a ridiculous amount of football the last two years, with hardly any break. Full season for Chelsea, Olympics, Euros, Full season (where they played a record number of games), conferderations cup, pre season.

Think we have to be patient with Ilori, he looks very raw. I could see Toure doing the job if needed.

Wenger is hilarious, they don't need a player like Mata. They need a keeper, a striker, a centre back and a defensive midfielder. So was Kewell at Leeds.

Wouldn't surprise me if he left in the summer if Sakho impresses. He's on big wages, injury prone (he's been better lately but I think that's mainly as he hasn't had to playing European football mid week) and as good as he is on the ball he makes too many mistakes and can get bullied by big strikers.

Kewell was probably the one I was most excited about, how wrong I was!