I think Gerrard and Torres are staying

[magneto]

Gerrard and Torres are staying. I am sufficiently satisfied based on the comments recently from the players directly or their playing colleagues that they will be at Anfield next season. Despite all attempts by the media to get them out of Anfield, its safe to assume both will start for us next season.

 

So the question is, where do we need to bolster the squad and how do we go about doing it given the limited funds we have (assuming a takeover is far away).

 

Defensive mistakes cost us dearly last season and Rafa (and Houllier before him) prided himself on having a strong defense. We need a senior and experienced left back to step in right away and give Insua more time to learn his trade.

 

 

From a centre back perspective, I think we are sufficiently covered there. Agger, Skrtel, Kyrgiakos, Carragher, Danny Wilson (who will sign once the window opens), Ayala etc. No need to buy there.

 

Right back? Johnson (as much as he's fantastic going forward) is still prone to leave himself out of position (much like Insua) and expose our near or far posts. He will be our starting right back, but I think our cover in Kelly, Darby and Degen are enough...for now and do not warrant an unecessary purchase (although I'd really love it if Degen left).

 

Goalie-wise, unless Cavalieri decides he's had enough playing second fiddle. I think we're sorted there for a while still.

 

Moving up the pitch, from a midfield perspective, I think having Lucas, Masch, Gerrard and Acquilani are enough for now, although I'd still like some more "variation". Not entirely sure if Masch will stay and I think his situation is 50/50, but if he stays, I still think we need a play maker.

 

 

On the wings, I think the Yossi situation is similar to Masch's but we have our biggest issues here. Both our left and right wings currently being utilised are not world class and offer no real potency in attack. Babel (as much as he has shown slight improvement) has most likley reached his potential and wont really offer us the cutting edge we require to support the strikers up front. With Riera almost certain to leave and with El Zhar never good enough, we will most likely see our next few purchases in this area.

 

Upfront, Torres is clearly in need of good backup options. N'gog is no where near good enough yet to do this for us and Kuyt is not as prolific to provide us the goals we need when Torres is out. Jankovic seems like a decent purchase but as we all know, Eastern European freebies can work against us (no offence to Eastern Europeans!)

 

I know Ive left a lot out, but the point is its time to build our team around players who we know are now going to stay. Gerrard and Torres are staying and our the rest of the spine is there. We just need some quality "meat"!

Edited May 23, 2010 by magneto

[Billy Talbot]

I'm pretty sure both Gerrard & Torres are staying too.

 

And yes, it's left back and both wings that need looking at. As you say, Riera is deffo off and I think if we can get a decent enough fees and Rafa's allowed to reinvest it - which I also think is looking more likely since Rafa seems more committed to next season now... I think Yossi & Babel will be the ones to bring in the wedge which will then be spent on one wide player.

 

It wouldn't surprise me if Shelvey's been bought for the 1st team squad.

Edited May 23, 2010 by jr_ewing

[GWistooshort]

It wouldn't surprise me if Shelvey's been bought for the 1st team squad.

 

http://www.ynwa.tv/forum/index.php?showtopic=149286&pid=2631781&st=80entry2631781

[KIDORIGINAL]

If we keep the current squad together (barring Degen and Riera) and add one top class winger then it will have been a truly splendid Summer given the circumstances. I have heard a couple of links to Dzeko recently as well... And no, that NOTW story wasn't one of them. I was first told by a Bosnian friend of mine that Dzeko meeting our reps was all over the press over there on Friday before I got a message from another friend saying that through Adidas, he was told that Dzeko has been talking to us and City for a while. If anyone knows anything that matches this then I'm going to get excited.

[lfc003]

I honestly think two signings will be enough to transform us back into a force next season providing we keep our best players.

 

A left Back and

A Forlan or Gilardino would significantly strengthen us,

 

Also if we get decent money for Riera and Yossi a pacy winger would conclude a great summer.

[Sion]

Think we're missing a centre midfielder in the Xabi form massively as well. Other than that I would agree.

[magneto]

sorry Jovanovic not Jankovic

[dalennie]

Reina, Gerrard, Masch, Torres poisitions are solid. We need new players in every other position to be brutally honest for this team to win the league.

 

Too many people on here wearing blinkers. All other players are NOT GOOD ENOUGH for first 11!

 

Perhaps, Aquilani, Johnson and Agger should be kept as squad players.

[Keita]

You talk as if the bulk of the squad will be here next summer, I am expecting several players you have listed to leave. At right back you have Degen and Darby down but I think both will be moving on soon.

[magneto]

Their armbands proved they were our Reds... Gerrard, Torres.

As much as they were being linked away by the London Press

To Rafa's aide they will be there

Even if Fernando cut's his hair

Gerrard and Torres, Liverpool heroes....

 

 

or something

 

You talk as if the bulk of the squad will be here next summer, I am expecting several players you have listed to leave. At right back you have Degen and Darby down but I think both will be moving on soon.

 

I doubt we'll see a massive squad overhaul.

 

Darby wont go because he's English.

 

Degen (I suggested he leave)

 

Who else do you suggest?

[Sion]

Reina, Gerrard, Masch, Torres poisitions are solid. We need new players in every other position to be brutally honest for this team to win the league.

 

Too many people on here wearing blinkers. All other players are NOT GOOD ENOUGH for first 11!

 

Perhaps, Aquilani, Johnson and Agger should be kept as squad players.

 

Since when has any league winning side had 11 world class players?

Johnson and Agger at least should be good enough. One of Maxi/Kuyt/Yossi are good enough to consistently play one side, but we need another winger.

 

Reina

Johnson

Agger

??? (CB)

??? (LB)

Masch

??? (CM)

One of Maxi/Kuyt/Yossi

Gerrard

??? (Winger)

Torres

 

is more like it.

[dalennie]

Since when has any league winning side had 11 world class players?

Johnson and Agger at least should be good enough. One of Maxi/Kuyt/Yossi are good enough to consistently play one side, but we need another winger.

 

Reina

Johnson

Agger

??? (CB)

??? (LB)

Masch

??? (CM)

One of Maxi/Kuyt/Yossi

Gerrard

??? (Winger)

Torres

 

is more like it.

 

I Never mentioned having 11 world class players. We have 4 players that are definite starting 11 quality, but the other positions need to be filled by players better than what we have.

Kuyt is too slow to be a right side midfielder / winger. His lack of pace continuously break up the momentum of our attacking play and frankly he's just not good enough.

Yossi is too hot and cold. Gives the ball away more often not than not. If we got £6m for him, i'd grab it.

Maxi's best days are behind him. Has done ok but hasn't exactly lit up the premiership.

[Billy Talbot]

I don't think we're anywhere near winning the league and we're not going to sIgN pLayErz this summer that make it likely we will.

 

IF we can keep hold of the ones we all want to keep, whilst only shedding ones we all want rid off and get one or two new bodies in that turn out decent we'll have done incredibly well considering the circumstances.

 

That is unless we get bought out by a right old moneybags.

[Flight]

I reckon Masch is nailed on to leave. I don't think anyone knows if Stevie is leaving, not even him.

[Billy Talbot]

Didn't Gerrard state "I've got three years on my contract so I will be" when asked if he'll be at Liverpool next season?

[domlfc]

Reina, Gerrard, Masch, Torres poisitions are solid. We need new players in every other position to be brutally honest for this team to win the league.

 

Too many people on here wearing blinkers. All other players are NOT GOOD ENOUGH for first 11!

 

Perhaps, Aquilani, Johnson and Agger should be kept as squad players.

Can see where your coming from with Aquilani but bloody hell, Johnson and Agger are well good enough!! Though even Aqualini still might need this pre season and an injury free run!!

[Bootle Buck]

I saw a quote from Reina today saying he had talked with Torres about his future and he was pretty sure he would stay. In the same breath he thought Rafa would stay and would look for Revenge on the poor season we had. I think with luck on the injury front, a decent start and the form we showed in 2008/09 we will surprise a lot of people next year. This year we were expected to be pushing Utd for the league. I think right now we are in the perfect position (as little will be expected from us) to knuckle down and show people next year we are by no means finished.

 

Reina on Torres

Edited May 24, 2010 by Bootle Buck

[Leo No.8]

I think Torres and Gerrard are staying because they are under contract for 3 more years.

 

So until we get a bid which is suitably ridiculous for the club to take it and move forward with a better and deeper squad, then regardless of what they want neither is going anywhere. It irks me that their poor form (Gerrard) and lack of availability (Torres) was one of the biggest single factors in our poor season, and everyone is talking about poor them for having to stay at Liverpool.

 

If we want them to be then they'll be at Liverpool next season, and they f*cking well should be too.

[David Hodgson]

The dangers of both going are still too great for comfort.

 

Obviously the ownership issue will be paramount for both players, but as things stand neither will be convinced that anything will change soon. To that end they will be allowing their

agents to look at possible moves for them all summer long. I suspect both will have given themselves until shortly after the world cup to make a firm decision, one way or another.

 

There is no point planning life where we keep them and also get no investment. It won't (or is unlikely) to happen.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

First time I have seen this one.

 

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6168516,00.html

[Davvo]

If there's no change at our club by late July, and if Mourinho comes knocking, I think Gerrard might go this time.

[Tobes Rafa]

Anyone think Martin Petrov would be worth a punt? He's on a free and while I understand he is incredibly unlucky with injuries, when he's fit, he's a great winger.

[Tommy Cockles]

I saw a quote from Reina today saying he had talked with Torres about his future and he was pretty sure he would stay. In the same breath he thought Rafa would stay and would look for Revenge on the poor season we had. I think with luck on the injury front, a decent start and the form we showed in 2008/09 we will surprise a lot of people next year. This year we were expected to be pushing Utd for the league. I think right now we are in the perfect position (as little will be expected from us) to knuckle down and show people next year we are by no means finished.

 

Reina on Torres

 

Revenge. Revenge. I want f***ing revenge and all.

 

And I only want players here who want it as well.

 

I want us on a f***ing mission next season.

[Ed the Wool]

Revenge. Revenge. I want f***ing revenge and all.

 

And I only want players here who want it as well.

 

I want us on a f***ing mission next season.

 

Exactly what I thought reading that.

 

Owners out. 2 players in.

 

Massive boost to everyone at the club.

 

We could win the league next season. Without new owners though it's another depressing spectacle ahead. It's so finely balanced.

[dalennie]

Anyone think Martin Petrov would be worth a punt? He's on a free and while I understand he is incredibly unlucky with injuries, when he's fit, he's a great winger.

Agree, I think he would be a decent addition.