Strength in depth.

[psl]

Great squad, bring it on.

 

Goalkeepers -

 

Reina

Doni

Jones

 

Defenders -

 

Johnson

Enrique

Agger

Aurelio

Coates

D Wilson

Carragher

Kelly

Skrtel

Robinson

Flanagan

Wisdom

 

Midfield -

 

Gerrard

Maxi

Henderson

Downing

Spearing

Lucas

Adam

Shelvey

Coady

 

Forwards -

 

Suarez

Carroll

Kuyt

Bellamy

Suso

Sterling

[lfc003]

  On 01/09/2011 at 00:11, psl said:

Great squad, bring it on.

 

Goalkeepers -

 

Reina

Doni

Jones

 

Defenders -

 

Johnson

Enrique

Agger

Aurelio

Coates

D Wilson

Carragher

Kelly

Skrtel

Robinson

Flanagan

Wisdom

 

Midfield -

 

Gerrard

Maxi

Henderson

Downing

Spearing

Lucas

Adam

Shelvey

Coady

 

Forwards -

 

Suarez

Carroll

Kuyt

Bellamy

Suso

Sterling

 

Don't see them playing much but yeah the squad looks really good just have a nagging think we've lost a quality midfielder and failed to replace him with could come back to bite us if injuries mount up.

[schmuckdonald]

Very un-realistic to put Suso, Sterling, Wisdom and Coady in there. Won't get near unless we have a major injury crisis.

[psl]

  On 01/09/2011 at 00:39, schmuckdonald said:

Very un-realistic to put Suso, Sterling, Wisdom and Coady in there. Won't get near unless we have a major injury crisis.

 

Just taken from the 'first team squad' section of the official site.

[Clay Davis]

Pretty surprised Wilson stayed.

[lfc4eva99]

  On 01/09/2011 at 01:38, Clay Davis said:

Pretty surprised Wilson stayed.

 

me too. Think he would get some game time till Coates has bedded in.

[Paddy T.]

Still not happy about losing Raul without a replacement...

 

Still hoping we've just not anounced a last minute signing yet to piss of the journos...

[Zoob]

  On 01/09/2011 at 00:25, lfc003 said:

Don't see them playing much but yeah the squad looks really good just have a nagging think we've lost a quality midfielder and failed to replace him with could come back to bite us if injuries mount up.

 

I didn't want Meireles to go, but we do have all of the below able to play centrally, you could even add Downing to that in terms of playing in the advanced role that Meireles often occupied.

 

Gerrard

Henderson

Spearing

Lucas

Adam

Shelvey

 

Where we don't have cover is for Lucas. He's such a pivotal part of our team, we'll really suffer if he's injured / suspended as there's nobody o n that list able to do anything close to what he does.

 

On a more positive note, a year ago our striker options comprised of a pissed off Torres, Ngog and Kuyt.

We now have Suarez, Carroll, Bellamy and Kuyt. Completely different planet...

 

 

  On 01/09/2011 at 01:38, Clay Davis said:

Pretty surprised Wilson stayed.

 

Also surprised by that. Are Championship club still able to get players on loan for a bit?

[Stevie H]

  On 01/09/2011 at 04:44, Paddy T. said:

Still not happy about losing Raul without a replacement...

 

we've got plenty of replacements.

[Snoeker]

  On 01/09/2011 at 05:07, Zoob said:

I didn't want Meireles to go, but we do have all of the below able to play centrally, you could even add Downing to that in terms of playing in the advanced role that Meireles often occupied.

 

Gerrard

Henderson

Spearing

Lucas

Adam

Shelvey

 

I'd say Maxi could also do a job in that (advanced) position.

[Swan Red]

  On 01/09/2011 at 00:42, psl said:

Just taken from the 'first team squad' section of the official site.

 

People can be petty bollix, yeah it's a very good squad 1 I'm very happy with

[Flight]

kopite1972 posted this near the end of the transfer thread :

 

.........................................................reina

..........................................................doni

 

johnson....................carragher...................agger......................enrique

kelly..............................skrtel.......................coates......................aurelio

 

gerrard.........................lucas........................adam....................downing

henderson...............spearing....................shelvey......................maxi

 

.....................................carroll.......................suarez

.......................................kuyt........................bellamy

 

 

 

That's not only the best and most balanced squad we've had for nearly two decades - it's also Kennys squad, inside out. Every one of them will work hard and fits into the systems we know Kenny likes to play.

[schmuckdonald]

Not going to lie, I think if Gerrard hasn't somehow got a brand new body and can't play the whole season, we look a bit weaker in midfield than some think. Not going to get negative as I think we've had a fantastic window and all the work by Kenny and Comolli has been top drawer, but think the squad isn't as strong as suggested. Don't really think Shelvey is all that, can do a bit part job in easier games, like, but I don't know. Something rubs me up the wrong way about him. But then again, we're proven to be adaptable under Kenny and Clarke, so I don't doubt they can get the best out of what we have.

 

Also, don't think Meireles would have gone had we found a way to dump the deadwood without paying them all off. Think we would have given him the deal he wanted.

 

*waits to be hanged from the rafters for doubting, even though I've qualified it all*

[adiman]

  On 01/09/2011 at 09:05, schmuckdonald said:

Not going to lie, I think if Gerrard hasn't somehow got a brand new body and can't play the whole season, we look a bit weaker in midfield than some think. Not going to get negative as I think we've had a fantastic window and all the work by Kenny and Comolli has been top drawer, but think the squad isn't as strong as suggested. Don't really think Shelvey is all that, can do a bit part job in easier games, like, but I don't know. Something rubs me up the wrong way about him. But then again, we're proven to be adaptable under Kenny and Clarke, so I don't doubt they can get the best out of what we have.

 

Also, don't think Meireles would have gone had we found a way to dump the deadwood without paying them all off. Think we would have given him the deal he wanted.

 

*waits to be hanged from the rafters for doubting, even though I've qualified it all*

We're stronger in nearly every area than we have been for a while - especially out wide and we have a lot of options in attack. Agree that we are missing a bit in the middle.

[mrjunk]

I think teh new training methids we are using will reduce our injuries overall. Gerrard should benefit. Damn, if Hargreeves can get fit, i'm sure Gerrard can.

[Leo No.8]

I like Mereiles, would have rather he stayed in a perfect world had he been happy - but I was looking at him as something of a luxury item, a game changer off the bench mostly like he was at Arsenal. With the possibility of getting a decent fee, and it seems the reality that he wasn't happy here then I think the best decision has been made. I like both him and Aquilani as players, the problem was neither was physically equipped for a traditional CM role in England which was what made them 'luxury' players.

 

I think Kenny's rating Shelvey might have been a factor as well. Our squad is lean, hungry, full of quality and is now set up for the talented young players to fill in if we have injury problems - thats the way it should be IMO.

 

Yes we have two quality options in every position, but because of the versatility of certain reliable players we probably have 3 or 4 in most or 6 players in between 2 positions - the key is every one is either a quality player or a talented younger player:

 

GK: Reina, Doni. RB: Johnson, Kelly, Flanagan (3). LB: Enrique, Aurelio, Robinson, Johnson (4). CB: Carra, Agger, Skrtel, Coates, Wisdom, Wilson (6). RW: Henderson, Maxi, Gerrard, Kuyt, Downing (4). LW: Downing, Maxi, Kuyt, Bellamy (4). CM: Lucas, Adam, Henderson, Gerrard, Spearing, Shelvey (6). CF: Suarez, Carroll, Bellamy, Kuyt (and Gerrard can play off the front man so 4/5). I don't think any of those would be a stretch in terms of players being comfortable in the positions.

 

We have a fantastic mix of players there, an accent on youth but with excellent experience sprinkled in (reckon average age is probably around 25 at a guess). This summer has given us a quality base from which to build, we're now in a position where we may not have to get rid of anyone in January or next summer and we could bring in two proper world class players. And when you look at the overall net spend, its not massive - certainly not as big as it seems for the upgrades.

 

I have a feeling FSG were willing to spend a lot more and that the money will be there to add from 'the top table' probably next summer, with an extra £12-15m from Raul's sale. I feel very sure that allowing Mereiles to go was Kenny's decision and there was no pressure to sell to balance the books - he and the owners have been very clear to say if anyone doesn't want to be here then they can go. They are instilling a sense in the players again that its a privilege to play for Liverpool Football Club.

 

If we can get a CL spot we'll be primed for a title challenge next season. We might even give it a go this season, but you can see the long term plan here and I love it.

Edited September 1, 2011 by Leo No.8

[Swan Red]

  On 01/09/2011 at 09:05, schmuckdonald said:

Not going to lie, I think if Gerrard hasn't somehow got a brand new body and can't play the whole season, we look a bit weaker in midfield than some think. Not going to get negative as I think we've had a fantastic window and all the work by Kenny and Comolli has been top drawer, but think the squad isn't as strong as suggested. Don't really think Shelvey is all that, can do a bit part job in easier games, like, but I don't know. Something rubs me up the wrong way about him. But then again, we're proven to be adaptable under Kenny and Clarke, so I don't doubt they can get the best out of what we have.

 

Also, don't think Meireles would have gone had we found a way to dump the deadwood without paying them all off. Think we would have given him the deal he wanted.

 

*waits to be hanged from the rafters for doubting, even though I've qualified it all*

 

I don't think the decision to let Meireles go had anything to do with payments made to other players and was merely reflective of the money saved being considered greater than his value to us over the course of the current deal. If a players value to the squad is worth what it costs we will pay it Henderson Carrol Downing have all demonstrated that.

 

I like Shelvey and I'm not even sure what a bit part player in easier games is supposed to mean, if the club felt that way about him given the dross we've managed to get off the books I think we'd have moved him on, Kenny obviously likes him, I like him, DH is going to marry him.

[The_Adder]

Think we looked stronger with Merieles in the squad, hope Jonjo can step up, certainly would have preferred to keep him.

 

On the plus side it could be an extra £12m-£15m on a top class right winger in either Jan or the Summer, I'm talking about you Eden Hazard.

[Swan Red]

  On 01/09/2011 at 09:37, Aurelio said:

Think we looked stronger with Merieles in the squad, hope Jonjo can step up, certainly would have preferred to keep him.

 

On the plus side it could be an extra £12m-£15m on a top class right winger in either Jan or the Summer, I'm talking about you Eden Hazard.

 

I don't think this is how it works

[Woodsyla]

  On 01/09/2011 at 00:11, psl said:

Great squad, bring it on.

I believe we have two quality players for every position now, some dubious health but all quality.

 

Reina, Doni

Johnson, Kelly

Carragher, Cotes

Agger, Skrtel

Enrique, Aurelio

Kuyt, Henderson

Gerrard, Adam

Ludas, Spearing

Downing, Maxi

Suarez, Bellamy

Carroll

 

We don't have any cover for the big man, but I'd be happy enough with Dirk playing up top.

 

Fantastic squad, as good as 2007/08.

 

Just one or two outstanding players away from a title challenge in my eyes.

[D.Boon]

Its a much improved squad but its not a great squad. I'm more concerned with wide midfield than central. Anything happens to Downing and we are back to thin as feck out there. Bellamy can play out there but he isn't a true wide man. All other options are slow as hell.

[Mike]

  On 01/09/2011 at 09:50, D.Boon said:

Its a much improved squad but its not a great squad. I'm more concerned with wide midfield than central. Anything happens to Downing and we are back to thin as feck out there. Bellamy can play out there but he isn't a true wide man. All other options are slow as hell.

 

Bellamy and Henderson both fast as f*** and both play wide, so back to the drawing board on that one. Then there's Gerrard.

[Stevie H]

  On 01/09/2011 at 09:53, Mike said:

Bellamy and Henderson both fast as f*** and both play wide, so back to the drawing board on that one. Then there's Gerrard.

enrique, johnson and kelly all supply plenty of pace from fullback too. people really are determined to nitpick today aren't they?

[lfc003]

We look alot stronger in comparison to our rivals for 4th Arsenal and Spurs so i guess thats all that matters for this season. I fully expect the owners to splash the cash in January if we're in contention for honours or a little short aswell so there's alot of reasons to be optimistic.

[Swipe]

4th? I don't see why we shouldn't have an eye on 3rd in all honesty. Nowt fearsome about Chelsea anymore.