Squad requirements with Europe next season

[Rory Fitzgerald]

With Liverpool almost certainly to be playing in Europe (in one capacity or another), the squad will require beefing up - both in terms of the 1st team and the back up players. In 2001, Liverpool were strong enough to win 3 cups and then in the following season, Houllier made only minor alterations to the squad and managed to have a title challenge and get to the QF of the Champions League.

 

As such, the below is a squad comparison to see where we are at the moment compared to the depth of that squad in 2001/02. I have looked at this from the perspective of players returning from loan in the Summer and us 'losing' Moses and Cissokho.

 

Goalkeeper

 

Mignolet Jones

 

Dudek Kirkland

 

 

Full backs

 

Johnson, Flanagan, Kelly, Wisdom, Enrique

 

Babbel, Wright, Riise, Vignal, Traore - Xavier came in during January

 

 

Center Back

 

Skrtel, Toure, Agger, Sakho

 

Hyypia, Henchoz, Carragher

 

 

 

Center Midfield

 

Gerrard Lucas Henderson Allen

 

Gerrard, Hamann, Redknapp, Biscan, McAllister

 

 

 

Wide/Attacking Midfield

 

Coutinho, Sterling, Alberto, Assaidi, Suso, Ibe

 

Smicer Murphy Berger Barmby Diomede

 

 

 

Strikers

 

Sturridge Suarez Borini Aspas

 

Heskey Owen Baros Litmanen

 

 

I think there are question marks over the availability of the likes of Lucas and Allen in midfield. On the face of it, should all of them be fit then we are well placed. However, I think we need strenghting here. Compared with the 2001 squad, we are light in terms of experience from attacking midfield - though perhaps Ibe and Suso could take a step up next season.

 

I think Rodgers needs to make decisions in our defence in terms of starters because its been our weakness this season - in midfield, its more an issue with numbers, experience (and availability IMO) whilst in attack, its about quality back up. There is lots to consider this when evaluating where we are at in terms of the squad for the new season.

[Red Yoda]

I think BR has done some fantastic work to get us to where we presently are, hopefully we can finish the job over the next number of weeks.

 

There are number of positions that we need strengthening in......

 

At least one top quality centre back, a left back, a box to box midfielder, an attacking player, a back up forward, back up keeper, maybe a right back dependant on what happens with Johnson.

 

 

We have work to do over the next lot of weeks and if we are sucessful, then there will be a very busy summer.

[RP]

There are number of positions that we need strengthening in......

 

At least one top quality centre back, a left back, a box to box midfielder, an attacking player, a back up forward, back up keeper, maybe a right back dependant on what happens with Johnson.

 

 

 

 

That's a total of seven new players. Do you think that's a realistic expectation (assuming we qualify for the Champions League)?

[Bigal]

is this a transfer thread?

[Swan Red]

we're awash with them these days Al

[Bigal]

we're awash with them these days Al

 

Swines.

[RP]

Ooops, I actually thought this was the transfer thread.

 

 

Why do we need this one to be separate?

[cymrococh]

Ooops, I actually thought this was the transfer thread.

 

 

Why do we need this one to be separate?

Because Rory needs a 'thing' now that match threads aren't his anymore.

[David Hodgson]

With Liverpool almost certainly to be playing in Europe (in one capacity or another), the squad will require beefing up - both in terms of the 1st team and the back up players. In 2001, Liverpool were strong enough to win 3 cups and then in the following season, Houllier made only minor alterations to the squad and managed to have a title challenge and get to the QF of the Champions League.

 

As such, the below is a squad comparison to see where we are at the moment compared to the depth of that squad in 2001/02. I have looked at this from the perspective of players returning from loan in the Summer and us 'losing' Moses and Cissokho.

 

Goalkeeper

 

Mignolet Jones

 

Dudek Kirkland

 

 

Full backs

 

Johnson, Flanagan, Kelly, Wisdom, Enrique

 

Babbel, Wright, Riise, Vignal, Traore - Xavier came in during January

 

 

Center Back

 

Skrtel, Toure, Agger, Sakho

 

Hyypia, Henchoz, Carragher

 

 

 

Center Midfield

 

Gerrard Lucas Henderson Allen

 

Gerrard, Hamann, Redknapp, Biscan, McAllister

 

 

 

Wide/Attacking Midfield

 

Coutinho, Sterling, Alberto, Assaidi, Suso, Ibe

 

Smicer Murphy Berger Barmby Diomede

 

 

 

Strikers

 

Sturridge Suarez Borini Aspas

 

Heskey Owen Baros Litmanen

 

 

I think there are question marks over the availability of the likes of Lucas and Allen in midfield. On the face of it, should all of them be fit then we are well placed. However, I think we need strenghting here. Compared with the 2001 squad, we are light in terms of experience from attacking midfield - though perhaps Ibe and Suso could take a step up next season.

 

I think Rodgers needs to make decisions in our defence in terms of starters because its been our weakness this season - in midfield, its more an issue with numbers, experience (and availability IMO) whilst in attack, its about quality back up. There is lots to consider this when evaluating where we are at in terms of the squad for the new season.

 

Nice try Rory. Put all this back in your bag and move it back to the transfer thread. You know damn well we've been discussing this in there. This is why our transfer threads get closed. I'm disappointed in you man. All the battles we transfer threaders have fought to try and gain credibility and you do this....... smh

[surf]

Because Rory needs a 'thing' now that match threads aren't his anymore.

 

i say we ban everyone else from making match threads and just let rory do them, they're way better

in similar fashion, let NYR do all the transfer threads

 

you got to play your stars in their proper positions, wouldn't want to see coutinho playing left back now