Topic: The LFC Transfer Topic. That Means LFC only...

[Didi_ram]

Llorente etc all fall into the wishful thinking category.Never will happen.
We can be more than satisfied if players like Remy and Hoilett come here.
We probably wont push to get in players like Huntelaar.One player like that could change our season.
With Chelsea 5 points ahead and looking pretty okay,we have an uphill task.

[Suspect Package.]

I'm so sick of reading his name, we're not gonna get bloody Huntelaar!

Schalke are only 3 points off the top and could potentially win a Bundesliga. Why would they let their top goalscorer go, who has shown no desire to leave during January?

Answer: They wouldn't.

[Lille Camille]

My friend who "supports" Madrid said garnero is like an Alonso who can dribble and he said he loves watching him play. I hope we get him but a striker should be our number one priority.

[Bendomac]

remy is by far the best realistic player being banded around, i wanted us to get him before he moved to OM and hes been awesome their imo i remember watching 3 games of the cl last season and him and abedi pele's son Ayew bossed it.
Id love to see us go in for Ayew also hes like a better version of Hoilett

[Czar]

So we're not getting fourth because we are 5 points adrift with 17 games left and the two teams we are chasing (whom we've both already beaten at their places) still have to come to Anfield? Right. Have a word.

We need to improve, but we are still MILES further along than we were at this point last year. Our defense is rock solid (best in the league) and we have a deep squad for the first time in years. IMO we are two pieces away from competing for the title (assuming Lucas returns to full health). Sure it would be great if we could get one of those chips this month, but the sky is hardly falling if we fail to do so. It's absolute nonsense to say that whoever gets fourth this year is guaranteed to retain it next year. I could easily see any of Chelsea, Arsenal, and/or Tottenham regressing next year. Chelsea are rapidly aging and I can see their defense becoming a big worry in a year or two. Spurs will miss Adebayor if they do not sign him and could possibly lose Modric and/or Bale. Arsenal are so reliant on RVP that should anything happen to him (and he has a history of precisely that) then all bets are off. Even if we don't get fourth this year, it will surely be up for grabs next year and we will undoubtedly strengthen the squad in the summer even if we choose not to do so now.

I'd like us to sign someone this month who can offer something different to what we currently have in the final third, but I for one am not writing off our hopes of fourth this year or next if we don't. It's a marathon, not a sprint. Our club's trajectory is heading up; the only other club ahead of us for whom I can unequivocally say the same is City. I think this race over the next few years is a lot more wide open than some are making it out to be. We will strengthen, whether it be now or in six months. January 2013 will see a stronger squad than January 2012, just as now we see a stronger one than 2011. Keep the faith.

Appreciate your positivity and I do agree with most of what you mentioned.

Stewart Downing aside, I think we have done quite well with our transfers so far - I do see Andy as one for the future and I believe he will come good while Henderson gets better with every passing game - Charlie and Enrique are absolute bargains while Suarez has been an excellent buy

My issue though are the tactics, we are not attack minded enough at home - yes we do keep possession and yes we do create chances but we never have enough players in the opposition box

We have already dropped 14 points at home - that is almost as bad as 5 defeats and we are using the same tactics game in game out

[Didi_ram]

We need to improve, but we are still MILES further along than we were at this point last year. Our defense is rock solid (best in the league) and we have a deep squad for the first time in years. IMO we are two pieces away from competing for the title (assuming Lucas returns to full health). Sure it would be great if we could get one of those chips this month, but the sky is hardly falling if we fail to do so. It's absolute nonsense to say that whoever gets fourth this year is guaranteed to retain it next year. I could easily see any of Chelsea, Arsenal, and/or Tottenham regressing next year. Chelsea are rapidly aging and I can see their defense becoming a big worry in a year or two. Spurs will miss Adebayor if they do not sign him and could possibly lose Modric and/or Bale. Arsenal are so reliant on RVP that should anything happen to him (and he has a history of precisely that) then all bets are off. Even if we don't get fourth this year, it will surely be up for grabs next year and we will undoubtedly strengthen the squad in the summer even if we choose not to do so now.

Dont even come up with that we'll get fourth next year thing.Trust me,Im positive,but I dont buy this.Chelsea are always supposed to be ageing,yet they do well.Arsenal were always crap,yet they enter UCL every year.Spurs are always going to get relegated,yet they finish 4th or 5th.
We cant keep on saying,next year is our year.
And as for strengthening in the summer,same story.No UCL lure,no top players.Again overpaid English players.
I might sound harsh,but 4th this year is our only route to success in the next decade.Another 6th,and the teams above us will move further above us.
Cash isnt the issue.It is the lure of UCL football.We could attract Alonso/Torres/Mascherano/Johnson because of that.
Without UCL,we'll just be overpaying for a midtable player who has dreams of playing for a top PL club.

Easiest way out is to buy 2 good/quality players.Not splash the cash.8 odd million for Hoilett,a 10-15m striker,sell a player,net 20m.Job done.4th Possible.
Not buying anyone now would be catastrophic.
Kuyt as lone CF?Goodness.We saw what happened.
Our defence is top top top class.And it DID happen overnight.With a 6m LB,and a top CB getting fit,we became class.A couple of decent acquisitions in the attacking part will give us the edge in attack.We dont need a 35m Llorente.A shrewd Remy and a young Hoilett/Shaqiri would boost us.
Arsenal and Chelsea are there for the taking this season.

[Number 7]

Dont even come up with that we'll get fourth next year thing.Trust me,Im positive,but I dont buy this.Chelsea are always supposed to be ageing,yet they do well.Arsenal were always crap,yet they enter UCL every year.Spurs are always going to get relegated,yet they finish 4th or 5th.
We cant keep on saying,next year is our year.
And as for strengthening in the summer,same story.No UCL lure,no top players.Again overpaid English players.
I might sound harsh,but 4th this year is our only route to success in the next decade.Another 6th,and the teams above us will move further above us.
Cash isnt the issue.It is the lure of UCL football.We could attract Alonso/Torres/Mascherano/Johnson because of that.
Without UCL,we'll just be overpaying for a midtable player who has dreams of playing for a top PL club.

Easiest way out is to buy 2 good/quality players.Not splash the cash.8 odd million for Hoilett,a 10-15m striker,sell a player,net 20m.Job done.4th Possible.
Not buying anyone now would be catastrophic.
Kuyt as lone CF?Goodness.We saw what happened.
Our defence is top top top class.And it DID happen overnight.With a 6m LB,and a top CB getting fit,we became class.A couple of decent acquisitions in the attacking part will give us the edge in attack.We dont need a 35m Llorente.A shrewd Remy and a young Hoilett/Shaqiri would boost us.
Arsenal and Chelsea are there for the taking this season.

We've got to be realistic mate. There is nothing wrong in saying 4th will be up for grabs next year. I know we need to get in to the CL now but honestly we still seem far away. Chelsea and Arsenal may be there for the taking but they always seem to do a little bit more than what we've managed all season. I'll be honest I think it's going to be a struggle to get in this season. And by that I don't mean getting excuses in early. It's cold hard facts which stare at us in the table.

Downing was supposed to be our winger supreme, Carroll our striker extraordinaire and Adam our midfield maestro. And we're still not in the top 4. But now we can't throw toys out the pram because they're not doing the job for us anymore. We put a lot of belief, not to mention money in these guys.

As for Hoillet who is seemingly this transfer windows version of our saviour. The more I think about the more I believe he might just be a figment of someone's imagination, and was never coming here.

[Didi_ram]

Downing was supposed to be our winger suprem, Carroll our striker extraordinaire and Adam our midfield maestro. And we're still not in the top 4. But now we can't throw toys out the pram because they're not doing the job for us anymore. We put a lot of belief, not to mention money in these guys.

That is why Im saying,get a couple of shrewd guys in for around 20m.Sell Kuyt for 5m.Net spend a realistic 15m.And we are supposed to get 5.5m for Aquilani.
I never mentioned that we should sell Downing/Carroll.No point.Carroll will come good at some point,and we have to wait,given the price.Downing can be a bit part player.
My point is that leaving it till the summer will result in another similar cycle.We could spend a very reasonable amount now,and atleast try and sneak into 4th with some luck.
The point that our squad is good enough and we dont need to spend sounds very very optimistic to be honest.

[Vork+The Knights of Good]

Dont even come up with that we'll get fourth next year thing.Trust me,Im positive,but I dont buy this.Chelsea are always supposed to be ageing,yet they do well.Arsenal were always crap,yet they enter UCL every year.Spurs are always going to get relegated,yet they finish 4th or 5th.
We cant keep on saying,next year is our year.
And as for strengthening in the summer,same story.No UCL lure,no top players.Again overpaid English players.
I might sound harsh,but 4th this year is our only route to success in the next decade.Another 6th,and the teams above us will move further above us.
Cash isnt the issue.It is the lure of UCL football.We could attract Alonso/Torres/Mascherano/Johnson because of that.
Without UCL,we'll just be overpaying for a midtable player who has dreams of playing for a top PL club.

Easiest way out is to buy 2 good/quality players.Not splash the cash.8 odd million for Hoilett,a 10-15m striker,sell a player,net 20m.Job done.4th Possible.
Not buying anyone now would be catastrophic.
Kuyt as lone CF?Goodness.We saw what happened.
Our defence is top top top class.And it DID happen overnight.With a 6m LB,and a top CB getting fit,we became class.A couple of decent acquisitions in the attacking part will give us the edge in attack.We dont need a 35m Llorente.A shrewd Remy and a young Hoilett/Shaqiri would boost us.
Arsenal and Chelsea are there for the taking this season.

And the "Big 4" was always the "Big 4"...until it wasn't. I don't understand what people are seeing this year from either Chelsea or Arsenal that is making them think we have to grab fourth this year or else we will be relegated to the rubbish bin of history. If these are the all-conquering sides we have to stare down in a race for fourth then don't color me scared. Everyone harps on about our abysmal purchases in the transfer market; well who the hell have either of those sides purchased that are lighting the footballing world aflame? Torres, Luiz, Gervinho, Mertesacker? Even Mata hasn't exactly been David Silva. Over the past two transfer windows we have, IMO, made the two best purchases (Suarez and Enrique) of the three clubs. Nowhere am I saying "let's just wait 'til next year," but conversely I can't fathom this stance that this year is make or break. I want fourth and I believe we can get it. I hope we make purchases this month to achieve that end. I don't, however, see us getting left behind in the dust regardless of where we finish in this year's table. In fact, I find the thought a bit laughable. One of the two clubs we are chasing will be joining us in this wilderness that is non-CL football (assuming we fail), so I hardly see them kicking on (since we apparently would have no chance at it). As for the other four, well very few things stay the same in football. One freak injury, one unexpected manager departing, one leveraged takeover, a couple poor purchases -- things rarely go as planned. If they did, well it wouldn't much be worth watching, now would it? Whichever four clubs grab the CL spots this year, they are not guaranteed to do the same next year (and this includes us by the way). We've already seen Spurs grab a CL spot one year and fail to do so the next.

Whether it is recognized or not, progress has already been made with our squad and our position in the table this year. I expect further progress to be made next year and the year after. The CL is not our ultimate goal and people would do well to keep that in mind. It is a marker along the way, not the destination.

And regarding the likes of Remy, Hoilett, etc: if we can buy these supposed difference makers now (without the lure of CL football) why won't we be able to buy the same or similar difference makers in the summer without CL football should we fail to grab 4th?

Regarding our defence becoming class overnight: whose to say it was solely due to the factors you highlight? Could it not also be down to the work Kenny and Clarke have put in over the last year? Is it out of the question that they can achieve similar results with our attacking impetus?

I don't mean to seem against purchasing players this window because I'm not, but I think everyone needs to chill the fuck out and understand that this is a long march we are on. It isn't always going to be smooth or perfect and there isn't always going to be a quick fix to any problems we face. Like a poacher in the box, sometimes the best way to create space is not to make a run towards goal but rather to stand pat. We are making progress; let's not lose sight of that over the allure of a quickie.

[lionel_messias]

Ryan Shawcross is in the media over here saying he is close to Liverpool move

Just what we need. We could have done with yesterday.


[insomnia sarcasm bot]

[royhendo]

Nobody knows the big picture. It's nice isn't it? All we have are snippets from agents or people round other clubs. Makes for good gossip, but nobody knows.

[JN Jonsson]

Nobody knows the big picture. It's nice isn't it? All we have are snippets from agents or people round other clubs. Makes for good gossip, but nobody knows.

This. But hey, I guess thats what makes this board alive and fun to read every day.

[Wingman]

I might sound harsh,but 4th this year is our only route to success in the next decade.

That doesn't sound harsh



That sounds idiotic

[sherwos8]

You obviously missed this post earlier...

Look at what I said, I didn't slag off Kenny. However, I don't see why its ok to question Comolli and leave Kenny out of it, as if the two people work completely independent of each other.

EDIT: I just noticed that I'm now being 'watched' for 'abuse of the King.' Where did I abuse the King?

[babraham]

Liverpool continuing their hunt for a striker with Fernando Llorente a possible target

LIVERPOOL are continuing their hunt for firepower – with Spain striker Fernando Llorente a possible target.

Kop boss Kenny Dalglish and director of football Damien Comolli continue to monitor several options as Andy Carroll struggles to settle.

They are also keeping tabs on other hitmen including Newcastle’s Demba Ba and Aston Villa’s Darren Bent, but 26-year-old Llorente who would cost at least £20m, is also on their radar after some fine displays for Atlético Bilbao and Spain.

Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina and Maxi Rodriguez have also praised Llorente’s performances in La Liga this term to Liverpool’s hierarchy.

A move for Serbian wonderkid Lazar Markovic is looking unlikely after his club Partizan Belgrade slapped a £14m price on his head.

People Sport revealed last week that the 17-year-old was a target – but Dalglish will not fork out that kind of cash.

http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/football-hotline/2012/01/15/liverpool-continuing-their-hunt-for-a-striker-with-fernando-llorente-a-possible-target-102039-23699155/

I wanted Llorente so badly last January but that ship has sailed in my opinion. It would be such a kick in the balls to Carroll if we signed him. Signing any striker is a kick in the balls but at least the others touted have different qualities. Llorente is as close a direct replacement as I can think of. There would be very few occasion when the two could play together. I suppose last 15 minutes vs Stoke would have been one such occasion though. If the opposition wants to park the bus, make it rain crosses for Carroll/Llorente.

Still don't see it happening though...

[babraham]

That doesn't sound harsh



That sounds idiotic

[Vidocq]

Just what we need. We could have done with yesterday.


[insomnia sarcasm bot]

i wonder whats next...Carlton fucking Cole?

[kelevra]

I wanted Llorente so badly last January but that ship has sailed in my opinion. It would be such a kick in the balls to Carroll if we signed him. Signing any striker is a kick in the balls but at least the others touted have different qualities. Llorente is as close a direct replacement as I can think of. There would be very few occasion when the two could play together. I suppose last 15 minutes vs Stoke would have been one such occasion though. If the opposition wants to park the bus, make it rain crosses for Carroll/Llorente.

Still don't see it happening though...

Unless we want to get rid of Carroll.........

[Pistolero]

I might sound harsh,but 4th this year is our only route to success in the next decade.

 

[babraham]

Unless we want to get rid of Carroll.........

*glances up at thread topic...glances back down...leaves*

 

[Smudgester]

Are we no longer looking at Jelavic ? Or was that or non-runner from the start ?

[Upinsmoke]

We do need a winger or at least a creative attacking player. The only bad signing kenny has made is downing.
Enrique bargain, Suarez bargain, Adam bargain, Bellamy bargain....

AC is 23, has loads to learn but I believe he will come good. Continuously been benched after putting In a good shift and the team refuse to play to his strengths except Gerrard when he came on against Newcastle.

Downing has years of PL experience, assisted for fun at villa, put balls on a plate, even when he couldn't get past a man he put a decent ball in. Hardly seen that this year, there isnt an excuse for him, at all. That's why I believe we need a wide man to replace Stewart unfortunately.

[Upinsmoke]

Hopefully Kenny asks FSG for the funds to bring in two first team players and see how we get on till may. Then hopefully rebuild again in the summer, hopefully comolli has been working hard and astutely to bring the players in we need to succeed.

[the good half]

This is never ending.
We need this, we need that.
WIN YOUR GAMES AT HOME AND TAKE YOUR CHANCES!!!

It'll be the same next year and the year after that...

[royhendo]

Jordan Rhodes. Take a gamble. Can't be much worse than Kuyt today.

Alan Kayll was saying there was no interest in him. You heard owt Des?

[bigbear]

Alan Kayll was saying there was no interest in him. You heard owt Des?

I think I'd take a gamble.

Give him the chance Kuyt had yesterday and he would score it. He could not possibly perform worse. I think Fletcher could be a shout too who you mentioned a while back.

He's full of confidence and god knows we need a lift.

[thelinnen]

And the "Big 4" was always the "Big 4"... until is wasn't.

Well the only reason for that was us collapsing. We would require another top 4 club to collapse in similar fashion in order to get back in if we fail to get back in this year. Imo Chelsea will have a massive overhaul in the summer when they get back in and us and Arsenal will be left out in the cold with us edging it because they don't seem to like spending money.

[royhendo]

See Dan Kennett's stats on Fletcher?

@DanKennett: 1/3 Finishing stats comparison Steven Fletcher, Demba Ba and Robin Van Persie last 2 seasons: Minutes: RVP 3482; SF 2591; DB 2385

@DanKennett: 2/3 Goals: RVP 35; DB 22; SF 19 | Minutes per goal: RVP 99; DB 108; SF 136 | Shots In Box per goal: SF 2.6; RVP 3.8; DB 3.9

@DanKennett: 3/3 Clear Chance Conversion: SF 15/19 (79%); DB 12/19 (63%); RVP 22/45 (49%) | Minutes per Clear Chance Missed: SF 648; DB 341; RVP 151

@DanKennett: A couple of notes on last tweets. 1) Anything below 4 shots in box per goal is good.  Anything below 3 is outstanding

@DanKennett: 2) on clear chance conversion, anything above 55% is good (compared to striking peers)  Anything above 68% is outstanding

@DanKennett: 3) Most impressive of all is how infrequently Fletchers misses a clear chance, once every 648 minutes!  Demba Ba also v.good @348 mins

[Garstonite]

Have we been linked with Fletcher? Serious question - I can't be bothered trawling through this thread.

I only came in here to post a poor joke about being linked to Middlesborough's Matthew Bates' brothers Repro and Master.

[lfcmaster]

I wanted Llorente so badly last January but that ship has sailed in my opinion. It would be such a kick in the balls to Carroll if we signed him. Signing any striker is a kick in the balls but at least the others touted have different qualities. Llorente is as close a direct replacement as I can think of. There would be very few occasion when the two could play together. I suppose last 15 minutes vs Stoke would have been one such occasion though. If the opposition wants to park the bus, make it rain crosses for Carroll/Llorente.

Still don't see it happening though...

we should have bought someone like lorente intead of spending £35M on caroll
we made a big mistake there

[Garstonite]

we should have bought someone like lorente intead of spending £35M on caroll
we made a big mistake there

Here I come to save the daaaaay

[Cooper-Man]

I think we need a creative midfielder. I have said it a couple of times now. Simple

[JN Jonsson]

Time for some Youtube videos folks


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z258UPOSybg


Really wish we could sign this player! Look at his will to fight, at his power! At his never-giving-up attitude!

[-Willo-]

I thought we'd all learnt to not trust statistics when it comes to buying half decent players from small clubs.

[thelinnen]

Time for some Youtube videos folks


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z258UPOSybg


Really wish we could sign this player! Look at his will to fight, at his power! At his never-giving-up attitude!

I've come to the conclusion that we have signed this guys twin brother.

[Lawnmowerman]

See Dan Kennett's stats on Fletcher?

Would be interesting to see any stats he has on Steve Morison too

[subroc]

That is why Im saying,get a couple of shrewd guys in for around 20m.Sell Kuyt for 5m.Net spend a realistic 15m.And we are supposed to get 5.5m for Aquilani.
I never mentioned that we should sell Downing/Carroll.No point.Carroll will come good at some point,and we have to wait,given the price.Downing can be a bit part player.
My point is that leaving it till the summer will result in another similar cycle.We could spend a very reasonable amount now,and atleast try and sneak into 4th with some luck.
The point that our squad is good enough and we dont need to spend sounds very very optimistic to be honest.

If Downing is not good enough to be first choice, he should be sold. His wages are too high for him to be a squad player and he has got 20M of transfer fees locked away. If his value is realised even at a loss, it will be worthwhile sellinging him because if we wait another season, he will be worth harldly anything of much value.

Like I said earlier, the ball is in Dalglish and Comolli's court now. If they decide that the players they have are good enoigjh and will bring us into the top 4 even though they have show their deficiencies so far, then it is their call. But if they get it wrong, then they will be accountable for it, and Dalglish's legend status should not protect him from answering objectively for his performance.

[royhendo]

Have we been linked with Fletcher? Serious question - I can't be bothered trawling through this thread.

I only came in here to post a poor joke about being linked to Middlesborough's Matthew Bates' brothers Repro and Master.

Nah, not really I don't think. No more than anyone else anyway. Silence!

[iVapor]

Any more news on Looc Remy??? 

[Dubai_Red]

Appreciate your positivity and I do agree with most of what you mentioned.

Stewart Downing aside, I think we have done quite well with our transfers so far - I do see Andy as one for the future and I believe he will come good while Henderson gets better with every passing game - Charlie and Enrique are absolute bargains while Suarez has been an excellent buy

My issue though are the tactics, we are not attack minded enough at home - yes we do keep possession and yes we do create chances but we never have enough players in the opposition box

We have already dropped 14 points at home - that is almost as bad as 5 defeats and we are using the same tactics game in game out

Couldnt agree more.

We can buy all the attacking players we want, but the tactics need to change. Yesterday was another example of an away team coming to anfield and parking the bus and yet again we failed to get players in the box. The midfielders need to be making runs into the box which isnt happening. The number of times yesterday Kuyt has the ball out wide by the touch line, he looks up and no one is there.

I would say we need a striker to replce Kuyt and a attacking midfielder who gets into the box. Henderson & Adam are not getting the goals that we hoped. 

hate to say this, but look at the Mancs when they play at home, they have people lining up on the edge of the box or getting into the box, we need to gamble more and at the moment we need a change in mindset as much as we need a new striker and AM.

Rant over!