Topic: General Transfer Discussion about LIVERPOOL FOOTBALL CLUB

[Tepid water]

Nah, I get excited every transfer. And I hope Aquilani comes back, just to piss you off

You utter bastard!

[HighSix]

Seedorf &/or Pipo on a 1 year deal! you know it makes sense

[Camarero25]

I will say, though, part of me says if we're looking for a player of Dempsey's ilk then maybe we should take a gamble on a non-rem proven, younger American out at DC: Chris Pontius.

Isn't he in Jackass?

[Robert_B]

Ibrahim Afellay, Roberto Soldado, Lass Diarra, Filip Kostic.

...We didn't start the fire...

[Captain Marko Ramius]

James Forrest at Celtic may be worth a bid, if you could get him for a reasonable 2-4m.

[Kochevnik]

Maybe this thread could be more about our general transfer "strategy," rather than just lists of players we won't get.

We all know that there are a couple of holes in our squad, and I would say the following would be how I personally prioritise them:

1. Right wide forward - we absolutely need top quality out wide.  We have lacked that for years, and I would put 60% of whatever budget we have into this one position, if it will get us a young, pacy, goalscoring winger.  Preferably someone who can play across the 3 in the 4-2-3-1, but primarily a right-sided player.

2. Striker - again, ideally a younger player, who, even if he's not capable of playing as the starting #9 for a title-winning side at present, would be in a year or two.  Luuk de Jong seems like he could be this player

3. Central midfielder - I'd like to be greedy and say an Alonso replacement, but we're not Man City so we won't have the money for a player that good.  Perhaps we could go for a player like Charlie Adam, but better?  Elm could fall into this category, possibly.

4. Left wide forward - again, we need to bolster our wide options.  I doubt Downing will go, but another option besides him and Sterling for the left would be good.  A cheaper, younger player with potential, perhaps; I would rather we put as much money as possible into just one option, so if we can't get a Hoilett-type on the cheap, then just leave this one for later.

5. Centre back - This is a bit greedy, and we could almost certainly leave this to a future window, but if we got a youngish CB who can also cover the CM spot from #3, it would be excellent.  Someone like Phil Jones (hey, don't shoot me, I actually think he's going to be a good player) or we could poach Vertonghen, perhaps.

Anyway, that's where I stand.  I suspect we'll prioritise more as follows: attacking midfielder, central midfielder, winger, striker.  I just hope whoever we bring in is flexible enough to play several different formations so we're not locked into one setup (as we are when Downing plays, for example).

[Get]

striker and defensive midfielder. rest can wait.

[skaka]

we need RW..CM...and AS..

[exiledintheusa]

James Forrest at Celtic may be worth a bid, if you could get him for a reasonable 2-4m.

Gary Hooper would fit our needs.

[Bakez0151]

get that celtic lad who scored 5 the other day

no idea if he's any good at all but he scored 5 in a game

wow, we both mentioned the same player at the same time @exiledintheusa , probably for the same reasons but surely it's good enough for a rumour to be put in tomorrows Daily Mail?

on a serious note, if there is any talent in the scottish league we should get them, purely because they all seem to be fairly weak financially so it wouldn't take much.

[..Bruiser..]

Linked with Belhanda and Elm by Tony Barrett tomorrow in The Times.

[Vork+The Knights of Good]

1. Right wide forward - we absolutely need top quality out wide.  We have lacked that for years, and I would put 60% of whatever budget we have into this one position, if it will get us a young, pacy, goalscoring winger.  Preferably someone who can play across the 3 in the 4-2-3-1, but primarily a right-sided player.

Oh just come out and say it already; we all know what you're thinking. It rhymes with Bucas Poura.

[Regi]

James Forrest at Celtic may be worth a bid, if you could get him for a reasonable 2-4m.

No fucking chance at that price.
McGeady left for £9m
Forrest won't go I think and it would take £6m surely to even get them thinking.
More to get them to deal

[Camarero25]

striker and defensive midfielder. rest can wait.

Disagree. We need good wide players badly. Having said that, we've needed them for years.

[Regi]

striker and defensive midfielder. rest can wait.

Despite the fact we haven't a single proper wide player worth a fuck?

[Get]

Despite the fact we haven't a single proper wide player worth a fuck?

we will suffer more without putting the chances to bed and having holes in the midfield with the absence of lucas leaking goals. Despite having wide players worth fuck we have still created shit load of chances enough to put us up there. chances weren't taken and stupid goals were committed

[gazzathered]

We need someone who is quick, not afraid to go at players, can cross and has an eye for goal.

Stewart downing anyone ?

[DanA]

If I had my druthers our summer would look something like this:

In: Bas Dost (7m), Joao Moutinho (20m), Gaston Ramirez (15m), Radja Nainggolan (8m) - 50m
Out: Jones, Aurelio, Maxi, Kuyt, Spearing, Adam, Cole, Aquilani - 12-15m

That way our front 6 could set up like this:

                     Lucas (Nainggolan)
  Henderson/Gerrard          Moutinho (Shelvey)

Ramirez (Downing)                   Suarez (Sterling)
                           Carroll (Dost)

It would give us a lot of versatility and attacking impetus without purchasing anyone I would consider unreasonable or unrealistic. The midfield would be light-years better than it is now, plus all four purchases would be about the right age (21-25) to grow with our side. I can dream, at least.

I don't think Dost looks that good but definitely the types of players we should be after. As a partner for Lucas I think we could not do much better than Mousa Dembele. An alternative would be Bruno Soriano who's not as good carrying the ball but a better passer and gets a heap of intercepts, very much an Alonso style. Gaston Ramirez is exactly what we need and a good striker like Loic Remy is someone we should be chasing IMO.


                           Lucas/Henderson     Bruno/Dembele
                 Suarez/Downing   Gerrard/Shelvey       Ramirez/Bellamy
                                            Carroll/Remy

Remy capable of playing wing as Kuyt did
Bruno capable at LB in addition to DM
Ramirez capable of covering Gerrard

Would fix all our problems

[Captain Marko Ramius]

get that celtic lad who scored 5 the other day

no idea if he's any good at all but he scored 5 in a game

wow, we both mentioned the same player at the same time @exiledintheusa , probably for the same reasons but surely it's good enough for a rumour to be put in tomorrows Daily Mail?

on a serious note, if there is any talent in the scottish league we should get them, purely because they all seem to be fairly weak financially so it wouldn't take much.

If you're British the highlights will be on BBC football.

[cezred]

Ibrahim Afellay, Roberto Soldado, Lass Diarra, Filip Kostic.

...We didn't start the fire...

Genius.

[paddypower]

By my reckoning we need a CB, LB, DM, RW, LW, and FW.

[Vork+The Knights of Good]

I don't think Dost looks that good but definitely the types of players we should be after. As a partner for Lucas I think we could not do much better than Mousa Dembele. An alternative would be Bruno Soriano who's not as good carrying the ball but a better passer and gets a heap of intercepts, very much an Alonso style. Gaston Ramirez is exactly what we need and a good striker like Loic Remy is someone we should be chasing IMO.


                           Lucas/Henderson     Bruno/Dembele
                 Suarez/Downing   Gerrard/Shelvey       Ramirez/Bellamy
                                            Carroll/Remy

Remy capable of playing wing as Kuyt did
Bruno capable at LB in addition to DM
Ramirez capable of covering Gerrard

Would fix all our problems

I've liked the little I've seen of Dost and we've had really good success buying from the Eredivisie which is why I went with him. You're right, though, that I was more going for types of players. Substitute anyone you want for the lot I threw out there. Really funny that you suggested Bruno as he was the exact player I was debating throwing in there instead of Nainggolan. I went with the Belgian, though, as he's younger and I think he'd pair better alongside Lucas of the two. Both could replace him, though.

[Sarge]

Luuk De Jonk, Stephen Fletcher, Belhanda, Elm & a CDM thanks.

[Captain Marko Ramius]

A lot of people really rating Stephen Fletcher over the last few windows, I've never seen amount in for full games.

What exactly is it about him that's worth signing him for?

[rafathegaffa83]

A lot of people really rating Stephen Fletcher over the last few windows, I've never seen amount in for full games.

What exactly is it about him that's worth signing him for?

He scores goals with a limited number of opportunities for an exceptionally shite team in which he often plays up front alone. Wouldn't be a bad shout for a third or fourth striker.

[Kochevnik]

Oh just come out and say it already; we all know what you're thinking. It rhymes with Bucas Poura.

I think my fondness for Moura is well known on this board, but I think we've missed the boat on him.  If we had finished the season in fourth with a Cup or two we'd be seen as a club on the up and could think to lure players of his calibre, but with the abject surrender over the last few months, I think we're perceived as a club in the mire.  Even if we had the financial wherewithal to bring him, I think he'd pick a different option.

We missed the boat on Moura, basically.  If we had made an offer in the beginning of last summer of 28 million, maybe even 25, I think we might have gotten him before interest really heated up.  As it stands, he will go for a Hazard-type price.  I'd be surprised if he didn't end up at Real, Juve or, God forbid, United for 35 million and wages of 150k per week.

[Renato]

A lot of people really rating Stephen Fletcher over the last few windows, I've never seen amount in for full games.

What exactly is it about him that's worth signing him for?

Can't see it myself. He scored a decent amount of goals in a Wolves team built solely to create chances for him, would struggle immensely here imo.

[iamrobk]

Maybe this thread could be more about our general transfer "strategy," rather than just lists of players we won't get.

We all know that there are a couple of holes in our squad, and I would say the following would be how I personally prioritise them:

1. Right wide forward - we absolutely need top quality out wide.  We have lacked that for years, and I would put 60% of whatever budget we have into this one position, if it will get us a young, pacy, goalscoring winger.  Preferably someone who can play across the 3 in the 4-2-3-1, but primarily a right-sided player.

2. Striker - again, ideally a younger player, who, even if he's not capable of playing as the starting #9 for a title-winning side at present, would be in a year or two.  Luuk de Jong seems like he could be this player

3. Central midfielder - I'd like to be greedy and say an Alonso replacement, but we're not Man City so we won't have the money for a player that good.  Perhaps we could go for a player like Charlie Adam, but better?  Elm could fall into this category, possibly.

4. Left wide forward - again, we need to bolster our wide options.  I doubt Downing will go, but another option besides him and Sterling for the left would be good.  A cheaper, younger player with potential, perhaps; I would rather we put as much money as possible into just one option, so if we can't get a Hoilett-type on the cheap, then just leave this one for later.

5. Centre back - This is a bit greedy, and we could almost certainly leave this to a future window, but if we got a youngish CB who can also cover the CM spot from #3, it would be excellent.  Someone like Phil Jones (hey, don't shoot me, I actually think he's going to be a good player) or we could poach Vertonghen, perhaps.

Anyway, that's where I stand.  I suspect we'll prioritise more as follows: attacking midfielder, central midfielder, winger, striker.  I just hope whoever we bring in is flexible enough to play several different formations so we're not locked into one setup (as we are when Downing plays, for example).

We have #1 already: Luis Suarez.  We need to play him there primarily, not as a striker, and definitely not as a lone striker.

[Vork+The Knights of Good]

I think my fondness for Moura is well known on this board, but I think we've missed the boat on him.  If we had finished the season in fourth with a Cup or two we'd be seen as a club on the up and could think to lure players of his calibre, but with the abject surrender over the last few months, I think we're perceived as a club in the mire.  Even if we had the financial wherewithal to bring him, I think he'd pick a different option.

We missed the boat on Moura, basically.  If we had made an offer in the beginning of last summer of 28 million, maybe even 25, I think we might have gotten him before interest really heated up.  As it stands, he will go for a Hazard-type price.  I'd be surprised if he didn't end up at Real, Juve or, God forbid, United for 35 million and wages of 150k per week.

I think he's far from locked in to go anywhere. Plus, we just need to get his namesake in his ear. I haven't heard much about him moving this summer, so unless I've missed it I'd say our chances are still fine to get him in a coming window. It's gonna come down to cash in the end; if we're willing to spend it then we've got a shot.

I agree with you if he's looking to move this summer, though. Don't like our odds then.

[Renato]

We have #1 already: Luis Suarez.  We need to play him there primarily, not as a striker, and definitely not as a lone striker.

I really don't get this obsession with playing Suarez wide. His best games for us have been with him playing in pretty much a free role behind the main striker, he would be a big waste out wide i think and we'd lose a lot of creativity for it as well

[himynameisntmark]

Toby Alderweireld would be a beast of a signing, eventhough we've not been linked, i would be really impressed if we managed to net him off Ajax. Priority is a winger though, we need someone who can beat a man and provide quality from wide areas

[LuisLFC]

Remy, Ramirez, Alba & Elm

Remy: Able to fill the role of playing with either/or both Carroll and Suarez, great pace and isn't afraid of having a go at the defenders, decent sized lad who can get in on the physical side also. Only 25 so he has the best years yet to come.

Ramirez: Able to play along a front three, basically to replace Maxi. Still a raw talent, looks the real deal and could be one of the next big things in football. Having Suarez and Coates won't hurt at all, would definitely be the right type of player for us to be looking at.

Alba: Back-up to Enrique and able to move up for left midfield in games where we need more cover/structure, not sure how reasonable he'd be to grab but if the opportunity was there he'd be a great shout to help sure up the left side of the pitch.

Elm: Haven't seen much of him play, from what I have though he looks like someone who could help deputize the middle with Lucas, obviously having Henderson, Adam & Shelvey (to a lesser degree as I think he'd be used more as cover for Stevie.) covering/stepping in for the pair of them from time to time & during cup games.

Notables: Ocampos, Ninis, Belhanda, Farfan
Couple of them would obviously be for way down the road, others would possibly go under the radar completely.

[exiledintheusa]

I wonder if any big English clubs will move for Gary Hooper? His goal to game ratio over the past three years or so has been immense, albiet it at alower level, I'm sure he will do a job in the premiership.

[Noelle]

Despite the fact we haven't a single proper wide player worth a fuck?

We haven't had any for ages and still some pretty all right. Agree we need to sign some but shouldn't be top priority

Edit: done, not some. Fucking phone

[Lucho_LFC8]

should try and flog downing to QPR for around 10 million, got a feeling their daft enough to buy him

but i think we need 2 wingers who are fast and arent afraid to take players and have abit of skill and flair about them, a CM similar to lucas, and hopefully Aquillani back, maybe a CB, and a striker, who is like a mix of suarez and carroll, can play as a target man, but can take players on with speed and skill and can score.

I think we'll be looking at one or two from:

- Javi Martinez
- Nigel De Jong
- Keita
- Victor Moses
- Luuk De Jong
- Junior Hoilett
- Darren Bent
- Jermain Defoe
- Adam Johnson
- Hamit Altıntop
- Rasmus Elm
- Gaston Ramirez

Cover for lucas, a winger and maybe another striker or attacking midfielder.

Would love Javi martinez, but Nigel de jong would be a good signing for us!
could try and get hoilett on the cheap? seems fast and has few tricks about him to take players on!
and maybe adam johnson from that list but not to sure, got a great left foot though and few tricks about him too!

[ghirl67]

  at the Celtic players being mentioned.  Suppose it was going to happen eventually.  We have a very young and talented squad at the moment and i am hoping we will hang onto them but there is no doubt they are attracting attention.  Going to be a horrible summer.

Since you are mentioning them, however, thought i'd give my opinion as someone who sees them every week.

First off  2 million for James Forrest   not a chance. 

Second that guy who scored five is called Gary Hooper and he is very good with the potential to get even better. Am dismayed that over the last 2 days the calls for an England call up have increased...primarily because i don't want him injured.   Add to that he is coming to the attention of you lot and as much as i like to see Liverpool doing well, i'd like it better if you could do it without nicking our best striker...cough...KD...cough.

Forrest (right winger, can play left and in behind strikers) is only 20 and i don't think he would be keen on moving just now.  Forrest can go as far as he wants in the game.  I would say that he is more effective than McGeady at the same age.  Certainly not as naturally skilfull as Aiden was but more effective imo.  8 goals this season.  Would have been more if he hadn't gotten injured.  If he doesn't make it, it certainly won't be for lack of talent.  His grandfather played football and he seems to have his feet grounded.  Reckon his family will look after him. 

As for Hooper we have knocked back a 6 mil bid for him already from EPL new boys Southampton. 

His career has been one of steady progression (from non league to Celtic in 7 years) so far.  Whilst James Forrest is one of those very good from a young age, Gary has steadily worked his way up and improved as he has gotten older (i say older - he's only 24).  Scary thing about him is how much better he can get.  Won't be easy to replace him and any price the board put on him will be in relation to his worth to us.

Expecting Hooper still to be a Celtic player next season for a few reasons.  Fantastic find by Celtic scouts - an absolute bargain.

51 in 86 for us now. 

Hooping Hoops is in the Hoops for at least another season.

We want CL next season and for us to have any chance of that Hooper and Forrest require to stay where they are.  Two very important players who if and when they do eventually go (hopefully not for another couple of years) will not be going cheaply to anyone. 

We will sell our best players at price that suits us and not people trying to penny pinch off us because we are in SPL.  It is about how important they are to us. Obviously some won't agree and that is fine.  Don't need to buy but 2 million for Forrest...that is a joke and not a good one.

No doubt we are now looking to buy young and sell on at higher prices but it has to be the right time and price for us.  I do not think it is the right time to let either of them go and the noises from Parkhead are that neither will be going anywhere this summer. 

[Sarge]

Can't see it myself.

1.  He scored a decent amount of goals in a Wolves team built solely to create chances for him,

2.  would struggle immensely here imo.

Contradict yourself much?

So he can score at Wolves but would struggle with us. Weird one that.

[Rohit]

Fact is we a need a central midfielder more than anything else imo. Someone of the highest calibar to give our attacking players the appropriate platform to do their magic per say. We can't compromise lucas and have him do someone elses dirty work like has been doing since the sale of mascherano. We need someone that is able to read the game well and make interceptions to prevent the opposition exploiting holes and we need someone who is able to comfortably pass the ball under pressure to another team mate. No more you do the defending I'll do the attacking bollocks. Both midfielders should be well rounded to give us that balance we lack.

 Lucas is the first of those two midfielders we have that can do the said above, the job is to find another. Is elm that player I don't know, but I'd appreciate someone would tell what his qualities are in terms of reading the play and passing the ball accurately under pressure.

Also, we don't need cover for lucas we actually need a proper partner for him to play with and without him. Btw consider villareals relegation we should be really looking at Bruno soriano and Borja Valero. Two midfielders that would improve our team by some margin imo.

[smicer07]

Fact is we a need a central midfielder more than anything else imo. Someone of the highest calibar to give our attacking players the appropriate platform to do their magic per say. We can't compromise lucas and have him do someone elses dirty work like has been doing since the sale of mascherano. We need someone that is able to read the game well and make interceptions to prevent the opposition exploiting holes and we need someone who is able to comfortably pass the ball under pressure to another team mate. No more you do the defending I'll do the attacking bollocks. Both midfielders should be well rounded to give us that balance we lack.

 Lucas is the first of those two midfielders we have that can do the said above, the job is to find another. Is elm that player I don't know, but I'd appreciate someone would tell what his qualities are in terms of reading the play and passing the ball accurately under pressure.

Also, we don't need cover for lucas we actually need a proper partner for him to play with and without him. Btw consider villareals relegation we should be really looking at Bruno soriano and Borja Valero. Two midfielders that would improve our team by some margin imo.

Wasn't Valero a bit shit at West Brom?

[Rohit]

Wasn't Valero a bit shit at West Brom?

Utilised wrong mate. He was asked to play as a defensive midfielder there when his true position is that off a playmaker. He's been top class since he's been played with a proper sitter and not been asked to be the defensive midfielder. Plus he's said he has gained alot of steel to his game since playing in england.