Liverpool FC

[mondatoo]

I realise top 4 is the priority this season, but this squad isnt too far from the squad that started the season last year.

Which positions do you think need upgrading to get a top 4 finish this season and what would we need for a run at the title, assuming Torres, Stevie and Mascha are all staying

You desperately need a second top quality striker imo,apart from Torres you've got no good Strikers which is crazy for a club as big as Liverpool.

[kinboshi]

I realise top 4 is the priority this season, but this squad isnt too far from the squad that started the season last year.

Which positions do you think need upgrading to get a top 4 finish this season and what would we need for a run at the title, assuming Torres, Stevie and Mascha are all staying

I'm assuming Mascherano is leaving - but hope I'm wrong.

We need to keep Torres and Kuyt (heard rumours that Kuyt is going to be part of a deal for another player, but hope that turns out to be wrong) for starters.  Then we need to sort out the left-back position, but I guess this is already happening now we have no Insua or Aurelio.  We also need to make sure the centre-back position are properly covered (I think Kyrgiakos might be on his way which would be a loss imo).

We have a fair few attack-minded midfielders, but not sure how Roy will play them (Gerrard, Kuyt, Cole, Maxi, Aquilani, Jovanovic).  You don't get much better than a fit Torres, and if he can come back fully recovered then that's the striker covered.  If he's out for a period, then we don't have too much in the way of back-up, at least not under the system Rafa played.  Maybe Roy will approach things differently.

Of course I want to see Liverpool playing CL football, but for this season it might work out as a blessing in disguise.  Our position from last season will temper expectations, we seem to have managed to attract/hold on to as good as players as we could have hoped (considering the financial situation as well), and so we can focus on a top 4 position and then hopefully go onwards and upwards from there.

[mondatoo]

I realise top 4 is the priority this season, but this squad isnt too far from the squad that started the season last year.

Which positions do you think need upgrading to get a top 4 finish this season and what would we need for a run at the title, assuming Torres, Stevie and Mascha are all staying

I'm assuming Mascherano is leaving - but hope I'm wrong.

We need to keep Torres and Kuyt (heard rumours that Kuyt is going to be part of a deal for another player, but hope that turns out to be wrong) for starters.  Then we need to sort out the left-back position, but I guess this is already happening now we have no Insua or Aurelio.  We also need to make sure the centre-back position are properly covered (I think Kyrgiakos might be on his way which would be a loss imo).

We have a fair few attack-minded midfielders, but not sure how Roy will play them (Gerrard, Kuyt, Cole, Maxi, Aquilani, Jovanovic).  You don't get much better than a fit Torres, and if he can come back fully recovered then that's the striker covered.  If he's out for a period, then we don't have too much in the way of back-up, at least not under the system Rafa played.  Maybe Roy will approach things differently.

Of course I want to see Liverpool playing CL football, but for this season it might work out as a blessing in disguise.  Our position from last season will temper expectations, we seem to have managed to attract/hold on to as good as players as we could have hoped (considering the financial situation as well), and so we can focus on a top 4 position and then hopefully go onwards and upwards from there.

I rate Torres up there with the very best when he's in peak form but you can't rely on just him up front to get you through a season,it's why you missed out on top 4 last season and you will do so again if you don't buy another striker,imho.

[77dave]

                                     Reina

Johnson            Carra                    Skrtel                    Agger


                                     Mascha

Maxi               Stevie                    Aqualani                Cole

                                      Torres

Cavalieri ,Kyrgiakos, Degen, Ayala, Jovanovic, Kuyt, Lucas, Babel, Shelvey, Ngog

Looks like a decent squad to me, esp if a LB and 2nd striker can be brought in, plus Riera, El Zhar still to be moved out.

[kinboshi]

I realise top 4 is the priority this season, but this squad isnt too far from the squad that started the season last year.

Which positions do you think need upgrading to get a top 4 finish this season and what would we need for a run at the title, assuming Torres, Stevie and Mascha are all staying

I'm assuming Mascherano is leaving - but hope I'm wrong.

We need to keep Torres and Kuyt (heard rumours that Kuyt is going to be part of a deal for another player, but hope that turns out to be wrong) for starters.  Then we need to sort out the left-back position, but I guess this is already happening now we have no Insua or Aurelio.  We also need to make sure the centre-back position are properly covered (I think Kyrgiakos might be on his way which would be a loss imo).

We have a fair few attack-minded midfielders, but not sure how Roy will play them (Gerrard, Kuyt, Cole, Maxi, Aquilani, Jovanovic).  You don't get much better than a fit Torres, and if he can come back fully recovered then that's the striker covered.  If he's out for a period, then we don't have too much in the way of back-up, at least not under the system Rafa played.  Maybe Roy will approach things differently.

Of course I want to see Liverpool playing CL football, but for this season it might work out as a blessing in disguise.  Our position from last season will temper expectations, we seem to have managed to attract/hold on to as good as players as we could have hoped (considering the financial situation as well), and so we can focus on a top 4 position and then hopefully go onwards and upwards from there.

I rate Torres up there with the very best when he's in peak form but you can't rely on just him up front to get you through a season,it's why you missed out on top 4 last season and you will do so again if you don't buy another striker,imho.

I agree we don't have cover for him - but we aren't going to go out and buy a 'world class' striker - we don't have the money.  We need someone like Henry (shame he's gone to the States) who is slightly beyond their best-before-end date, but knows the English league and can do a job for us.

[mondatoo]

I realise top 4 is the priority this season, but this squad isnt too far from the squad that started the season last year.

Which positions do you think need upgrading to get a top 4 finish this season and what would we need for a run at the title, assuming Torres, Stevie and Mascha are all staying

I'm assuming Mascherano is leaving - but hope I'm wrong.

We need to keep Torres and Kuyt (heard rumours that Kuyt is going to be part of a deal for another player, but hope that turns out to be wrong) for starters.  Then we need to sort out the left-back position, but I guess this is already happening now we have no Insua or Aurelio.  We also need to make sure the centre-back position are properly covered (I think Kyrgiakos might be on his way which would be a loss imo).

We have a fair few attack-minded midfielders, but not sure how Roy will play them (Gerrard, Kuyt, Cole, Maxi, Aquilani, Jovanovic).  You don't get much better than a fit Torres, and if he can come back fully recovered then that's the striker covered.  If he's out for a period, then we don't have too much in the way of back-up, at least not under the system Rafa played.  Maybe Roy will approach things differently.

Of course I want to see Liverpool playing CL football, but for this season it might work out as a blessing in disguise.  Our position from last season will temper expectations, we seem to have managed to attract/hold on to as good as players as we could have hoped (considering the financial situation as well), and so we can focus on a top 4 position and then hopefully go onwards and upwards from there.

I rate Torres up there with the very best when he's in peak form but you can't rely on just him up front to get you through a season,it's why you missed out on top 4 last season and you will do so again if you don't buy another striker,imho.

I agree we don't have cover for him - but we aren't going to go out and buy a 'world class' striker - we don't have the money.  We need someone like Henry (shame he's gone to the States) who is slightly beyond their best-before-end date, but knows the English league and can do a job for us.

So will the money from selling Masch not go back into the kitty ?

[Teacake]

                                     Reina

Johnson            Carra                    Skrtel                    Agger


                                     Mascha

Maxi               Stevie                    Aqualani                Cole

                                      Torres

Cavalieri ,Kyrgiakos, Degen, Ayala, Jovanovic, Kuyt, Lucas, Babel, Shelvey, Ngog

Looks like a decent squad to me, esp if a LB and 2nd striker can be brought in, plus Riera, El Zhar still to be moved out.

Has Insua left?

[nirvana]

Think you need to swap Gerrard for a foot on the ball, world class midfielder, someone like Alonso would fit the bill.

Sorry but there isn't an Arsenal FC thread so got to take ones pleasures where one can.

[kinboshi]

                                     Reina

Johnson            Carra                    Skrtel                    Agger


                                     Mascha

Maxi               Stevie                    Aqualani                Cole

                                      Torres

Cavalieri ,Kyrgiakos, Degen, Ayala, Jovanovic, Kuyt, Lucas, Babel, Shelvey, Ngog

Looks like a decent squad to me, esp if a LB and 2nd striker can be brought in, plus Riera, El Zhar still to be moved out.

Has Insua left?

Yep.

[The Baron]

Looks like Danny Wilson is on his way from Rangers. Can any of the Auld Firm lads tell me anything about him?

[booder]

Danny Wilson................any thoughts on his ability/potential from our Rangers fans ?

[booder]

sigh

[The Baron]

We need to sell Riera. Finalise the Insua sale. Possibly sell Mash.

Agger is cover for LB so we need a first choice LB.

If Mash goes then we need a striker with the money but I'd take him staying and using Kuyt/Jovanovic/Babel thru the middle as cover.

[The Baron]

Think you need to swap Gerrard for a foot on the ball, world class midfielder, someone like Alonso would fit the bill.

Sorry but there isn't an Arsenal FC thread so got to take ones pleasures where one can.

Not tempted to start one?

[The Baron]

We need to sell Riera. Finalise the Insua sale. Possibly sell Mash.

Agger is cover for LB so we need a first choice LB.

If Mash goes then we need a striker with the money but I'd take him staying and using Kuyt/Jovanovic/Babel thru the middle as cover.

Altho that Loic Remy looks useful.