Liverpool FC

[Teacake]

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

I've not seen enough of him to form an opinion but £2m for an 18 year old in the last year of his contract seems like a good deal for Rangers (or whoever the money goes to)

[kinboshi]

This was meant to be done back in May, so another signing that was pursued during Rafa's reign.

[Bongo]

You'd think an 18yo would be the responsibility of the youth setup though?

[MANTIS01]

I can see Hodgson going in for Wayne Bridge at LB. After City spent £17m on Kolarov I can't imagine Bridge at 29 is going to be happy playing second fiddle once again. He also fits the mould for the type of player Hodgson's gunning for. Also I don't see Joe Cole playing down the left. Hodgson who's a stickler for position wont want Cole drifting inside all the while. I reckon he'll play behind Torres. The manager is sensitive to the traditions at the club and I don't think Cole gets the No.7 shirt to stand out on the wing.

[kinboshi]

You'd think an 18yo would be the responsibility of the youth setup though?

Yes, and Rafa took complete over-riding control of that, which was why Heighway left as he wasn't happy with how Rafa wanted it all done.

[kinboshi]

I can see Hodgson going in for Wayne Bridge at LB. After City spent £17m on Kolarov I can't imagine Bridge at 29 is going to be happy playing second fiddle once again. He also fits the mould for the type of player Hodgson's gunning for. Also I don't see Joe Cole playing down the left. Hodgson who's a stickler for position wont want Cole drifting inside all the while. I reckon he'll play behind Torres. The manager is sensitive to the traditions at the club and I don't think Cole gets the No.7 shirt to stand out on the wing.

Bridge would fit the bill for Liverpool.  Depends on how much he'd cost though I guess.

I think Cole will be utilised down the left as well as behind Torres, but you might well be right.  We'll have to wait and see I guess, and see how Roy chooses to deploy him.  I guess it depends on the system he decides to use, and that will dictate how he uses the players in the squad.  We have had number sevens play out wide, McManaman and Kewell spring to mind.  Let's hope Cole doesn't follow in Kewell's shoes at Liverpool though of promising so much and being unable to deliver as he spent more time in on the treatment couch than he did on the pitch.

[The Baron]

Except that Bridge is crap?

I think with Jovanovic & Babel, Cole will mostly play inside. I'm starting to worry for Aquilani who was outstanding just off the front at the end of last season.

[kinboshi]

Except that Bridge is crap?

I think with Jovanovic & Babel, Cole will mostly play inside. I'm starting to worry for Aquilani who was outstanding just off the front at the end of last season.

Bridge is far better than Insua's showing last season.  Not actually heard any concrete rumours as to the left-back position yet.  Needs sorting.

[booder]

Agree about Aquilani,he seemed to have come to terms with the pace of the game in his last few matches and his distribution looked pretty good.He may well prove to be a valuable asset.

[MANTIS01]

Bridge being crap and playing for Man City means he'll be cheap, which fits Liverpool's budget for an urgently vacant LB spot. Also Hodgson made even Bobby Zamora presentable so the guy can obviously perform miracles with form. I think Mascherano is possibly the fall guy with Hodgson preferring 4-4-2 attacking football. Hodgson's been in the press saying Inter haven't made a concrete offer....thus inviting a concrete offer.

[The Baron]

Except that Bridge is crap?

I think with Jovanovic & Babel, Cole will mostly play inside. I'm starting to worry for Aquilani who was outstanding just off the front at the end of last season.

Bridge is far better than Insua's showing last season.  Not actually heard any concrete rumours as to the left-back position yet.  Needs sorting.

Tikay is far better than Insua last season!

[kinboshi]

Except that Bridge is crap?

I think with Jovanovic & Babel, Cole will mostly play inside. I'm starting to worry for Aquilani who was outstanding just off the front at the end of last season.

Bridge is far better than Insua's showing last season.  Not actually heard any concrete rumours as to the left-back position yet.  Needs sorting.

Tikay is far better than Insua last season!

Is he available?

[kinboshi]

Bridge being crap and playing for Man City means he'll be cheap, which fits Liverpool's budget for an urgently vacant LB spot. Also Hodgson made even Bobby Zamora presentable so the guy can obviously perform miracles with form. I think Mascherano is possibly the fall guy with Hodgson preferring 4-4-2 attacking football. Hodgson's been in the press saying Inter haven't made a concrete offer....thus inviting a concrete offer.

Roy has been trying to contact Mascherano who has gone 'offline' since the World Cup.  Reading through what his agent is playing is making him (might just be his agent talking, but he claims to be speaking on behalf of Mascherano) sound like a total mercenary.  I just don't see Roy making Mascherano the 'fall guy', when every sound from the Mascherano camp has indicated that he wants to leave.  Hopefully, he stays.  Just can't see it happening at the moment.

[boldie]

STEVEN Gerrard today committed his future to Liverpool FC.

The Reds skipper ended months of speculation as he welcomed the signing of Joe Cole from Chelsea and admitted he cannot wait to play alongside him.

The news will come as a massive boost to Liverpool supporters - the second in 24 hours.

Gerrard said of Cole: "It is a great signing for us. I know Joe well through the England set-up and have seen first hand just how good a player he is.

"He has proved his ability over many years in the Premier League - sometimes against us - so it will be fantastic to play alongside him in a red shirt for Liverpool."

Gerrard, who has been at Anfield since he was eight years old and has never in recent seasons expressed any desire to leave despite the speculation this summer, added: "I've told him what a great club this is and I'm sure Joe's the sort of exciting talent our fans will love to see. I made it clear that I simply needed to concentrate on the World Cup and then have a decent holidaty with my family.

"I wanted the chance to meet Roy Hodgson privately and having done so, I'm very impressed with his plans for the future."

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/07/20/steven-gerrard-to-stay-at-liverpool-fc-100252-26890834/

lol..where was he going to go? Nobody really wanted Gerrard..there hasn't been one serious approach from any club in the past few years and he had a shit WC (Having a shit WC means Real won't buy you). this is surely just an attempt to trick Torres into staying?

"Look Fernando!...Stevie G is staying as well!...and we just signed Joe Cole! (Never mind that he is always out injured and has never quite lived up to his potential)...We're gonna be great in the next few years, so you should stay!"

It's nice that Liverpool try to add some entertainment to an otherwise very dull transfer season...but it's not really big news, is it?

[MANTIS01]

Bridge being crap and playing for Man City means he'll be cheap, which fits Liverpool's budget for an urgently vacant LB spot. Also Hodgson made even Bobby Zamora presentable so the guy can obviously perform miracles with form. I think Mascherano is possibly the fall guy with Hodgson preferring 4-4-2 attacking football. Hodgson's been in the press saying Inter haven't made a concrete offer....thus inviting a concrete offer.

Roy has been trying to contact Mascherano who has gone 'offline' since the World Cup.  Reading through what his agent is playing is making him (might just be his agent talking, but he claims to be speaking on behalf of Mascherano) sound like a total mercenary.  I just don't see Roy making Mascherano the 'fall guy', when every sound from the Mascherano camp has indicated that he wants to leave.  Hopefully, he stays.  Just can't see it happening at the moment.

I don't know why you would want a guy who's dreaming about going to Inter to stay at Liverpool. Yeah, I knew he was offline and think it's totally disrespectful. If I was a Liverpool fan I'd want anyone not 100% to GTFO with immediate effect. A player Hodgson knows well, could spread it about Anfield, cheap and available, and would have a positive influence in the dressing room is Jimmy Bullard. Shame he's a bit of a perma-crock, but at least he'd have passion and enthusiasm.