Liverpool FC

[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.

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.

I think Bullard's quality, another one who puts in 100% every time he plays.

I wasn't saying I wanted an unhappy and uncommitted Mascherano at Liverpool (when he has played for us he's always come across as though he's completely committed and giving his all for the cause though).  If he (as opposed to his agent) has said the things attributed to him,then I'll help pack his bags.  Just don't see why Roy's making Mascherano the 'fall guy'?

In other transfer news, Degen looks like he's off:  http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/8840878.stm - and apparently a fee has been agreed with Olympiakos for Riera.

[kinboshi]

In other news, Pacheco scores two for Spain U19s

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/dani-at-the-double

Wonder if he'll get to feature in the 1st XI much this season or not.  Certainly a brilliant talent, but very small stature-wise.  I guess if you're good enough, you're old enough.

[booder]

Would love to see him get a few run outs,but not really sure where he would fit in with the current first team regulars.Hoping Dalla Valle and Nemeth might also make the step up this season.

[kinboshi]

Would love to see him get a few run outs,but not really sure where he would fit in with the current first team regulars.Hoping Dalla Valle and Nemeth might also make the step up this season.

Amoo's one to watch as well.

[The Baron]

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.

I think Bullard's quality, another one who puts in 100% every time he plays.

I wasn't saying I wanted an unhappy and uncommitted Mascherano at Liverpool (when he has played for us he's always come across as though he's completely committed and giving his all for the cause though).  If he (as opposed to his agent) has said the things attributed to him,then I'll help pack his bags.  Just don't see why Roy's making Mascherano the 'fall guy'?

In other transfer news, Degen looks like he's off:  http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/8840878.stm - and apparently a fee has been agreed with Olympiakos for Riera.

Only as recently as April Mascherano was discussing a new contract.

[The Baron]

In other transfer news, Degen looks like he's off:  http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/8840878.stm - and apparently a fee has been agreed with Olympiakos for Riera.

Riera is worth more but fair enough that we're not hanging about selling him - Degen was free. I don't really get this thinking in letting him go? The two or three times he's actually played after being fit he looked good going forward with his defensive skills yet to be judged. Does Roy really know in 3 weeks how good he is?

I'm hopeful someone like Kelly can break through now though so I guess it's a positive too.

[The Baron]

Is it me or is Roy doing what any of us would do on footy manager?

Out:

Degen
Kyrgiakos
Riera
Insua
Aurelio (injury prone)

In:

Cole
Shelvey
Wilson
Jovanovic

Keep it up sir!

[kinboshi]

First pre-season game is a bit of a yawn-fest.  Not surprising really. 

A lot of young lads playing, with Ayala probably the MOTM, and would be good to see some of them get a match or two this season for the first team.

[77dave]

one of my biggest issues with Rafa was his inability to bring through players from the youth team.

I know this team and changes were forced on Roy, but i think he will give the young lads a better shot to make it through to the 1st team.

How much playing time do you think Shelvey, Wilson and Pacheo will get this season?

[kinboshi]

Latest rumour is that a deal with Figueroa is almost done.

[The Baron]

Looks like Torres could be going.

The persistent rumour is that Purslow is still talking to Torres as Torres is not happy with the broken promises surrounding player acquisitions last summer. (His quote when Rafa left was very telling that he didn't blame Rafa at all "they asked too much of him" etc etc)

I'm pretty sure it's only going to be new marquee signings if Mascherano goes and that may not be good enough for Torres.

[Murph1984]

I've been pretty impressed with how things are shaping up under Hodgson so far at Liverpool.

I've already started tipping them up for a top 3 finish based on what I expect to happen before the transfer market closes,I think they will have a good season.

[kinboshi]

Looks like Torres could be going.

The persistent rumour is that Purslow is still talking to Torres as Torres is not happy with the broken promises surrounding player acquisitions last summer. (His quote when Rafa left was very telling that he didn't blame Rafa at all "they asked too much of him" etc etc)

I'm pretty sure it's only going to be new marquee signings if Mascherano goes and that may not be good enough for Torres.

Is that the News of the World story though?

[The Baron]

Looks like Torres could be going.

The persistent rumour is that Purslow is still talking to Torres as Torres is not happy with the broken promises surrounding player acquisitions last summer. (His quote when Rafa left was very telling that he didn't blame Rafa at all "they asked too much of him" etc etc)

I'm pretty sure it's only going to be new marquee signings if Mascherano goes and that may not be good enough for Torres.

Is that the News of the World story though?

Seems to be everywhere mate. The Echo have even picked it up reaing between the same lines as that shithouse rag.

[The Baron]

Looks like Drenthe to Liverpool then lol.....

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Royston-Drenthe/19272706925?ref=search