The Liverpool discussion thread 2006/2007

Samba de Baiano wrote:Voronin is a straight replacement for Kuyt in the SS position. He's is going to have Crouch and another CF, IMO it could be Bent.

judging by rafa's rant during the week if it's bent then he won't be very happy at all. he has had enough of not being able to get his first (and even second choices), then getting criticised for the players he gets not being good enough. I would be shocked if it was just bent and nobody else

COTR wrote:

No way will Liverpool earn 25 million selling the likes of Bellamy, Gonzalez, Zenden, etc.

Bellamy - certain 6-8 million
Cisse - certain 5-6 million
Carson - certain 4 million
Kewell - at least 4 million from spurs. but I would rather keep him
Hyypia - free
gonzalez - 1.5 to 3 million or part of a swap
Zenden - free
Fowler - free
dudek - free
Le tallec - 1 - 2 million
pongolle - 3 million

Cisse 5-6 million pounds? Euros, maybe.

Carson, why do you want to sell him now? So you'll sign another backup goalkeeper?

Pongolle was something like 2.5 million euros, was he not?


But anyway, I guess it does work out to be close to 25 million pounds. I wouldn't put too much emphasis on the reduction in wages though, because even though all of these may be replaced with fewer quality players, those players' wages will be quite large and probably cancel out the savings.

Next season Rafa should definetly go for 3-5-2 formation! with Alves and Riise as wingbacks. I think it work amazing, as Alves and Riise love to go forward, and we can have 3 CM's which would keep us really strong in the centre.

--------------Reina-------------
-----Milito--Carra---Agger----
Alves-------Masch--------Riise
---------Gerrard--Alonso-----
----------Kuyt---???-----------

That would work well, wouldn't it?

Here's our official league away and Europe away kits guys...

http://www.adidas.com/campaigns/liverpool/content/content/images/white_Gerrard.swf

http://www.adidas.com/campaigns/liverpool/content/content/images/Black_carri.swf

(Gerrard and Carra aren't exactly models. They look like retards in these pictures

Luis wrote:Liverpoolfc.tv's top three players v AC Milan

1. Jermaine Pennant. An excellent performance on the right wing, Jermaine never stopped running and was always looking to try and create openings. He was unfortunate not to score in the first half but for a good save from Dida.

2. Javier Mascherano. The Argentine kept things simple and worked hard in midfield.

3. Xabi Alonso. Came close to scoring in the first half and passed the ball well.

Worst list ever!

Masch should be number one - the other two should be nowhere near that list.

I'd have Kuyt second then maybe Agger third

Tweedle wrote:

Luis wrote:Liverpoolfc.tv's top three players v AC Milan

1. Jermaine Pennant. An excellent performance on the right wing, Jermaine never stopped running and was always looking to try and create openings. He was unfortunate not to score in the first half but for a good save from Dida.

2. Javier Mascherano. The Argentine kept things simple and worked hard in midfield.

3. Xabi Alonso. Came close to scoring in the first half and passed the ball well.

Worst list ever!

Masch should be number one - the other two should be nowhere near that list.

I'd have Kuyt second then maybe Agger third

loads of people seem to be split on alonso

I have read so many articles praising him and I thought he was great on the night as well but then you get other people saying he was terrible because he misplaced a few passes and committed loads of fouls. he and masch controlled the midfield so they both played well


and agger had one of his poorest games of the season so he was nowhere near the top

CT - ynwa wrote:Gerrard and Carra aren't exactly models. They look like retards in these pictures

Gerrard demonstrating the Anfield hard stare.

Now I will be the first to admit that Alonso has not been at the top of his game all season but I take exception at a lot of Liverpool supporters who say he should go (possibly as part exchange for Etoo). For the geniuses who must not have been watching most of the season here are the official opta stats concerning Xabi Alonso.

Liverpool
Passing Player Passes Pass %
1 Xabi Alonso 2,023 81.1%
2 Steven Gerrard 1,756 77.7%
3 Jamie Carragher 1,475 78.0%
4 Steve Finnan 1,294 80.0%
5 Sami Hyypia 1,237 76.8%
(So made the most passes and is most accurate in the team)

Tackling Player Tackles Tackle %
1 Xabi Alonso 132 81.1%
2 Jamie Carragher 94 80.9%
3 Steven Gerrard 90 83.3%
4 John Arne Riise 71 78.9%
5 Steve Finnan 69 84.1%

(Not the most accurate, hence 9 yellows, but made the most tackles by far so actually made a higher number of accurate tackles than anyone else as 81% of 132 is higher than 83% of 90 etc)

He has made more passes and tackles than anyone else in the entire squad. Not only that but has been in the top 5 for passing and tackling for the entire league all season (only dropping out of the tackling top5 in the last couple of weeks due to lack of games). He is the only player in the league to appear high in both lists :

Tacklers Team Tackles Success rate
Parker Newcastle 166 79%
McCann Aston Villa 156 70%
Brown Fulham 139 74%
Reo-Coker West Ham 135 87%
Clichy Arsenal 135 81%
(Alonso Liverpool 132 81%)

Passers Team Passes Accuracy
Fabregas Arsenal 2585 81%
Scholes Man Utd 2070 91%
Alonso Liverpool 2023 81%
Gilberto Arsenal 1907 82%
Lampard Chelsea 1851 79%

That is astonishing for a classy player to also be the hardest working and I don't think he gets enough credit for it amongst Liverpool fans or outside.
He will always be my "first name on the teamsheet".

O'Shea was in the top 10 of the opta players of the season.

Work that out.

Fiorentina president Andrea Della Valle has admitted the Viola will find it difficult to keep Luca Toni at the club this summer.

Toni is currently recuperating following surgery on his foot, but it his future which is commanding headlines rather than the state of his fitness.

Bayern Munich are known admirers of the powerful forward and with the Bavarians set to revamp their squad this summer, they could be in the market for Toni.

Della Valle is set to meet with Toni at the start of next week, but feels he could be fighting a losing battle.

"Keeping him will be really difficult," Della Valle told the Italian press. "I'll meet him on Monday and we will talk."

Viola coach Cesare Prandelli appears resigned to losing Toni, as he noted: "I hope the supporters will give him the goodbye he deserves.

"They must remember all that he has given and the goals he has scored in this shirt."

Can he fullfill our striker needs? i dont know if he can cope with english football.

Yet more Tevez to Liverpool rumours today....And we're also linked with a £5million bid for Mat Taylor. Young, English, and scores a lot of goals from midfield, whether they be long shots or tap ins. I wouldn't argue with his signing - could be a strong squad player.

Liverpool transfer rumours today:

Liverpool owners go for Benitez targets Daniel Alves, Milito


Liverpool's co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks are moving quickly to tie up deals for two of Rafa Benitez's Spanish-based targets.
The Mirror says stung by criticism from the Anfield boss, they will put their hands in their pockets to agree deals for top internationals Gabriel Milito and Daniel Alves within the next few days.

Benitez said after the Champions League Final that he is sick of "talk, talk, talk" at the club, with nothing ever getting done, and implied that it could force him to walk away.

Zaragoza centre-half Milito and Sevilla wing-back Daniel Alves could cost in the region of £13 million and Benitez claimed he had deals on the table for two players worth that sort of fee in his rant last week.


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Eto'o: Playing for Liverpool fans would be wonderful


Barcelona ace Samuel Eto'o says he'd love to play regularly in front of Liverpool's Kop.
"The great thing about Liverpool is their team spirit - it is very strong," he told the Sunday Mirror. "But, for me, it is their fans who win matches for Liverpool because they have so much power.

"They are fantastic. Any player would love to have those types of fans behind him.

"I have played at Anfield in the Champions League quarter-final so I know all about their fantastic supporters.

"It would be wonderful to have that kind of support as a Liverpool player but I really don't know what will happen in the next two years."

Eto'o believes he will still be at the Nou Camp next season, despite his much publicised falling out with manager Frank Rijkaard earlier this year.

He added: "I have not heard anything from Liverpool or anyone else. These things don't come through to me.

"I'm only thinking about next season and I will be here next season. But every year that passes things become a bit more difficult.

"English football has changed a lot for the better over the past few years. I've seen English teams playing matches which have been very exciting.

"I love the way the fans in England get behind their team. I respect their mentality.

"They are so positive in supporting their own team rather than, as happens in Spain, being against the opposition.

"That's the big difference between England and Spain."

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Liverpool, Chelsea go for AC Milan's Kaladze


Liverpool and Chelsea are interested in want-away AC Milan defender Kakha Kaladze.
The Georgia international intends to ask away should Paolo Maldini choose to play on at the San Siro next season.

Tuttosport says Liverpool and Chelsea are waiting in the wings should Milan make Kaladze available this summer.

Roger Hunt wrote:

Kaká wrote:I just want to say the Liverpool fans were amazing, even till right at the end when Milan had won, they kept singing.

Thanks Kaka - I noticed but its nice to know someone else did...

It was great.

Mohamed Sissoko has revealed his will have talks about his Liverpool future with manager Rafa Benitez.

The Malian international, who is said to be a summer target for Barcelona, was left out of the Reds' starting XI for the UEFA Champions League final clash with Milan and was far from happy.

22-year-old Sissoko was a regular earlier in the season, but since the arrival for Javier Mascherano - he has struggled to find a place in Benitez's side.

"The manager chooses the team, he thinks the team he picks is the best to in that game. I have to accept that." Sissoko told the Daily Star.

"At the beginning of the season I played a lot, but then I play, not play, play, not play - for for me I am not happy.

"When you are a young player you want to play every game. In every training session I work hard to prove to the manager that I have my place in the team.

"Now I'm 22, and I know I am still a young player, but now I need to progress because playing every game is important to me."

Sissoko, who is under contract at Anfield until 2009, admits he will talk about a new deal - but also insisted that he first wants to talk to Benitez about his future at the club.

"I've two years left on my contract and I'm happy with Liverpool, when you play for this club it's something very special," he said.

"So I need to know my situation, I've know Rafa Benitez since I was 17-years-old and I know he is the perfect manager.

"I know he has confidence in me. I'd like talks to stay longer and we've a meeting arranged with my agent.

"But I need to play football and now after the final I need to know my position."

Sissoko's off then

I hope Sissoko stays - and i think he will.

Dont think Rafa will let him go- if he does - then it stinks of poor man management from Rafa.

By Far our best player in the middle when on form.

The attitude of some Liverpool fans towards Sissoko lately - is shocking.

First blip of his Liverpool career - and people want rid.

Sissoko MUST stay - we need him.

Grim Reaper wrote:I hope Sissoko stays - and i think he will.

Dont think Rafa will let him go- if he does - then it stinks of poor man management from Rafa.

By Far our best player in the middle when on form.

The attitude of some Liverpool fans towards Sissoko lately - is shocking.

First blip of his Liverpool career - and people want rid.

Sissoko MUST stay - we need him.

We dont need him as such, we have Mascherano, however should he get injured we will be short of a defensive midfielder so Sissoko would come in very useful there.

I think we should concentrate on getting players in before getting them out although the sooner we get rid of the dead wood e.g. zenden, gonzales, hyypia, fowler etc the better

I wouldn't say Hyypia is dead wood, yet, but he probably will leave.

It's going to be an exciting summer no matter who goes imo, that's not important. It's who comes in which matters.

Eto'o wants to play for us! (kinda)

Eto'o should be our first priority IMO if it's at all possible

Luis wrote:Eto'o should be our first priority IMO if it's at all possible

Meh. He's said that he wants to stay at Barca for another season, but he would also like to play for Liverpool.

CT - ynwa wrote:

Luis wrote:Eto'o should be our first priority IMO if it's at all possible

Meh. He's said that he wants to stay at Barca for another season, but he would also like to play for Liverpool.

Barca are probably holding a gun to his head

Mind you I wouldn't mind Teves, which looks more likely

I wouldn't mind Owen. Owen and Tevez.

LIVERPOOL have tabled a £5million bid for Pompey's versatile left-back Matt Taylor.

But the Anfield giants are facing stern competition with three rivals poised to table similar bids.

Tottenham, Fulham and Aston Villa are also keen on Taylor (right) who can play in either defence or midfield.

Pompey came close to selling him to Tottenham and Fulham 12 months ago for less than £2m but his form in Pompey's best season in Premiership football has seen his price rocket.

Taylor will be remembered for scoring two of the season's best goals in top-flight football, including one against Everton from just over the halfway line.

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Hope we get him actually, a good left back who we can rely on and can score some great goals

Luis wrote:

Hope we get him actually, a good left back who we can rely on and can score some great goals

He doesn't score goals when he plays left back, he scores them when he's playing left midfield.

Scored 9 goals this season Taylor has!

Parks lives wrote:

Luis wrote:

Hope we get him actually, a good left back who we can rely on and can score some great goals

He doesn't score goals when he plays left back, he scores them when he's playing left midfield.

Oops, meant left mid!, if Kewell leaves, he's not a bad option to have

Matt Taylor is an equal to John Arne Riise.

Liverpool need to IMPROVE what they already have.

Luis wrote:

Parks lives wrote:

Luis wrote:

Hope we get him actually, a good left back who we can rely on and can score some great goals

He doesn't score goals when he plays left back, he scores them when he's playing left midfield.

Oops, meant left mid!, if Kewell leaves, he's not a bad option to have

Surely that's regress rather than progress. Kewell is much better than Taylor.

Luis wrote:

Grim Reaper wrote:I hope Sissoko stays - and i think he will.

Dont think Rafa will let him go- if he does - then it stinks of poor man management from Rafa.

By Far our best player in the middle when on form.

The attitude of some Liverpool fans towards Sissoko lately - is shocking.

First blip of his Liverpool career - and people want rid.

Sissoko MUST stay - we need him.

We dont need him as such, we have Mascherano, however should he get injured we will be short of a defensive midfielder so Sissoko would come in very useful there.

I think we should concentrate on getting players in before getting them out although the sooner we get rid of the dead wood e.g. zenden, gonzales, hyypia, fowler etc the better

Sissoko is proven in the premiership - Mascherano isnt.

A few good games in the Champions League isnt gonna make think otherwise.

And i wasnt particulary impressed with Mascherano in the games ive seen him play in the league

He gave the ball away in the last game which resulted in the opening goal for Charlton for instance - and they say Sissoko gives the ball away?? Dont think so

We will need Sissoko against teams that have no interest in playing football or we will easily get outmuscled by mediocre teams.

CT - ynwa wrote:

Luis wrote:

Parks lives wrote:

Luis wrote:

Hope we get him actually, a good left back who we can rely on and can score some great goals

He doesn't score goals when he plays left back, he scores them when he's playing left midfield.

Oops, meant left mid!, if Kewell leaves, he's not a bad option to have

Surely that's regress rather than progress. Kewell is much better than Taylor.

Ye but I'd rather have a player who plays more than 3 games a season