Fat Sam has downing it again - Super Stu signs for West Ham

[rurikbird]

I did have the impression that we (and I mean the club, not KHL) have been tracking Eriksen for a long time. He is definitely on the list, maybe just not the very top of the list - and at present Ajax are asking too much for a player with 1 year on his contract.

Eriksen for me is an Iniesta type player - a great technician and all-around player, but not a prolific goalscorer. If we are playing with Eriksen + at least 2 from Allen, Gerrard and Lucas, then the other 3 attacking players have to be very direct, provide a lot of cutting edge and be willing to take risks to balance out the relatively "safe" midfield. Fortunately Suarez, Aspas, Sturridge and Coutinho are all quite direct players, so I think it should work, especially if Suarez stays. Downing is (was) more of a "safe" player, so if one of the front 3 places was wasted on him, we would look really toothless.

The problem for Rodgers will be having to face an uncomfortable choice between Gerrard and Allen if Eriksen is playing. Maybe that's the main reason he can't pull the trigger on this signing.

 

[Whirly]

Are there really 8-12 RBs better than Kelly in the league? In no particular order, some of the other RB's in the league...

Zabaleta
Walker
Glenjo
Sagna
Riether
Richards
Rafael
Debuchy
Simpson
Azpilicueta
Clyne

I guess you can add Ivanovic if you want, but that's a pretty mediocre bunch, and it drops off pretty precipitously after that. You're looking at Coleman, Russell Martin, Jenkinson, etc.

Between wages and his age, I think he is fairly valuable.

 

[Gary25]

Kelly's a fucking bang average right back.

He's better than that other lump of shit.

 

[FoxForceFive]

I'd still like to see Kelly at cb for a run of games.

He needs an old head alongside him, perhaps Toure coming in has something to do with it.

If we're regularly playing ibe, sterling, Kelly, etc then it's good for the future but will cost us short term.

 

[the_khl]

I did have the impression that we (and I mean the club, not KHL) have been tracking Eriksen for a long time. He is definitely on the list, maybe just not the very top of the list - and at present Ajax are asking too much for a player with 1 year on his contract.

Eriksen for me is an Iniesta type player - a great technician and all-around player, but not a prolific goalscorer. If we are playing with Eriksen + at least 2 from Allen, Gerrard and Lucas, then the other 3 attacking players have to be very direct, provide a lot of cutting edge and be willing to take risks to balance out the relatively "safe" midfield. Fortunately Suarez, Aspas, Sturridge and Coutinho are all quite direct players, so I think it should work, especially if Suarez stays. Downing is (was) more of a "safe" player, so if one of the front 3 places was wasted on him, we would look really toothless.

The problem for Rodgers will be having to face an uncomfortable choice between Gerrard and Allen if Eriksen is playing. Maybe that's the main reason he can't pull the trigger on this signing.

I have thought about that myself, as he obviously rates Allen a lot and wants to make way for him in the team. Whether we sign Eriksen or someone of his ilk I don't know but I'd be right against seeing Allen shoehorned into the AM spot where I really don't think he fits in at all.

That leaves us with Gerrard as the obvious AM choice and Coutinho as back up. Personally I believe we'd get more out of Coutinho's daunting runs cutting in from the left but perhaps I am wrong.

PS Eriksen started on the left of the reverted midfield triangle in a 4-3-3 formation for Ajax this weekend, as in:

...................Lucas....................
........Gerrard........Eriksen.......
Aspas......Sturridge...Coutinho

This type of formation would also suit Allen's game better I believe.

 

[Modo]

I have thought about that myself, as he obviously rates Allen a lot and wants to make way for him in the team. Whether we sign Eriksen or someone of his ilk I don't know but I'd be right against seeing Allen shoehorned into the AM spot where I really don't think he fits in at all.

That leaves us with Gerrard as the obvious AM choice and Coutinho as back up. Personally I believe we'd get more out of Coutinho's daunting runs cutting in from the left but perhaps I am wrong.

PS Eriksen started on the left of the reverted midfield triangle in a 4-3-3 formation for Ajax this weekend, as in:

...................Lucas....................
........Gerrard........Eriksen.......
Aspas......Sturridge...Coutinho

This type of formation would also suit Allen's game better I believe.

Especially when he isn't in the formation.

 

[Best Believe It]

Rodgers is looking to move Coutinho into the centre as soon as he's got decent players out wide, so that I believe rules out Eriksen.

 

[Modo]

Rodgers is looking to move Coutinho into the centre as soon as he's got decent players out wide, so that I believe rules out Eriksen.

No it doesn't Eriksen can play on the wing as well.
We should be looking for another Coutinho IMO. Someone who's creative and can play in all three attacking roles.

 

[Best Believe It]

No it doesn't Eriksen can play on the wing as well.
We should be looking for another Coutinho IMO. Someone who's creative and can play in all three attacking roles.

Well we're not looking for another Coutinho; we're looking specifically for someone who can play as a left forward with pace and goals. It would be mental to sign someone there who's best position is in the centre. Eriksen would cost too much money for someone who would essentially be second choice to Coutinho.

 

[Buddha]

Well we're not looking for another Coutinho; we're looking specifically for someone who can play as a left forward with pace and goals. It would be mental to sign someone there who's best position is in the centre. Eriksen would cost too much money for someone who would essentially be second choice to Coutinho.

But it seems we were in for Mkthiriyan (spelling?) who is much more in the Eriksen mould than a left winger?

 

[Modo]

But it seems we were in for Mkthiriyan (spelling?) who is much more in the Eriksen mould than a left winger?

Exactly

 

[Best Believe It]

But it seems we were in for Mkthiriyan (spelling?) who is much more in the Eriksen mould than a left winger?

Indeed, although some on here thought he would be best in a wide position. I'm not proclaiming any inside knowledge, just going off what Rodgers has said in his most recent comments. If I were to speculate I think he would have been happy to keep Coutinho wide if we were bringing in someone with the goalscoring record of Mkythriainain, but since we couldn't get him, the next best thing is moving Coutinho into the centre. This may well be because of the dearth of players who are considered good enough in the centre that are available to us. Maybe it is more likely we'd be able to get someone for the wide position.

 

[rurikbird]

No it doesn't Eriksen can play on the wing as well.
We should be looking for another Coutinho IMO. Someone who's creative and can play in all three attacking roles.

Which is why I think we should spend however much it takes to get Willian.

 

[Mystic]

Which is why I think we should spend however much it takes to get Willian.

Judging from the fact he's playing in Russia, would he not command extortionate wages?

 

[rurikbird]

I have thought about that myself, as he obviously rates Allen a lot and wants to make way for him in the team. Whether we sign Eriksen or someone of his ilk I don't know but I'd be right against seeing Allen shoehorned into the AM spot where I really don't think he fits in at all.

That leaves us with Gerrard as the obvious AM choice and Coutinho as back up. Personally I believe we'd get more out of Coutinho's daunting runs cutting in from the left but perhaps I am wrong.

PS Eriksen started on the left of the reverted midfield triangle in a 4-3-3 formation for Ajax this weekend, as in:

...................Lucas....................
........Gerrard........Eriksen.......
Aspas......Sturridge...Coutinho

This type of formation would also suit Allen's game better I believe.

First of all, I think the days of Gerrard as the AM are over. People really should stop considering him a potential front 4 player.

The formation above was exactly our formation in a couple of our pre-season games, wasn't it? Inverted 3 with Lucas at the low tip and Allen and Gerrard both pushing forward. The problem is, if we buy Eriksen Rodgers will have to choose between Allen and Gerrard (or Eriksen) or have to play Eriksen on the wing. On the plus side, Eriksen would probably be an improvement on either Allen or Gerrard in terms of creativity and chances created for his teammates.

 

[TSD]

Does Downing leaving mean that a signing of an first team attacking player is imminent? Since Downing was first team material/choice.

 

[rurikbird]

Judging from the fact he's playing in Russia, would he not command extortionate wages?

I think his biggest priority is moving to a top league now. Consider this interview:

​

Brazilian forward Willian has told Goal that Anzhi Makhachkala saved him from a difficult situation at Shakhtar Donestk but he hopes to move on again at some point in order to reach the top of the game for both club and country.​

​

The attacker, who joined Anzhi from Shakhtar for €35 million in January, was speaking after being placed at No.38 in the Goal 50 following a hugely impressive season domestically and in the Champions League.​

“I tried to leave Shakhtar for over a year, but couldn’t do it,” Willian explained.​

“I had offers from big English clubs and from other places, but Shakhtar never accepted them. Anzhi were the only ones who agreed to pay for my release clause. I have enormous affection and respect for this club, but everybody knows that my dreams and desires haven’t changed.​

“I have the goal of playing for a big club and being in the spotlight to rejoin the Brazil national team but for now I’m an Anzhi player, and I intend to keep playing here with a calm mind.”​

​

The 24-year-old added that times were sometimes hard at Shakhtar, despite him helping to lead the Ukrainian side into last season’s Champions League knockout stage.​

“I tried every possible way to negotiate my exit, showing my desire to play for a big club, but they never really cared about it,” he said. “They were only willing to let me go if someone could pay the release clause fee. I wanted very badly to go to England, but I have no regrets and couldn’t wait any longer to leave Shakhtar. They used to tell me one thing and then act otherwise.”​

Jul 31, 2013 1:00:00 PM​

 

[keniget]

couldn’t wait any longer to leave Shakhtar. They used to tell me one thing and then act otherwise.”

Suarez sympathizes.

 

[Ryan]

He's better than that other lump of shit.

Glenjo?

I'm sorry, but he's not. That's just hypothetical shit.

Glenjo was excellent for the first 3/4 of last season.

Besides, Kelly has shown nothing beyond a shit haircut.

 

[Fabio]

Glenjo?

I'm sorry, but he's not. That's just hypothetical shit.

Glenjo was excellent for the first 3/4 of last season.

Besides, Kelly has shown nothing beyond a shit haircut.

See, Johnson infuriates me like no other. First, he's shite and I get annoyed. He spends 2/3 months months being amazing and he wins me back round, then he's shit for a month.

Rinse and repeat

 

[hmmmmm1]

See, Johnson infuriates me like no other. First, he's shite and I get annoyed. He spends 2/3 months months being amazing and he wins me back round, then he's shit for a month.

Rinse and repeat

He played most of the season without a rest.

 

[Rosco]

And he still looks fat

 

[nealmac]

He played most of the season without a rest.

So did Gerrard.

 

[nealmac]

I don't think Kelly's a better option than Johnson. I think they're pretty much at the same level. Johnson would probably shade it for me though, as he often shows moments of sheers brilliance that Kelly could only dream of.

But at the end of the day, I don't think neither are good enough.

 

[gkmacca]

McLaughlin should be the back up to Johnson this season, without fail, and if he does well he should be told it's his position to lose.

 

[hmmmmm1]

So did Gerrard.

And Gerrard is still one our top 3 players.

 

[nealmac]

And Gerrard is still one our top 3 players.

My point exactly. Top players don't need resting. Johnson is not a top player.

 

[Squiggles]

He's gone. It's on the official.

The 29-year-old winger switches to the Hammers after two years with the Reds, following a transfer from Aston Villa during the summer of 2011.
Downing made a total of 91 appearances in Liverpool colours and contributed seven goals.
The England international produced a man-of-the-match performance in winning his only honour with the club, the 2011-12 League Cup.
Everybody at LFC would like to wish Stewart all the best in his future career.

Bye Super Stu. Barca's loss is West Ham's gain.

 

[themn]

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Everybody at #LFC would like to wish Stewart all the best for his future career

 

[ILD]

It's weird. I miss him a bit. Like, he was sound and tried, 'n all that.

I'll never forget him hiding at OT in that game.

I hope we intend to sign replacements. I'm hoping Ericksen.