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I am a wee bit excited.

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Oncy

Oncy

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I really cant help but get that old feeling back.
Our squad is shaping up so nicely.
In this horror season Skrtel, Lucas, Kelly and Meireles have shown they can be important squad members.
Johnson, Suarez, Carragher, Reina, Gerrard and Kuyt are all proven players.
And most exciting of all if we can ship out the deadwood we will have a bench of young hungry players like Flanagan, Robinson, Shelvey, Sterling, Suso, Spearing etc.
We've found in this group some wiggle room for purchases. We really can do what Kenny suggests and spend top money on one or two players we need.

I guess uppermost is still width and pace. I guess we are thinking of Young mostly, and that is for me a good choice.
DM? I would like to see Spearing in the next four games before deciding if we actually need one.
CB? I think we definately need one. Skrtel has been very good since Kenny came back but we need a ball winner. Cahill is the one getting all the noise.
I really hope we dont sign Enriques and Adam's etc, because we dont need squad options standing in the way of our youths. We need first team improvement and thats it.
Oh and id like Aquilani back now please.

GK-Reina, Gulacsi
LB-Johnson, Robinson
RB-Kelly, Flanagan
CB-Carragher, Skrtel
CB-Agger, ? ?
DM-Spearing, Lucas, ? ?
CM-Meireles, Gerrard, Aquilani
LM-? ?, Sterling
RM-Kuyt, Sterling
CF-Suarez, Carroll.

Thats a pretty good looking squad already.
 
Aren't you forgetting the hatrick hero. He's got a role to play in a pass and move offense, Unless we get better but he isn't going to disappear.
 
This is going to turn into a Spider-Neil tactic over-analysis, spell out the painfully obvious thread.



Mark my words!
 
Things have been taken shape very nicely ever since Dalglish was appointed. The fact that we're finishing this season so optimistic for next season is staggering.

I only wish for the club to make the right deals this summer and get it's properly back competing for the league. At the moment the league is there for anyone who can deliver consistency - which is a trait we've definitely shown under Kenny.
 
I agree most of your points but here's where my opinion differs and it's mainly regarding the youths.
I don't think they're ready to be 2nd in line for our starting players. Flanno and Robbo have done a great job covering for Johnson, Kelly and Aurelio but I think they need another year of reserve team football to build up strength etc. This is the first year they started playing regularly for the reserve team, another year wouldn't hurt.
Considering Johnson, Aurelio and Kelly's injury record there's still a chance of them playing. There's also FA/League cup games where they can feature.
I don't think it'll hamper their development.
Kelly is originally a central defender, he still thinks it's his best position and I can definitely see him gradually moving into that position especially with Flanno breaking through and Carra getting closer to retirement. Next season will probably be the last for Aurelio and that opens a door for Robinson.
I also think Enrique is a quality fullback and he would definitely strengthen the team.
 
Yeah its funny how the season that for so long was the bleakest in memory is ending on such an optimistic curve, for me there are 3 big factors for this, the first two are obvious, FSG taking over has given us long term hope that the club is finally in the right hands, and Kenny coming back as manager was the right move. Less obvious but certainly a big contributing factor to the Friday feeling engulfing the club has been the emergence of a crop of young players who are ready to push the senior players for places in the team.

Its great to see young players coming through for a catalogue of different reasons and the benefits to the club are multiple. It breeds confidence in the academy system that was fruitless for so long, in encourages the other kids by giving them the belief that if they perform when given the oppotunity that this is a club that will take a chance on them, it adds depth and competition for places at a low cost and if some of these young guys eventually do move on their increased exposure will mean a much higher sell on fee

Shelvey Kelly Spearing Flanagan and Robinson have all shown they are capable of doing a job where needed, and the best part is that the ones marked out as the future stars of the academy are still yet to come through

This summer needs investment in quality not quantity with the two left sided positions being the priority along with a new centre half, ineveitably a few players will move on and lord knows we have a big enough squad to trim some excess without any great effect but its important not to cut too deep too fast, its worth keeping some of the senior players around if they are good professionals who will help bring the younger players along and not place too much of an overhead on the wage bill

I reckon those up for the chop will be

Johnson - there are two good young prospects in his position and he would still command a decent fee
Cole - it just hasnt worked out for him here and he is still young/good enough to try again somewhere else
Agger - Im a big fan but you simply cannot build a defence around a guy who is fit 50% of the time, would generate a decent fee too
Aurelio - if he wants to be paid on game by game basis Id be happy to give him another year but we still need a new left back
Kyrgiakos - a decent option in the squad but a commanding centre half would be Ithe end of him
Jovanavic - hasnt worked and its not going to
Poulsen - same as jovanavic really
Maxi - Im not a fan although he tries to play the game the right way, not sure what his wages are like
Aqualani - I like him but I think he wants to stay in Italy and thats fair enough he had a tough time here and we will get a reasonable return on him
 
I'd like to keep Johnson and as a RB.

We may have some decent prospects coming through but let's not get carried away and none of them really provide the attacking threat that he carries when on form.
 
I don't mind this next season:

GK - Reina, Gulacsi, Bouzanis
RB - Kelly, Johnson, Flanagan
LB - Johnson, Aurelio, Robinson
CB - { Agger }, Carra, Agger, Skrtel, Kelly, Wilson/Ayala, Wisdom
DM/HM - { Didi }, Lucas, Spearing, Coady
AM - { Suarez }, Gerrard, Meireles, Kuyt, Suarez, Shelvey, Pacheco/Maxi, Sterling
F - Carroll, Suarez, { Suarez }, Kuyt

AM == attack-oriented midfielders
{ Agger }, { Didi }, { Suarez } == new guys in that mold

Realistically, we're unlikely to have funds for all 3. My priority would be to get { Suarez } first, and then someone close to that { Agger } chap. I don't think we must have a hug-the-line wide midfield starter if we found this Suarez clone; of course it's good to still have that as an option off the bench or for days when we're short-handed.
 
[quote author=keniget link=topic=45100.msg1321662#msg1321662 date=1303791921]
I'd like to keep Johnson and as a RB.

We may have some decent prospects coming through but let's not get carried away and none of them really provide the attacking threat that he carries when on form.
[/quote]

I reckon we'll keep Johnson for one more season if everything goes as planned. If the kids keep progressing as they have he'll be sold in the summer 2012. After a title winning season his price will be better too. 😉
 
Dirk Agrees:

DIRK KUYT insists Liverpool must learn from their mistakes and not waste the opportunity to start challenging for honours again.

Kuyt says the same feeling of optimism is engulfing the side as when they finished second in the Premier League two years ago.

The Netherlands international hit an 11th Premier League goal of the season as Kenny Dalglish’s men trounced Birmingham City 5-0 on Saturday to move within three points of fifth placed Tottenham Hotspur.

As the hunt for a Europa League place intensifies, Kuyt believes Liverpool are heading into a summer reminiscent of the one following the end of the 2009 campaign when they ran Manchester United close in the title race, eventually finishing four points adrift.

But where the club failed to capitalise on the previous year’s progress, Kuyt wants Liverpool to avoid repeating errors and this time add quality signings - of the ilk acquired in January when Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll moved to Anfield - to the exciting crop of emerging talent from the Academy.


“When we were really close in 2009 and finished second I had the same feeling: a matter of a few good signings and we will be right up there,†said Kuyt.

“I think this is exactly the case at the moment.

“With the arrival of Luis and Andy we have two top quality players, but also with the young lads who are doing very well things are looking much more promising and if we can add a few other good players then we can compete with the best next season.

“We have already shown that in the second half of the season where we have beaten Manchester United, City, Chelsea and drawn at Arsenal. We are close I think but like everyone is thinking we have to move forward and get better and better.

“Maybe we are better placed now and we have learnt from what happened in 2009 when we lost Xabi (Alonso).

“If we can move forward then we will be there in my opinion. The way I see things that is going to happen because to see the young lads breaking through, it is very good and everyone is speaking about Flanno and Robbo but Jay Spearing is doing very well also. It is exciting to see that and with the addition of some new players the future looks a lot brighter than it was seven or eight months ago.â€

Moving to within three points of Spurs, Liverpool are turning to heat up on the Londoners who currently occupy the final qualifying place for the Europa League.

Kuyt says he is already relishing the penultimate fixture of the Premier League season when Harry Redknapp brings his side to Anfield.

“The most important thing for us is to look after ourselves,†added Kuyt.

“If we win our home games then I am sure we will get closer and closer.

“Spurs have to come up to Anfield and that will be an interesting game, but it will only be interesting if we win our home games, hopefully we can keep ging.â€
Click to expand...
 
I love to see Aquaman come back under Kenny.

I really want to see suarez get a full season in England to show how good he is.

He's look stupidly good in patches so far.

Exciting times indeed.
 
I just can't wait for the transfer window. I never can wait and we're normally a bit shit in it. NOW though i expect some borderline pant wetting
 
[quote author=Kenny4PM link=topic=45100.msg1321720#msg1321720 date=1303804737]
Me too Fabs.

I just hope we don't go spending any of our dosh on players like Adams, Jarvis or Young
[/quote]

That would be slightly anti-climactic...

*awaits "i'd have young" brigade*
 
[quote author=Fabio link=topic=45100.msg1321723#msg1321723 date=1303804866]
[quote author=Kenny4PM link=topic=45100.msg1321720#msg1321720 date=1303804737]
Me too Fabs.

I just hope we don't go spending any of our dosh on players like Adams, Jarvis or Young
[/quote]

That would be slightly anti-climactic...

*awaits "i'd have young" brigade*
[/quote]

In a heartbeat. Kenny would get the best out of him.
K
 
I really don't think anyone can get the best out of young. I get the impression he thinks hes made it as he's in the england squad.
 
It was only the other week you were saying we should sell all but about 4 players.

The squad needs better players and more balance but we'll get there.
 
Aquilani will move to Juve. I think all the media comments by Juve is aimed at the price agreed, but Dalglishs comments about him being welcomed back means that they will pay up.

I am exicted aswell. But will be even more so if we have a good transfer window this summer, that is essential.
 
[quote author=Whitey85 link=topic=45100.msg1321763#msg1321763 date=1303806981]
It was only the other week you were saying we should sell all but about 4 players.

The squad needs better players and more balance but we'll get there.
[/quote]Yup. Its fair to say there has been an extraordinary shift in our fortunes. Extraordinary man at the helm.

We still need investment. Its crucial that MINIMUM two game winning players come in.
 
[quote author=Fabio link=topic=45100.msg1321761#msg1321761 date=1303806809]
I really don't think anyone can get the best out of young. I get the impression he thinks hes made it as he's in the england squad.
[/quote]

Only Young can get the best out of Young, and that's if he can be @rsed. I think he's a talented player, but I'd want more consistency than he's shown so far in his career for the kind of fee we'd almost certainly be quoted for him.
 
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=45100.msg1321784#msg1321784 date=1303809285]
[quote author=Fabio link=topic=45100.msg1321761#msg1321761 date=1303806809]
I really don't think anyone can get the best out of young. I get the impression he thinks hes made it as he's in the england squad.
[/quote]

Only Young can get the best out of Young, and that's if he can be @rsed. I think he's a talented player, but I'd want more consistency than he's shown so far in his career for the kind of fee we'd almost certainly be quoted for him.
[/quote]

exactly why i don't want him
 
[quote author=Fabio link=topic=45100.msg1321787#msg1321787 date=1303809355]
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=45100.msg1321784#msg1321784 date=1303809285]
[quote author=Fabio link=topic=45100.msg1321761#msg1321761 date=1303806809]
I really don't think anyone can get the best out of young. I get the impression he thinks hes made it as he's in the england squad.
[/quote]

Only Young can get the best out of Young, and that's if he can be @rsed. I think he's a talented player, but I'd want more consistency than he's shown so far in his career for the kind of fee we'd almost certainly be quoted for him.
[/quote]

exactly why i don't want him
[/quote]Na, Kenny will show Young videos of a young John Barnes at Watford and tell him how Barnes came to liverpool and became the best player in the world.
Kenny is putting together our 1988 side again:
Carroll - Rush
Suarez - Beardsley
Young - Barnes
Gerrard - Err Kenny
Lucas - Whelan
Spearing - Mcmahon
Johnson - Nicol
Agger - Hansen
Carragher - Ablett
Kelly - Staunton
Reina - Bruce

NB-My dates may be all over the place there.
 
I think a centre back is an absolute must.

We need someone with experience and class who can immediately fit in. Agger isn't reliable at all, Carra isn't getting younger and Skrtel has his flaws. Someone like Subotic, Hummels, Mertesacker would be great. Despite being fairly young Subotic and Hummels are going to be Bundesliga champions soon enough and have been rock solid for Dortmund this year (Dortmund conceded 19 goals in 31 games so far). Mertesacker is a regular for Bremen (although they're not doing well this year) and Germany and has already stated that he's interested in a club change. If we're not able to get one out of these three we should certainly look for comparable quality. I'm not convinced that someone like Cahill would be up to this.

We should also be looking for a defensive midfielder. Someone who will keep some pressure away from the back four and who can provide enough security, freedom and confidence for our offensive players would be crucial. Spearing and Lucas are doing well at the moment but whether they can be reliable and consistent enough to help us in a possible title challenge is questionable. A player like Schweinsteiger for example would be ideal.

If we need some out-and-out, touchline-hugging, cross-providing wingers does depend on the approach which Kenny has in mind for next season. But having seen Blackburn winning the league under Kenny with impressing wing play by Wilcox and Ripley it could well be that Kenny's going to choose this path again. This approach would certainly help Carroll. With him being an aerial threat and Suarez being there to offer 'something different' up front I think we could be far worse off.

A left back and a striker would be nice but I can see us going with our current personnel here.
 
I'm hoping kenny is brave and takes the 50-70m (if indeed that is what we have to spend) and spends it on 4 quality players and trusts that the kids can pull up the slack. the squad will be smaller (or rather leaner) and injuries will be a massive factor but hopefully our kids can fill the gaps.

for example;
hazard
young
matuidi
cahill

first team
CF: carroll, suarez,
midfield: young, matuidi, gerrard, hazard
defense: robinson, cahill, carra, johnson

backup
CF: kuyt, morgan
midfield: maxi, lucas, shevley, meireles
defense: kelly: skrtel, the greek, flannigan

4 players to go straight into the first team
2 players for every position with youth adding the squad depth
any experienced player currently in the squad I haven't listed (for example aurelio/agger etc) I think should be sold to make up the money needed to purchase those 4 quality players, also the experienced players who exit will free up wages so we can offer the four players an attactive wage as to see off the likes of city and chelsea.
 
We've enough younger versions of various players. We need a fairly experienced CB in his prime.
 
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