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So lets weigh the options...

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Whirly

Whirly

Sucks to Suck.
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The general consensus is that we need to change something with the midfield, and in all likelihood need to bring in at least one more body in January, with some arguing as many as two or three are needed. Realistically though what are the options?

I would say there's probably 10M to spend without any departures, but one of Agger(15-20M) or Skrtel(10-15M) will likely be leaving us, and if we do move one of these players, we hold the cards as these two are not cup tied for Europe, meaning a club needing reinforcements would feasibly be willing to overpay.

Getting more than one midfielder in though will be difficult given the number of healthy options we already have on the books, and short of a long term injury, it looks to be staying that way. The only body that could possibly be going out, presumably on loan, is LAR. In the unlikely scenario that Real decides to blow the bank on Suarez, there's plenty of money to spend.

Some options I've heard being floated...
  • Ivan Rakitic - Could be an excellent signing, as Sevilla have their financial woes. Still only 25, he seems to be a very good fit for us
  • A Bender - Both are in the Champions League, which makes things pretty tricky, he if we can offer more minutes/money it's a possibility. Doesn't seem like a realistic midseason move though, might be one for the summer
  • El Shaarawy - If we want some proven talent in the final third, this is the move to make, it's just a matter of finder a place to get him minutes. Then again, how long until one of SAS gets hurt/suspended?
  • Javier Pastore - Plays in a more advanced position, so I'm not sure where he would slot in(Or ahead of whom), but it's not the worst of signings by any means. Depends who's healthy when the time comes probably
  • Juan Mata - Hahahaha
  • Xabi - I could see this happening, but it looks like he's healthy and in the side for Real again. I guess the caveat here is that if we sign him back, we have to play him when healthy, a bit like Gerrard.
  • Nemanja Matic - Only if Chelsea pass on him first, and he won't be cheap either. Probably not the first option
  • Will Hughes - Probably won't be expected to contribute for the rest of the season if we do sign him, probably with a deal to stay at Derby for the rest of the season if it does happen. Not a huge priority move, but one that will probably happen sooner or later.
  • Iturbe - A good move at the right price, we always need more quality wingers. A sign and loan move would be a smart bit of business.
 
I tell you now. If Mascherano is available, then I'd have him back in a heartbeat. Proper cover in front of the CB's, commitment and stamina. We don't need firepower we need a midfielder who knows his job and can defend. That will release Gerrard, Allen, Henderson or whoever to concentrate on supplying the bullets.

Lucas or Mascherano? There's only one choice for me. Every time.

Then we need a top quality all purpose midfielder to replace Gerrard, the trouble is! there aren't many about and the finished article doesn't come cheap, so we are in a reality check situation. We're still not close enough to where we need to be to challenge for the really big name players.
 
We're looking at Fernando aswell.

I think we got quite a bit of money to spend
 
We'll be all over the marquee signing. We went after 3 of them in the summer and missed out. I think we'll sign a top player who hasn't played much.
 
Spionkop69 said:
Then we need a top quality all purpose midfielder to replace Gerrard, the trouble is! there aren't many about and the finished article doesn't come cheap, so we are in a reality check situation. We're still not close enough to where we need to be to challenge for the really big name players.
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Juventus have 3 top quality options in Marchisio, Vidal, and Pogba, but they would be hard pressed to let go of any of those three.

Maybe we need to go for a less proven option like Naiggolan, and hope he pans out.

We should also be trying to take advantage of players that are on the fringe of their respective World Cup squads, who would be willing to make a move to prove their abilities, much like Sakho.
 
In my opinion nothing has changed since Summer.

We still desperately need a creative outlet in midfield.
 
We need a Gerrard replacement. Hate to say this as Stevie's my fav player ever, but he's no longer the force he used to be. He's been a great servant, one of the all-time best but it's time for him to plan for his retirement in a few years' time.

He may turn on the magic once in a while, but at this level, we need consistency, and he just hasn't got it anymore. He's lost a yard of pace, Stevie. It's bleeding obvious.
 
I don't think Gerrard is the problem at all. It's the players around him more.

He has lost some pace agreed and is not at his peak but he has still got a lot to offer and with the right formation and a new creative outlet in the team he could prove vital for years to come. When we play a counter-attacking formation with Gerrard in central it's bleeding obvious that he'd have a lesser impact on the game than when we at least try to be the ones dictating things.
 
Xabi on a free or Mascherano would be my top choice for a defensive or holding midfielder + 1 creative midfielder (El Shaarawy, Ivan Rakitic, Iturbe or my personal favourite Juan Mata)
 
I think Gerrard IS largely the problem, as much as he's surrounded by mediocrity, he's in the wrong position. That being said, there's no excuse for his pedestrian like demeanor of late. Some people might think it's harsh laying into him after he's fought tooth & nail for the club for years, there's some sentiment in that, but he's not doing it for whatever reason, and ignoring the problem because of who he is, is proving detrimental to us and him. He either needs a "breather" on the sidelines or he needs putting back in his most productive role.
 
I know, why isn't he playing as the more advanced midfielder is the question. Have Phillipe come in from the left, because surely Gerrard is better as an advanced player.
 
I said before the summer that the main question that needed answering in the summer was around Allen's role and future at the club. I guess Rodgers didn't see things the same way as me but I still think that's our main issue right now. We have attacking options - although one can always do with more quality - but they are often let down by the midfield behind them. Suarez and Sturridge are pretty good in a tight spot and giving the midfield an out, but the midfielders need to step up and support them more rather than the other way around.

Another issue that has gone largely ignored is that there is a coaching problem here as well - if the likes of Southampton and Swansea can play a reasonable pass and move game and retain the ball with lesser players (and yes, they are lesser players), why can't we?

Rodgers has to get these players moving and working more for each other on the ball and that's valid from defence out to attack.
 
No fucking way do we need Mascherano back. He looked good alongside Alonso and Gerrard cos all he had to do was scamper around and dive into tackles. The Argentinian Gattuso.

We need someone who can keep the fucking football.
 
We need someone who never stops hassling the other team though, there's not enough urgency for us to get the ball back at times
 
Ryan said:
No fucking way do we need Mascherano back. He looked good alongside Alonso and Gerrard cos all he had to do was scamper around and dive into tackles. The Argentinian Gattuso.

We need someone who can keep the fucking football.
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wow. talk about an over the top reaction. the guy has captained his country in countless games, nearly played 100 times for one of the best footballing nations of all time, a key part of arguably the greatest footballing sides the world has ever seen and one of the best midfielders to have played for liverpool in over 25 years and he can can't keep a football? this statement belongs in the same family of other 6cm classics: Ibra and rooney are not world class, johnson is crap etc.
 
Ryan said:
United sold RVN, bought Carrick and won the league.

Adding an Alonso-type would improve us beyond imagination.
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Wasn't this your line of thought and then we both Allen??

If the philosophy isn't there amongst the whole squad one player won't change it
 
keniget said:
- if the likes of Southampton and Swansea can play a reasonable pass and move game and retain the ball with lesser players (and yes, they are lesser players), why can't we?
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Ramirez, Rodriguez, Lallana, Wanyama, Schneiderlin. They may be better than us where it counts; midfield. It's definitely not cut and dry.
 
Ryan said:
United sold RVN, bought Carrick and won the league.

Adding an Alonso-type would improve us beyond imagination.
Click to expand...

Agree with the second statement but I think United winning the league in 2006-2007 had more to do with ronaldo's break out season and beginning of his partnership with Rooney.
 
Gary25 said:
What type of player do you view Joe Allen as?
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A very good one who needs games, and would improve our midfield immeasurably. I'd have him in the team tomorrow.

But we're not playing anyone tomorrow. But anyway.
 
Nah, Kagawa would be an option instead of Coutinho.

We should try and get Alonso back for a couple of years while we figure out how to replace Gerrard.
 
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