Sooooooo....

[Oncy]

Mignolet
Reina?
Jones

Enrique
Flanagan
Robinson?
Johnson

Agger?
Skrtel
Sakho
Ilori
Coates?
Kolo

Lucas
Allen
Henderson
Gerrard
Can

Lallana
Sterling
Coutinho
Suso?
Assaidi?

Sturridge
Borini?
Lambert
Aspas?

Am I missing anyone obvious?

We will have either 80m to spend or 50m and Sanchez.

Do we think the 25m for Lallana has come out of that budget?
Where else do we need to strengthen? Who do you see coming in?

I still think we look light at FB and CB and woukd ideally like a DM and a WF/LM
But Im not sure we have the finance for that?

 

[barrymac20]

Fuck the defence, attack attack attack.
Fingers crossed we get Sanchez and then spend the rest on Reus.
Also, get the Mexican keeper Ochoa as back up/competition. He's on a free.

 

[peterhague]

I think we need a winger, a striker, a centre half, a left back, a right back, and a keeper.

Markovic, Sanchez, Lovren would do for the first 3. Bertrand terrifies me as the LB choice. I don't think we'll be signing either of the last 2.

 

[Fallon]

So many out of above won't be back. Reina, Toure, Coates, Suso, Assaidi, Aspas will all go IMO, and if we get another GK so will Jones. We might see a CB leave, but I also wouldn't be surprised to see both Skrtel and Agger stay.

We need an LB (would love to see us offload Johnson and get a new RB too), CB too (prolly Lovren), I think that may be all she wrote for CM but we will definitely look to add another WF type of player, and a Striker (Origi?).

At this point I'm thinking we NEED Sanchez when (it seems nailed on) Suarez goes. I also worry that we're going to be lacking depth again unless we're promoting a few this year?

 

[Spaghetti Legs]

Now Suarez looks like hes off that means we do need to splash out on another striker even if we get Sanchez, i'd expect the striker to be someone up and coming like Luis Muriel, add another wide attacker and that would be about right.

Think Borini will be gone now along with Aspas.

Sturridge
Sterling
Sanchez
Lambert
Muriel ?
Markovic/Shaqiri ?


We got the attacking midfielder we needed in Lallana so that's sorted and Can will hopefully be a handy addition to our midfield options.

Would very much like to see both full back positions sorted out before any center back, if it was a choice i'd sacrifice buying a center back for a new right back, all day long. The center backs are good for another 6-12 months, the full backs or namely Johnson isn't, the thought of him still here next season isn't a positive one.

In an ideal world get the center back along with 2 full backs, doubt it'll happen though.

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

Am I missing anyone obvious?

Yup - Wisdom and Kelly. Since you listed Robinson and Suso as well, then you might also consider adding Ibe and Teixeira to the list of players who have appeared for the senior squad and might get a chance to stay with the team in the coming season. Not sure I'd add Smith just yet though.

 

[Frogfish]

The below is a squad of 28 players (assuming Lovren, new LB, Agger/Kolo stays or a 2nd new CB, Markovic and Sanchez ... obviously A.N.Other if any of them don't arrive). Every position is well covered but the quality will still depend on transfer deals yet to be concluded / commenced.

There are 15 players on the transfer list - 10 of which were surplus to requirements last season with only Suarez, Alberto, Agger, Aspas & Kolo as regulars.


The squad is coming together but there is still a long way to go now that Suarez is on his way and will need to be replaced. I think Sanchez is considered his replacement by LFC (21 goals 10 assists in 31 La Liga matches last season - and that's not always played central where he prefers).

DEFENCE : looks stronger with Lovren (poss.) / NEW LB and possibly another NEW CB (rumours recently but I forgot who) coming in. Enrique & Kelly back to add support to LB/RB.

MIDFIELD : Can adds depth to DM / MF where we will need it. Wide is / will be (assuming deals concluded) one of our strongest areas as will be #10.

ATTACK : Obviously the loss of Suarez is massive but by strengthening all around we can reduce goals conceded to around 38-40 and if Sanchez (or other) gets around 20 goals then we are back in business and have covered the loss in terms of goals / assists at least.

GK : Mignolet / Jones

LB : NEW / Enrique / Flanagan

RB : Johnson / Flanagan / Kelly

CB : Lovren (TBC) / Skrtel / Sakho / Ilori / NEW (or Agger/Kolo)

DM : Gerrard / Lucas / Can

MF : Henderson / Can / Allen / Rossiter

WMF : Lallana / Sterling / Markovic (TBC) / Ibe / Sanchez (TBC) / Texeira

#10 : Coutinho / Lallana / Sterling / Texeira

Striker : Sturridge / Lambert / Sanchez (TBC)

Gone : Suarez, Reina / Robinson / Coates / Assaidi / Borini / Aspas / Suso / Coady / Wisdom / Alberto / Assaidi / Yesil / Agger (Napoli once/if we get Lovren) / Kolo (read he's on his way) ?

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

If he had to make a choice between the two, I suspect Rodgers will keep Wisdom rather than Kelly, given the latter's injuries and hence unreliability. Both leaving is also a possibility but only if we have enough cover, obviously. Still no idea what Rodgers' plans are for McLaughlin - he might get a chance or he might be loaned and eventually sold. Who knows.

Also, Can played almost half of his games for Leverkusen last season at LB, so that gives Rodgers the option of bedding him into the league in that position as Enrique's backup. It's a less crucial / pivotal position for him to get some league action, so that might be an attractive situation. Given that then, prioritizing a new RB over a new LB makes a lot of sense as well, in my opinion. Especially considering the state of Johnson's performances and the likelihood that he won't be here beyond the new season.

 

[Frogfish]

If he had to make a choice between the two, I suspect Rodgers will keep Wisdom rather than Kelly, given the latter's injuries and hence unreliability. Both leaving is also a possibility but only if we have enough cover, obviously. Still no idea what Rodgers' plans are for McLaughlin - he might get a chance or he might be loaned and eventually sold. Who knows.

Also, Can played almost half of his games for Leverkusen last season at LB, so that gives Rodgers the option of bedding him into the league in that position as Enrique's backup. It's a less crucial / pivotal position for him to get some league action, so that might be an attractive situation. Given that then, prioritizing a new RB over a new LB makes a lot of sense as well, in my opinion. Especially considering the state of Johnson's performances and the likelihood that he won't be here beyond the new season.

I'm pretty sure I remember something Rodgers said about Kelly and next season.

RB - not going to happen. Moreno is a LB and if we're willing to go £15-16m for him then I think you can assume that is Rodger's priority. There hasn't been even a peep re. RB (unless that is what I'm remembering re. Kelly).

 

[Whirly]

I think we need an upgrade over Johnson much more than we need an upgrade over Enrique to be honest. Flanagan can provide depth for either side as it stands.

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

I'm pretty sure I remember something Rodgers said about Kelly and next season.

RB - not going to happen. Moreno is a LB and if we're willing to go £15-16m for him then I think you can assume that is Rodger's priority. There hasn't been even a peep re. RB (unless that is what I'm remembering re. Kelly).

Yep, Rodgers did say that, but I would take those utterances at face value. The proof is in the minutes, and I'm not convinced Rodgers has Kelly in his long-term plans. We'll see.

Yeah, I gather we aren't prioritizing a new RB higher than a new LB; was just suggesting maybe we should. 🙂

 

[mark1975]

The Belgian lad upfront too.. Kolo is meant to be going...

Its worth mentioning that we'll have the Suarez fee plus what money we had already.

 

[Mystic]

Origi going to Lille on loan is the rumour Mark. Christ I'd love it if we spent the Suarez money on Rues. I'd much prefer it if we just kept Suarez mind.

 

[mark1975]

Origi going to Lille on loan is the rumour Mark. Christ I'd love it if we spent the Suarez money on Rues. I'd much prefer it if we just kept Suarez mind.

Yeah I heard this, but I also heard that we might decide to just take him now, especially with Suarez going - not that he'd be a replacement, but we need to compensate I guess by spreading the goals around.

 

[Mystic]

Yeah I heard this, but I also heard that we might decide to just take him now, especially with Suarez going - not that he'd be a replacement, but we need to compensate I guess by spreading the goals around.

Dont worry, we have Borini.

 

[Pesam]

I think we need an upgrade over Johnson much more than we need an upgrade over Enrique to be honest. Flanagan can provide depth for either side as it stands.

I'm thinking Flanagan deserves to start the season as our No.1 right back, it's a risk but he is improving all the time, is solid as fuck, and was very good on the wrong side of the pitch last season. It's still quite difficult to tell if he's gonna be good enough but I think he's earned his chance.

 

[Whirly]

I'm thinking Flanagan deserves to start the season as our No.1 right back, it's a risk but he is improving all the time, is solid as fuck, and was very good on the wrong side of the pitch last season. It's still quite difficult to tell if he's gonna be good enough but I think he's earned his chance.

I think it's fairly inevitable that one of Johnson/Enrique is going to miss significant time from injury next season though. And beyond Flanagan, who's proven he can play on either side, there's a real lack of depth for us at FB. I think Kolo could be decent RB depth, but beyond that, we need one of Kelly/Robinson/Wisdom/McLaughlin to take a big step forward, otherwise we would be in trouble. Plus, there's a real chance that Flanagan is due for some regression, a sophomore slump of sorts.

I'd say it's more straightforward to bring in an undisputed starter, rather than another depth option, like Cissokho last year. There'll be plenty of first team minutes for Flanagan even if we bring in another first team RB like Aurier, especially with all of the additional matches.

 

[Fabio]

Dont worry, we have Borini.

You mock but he'd get 10 goals easy for us in the style we play

 

[Fabio]

Suarez goals can be compensated by other players

Ideally hendo will score 6/7
Sterling should easily get 10-15
Coutinho (after a summer of working on shooting) SHOULD be aiming for 10
Borini with 10
Sturridge I'm not convinced will have a second season like the last, so 15-20 for him.

Ideally, if we buy 2 attacking players who score 10 goals each, and sort our defending we won't need 1 30 goal a season striker.

 

[Mystic]

You mock but he'd get 10 goals easy for us in the style we play

Maybe that was slight tongue in cheek, but I do like him, would be great fourth choice.

 

[Pesam]

I think it's fairly inevitable that one of Johnson/Enrique is going to miss significant time from injury next season though. And beyond Flanagan, who's proven he can play on either side, there's a real lack of depth for us at FB. I think Kolo could be decent RB depth, but beyond that, we need one of Kelly/Robinson/Wisdom/McLaughlin to take a big step forward, otherwise we would be in trouble. Plus, there's a real chance that Flanagan is due for some regression, a sophomore slump of sorts.

I'd say it's more straightforward to bring in an undisputed starter, rather than another depth option, like Cissokho last year. There'll be plenty of first team minutes for Flanagan even if we bring in another first team RB like Aurier, especially with all of the additional matches.

It's a tricky one because part of me would love us to sign someone like Aurier but I think we need to find out first if Flanagan has what it takes because he could go on to become an LFC legend and captain for club & country!

 

[Frogfish]

Sturridge I'm not convinced will have a second season like the last, so 15-20 for him.

Ideally, if we buy 2 attacking players who score 10 goals each, and sort our defending we won't need 1 x 30 goal a season striker.

ha ha - I'd be happy with Sturridge getting 19-20 against his 21 last season 😉

Agree completely with the bolded sentence, as I mentioned above.

 

[hmmmmm1]

How many goals did these players score this season?

Suarez goals can be compensated by other players

Ideally hendo will score 6/7
Sterling should easily get 10-15
Coutinho (after a summer of working on shooting) SHOULD be aiming for 10
Borini with 10
Sturridge I'm not convinced will have a second season like the last, so 15-20 for him.

Ideally, if we buy 2 attacking players who score 10 goals each, and sort our defending we won't need 1 30 goal a season striker.

 

[Buddha]

I'm thinking Flanagan deserves to start the season as our No.1 right back, it's a risk but he is improving all the time, is solid as fuck, and was very good on the wrong side of the pitch last season. It's still quite difficult to tell if he's gonna be good enough but I think he's earned his chance.

Yeah, he deserves the chance to build on last season. Given Johnson is on the wane, I'd give Flanagan a shot to nail down right back slot.

 

[Fabio]

Pass.

I'm sure sterling got 9, be surprised if hendo got more than 3. Coutinho probably only 4. Borini scored 0 for us.

We're relying on super Martin Skrtel to score 8 again though

 

[Frogfish]

How many goals did these players score this season?

Google I presume is at your fingertips .. 😉

 

[Frogfish]

Pass.

I'm sure sterling got 9, be surprised if hendo got more than 3. Coutinho probably only 4. Borini scored 0 for us.

We're relying on super Martin Skrtel to score 8 again though

Now he's got a sniff it'll be double that !

 

[JohnnyRocket]

If you look at the 4-3-3 shape we played in last year, we're pretty sorted in midfield:

DM - Gerrard, Lucas, Can, Allen

The 2 CM's infront of the DM - Allen and Henderson as the box to box high energy mid, Lallana and Coutinho as the creative player.

It's pretty simple for me.

1 starting left back
1 centre back capable of challenging Skrtel and Sakho
2 abslolute class wide forwards

That's all

That leaves Sturridge, Sterling, Borini, Lambert, and the 2 new guys for the front 3.

Let Lucas go - we have Allen and Can who can play there

Agger - depends who we bring in

Borini - hold on to him, could be useful in a 4-3-3

Suso & Ibe - loan to newly promoted side

Keep Enrique

Leave Johnson and Flanagan to fight for the right back spot. Johnson will need to play out his socks for a new contract, and Flanagan on his natural side could be a tidy as hell fullback. We can address this next summer if needed.

 

[SaRed]

The Belgian lad upfront too.. Kolo is meant to be going...

Its worth mentioning that we'll have the Suarez fee plus what money we had already.

I think we've spent what we had and are already spending the Suarez money. Lallana, Lambert, Can and Origi are over 40m.