Sport Liverpool Football Club

[dogsout]

what kinda Striker would you be interested in?

I'd love to see Robbie Keane signed. That's obviously not going to happen but I'd love to see a productive, quick, skillful and hardworking second striker playing behind Torres. I thought Voronin would provide more than he has done in that regard, having seen quite a bit of him before he joined. The biggest surprise with him is how inept he has looked while playing in a front 3. His best performances have come whilst playing as the second striker behind Crouch or Torres. I wouldn't mind to see him start a few more games in that role at the expense of Kuyt.

Babel could take up that role in seasons to come but he's not ready yet. I'm feeling pretty flat about our season and LFC in general at the moment. There's too many question marks over our owners intentions, Rafa's seemingly inevitable replacement, the shortcomings of our squad. Then there is this overwhelming feeling of under achievement. Still, it's only January and there's still plenty of time for things to brighten up. I've just been trying to think about the Rafa situation objectively and I don't recall a situation like this involving another manager having been resolved with the manager keeping his job. The more I think about it the more it seems like Rafa's departure is inevitable. Like Warszawa said: I wish they'd just make a declaration either way, although I suppose their silence could be construed as a signal of their intentions.

[Kelthink]

Didn't Liverpool reject Robbie Keane as a yoof player? Whatta blunder! Oh man.

[hub2]

I've been thinking Robbie Keane for a while. I respect Kuyt for being a hard worker and trying his all (in the games I've seen anyway) but someone like Keane gives that AND is incredibly productive off the ball. Keane/Torres working together as well as Keane/Berbatov do would be fantastic. Probably only a season or two in that partnership though.

[V3zna]

If we were to use the system as Valencia did, this would be the time to start looking at van der Vaart. He is keen to leave Hamburg at the end of the season and it is meant to be a dream of his to play in the premiership.

Great shout. He's a bit injury prone and his career did stall for a while but in the last year or so Van der Vaart has finally lived up to his potential. He's destined for greatness injuries permitting.

[V3zna]

Nevermind Robbie Keane, a motivated and in form Berbatov behind Torres would be awesome. The £30 million price tag and his preference for Man Utd are slight problems but fuck it, I can dream. Beyond that it will be interesting to see how Alfonso Alves fares in a better league. Bayern Munich's Lucas Podolski may become available next summer. Another one that could turn out top class. While not strictly a striker Sami Nasri of Marseille would be ideal behind Torres. He's another one destined for great things.

[dogsout]

Nevermind Robbie Keane, a motivated and in form Berbatov behind Torres would be awesome. The £30 million price tag and his preference for Man Utd are slight problems but fuck it, I can dream. Beyond that it will be interesting to see how Alfonso Alves fares in a better league. Bayern Munich's Lucas Podolski may become available next summer. Another one that could turn out top class. While not strictly a striker Sami Nasri of Marseille would be ideal behind Torres. He's another one destined for great things.

I don't know about Berbatov (as good as he is) or Alves as targets. They're both center forwards whereas we've got problems in the second striker department. Nasri is some player. I'd love us to sign him. He plays a little deeper, as you say, and is a proper attacking midfielder.

[V3zna]

I don't know about Berbatov (as good as he is) or Alves as targets. They're both center forwards whereas we've got problems in the second striker department. Nasri is some player. I'd love us to sign him. He plays a little deeper, as you say, and is a proper attacking midfielder.

Berbatov's assists directly leading to goals where in double figures last season and I think they might be again this season already. I think he would work well in tandem with Torres and he's not strictly a center forward + the fact that he has no problem shooting from distance and getting on target is a step up from our current 'forwards'. Inevitably he's off to Man Utd next summer though.

For what it is worth I don't think Kuyt is as bad as people think. He's just been played out of position too much and whether we ever see the Kuyt that played for Feyenoord is doubtful. I remember when Dirk came on for his debut at home to West Ham. He looked immense that day and really did look like a predator. He's a shadow of his former self.

[ras el hanout]

A lot of Klinsmann talk in the papers.

Strange he's being linked with top jobs, isn't it?

[dogsout]

Berbatov's assists directly leading to goals where in double figures last season and I think they might be again this season already. I think he would work well in tandem with Torres and he's not strictly a center forward + the fact that he has no problem shooting from distance and getting on target is a step up from our current 'forwards'. Inevitably he's off to Man Utd next summer though.

I know. It's just that he plays at the point of the attack, he's also very lazy off the ball. Even if it was a possibility I couldn't see Rafa going for it.

For what it is worth I don't think Kuyt is as bad as people think. He's just been played out of position too much and whether we ever see the Kuyt that played for Feyenoord is doubtful. I remember when Dirk came on for his debut at home to West Ham. He looked immense that day and really did look like a predator. He's a shadow of his former self.

I agree completely. I was saying the same to my cousin the other day about his debut against West Ham. I remember thinking he looked like he could be unplayable that day. I fully expected him to kick on from last season but he's gone backwards. I know he has personal problems and that obviously means there's a chance he'll come good in the end but I'm not so sure anymore.

[V3zna]

A lot of Klinsmann talk in the papers.

Strange he's being linked with top jobs, isn't it?

He did an excellent job with Germany but people forget he effectively coached his country commuting from his Florida home. He's turned down other jobs and why anybody thinks Klinsmann would swap Florida for Liverpool is beyond me.

[dogsout]

A lot of Klinsmann talk in the papers.

Strange he's being linked with top jobs, isn't it?

Personally, I'm finding it quite worrying. He's never managed at club level and only enjoyed a short stint with Germany. I'd be gutted if Rafa is pushed aside for him. However, I don't see it as anymore than lazy journalism just now. There are still noises being made about Mourinho and then there is the possibility that this will all just go away and Rafa will be given 'til the end of his contract to get us there.

[V3zna]

I know. It's just that he plays at the point of the attack, he's also very lazy off the ball. Even if it was a possibility I couldn't see Rafa going for it.

I agree completely. I was saying the same to my cousin the other day about his debut against West Ham. I remember thinking he looked like he could be unplayable that day. I fully expected him to kick on from last season but he's gone backwards. I know he has personal problems and that obviously means there's a chance he'll come good in the end but I'm not so sure anymore.

The thing about Berbatov is there's games where just strolls around doing nothing, not participating but when he gets the chance he buries it. Our strikers apart from Torres miss more 1 on 1's than they score.

Kuyt ending up stuck on the right side of midfield on Sunday is indicitative of why he's as potent as a one legged tramp these days. He's a trier, I'll give him that.

[V3zna]

There are still noises being made about Mourinho and then there is the possibility that this will all just go away and Rafa will be given 'til the end of his contract to get us there.

Mourinho is surely destined for Bayern Munich?

[dogsout]

I'll be surprised if he does end up there, to be honest. I think his agent is doing a good job of keeping his name in the press, reminding any big clubs (as if they needed it) that he'll be looking a job in the summer.

[Kelthink]

I see from BBC breakfast thing the Scum has deemed it worthy to put on their front page Carra confronting some wanker 'fans' at the game the other day after they were taking the piss. What a useless rag.

[Tangent]

He did an excellent job with Germany but people forget he effectively coached his country commuting from his Florida home. He's turned down other jobs and why anybody thinks Klinsmann would swap Florida for Liverpool is beyond me.

It'd be perfect. His house won't get burgled when he attends games.

[Chewylegs]

Didn't Liverpool reject Robbie Keane as a yoof player? Whatta blunder! Oh man.

I believe before (or not long after) he went to Spurs he was gonna sign for us but because he had moved so much in such a short space of time (he was at Inter at one point) he decided it was best to stay put and not move up North. Shame really as I think he would be great for us.

[V3zna]

I'll be surprised if he does end up there, to be honest. I think his agent is doing a good job of keeping his name in the press, reminding any big clubs (as if they needed it) that he'll be looking a job in the summer.

Lahm, Lucio, Sweinsteiger, Toni, Klose, Ribery etc are all top class players and Bayern Munich should make a big impact on next seasons Champions League. As an added bonus they seem to win the German League by default (apart from last season obviously!) and Beckenbauer has already went on record giving Mourinho his support. Not to mention the fact that Jose himself said he wanted to manage in Germany or Italy to learn a new language. He's linked with the Inter and AC Milan jobs but I don't see Mancini or Ancelotti being replaced anytime soon. They certainly don't deserve replaced at least. Despite media idiots suggesting otherwise Schuster is surely safe at Real Madrid and although Rijkaard may be nearing the end of his Barca tenure, Mourinho is not popular with their fans. As being a Spanish football club chairman is nothing more than a popularity contest La Porta surely won't bring Jose in?

Would Mourinho spite old enemy Benitez by nicking his job? I'm not convinced due to his bond with the Chelsea idiots fans.

[ras el hanout]

I actually think Mourinho had a lot of respect for us, and that's kind of why he hated us so much.

[ras el hanout]

And I'd kind of be quite excited by somebody like Klinsmann. I mean, sure it could end up as a big old disaster but it would be a kind of exciting disaster.

[Warszawa]

I'll be surprised if he does end up there, to be honest. I think his agent is doing a good job of keeping his name in the press, reminding any big clubs (as if they needed it) that he'll be looking a job in the summer.

It would signal the end of Liverpool as an ambitious club - He's never managed in proper football, his record with Germany was shit until they performed well ON HOME TURF in a World Cup. It would be pointless and the ultimate insult to top notch managers everywhere. Frankly, if we're going to make a questionable appoinment with little ambition, I'd rather someone like Billy Davies got the chance to prove himself....He performed an incredible feat in bringing a mediocre Championship side to the top flight last season and is infinitely more proven and with more pedigree in proper football than Klinsmann.

[dogsout]

I actually think Mourinho had a lot of respect for us

I think so, too.

[Gabzy]

I just saw in the news over here that Liverpool are interested in Porto's defender Bruno Alves.

I'd be sad to see him go, but if you do get him you'll be getting a quality, no nonsense defender. He could have the same impact that Carvalho has had at chelsea.

[DeNeo]

He did an excellent job with Germany

Wasn't that mainly due to his assistant though?

If (and I don't want it to happen) Benitez were to be sacked, Mourinho would be the only manager that could plausibly replace him.

I see from BBC breakfast thing the Scum has deemed it worthy to put on their front page Carra confronting some wanker 'fans' at the game the other day after they were taking the piss. What a useless rag.

Well they'd better give a front page apology tomorrow, after reading the true story behind that:

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-f...00252-20324295/

[V3zna]

I just saw in the news over here that Liverpool are interested in Porto's defender Bruno Alves.

I'd be sad to see him go, but if you do get him you'll be getting a quality, no nonsense defender. He could have the same impact that Carvalho has had at chelsea.

I think our new defender is going to be someone else. See earlier in the thread or Sky Sports / BBC Sport websites for confirmation of who it will be.

[DeNeo]

See earlier in the thread or Sky Sports / BBC Sport websites for confirmation of who it will be.

Just because you can't remember how to spell it

It's Martin....Something.

[V3zna]

Just because you can't remember how to spell it

It's Martin....Something.

MARTIN SKRTEL has moved a step closer to becoming the most expensive defender in Liverpool history after passing his medical.

A club record £6.5m fee has been agreed with Skrtel’s club, Zenit St Petersburg, and personal terms have been agreed with the player.

Skrtel is now waiting for the deal to be rubber stamped by Liverpool’s owners.

The Slovakia international centre back is Rafa Benitez's top target for the January transfer window and the Reds boss is looking to get the transfer wrapped up as quickly as possible so he can incorporate Skrtel into the Liverpool squad.

With Daniel Agger still continuing his rehabilitation from a broken metatarsal, Benitez has been short of cover at centre back for several months and was keen to add competition for places to such a crucial position.

If the 23-year-old completes his move today he is likely to go straight into the squad for Liverpool's trip to Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Fabio Aurelio has been ruled out of that fixture with a minor hamstring injury and the Brazilian today admitted he is becoming increasingly frustrated with the succession of injuries which have blighted his Anfield career.

“It’s a pity I’ve had to stop again because I was feeling good,” he said.

“It’s normal after a long injury to pick up little problems when you come back but, hopefully, I will only miss one league game and be back for the Aston Villa game the following week.

“I’ve spent a long time out and it’s very difficult to explain how frustrating it's been.”

As one player is about to arrive at Anfield another could be about to depart.

Juventus are the latest club to register an interest in out of favour Liverpool midfielder Momo Sissoko, with coach Claudio Ranieri hinting the Mali international is a player he would be keen to snap up.

“He is a player that I like a lot and I know well,” he said. “I had the pleasure of coaching him at Valencia.”

Inter Milan are also interested in signing Sissoko but as yet neither Serie A club has turned their interest into a concrete offer.

Meanwhile, chief executive Rick Parry was today meeting Tom Hicks and George Gillett in New York in a bid to bring Liverpool's long running new stadium saga to a positive conclusion.

After plans for a 76,000 capacity ground on Stanley Park were abandoned last month, Hicks and Gillett instructed two leading firms of architects to come up with new designs.

Dallas-based HKS and Manchester firm AFL have both produced their proposals and it is now up to the owners to decide which one they wish to pursue.

[Kelthink]

Well they'd better give a front page apology tomorrow, after reading the true story behind that:

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-f...00252-20324295/

As I said before, excellent 'fans' they've got. If that's the kind of shit they regularly do, I'll be fucking glad they're going into administration.

[Shevchenko]

He's linked with the Inter and AC Milan jobs but I don't see Mancini or Ancelotti being replaced anytime soon.

Ancelotti has said he wants the Italy job, plus Milan aren't doing too well. If they get knocked out by Arsenal in the champions league then it's very likely he will leave in the summer.

[V3zna]

Ancelotti has said he wants the Italy job, plus Milan aren't doing too well. If they get knocked out by Arsenal in the champions league then it's very likely he will leave in the summer.

He deserves the chance to rebuild and if he wants to stay I can't see AC Milan firing him. As for Italy I guess that simply depends on how Donadoni does at Euro 2008.