Sport Liverpool Football Club

[Dandy_Sephy]

Typical, he's gone quiet now

[Sng]

They could nick a draw if this carries on!

[Guest]

Who's this tall lad coming on?!

Kuyt tried hard but he's so slow. I've been using him in Pro Evo and to be frank he's going to be sold. Sometimes it's like he's treading water.

[Guest]

Well that was pretty dull 2nd half. We were kind of lucky, but Everton were never really firing on all cylinders.

Is AJ injured along with Cahill?

[V3zna]

Straight forward enough win, not much to be said really. Best team won and Everton having Champions League aspirations is a joke.

[Commander Jameson]

Feed the Yak and we will score.

[Warszawa]

With Wednesday in mind, it was good to be able to lower the pace and treat it like a Sunday kickabout in the second half. Nice and easy against obliging opposition.

[Takizawa]

Hyypia and Skrtel were absolutely tremendous!

[Warszawa]

Hyypia and Skrtel were absolutely tremendous!

Skrtel was man of the match, frankly. Making the people in the media who made him a laughing stock due to a nervy early showing (against Havant) look more foolish by the day. I think he and Agger will be the first choice pairing in the centre next season, provided that the Dane returns to full fitness.

[Guest]

Straight forward enough win, not much to be said really. Best team won and Everton having Champions League aspirations is a joke.

But then us thinking we're anywhere near Man U (seeing how they play) is also a joke.

Performances such as this hammer it home for me. We still can't seem to kill teams that are there for the taking.

If Man U don't win the league this season they've only got themselves to blame.

*edit* Yes Skrtel looked good, although we'll see how he fares against "bigger boys" and not just Yakubu up front on his own.

[DeNeo]

To be fair though, we played really well in the first half. Everyone just seemed to step down a gear in the second - probably with the Arsenal games in mind.

A couple of top quality first teamers and we can match Man U next season

[Commander Jameson]

A couple of top quality first teamers and we can match Man U next season

A couple of top quality first teamers and 1-2 years of settling in and we can match Man U.

I think they are miles ahead of us in terms of consistency over a season and, frankly, quality of play.

[DeNeo]

A couple of top quality first teamers and 1-2 years of settling in and we can match Man U.

I think they are miles ahead of us in terms of consistency over a season and, frankly, quality of play.

Well yeah - tongue was firmly in cheek for that comment

But if you look at the formation we're playing - first team wise we'd probably need a new left back, right back and left or right attacker (or whatever you call the position Kuyt and Babel are playing). Providing everyone stays at the end of the season (ie Alonso) I can't see how we can improve on the other first teamers (apart from maybe consistency ). Central defenders - great; central midfielders - great; Torres - grrrrrrrrrreat

[Kelthink]

On today's performance, I'm really surprised Hyppia didn't play against Man Utd. That was another massive mistake. That tackle he did at the last moment against the Yak - absolutely brilliant.

[Das]

I think he and Agger will be the first choice pairing in the centre next season, provided that the Dane returns to full fitness.

What, and have Carra at right back permanently?! No thanks. What about Finnan, Arbeloa?! Carra has to stay in central defence, realistically.

[Guest]

Well yeah - tongue was firmly in cheek for that comment

But if you look at the formation we're playing - first team wise we'd probably need a new left back, right back and left or right attacker (or whatever you call the position Kuyt and Babel are playing). Providing everyone stays at the end of the season (ie Alonso) I can't see how we can improve on the other first teamers (apart from maybe consistency ). Central defenders - great; central midfielders - great; Torres - grrrrrrrrrreat

Kuyt is slow and couldn't beat an egg. He can't be our right mid med to long term - although Pennant seems to be dropped in favour of him. Which is probably no bad thing!

Babel is promising. He just needs more end product. I think with a couple of years behind him we'll see great improvements. The manager needs to keep faith in him. At the moment he runs with the ball a lot. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesnt.

I think if you look at someone like Ronaldo now, he seems to do less of his stepovers and hard runs, as he's learned the time and place - and considering now he appears to be orchestrating things for Man U as WELL as scoring, it shows you how he's come on.

Babel needs to be able to do that - really grow into his role and stamp himself on games.

What do Liverpool need as a base? I'd say:

A new right back

A new left mid

Another top-class striker

When Agger returns and if Skrtly keeps improving we'll hopefully see them form a solid pairing in years to come. Carragher will still be about, and he's needed IMO.

Left mids - very hard to find as ever. Ideally a lm/winger.

Striker - certainly. Looking at the top teams they usually seem to have two. Drogba/Anelka. Rooney/Saha Tevez. Henry/Eto. Arsenal are just weird, although they've got promising youngsters in Bendter and Adebayor. Van Persie is good when he's on it.

Regardless of whether one plays for the other you still need the 2.

I know little about world football. I know a lot of you know a lot more about players, etc - so who would you say fits our requirements for these 3 positions?

(oh and another Right mid if poss!)

[DeNeo]

Well when I mentioned a new left or right attacker, that was meant as a first choice replacement for Babel or Kuyt.

Playing the way we are now, we don't need another world class first choice forward. We'd need someone who is ok to sit on the bench, and still be good enough to replace Torres when he's injured/suspended. The system we've got works well, getting the best out of Gerrard and allows us to play 2 other central midfielders, a position we are strong in. I can see us buying players to fit that system in the summer, so as I said - players who can play in the Kuyt/Babel role.

As for who we should get...

I reckon this Rafinha would be good for right back, leaving Arbeloa or Aurelio for left back. Or bring in Giorgio Chiellini from Juventus for left back. Or get both.

I honestly think Garcia should make a comeback - I reckon he'd thrive in this new formation

As for a substitute striker - god knows. If we want someone who can replace Torres, they're going to have to be good, so won't be too happy stuck on the bench. So maybe someone young, a raw talent like Babel. We may have him in the reserves already - Nemeth is doing brilliantly.

[V3zna]

What, and have Carra at right back permanently?! No thanks. What about Finnan, Arbeloa?! Carra has to stay in central defence, realistically.

No, have Carragher on the bench. He's a squad player at best. I'm tired of watching him endlessly lump the ball up the pitch straight to the opposition. Agger's our best centerback, Skrtel looks just as composed and assured as him. Both are centerbacks that have a superior all round game to Carra. Both can also bring the ball out from the back and start an attack with a ground pass. Jamie Carragher will play plenty of games next season but for me he's no longer first choice.

[DeNeo]

No, have Carragher on the bench.

Eventually yes, but I think next season is a bit too soon for that - he still gets us out of a few scrapes. You're right though, they'll come a time soon when Agger and Skrtel will be first choice.

[V3zna]

What do Liverpool need as a base? I'd say:

A new right back

A new left mid

Another top-class striker

I know little about world football. I know a lot of you know a lot more about players, etc - so who would you say fits our requirements for these 3 positions?

The right back really does look like being Rafinha. I'm not sure we are looking for a left midfielder and if Leto gets his work permit problems sorted out he may well get another chance next season. As for the top class striker if Crouch stays it's commonly thought it may be Boca Juniors Rodrigo Palacio who comes in. He's described more as a wing forward and would be a Kuyt replacement.

I'm more excited about the 7 substitute rule next season. Finally we can potentially get a better look at Insua, Nemeth etc in a proper match environment.

[DeNeo]

I'm not sure we are looking for a left midfielder and if Leto gets his work permit problems sorted out he may well get another chance next season.

Woah what? I was wondering why the hell the likes of Leto and El Zhar hadn't been playing for the reserves recently. I thought they'd gone out on loan or something. What happened there then?

I'm more excited about the 7 substitute rule next season. Finally we can potentially get a better look at Insua, Nemeth etc in a proper match environment.

Same here. The papers reckon Benitez wants Guthrie back too, since he's been doing so well at Bolton - so it'd mean he'd be more likely to get a chance. But you just know he'll put Voronin and Pennant there instead

[V3zna]

Woah what? I was wondering why the hell the likes of Leto and El Zhar hadn't been playing for the reserves recently. I thought they'd gone out on loan or something. What happened there then?

Same here. The papers reckon Benitez wants Guthrie back too, since he's been doing so well at Bolton - so it'd mean he'd be more likely to get a chance. But you just know he'll put Voronin and Pennant there instead

I've read on RAWK that Leto isn't playing for even the reserves as he has work permit problems. I've also read that staff at Melwood are / were happy with his progress. El Zhar was sold on was he not?

I personally doubt Voronin and Pennant will be at Anfield next season. We can generate a few £ this summer from sales as we have players that we can get rid off and not need to spend to directly replace them.

[dogsout]

I've heard great things about Rafinha.

He's quality. He'll be world class within the next couple of seasons, I reckon. He reminds me of Masch more than a bit in the way he carries himself on the pitch.

[DeNeo]

I've read on RAWK that Leto isn't playing for even the reserves as he has work permit problems. I've also read that staff at Melwood are / were happy with his progress. El Zhar was sold on was he not?

Yeah it was paperwork problems:

LIVERPOOL'S Sebastian Leto should be free to resume his Anfield career this week.

The Argie winger was left in limbo due to a probe into dodgy Italian passports.

But the 21-year-old, a £2.5million signing from Lanus, is in the clear and will be available for the rest of this term.

I don't think El Zhar was sold on - he was going to go out on loan in January but that fell through. In fact this is from the Liverpool website, talking about last week's Dallas Cup:

Of the squad going to Dallas, Ablett will have to leave behind over age players Sebastian Leto, Nabil El Zhar, Damien Plessis and Jordy Brouwer.

Which is what first reminded me that I hadn't seen either of them play for ages

And apparently Voronin was looking good in training the other day But yeah, I can see a few being sold.

[V3zna]

Besian Idriaszj (yes I know it's spelt wrong but to be fair his name looks like a word made up by a dyslexic!) was the one I was thinking of. He was definitely sold on.

[dogsout]

For me it's got to be:

Farfan/Palacio/Arshavin to play wide in the '3' behind Torres. Palacio could also fill in for Torres when required.

Alves/Rafinha at right back.

Mario Gomez, if Crouch is being sold.

I think Farfan represents a risk signing that could pay off in a big way. He's very quick, skillful, athletic, and has a good goal scoring record. He also consistently scores from free-kicks, which is an area we desperately need to improve on. He's also used to playing in the position we most need to address.

Alves may be too pricey but I'm sure he'll be leaving this summer and you'll struggle to find a better attacking fullback in the world. He's not been at his best this season but he is definitely a world class right back. He'd add so much to the team.

This one probably sounds a bit mental but here I go anyway: Ronaldinho might be worth a cheeky bid. He's been below par for a while now and has had his fair share of problems at Barcelona this year. I think his time there may be drawing to a close and if (and I realise it is a big 'if') Rafa could get him fit and focused again, he would represent the missing piece. He's obviously far from a realistic target but he has to be worth a look.

I think Insua will actually get some games in the first team next season and the new subs rule will do him a favour. I don't want to see wholesale change, just a few improvements to the areas that could use it. Obviously, I wouldn't say no to big money being spent on the wing forward because we could really use it. If we could get hold of an Aguero or Diego and manage to succesfully convert them to a wide role that would be great, but to say it would be highly unlikely would be a major understatement.

I also expect to see the usual influx of talented youngsters and the compulsory purchase of a defensive midfielder from Spain/South America.

[DeNeo]

Besian Idriaszj (yes I know it's spelt wrong but to be fair his name looks like a word made up by a dyslexic!) was the one I was thinking of. He was definitely sold on.

Well technically he was loaned until the end of the season, but his contract runs out then anyway

[Dandy_Sephy]

Kuyt is slow and couldn't beat an egg.

Which is why he was our fastest player today aside from Torres and Babel

[Reidles]

I'm more excited about the 7 substitute rule next season. Finally we can potentially get a better look at Insua, Nemeth etc in a proper match environment.

Great news! I now may actually play a season in the Premiership on Football Manager when the next version is released.

[V3zna]

LIVERPOOL'S Sebastian Leto should be free to resume his Anfield career this week.

The Argie winger was left in limbo due to a probe into dodgy Italian passports.

But the 21-year-old, a £2.5million signing from Lanus, is in the clear and will be available for the rest of this term.

He's back training. The pictures on RAWK of the pre Merseyside derby training sessions show him training alongside Mascherano.