Liverpool FC 2012-2013

[Kelthink]

LIVERPOOL FOOTBALL CLUB THREAD FOR 2012-2013 SEASON

A new season, new manager, new hope! With Dalglish relieved of his duties, the owners have decided to offer former Swans manager Brendan Rogers a chance to make his mark on the historic club. Regardless of having to be a fair bit more prudent than previous seasons, there's still enough to be excited for the new season. We're in Europ...a again at least.

Thread rules in addition to normal forum rules (still to be decided/amended accordingly to people's wishes):

- please don't chat shit about other clubs (the odd derogatory line is okay I guess), that's a boring thing that boring people do.

- fans from other teams are always welcome in here, but please don't troll the thread. Asking stuff like 'how do you think you will/should shape up?' or 'what do you guys think of Charlie Adam? We think he's pretty cack to be honest' is alright.

- Dinobot: don't talk about other teams or players/managers from other teams ever. Nobody wins

Thread will be updated later, just making sure it's not a completely terrible OP. Oo-er!

[Gabe]

Well I'll just highlight some of the current stories:

Gareth Bale has called Charlie Adam a coward for injuring him (again) in Saturday's friendly;

We accept an offer from Fiorentina for Alberto, despite he saying just days ago that he wanted a chance (so he's presumably been told he isn't going to get one);

It's likely that we'll step-up our pursuit of Joe Allen for what (I think) is an overpriced £15m.

So, thoughts on any of those?

I posted the same in the other thread, but can some Swansea fans tell me that Joe Allen is actually worth getting? My only exposure to him is in the Team GB games, where I think he's been functional but not dazzling (though that's understandable in a team that haven't played much). What will he bring to the team if we get him?

[earlymodernsteve]

My usual pre-season optimistic enthusiasm is a little dimmed by the repeated pattern of the past few years of seemingly wholescale clearouts and reshaping of the team. I'll wait and see where we stand at the end of the transfer window before I make any rash judgements about Rodgers but it is looking like this season will be a case of adapting the squad to his style of play rather than setting targets in particular competitions. While that may be sensible long-term it could make for an underwhelming season results-wise (again).

[glb]

Is it wrong that I'm fatigued by the thought of a new season already? Don't get me wrong, I'm excited to see how Rodgers will get on and how we'll shape up, but I can't really be bothered with everyone else except when we're playing them*. So in my league of one I reckon we'll be stronger at home, lose a bit more away and hopefully use the cups to give younger players some games.

No controversies, signs of progress on the pitch and Lucas being boss again will do nicely.

*admittedly this stance will probably last for about two weeks before I cave in and watch Swansea Vs Sunderland.

[Oh Danny Boy]

i'm a bit worried that with only a few weeks left that the only signing the club have made is Borini. Makes me nervous in the belief that there is little extra cash to spend

I hear Spurs are trying to trump as for Allen it seems that their transfer policy is to buy whoever Liverpool want.

And regards Bale i call it poetic justice that he's now picked up a little knock after pulling out of the GB olympic team with a fake injury especially after posing wearing the GB team kit

[Gabe]

Nah, I'm with you on that a bit. I'm more interested in the cricket (and shortly the Ryder Cup - which isn't long now!) than I am in the football at the moment; in fact my lack of enthusiasm/frustration at the club hit around the turn of the year and hasn't really dissipated yet.

I'm sure that'll change once we get underway, but we have a really difficult start which could define our season before the end of September. I would like to see some more transfer activity though, because I don't currently feel we have the personnel to compete for a Champions League place (which I read was the expectation from FSG a couple of weeks ago).

I agree that a season with no controversies or off-field problems would be nice, too.

[Kelthink]

Bale's totally wrong about Adam being a coward, he's still just a terrible tackle and having seen the video it looks like naught has changed. I don't wish him any ill harm also, football at the olympics be damned unless the players are up-and-coming, the over 23s should include those willing to play. Like Becks.

In positive non-footballing news, LFC Ladies are making an appearance at the Liverpool Pride march/festival on Saturday! http://www.liverpoolpride.co.uk/news/09/07/2012/liverpool-fc-march-liverpool-pride-2012 Big news given how little is done for LGBT awareness in football, something like only 16 professional teams in the English leagues support it.

[DeNeo]

I'm a bit worried that we seem to be getting rid of all our attacking players. Kuyt and Maxi have already gone, now it looks like Aquilani, Bellamy and Carroll will be off too. We were lacking in goals last season and so far we've only brought in Borini.

I understand that a lot of it is to do with getting the wages down (though apparently we've offered Allen a bumper deal) - but if they all go, we need at least 3 others who can score goals to replace them. I don't see Allen being that type of player.

Of course, we've still got a month to go, and it looks like we're trying to get rid before we buy (unlike last year), but if Borini, Allen and Dempsey end up as our only signings, I think we'll struggle.

[Sng]

Allen looked pretty good tonight! Saurez looked like a player who I would love to slag the shit out of were he not a Liverpool player

Still don't really know about him. Possibly doing more harm than good in the grand scheme of things.

[JamesTW]

Wasn't really in the spirit of the Olympics to boo a player, especially when it's still because of that silly FA thing, I hope after his career is done he takes them to court.

[sith]

Wasn't really in the spirit of the Olympics to boo a player, especially when it's still because of that silly FA thing, I hope after his career is done he takes them to court.

People still have sympathy for Suarez?

[SMD]

Well this is going well.

[p b]

Say hello to last season

Nah, probably to early. Let's watch the first 10 minutes of the second half until we start...

[SMD]

Downing

[p b]

[Chewylegs]

From what I heard, we played like shit but got the result.....which is what we struggle to do most seasons!

In regards to Allen, he seems very much in the Lucas mould of players (correct me if I'm wrong Swans fans). He looks calm, collected on the ball, good passer, but exactly how do we play both in the same team? I did a quick line up earlier, guess at how we'd look this season with Allen onboard.

-----------------Reina

Johno------Skrtel----Agger-----Enrique

--------------Lucas-----Allen--------

---------------------Gerrard

------Downing--------------Suarez

--------------------Borini

Leaves Bellamy, Spearing, Shelvey, Henderson, , Aquilani, J Cole, Adam, Carroll on the bench!!

Now, with the idea of 2 more coming in, I can fully understand why Aqua could be deemed surplus and personally I think Cole and Adam as well. We simply don't have the space for them. Carroll I think should stay as he is a different option, Spearing won't get much match time either. We also have Sterling and Pacheco. Basically we have too many players in the same positions, with not many of them proving to look any better than the rest.

I can see some players going out on loan and some leaving before September 1st (a total of 4)t - its just picking the right ones to go which is the problem!

[JamesTW]

From what I heard, we played like shit but got the result.....which is what we struggle to do most seasons!

I think I would rather that than what happened last season, games like West Brom at home, Arsenal at home and a few others were soul destroying.

[SMD]

Except you're assuming that we get Allen, that Bellamy, Aquilani and Carroll are staying and that we don't need a new defensive midfielder or full back. Or another striker.

[Oh Danny Boy]

if Carroll goes another striker is a must

I'm getting quite worried with the lack of transfers so far

[Chewylegs]

Except you're assuming that we get Allen, that Bellamy, Aquilani and Carroll are staying and that we don't need a new defensive midfielder or full back. Or another striker.

I'm confused, I said Im assuming we get Allen. What I'm saying is, with our current squad, as much as I'd like to keep some players, we just have two many players for the positions available. That's why I can understand if Aquilani leaves, but I can also see another 3 out the door as well.

For me our priority is to bring in players that can improve our attacking front. Cole and Adam don't look good enough to be near the squad and potentially Bellamy might choose to leave.

[DeNeo]

According to Gazzetta #Aquilani has signed a 3 years deal with #Fiorentina (worth 1.6m€/year). #LFC will give him money to leave.

More on #Aquilani deal: 3years deal, in the first 2 years #Fiorentina and #LFC will pay his 4m€ wage 50% each. Then 1.6m€ erd year by Viola

Jesus.

[Chooch]

Awesome bit of business there.

[DeNeo]

Just shows the mental contracts we've been giving people. We'll probably have to do the same sort of thing if Cole goes.

I really hope Cole goes.

[Oh Danny Boy]

thats ridiculous, how much did they buy him for or did the club pay Forientina to take him?

Paper talk; Spurs are lining up a £7m bid for Sterling. If he goes i'll be pissed

[Hawkeye]

I doubt they paid Forientina to take him. What they paid was probably the remainder of his wages on his contract at Liverpool, or an agreed part of it. There's no way he'll be on the same wages at Forientina, so he's played the pay me the money or I ain't going anywhere card.

[Gabe]

The Aquilani deal is crazy.

Our transfer record over the last few years has been really quite poor, hasn't it?

[glb]

Which paper is linking Sterling with Spurs?

EDIT: never mind, see on the Beeb's gossip it's that rag. Pay that sorry excuse for a paper less attention than Piers Morgan if he was stood at a window shouting, 'help, I'm stuck and this building's on fire'.

[gospvg]

Not liking these Agger rumours

[DeNeo]

And it's confirmed:

http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/lfc-confirm-aquilani-transfer

Liverpool Football Club can today confirm that Alberto Aquilani has completed a permanent transfer to Serie A side Fiorentina.

The Italian midfielder joined Liverpool in 2009 but made just 28 first-team appearances having spent the last two seasons on loan in his homeland.

Everyone at the club would like to wish Alberto all the best for the future.

[DeNeo]

Class:

Dear Supporter,

I want to say a sincere thank-you for making the effort to come to Gomel last night to support us in our first competitive match of the season.

The players and I are fully aware of the trials and tribulations surrounding travel for games; in particular, the costs, the necessity for visas and the transportation issues involved with this trip, so we wanted to let you know that your efforts are greatly appreciated.

It was a privilege to acknowledge your support on the evening at the ground, as we did following the full-time whistle, but I wanted to reiterate our thanks with this brief message.

It was a special night for me personally and it was great to see you in the stadium and in great voice; you made me proud and you made the players proud. You are an integral part of this team.

Both last night in Belarus and on the club's tour to North America, I am continually humbled by the passion and commitment you show in supporting the team. We will never take you for granted.

I look forward to seeing and hearing you across the continent and at home as we progress through this competition.

Thank you again.

You'll Never Walk Alone

Brendan

http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/rodgers-letter-to-supporters