Charlie Adam (Blackpool)

Henderson, Gerrard, Aquilani, Lucas, Shelvey, Spearing, Meireles.

Hope this signing doesn't mean that we have to sell Aquilani or Meireles as I rate both of them. Shevley and Spearing can do a job when needed as well and the former is still young.

We could do with the strength in depth for once.

I'm quite undecided on Adam so far, I mean he's ok for Blackpool but in amongst some of the best players in the prem he's going to have to raise his game (having said that Konchesky managed)

True but another way of looking at it is he'll be surrounded by players with better movement, greater game intelligence and higher fitness levels. He may well find it even easier playing in our team.

I still personally feel Aquilani may be on his way out. Rumours of interest from Fiorentina, and we have a ton of centre mids.

I still personally feel Aquilani may be on his way out. Rumours of interest from Fiorentina, and we have a ton of centre mids.

Yeah, I have to think that one of Aqua/Raul will be on their way now, but it's hard to say which one....  It seems like Kenny really rates Raul based on how much he utilized him last season.  However, he may view both of them as similar assets to our team, and could be willing to part with whoever will bring in the most money in a transfer fee....

I really can't see both of them staying unless we were to loan out both Shelvey and Spearo as we are way overstaffed in the CM dept at the moment!

I think both are off.

Four central midfielders is more than enough to get you through a season without european football - Lucas, Stevie, Raul and Aqua. Baring in mind we have shelvey and spearing to step in emergencies.

Weren't their rumours that raul was unsettled in merseyside? reason of the signing adam IMO.

I cant see aqua being here next season either, which is why weve signed hendo.

I don't think either are off.  I'm pretty sure we'll be playing a 4-2-3-1 next year (remember reading an interview with Rodolfo about how it's important that our youth teams play the same formation to ensure continuity), obviously the first team 4-2-3-1 will be a little more flexible in it's application but:

BACK FOUR
Lucas Aquilani
Kuyt Meireles New LW
Suarez

BACK FOUR
Spearing Adam
Henderson Gerrard Maxi
Carroll

Plausible as first and second choices, there's competition for positions and while it might seem a little heavy this year - certainly won't be next season.  Most of those players can play in more than one position/role too.

I think our team will look something like:

                   Reina

Johnson  Agger    Carragher  New LB*

             Gerrard   Lucas

Henderson    Suarez       Downing

                  Carroll

Would be contempt with that line up being our strongest.

 * New left back being either one of Enrique or Cissokho.

    

I would prefer this

                       Reina

Kelly        Skrtel         Agger     johnson

                       Lucas

Gerrard             Miereles           Suarez

            Aquilani

                          Carroll

             

I made this point months back, if Adam was at say Spurs or City and done what he done for Blackpool do you think people would have been so anti signing him? If they were honest no they wouldn't. Its like a form of snobbery because he "was only doing it with Blackpool"

Throw him in our side and his strenghts will be even more evident. Great signing

I agree.

I don't think either are off.  I'm pretty sure we'll be playing a 4-2-3-1 next year (remember reading an interview with Rodolfo about how it's important that our youth teams play the same formation to ensure continuity), obviously the first team 4-2-3-1 will be a little more flexible in it's application but:

BACK FOUR
Lucas Aquilani
Kuyt Meireles New LW
Suarez

BACK FOUR
Spearing Adam
Henderson Gerrard Maxi
Carroll

Plausible as first and second choices, there's competition for positions and while it might seem a little heavy this year - certainly won't be next season.  Most of those players can play in more than one position/role too.

Gerrrard as second choice?

Did you lose your mind?

Been a bit of speculation in the press today that we'll play 4-3-3 with the arrival of Adam.

He's a natural left footer so he brings balance for definite.


                                Reina

 Johnson         Carragher         Agger         New LB?

   

       Gerrard     Henderson/Lucas/Aquilani?  Adam


        Suarez                                        Downing?
                                Carroll

I agree.
Gerrrard as second choice?

Did you lose your mind?

Well competition for positions means there's no guarantees but let me put it to you this way, if Liverpool are to progress and move forward it involves Steven Gerrard sitting in the passenger's (and not the driver's) seat.  Currently, I rate him on par with Meireles and we need to abolish this culture of people being first choice on the team sheet first game back from injury - he can prove himself like everyone else has been, there's no question he's got the ability to do so, so come on Steven, let's have it.  Note, this is no reflection on his previous contribution to the club because he has been F***ing phenomenal in the past and I'm thankful he's a Liverpool player and not a <random club> player.  He's earned the right to retire here IMO, but not the right to be an automatic first choice pick.  I'm going to get slated for this, but it's just how I see things.

If Gerrard is fit, Gerrard plays. It is as simple as that tbh.

I agree with what you are saying that players should fight for position regardless of their stature, for example, Spearing could have the best run of games in his career and be dropped the next after someone recovered from injury, that must really affect their morale.

However, it's Gerrard, he'd get into any first team in the world, and he definitely won't be sitting on the bench ...

I still personally feel Aquilani may be on his way out. Rumours of interest from Fiorentina, and we have a ton of centre mids.

Same here. I think that the list of central midfielders is too big for the one position so one body will have to go.

Been a bit of speculation in the press today that we'll play 4-3-3 with the arrival of Adam.

He's a natural left footer so he brings balance for definite.


                                Reina

 Johnson         Carragher         Agger         New LB?

   

       Gerrard     Henderson/Lucas/Aquilani?  Adam


        Suarez                                        Downing?
                                Carroll

I agree with this one.

Rory Smith was saying something along the line of we would play Henderson mainly at home and Lucas mainly away.

 Probably his pass completion rates haven't been that great of late or something similar.

If Gerrard is fit, Gerrard plays. It is as simple as that tbh.

Some will see it like that, I think he's been too complacent at times over the past two seasons.  I'd have no hesitations in starving him of game time for a little bit because once you let him off that leash, he'll be like a rabid pitbull - you know, the Gerrard we all remember and love to watch.  Currently, I don't believe he's that huge a class above Meireles that it warrants that sort of an approach towards him.  Is Gerrard in his prime better than Meireles in his prime?  You bet he is.  Is Gerrard currently better than Meireles?  IMHO, not by enough to warrant a first choice pick ahead of Meireles.

Just wanted to say how exciting it is currently as we are having headaches over where our players are going to play rather than scenarios going on off the pitch.

I just have to keep reminding myself how lucky we actually are but you still get the haters who want more

If Gerrard is fit, Gerrard plays. It is as simple as that tbh.

This is the truth but I personally don't believe it should this way.

Gerrard needs to fight for a spot in the team, not get given a spot as soon as he's fit. I could understand the reasoning when he was at his best a few years ago, but Gerrard hasn't been fit, played that great for around 2 seasons now. Just think he shouldn't be given an automatic first team spot.

I think players play better when their place is up for grabs, and it improves the squad knowing you'll have to work harder to get a place in the first 11.

But he will, so there's really no need to debate about Gerrard being in the second team, he'll be in the first 11 if he's fit.

 "Is Gerrard currently better than Mereiles"? LMAO

Some will see it like that, I think he's been too complacent at times over the past two seasons.  I'd have no hesitations in starving him of game time for a little bit because once you let him off that leash, he'll be like a rabid pitbull - you know, the Gerrard we all remember and love to watch.  Currently, I don't believe he's that huge a class above Meireles that it warrants that sort of an approach towards him.  Is Gerrard in his prime better than Meireles in his prime?  You bet he is.  Is Gerrard currently better than Meireles?  IMHO, not by enough to warrant a first choice pick ahead of Meireles.

I can't help but feel you have some sort of crush on Meireles.

When he's fit, Gerrard is in the top 5 midfielders in the world. Unfortunately he hasn't been 'properly' fit for quite some time. Anyways, this is the Charlie Adam topic so let's get back on it eh?

"Is Gerrard currently better than Mereiles"? LMAO

Brilliant contribution to the discussion.  Ignore their names and focus on their performances of late.

I can't help but feel you have some sort of crush on Meireles.

I think he's a excellent player.  Nothing more, nothing less.  Honestly, Gerrard has been disappointing by his own very high standards of late.  He's gone from a world class player to an outstanding player, there's no shame in that.

edit: Charlie Adam, he kicks the ball and stuff.