Summer Transfers IN/OUT

Regarding defence, the thinking seems to be that playing three high energy players (who are each of varying but above average strength) reduces the need for a specialist DM, but I am not convinced.

I too am not convinced by this, and the only true specialist we have is Lucas, with Allen capable of covering if needed.

Are there any top clubs that compete at a high level that currently doesn't use a specialist DM/DLPM? How about past teams, has there been a successful team that hasn't used one?

I too am not convinced by this, and the only true specialist we have is Lucas, with Allen capable of covering if needed.

Are there any top clubs that compete at a high level that currently doesn't use a specialist DM? How about past teams, has there been a successful team that hasn't used one?

Trust Rodgers he knows how to shield the defence 

I agree we need a DM and most of the players you listed are very good and would likely be excellent transfers. Either of the Bender brothers (preferably Lars) would be my pick. Carvahlo is very good, but currently hyped beyond his ability (kind of like Sterling) and so would require a massive transfer fee. My only complaint was the mischaracterisation of Hendo and Milner as lacking creativity.

I'm positive that Hendo will only improve for us and develop his offensive skills, currently it is obvious he has his limits, he and Milner could form a good partnership in the midfield, and i'm really thinking they will build a good understanding between them. But they need to be covered by a DM who would be prepared to run through a brick wall for us. We've been seriously lacking this type of player, one who can instill some fear in opposition players and also spur his teammates on.

But they need to be covered by a DM who would be prepared to run through a brick wall for us. We've been seriously lacking this type of player, one who can instill some fear in opposition players and also spur his teammates on.

I actually think this is more important than buying a striker. Would rather we spend big on a DLPM or DM than a striker.

I actually think this is more important than buying a striker. Would rather we spend big on a DLPM or DM than a striker.

I too previously said this, that a DM signing is crucial, the striker can wait. A strong DM could help our team even offensively, because he could relieve Milner and Henderson of their defensive responsabilities, not entirely, but they would be more focused and involved in our offensive play.

I too previously said this, that a DM signing is crucial, the striker can wait.

I actually think this is more important than buying a striker. Would rather we spend big on a DLPM or DM than a striker.

   

Going to hold my tongue on this one 

That's the idea lads.

We score F**k all goals last season so put the striker in the back burner.

A striker and nothing else, unless its another striker, is what I'm after.

 

Going to hold my tongue on this one 

Make sure you don't bite it.

Make sure you don't bite it.

That's what HE said.

Make sure you don't bite it.

I won't.

That's the idea lads.

We score f**k all goals last season so put the striker in the back burner.

A striker and nothing else, unless its another striker, is what I'm after.

 

That's the idea lads.

We score f**k all goals last season so put the striker in the back burner.

A striker and nothing else, unless its another striker, is what I'm after.

 

Going to hold my tongue on this one 

The way I see it, the root of our problems wasn't the strikers, it was the creative aspect and how Rodgers played our forwards. How often did we see our strikers (when they played) in the box? How often did we see them playing their unnatural game? How often did they get chances?

With Firmino and Coutinho, we should create, create and create and add that fear factor back. Ings & Origi will get chances, a lot of them, so I would rather give them a chance to prove their worth and see what they are capable of before spending 25m+ on a new striker when Ings or Origi could do the job.

A consistent stronger DM/DLPM will allow the CM(s) and full backs to attack with more conviction, it will give us better control in the middle, but most importantly, it should improve our defence.
Domination in the middle is what we have been lacking for years & years, and for me, the majority of games are usually won in the midfield, so having a player like Carvalho or Illarra (if you rate him) in the middle would be a huge game changer for the team as a whole which is more important for me.

The way I see it, the root of our problems wasn't the strikers, it was the creative aspect and how Rodgers played our forwards.

Its interesting how we can all look at games and see them differently.

My entire summation of last years matches were plenty of chances, nobody to finish.

That's what I took from it.

Its interesting how we can all look at games and see them differently.

My entire summation of last years matches were plenty of chances, nobody to finish.

That's what I took from it.

Whether they did or didn't, it matters not as we have Firmino now, a player that can be of similar status ish to Sanchez or Suarez (13/14). A player that can bring back that fear factor and add a new attacking dimension. Adding to this, we have 2 new mobile strikers that we should try out, so I think that specialist DM position is what we should be looking to spend big rather than a striker.

Its interesting how we can all look at games and see them differently.

My entire summation of last years matches were plenty of chances, nobody to finish.

That's what I took from it.

A bit of both really as the stats suggest we created a sh*t load of stats but a lot were shots from outside the box, Balo finding row Z.
I don't think we created too many clear cut chances, and where we did Raheem usually fluffed his lines.

I agree with PM that especially so with teams parking the bus we struggled to create clear cut chances.

The way I see it, the root of our problems wasn't the strikers, it was the creative aspect and how Rodgers played our forwards. How often did we see our strikers (when they played) in the box? How often did we see them playing their unnatural game? How often did they get chances?

With Firmino and Coutinho, we should create, create and create and add that fear factor back. Ings & Origi will get chances, a lot of them, so I would rather give them a chance to prove their worth and see what they are capable of before spending 25m+ on a new striker when Ings or Origi could do the job.

A consistent stronger DM/DLPM will allow the CM(s) and full backs to attack with more conviction, it will give us better control in the middle, but most importantly, it should improve our defence.
Domination in the middle is what we have been lacking for years & years, and for me, the majority of games are usually won in the midfield, so having a player like Carvalho or Illarra (if you rate him) in the middle would be a huge game changer for the team as a whole which is more important for me.

Honestly finishing was a big problem for us. I am all for a defensive mid. I would love Carvalho or Illarra. No doubt in my mind. I 100% agree with you on that. But to say a "striker can wait" (don't think those were your words but someone else's) is absolutely false.

I am sorry but putting our eggs in the Origi and Ings basket is so risky, we can't be doing that. We put our eggs in the Balotelli, Lambert and Borini basket who were three new strikers with good scoring records (bar Borini) and look how that turned out. We absolutely need a top quality striker.

Again not arguing we do not need a defensive mid, because I think we could use another one, but striker should be number one on our list.

I am sorry but putting our eggs in the Origi and Ings basket is so risky, we can't be doing that. We put our eggs in the Balotelli, Lambert and Borini

Just to point this part out of a very good post.

Ings/Origi vs Balotelli/Lambert.....now matches are not won on paper but come on last season nobody would have chose those two over Balotelli/Lambert.

As you say we simply cannot risk going into another season with unknown/troubled player at the forward position; we need goals that we can count on.

But to say a "striker can wait" (don't think those were your words but someone else's) is absolutely false.

I feel the same way and think the striker can wait

I am sorry but putting our eggs in the Origi and Ings basket is so risky, we can't be doing that.

I feel the same way about the DM role, we shouldn't rely on Lucas, Allen & Can (you know how I feel about Can as a DM )

We absolutely need a top quality striker.

We do, but also a defensive mid which I would priorities first. If it were a toss up between Carvalho or Lacazette,  I really would choose Carvalho.

Why can't we just get both? I don't see why it has to be one or the other. Our work in midfield was shocking, defensively teams strolled past us and offensively we weren't balanced so having a solid, mobile Base in midfield is crucial. Lord knows we need someone to pop 20 in the back of the old onion bag too. Ings and Origi COULD do that but we need someone who WILL do it. I say get both.

Why can't we just get both? I don't see why it has to be one or the other. Our work in midfield was shocking, defensively teams strolled past us and offensively we weren't balanced so having a solid, mobile Base in midfield is crucial. Lord knows we need someone to pop 20 in the back of the old onion bag too. Ings and Origi COULD do that but we need someone who WILL do it. I say get both.

Would be fantastic to get a strong DM and Striker, but I have a feeling that won't be the case. I just assume with all this talk of 25m+ for Benteke, this could possibly be our last incoming transfer activity (hope I'm wrong).

Would be fantastic to get a strong DM and Striker, but I have a feeling that won't be the case. I just assume with all this talk of 25m+ for Benteke, this could possibly be our last incoming transfer activity (hope I'm wrong).

If we do sell Sterling and we only buy one more player I think that's a crime.

If we do sell Sterling and we only buy one more player I think that's a crime.

Out
Sterling 35m?
Coates 2m
Aspas 5m
Assaidi 4m (reportedly 4.7, but I will put 4m down)

In
Clyne 12.5m
Firmino 29m
Ings 6m?
New striker 25m?

26.5m net spend

If we then sell (bare in mind I am pricing them at their lowest):

Balo 5m?
Borini 5m?
Lambert 1m?
Alberto 1m?
Lucas or Allen 5m? (If we do get a new DM)

We would end up with a net spend of, 9.5m. Without selling Lucas or Allen, 14.5m. Either way, perhaps we can get one more 20-25m player in?


Edit: Thanks, Thaddeus

snip

We've also sold Assaidi since the last time we spent money in a transfer window.

Out
Sterling 35m?
Coates 2m
Aspas 5m
Assaidi 4m (reportedly 4.7, but I will put 4m down)

In
Clyne 12.5m
Firmino 29m
Ings 6m?
New striker 25m?

26.5m net spend

If we then sell (bare in mind I am pricing them at their lowest):

Balo 5m?
Borini 5m?
Lambert 1m?
Alberto 1m?
Lucas or Allen 5m? (If we do get a new DM)

We would end up with a net spend of, 9.5m. Without selling Lucas or Allen, 14.5m. Either way, perhaps we can get one more 20-25m player in?


Edit: Thanks, Thaddeus

Sell Balo for 5 mil, are you having a laugh ? For that money, we'll better give him another chance.