How our team may look next season

Guessing that Rafa sticks to his 4-3-2-1 formation I'd go for this team:

------------------Reina
------Degan---Carra--Skrtel---Dossena
-------------Masch---Barry
-------Bentley---Gerrard----Babel
------------------Torres

Degan - probably an improvement on Arbeloa or the ageing Finnan, but I have to watch more to judge.
Dossena - Obviously an improvement on Riise but on Aurelio? Maybe as Aurelio gets injured time to time.
Barry - Surely a big improvement on Alonso. Barry is a player who'll play blood and guts for us! At his peak too.
Bentley - Well he'd be an improvement on any right winger we've got right now.

So these four players? Yeah they'd improve us but would they really make us real contenders? We have to ask ourselfs that!

i dont see how Barry is an improvement over Alonso, yes Alonso hasnt been on top form this season but hes been injured quite alot. Id keep Alonso over Barry but it doesn't look like it's gunna pan out that way. i think Agger would come in for Skrtel maybe Agger and Skrtel at some points during the season as i think sadly Carra's legs are going a bit, but i think Agger will be preffered over Skrtel. I also would like to see Babel played down the middle a bit more often.

Trust me Barry is a big improvement on Alonso. To me, all Alonso does is slow our play down. Yeah it suits the smaller games but in the bigger games it doesn't.

He hasn't been on top form for quite a while. What makes you think he's going to be outstanding next season? Barry is playing at his peak now and his good football is showing that. He links up with Gerrard far better than Alonso does and Alonso trains with Gerrard 8 months of the year.

Give it a think but I honestly think Barry will be an improvement over Alonso without a shadow of doubt. He shows more determination and trust me he'll run his socks off for us. Alonso has better technique but that's it.

I don't think Alonso is as clever as many make him out to be. Yeah he's got good vision and can make those 60 yard passes but he's not a great reader of the game, he barely dictates play for us. Cesc Fabregas is a far more intelligent player.

hmm maybe, i dont know if barry is worth the £10m plus Crouch quoted on some places though. £10m is more than enough imo but then again hes english and you always pay over the odds for english players.

Ra Ra time and time again you have played the same tune. You have had an issue with Alonso all season, you went out of your way to say that at one point Lucas is the more "intelligent" and quality player. Now you are going on record saying that Barry is the better player, going on what track record? The fact that he is the best player in a mid table team where he has the freedom to play anywhere on the pitch and the power to freelance. How will this fit in to our system? Will he be able to perform a certain role and task that Rafa will assign tactically every game? By no means am I trying to portray Barry as a bad player but he is nowehere near the quality of Alonso. I think its a testament in itself to what sort of player Alonso is when you look at the clubs who are interested in him, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus. This surely indicates to me he has proven quality that would be an addition in any of the mentioned squads.

I repeat again I do think Barry is a good player and will benefit us but never at the expense of Alonso!

Here where I see the team

----------------------Pepe-----------------------
Arboloa-----Skrtel------Agger-----Dossena
----------------------Javi--------------------------
---------------Gerrard-----Barry---------------
---Kuyt-------------------------------Babel-----
-------------------Torres------------------------

I love Carra but I think if Skrtel plays the way he done this season and Agger plays like he did last season Carra is going to have a tough time finding a way on to the team on a game by game basis. Carra and Finnan really looked like they lost half a step and I feel that the Skrtel/Agger pair is going to lead us into the next 5 years so I think we start playing them together and see where this relationship take off. I love Carra and it hurts me to say it but he looking like his age is showing a tiny bit and I don't know what next season will be (hope I am wrong of coarse!).

From what I read Degen is simply a pure attacking full back but I always been a fan of Arboloa and I don't think there is much reason at this time to think he would lose his spot to Degen.

I think the whole Barry thing is to add more punch in the middle. Alonso really has not capture the form from the first season he was here and it seems when Javi came to Liverpool Alonso really lost it when Javi took his spot and seems to never gotten to the top form. Barry though doesn't have the passing ability but still offer more attacking and push than Alonso and when you got a player like Javi who can now simply focus on holding and winning balls rather than try and make plays (sorry but he isn't that good attacking wise) then I can see the balance in the middle.

As for the attacking 3 up front I do think Rafa is going to get someone but I dunno who so that is why I put Kuyt there and I think Babel and Torres don't need much explaining.

Carra is our heart in defence, no shunning him out of the side. I for one am a 'pro Barry' campaigner as opposed to those begging for Alonso to stay. He links up better with SG, he will also help assist Nando and spreading it out wide to our wingers.

So my team going off Barry, Bentley and Dossena coming along with Degen is:

                                   Reina

Arbeloa           Carragher         Agger         Dossena

                     Masch               Barry

Bentley                                                     Babel

                               Gerrard

                               Torres

Those choosing Degen right now are plain thick. Who has seen him play a full match? Have you Ra Ra? If not then enough to be able to judge on him? Dont think so. Arby is our best RB and untill Degen busts his ass to prove otherwise its Arby for me down the right in defence. He is a very solid defender and one who is improving in attack now and with Degen pushing for a place in the side, Arby will improve too.

PS: Dont mean to attack you Ra Ra but just making a point.

I love this "Barry links up better with Gerrard" based on what two internaional games against mediorce teams like the US and Tand

Anyways this is the team that I would imagine nexst season;

                          Reina

Arbeloa              Skrtel Carra           Dossenna

Bentley/Silva      Mascherano Alonso   Babel

                         Gerrard

                       Torres

this is based on realistically the players we can get and haev been strongly linked to.

Trust me Barry is a big improvement on Alonso. To me, all Alonso does is slow our play down. Yeah it suits the smaller games but in the bigger games it doesn't.

He hasn't been on top form for quite a while. What makes you think he's going to be outstanding next season? Barry is playing at his peak now and his good football is showing that. He links up with Gerrard far better than Alonso does and Alonso trains with Gerrard 8 months of the year.

Give it a think but I honestly think Barry will be an improvement over Alonso without a shadow of doubt. He shows more determination and trust me he'll run his socks off for us. Alonso has better technique but that's it.

I don't think Alonso is as clever as many make him out to be. Yeah he's got good vision and can make those 60 yard passes but he's not a great reader of the game, he barely dictates play for us. Cesc Fabregas is a far more intelligent player.

You really make me laugh, talk about Walter Mitty F***ing hell.. In the other threads you were berating Barry and wanted more flair players like Quasimodo from Porto saying Barry wasnt good enough.

And I wish people would read my lips

ALONSO AINT GOING ANYWHERE FOR F**k SAKE

He has said it himself, alonso and barry will be quite a force to reckond with in any game one long accurate pass for direct play via alonso or one short throughball with vision from Barry. They are both great players who I hope will help win us the EPL next season. As far as the team looks for the want of repeating myself you have just given one permutation, remember its not a team game anymore its a squad game..

Some people arnt going to like this.. but here goes.

                                                       Reina

Arbeloa                         Agger/Skrtel                    Carra                    Dossena

                                                       Mash
                         
                                        Barry                    Xabi

             Gerrard                                                             Babel

                                                       Torres

Like it or not its the only way to get our best players on the field and i no people are going to bi*ch and moan about gerrard on the right but the fact is a minute fragment of planet earth who can do a better job in that position, i think if stevie is given the freedom ronaldo has for utd on the right hand side, then it will be a great decision

Those choosing Degen right now are plain thick. Who has seen him play a full match? Have you Ra Ra? If not then enough to be able to judge on him? Dont think so. Arby is our best RB and untill Degen busts his ass to prove otherwise its Arby for me down the right in defence. He is a very solid defender and one who is improving in attack now and with Degen pushing for a place in the side, Arby will improve too.

PS: Dont mean to attack you Ra Ra but just making a point.

You didn't attack me but your being F***ing rude!

Who's seen Dossena play more than Degan? Also Arby isn't all that great, Rafa bought Degan for first choice reason why I put him there for first choice!

Don't make me lose respect in you, find other words to use mate.

You really make me laugh, talk about Walter Mitty F***ing hell.. In the other threads you were berating Barry and wanted more flair players like Quasimodo from Porto saying Barry wasnt good enough.

And I wish people would read my lips

ALONSO AINT GOING ANYWHERE FOR F**k SAKE

He has said it himself, alonso and barry will be quite a force to reckond with in any game one long accurate pass for direct play via alonso or one short throughball with vision from Barry. They are both great players who I hope will help win us the EPL next season. As far as the team looks for the want of repeating myself you have just given one permutation, remember its not a team game anymore its a squad game..

Mate I'm not SamCharles or Richobaz, talk to me with a bit of respect will ya lad?
When I didn't want Barry it was because I thought we were going to use him as a left winger, but as a central midfielder he'll take over from Alonso in a good way 'IMO'

Carra is our heart in defence, no shunning him out of the side. I for one am a 'pro Barry' campaigner as opposed to those begging for Alonso to stay. He links up better with SG, he will also help assist Nando and spreading it out wide to our wingers.

So my team going off Barry, Bentley and Dossena coming along with Degen is:

                                   Reina

Arbeloa           Carragher         Agger         Dossena

                     Masch               Barry

Bentley                                                     Babel

                               Gerrard

                               Torres

Those choosing Degen right now are plain thick. Who has seen him play a full match? Have you Ra Ra? If not then enough to be able to judge on him? Dont think so. Arby is our best RB and untill Degen busts his ass to prove otherwise its Arby for me down the right in defence. He is a very solid defender and one who is improving in attack now and with Degen pushing for a place in the side, Arby will improve too.

PS: Dont mean to attack you Ra Ra but just making a point.

Feeling your formation. Classic. But I will replace Arbeloa with Degan. Also Agger needs to get back in form - Skrtel is perfect partner for Carragher.

I hope we get to buy David Villa or some other monster upfront!

Carra is our heart in defence, no shunning him out of the side. I for one am a 'pro Barry' campaigner as opposed to those begging for Alonso to stay. He links up better with SG, he will also help assist Nando and spreading it out wide to our wingers.

So my team going off Barry, Bentley and Dossena coming along with Degen is:

                                   Reina

Arbeloa           Carragher         Agger         Dossena

                     Masch               Barry

Bentley                                                     Babel

                               Gerrard

                               Torres

Those choosing Degen right now are plain thick. Who has seen him play a full match? Have you Ra Ra? If not then enough to be able to judge on him? Dont think so. Arby is our best RB and untill Degen busts his ass to prove otherwise its Arby for me down the right in defence. He is a very solid defender and one who is improving in attack now and with Degen pushing for a place in the side, Arby will improve too.

PS: Dont mean to attack you Ra Ra but just making a point.

Love the Formation and were uv put each player- now its up to rafa to get these players and hold on to xabi

I hope we get to buy David Villa or some other monster upfront!

My heart says the same thing, but my head says if we keep playing this formation which one are we going to leave out? Torres or Villa? And I don't think either would be happy playing only one game in two, or anyone else for paying at least £17 million for a benchwarmer!

If we keep this formation, we won't sign David Villa, I can pretty much assure you.. Unless Benitez has some plan to turn one of Torres or Villa into an attacking winger. He does have a habit of playing strikers on the wings...

I'm getting bored of this Barry is better than Alonso stuff. What's the basis of that? Ra Ra I just think you have a thing against Alonso, and I'm not really sure why. He's got so much quality on the ball and I've said time and time again when he's on the pitch the team just plays better. I'd hate to see him go.

Whilst i am not a regular blogger i am an ardant LFC fan and what worries me is that whilst other teams ahve started to make in roads to players they want, we seem to be stuck on the Barry situation. I would like him to come Ithink the balance of a naturally left footed player will only help us, yes he doesn't have the vision or passing range of Alosno and doesn't look like he controls the tempo like Alonso has, but he will add fight and a great engine as well as goals. I think it is inevitable that he will come and i think we will pay over the odds, its unfortunate but people don't want us back at the top. I think the additions at the back and the emergence of ninja Skrtel we will get back to having the leanest defence is the premiership, as well as being the highest scoring team. If we could but Bently i don't think we need another striker, we could let Babbel run through the middle and have stevie sit in to cover. These are just my opinions but feed back is welcome.

YNWA

Whilst I am not a regular blogger I am an ardant LFC fan and what worries me is that whilst other teams ahve started to make in roads to players they want, we seem to be stuck on the Barry situation. I would like him to come Ithink the balance of a naturally left footed player will only help us, yes he doesn't have the vision or passing range of Alosno and doesn't look like he controls the tempo like Alonso has, but he will add fight and a great engine as well as goals. I think it is inevitable that he will come and I think we will pay over the odds, its unfortunate but people don't want us back at the top. I think the additions at the back and the emergence of ninja Skrtel we will get back to having the leanest defence is the premiership, as well as being the highest scoring team. If we could but Bently I don't think we need another striker, we could let Babbel run through the middle and have stevie sit in to cover. These are just my opinions but feed back is welcome.

YNWA

Disagree with you mate, I think we're making in roads on the players we want. We've already signed a right back, and are extremely close to signing the left back that probably topped Rafa's wishlist, so really all we've not secured yet is a winger, and I think seeing as we're only a couple of days away from Euro 2008, Rafa will leave that till afterwards. Bare in mind how long the summer is... We don't have to complete every deal within a week of the window opening.

I also disagree with you on Alonso/Barry, but I've repeated myself so many times on that front I can't be bothered to write an essay on it again.

I do think we need another striker incase Torres gets injured. I would like to see Babel used through the middle more often but if Crouch goes that just leaves Kuyt and Voronin as backup to Torres and to win the league you have got to replace quality with quality.

Yes that's true, though we can't really sign amazing quality because he won't want to sit on the bench. Perhaps that Sergio Garcia guy, and maybe he could double up as an emergency winger, and then we also have cover for Babel should he have to move up front.

I agree though, should we sell Crouch and Voronin we need one more spare striker, unless we are suddenly going to be seeing alot more of Kristizian Nemeth.

Feeling your formation. Classic. But I will replace Arbeloa with Degan. Also Agger needs to get back in form - Skrtel is perfect partner for Carragher.

Yeah Skrtel in while Danny gets back but Danny is our only left sided CB so its him there for the long haul.

You didn't attack me but your being F***ing rude!

Who's seen Dossena play more than Degan? Also Arby isn't all that great, Rafa bought Degan for first choice reason why I put him there for first choice!

Don't make me lose respect in you, find other words to use mate.

You just contradicted yourself with the middles sentence mate. Dossena was bought for the first team too. With Riise as good as gone and Aurellio injured and will be getting back to fitness, who would you have? The Italian national or reserve LB? I based mine around strategy and not just because he was bought for the first team. Degen has to prove himself before being a starter.

I would like to see us sign several players your David Villa's etc. Realistically this is what I'd like to see...


-------------------------------Reina------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------Carragher---------Agger/Skrtel------------------
-Arbeloa/Degen--------------------------------Dossena/Insua-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------Masch--------Barry----------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-Ramsey/Bentley--------Gerrard------------------Silva/Babel-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------Torres----------------------------------

Before i start sorry for the length, im not expecting you to all read it as it is alot, i hope a few people do though and give their opinions on my choices and my reasons for the choices.

                                     Reina

Arbeloa/Degen  Carra/Hyypia Agger/Skrtel  Dossena/Aurelio

                       Mascherano/Plessis  Alonso/Lucas

Bentley/Benayoun             Gerrard           Silva/Barry

                                    Torres/Babel


My ideal line up for next season given the funds we have and players we have been linked to. First name is the starter and the second a likely back-up/competition for that position. Arbeloa should start as the right back, I will wait to see how degen does and he has to prove himself like any other player should have to. Carra obvious choice, the rock of our defence with sami as his backup seeing out his last season I cant see him getting as many games as this season but I hope he gets quite a few he showed this season why he is a liverpool legend and stepped up exceptionally to take Aggers place when Agger picked up that unfortunate injury.

Agger first choice partner for Carra, they work so well together, covering one another and Aggers distribution from the defence is sensational, he links up our play so well and we saw this season that it goes unnoticed by alot of people and you see the real effect he has on games when he isnt playing. Skrtel has been a fantastic addition and an absolute rock in the defence, I think he will eventually become Carars replacement but I think he will be rotated between the 2 CB positions next season so I put his as Aggers backup/competition. Left back I chose Dossena as first choice mainly due to Aurelios injury problems, I think that will be a good battle for the LB position and will be positive for the team.

In the midfield, RM Bentley, with Hughes having gone to man city (I think its almost been confirmed) the likelihood of us landing bentley seems to have raised. Hughes will want to take him to man city BUT Bentley wants CL football, Its only us chelsea and tottenham in for him so tottenham are ruled out because they arent in the CL (even though bentleys a tottenham fan I dont think that will be enough to sway him their way), Chelsea are currently in a bit of a sticky patch with the whole ownership problem and mourinho the new inter boss looking to dip into chelseas squad and choose who he wants to take to milan, that just leaves us and I think we will snap him up once the Dossena deal is tied up (hopefully today, the Dossena deal will be done). Yossi as his backup/competition, had a great first season imo, such a creative little player and creates goals with a mazy (sp?) little runs and reminds me of hleb/garcia in the way he knows how to pick out little through balls and passes in behind the defence. Good goal return too for his first season, very influential player, underrated imo. RDM Mascherano, the obvious choice, monster masch no arguments there I think he is the best DM in the world. Plessis as his back-up, showed in the chances he was given he is a fantastic player in that position, great left peg and his first game was against cesc fabregas, pretty impressive if you ask me.

LDM, XABIIII. I dont want him to leave so I hope he will still be a red after the window slams shut.  Lucas as the backup, had a good first season, can improve and I think rafa will make sure he knows he can. Had his bedding in season so we'll see how he does the coming season, hopefully we get to see him attack more like he was used to doing at gremio. LM, I want silva as our LM would be ideal and Valencia are reportedly ready to listen to offers for him and will let him go if the right price comes in. Sounds familiar to what Guillem Balague said and I didnt believe it when I first heard he had said that but maybe he was right, I will be delighted if he is and we snap up Silva for around £17 million. Barry as his backup/competition. If Alonso leaves he will be in the DM position but I wouldnt mind him on the left he is creative and has great delivery could prove to be good but we shall see what happens. A deal looks close judging by the speculation.

Stevie Obvious choice, Captain fantastic, no problems with him, the partnership with Torres is phenominal and brings so much attacking force to our game. If he got injured (god forbid) I would choose either benayoun in the way arsenal use hleb playing just off the striker like stevie does, Lucas, sounds strange but the through ball to pennant for pennants goal against fulham was a great indication of how good he is at playing those through balls to an attacking player in and around the box, he used to do it all the time at gremio and I think we will see more of it soon. Alonso, for the creative factor and the excellent ability to judge the weight of a killer pass or barry, his through ball to stevie against USA shows how good he is at making short through balls.

Striker, Torres another obvious one, absolutely stunning first season, we couldnt have asked for anythig more to be honest. Countless records broken, only beaten to the golden boot and player of the year by 'him'. Backup/competition is Babel as I think they have similar qualities and Babel deserves a chance upfront, he will play LM quite a bit I think so he will be there too. His first season was good imo, showed alot of promise, amazing creativity with his goals against derby and besiktas, fantastic shot power many times, his ability to get away from his marker with his goals against marseille and arsenal and with the power in his shots outside the box ala CL semi vs chelsea, imagine keepers coming up against those shots with babel inside the box.

Sorry again for writing so much, just thought I would throw a few ideas out there and give some reasons for my choices. I think next season will be very promising, we can do very well and definately challenge. I havent even included the other reserve players who could make the step up e.g. Insua, Nemeth.

IRWT

Well in Lil Cisse it was a good post I did read it thoroughly and it makes alot of sense to me.

The Agger/Skrtel battle will be interesting and yes alot of people bypassed the importance of Agger in our link up and build up to attacks from defence.

According to a mate of mine who is a Juventus fan, he said Dossena was a very good left back and better than our current first two, Riise and Aurelio. It'll be interesting to see how Insua progresses though.

Great post lil cisse, I enjoyed reading the in-depth analysis.

Just a thought that crossed my mind, not saying it's gonna happen or anything, but you never know. I haven't really seen much of Dossena or Degen but by all accounts they're more attack minded than defensive, we have three centre backs that are all quality & one more than useful backup, and we have a wealth of central midfield talent but are still going for Barry. Anyone think we might see:

                  Reina

        Carra   Skrtel   Agger

Degen                          Dossena
             Masch  Barry

        Gerrard          Babel

                  Torres

Like I said it's just a thought, but the players Rafa seems to be going for would definitely fit this system, and he has been known to play a 3-4-2-1 like this in the past on occassions.

Ah, thats a very good thought Eddie. That side looks extremely strong. I think we still need an extra top class player or two, but that side is capable of achieving results.

You just contradicted yourself with the middles sentence mate. Dossena was bought for the first team too. With Riise as good as gone and Aurellio injured and will be getting back to fitness, who would you have? The Italian national or reserve LB? I based mine around strategy and not just because he was bought for the first team. Degen has to prove himself before being a starter.

No I didn't infact I was using Dossena as an example as many have used him as their first choice but not Degan and then you target me for chosing Degan first choice when others including myself have also chose Dossena who no one knows about.

Guessing that Rafa sticks to his 4-3-2-1 formation I'd go for this team:

------------------Reina
------Degan---Carra--Skrtel---Dossena
-------------Masch---Barry
-------Bentley---Gerrard----Babel
------------------Torres

Degan - probably an improvement on Arbeloa or the ageing Finnan, but I have to watch more to judge.
Dossena - Obviously an improvement on Riise but on Aurelio? Maybe as Aurelio gets injured time to time.
Barry - Surely a big improvement on Alonso. Barry is a player who'll play blood and guts for us! At his peak too.
Bentley - Well he'd be an improvement on any right winger we've got right now.

So these four players? Yeah they'd improve us but would they really make us real contenders? We have to ask ourselfs that!

Il pass on barry. otherwise it looks good. Id rather see us fielding another good forward/striker to support torres

Thanks Dadorious and Wellzy appreciate you both reading it all and your comments too. Thats true Dadorious he is very underrated outside our fanbase. Hope your mates right Wellzy, would be good to see a new LB especially if he's better than both Aurelio and Riise.

Good post EddieC could work well with Degen and Dossena being known as attacking players. Interesting line up.

                                  Renia

 Degen       Carragher       Agger        Aurelio           

                       
                             Mascherano     

           
              Bentley       Gerrard       Barry   

                             
                        Aguero        Torres


Slim chance we could sign aguero !!

                    Renia

Degen    Carragher    Agger   Aurelio


            Mascherano Alonso

Bentley      Gerrard        Barry/Babel

                 Torres

I'd like to see lucas play more again and kuyt.

Hopefully Arbeloa will get a look in still too.

Degen will play second fiddle to Arbeloa - who can also back-up for Aurelio.

             Reina

Arbeloa Carra Agger Aurelio
           
           Masch
               Barry or Alonso
Milner or Bentley      Babel
           Gerrard
                     Torres

Subs from: Itandje, Nemeth, Insua, Muntari, San Jose, Plessis, Kuyt, Lucas
           
         
         

Good team don, only bad points i can really see rare Milner and none of the other competitors for the first team e.g.  Skrtel, Dossena, Degen, Yossi or Sami even making your squad where the reserve players do. I'd take muntari though great player.

Good team don, only bad points I can really see rare Milner and none of the other competitors for the first team e.g.  Skrtel, Dossena, Degen, Yossi or Sami even making your squad where the reserve players do. I'd take muntari though great player.

I personally cannot believe we are in for the likes or Milner ...very, very average player... but our budget must be pants this summer, that is all I can think.

Thanks Parry...yet again mate.

Seeing that Quaresma is on the market for 12mill then i think bently can be discluded quaresma i a much better player IMO and i no about his attitude but really its becauce:

a) He wasnt playing (barca)
b) He is at a small club and wants to go (porto)

None of these will be an issue at a club like ours. So anyway the team next year i would like:

                                                             Reina

Arbeloa                            Carra                          Agger/Srktel                              Dossena


                                            Mash                    Xabi


Quaresma                                           Gerrard                                                Babel

                                                         Voronin

........


i joke i joke Torres up front

i no about his attitude but really its becauce:

a) He wasnt playing (barca)
b) He is at a small club and wants to go (porto)

Sorry mate, but I think you're just making excuses for him there. Plain & simple, he publicly refused to play for Barcelona unless they changed manager, you just don't do that. I don't buy the excuse about him being at a small club either, a player should be giving it their all regardless of who they're playing for. If him & Bentley are both available at the same price I would take Bentley any day of the week.

Reina

arebloa (wing back)-carra-agger-skrtel-dossena (wing back)

gerrard-mascherano-plessis (unless we sign barry)

torres-babel

Reina is a given. Even though I've said previously nobody can be picked on merit, Reina is the best we've got or likely to have so he's a certain starter.

Simply because I couldn't find suitable players to play in the 4-2-3-1 formation I've went for two wing backs and three centre halves. Arebloa isn't the greatest defensive right back but he loves to bomb forward and can put a decent cross in. Dossena I don't know much about but he's costing a fair whack so he must have something about him. It also fits all three centre halves in. I've got Agger in the middle because he's the one who'll be able to spread the play most easily.

Gerrard on the right of a three man central midfielder with Plessis on the left. Again it's a balanced midfielder having a natural right and left footer either side of a world class player like Mascherano. It gives Gerrard the freedom to do what he likes. Sit deep and dictate play or go forward and bag himself another 20 goals in a season. Plessis can only benifit from playing with Gerrard and Mascherano reguarly. He's looked confident on the ball both for reserves and first team and he isn't affraid to throw in a tackle. As for Mascherano well he speaks for himself really. Next year he'll do what he's done this year. Sit deep and break up play. If he's got two ball playing midfielders beside him and a ball playing centre half behind him then he can do the simple and donkey work for the side.

Up front Torres has cemented a place in the side, but he has to prove himself again. Prove he isn't is a one season wonder. Next season I expect him to prove that he isn't a one season wonder and get himself another twenty plus goals in the league. There'll always be chances created with our midfield so as long as Torres is there, goals shouldn't be a problem. I'd stick Babel up top as well because it's where he wants to play, defenders then have another worry and he's got a hell of a shot on him. Those two up top give us the choice of going long over the top or into their feet as both like to run at defenders. Goals shouldn't be too difficult to come by with those two up top.

This is obviously an eleven based on the current squad.

Sorry mate, but I think you're just making excuses for him there. Plain & simple, he publicly refused to play for Barcelona unless they changed manager, you just don't do that. I don't buy the excuse about him being at a small club either, a player should be giving it their all regardless of who they're playing for. If him & Bentley are both available at the same price I would take Bentley any day of the week.

I think i posted this somewere else but ill say it here aswell

Quaresma is a match winner so he is - We finished 11 points off this year - Thats 6 draws converted to wins - In theory then its 6 goals - I think quaresma can get into double figures and could be the difference. Im not saying he will be and before i thought that 20mill was too much of a gamble but at least with 12mill you can ofload him for the same price. If bently flops he hasnt prooved himself enough to have that status IMO

I personally cannot believe we are in for the likes or Milner ...very, very average player... but our budget must be pants this summer, that is all I can think.

Thanks Parry...yet again mate.

True indeed he is. I dont think we'll go for him though, i really hope we dont.

How come you left out so many first teamers from your squad ? or did you just mean they would be competing for places with the ones you put in the first team ?

I think I posted this somewere else but ill say it here aswell

Quaresma is a match winner so he is - We finished 11 points off this year - Thats 6 draws converted to wins - In theory then its 6 goals - I think quaresma can get into double figures and could be the difference. Im not saying he will be and before I thought that 20mill was too much of a gamble but at least with 12mill you can ofload him for the same price. If bently flops he hasnt prooved himself enough to have that status IMO

He is match winner, when he can be arsed. Just not impressed by his play and attitude compared to someone like Bentley.

                                                    Reina
Degen/Arbeloa          Carra./Skrtel             Agger/Hyypia              Dossena/auerlio/Insua
                       
                                          Masch.                           Barry/Lucas
Quaresma/Bemayoun                                                                              Babel/?
                                                          Gerrard
                 
                                                          Torres

A lot of the suggestions I've read here for the new starting line up are interesting, but I keep wondering to myself if someone gets injured (god forbid) then the whole system collapes. When I say "someone" I mean Gerrard, Torres, and Mascherano. For me noone else in the squad can replace the role they have, and especially in a sort of 4-2-3-1 formation that Rafa has been playing this season, if Torres gets injured the whole system collapes. Equally to have the two central midfielders that play a more defensive role, well noone can do that better than Mascherano, and where might Mascherano be going at the beginning of next season? (Olympics). The system Rafa played last season was brilliant, but all the pressure is on the star players, who will replace Gerrard's role in this formation, or Torres, or Mascherano? The system is almost built around them, built to their strengths.

I personally dont think Rafa will stick to a formation that heavly relies on either one player to be fit or on form because all the pressure will be on them. Also one injury could cause a big blip in the season in terms of the rest of the teams form.