re: Liverpool FC 2011/12 Season Thread

Rumor is we had scouts in Madrid the past few days. Not sure who was the target.

Maybe Diego Godin from Atletico?

I'd rather a move for Cahill that sends N'gog the other way. Then, obviously, find another striker for the bench.

Godin would not be a bad signing though.

Here's an article with an interview of KK about last week's match and this week's trip to Arsenal for those interested in reading it.

LINK

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The boss has confirmed the Reds will journey to the Emirates with a virtually fully-fit squad to choose from for the clash with the Gunners.

Dalglish told his pre-match press conference: "I think there is only Glen Johnson who might be a doubt, but other than that everybody's relatively fit."

Asked about the progress Gerrard is making in his rehabilitation from a groin problem, the manager simply stated: "Brilliant."

Meanwhile, Dalglish has played down any suggestion this could be an ideal opportunity for Liverpool to record their first win at the Emirates.

Arsenal sold captain Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona this week and speculation continues regarding the future of Samir Nasir, while Alex Song and Gervinho will be unavailable for the Reds' visit due to suspension.

"I don't know how they're going to react - it's up to us to know how we will react," said Dalglish. "We can control what we do and we can compete against them, and that's what we've got to do.

"Maybe we're due for a win (at the Emirates). Arsenal have been most football fans' second team. They've been very entertaining to watch, but unfortunately for them they've not won anything for six years, which is the monkey they'd love to get off their back.

"They had a fantastic chance (to win something) last year in the Carling Cup, but on the day Birmingham were better than them and came away victors.

"It's not going to make it any easier for us that they've lost Fabregas, Nasri might not be playing and that they've got a couple of suspensions.

"It's still going to be a difficult game for us and they're still a team I have the greatest respect for, so we'll go there with the same feelings that we had last season, thinking that it's going to be a really difficult game, but hopefully we can make it as difficult for them as they will for us."

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The two teams last met in April in a dramatic contest in north London.

With the game seemingly heading for a goalless draw, Robin van Persie netted an injury-time penalty for Arsenal, before Dirk Kuyt secured a point for the visitors with a spot-kick of his own in the 98 th minute.

Dalglish recalled: "The referee actually blew up early if you look at the timings, but for us it was a great result.

"We had young Flanno (Jon Flanagan) at right-back. Fabio (Aurelio) went off early doors after about 15 minutes or so, and Jack Robinson came on at 17 years of age to play against Theo Walcott, an England international, and did fantastically well.

"We battled hard throughout the game, competed really well and I think we got what we deserved from it."

Both teams began the 2011-12 Barclays Premier League season with draws last Saturday as Liverpool were held 1-1 by Sunderland at Anfield, while Arsenal ground out a goalless stalemate at Newcastle.

Dalglish admits he was disappointed not to begin the campaign by collecting three points, but on reflection believes there were several positives to be taken from his side's performance - not least the fact no fewer than four players made their league debuts for the Reds, while Lucas Leiva and Luis Suarez both started having only returned to Melwood a mere matter of days earlier following the Copa America.

"We were disappointed with the performance in the second half - we can play better than that - but with a wee bit of luck, on another day we might have been two or three up," said the gaffer.

"We had a lot of positives to take out of it, probably a lot more positives when you look back now than when we did at the time.

"It was a difficult game for the three lads who have just been signed, and Jose (Enrique) came in the day before. Then we had Luis (Suarez) who had only had a week's training, and Lucas had only had 10 days.

"All in all, when you consider that's about six players, I don't think we did too badly because it's a big ask for people to make their debut at Anfield, especially when you've only signed 24 hours before in Jose's case.

"For Jordan (Henderson) he was playing against the only professional team he'd ever played for. Charlie (Adam) and Stewart (Downing) would have had different feelings, but it's still an emotive time and big occasion for them too. They're relatively young players, so when you look back and reflect I think we did better than what I thought we did in the immediate aftermath of the game."

After a lively first-half performance against the Black Cats, Liverpool were unable to maintain their grip on the contest after the break and journalists were eager to know whether Dalglish felt his team were suffering from tiredness in the second period.

He responded: "Tiredness is not an issue. The (new) boys played with their emotions in the way they were and the magnitude of the task in front of them, so for different reasons it was understandable that maybe the second half wasn't as good as the first.

"We have no problem whatsoever with their fitness - try and run against them to see how you fare up!"

One of the quartet making a debut against Sunderland was Enrique, a little more than 24 hours after sealing his transfer from Newcastle.

The Spaniard turned in an assured display on his Liverpool bow, and Dalglish is delighted to have acquired his services.

"He's a good player, he's got experience in the Premier League and he's settled into the way of life in England, so that's helpful to us," said the Scot.

"It's a position we had to strengthen. Young Jack Robinson has got fantastic potential, but we have to responsible with him. He's 17 years of age and to throw him in and expect him to play a full season would have been wrong - but he'll be there or thereabouts."

He added: "It's always helpful when you know the environment you're in and for us that was an important factor when we were looking for a full-back - somebody who has a knowledge of the game and the Premier League.

"He certainly has that. He's been here for four years, his English is good - it's better than mine and his football is better than mine as well! - so we're quite happy with the signing of Jose."

Asked whether Enrique could be Liverpool's final signing of the summer, Dalglish replied: "I don't know - it's the same as I don't know if that's your last question!

"I cannot answer it honestly. I suppose it's a little bit like last year when I was asked, 'When are you signing the contract?' or 'Have you been asked to sign?' - until the transfer window shuts, the most honest answer I can give is 'I don't know.'"

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@Richard__Buxton
Richard Buxton
Another player off #LFC's wage bill as Levante confirm a two-year deal for winger Nabil El Zhar.

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four or five to go

Here is the line-up I'm hoping to see this weekend,

Reina
Kelly-carragher-agger-Enrique
Lucas-Adam
Suarez-kuyt-downing
Carroll

I'm really hoping we set a good tone and get a solid result this weekend. Looking for a 3-0 result.

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I want see Aqualiani get the start over Kuyt. Have Kuyt come on around the 60th.

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I agree.

So what is Gerrard's return timeline?

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Here is the line-up I'm hoping to see this weekend,

Reina
Kelly-carragher-agger-Enrique
Lucas-Adam
Suarez-kuyt-downing
Carroll

I'm really hoping we set a good tone and get a solid result this weekend. Looking for a 3-0 result.

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I think this is what you'll see...flip flopping Kuyt and Suarez

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If Kuyt starts, he'll be on the right side.

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Which is what he said.

I'd love to see Aquilani start, but I don't expect it on Saturday.

Kuyt was a work horse for Kenny last year. There is just no way he sits him. Kuyt will run a depleted Arsenal into the ground.

The other spot I see Aquilani startig is put Carroll on the bench, play Suarez up front and put Aquilani in the hole. But Arsenal has trouble with size so I don't see this either.

More than likely he comes in as a sub for either Kuyt, Carroll or Adam.