re: Liverpool FC 2013/2014 - Season Long Thread

Hopefully:
Pachecco
Spearing
Downing

Maybe As Well As:
Suarez
Coates
Skrtel

If I was manager I would probably:

Sell

Pacheco
Spearing
Downing
Skrtel
Johnson
Assaidi (forgot he was on the squad - thanks TFTC)

Keep

Suarez (kind of out of our control)
Coates
Enrique

Both Kelly and Wisdom would be right there to fill in.

I came to realize towards the end of last season that Johnson just isn't as valuable as he should be. He could still fetch a decent fee at his age, and I'm sure there would be a club who would bite. There were rumors earlier in the window that LFC was open to offers for him.

Still plenty of time left in the window too.

I'm mixed on Johnson. He definitely brings more to attack than Wisdom and Kelly, but he still has some Enrique moments that'll make you say WTF were you thinking with some stupid pass or dribble. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind an upgrade at fullback, but I just don't think it will be that easy to find two guys that offer much more in both attack and defense without having to pay a premium.

And at this point, I'm curious to see what's done with Kelly. He looked huge in those pictures from yesterday. Everyone's talked about him being a natural CB without playing much time there, but he's really looking like it now. Wisdom proved he was more than serviceable there last year as a backup, although still looked like a teenager in rare moments, but I think he could handle that load as our full time backup RB.

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Also, if my numbers are right, we have brought in 4 players who can contribute immediately, and have sold 2 who wouldn't have contributed much.

Our net spend so far is £1-2 million.

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That's been the most impressive thing about this window. With us still being poised to buy anywhere from 2-4 more players most likely, we're sitting in a very good spot while having just as many guys potentially on the way out. We'll have to wait to see how everyone plays, but so far I'm pleased with the way the window has looked, even without getting a huge signing (but that would be nice).

The CB situation is very interesting. Right now I would expect Kolo and Agger to be opening day starters. I wonder if Rodgers is experimenting with Kelly at CB in training and is just waiting a couple weeks to see how he looks before making the decision to buy a top CB or not?

I could see one of these two scenarios playing out:

Kelly impresses. Rodgers begins the year with a Kolo-Agger pairing and eases Kelly in to that CB spot throughout the season. Skrtel is sold, and Coates becomes the 3rd string.

Kelly doesn't impress. Rodgers leaves him at RB and sells Skrtel. LFC buys a top CB prospect who either becomes second string, or starts immediately (depending on which player). Coates becomes the 3rd string.

Either way I think we can all agree Kolo won't be the full-time #1 unless he has a season like Stevie did last year. Rodgers may open the season with him, but I would be surprised if he closes the season with him.

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LSUSOBEAST1

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Interesting theory and all plausible... I'll be honest, if we dont get Papa or someone else similar... I'd just assume keep Skrtel another year.. I'd probably keep him over TA. Agger, Skrtel, Kolo, Llori or Coates and Kelly should be enough...

Now if an offer comes in between £10-12mm for Skrtel you sell and meet Schalke's asking price for Papa... Like you said, we're basically at a net 0 spend for this summer... Time for FSG to put up, regardless of Suarez's situation..

loan to leeds -

suso
ibre

rodgers and mcdermott go back a few years and we are always looking for free talent