January Transfer Rumours Thread

[Super G Ted'inho]

I have finally decided this.

so hear me out.

I still firmly believe that DM is bad..... now let me clarify and call the position you guys want a "holding" midfield role. as in he hold position so that he is goal side when the opposition get it whereas a "box to box" player may be off pressing further up etc.

My contention is holding is what pirlo or alonso would do while defensive is what other negative players would do.

I would contend that you could make lucas a holding player and rafa did... you could make henderson one with a bit of coaching... if you had have beaten gerrard about the head when he was 24 you could make him one then... at 32? we'll see....

You cannot make scott parker or gareth barry into a more free player per the attached diagram

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zone 3 is where the holding midfielder sits but he is expected to be the guy who not only goes and make tackles and breaks up play but also be the guy who gets the first pass from the CBs or form the keeper or form whomever wins it back and he mis distribute well.... and not only in terms of pass completion but in terms of positivity.

this is why when real bought alonso their president was quoted as he was the only guy in the world capable of doing what they needed.

So extend this thought.... this diagram shows attacking play positions, not defensive ones. draw if for defending and the two midfielders drop back in to make it tight... if you are alonso in zone 3 or busquets... then you want ozil and khederia OR xavi and iniesta in front of you to pass to... so the question is looking at lucas if you press him do you shut lfc down?

you need a serious player in this role... my question is can henderson not fill this role or do we need to buy to complete with lucas... should we not spend in the box to box area and be done with it.

So, in short, you see a DM as someone like Mascherano who sole purpose is to defend the back line no matter what and a HM as someone like Alonso who likes to be behind the ball but is there to play and be part of the attacking team?

I can understand that view. I disagree about the need for a HM over a DM though. But then, although a big fan of Lucas, I'm not convinced he is good enough to be a fixed cog in a CL side.

 

[Jimmy Squarefoot]

Lucas is fine, the quality around him sucks though.

You said Biscuits at Barca has Xavi and Iniesta ahead of him to look for and they're always available. Lucas has Hendo and Gerrard. That's a whole different prospect entirely. I actually think Lucas is very well suited to the third zone for us. Because we lack the quality in midfield to control the game and keep hold of the ball, he's that extra bit defensively minded - also important in the PL which is much more competitive. His passing is very good too. Whilst he's not going to ping the ball about like Alonso, he does more than play it forward and has bypassed the opposition midfield on several occasions this season. Fantastic player and perfectly suited for our team. Don't get me wrong, Hendo, Lucas and Gerrard has a nice balance, but they're not going to play tiki-taka Barca style. They don't have that quality. But they work well as a unit. I'd say it's a solid midfield, but our real quality comes from Suarez or Coutinho coming deep and linking up with the midfield. If you played someone like Alonso or Pirlo there right now instead of Lucas, I'd bet we'd get destroyed because we wouldn't have that defensive ability in there nor the energy.

I agree that if you shut down Lucas, you're free to control the whole game. We need better quality than Henderson and Gerrard next to him which is probably why we're chasing midfielders.

I would argue that in the PL, BR's initial plan (see MITO's diagram) needs to change so that one of the two players in zone 5 drops a little deeper (like how Xavi plays) and one pushes higher (Iniesta).

Pastore is very much like a Sakho or Sturridge type player. Bags of ability but never really pushed on. Pastore, I would bet, almost felt he'd made it after such a big money move and pay check boost. Complacency, laziness maybe. Either way, he needs a new start where he has to work hard. I think he could flourish at a club like Liverpool (or Spuds, for that matter) providing he's not on obscene wages. Got to earn them. Like Sakho though, 17mill area is a big gamble for us. We don't have that much cash floating around...

Agree with this

 

[Master Yoda]

Think Pastore was doing ok... Just PSG decided to pay however much for Lucas Moura.

He'd be a good signing.

 

[moreinjuredthanowen]

So, in short, you see a DM as someone like Mascherano who sole purpose is to defend the back line no matter what and a HM as someone like Alonso who likes to be behind the ball but is there to play and be part of the attacking team?

I can understand that view. I disagree about the need for a HM over a DM though. But then, although a big fan of Lucas, I'm not convinced he is good enough to be a fixed cog in a CL side.

hmmmmm... I see the term DM as something i don't like and perferred the term holding as it suggests that midfielder has the capabilit yto be positive and will be in a couple of zones positive and creative in their zone of operation. its just they are told to sit.

I still say i'd rather an alonso over a mascherano any day... i'd rather a essien over a mikel for example.

I am really just trying to express the positivity in all players is vital so the CBs have to be positive and the zone 3 man while not free to go off running is still a positive player.

 

[moreinjuredthanowen]

Lucas is fine, the quality around him sucks though.

You said Biscuits at Barca has Xavi and Iniesta ahead of him to look for and they're always available. Lucas has Hendo and Gerrard. That's a whole different prospect entirely. I actually think Lucas is very well suited to the third zone for us. Because we lack the quality in midfield to control the game and keep hold of the ball, he's that extra bit defensively minded - also important in the PL which is much more competitive. His passing is very good too. Whilst he's not going to ping the ball about like Alonso, he does more than play it forward and has bypassed the opposition midfield on several occasions this season. Fantastic player and perfectly suited for our team. Don't get me wrong, Hendo, Lucas and Gerrard has a nice balance, but they're not going to play tiki-taka Barca style. They don't have that quality. But they work well as a unit. I'd say it's a solid midfield, but our real quality comes from Suarez or Coutinho coming deep and linking up with the midfield. If you played someone like Alonso or Pirlo there right now instead of Lucas, I'd bet we'd get destroyed because we wouldn't have that defensive ability in there nor the energy.

I agree that if you shut down Lucas, you're free to control the whole game. We need better quality than Henderson and Gerrard next to him which is probably why we're chasing midfielders.

I would argue that in the PL, BR's initial plan (see MITO's diagram) needs to change so that one of the two players in zone 5 drops a little deeper (like how Xavi plays) and one pushes higher (Iniesta).

Pastore is very much like a Sakho or Sturridge type player. Bags of ability but never really pushed on. Pastore, I would bet, almost felt he'd made it after such a big money move and pay check boost. Complacency, laziness maybe. Either way, he needs a new start where he has to work hard. I think he could flourish at a club like Liverpool (or Spuds, for that matter) providing he's not on obscene wages. Got to earn them. Like Sakho though, 17mill area is a big gamble for us. We don't have that much cash floating around...

I think that alonso has proved himself time and again and if he was there on his own he'd deliver. not sure about pirlo at his age but there you go. adjust to suit the guy you really want in. i guess.

I can see certainly what you say about players must drop off. I think thats natural as not all runs should be forward... someone has got to show for a pass and you can't just run across the line you have to pull a midfielder out of the line with you to make a gap. So yes gerrard in particular drops deeper for a pass and then all three of sturridge suarez and coutinho will be looking for the gap.

however this is equally true in italy or spain or germany where defensive football is a must.

I think the diagram gives a starting type zone really. we will see as we advance deeper into the opponents half or play it round the back that the team as a whole advances and retreats. but yeah players dropping deeper makes space.

 

[BCR]

How old is Valbuena now? He would be tidy on the wings for us.

 

[Jimmy Squarefoot]

http://anfieldindex.com/5956/central-midfield-recommendations-liverpool.html

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The Defensive Role

Yann M’Vila

The first of my two suggestions for the defensive midfielder role comes in the form of a 23 year old Frenchman, currently plying his trade in Russia, Yann M’Vila. A player who has in the past been more well known for his off the field antics than his on-field performances; M’Vila has become a father recently and this matured, he could be the missing piston in our central engine. The Frenchman isn’t a particularly prominent tackler, tending to stay in his feet and thus completing 1.6 tackles per game in his 14 Russian Premier League Appearances.

While this may seem an underwhelming stat, it perhaps suggests that M’Vila could be well suited to our style – playing as a ‘controller’ defensive midfielder. Yann M’Vila would certainly be an improvement on Lucas’ positional awareness, as the Rubin Kazan midfielder is dribbled past a measely 0.6 times per game so far this year. Rodgers’ focus on competency with the ball could also mean that the Frenchman is a good fit to our system, as he has a pass success rate of 88.2% in the aforementioned appearances. With life in Russia proving to be uncomfortable for M’Vila, January could be the perfect time to move for the talented French Defensive Midfielder.

Blaise Matuidi

Pperhaps a much less realistic target than my first suggestion, however, Matuidi is entering the final few months of his contract and anything can happen in football! At the age of 26 Matuidi is slightly older than the typical FSG/LFC target but as a January acquisition, the established Defensive Midfielder could be the difference between fifth and fourth come the end of the season. The first stat of note is Matuidi’s incredible pass success rate, in 10 Ligue 1 appearances he has a staggering pass completion rate of 91.5% – at first look he certainly seems suited to our system!

The PSG midfielder is also a fairly aggressive tackler, completing 2.9 tackles per game so far this year and is again much more positionally aware than what we currently have, being dribbled past just 0.6 times per game. Unrealistic perhaps, worth a punt? Absolutely!

Kicks, tricks and flicks

Ivan Rakitic

The first on my list to partner any new defensive midfielder in a new look centre is Ivan Rakitic. The Sevilla central midfielder has made a blistering start to the season in La Liga (11 apps), scoring 7 goals and creating two more, taking 2.5 shots per game. Rakitic is another who is very comfortable on the ball and very creative, completing 2.5 key passes per game with an 82.3% pass completion rate. The Sevilla man is also comfortable anchoring the team, completing 2.5 tackles per game in his 11 La Liga appearances so far this season.

Many of theses stats are similar to that of Steven Gerrard so far this season, however, at the age of 25 Rakitic would bring some much needed stamina in midfield; something that is key to a pressing system.

Ever Banega

Another 25 year old, the Valencia man has many Liverpool fans purring. Ever Banega has featured 11 times in La Liga also this season, scoring one and creating three more. Banega is another player who fits Liverpool’s passing modus operendi, with a pass success rate of 82.8% so far in La Liga, playing 2.2 key passes p/g. As an anchor Banega is more than competent also, completing 2.8 tackles per game, it is however, Banega’s ability to beat a man that sets him apart from the other midfielders I have mentioned so far, completing an impressive 2.8 dribbles in his 11 La Liga appearances. With Valencia apparently willing to offload the Argentine in the summer, this one may have to wait, however either in January or in the summer Banega would prove to be a super addition to Rodgers’ squad.

 

[Red Hadron Collider]

http://anfieldindex.com/5956/central-midfield-recommendations-liverpool.html

--------------------------------------

The Defensive Role

Yann M’Vila

The first of my two suggestions for the defensive midfielder role comes in the form of a 23 year old Frenchman, currently plying his trade in Russia, Yann M’Vila. A player who has in the past been more well known for his off the field antics than his on-field performances; M’Vila has become a father recently and this matured, he could be the missing piston in our central engine. The Frenchman isn’t a particularly prominent tackler, tending to stay in his feet and thus completing 1.6 tackles per game in his 14 Russian Premier League Appearances.

While this may seem an underwhelming stat, it perhaps suggests that M’Vila could be well suited to our style – playing as a ‘controller’ defensive midfielder. Yann M’Vila would certainly be an improvement on Lucas’ positional awareness, as the Rubin Kazan midfielder is dribbled past a measely 0.6 times per game so far this year. Rodgers’ focus on competency with the ball could also mean that the Frenchman is a good fit to our system, as he has a pass success rate of 88.2% in the aforementioned appearances. With life in Russia proving to be uncomfortable for M’Vila, January could be the perfect time to move for the talented French Defensive Midfielder.

Blaise Matuidi

Pperhaps a much less realistic target than my first suggestion, however, Matuidi is entering the final few months of his contract and anything can happen in football! At the age of 26 Matuidi is slightly older than the typical FSG/LFC target but as a January acquisition, the established Defensive Midfielder could be the difference between fifth and fourth come the end of the season. The first stat of note is Matuidi’s incredible pass success rate, in 10 Ligue 1 appearances he has a staggering pass completion rate of 91.5% – at first look he certainly seems suited to our system!

The PSG midfielder is also a fairly aggressive tackler, completing 2.9 tackles per game so far this year and is again much more positionally aware than what we currently have, being dribbled past just 0.6 times per game. Unrealistic perhaps, worth a punt? Absolutely!

Kicks, tricks and flicks

Ivan Rakitic

The first on my list to partner any new defensive midfielder in a new look centre is Ivan Rakitic. The Sevilla central midfielder has made a blistering start to the season in La Liga (11 apps), scoring 7 goals and creating two more, taking 2.5 shots per game. Rakitic is another who is very comfortable on the ball and very creative, completing 2.5 key passes per game with an 82.3% pass completion rate. The Sevilla man is also comfortable anchoring the team, completing 2.5 tackles per game in his 11 La Liga appearances so far this season.

Many of theses stats are similar to that of Steven Gerrard so far this season, however, at the age of 25 Rakitic would bring some much needed stamina in midfield; something that is key to a pressing system.

Ever Banega

Another 25 year old, the Valencia man has many Liverpool fans purring. Ever Banega has featured 11 times in La Liga also this season, scoring one and creating three more. Banega is another player who fits Liverpool’s passing modus operendi, with a pass success rate of 82.8% so far in La Liga, playing 2.2 key passes p/g. As an anchor Banega is more than competent also, completing 2.8 tackles per game, it is however, Banega’s ability to beat a man that sets him apart from the other midfielders I have mentioned so far, completing an impressive 2.8 dribbles in his 11 La Liga appearances. With Valencia apparently willing to offload the Argentine in the summer, this one may have to wait, however either in January or in the summer Banega would prove to be a super addition to Rodgers’ squad.

Did you write this, Jimmy?

 

[Flappy Flanagan (JK)]

I say sign 1 DM and 1 AM. Maybe 1 RB. We need to bulk out our midfield.

New/Lucas
Henderson/Gerrard/Allen
Coutinho/New/Alberto

 

[moreinjuredthanowen]

for me i think whomever we get will have to be able to step it up to a high intensity, high paces game. again i harp on but alonso's running was so under rated. he regularly topped the distance covered charts for us.

Rakitic is on a run of form.. who knows but banega is one and matuidi is also fine. if we get a plyer like these we should be happy.

I am aghast that finally after so long people have finally cottoned on to what i said (and got lambasted for as usual) about gerrard.... get 70mins out of him at high intensity is much better than a player resting by ball watching and not doing the job required.

 

[BCR]

Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are preparing bids of around £17m for Barcelona's 21-year-old midfielder Sergi Roberto. [Star]

 

[Red Hadron Collider]

Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are preparing bids of around £17m for Barcelona's 21-year-old midfielder Sergi Roberto. [Star]

Bit young to be a star?

 

[BCR]

Liverpool FC transfer speculation today sees reports in the North East link Brendan Rodgers with a move for Newcastle's Yohan Cabaye.

Cabaye was the subject of a summer bid, believed to be in the region of £12m, from Arsenal and it is understood Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is keen to make a renewed approach.

Cabaye’s former coach at Lille, Rudi Garcia, has expressed a desire to be reunited with the 27-year-old at current club Roma with Liverpool said to be monitoring the situation (Northern Echo).


Brendan Rodgers has reportedly identified FC Basel’s talented Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah as a January target to keep his side's momentum going.

Reports suggest Salah’s demand for Champions League football will be a crucial selling point for any of his admirers in January or next summer (The Mirror).



Liverpool will reportedly battle Inter Milan and Verona to sign Argentine winger Juan Manuel Iturbe.

The 20-year-old, who joined Porto from Paraguayan side Cerro Porteno in 2010, is currently flourishing on loan at Verona, where he has scored twice in seven Serie A appearances.

The terms of Iturbe's loan deal allow the Italians to purchase him outright at the end of the season - but it is unclear if they will be able to afford his £11.75m fee.

And Iturbe's agent Claudio Pasqualin believes Verona may look to split his ownership rights with Inter Milan next summer

 

[Zingy]

Liverpool FC transfer speculation today sees reports in the North East link Brendan Rodgers with a move for Newcastle's Yohan Cabaye.

Cabaye was the subject of a summer bid, believed to be in the region of £12m, from Arsenal and it is understood Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is keen to make a renewed approach.

Cabaye’s former coach at Lille, Rudi Garcia, has expressed a desire to be reunited with the 27-year-old at current club Roma with Liverpool said to be monitoring the situation (Northern Echo).


Brendan Rodgers has reportedly identified FC Basel’s talented Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah as a January target to keep his side's momentum going.

Reports suggest Salah’s demand for Champions League football will be a crucial selling point for any of his admirers in January or next summer (The Mirror).



Liverpool will reportedly battle Inter Milan and Verona to sign Argentine winger Juan Manuel Iturbe.

The 20-year-old, who joined Porto from Paraguayan side Cerro Porteno in 2010, is currently flourishing on loan at Verona, where he has scored twice in seven Serie A appearances.

The terms of Iturbe's loan deal allow the Italians to purchase him outright at the end of the season - but it is unclear if they will be able to afford his £11.75m fee.

And Iturbe's agent Claudio Pasqualin believes Verona may look to split his ownership rights with Inter Milan next summer

Kebab yes. Egyptian? Nah. Want an established winger over the Porto winger.

 

[Rubadub]

I hope we sign Cabaye, not just because I think he is a good player but the Geordie rage would be off the scale if we signed him so it would be like two good things rolled into one.

 

[JonnyBaws]

Johan Kebabs, to replace or give Lucas a fight for his place? Wouldn't mind if we signed him, wouldn't be upset if we didn't
Salah, seen the lad play a few times now and each time he gives Defences nightmares, certainly looks quality, how old is he?
Itrube, never heard of him, any good?

 

[BCR]

Johan Kebabs, to replace or give Lucas a fight for his place? Wouldn't mind if we signed him, wouldn't be upset if we didn't
Salah, seen the lad play a few times now and each time he gives Defences nightmares, certainly looks quality, how old is he?
Itrube, never heard of him, any good?

If I had to compare Iturbe to someone I would say Coutinho in that he came over and had a breakout year was a massive player, going to be one of the best and for whatever reason lost his way a bit. A few years ago he was one of the hot young prospects.

 

[Jimmy Squarefoot]

Cabaye is a decent player but I think we can do a lot better.

Plus - we need a DM first and foremost, Cabaye isn't that type of player. Heard Rodgers is a big fan though.

 

[Jimmy Squarefoot]

Cabaye is a good player but I think we can do better. I know Rodgers is a big fan though.

First and foremost, we need a DM.

Iturbe is a top prospect. Apparently we're interested in Konoplyanka - would be a great signing.

 

[JonnyBaws]

If I had to compare Iturbe to someone I would say Coutinho in that he came over and had a breakout year was a massive player, going to be one of the best and for whatever reason lost his way a bit. A few years ago he was one of the hot young prospects.

Cheers Bluff, we got lucky with Ford, surely we couldn't get lucky again with this chap?

#wouldntcomplainthough