When the contract extension was signed in December, it was widely rumoured the clause would require a world record bid and I think it has only increased.
No disrespect to Alonso because I love the guy, but there are more Alonso type players out there than there are Mascherano type. Plus Gerrard is playing in that Alonso role where he sits back and dictates play. Couldn't have both of them in there, midfield would be even less energetic than it is at the moment! Masch is the type of player we need, good at tackling, reading the game, decent passer and good pace allowing him to cover the full backs when we push forward. With a bit of scouting, you could find a player with excellent passing attributes and composure in most leagues across Europe.
Would either be happy with a place on the bench? At 32 (?) Alonso will want to be 1st choice and we wouldn't leave Gerrard out. We should be building to the future and I reckon with a bit of work you could find a player like Alonso who is younger. Someone like Cabaye would have been a good signing for us.
Hope all the rumours of Shaw going to United are right, and not to one of our rivals such as Chelsea and City. Can't Everton put in a cheeky loan bid?
And don't forget, Suarez is never injured. Be ironic if we did get a world record price for him and for the first time in his career he starts breaking down a-la-Bale and Ronaldo every few months. I do expect him to go this summer though.
I would kill for a player like Modric in our team rather than Alonso, absolutely quality player and beautiful passing - still with age on his side. He's everything I wanted Allen to be. Shame that'll never happen.
Seen bits and pieces of Shaw going forward and its impressive,frightening pace etc. The question is,for a left-back,can he defend?
Yes he can from what I've see of him. His main attribute I clearly his attacking ability and he's no where near the finished article from a defensive point of view but he can defend. You sort of have Cole who is brilliant defender and ok going forward, Baines, good going forward and good defensively, then Shaw, brilliant going forward and ok defensively. Plenty of variation for England anyway.
How about we just add more goals to the team? Suarez, Sturridge, Sterling, Gerrard and Skrtel all have very good goal scoring seasons. Lets sign two goal scoring midfielders, a goal scoring CB, two goal scoring full back and a goal scoring keeper.
Anyone get the impression Agger was playing his last game today? How's Ilori been getting on on loan? Decent enough to come back and rotate with our CBs or another season on loan?
We definitely need another front option. Suarez has looked shot for the last few weeks having played every game bar his suspension. He was knackered and needed to be fresher for the run-in. How will he cope next season with more games?
He should have been rested more. I know in games when we were 3-0 up for example he wants to keep playing but hopefully Rodgers' will say to him, look what happens if you play every minute, you run out of steam. At 3-0 against Palace he should have come off for a midfielder. Giving him a rest and tightened things up, but it's almost as if Rodgers' doesn't want to upset him and it's easier to bring Sturridge off.
There are at least half a dozen games were that should have happened but we kept taking Studge off instead. Same goes for Gerrard.
Ilori has been awesome but had an injury say has played less than 10 matches. He is really tidy on the ball and quick for a CB. He is also a giant and very confident in the air.
