Chelsea are set to be joined by Liverpool in the race to sign Alex Song. Song has enjoyed a fine season on loan at West Ham and he is set to spark a bidding war in the summer. The Liverpool Echo claim Brendan Rodgers will pursue a move although it is unclear how much Song would cost. The 27-year-old has also been tracked by Chelsea, who view him as a possible back-up for Nemanja Matic.
That shows the gulf between two teams really - Song is a back up at chelsea. He'd walk into our first team.
Average cost of Chelsea players is not going to be under M£25. We cannot compete with Chelsea financially.Roman Abramovich is willing to invest at a loss while John Henry can only run Liverpool as on going business concern.
Shows more the gulf of money available chelsea can spend £20m or more on a player who will only ever be a rotated player (cuadrado, Ramires/Mikel, Felipe Luis) where as our signings of £15m or more are meant to be first team players
They spent £21m on Matic - we spent £20m on Lovren, and £25m on Lallana. We have money - just need to ensure Rodgers has no say in the matter.
Sunderland are watching Liverpool defender Tiago Ilori, 22, as they prepare a summer move for the centre-half, who is currently on loan at French side Bordeaux. (Sunderland Echo)
Liverpool FC transfers: How reported target James Milner would fit in at Anfield Milner can press, he can transition from defence to attack quickly, and he is flexible. In the 3-4-2-1 alone, he could stake a claim as a central midfielder, wide midfielder or even in the two behind the striker. No wonder Rodgers is an admirer of him. “James is a wonderful player,” Rodgers said. “He’s been an outstanding footballer since the time I saw him at Leeds as a young player.” In fact, when compared with how Liverpool’s current crop are performing, Milner appears to be a good fit. In February, he broke this season’s record for distance run in a single game - 13.56km away to Stoke - to demonstrate just how much the midfielder works. But to write Milner off as simply a cog in the machine, an endless presser who is simply a pair of legs, would do him a disservice. Despite starting just 13 games – and making a further 12 from the bench – he’s created 41 chances this season, which would put him fourth in the Liverpool squad behind Raheem Sterling (62), Jordan Henderson (46) and Steven Gerrard (42). With six assists, he’s just behind Sterling and Henderson – seven apiece – in terms of setting up team-mates. His passing accuracy of 81% isn’t bad when considering how City have utilised him as a wide player. That figure is not as high as Joe Allen (88%), Gerrard (86%), Lucas Leiva (86%) and Henderson (82%), but then, when compared to those who play in advanced attacking roles for Liverpool – and therefore playing riskier, probing passes – he matches us well. In terms of tackling, his 38 this season puts him behind Henderson (48) and Lucas (39), but above all other Reds players. The 46% success rate is higher than both. Statistically, signing him on a free would be a no-brainer, it would seem. There would be, of course, wage demands and other fees surrounding it to consider. He is also by no means the complete player, but would perhaps benefit from a move elsewhere and a run in the first team. His 15 successful dribbles is behind five Reds players, although he has a 63% rate – one of the best if compared to Liverpool’s side. Three goals is no real return for a player who plays in a side such as City. Both are things he would have to improve on if he was to fit into the ideal Rodgers set-up. But this season, despite limited chances from the start, Milner has shown he’s capable both on and off the ball. Add in his Champions League experience, as well as the fact he’s a title-winner, and it’s no wonder his contract situation is monitored closely. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/spor...s/liverpool-fc-transfers-how-reported-8951148
the fact is the rumoured precontract didn't occur or was not announced so i think he is looking to maximise return so i don't know this is any good for lfc.... he's an average enough player lads, always was... him, downing, young... milner just showed a bit more willingness to work. will he show the same outside a title winning scenario. as he is a free a 2 year deal on 100k or whatever seems to be reasonable outlay on the proviso that he immediatley doesn't age over this summer and nolonger can run that 12k per game.
ilori has come into the bordeux side recently. he played in 3-2 win v psg as CB and v toulon and lost 1-2. again as CB. they changed systemt oa 4-1-2-1-2..... he's played a total of 10 games there this year.. scroed very early on but got injured. I'd be interested to know what will happen next here as we are 7mil in the hole. We have lost 7mil on coates it seems and all.
Ilori really does look good but his injuries are a worry. But we have our own way for dealing with injury prone players with adjusted training routines and the like, and unless your name is Sturridge, Johnson or Lucas it seems to work ok.
i've not idea i've not seen either game cos i don't follow that league. I am seriously hoping we've learned some lessons in next preseason we have proper training at home where we can get redy for the season and a few games to lay eyes on this lad and others and see if there is value there. I'd hope we can at least turn him for then same money to a sunderland and one good thing about the prem is its awash with money... thats why aspas was a disaster signing as we were never ever getting a penny of it back
indeed... utterly shocking if they offered that and then faield to match his wages where we are. Clearly the lad will move for much less this summer and will come into the italian clubs range. I cannot see them pay what sunderland would have to him personally. in the end however it hurt LFc but for the boy himself well... he has been proved right hasn;t he.. it wasn't the right manager to put your money on.
I think Borini wants a move back to Italy and not any where else, as simple as that. You could say Borini dodged a bullet but his seasons been pretty poor for us to with barely a place on the bench.
Milner is a good player but we already have a good utility player in Henderson. We don't need another. Ilori is very good IMO - limited appearances due to injuries but has pretty much impressed every time. Think he could be a good option at RCB next year.
if he gets though all of preseason uninjured that will be a step... we will have to see whats what with that lad... I'm not sure we will have an RCB next year. Van gaal is right 4-3-3 is the easist set up to start with to find a way to dominate a game. you can go 4-5-1 and pack middle. you can play two in fornt of back 4, you can play one and push two CMs on to flood a team. 3-4-3 is complicated as its 5-2-3 or 5-4-1 defending and you are vunderable to width. it relies on nobody pressing the front 3 hard and team having a lack of width in general... if you've nasri's upagainst you you have an easy time. If you've a navas running down outside you are in trouble. who knows what will ge tthe bes tout of next years players though.. I don't know what we will do. I'd imagine LFC will be looking at full backs again this summer though
