http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/138426-br-my-remaining-transfer-hopes Brendan Rodgers revealed how he still hoped to add to his squad in the coming months after Kolo Toure became his fourth signing of the summer. Rodgers praised the club's recruitment team for their work in completing a quartet of signings before a ball had been kicked in pre-season. Iago Aspas, Luis Alberto, Simon Mignolet and Toure all reported for the first day of training on Tuesday - and the boss told Liverpoolfc.com that he was hopeful they wouldn't be the only recruits during the transfer window. He said: "I still think another attacking, creative player, and depending on what goes out of the club - because naturally there might be one or two players who need to go out and play more - then we'll need to fill those areas that have been vacated. "Certainly another attacking player will really benefit us, and probably another defender. We'll see how it develops over the course of the next few months." Rodgers admitted the swift action on transfers was a key strategy for the club this summer. "It's great - it's a big thing to the club because we looked at last summer and there were lots of things that were difficult for us," he said. "That meant that the opening period of the season was difficult. "From that we've got all our people involved, our recruitment team in - and they got to work as soon as they came in. "We brought great signings in in January and that's really helped us. Obviously the plan was to get our signings in as soon as we possibly could - and we still hope to make a few more. "I'm very happy with the four players I've brought in, and they'll add to the group."
He has said before that it will take several transfer windows to get every one he wants because of finance. I am going to pick out a different quote though: Does this mean just one or two players leaving? Skrtel? Coates? Spearing? I can see Downing staying.
Hopefully, I posted a link yesterday on the summer signings thread, it said apparently a fee has been agreed for £6m for him to go to Swansea.
Yep,I think Downing will stay. Despite his glaring limitations BR will be considering not only his experience,but also tracking back and maybe filling in elsewhere occasionally (LB)? His 'engine' isn't too bad either. We all know he's not first Xl material.(hope BR does)
Out side of the final third Downing does all the things he needs to do. But his positional play in the final third is not right for our system and he is not producing enough in terms of goals and assists. He has enough to be useful.
Downing provides depth (on the whole, I don't think he is as bad as other s make out). I think we'll only get rid of him if we need to lower the wage bill which has been lowered enough already imo
That is true. Sterling, despite being 18, is also some one who does every thing he needs to do out side of the final third very well. His positional play is currently slightly more suited to our system than Downing but is barely producing at all with goals and assists. But Sterling, being 18, is better than most at his age and will improve. I feel Downing had his best years at Villa. If you just want a player who can tighten things up defensively and in midfield, Downing and Sterling can both do that job and also add depth. Actually lets have a discussion: Downing now v Sterling now.
Downing does provide depth now with our new signings. He will have to pull his finger out as it's a world cup year and he won't get another chance as in 4 years he'll be 33 - he can't afford to be sitting on the bench week in week out if he wants to be in that squad so hopefully it will spur him on a bit.
The transfers out could be Shelvey (Swansea) and Spearing (Wigan). Hopefully it's just a loan move in Shelvey's case, a season of first team football under Laudrup could work wonders on his final ball/decision. In? Maybe that fella from Armenia and the other fella from Greece...or Portugal? On the defensive midfield dilemma, does anyone think Baio could do a job? Slowly nurture him in, that's the only way we'll find out if he's got what it takes.
Maybe I read that wrong but could "out to play more" also mean sending a couple, younger ones out on loan?
its farily obvious he's talking mkhitaryan and a CB. after that he's just heging. its also obvious he means if suarez goes he'll be buying. As for the others that really just tinkering, coates, shelvey and the like are not precsiely vital. IMO shelvey is already replaced in the form of alberto.
Given that we currently have Suarez, Sturridge, Aspas, Borini, Alberto, Sterling, and Downing on the books as our "front three" I don't see where we can play another attacking signing. If Downing stays then I see Sterling's development being stunted. I do think he should be our selling priority, as I don't agree with the experience argument. The only way he brings "balance" to the squad is by being under-average while everyone else is doing well. Our midfield already has Gerrard, Lucas, Coutinho as probable starters and despite Henderson being great last season he will probably find himself benched again. If Shelvey doesn't leave there is another spot on the bench guaranteed. Joe Allen will be given chance after chance and then Suso is left to feed off of the scraps. So where are we going to fit all of these players in? There is a point where you cannot play everyone and you can't chalk it down to squad depth anymore. Players get unhappy and ultimately the young players leave. Defensively we have room for a CB and some cover but that's about it unless Rodgers is planning on selling more.
You say that but those players are different, do different things and will suit different situations, meaning we have a variety of options. This will make us much more flexible at winning different types of games against different types of teams. You also named 7 players who you see as front 3. That 2 for each spot plus 1. ----Suarez--Sturridge--Borini---- ----Downing--Aspas--Sterling---- Luis Alberto may be planned to play midfield. Or as a false 9 in an alternative system. I see no issues here. In midfield Lucas is DM. Our only DM. Gerrard is kin of playing as a deep play maker now. Coutinho is an attaching play maker. Nice balance. Allen can play as a deeper play maker. Henderson is best as an AM or box to box mid. Suso is closer to a play maker. So we have deputies to Gerrard and Coutinho there, plus an alternative option (though I dont think Suso is good enough yet). We need a DM (and a play maker option who is better than Suso right now).
