Hey all - wondered what views were on how we can effectively replace Suarez, and shore up our defence this summer? Feels like the most challenging transfer window in a long time, with significant signings needed all over the pitch if slipping back into 5th or 6th position is to be avoided. All the focus will be on Suarez and getting the right replacement - a huge task, and given Spurs' experience last season, even bringing in 5 or 6 separate signings may cause more difficulty than anything else. But defensively, there are big issues too. As this article sets out - http://hitrowz.com/2014/07/14/three-teams-that-must-improve-their-defence/ - of the teams that survived only Stoke City, Hull City, Aston Villa, Swansea City and West Brom kept fewer clean sheets than Liverpool last season. Who should come in to ensure that situation improves? Or is it a case of Rodgers adjusting tactics, or the likes of Sakho being better this time around having had a season in the Premier League?
There is no replacing Suarez! That simple! However, we get multiple people who each individually improve the squad. (or at least that's what we should be doing) Unlike many, I think we have decent CBs... our defensive fraility is down to the system we have rather our centre backs. We definitely need to address our full back positions. Any spending should be spread between attack and defence- but I'm getting a little jittery at the number of players we're link to. Too big a change is going to mess us up... we need a few really top notch talents at a time rather than try replacing everybody at once.
Seeing how far Argentina got with most of their footballers being no better than competent on an individual basis in this World Cup, it would be prudent for LFC to match their organisational abilities. Perhaps a bid for Monaco's Rodriguez would make up for the loss of Suarez as you guys still have a magical name. Why else would Lallana have signed for you?
It's not the spending that's the problem - Spurs showed that last season. Neither is it our ability to attract the top marquee names. Many of the marquee types have done their market values little good in the latest World Cup. Quite simply its NOT about Money. Our big problems are where we need to improve and the type of player we are looking for. In comparison with our top 4 rivals we have a squad of young highly talented players. Of our BIG names from last season, one has left and the other is very close to to the end of his career. Neither can be replaced on a like for like basis. Therefore my choice is to maybe spend less than is available in this window and continue to try and mine those youngsters who are ready to step up and make their names. So let's forget the WC 'top liners' and look at those who played with them to make then 'tick' and see if they can do the same with our rising stars!
Absolutely, Why buy a player for 30 when you can buy him for 5 and make a 30 million player out of him. Also will have developed playing with his team mates and that gives good understanding. Think, this as a hollistic approach is the way forward.
That's a long term goal. In two or three years, I have high hopes that Sterling, Suso, Sakho and Henderson will be the established stars of the team. For now though, they can't carry us and if we've just lost Suarez and will be soon losing Gerrard, who's going to carry the team whilst the youngsters develop? Coutinho, despite his talent, is still young himself and will make a lot of poor decisions. Sturridge? He needs to show this season that he can perform without Suarez and be the main man.
