Challenging at the top

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Master Yoda

Master Yoda

Well-Known Member
Jun 6, 2011
6,977
311
83
A galaxy far, far away
Liverpool fan here.

Read a really interesting thread on your board about Sunderland having a chance for a top 8 finish, and some comparison with the other top 8 teams. The opinion seemed to be that Villa are slipping (which I agree with, especially if Downing goes too) and Everton are probably the next hurdle.

I like how Sunderland play, and I really thought you were going to give the top table a major headache last season before you're mid season (again) slide. The premier league no longer has the glass ceilings of a few years ago - I think you have a fair chance at landing Europa league.

But, what I'd really like to have is a little analysis from fans with a different perspective of the Liverpool squad. We've got a lot of players who even the most ardent fan would say are dross - Cole, Jovanovic (not for much longer), Jones, Poulsen, Konch (<yikes>).

Opinions on our strengths, in relation to Sunderland and other teams around and about? Would a line up including Carroll, Suarez, Gerrard, Lucas, Johnson, Carra, Agger and Reina strike fear or would you wet your lips?

I certainly think Liverpool are far more vulnerable these days, personally, there's a harsh reality to face - we got excited over Maxi last season because he's simply the best we've got. We fell from grace in spectacular fashion and our only summer signings so far - Adam and Henderson are either doubtful or for the future.

Cheers.
 
I think Liverpool will be challenging top 4 next season, but I wouldn't be surprised at all to see them as low as 6th, maybe 7th if we have another season like last. Sunderland I would be very happy to see anywhere in the top 10, but I think that 6th-7th would be the absolute highet we can manage. I'd be expecting 10th-8th, but only time will tell. Our new signings may be absolute ****e, but they may be world beaters!
 
I reckon Liverpool will finish fourth next season. Your squad needs altering massively in order to challenge for the title but I feel Arsenal are on the decline at the moment.

I reckon Charlie Adam could be a brilliant signing for you boys but Henderson will need to be given a bye from any grief for the next couple of seasons if he's going to do anything at Anfield.
 
Wish I had your confidence Disco. I reckon we could finish anywhere from 4th (depending on Arsenal) to 7th. I think the key is how many goals Carroll scores. He had 11 by Christmas time for Newcastle, if he repeats that form at Liverpool, with our other players scoring more and conceding less than their peers at Newcastle did, we could really have a crack at Champion's League again.

Are you happy with O'Shea and Brown by the way?

Brown truly is the colour to accompany O'****e. Actually, jokes aside, you probably need an experienced, no nonsense player or two in defense. That's how many ex United players Bruce's signed... reckon he gets his transfer targets on FIFA 11.
 
Aurelio's Favourite Doctor said:
Liverpool fan here.

Read a really interesting thread on your board about Sunderland having a chance for a top 8 finish, and some comparison with the other top 8 teams. The opinion seemed to be that Villa are slipping (which I agree with, especially if Downing goes too) and Everton are probably the next hurdle.

I like how Sunderland play, and I really thought you were going to give the top table a major headache last season before you're mid season (again) slide. The premier league no longer has the glass ceilings of a few years ago - I think you have a fair chance at landing Europa league.

But, what I'd really like to have is a little analysis from fans with a different perspective of the Liverpool squad. We've got a lot of players who even the most ardent fan would say are dross - Cole, Jovanovic (not for much longer), Jones, Poulsen, Konch (<yikes>).

Opinions on our strengths, in relation to Sunderland and other teams around and about? Would a line up including Carroll, Suarez, Gerrard, Lucas, Johnson, Carra, Agger and Reina strike fear or would you wet your lips?

I certainly think Liverpool are far more vulnerable these days, personally, there's a harsh reality to face - we got excited over Maxi last season because he's simply the best we've got. We fell from grace in spectacular fashion and our only summer signings so far - Adam and Henderson are either doubtful or for the future.

Cheers.
Click to expand...

Alryt pal,

I think the end of the season came at the wrong time for you guys because you were flying under Kenny but if you can carry that form and very noticeable team spirit through into next season then I fully expect you to be battling with Spurs/Arsenal/City for most of the season for that fourth spot.

Your signings so far may not automatically thrust you into a title challenging side but the balance of your team/squad is starting to look very healthy and Downing will add width to the left, which we also need in ours. If Kenny can get the team working together then mega star signings are not needed and what would you rather have, Downing giving you supply/tracking back and 100% every game or some spanish twat prancing around at 60% all season scoring the odd wondergoal? Plus you kind of already have some special players such as Suarez/Gerrard/Reina/Kuyt and it pains me to say it but even Carroll.

Those players do strike me with a bit of fear especially Luiz S but I'm still wetting my lips for the first game of the season to see how our new squad performs, Bring it on!
 
Liverpool will be in the top 4 and Suarez will be top scorer...

Henderson will be a star alongside Gerrard and Adam...

Carroll will score around 15 goals, but will still be and always will be a twat.
 
Regarding Liverpool, I feel that the positivity generated by the dalglish factor will drive them on to a top four finish.
For the record, I'm delighted with the signings of Brown and O'Shea, and think that they will be fantastic assets to SAFC.
 
I think there's a lot for Liverpool to be positive about this season.

Key for me is the potential of the strike force, Suarez is such a magnificent player, probably the best in the league IMO, he can create out of nothing, he can shoot from range, his turn of pace and touch is sensational, if he cuts back on the diving and whinging, he will not only become a Liverpool legend, but a Premier League icon, in the ilk of Bergkamp, Henry etc (deliberately left the United players out, in respect you you being Liverpool).

Carroll, well he is magnificent in the air, and he is fearless when going in for challenges, that kinda bottle, bar Gerrard and Carragher has been missing for a while, he'll be a wonderful asset if his heads in the right place.

I see the midfield as solid if unspectacular, of course if Mr Gerrard keeps fit and finds form, he's an incredible footballer, one of the most influential in the world, i see nothing down the flanks that scares me, and i think this may be where you come up short, looking at United having Nani, Valencia and now Young, i can see for sure why Downing is a target, a player i've always rated, and a great fit for Liverpool right now.

Lucas improved beyond recognition last season, i think he'll continue to do so, comfortable on the ball and a good passer with it, but still not quite up to the calibre of the top 4 of last seasons options, will he lose out to Adam?

Amazed that Meireles may be allowed to leave, i picked him out in the World Cup, thought he was a magnificent signing, and onc found his feet was a top class player in the league.

I hope Jordan does a job for you, but my opinion of him at Sunderland was that his mentality isn't tough enough for the big fight, and that hasn't changed (i'm not bitter, i'd love to see him kick on and become a star, he is one of us, after all!).

Now, defence.

Start with the obvious, replacing Carragher. How do you do it?

There have been better defenders, quicker defenders, more cultured defenders, but Carragher's attitude and honesty neutralised all of that, and that's what makes him special, and hard to replace.

400% every game, a magnificent servant, but you can see him physically tiring now, post match interviews he's wrecked, big, big job on here, Jones would have been perfect, long term, Kelly may get somewhere, as a scouse lad who looked really promising at times last season, Skrtel and Agger are both solid and no nonsense, but having them fit, consistently at the same time is again a downfall.

Gary Cahill or Rolando would be perfect signings for CB IMO.

Final thing is you need 2 wing backs, who can attack and defend, Johnson can attack, but he's not strong enough going backwards as you'd need to trouble the top 1, and Aurelio is made of glass, with several cracks in it.

Bring back Warnock, and you'll be a good enough on the left, right backs are plentiful, but i doubt Kenny will be looking to replace Johnson, for all his flaws.

I'd say a great chance of 4th, but a lot will depend on Arsenal, they are still marginally stronger as i type, but, forget Cesc, they will be a better side without him as they actually play more expansive football IMO when he's out of the side, if they lose Nasri and/or Van Persie, they will be really struggling.

I think you've passed Spurs again with the Suarez and Carroll captures, they are looking weaker, and if they lose Modric, there's a huge hole they simply can't fill.

Summary, i'd have you 5th today, but if you got Downing in, or Arsenal lost Nasri, i'd swap them and you round and place you 4th.

<ok>
 
Liverpool?

Up front - a bloody nightmare for any defence. Suarez World Class but he cant do it on his own

In the middle - hard working, unspectacular but tidy and controlling. Kuyt one of my favourite players in the EPL

Defence - Achilles Heel. Carragher 2 seasons past his best but still the best defender at the club. Johnson a real canny wing-back but one of the worst defensive right backs in EPL. Couldn't tackle my 72 year old mam on a wet monday morning.

Keeper - total quality but how long will he stay?

They have some quality players for sure but one huge hurdle is real strength in depth for the Scousers. They have a terrific plan A but an average plan B. A bit like us really. Our fully fit best 11 would have been a real force last year but 5 or 6 key injuries went down and we were knackered. A few key injuries - and lets face it, 3 key players in Carragher, Gerard and Lady Puncher have poor injury records over the last 2 years - would leave them short, so they cannot afford them to be out for too long.

I cant see beyond Man Utd, City, Chelsea and Arsenal (how are they all of a sudden a crap team? They were in the hunt for al 4 competitions up to the final few weeks of the campaign and played in a cup final and have added Gervino to their ranks this week ffs) for top 4 again. Nailed on.

However, the next 4 or 5 places are anyones with Spurs, Everton and Liverpool strongly tipped to dominate. If we can add a quality striker to an already positive summer, then I fancy we will be real contenders for a top 8 place. Defoe, N'Zogbia or maybe one out of the blue and we will be flying too.
 
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