Official Summer Signings / Rumours / Information Thread

Some of the contracts in this team are ridiculous! Glad to see that we're changing our structure and being a lot more sensible!

 

His strength is going forward and can be a joy to watch at times and provides a real attacking outlet. It can often compensate his lack of defensive ability but I prefer someone who is solid at defending first. Arbeloa is one of my favourite Rafa signings - unsung hero but so dependable.

 

I rate Johnson highly. But those wages do surprise me if they are true.

 

I rate Johnson at defending more than most and I think the system he is played in doesn't suit. Rafa's 4231 with the two DM covering the FB's was perfect but not many like to have two DM's (apart from Mancini or likes three).

I wouldn't mind Johnson leaving for the same reason I wouldn't mind Reina, Skrtel, Agger, etc leaving, because they represent the last four or five years of mediocrity at the club and they are the last bits and pieces of the Rafa reign too! I think we are more than ready to move on the a new era and these players leaving would help that happen IMO. They are good players but they are not winners (MFG?) either.

For the record, I don't mean they should all go this summer and I don't really want to see Agger or Reina go either, just saying I wouldn't be upset about their departures.

 

I think he lacks game intelligence which often sees him get caught out. In his fairness, he can recover well but that's down to his athleticism.

And I feel that he doesn't win as much in the air as he should, given his size.

 

Whilst I understand your point that they may represent the last 4-5 years but they are still the best players at the club with tremendous experience and PROVEN ability on the big stage.

 

I like GJ a lot. Great player in my book, its not like we are over blessed with players of his ilk at the club.
He struggled when Carra came back into the team, as he had to play closer to him to try and cover for his lack of pace

 

I agree he gets caught out a lot and recovers well but this takes me back to the system. If you want an attacking FB then you have to expect a gap to be exploited, this is where the DM should cover! Glen covers for the CB's a lot too BTW, especially on crosses (as a FB should) which is usually with his head.

 

Where are their medals then? They all won a League Cup medal in 2012 and some of them have a FA Cup medal from 2006. Skrtel was a bit part player when we were making CL finals and semi-finals etc, Agger was in and out of the team more often but still sharing with Hyypia. Reina is a fair shout and, bar Lucas, he would be the one I'd least like to see leave (which says a lot IMO). Johnson as not done a thing with us really.

This is similar to my stance with England. These players have been involved for years whilst we have done ****all. Not winning is easy to get into but very hard to get out of, we don't want a losing experience in the squad providing the wrong team ethic and attitude.

 

johnson is weak at marking in the box and gets caught time and again under the high ball at the far stick....

glen johnson has a league meda with chavland, a cup winners medal form pompey and chavs and a league cup or two as well... he is decorated

skertl won the russian league.....

aggers i think got a Danish one which hardly counts.

for me johnson is good on his day when he's let over lap when he's hemmed in he's gash. at his age as well? take them money and put i nwisdom! mclaughlin is a highly rated option and frankly wisdom is a power house and i like him.

 

I was talking about their time with Liverpool. I know they have all won various things elsewhere although Johnson's League medal is about as valid as Torres' CL medal

 

Djimi Traore is a Champions League winner but I still wouldn't want him back

Gerrard hasn't won the Premier League.

Suarez has only won the League Cup, does that make him a poor player?

Point is - some players are lucky that go to a club at the right time. Players like Reina and Agger are world class IMO but are unfortunate because they are in a team that isn't up to THEIR standard.

 

thats a valid way to look at it though it should set some kind of standard in thier minds.... of course the thing i think maybe that could sum this stuff up is this;

1. wherever the player was big or small club, why are they moving?

2. Is it to WIN things? IS it for the money? Is it to hide away?

examples: dirk kuyt came to lfc for rafa to win things... so did alonso.... what about garcia.... then on the other hand why downing come REALLY? why did poulsen come to us?

I think some players you just know that have ambition and show it and those that don't.... just compare coates to suarez

 

Johnson's an ok defender but a brilliant attacking full back. His (reported) wages of 120k is basically the reason why he's still here because if he was on closer to half of that, we'd have sold him and replaced him.

 

Like mentioned there are times when Glen get's caught out and defo in the air When he goes forward he is a joy to watch but i cringe when a ball goes in the box at hight because 6/10 he will fluff it and then we concede Do i want rid HMMM a difficult one although if just on wages 110.000£ yes

Sorry to all the GJ lovers

 

Only get rid if you can guarantee equal replacement for less wages or better for same wages. Simple but true

Who falls into that category then?

 

Agreed. Also we have much bigger problems in the team/Squad than Right back!

 

I know top class players can go through a career without winning what their talents deserve such as Shearer for example. There are others that win more than they should such as Nicky Butt. But I am talking about the players mentalities.

These players are good players and I agree with your judgement on Reina and Agger although I wouldn't call them world class but that depend son your definition). My point was that they have been part of a club that has not won anything of great importance for a number of years, this could well be part of the mindset within the club, especially with these players being the senior members that set the tone of the camp.

MITO got what I was saying, but then we very rarely disagree on things nowadays

 

So who would you guys have in at right back instead of my Johnson?

Personally I think to much change in one go can be seriously counter productive. With Reina and Suarez likely to go, Carragher gone and Skrtel possibly leaving, that is quite a few senior players off. Noticable losses in the dressing room and on the training ground.

 

The keeper is the important position here though. If Reina stays, I'd change Johnson should the opportunity arise. If Pepe goes then Glen stays. I wouldn't include Skrtel in the equation and Carragher as already gone. If all three (Carra, Skrtel and Pepe) leave, the back five would already be massively disrupted:

GK?
Johnson RCB? Agger - Enrique​

The only pairing that remains is Agger and Enrique so IMO, changing Glen Johnson at this time wouldn't disrupt the defence much more than its already going to be. However, it would put additional risk of players settling in and hitting the ground running. Personally, despite my thoughts highlighted above, I'd rather we kept Glen for now so the a new CB is sandwiched between two long term servants.

The trust between the keeper and defenders is extremely important cog of the team IMO. Changing a CB and RB would represent a 50% change, that is too much, keep Glen (or Skrtel ) and it is only 25% change. Of course, if Reina goes then its 100% change regardless.

What if Reina stays? I'd sell Skrtel (I'd do this regardless) and Johnson. Also, what about if we can get Kelly and / or Wisdom fighting fit?