5th-7th. I keep hearing about us finishing 7th. Who is this mystery team that is going to finish in the top 6??
You're making the assumption that ALL your new signings are good ones (Personally, I don't think that they are) and that everybody elses' are not. We already had a pretty good squad. Yes, I agree, that we look a bit threadbare in the striking dept. We could also do with another CB, I'm disappointed that we didn't get Cahill. However, I think there's a good chance we'll sign him in January. I don't see why this is about 3rd place, at all. None of Spurs, Arsenal, or Liverpool are good enough to make 3rd - unless this new Chelsea manager turns out to be a complete disaster. Realistically, we're talking about 4th 5th, and 6th place. I think it will be a close run thing. Yes, we've had a bad start. However it's been without a holding midfield player, and against the most probable top 2 of the Premiership. Talking about Arsenal, look what Utd did to them! That's how bad they have been, so far, this season. So don't go running too far ahead of yourself.
No, I'm not assuming anything and I'm tired of typing that again and again. We haven't made any real 'blockbuster' signings but the signs so far are good - bar Andy Carroll, who has only impressed in fits and starts. But that's another story. Adam is playing like he's been at Liverpool for years, Downing is playing well (and was unlucky not to score a spectacular goal against Sunderland), Enrique looks like an absolute revelation at left back and Henderson looks comfortable (though I could talk about the merits of his signing and the price tag at length, it is all very debatable). Coates looks like a great prospect and Bellamy, even at 32, is better to have on the bench than Joe Cole. I'd actually play the bench itself ahead of Joe Cole. I've prefixed everything with an indication that it's my opinion. I've also said it will be extremely tight. Spurs have an undeniably strong side, the strongest they've had in a long time. But 1) Gerrard's return is now imminent (again). 2) We have a manager capable of getting 100% from our team. 3) We have owners who can and will strengthen in January if we need to. 4) The club is visibly on an upward curve. 5) We finally have depth to our squad. We didn't have those bonuses before and still, in our worst couple of seasons in recent memory, challenged for CL football (if belatedly). Now we do - and we may well get it. On Arsenal, I think their signings are a lot harder to see quickly adapting than Liverpool or Tottenham's. Not much proven PL talent there after Arteta. Liverpool's signings (bar Coates) and then Spur's new boys Parker and Adebayor have played at a high level in the PL. '7th-8th Is'nt that a scousers iq' - Isn't irony truly wonderful?
Arsenal fans want Cahill in Jan as well saying Arsenal should be working on the transfer now.they think we won't get him,because they can offer him cl football
And for the 7th team that could challenge? If Sunderland gel they could be a really decent side, Stoke will be very hard to play against this year, Everton always finish around and about there... Bolton will want to push as well. It's tough.
Really? Lets look at the teams from our respecitve last games. Liverpool: 25 Reina, 03 Jose Enrique, 05 Agger, 23 Carragher, 34 Kelly, 14 Henderson, 19 Downing, 21 Lucas, 26 Adam, 07 Suarez, 18 Kuyt; 32 Doni, 37 Skrtel, 49 Robinson, 11 Maxi, 20 Spearing, 33 Shelvey, 09 Carroll Arsenal: 13 Szczesny, 06 Koscielny, 20 Djourou, 25 Jenkinson, 30 Traore, 07 Rosicky, 14 Walcott, 16 Ramsey, 23 Arshavin, 39 Coquelin, 10 Van Persie; 21 Fabianski, 49 Miquel, 15 Oxlade-Chamberlain, 46 Lansbury, 53 Ozyakup, 29 Chamakh, 54 Sunu Tottenham: 24 Friedel, 03 Bale, 04 Kaboul, 20 Dawson, 22 Corluka, 32 Assou-Ekotto, 07 Lennon, 11 Van der Vaart, 14 Modric, 21 Kranjcar, 15 Crouch; 23 Cudicini, 19 Bassong, 28 Walker, 06 Huddlestone, 29 Livermore, 09 Pavlyuchenko, 18 Defoe The ones in bold have never played in the Champions League proper.
I can't see any of those teams finishing ahead of Spurs. Particularly Everton, who I think will be nearer the bottom, than the top.
I didn't say any of them will finish above Spurs - I said they'll be challenging in and around the Europa spots. If any of us lose one or two games on the bounce we'll be mixing with them straight away. Spurs should finish 5th - 7th, in my opinion, but if I was to pick an exact position I'd say 6th. Martin Kelly has played in the Champion's league proper, as has Jay Spearing. Look it up you silly boy. Carragher and Gerrard have won it. Reina, Agger, Kuyt are all finalists. Maxi, Suarez, Doni, Skrtel and Lucas all have extensive experience. Your most experienced CL player was arguably Crouch. He's gone now - and where did his wealth of experience come from? But - that doesn't matter. I said 'QUALIFICATION' ie. finishing in the 4th spot or above, thereby qualifying for at least the 3rd playoff round. Sorry for any confusion there. My point was that a large amount of our side have experience of consistently finishing in the top four.
please log in to view this image Even if there are a couple of errors, it makes a pretty good point. The mistaken players all have extremely minimal Champions League experience.
Apologies, I must admit I didn't even think I'd need to check those two. By the same token, there certainly is no argument that Crouch is our most experienced CL player. He's not, Gallas is and then probably VDV. It's not unreasonable to expect that anyone playing an important part in finishing in the top 4 would have played in the CL, which is why I chose the comparison. Out of your squad you've got Reina, Carragher, Aurelio, Gerrard and Kuyt who have experience of consistently finishing in the top 4 in the PL, 5 out of 25 is hardly loads. Anyway, what difference does it make? Joe Cole would've also counted in the list but you let him go, which seems daft if it really counts for so much.
It's all opinionated bollocks, at the end of the day. For what it's worth, once again......My version is, that the first 3 are pretty much nailed on - at the moment. The competition for the other 3 places will be fierce and, IMO, very close.
Out of our squad? Hardly. It was a minor point about experience in seeing out a long league campaign, but I see you're determined to elongate it. It's off the point - I still think Spurs are weaker than Liverpool this season. Arsenal are something of an unknown quality now. Would you agree that it seems they've 'panic bought' on deadline day?
Oh and at Real Madrid + Tottenham VDV made 17 appearances in the CL. I'm not sure on the proportion of CL or UEFA cup games from his time at Ajax or Hamburg. Gallas has 88 European apps, although again I'm not sure if they're all CL - from his time at Marsailles. That is a wealth of experience however. Crouch has 54, again only 40 or so are Champion's League. So that would make Gallas your most experienced CL player. Yes, I'm bored.
I think what it comes down to is that every Liverpool fans we come across all want to make predictions based on anything that's favourable and dismissing anything that isn't. It's because you guys are constantly seeking others to validate your opinions. It's boring.
Per Mertesacker for Squillaci - Stronger ...we played him twice...he's ****! Gervinho for Nasri - Not sure yet. ...can see why! Santos for Clichy - Not sure too. ...unproven...hopefully another Gilberto (our **** one!) Park for Bendtner - Stronger...unproven, your opinion only, from what I've seen of Korean strikers I'll be amazed if he's better than NB. Yossi for Vela - Stronger. ...About the only one I'd agree with.
A '****' player simply can't get the amount of caps he has for a side like Germany. But its nice of you to judge a player on 2 games. And you only played him once, he never played in the game in Germany. So wrong. Tim Vickery who is excellent on all things South America, reckons Santos will do well for us. A strong player who is very good going forward. Clichy was rubbish at attacking and defending. Park for me is an improvement on Bendtner, who was a massive let down last year. But we will see.
Most fans opinions are biased towards their own clubs and they often underestimate opponents while overexaggerating their own teams abilities. It's hardly exclusive to Liverpool fans. I mean the OP is saying Assou-Ekotto is better than Enrique, King is better than Carragher, and Sandro/Parker are better than Lucas. While Liverpool fans would say the opposite.
Time will tell. It's a long season, and there's still 35-6 games to go. At the moment, City and Utd look a cut above anything else I've seen, so far. For the rest, it's all to play for.
