Liverpool 2008-2009

[cybershot]

I've also thought that he will end up deploying him on the right.

Personally thou I think he will play slightly behind Torres, doing the role Gerrard did towards the end of last season, and free Gerrard up to play centre mid. This makes requirements for another centre mid not so urgent now. I think Barry will sign a new contract with Villa now or go to Arsenal. I'm not fussed really as long as Alonso stays too.

We still so desperatly need quality wingers tho. Babel has potential, and can score. Goals shouldn't be a problem this season as long as we can work the ball much better and faster then we have done previously.

 

[Biffo]

Gerrard was essentially the 2nd striker for most of the second half of the season. If Keane partners Torres, SG can go back in the centre of midfield with Masch/Alonso and there's no need for Barry. Job's a good un.

 

[corporate whore]

If Keane partners Torres, it will represent a massive about-face from Rafa's one-up last season. Keane fancies himself as a second striker, like the blessed Beardsley, but who'd describe Dirk's role last season as being a second striker?

We still so desperatly need quality wingers tho.

I disagree with this - bar Thompson & Callaghan way back when, and Barnes obviously, we've never played with wingers.

 

[steveo87]

stil need a decent winger tho....

 

[Biffo]

.....but who'd describe Dirk's role last season as being a second striker?

No-one surely? Kuyt was clearly playing wide right.

 

[Relahni]

Is Rafa going to go 3-5-2 in some games this season?

What about 4-4-1-1

or stick with his favourite 4-2-3-1?

 

[steveo87]

I doubt he'll use 3-5-2, its only ever worked for us once....

....I'm guesseing its going to be 4-4-1-1 switching to a 4-4-2 when needed.


cors on Champ Manager I'd use diamond, but then again I've Messi, Ronldinho, Gerrard and, er, ME in that squard....

 

[agricola]

Is Rafa going to go 3-5-2 in some games this season?

What about 4-4-1-1

or stick with his favourite 4-2-3-1?

You would think 4-4-1-1, but then he does not always do what one would expect.

 

[London_Calling]

I thought Benetiz was all about 4-2-3-1 and he'd been aspiring to a squad to that end since he arrived?

 

[steveo87]

Hasn't trreally worked though has it? I mean other than the obvious....

 

[Relahni]

Hasn't trreally worked though has it? I mean other than the obvious....

only lost four games last season though.

Clean sheets galore.

 

[Relahni]

You would think 4-4-1-1, but then he does not always do what one would expect.

Who on the right who on the left?

There's no obvious candidates...

 

[Biffo]

Who on the right who on the left?

There's no obvious candidates...

Gerrard, Kuyt, Benayoun, Babel & Pennant are candidates for both flanks. Of those only Pennant is a real winger imo and he's a 6.5/10 at best.

 

[Relahni]

Wingers are over-rated imo.

Pampered souls that are the most inconsistant individuals.

There's not many wingers that turn it on all of the time.

 

[Biffo]

Wingers are over-rated imo.

Pampered souls that are the most inconsistant individuals.

There's not many wingers that turn it on all of the time.

People on RAWK reckon Pennant will go to Blackburn once Spurs have bought Bentley - & they now have the cash to do so. Looks like Barry will be signed so no new wingers likely to be coming. I like the look of a 4-2-3-1 of:

Reina

Carragher/Arbeloa
Skirtle
Agger
Dossena

Masch
Barry

Babel
Gerrard
Keane

Torres

 

[corporate whore]

Been playing with wing-backs pre-season, in a 3-5-2/5-3-2 kinda way

Reina

Deggen

Carra
Scary Myrtle
Agger

Dossena


Alonso
Mascherano

Gerrard

Torres
Keane



Won't happen, mind..

 

[London_Calling]

Fwiw, I suspect my man at WHL is also having a very long look at his squad re 4-2-3-1. In theory we've gone from 4 strikers to 2 (with the caveat of the kid from Barca who can do a kind of job), and one of those might still end up at ManU.

 

[corporate whore]

Ess the Spanish way, no?

 

[g force]

It's the winning way. European Champions - nothing to do with thread really but worth saying

 

[Relahni]

What about this....

4-2-3-1

Keane plays the Gerrard role of last season (behind Torres)....

Gerrard sits alongside Mascherano and pushes forward....

 

[Sunray]

I reckon he might go back to a 4-4-2, which is still the best formation there is if you have great players to play it.

 

[corporate whore]

I reckon he'll mix it up, with inconsistent results until about Christmas by which time the title will be out of reach.

Then he'll settle on one or the other system, which will work brilliantly, enabling us to secure fourth place comfortably.

This time next year we'll be welcoming a big money signing, being placated by soothing words about him being the missing piece.

What? I don't want this thread over-run with optimism, y'know

 

[DRINK?]

I reckon he'll mix it up, with inconsistent results until about Christmas by which time the title will be out of reach.

Then he'll settle on one or the other system, which will work brilliantly, enabling us to secure fourth place comfortably.

This time next year we'll be welcoming a big money signing, being placated by soothing words about him being the missing piece.

What? I don't want this thread over-run with optimism, y'know

a lot of truth methinks though we shall see...can't wait for it to start

 

[Biffo]

I've changed my mind on the formation. For me it's got to be all out attack in a 4-4-2:

Masch (shortest but most aggressive GK in the league)

Pennant
Lucas
Ngog
Voronin

Kuyt
Benayoun
Gerrard
Babel

Torres
Keane

 

[Relahni]

Sounds good! Let the quest for fourth place begin!

 

[London_Calling]

Posting this out of interest in the views of Liverpool supporters; if Keane has 3 seasons left as (at the minimum) an effective top4/CL group stage player, he's going to depreciate at the rate of around £600,000 a month.

Putting aside his wages, is that a deal from a Liverpool pov ?

 

[Relahni]

Posting this out of interest in the views of Liverpool supporters; if Keane has 3 seasons left as (at the minimum) an effective top4/CL group stage player, he's going to depreciate at the rate of around £600,000 a month.

Putting aside his wages, is that a deal from a Liverpool pov ?

Made up about him signing tbh.

He's at the club he always wanted to be at.

I suggest you move on.

Bitterness is a bad thing.

 

[London_Calling]

I'm asking a question is all. Save the "bitterness" nonsense for someone who wants to play the silly tribal game.

 

[ch750536]

Posting this out of interest in the views of Liverpool supporters; if Keane has 3 seasons left as (at the minimum) an effective top4/CL group stage player, he's going to depreciate at the rate of around £600,000 a month.

Putting aside his wages, is that a deal from a Liverpool pov ?

Players are amortised over the length of the contract.
Still means £19m/48 = £400k a month. (a third of the revenue from a live game, for example).

Throw in the <alleged > wages, NIC, insurance etc = £810k/month cost to the club.

Is he worth the cost of 27,000 tickets? Answer that question in 4 years time. If he is the difference between 4th & 5th place then yes.

 

[revol68]

LOlz at liverpool buying another B+ grade player, whilst Man United chased Berbatov to go alongside Tevez and Rooney, Liverpool save on pennies meaning they'll lose out on pounds in the end.

Robbie Keane is an excellent player at Spurs, but is he really the type of player to push youse towards the title? Liverpool should have been looking for another striker of Torres stature and quality.