Luis Suarez move to Barcelona and the failure to capture Alexi Sanchez probably the nearest player out there to him in terms of style and attitude, conversely leaves Brendan Rogers with options to change the set up of his team.
Suarez is the preeminent striker in world football and definitely one of the most creative influences in the game, but after losing him, the potential signing of Loic Remy is one of intent. The French International does not resemble the Uruguayan in style, but is a proven Premier League marksman able to lead the line as a lone striker and is more than capable of playing alongside Sturridge. There is every hope if he stays fit the ex-Newcastle striker will leave last seasons 14 league goals behind.
As good as Remy is he is not Suarez. But then, who is?
Rogers must think of ways to plug the yawning gap and strengthening his team's dimensions and its spine is certainly the way to go. A top class central midfielder (Paul Pogba?) replacing Lucas, a centre-half capable of providing the leadership we've lacked at the back since Jamie Carragher's retirement, although Sakho hinted at stepping up to the plate with his performances at the World Cup.
Whether Pepe Reina returns to the fold or Rodgers buys in a new goalkeeper, Mignolet needs cover to help keep him on his mettle.
Although losing a player of Suarez’s stature is always a blow to any team Rodgers can now ditch the diamond and play 4-3-3 or more likely 4-2-3-1. Remy is good back up / competition for Sturridge and he can also deputise on the left wing but I doubt that we’ll see much of them as a strike pairing. For me it’s a smart move, you are never going to replace Suarez like for like. Furthermore, Daniel Sturridge has earned the right to be our new number one so why try to undermine him by bringing in a “Superstar” striker like Cavani or Falcao? Better to bring in a back up striker with proven premier league pedigree and at £8 million Remy fits the bill and is a bargain to boot. Markovic and Lallana are versatile players that will give us squad depth behind the striker and replace some of Suarez’s goal output from Midfield. There’s also mooted interest in James Milner which I think would be a great signing if we could settle on the correct fee.
ReplyDeleteThe Times newspaper report that we will conclude deals for Remy, Lovren and Origi (loaned back to Lille for the season) this week which should just leave the left back position to be filled. If you take the old adage of two players for every position then the squad is looking incredibly strong, plus the versatility of the players we are buying means that in forward positions there will be at least 3 options in every position –
Ming
Johnson/Flanno Lovren/Skrtel Agger/Sakho Moreno?/Enrique
Gerrard/Can Hendo/Allen
Sterling/Ibe Lallana/Coutinho Markovic/Remy
Sturridge/Lambo
So, who thinks that this squad could compete for the title next year?
Well our biggest problem was always depth of squad. We won games, yes but be mad to say we won't miss the world’s best striker, but least we came leagues second best and only can build on this.
DeleteWe were never really a one man team, the players we have brought in, we can only grow and compete on more levels. I think we will be back in the mix now and things can only improve.
Also Brendan Rodgers has done well to have ‘won’ the transfer window battle this summer with bringing in the players he wants, using funds accrued from the sale of Luis Suarez to Barcelona.
Simply we need to start again, scoring goals and win our games against average teams, it still be hard to ignore the impact Luis Suarez’s form had on the team as a whole.
We move on.
Have to agree with all said so far BUT that we have not touched Suarez’s windfall.
DeleteAccording to Brendan, The Players were slated for last season but he and management did not want to push out the boat to tip it over hence the lack of activity in the January Window.
So latest – Remy + Lovren + Origi + but look out for Isco, we might yet get the deal of the summer window,
There’s logic to Brendan’s approach resisting the urge to splash £50M+ on a like-for-like replacement for Suarez and instead go for an upgrade in all areas of the team. My only reservation would be will Lambert, Lallana, Remy and Markovic combined come anywhere close to Suarez’s 30+ league goals last season?
DeleteStill think looking at Barry’s possible squad we’re still a couple of players short for the title, need another striker and a creative ball playing midfielder to complete the squad.
Creative ball holding midfielder – Isco ??
DeleteGerrard calls time on England …
ReplyDeleteAlways bothered me that he who was sacrificed for a good part of his England career. Having to play all over the midfield even behind the striker. He never complained which just shows the class of the man.
DeleteIt's great for Liverpool and we can keep him fresh in the last throes of his career.
Am I right to belief that Suarez’s money is resting in the bank and earning a bit of interest because what had been spent so far is the roll over fund from January transfer. Lambert, I have my reservation about him from day one and still do. He needs to prove me wrong and that very quickly too.
ReplyDeleteSo I hear.
DeleteWas surprised to hear we’re battling with Arsenal for Manquillo, another right back. At the very least suggests Glen Johnson doesn’t have a long-term future. In fact, beginning to wonder what Martin Kelly is still doing at the club and why we haven’t sold Andre Wisdom instead of sending him out on yet another loan and by accounts Illori (looks a good player) will be sent out again. Can we honestly foresee a future when any of these players are in the first team?
Glen Johnson has proven a liability defending, so it is only right that a worthy replacement be sought while not discounting the talent of the homegrown prodigies, we still need to challenge and do without feeling hampered.
DeleteThey would get their chance but when games are already won or inconsequential – the stakes are too high to gamble our recaptured status – Champions League and of course among the elite.
As Livi and David will tell you I don’t have any problems with moving on Johnson, but we have so many young players covering the central and right-back positions that it's difficult to see how they can all get enough games even with all the extra European matches. Kelly is not even second in line for the right-back berth and as for centre-half he wouldn’t even be fourth or fifth unless Brendan unloads Kolo Polo. I Like Martin Kelly, but at 24 he has to be playing more than just the odd game.
DeleteLiverpool Agree £20million fee for Dejan Lovren …
DeleteLivhampton!
DeleteAs I said in the Blog, as we failed to get Sanchez who while not a direct replacement is the nearest talent wise we could've got to replacing Saurez, I believe we must strengthen through the spine of the team, ensuring we get the correct personnel in central areas in the defence and midfield. Last season we were susceptible to driving runs through the centre of the midfield leaving opposing midfielders to bear down on our defence. Which is why I would prefer a top class midfield general to help stabilize us through the centre.
DeleteJust heard the news that Suarez has gone as I have been on holiday without wifi access - not going to be easy to have such a good season without him but if the signings can collectively work well we can again surprise everyone and compete for the title
ReplyDelete