With Rodgers' tactical, passing and pressing methods seemingly being rooted in the modern Barcelona/Spain way of thinking, I wonder if we should try a cheeky loan move for one of Barcelona's young fringe players?
For instance, Tello may find it slightly difficult to get games at left wing forward next year when Villa is back to further stiffen competition, and would give us something that we lack. A loan move for him would supplement our permanent transfers, and Barcelona may see it as a great opportunity for him to get competitive game time under a manager who is so faithful to a style similar to their own. Rodgers must have some stock in Spain if he's a guest at their training camp.
I realise that Tello would be in Sterling's position, but if Rodgers decides that Sterling shouldn't be rushed, it may be a decent idea to try and strike a deal with Barcelona. Reports (admittedly from rubbish like The Mirror and some questionable websites) suggested we were interested in Tello anyway, so maybe there could be legs in such a deal - we could even sweeten the deal by offering them Ball Playing Centre Back Jamie Carragher for a year (or keeps) - he'd fit right in there, how could they say no?
The more I read about Rodgers' training style, hunger for self-improvement and dedication to detail, the more excited I get. I only hope we can make a good start to the season - hopefully, as I suspect, the players will find his approach refreshing and they'll respond to it. In 08/09, when Rafa loosened the shackles and we were scoring for fun, the players were vocal about how much they were enjoying themselves.
More Rodgersness.
posted on 31/5/12
I think a big problem with Cole is his wages, you could have several promising players earning what he is, so it may be worth getting rid, rather than seeing if he'll come good.
Aqua is a strange one, since you get the impression that he doesn't fancy playing for us. I definitely think that if he can't find a permanent move at a decent price, we should tell him he's not being loaned and he'll have to knuckle down. His comfort on the ball is different to our other attack minded CMs.
If nothing else, we should refuse to loan him purely because the Italian clubs keep weaseling out of buying him. After Juve had us a year ago, it was nothing short of embarrassing when it emerged that Milan had dicked us about.
If someone commissions another loan-with-a-view-to-a-permanent-desk for Aqua this summer and it falls through, they should be immediately sacked and thrown onto a bonfire.
posted on 31/5/12
I actually think Gerrard would work in his style of play in a midfield 3. But then he's got to need to improve his game.
Him and Aquilani with Lucas would be a good midfield 3.
Remember this pass and move:
http://www.soccerclips.net/videos/liverpool-v-atletico-madrid-liverpool-pass-move-kuyt-chance-channel-5
posted on 31/5/12
Aqua is a strange one, since you get the impression that he doesn't fancy playing for us.
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It is a strange one. He obviously wanted to play for us initially because he joined us, but since then we've had two managers mess him about. Aquilani was excellent in the pre-season but Kenny still got rid- bit of a mystery why as we struggled all season in CM. I reckon Rodgers could change his mind. It is all down to whether Aquilani wants to stay though. I'm hopeful we can change his mind about staying. He'd be an excellent player to have in the squad.
On another note and sticking with the Barca link, what do you reckon to the idea that Txiki Begiristain might be the new DoF. It seems to fit. Rodgers is a believer in the Barca model. We have Segura and Borrell looking after the youngsters. Txiki as DoF.
If FSG want to copy a model, the Barca one isn't a bad one
posted on 31/5/12
That's effectively 4 'new' midfielders we could have next season with Lucas and Adam recovering from injuries. I read a lot of the comments on here about Aquilani and I'm one of those who would like to see him back in red if our new manager wants him/ he wants to stay. If what Joe said in that SSN interview is true about 'unfinished business' then I think he will have a point to prove and may well produce the kind of performances that we all expected when we originally signed him.
As for Sterling and other young reserve players, if they look like they can cut it at Anfield and get sent out on loan to get more first team game time I hope Liverpool do bring them back and integrate them into the team. I was actually surprised and disappointed when I found out earlier last season that Thomas Ince was no longer our player as I was quite impressed with him (at Blackpool) and thought he would be able to do a job in our side and follow in his father's footsteps. It would be a shame if this were to be repeated with another player assuming of course they want to stay and fight for a place rather than move to a guaranteed spot elsewhere.
posted on 31/5/12
Aqua wants to talk and is probably willing to stay. Maybe he wasn't in Kenny's plan.
posted on 31/5/12
Aquilani is possibly the most mobile midfielder we've got apart from the impressive Jonjo Shelvey and is overall a better player than Adam.
Adam and Spearing(who is all heart but lacks the talent is out of his depth and would be better moving to a small club like Everton or Spurs) would possibly be the ones to make way for someone like Sigurddson who hasn't joined Swansea as he can't until July 1st and we could yet make a last ditch offer.
posted on 31/5/12
Aquilani is a fairy basically and pulled out of more tackles tham Meireles. I can't stand that. I don't think he likes the English game.
RE: Players playing to Rogers style I think BR would be in trouble were he to change the style too quickly. You have to build the tactics around the players that you have.
Gerrard would fit into any style.
posted on 31/5/12
RE: Players playing to Rogers style I think BR would be in trouble were he to change the style too quickly. You have to build the tactics around the players that you have.
I think you are forgetting about the integration of new signings. Good players can fit into any system. We already know what our set up is, Lucas will break things up. Gerrard will drive and Henderson is full of running, what we need is some guile for the wide right position which is something we currently lack. We also need a box finisher to add a real cutting edge as we already know Suarez can play anywhere across the forward line.
posted on 31/5/12
I'm not forgetting that - it's actually a caveat to doing well IMO. We tried to intergrate 6 new first teamers last season and it took ages to gel.
posted on 31/5/12
There will not in a million years be that many this time around. Expect a maximum of 4 new signings with 2 going straight into the side. Up front and wide right.