The January transfer window is just around the corner and after Saturdays defeat to Arsenal is it now painfully obvious Liverpool need to strengthen their midfield options if we are to remain in the hunt for Champions league qualification. The speed of Arsenals build up play left our trio of midfielders chasing shadows and made them look pretty average. Arsenal seemed to carve us open a bit too easy and whether it was due to tactics or personnel its glaringly obvious that we need to add strength, resolve and technique to the engine room as soon as possible.
While that’s evident from performances against Southampton and Arsenal in particular another interesting factor is the list of bodies that might be deemed surplus to requirements this coming ‘silly season’. We all know the policy at this stage. Players will need to leave before we can invest in potential midfield targets.
Here we take a look at players that could for one reason or another be sold in January or at the end of season to help re-shape the playing staff. Rodgers is beginning to put his own stamp on the team and he has always maintained it will take one or two more transfer windows to get to the level he wants. If we take that literally he has until next summer to get things right. The fans will be looking for more Coutinho’s than Borini’s.
Pepe Reina: The general consensus is that our beloved Pepe has played his last game between the sticks for Liverpool. Whether he remains in Italy with Rafa’s Napoli or goes back to Barcelona depends on the recruitment team at the Camp Nou. Its common knowledge he would prefer a return home to replace Victor Valdes but its not in stone whether they will choose Pepe as their goalkeeper. Ter Stegen of Borussia Monchengladbach is a touted alternative to Reina.
Possible transfer fee: (£6-8m) Although still considered one of the top goalkeepers in Europe Reina won’t be sold for much more than £8m.
EDIT: recent newspaper reports claim the fee might be as little as 5m euro’s.
By all means you may as well offload 4 of the 5 you name but deffo not Skrtel . Our weakest area & has been since Rodgers took over is midfield , and the reason it is so weak is Lucas , The only thing he gives the team is his personality he is a terrific guy , `off` the field on it he is now a huge liability . Starting with the Fulham game my team would be a 3-2-3-2 formation ie :- 3 at the back Skrtel , Sakho , Agger. D/M Toure & Hendo . W/B`s Johnno & Enrique ,A/M Stevie G . Strikers Sturr. & Suarez . Of course if Johnno & Enrique are not fit . I watched the under 21`s game last night & Ibe was outstanding he should be on the bench but given a run-out of at least 30 mins. also McClaughlin should be on the bench before Flanno .
You are definitely a PS fan. There is only one player in our midfield and his name is Lucas. You should always check the performance index first before ranting – this is intelligent.
Forget performance index , watch the game . You can bend stats any way you want , but seeings you are a stats man Won 1 cup and got to final of another while ” flash ” was out injured 1st comment is spot on . He is a liability , like playing with 10 men , well prob worse would be less free kicks , penalties given away for sheer clumsiness , oh and Glen Johnson would’nt have missed 6 weeks of the season again down to his clumsiness lack of pace inability to read the situation whatever you wanna call it . Performance index ! Don’t make me laugh
The 6 dead wood average players who should be sold between January and the summer are:
GK B Jones
CB S Coates
RB J Flanagan
RW / RWF Assaidi
FD: Aspas
FD: Borini
Not Skrtel, Agger, Skrtel and Sakho are the best defenders at club in that order and that should be the trio in back 3 week in week out.