Neil is joined by Rob Gutmann and Sean Rogers and they discuss the seemingly imminent arrvial or Simon Mignolet and departure of Pepe Reina
Direct link to PODCAST: A BELGIAN KEEPER?
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I agree with the points made in this podcast. I don’t wanna do this to myself again but I’m really hopeful for next season if we get the players we’re strongly linked with. I also told myself I wasn’t getting excited about any player before he’d signed but I’ve had to go on ‘You Tube’ to look at this Mhktaryan. I pray you’re right and him and a few others are done deals.
The point I wanted to make though was a slight twist on what was mentioned in the podcast. We don’t know who is initiating Reina’s move but there’s always been a tendency for me to think we’re f***** if Reina goes and the same with Suarez. Also, what if Gerrard gets injured. I think I’m feeling less worried now. Ok, they’re all world class but maybe Reina is a little bit stale now. Maybe he’s lost a bit of that fight. Gerrard is still brilliant but he hasn’t got forever. Whether it’s age or ambition it seems we’ve always got a sword hanging over us. What if he goes etc….. Judging by the players we’re looking at they seem to have strong winning mentalities and our hungry.
Take Downing. He’s done ok this season but if we’re brutally honest, he’s not good enough. More so though, he’s got a weak personality. This Aspas headbutts opposition players. Look at Skrtel, looks ok but much weaker than he appears. Would you square up to Papadopoulis? Mignolet is the keeper making waves in the Premiership at the minute. I’ll be impressed if we pull it all off. Goodbye Reina (not particularly happy about that), Skrtel, Spearing, Shelvey, Downing, Carroll, Assaidi, hello Mignolet, Toure, Papa, Mhktaryan, Aspas, Alberto, Llori. I’ve never seen any of them play but they certainly sound good based on their names. Imagine if we could then get that Real Madrid make weight Morata.
If you then look at our squad it looks very exciting. We’ve still got the likes of Agger, Johnson and Enrique, Gerrard, Courtinho and Sturridge. Then there’s Henderson, Allen, Lucas, Borini, Then we’ve got a host of young lads who can more than step up in Sterling, Suso, Wisdom, Kelly, Robinson and possibly Flanagan. Then even more impressive youngsters for the absolute fringe with Ibe, Yesil, Coady, Sama and Sinclair. That could be the small but tight squad Rodgers talks about.
So my overall point is what we’ll lose in experience and presence I think we’ll make up for in fight and determination. We need hungry players who are slightly aggressive. I think it’ll wake the crowd up too. Carroll, Assaidi, Downing, Skrtel just don’t have it. Weed out the weaklings.
I also wouldn’t be disappointed if Reina stayed but I think him leaving would be a good move for both parties, as I agree with Robin and Neil that he needs a new challenge to bring the best out of him again and it looks like we might be able to get a younger keeper of similar quality with something to prove. Also, I know everyone gets a bit touchy when talking about reducing the wage bill but isn’t Reina on some ridiculously high wage?
Fingers crossed everything goes ahead the way it is shaping because I am liking all that I am hearing/youtubing in terms of transfers, particularly Mhktaryan. I am also not that worried about being linked with a “midfield enforcer” because I think Henderson can play that role to an extent once Gerard starts to get phased out, and I don’t think it really fits with Rodgers style.
However, the one position I would love to hear some movement on is a left back because as much as I love Enrique, especially when he is using his superhuman strength to shield the ball over the baseline from 40 yards, watching him carry the ball forward, stop, then pirouette and wait for the defense to set itself again kills our rhythm and drives me crazy. Also, as solid as they have been, I think that Wisdom and Kelly both look more like centre backs to me as they don’t offer very much going forward, so maybe even another right back too.
But even if everything fell through from here on in what an improvement this summer has been on the previous, what is it 3 or 4 now, where it was one disaster after another. Looking forward to seeing what Brendan can do with a squad more suited to his game plan and hopefully see us give the top four a good shake next season!
Hi Robin,I’m as positive as you now.But I do have some reservations.Those players you mention;poor players who should be shipped out? Why?
The modern game seems to be buying players with the intention of moving them on later.What’s the point?
I happen to think that Assaidi looks a decent player;Shelvey has loads of committent.Suso has some great skills.We seem to have quite a few players who excite me.But,they never seem to get more then half a chance.
This doesn’t seem like building a dynasty to me.It’s almost like trying to do a jigsaw but when you can’t see where the pieces fit you throw them away and start a new jigsaw.
Maybe I’ve got old fashioned ideas.But the successful clubs seem to get players then play them.We seem to have a never ending procession of players who are here one day and gone the next.
It’s probably just me!
No, it’s not just you mate. I usually have the same feeling which is why I said about having the feeling a sword is constantly dangling over us. I’ve always thought keep the squad together and improve with one or two additions. It hasn’t worked though. Maybe we’re too loyal to players. Maybe we need to be more ruthless. I feel for Shelvey as he’s so young and he’s unproven as yet but he’s by no means naturally gifted. He has very positive attributes though.
I’m just starting to feel that things are a bit too comfortable. I mean, we’re praising Stewart Downing. Yes, he’s done ok but players like that won’t get us in the top 4. Would any of the top 4 have him? I’d rather take a gamble and look for better and if that unfortunately includes Shelvey then so be it.
One final thing, in the past there was nowhere to go after Liverpool except, perhaps, the odd exotic foreign team. It’s different now. We can’t expect the top players to sacrifice their careers because we love Liverpool so much and want them to stay. It’s not gonna happen. My point is, I’m now thinking if we stay loyal to our players and values then we’ll stay average. The top 4’s a tough ask. We’re not gonna do it next season with Shelvey and Downing or the ‘local lad’ Spearing, unfortunately. The replacements might turn out to be worse but one things clear about the rumoured targets – they’re all lively and are people who like to win. I’d much rather take a chance on that kind of player and over time we’ll keep the ones that are proven and replace the ones who are in the balance. Hopefully one day soon we’ll be good enough where we stop becoming a stepping stone for players and can have a more settled squad.