Summer Transfer Window 2013

As explained by DTDR, it can be a transistion phase for GK position and no doubt the goalkeepers will learn from each other (probably mignolet from reina). I guess it all comes down to hoe BR is able to manage the whole situation and it looks like he has idea of that.

So after all this talk about replacing Skrtel, rumors of him leaving and a replacement coming in seem to have disappeared... Not to say that nothing will happen, but would everyone be ok with going into next season with an Agger-Skrtel pairing again? I think I would, but (for many possible reasons) they DID underperform last year. I think working out the defensive lapses (and difficulties in the air) is the most important improvement for next season, and our options on that are either 1) bring in a new starting-caliber defender or 2) hope Skrtel and Agger return to form. Needless to say, the second option feels like a risk at the very least.

We'll almost certainly still sign a starting/competing CB for the first team, stevie. Rumours about Papa are even still ongoing, despite the fact that we've apparently dropped interest. There's also Alderweireld who's yet to agree a deal with Leverkusen and others who's names have been popping up sporadically.

http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/aspas-completes-liverpool-switch

RedOranje wrote:We'll almost certainly still sign a starting/competing CB for the first team, stevie.  Rumours about Papa are even still ongoing, despite the fact that we've apparently dropped interest.  There's also Alderweireld who's yet to agree a deal with Leverkusen and others who's names have been popping up sporadically.  

So do you think it's as certain as it was that Skrtel's leaving? Because I don't see us going into the year with Agger, Skrtel, Ilori, Kolo Toure and a replacement. We also haven't heard anything recent about Coates leaving either. I guess there's a lot of transfer window left, though.

I never said anything about Skrtel leaving. I said that another CB would likely be coming in. You stated that rumours of another first team CB coming in had died off and I was addressing that.

RedOranje wrote:I never said anything about Skrtel leaving.  I said that another CB would likely be coming in.  You stated that rumours of another first team CB coming in had died off and I was addressing that.

I know you didn't, that's why I asked for your opinion. I was curious if your certainty that a first team CB will come in translated into certainty that Skrtel will leave, or if you think we're going to carry 5-6 CBs this season.

I think it's 50/50 for Skrtel. It still seems likely that Coates will leave either on loan or permanently, to be replaced by Ilori. A squad that wants to make deep cup runs AND compete for the top 4 will certainly want a minimum of 5 Cbs who can realistically step into the first team for a period and perform. Assuming Ilori is further along than Coates, we would have Agger, Skrtel, Toure, and Ilori (in that relative order) with Kelly and Wisdom as relatively unknown but potential quantities. Another CB to fit in just around Skrtel in the depth charts seems logical, as we'd have the signing there in case Skrtel's form doesn't pick up and Skrtel there in case the signing doesn't bed (hopefully both issues wouldn't arise). That makes sense from a managerial stand-point but it depends on whether Skrtel feels confident/comfortable competing for his place and maybe missing out.

If we sign a starting-quality CB and Skrtel stays that would mean four players competing for starting spots along with Llori (if signed). Then there will be Kelly, Coates & Wisdom (if not the later two aren't loaned). Agger might get injured, Toure hasn't played regularly, Skrtel was indifferent and new CB is unknown quality. So this actually fit the scheme if we want to win the cups and ensure top-4 finish.

However my only concern is, if a starting-quality CB & Llori is signed and even if we send Coates & Wisdom on-loan, Llori will be fifth-choice and might not get enough games needed to develop further.

Aspas deal is done. So that leaves the issue of CB (starting and/or Llori) and Henri/Erikson. Any idea if we are persuing targets as back-ups for LB & Lucas!!!

Ifthi it's Ilori otherwise I share your concern. Ilori might just turn into next years Coates if we buy him and just put him on the bench with 4 guys in front of him. I would be bummed if we sold Coates permanently as I do believe he's got potential to be a quality player. Loan deal would do everyone a world of good. He just needs playing time. I fear that Ilori might suffer same as Coates did. We either keep Skrtel and give him the role next to Agger or sell him and bring in a starter. It would not be ideal to do both.

I was thinking the same thing with Ilori.

But a few on RAWK believe Ilori can also play at full back. So I guess that's one thing he comfortably has over Coates. He can slowly be integrated into the starting XI by playing LB at times. He also is quite quick, faster than Ronaldo in fact, so even if he does a mistake, he has the pace to catch up to the attacker in a high-line if he's playing in the centre. Coates wouldn't have a chance to do that.

It's a shame though. Coates has all the tools in his locker to be a top class CB. Unfortunately, he can't play in a high line so is restricted playing time here. He also can't play another position for us. [He can be Carroll's replacement as the number 9 back-up Art goes on about. ] Just hoping we don't move him out to another PL team. Won't be surprised if he goes to some Italian club.

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Tony Barrett: "Simon Mignolet will have his medical at Melwood tomorrow, before completing a £9m move to Liverpool."


Three signings in three days.

That'll be 4 signings before the official window had even started.

Now Ayre my man get the Armenian lad in before july! Mkhtaryan done & we have some exciting times ahead!

Although we may have signed 4 guys by now, we should be wary that we still haven't gotten our top 2 priorities for the summer (Mkh and Papa). Something to think about

McAgger wrote:Although we may have signed 4 guys by now, we should be wary that we still haven't gotten our top 2 priorities for the summer (Mkh and Papa). Something to think about

According to our most reliable Journalists Papa ain't a target any more. But that said i have not heard any other name pop out! Maybve Skrtel it is

Tom Ince off to Cardiff according to reports we might receive around 2.8m pounds for that.

Elia rumors rising from the dead! AGAIN!!!

Along with Wanyama . . .

Lame journalism

Kolo Toure - Free
Luis Alberto - 6.5m
Aspas - 7? 8?
Mignolet - 9m

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Carroll - 15[+2 in future]
Tom Ince to Cardiff - 2.8m


We havn't spent anything really. We still need a CB, though. I think we'll be able to financially support a "marquee" signing this season too. I'm starting to like this window.

McAgger wrote:Although we may have signed 4 guys by now, we should be wary that we still haven't gotten our top 2 priorities for the summer (Mkh and Papa). Something to think about

I think Mkhitrayan was a target before we were aware he was part of a third-party thing. We might back out, so wouldn't say he's destined to sign for us.

We've also backed out of Papa. Although some people can suggest we're trying to say we back out so Schalke can negotiate.

ynwa wrote:

I think Mkhitrayan was a target before we were aware he was part of a third-party thing. We might back out, so wouldn't say he's destined to sign for us.

Don't say that!!!

I highly doubt the club will pay more than 20m for him. Maybe that's just me though.

ynwa wrote:I highly doubt the club will pay more than 20m for him. Maybe that's just me though.

I know we no longer have the Comolli but doesn't mean we are going to miss out on our top targets!!

Not saying that we will pay whatever Shakhtar or the other parties ask.

Fahim89 wrote:

ynwa wrote:I highly doubt the club will pay more than 20m for him. Maybe that's just me though.

I know we no longer have the Comolli but doesn't mean we are going to miss out on our top targets!!

Not saying that we will pay whatever Shakhtar or the other parties ask.

Not saying we'll back out or anything.

But I highly doubt we're going to throw everything possible at them ala how it was when Comolli was at the club.

We'll find out. It's still early.

I am more happy or sad for CB news compared to Mkhi just because there is still no assurance about the whole situation of coates, skrtel and/or a new CB

I'm almost 100% certain that Ilori will come in to replace Coates.

As much as I want Skrtel to stay, I see him sold. I still find it incredibly risky to have Agger + Papa as the main duo given their injury history.

Papa will be a great signing if we dont put all the fortunes for him but i always wanted someone like Alderweireld more than Papa.
But it seems that the deal is not done yet, just few personal issues still holding the deal and the rumoured cost is only 7-9mi euros. Leverkusen are already evaluating other options like Daniel Carvajal (Real Madrid), Michal Kadlec (Fenerbahce), Manuel Friedrich (unknown) and Daniel Schwaab (VfB Stuttgart). Not sure how much of that is true but still some hopes there.

How do you rate Dragovic, the Basel CB!!! I have seen only few times and looked decent. He is like a hybrid of Skrtel (established starter) and Ilori/Coates (raw talent). Will be cheap too.