Ideal Team

I think Skrtel/Sakho is a fine first pairing for Liverpool -- especially if Skrtel can sort out his consistency issues/focus to eliminate some of the very simple mental mistakes he makes, because outside of that he has performed admirably.

Personally I don't think we need to get another CB; I only mention it because of us being linked with a few this year. Even if we assume that Agger is going to go, which isn't a certainty, you still have Skrtel, Sakho, Toure, Coates, Ilori, Kelly, Wisdom as mentioned above as well as Robinson and Agger potentially. So unless we're going to be dealing more than one CB and looking to get a world class CB coming in it wouldn't surprise me at all if we didn't go for a CB. I think getting a fullback is much more important (a world class one would be nice, though a good FB with great potential like Shaw or Chambers would also be nice).

If we were to get a player like Rodriguez, Kurzawa, Coentrao etc. it would go a long way I think considering the strength of the team already. I mean Coutinho - Gerrard - Henderson is already one of the best midfields in England (though it could use another elite talent like Kroos, Isco, Hamsik, Firmino, etc) and Sterling - Sturridge - Suarez is already one of the best forward groups in all of Europe (again, adding Lacazette, Konoplyanka, Reus or Griezmann would be nice for another class option) and while Mignolet has been shaky at times I think he's a fine keeper. Realistically speaking Skrtel and Sakho have both shown the ability to play against and neutralize top level offenses it's the fullbacks that are the most iffy IMO.

The suggestion to only grab 2 - 3 players this transfer window is not a bad one when looking at what our team currently boasts. Rodriguez, Firmino and Konoplyanka would cement this team as a contender, and help make them dangerous in Europe. Even if we don't sign anyone else our prospect depth is quite large and there's already a number of players with potential first team quality coming back from loan or getting older.

fk off wit chambers already
clyne is much better

and stop mentioning hamsik,isco and reus in every post, we arent getting them, you're being more unrealistic each post you make

This is the "Ideal Team" thread, Buster. He's free to call for Messi if he feels like it given the topic's breadth. Hell, I've suggested Müller and Alex Morgan in previous posts.


@Morte:
People are suggesting a new CB because we expect one or more of our current 4 senior CBs to leave, and Ilori to probably go out on loan again for one more season. We're almost certainly going to be competing in 4 competitions next season and 3 or 4 CBs who can fill in at that level of competition are needed if we want to secure and consolidate our position in the top 4 or even climb further.

On top of that, Rodgers' quotes on our defensive issues suggest that a transfer may be planned. He's specifically stated that he does not feel that the issues are down to tactics, but to individual mistakes and problems. Being able to play a consistent backline may, MAY help with that but it's certainly reasonable to take his quotes to mean a higher quality defender is needed. Given Sakho's recent move and price tag it's a given he won't be leaving. We're not going to find a buyer for Kolo and he's back-up anyway. That leaves Agger (LCB like Sakho but vice-captain) and Skrtel (RCB to compliment Sakho but not vice-captain). Both have had up-and-down seasons. It's a reasonably logical conclusion from the facts available that one or both may be moving on and an "upgrade" brought in though it's obviously not a certainty.

BusterLfc wrote:fk off wit chambers already
clyne is much better

and stop mentioning hamsik,isco and reus in every post, we arent getting them, you're being more unrealistic each post you make

Did you even read the post? I doubt it.

Clyne is not 'much better' than Chambers. They're of a similar level, and Chambers is 3 years younger. Give me Chambers over Clyne every day.

I agree with Cujo on Chambers. I would take him over Clyne everyday.

I'd rather a more experienced and developed player than either of them, to be honest. We already have several fairly promising young RBs (or CBs capable of playing RB depending on your view) so bringing in another, even if he's a bit more along in his development doesn't make a lot of sense. Either keep Johnson or bring in an experienced and good quality RB in his place.

The thing with Chambers and Clyne is that if Southampton sell Shaw (to Chelsea) this summer, I don't think they're going sell too happily two full-backs in the same window. They might just give a straight 'no' to anyone who comes asking.

Clyne's better than Chambers.

He's been more consistent, shown more, and is just better overall.

Red Alert wrote:Clyne's better than Chambers.

He's been more consistent, shown more, and is just better overall.

I respectfully disagree. Consistent in what sense? Chambers is a better defender, and Clyne has been slightly better offensively. They've really been very close so far this year but Chambers has a much higher ceiling and is already arguably as good as Clyne.

Although obviously Shaw would be preferable over either, but he's not coming to Liverpool.

I want Mrs. Barcary Sagna!!!!!   

Fahim89 wrote:

I want Mrs. Barcary Sagna!!!!!   

    

El Cujo wrote:

Red Alert wrote:Clyne's better than Chambers.

He's been more consistent, shown more, and is just better overall.

I respectfully disagree. Consistent in what sense? Chambers is a better defender, and Clyne has been slightly better offensively. They've really been very close so far this year but Chambers has a much higher ceiling and is already arguably as good as Clyne.

Although obviously Shaw would be preferable over either, but he's not coming to Liverpool.

Consistent as in more consistent; Chambers is inconsistent.

How does he have a higher ceiling?

Clyne was great last season, and brought last seasons form into this season...

Clyne/Chambers are better, but no real major improvement on Flanagan anyway. I'd pass on them both...

Fahim89 wrote:
I want Mrs. Barcary Sagna!!!!!

Does she like playing up top?

Red Alert wrote:

Fahim89 wrote:
I want Mrs. Barcary Sagna!!!!!  

Does she like playing up top?    

I am interested in knowing if she can play as a goalie

Definitely a keeper if she can play up top.

Then again i thought we needed reinforcements at the back!!!!   

Claire Rourke.

Red Alert wrote:Claire Rourke.

Rosanna Davison     

You win.

Red Alert wrote:You win.

  

Ideal team...huahuahua.

----------------------------Luis Suarez-------------------------
----------Marco Reus-----James Rodriguez----Gareth Bale--------
----------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------Steven Gerrard-----Xabi Alonso---------------
----------------------------------------------------------------
Rico Rodriguez----Giorgio Chiellini----Mats Hummels----Philip Lahm
--------------------------Thibaut Courtois-----------------------


But really I would not be upset at all if we blew our entire kitty this summer on James Rodriguez.

I think Messi might suit us tad better than James Rodriguez   

sorry but i couldnt care less about ideal thread, since we are playing so good with the existing squad
for me just get 1 established player, preferably a WC one
and just get another 1-2 shrewed but little experienced signings, like a LB and CM/winger and we can sign a CB if we sell one...we already have another players coming back like Suso, Borini and few CB too. All these loans and players with more experience in this season will be like new signings in the next season. That will do it for me

Same here Heil. Our current squad has become very ideal to me with the way everyone is performing. Just need to polish some positions hopefully with near WC talent if not WC, and then keep bringing up our own from the academy because it's well documented how talented some of them are.

It's strange that our squad doesn't look that thin when almost all of our players are fit.
Like it was against united, we could afford to bench the likes of Coutinho, Lucas and Sakho.
Seems like we got some options on the bench after all plus there are shit load of guys that are loaned out so the squad depth shouldn't be a problem next season.

I would go for a bombastic WC signing in the summer rather than buying decent players on multiple positions just for depth.

Well Rodgers has already stated that he has two different lists for the summer. One if we make CL, and if we don't. And I'm assuming real top talent is in the one with the CL on it.

BusterLfc wrote:It's strange that our squad doesn't look that thin when almost all of our players are fit.
Like it was against united, we could afford to bench the likes of Coutinho, Lucas and Sakho.
Seems like we got some options on the bench after all plus there are shit load of guys that are loaned out so the squad depth shouldn't be a problem next season.

I would go for a bombastic WC signing in the summer rather than buying decent players on multiple positions just for depth.

It's because our squad isn't that thin. I can't think of a single team in the world who would look flush in defense when both fullbacks and two of their senior cbs were all hurt; or a team that would have great attacking options on the bench with three midfielders and two forwards missing time. We had an injury crisis for a few months, but our squad when fully fit is deep enough to put out a high quality bench.