Summer of 2014: Part 2

I know Bayern wouldn't agree, but Claudio Pizarro is better in the 'well past the prime' category of strikers.

http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/169152-reds-confirm-ilori-loan-deal

I'm happy with this deal. It's good but steady progression for him. Granada was fighting relegation while Bordeaux is a mid-table (may be even jostling for Europa League) team. The challenges are harder which will assist in his development.

If Ilori can stay healthy he will play well at any team IMO. He's very talented and athletic he just needs to be seasoned.

Oh also, I hope we pick interest back up in Firmino. I know that he's said he's staying with Hoffenheim (for now) and Volland staying had a big impact on that decision. Buy them both plz. Firmino + Volland for whatever we got for Suarez   

The problem is that the nearer we come to the end of the window, the less willingly clubs are going to sell their important players.

Firmino is AM, right!!! We got Coutinho 'n Lallana already

http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/media-watch/express-reds-to-rekindle-star-interest

Rumours popping up of being interested in Balotelli again. I wouldn't mind him, but it would be interesting to see how he would affect the team dynamic given that he would definitely not be a back-up or bench player. It would make the Diamond our #1 formation most likely (not that that's bad).


As our 'best' XI...guys like Can, Allen, Markovic, Lallana, Moreno, Lambert etc. coming off the bench. I like it.

El Cujo wrote:http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/media-watch/express-reds-to-rekindle-star-interest

Rumours popping up of being interested in Balotelli again. I wouldn't mind him, but it would be interesting to see how he would affect the team dynamic given that he would definitely not be a back-up or bench player. It would make the Diamond our #1 formation most likely (not that that's bad).

Manquillo-Lovren-Sakho-Enrique
Gerrard
Henderson-Coutinho
Sterling
Balotelli-Sturridge

As our 'best' XI...guys like Can, Allen, Markovic, Lallana, Moreno, Lambert etc. coming off the bench. I like it.

That's 40+ million wasted on bench to accommodate some one who is erratic and volatile.

To be fair even without Balo neither of them are starters in our best 11 IMO. Because if we're going the 4-3-3 route you still end up with one of Can or Allen in midfield with Coutinho out wide.

Henderson-Gerrard-Can
Sterling-Sturridge-Coutinho

At this point I'd take Balotelli and hope for the best. If he just had the right attitude, he would be good enough to play for us, to start for us.

Art Morte wrote:At this point I'd take Balotelli and hope for the best. If he just had the right attitude, he would be good enough to play for us, to start for us.

On loan may be. I don't want to risk his attitude and this two-striker formation.

There's no way Milan would just loan him out.

As of now, given only 10 days remaining, I would take him, only if BR has confidence that he can manage him. If we are able to keep his head right, he and Studge will be enough to push us for more than top 4 in this season.

I think the easy way to look at it is this. Balotelli has world class talent, but his attitude and work ethic are questionable. Rodgers since coming to Liverpool has helped focus Suarez, and dealt with two players in Sturridge and Sterling that have previously had rumoured issues 'stunting' their abilities. If there's someone out there that can make Balotelli focus and get down to playing the game hard and to his strengths it's probably our current management team.

It's also easy to forget that Balo is only 24 years old. Still a lot of time for him to mature.

“I can categorically tell you Mario Balotelli will not be at Liverpool.” - Rodgers

Exactly my question even after that quote from BR why are we even discussing Balottelli?   

James Pearce - Liverpool remain keen on Monaco’s Radamel Falcao and haven’t been put off by talk of a £12million loan fee

Tony Barrett @TonyBarretTimes 8s
The situation with Liverpool & Balotelli has moved on in the last 12 hours or so. An initial loan inquiry has led to talks with AC Milan.

Tony Barrett @TonyBarretTimes 4m Now it appears a permanent deal could be on the table. Talks are ongoing but still at an early stage.

Well HELLO HELLO!!!!       

lol RedO what were you saying?

Don't call me James wrote:lol RedO what were you saying?

Well to be honest he wasn't lieing!   

This was apparently Pearce's reply to questions regarding Balo back when BR denied rumors. .

"@JamesPearceEcho: @cn83lfc No truth whatsoever. There's more chance of registering Colin Pascoe to play."

  

in this world, why would you take any manager's quotes so seriously ...till the window is ON, everything is ON

I already said this. You can't take those things at face value. Balotelli could very easily end up in Liverpool, and I would take him at 20m over Falcao at 70m.

RealGunner wrote:David Anderson(mirror) ‏@MirrorAnderson 2m
Apparently, some figures at Liverpool are considering a move for Balotelli, but Brendan Rodgers has made clear his opposition to the deal.

David Anderson ‏@MirrorAnderson 56s
There is also the option of signing Radamel Falcao on loan, but he does not seem that keen on Liverpool. However Monaco do want him out.

Makes as much sense as anything else to be honest. Balotelli fits none of Rodgers' previously specified criteria for a target.

Brendan would take Falcao though in a heart beat.

Don't worry about Balo rumors. Second Falcao deal is not possible then we can worry about it. I just pray to football gods Madrid stick with DiMaria and let us have Radamel.

I think I'd be as happy with Eto'o as just about any of these other options recently linked. He may be "past it" but he can still score 1 in every 2 and fits our style and Rodgers' desires far more than the others, honestly.

-Falcao is one of the very best ST's in the world today.
-He's better than Sturridge.
-We need a ST.
-He's hardworking.
-Has played in a two ST system.
-Magnificent finisher.

With the attacking style and the amount of chances we create should really let Falcao blossom here.

All Eto'o would do is be a back up Studge while Falcao comes in and improves our starting XI.

We've improved our defense from last. We've added massive depth. We've added more creative outlets even if we've lost Suarez.

The biggest glaring weakness was the ST position. And now we're getting one of the best in the world.

1 year loan where he arguably makes us favorites for the title is enough for me to bite.