The OFFICIAL Liverpool Supporters thread

[GalwayBayBoy]

Midfielder Xabi Alonso wants to stay at Liverpool and win the Premier League title despite reports suggesting he is wanted by Juventus.
The Spain international had been expected to leave Anfield this summer after slipping down the pecking order last season.

But the 26-year-old former Real Sociedad star, who has made over 110 appearances during his four seasons with the Reds, is hoping to persuade manager Rafael Benitez that his future remains with the Merseyside club.

Juve are reported to be willing to pay up to £12million for Alonso, who has now spoken about his future for the first time since helping Spain triumph at Euro 2008.

"Everyone treats me so well here," he said.

"There are a few stories over a possible transfer but I would prefer not to talk about my future.

"I want to win the Premier League as that is the only trophy which is missing."

[Mentalman]

I'm glad, would be glad to see him stay and show his worth, but I still think he will be on his way - if the gaffer doesn't want him, and needs the money, then moving on is inevitable.

[Hound]

If Barry signs, then Alonso goes. That's certain. Though it might be nice to defer it until towards the end of the transfer window so he can play when Mascho and Lucas are away. I think the Italian season usually starts later than the English season too.

I see Rafa mentioned Villa as on his list of potential replacements for Crouch, though in the same breath he said it will be "difficult". I think it means what most of us have said already - he'd like him but can't afford him.

In addition to the Tranmere game on Saturday, Liverpool's friendlies v Hertha Berlin (Tues 22/7 1845) and v Valerenga (Tues 5/8 1800) are confirmed as live on Setanta Sports.

[Mentalman]

I think the aspiration to sign Villa is just that, cannot see it happening unfortunately. Didn't like this bit so much...

"We have Torres, Voronin, Kuyt, Babel and Steven Gerrard, who can play as a second striker," Benitez said. "But we will try to bring in another option."

Torres - not a second striker, he's the frontline striker, how can he play second striker to himself?
Voronin - not good enough.
Babel - not a second striker, he's a speed merchant.
Kuyt - who knows, was effective by times for the Dutch, but then again they actually hold and pass the ball.
Stevie G - should he be bracketed as a second striker? I suppose he does link midfield to the sole striker.

Basically, if Torres gets injured, Liverpool don't have another frontline striker, never mind a second one.

[AZOffaly]

I think there was an 'AND' missing there either in the quote, or in Benitez's english. We have Torres AND blah blah blah who can play as a second striker.

[Mentalman]

I think there was an 'AND' missing there either in the quote, or in Benitez's english. We have Torres AND blah blah blah who can play as a second striker.

Hope so AZ, I hope so.

I know Benitez was under pressure last year, but looking at the way this transfer window is going currently, the lack of funds, it won't be his fault if/when we are not competitive next season. He must be close to walking?

[Chrisowc]

I think there was an 'AND' missing there either in the quote, or in Benitez's english. We have Torres AND blah blah blah who can play as a second striker.

Hope so AZ, I hope so.

I know Benitez was under pressure last year, but looking at the way this transfer window is going currently, the lack of funds, it won't be his fault if/when we are not competitive next season. He must be close to walking?

The only thing I hope he walks away from at this stage is the Barry deal.  Villa have turned down £15m plus Finnan.  They want £17m and all paid up within 12 months.  F**k that!

[bingobus]

Many would see Babel as been a striker in the future ala Thierry Henry. He hasn't shown on a consistent basis what he can do but still young, 21, has pace but imho needs to improve his decision making and final ball. Has the pace and can finish, expect a strong year from him this year. Kuyt is a striker first and foremost but isn't in Torres class or close to it. He finished the second half of year very strong and hopefully can continue that. Needs to get an early run of goals and does score in big games when chances are limited.

Benitez knows that them strikers won't be enough to improve on last year, I expect him to do some business to address it.

Who? I don't know but we should have money to buy a 20m striker.
At present we have earned about 5m in transfers (Crouch 11m, Riise 4m, Itnanjde 2m= 17m) (Degan Free, Dossena 9m, Brazilian Keeper 3m = 12m) plus Kewells mad wages off the books. If we sell Cuthrie (may keep him till christmas due to olympics) 2m, Carson 5m, Penant or Benayoun 5-7m thats another 12m. If Barry comes in then Alonso will go an max 1m cost. So we'd have earned 17m in net transfers and if the club can't cough up 15-20m as a transfer fund to give Rafa a budget of say 35m then we are in trouble cash wise.

35m to buy a winger and a striker:

20-23m 1: Villa 2: Robbie Keane 3: Arshavin
10-13m 1: Bentley 2:Dowining 3: Silva


This business with Barry is dragging on. I'd tell O'Neill at this stage to do one, keep Alonso and wait till christmas and see if Villa will play ball. 17m plus finnan is not good business in my book. 15m would be enough for a 27 year old, England international or not. Villa will be landed with a player they have banned from training. If another club was in the bidding, driving the price up it would be fair enough but its just Liverpool.

[stevo-08]

The only thing I hope he walks away from at this stage is the Barry deal.  Villa have turned down £15m plus Finnan.  They want £17m and all paid up within 12 months.  F**k that!

Chrisowc, where did you read that??? I think Barry would be a very good signing, but if villa have rejected 15m + Finnan, it's time to tell them where to go. Would be unfortunate on Barry who will find himsself in limbo but Liverpool just can afford to be held to ransom like that.

At present we have earned about 5m in transfers (Crouch 11m, Riise 4m, Itnanjde 2m= 17m) (Degan Free, Dossena 9m, Brazilian Keeper 3m = 12m) plus Kewells mad wages off the books. If we sell Cuthrie (may keep him till christmas due to olympics) 2m, Carson 5m, Penant or Benayoun 5-7m thats another 12m. If Barry comes in then Alonso will go an max 1m cost. So we'd have earned 17m in net transfers and if the club can't cough up 15-20m as a transfer fund to give Rafa a budget of say 35m then we are in trouble cash wise.

35m to buy a winger and a striker:

20-23m 1: Villa 2: Robbie Keane 3: Arshavin
10-13m 1: Bentley 2:Dowining 3: Silva


This business with Barry is dragging on. I'd tell O'Neill at this stage to do one, keep Alonso and wait till christmas and see if Villa will play ball. 17m plus finnan is not good business in my book. 15m would be enough for a 27 year old, England international or not. Villa will be landed with a player they have banned from training. If another club was in the bidding, driving the price up it would be fair enough but its just Liverpool.

Bingobus, the problem I see is that Carson might be the only player to leave at this stage and even thats far from a certainty. So 5m additional rather than 12m. Also, the Barry/Alonso deals could end up costing us 4-5m rather than only 1m. So Rafa will be left with the 5m profit made already plus whatever the owner throws at him for his remaining transfer kitty. In my opinion, we'll be extremely lucky to get Barry & a striker (Keane/Villa) this summer.

[Chrisowc]

Stevo

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/7450271.stm

[Mentalman]

Dossena 9m

Was that his price? Man you would expect that he be good in that case, it's a bit on a pricey side for a guy who has one cap, wasn't in the Italy squad and most of us hadn't heard of. It's a lot of money for a left back when Liverpool appear to have so little to spend.

As for Barry, I'd agree, time to cool the interest if those terms were rejected. Either Villa need to sell to improve, in which case they will come back, or they wil be stuck with an unhappy player.

[Mentalman]

Many would see Babel as been a striker in the future ala Thierry Henry. He hasn't shown on a consistent basis what he can do but still young, 21, has pace but imho needs to improve his decision making and final ball. Has the pace and can finish, expect a strong year from him this year.

Maybe he will show more this year in big games, perhaps he is a striker after all, as he is not good at holding posession or finding a teammate from the wing, even with simple passes. Seems to do well at the end of games finishing off sides though when the match is stretched.

Kuyt is a striker first and foremost but isn't in Torres class or close to it. He finished the second half of year very strong and hopefully can continue that. Needs to get an early run of goals and does score in big games when chances are limited.

I admire Sloth's will to work and run, and perhaps he hasn't been given the opportunities to play as an out and out striker, but I do think there is something in the opinion that he doesn't make intelligent enough runs, or get himself in positions to do so. Could be though the reason for that is the role he has been asked to play, more or less a wing back towards the end of last season.

[bingobus]

Bingobus, the problem I see is that Carson might be the only player to leave at this stage and even thats far from a certainty. So 5m additional rather than 12m. Also, the Barry/Alonso deals could end up costing us 4-5m rather than only 1m. So Rafa will be left with the 5m profit made already plus whatever the owner throws at him for his remaining transfer kitty. In my opinion, we'll be extremely lucky to get Barry & a striker (Keane/Villa) this summer.

I couldn't see us not selling Pennant or Benayoun if they were offered. Pennant - WBA, Newcastle, Middlesboro etc would prob snap him up at 5m. Pity he didn't get that England cap as he'd be worth 8/9m then  Benayoun is using the press on a daily basis to praise Rafa and the club, so he is looking to stay!

I suppose if they aren't sold, he won't be looking for a winger  which would be a shame, as I thing we defo need 1, if not 2, new wingers.

[stevo-08]

Stevo

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/7450271.stm

cheers for that. this really is the most drawn out transfer I remember. How villa are demanding 17m + Finan for a player they've banished from training, is beyond me.

Dossena 9m

Was that his price? Man you would expect that he be good in that case, it's a bit on a pricey side for a guy who has one cap, wasn't in the Italy squad and most of us hadn't heard of. It's a lot of money for a left back when Liverpool appear to have so little to spend.

I thought it was around 7m. I think if it was 9m, there's be more publicity about it cos he'd be the most expensive defender ever signed by Liverpool. Below is the link from sky sports, even though it's over a month old.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_3656484,00.html

[Captain Black]

Kuyt is critical to this Liverpool side. For reference, see Torres interview at ~ end June where he attributed his success to the workrate of Kuyt.

Further, contrary to an above post, I think he is a very intelligent player, capable of finding space and making appropriate runs, delivering good ball etc. However, it is obvious for all to see that he does not have the required pace or flair to be a top class 'winger' per se. But like I say, he is critical to the team for the role he performs. I think that Rafa thinks the same as well.