The Official 10/11 Liverpool F.C. Thread

[Jagger]

Love these quotes from Joe Cole on the official site:

"This is a massive club. I tried to take everything out of the equation, take the financial and location side out and just thought in football terms. I thought about the semi-final of the Champions League in 2005 when I ran onto the field and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I was thinking about playing in that atmosphere every week and that swung it for me."

"I think players can play for other clubs but with Liverpool you have to live and breathe it. It's that kind of a place. I am excited by the challenge."

He's saying all the right things that's for sure.

[Locke]

I've got to see it on the field. I've been highly pessimistic about this season from the start, but I'm starting to warm to it slightly, Hodgson strikes me as a man with a plan. I hate reading the news releases where he states the limited funds hes got for the transfer window.

In my opinion we still need a bona fide #1 Left Back for big games, some kids can fill the role against weaker opposition, but we need a big guy there. I get the impression that if one isnt bought he'll run with Skrtel and Agger/Wilson/Greek in the CB and play Carra out left. That worries me against major competition.

I like Hodgson so far, hes a cool, calm, steady hand. I'll wait until I see what this team on the pitch, and the tactics that he uses. I know Rafa's tactics used to frustrate me endlessly, I hope he'll be better, but who knows.

[Locke]

I think Arjen Robben may have been hitting the Amsterdam Smokies a little too hard post World Cup....

Arjen Robben says that Liverpool's acquisition of Joe Cole puts their attack on the same level as Spanish champions Barcelona and claims Chelsea made a huge mistake in letting the midfielder go.

Robben, who played at Stamford Bridge for three years from 2004, has high praise for Roy Hodgson's men and says Cole will flourish in his new surroundings.

"With a front three of Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Cole I think Liverpool will be a real force in the Premier League,'' Robben told the Daily Star. "Last year was a freak year, but if those three click I can see them seriously challenging for the title.

"You look at those as a front three and you struggle to find a better front three in Europe - and I include Barcelona's in that."

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...ngland&cc=5901

The rest of the article is similarly high praise that I really dont agree with. If he thinks that then maybe he can send Hodgson a text saying hes willing to come and play for the Reds. Now THAT would be helpful!

[d_phaneuf]

haha just what I was thinking

maybe Arjen wants out of Munich

[Locke]

Riera gone to Olympiakos. Finally.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...nsfers&cc=5901

[Jagger]

Originally Posted by Locke

I think Arjen Robben may have been hitting the Amsterdam Smokies a little too hard post World Cup....


http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...ngland&cc=5901

The rest of the article is similarly high praise that I really dont agree with. If he thinks that then maybe he can send Hodgson a text saying hes willing to come and play for the Reds. Now THAT would be helpful!

While I think it is overstated do you not agree that a fit (key word I know) trio of Gerrard, Torres, and Cole is quite an impressive forward threesome? (oo-er!)

I too believe that last season was a freak season. Liverpool could (and probably should) have won the Premier the season before with many of the same players. Perhaps I'm just more optimistic than most on here. Yeah, the ownership situation sucks, yeah the financial situation sucks, but while still a little thin squad wise the playing staff are simply not as bad as some of you are portraying. Liverpool have made three very solid signings so far this off season while offloading a problem guy in Reira and Yossi, who is more than ably replaced by Cole.

Last season was pathetic I get that but I'm much more optimistic for this campaign. I really like the Hodgson appointment the more I think about it. I like the signings, especially Cole. I like that we are on the way to getting rid of the two pariahs. It is going to happen eventually. Liverpool are way bigger than those two muppets.

I have faith still.

[Locke]

I'm skeptical until I see Fernando Torres back in Liverpool Red scoring goals. If you remove Torres from the equation its a whole different ball game. Big time.

Further, the squad depth isnt what it has to be to compete in all these different competitions. I havent heard one word from Hodgson on 2 issues that I feel are very important.

1. Who the hell is playing Left Back?
2. What is the priority? Whats the order? League, Europa, FA, what is most important? I want to know what the goal is so I dont whine when he fields the Ressies occasionally.

And yes, a fit Torres, Cole, Gerrard (and Kuyt!) are a pretty fearsome attacking force, but 3 of those 4 have SERIOUS injury concerns. All 4 are internationals and have had long seasons, and Torres and Gerrard have been on and off injured the last few seasons.

I guess for me its just natural to be inherently skeptical about an upcoming season, it makes the almost certain disappointment that much easier to take.

[Pagal4321]

Originally Posted by Locke

Acxtually, having seen a few in person, they're quite nice. You want to talk hideous jerseys? Man U and Spurs.

I saw them when I was in London, not a fan at all. The Man U jersey is ugly now, but I just got a free jersey, so who am I to complain!!

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Pagal4321

I saw them when I was in London, not a fan at all. The Man U jersey is ugly now, but I just got a free jersey, so who am I to complain!!

The new United kit is abolutely god awful.

[Pagal4321]

Originally Posted by Locke

The new United kit is abolutely god awful.

Oh yes, I know, I'm looking at it now. They are god awful.

At least we can agree on SOMETHING.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Pagal4321

Oh yes, I know, I'm looking at it now. They are god awful.

At least we can agree on SOMETHING.

Indeed. Why is Kiprusoff pitching for the Blue Jays in your sig?

[Dagger]

We aren't winning under these s. Are people still forgetting that our LB replacements consist of someone who wasn't first choice at Chelsea, and we replaced very happily by a competitor of ours at City. The other is a e player Paul Konchesky.


OUTS.

08.01.2010 Andrea Dossena Napoli £4,700,000 (+wages saved)
10.01.2010 Andriy Voronin Dinamo Moscow £1,800,000 (+wages saved)
04.02.2010 Nikolay Mihaylov FC Twente £1,500,000 (+wages saved)
19.05.2010 Mikel San José Domínguez Athletic Bilbao £2,600,000 (+wages saved)
01.07.2010 Fábio Aurélio Unknown Free (+wages saved)
01.07.2010 David Martin MK Dons Free (+wages saved)
02.07.2010 Yossi Benayoun Chelsea £6,000,000 (+wages saved)
23.07.2010 face Quagmire £5,8000,000 (+wages saved)
? Insua £5,000,000 (+wages saved)

£27.4 Million In

INS

12.01.2010 Maxi Rodriguez Atletico Madrid Free
10.05.2010 Jonjo Shelvey Charlton £1,700,000
08.07.2010 Milan Jovanović Standard Liege Free
21.07.2010 Joe Cole Free Transfer Free
21.07.2010 Danny Wilson Rangers £2,000,000

£3.7 million out.


Guys, just join SOS, buy the shirt and have your voice heard.

Joe Cole is a good player. I love the signing, but the lad isn't the difference between Europa and CL. I think City and Chelsea are locks to be in the top 4 next year. United will be as well if Rooney can maintain form anywhere near last year's, and their injury woes improve. Arsenal and Tottenham should duke it out for that last spot.

The likes of Sunderland, Birmingham, and Villa outspent us last year. Wolves have far outspent us this year. I like the optimism, but don't be blinded.

Also, don't forget we downgraded at manager. Roy won 1 away match last year and has made 1 cup final(UEFA Cup with Inter) almost 15 years ago before his run last year.

[Nuje]

Originally Posted by Locke

The new United kit is abolutely god awful.

Reminds me of the Dallas Stars. They forgot to hire someone to design it. I'm always thankful that Adidas handles Liverpool's kit, as they always do a good job (well, except for the Chelsea breastplate debacle)

[Locke]

I believe that a 'FFFFFFuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu' is appropriate here.

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has given the clearest indication yet that Fernando Torres could be heading out of Anfield by suggesting the player has a long-standing gripe with the club.

Hodgson, who on Saturday saw his new team lose 1-0 to Kaiserslautern in Germany, said after the game that he was still hopeful Torres would follow captain Steven Gerrard in committing his future to the club. But now it appears something that went on behind the scenes when Rafael Benitez was in charge which may ultimately prevent that.

Hodgson told the News of the World: "Unfortunately, I cannot do much more. His beef is with the club and not me. Fernando's situation has nothing to do with me, he made that perfectly clear over the phone during the World Cup and when I met him face-to-face.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...nsfers&cc=5901

Yanks, GTFO.

[Dagger]

Originally Posted by Locke

I believe that a 'FFFFFFuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu' is appropriate here.


http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...nsfers&cc=5901

Yanks, GTFO.

It's source is a Daily Mail article. The Daily Mail is to bleacher report to Goal.com's Eklund.

They've been wrong countless times with Torres, constantly saying he's off to City despite him publicly stating to numerous papers, and Spanish teammates saying he's not going there.

I've never read that NOTW quote TBH.

As far as I know Purslow is handling the whole ordeal, which is not much better but I don't think it's at the point that article suggests.

Yanks, Purslow, Broughton OUT.

Join SOS now, or get used to the free fall.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Dagger

It's source is a Daily Mail article. The Daily Mail is to bleacher report to Goal.com's Eklund.

They've been wrong countless times with Torres, constantly saying he's off to City despite him publicly stating to numerous papers, and Spanish teammates saying he's not going there.

I've never read that NOTW quote TBH.

As far as I know Purslow is handling the whole ordeal, which is not much better but I don't think it's at the point that article suggests.

Yanks, Purslow, Broughton OUT.

Join SOS now, or get used to the free fall.

I've already joined as well as couple of other initiatives.

[ShotDownInFlames12]

Originally Posted by Locke

I believe that a 'FFFFFFuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu' is appropriate here.


http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...nsfers&cc=5901

Yanks, GTFO.

Its Harry Harris reporting, nothing surprising there. he always seems to know the "inside scoop" on liverpool and is always wrong. Hes worse than eklund

[ShotDownInFlames12]

also, i may be in the minority, but I wouldn't mind terribly if Torres was sold, especially if the "rumored" tag was 50mill. That gives us the cash to get a LB and a solid striker. I love torres and if he stays, I'm good with that too, but injuries have taken a toll on him over the past few years I wonder if he will ever be 100%

[Jagger]

Some positive news....for me at least! (Liverpool related kinda)

My wife gave birth to our latest addition today.

Always wanted to give one of our kids a middle name with Liverpool connections given my life long allegiance to the team I love. Funnily enough it was my wife, a Canadian, that pushed for it though such is her love for the Reds too. (On our first date while she was on vacation in the UK I took her to a Liverpool match!)

Anyway I'm pleased to announce the birth of Liverpool's future #9: Baxter Anfield Jack!

[united]

Congratulations!

I look forward to 17 years from now when United sign the Canadian wonder kid who grew up a Scouser (just in time to replace our other Scouser).