Here goes... am curious to see what others might think because, though I am one of those who likes Suarez a lot (& hoped he would stay to bring LVP back to the top) I think this might be a blessing for both the club, & player. Yes, Suarez has made it harder on himself but let's face it... a lot of foreign-born players tire of/dislike playing in England. More, I am one of a minority which believes it's ridiculous these guys are considered/held to be role models simply because they are amazing/skilled athletes.
In no way does that portray "character"! I'm an American too; & this is a tired, old argument goes on & on here as well. It's stupid.
I'm probably one of the only Liverpool fans who will say this... but for £40-50 m, I'd sell. With the estimated/expected transfer kitty of £20ish m) + £40-50ish m from selling Suarez, LVP could very easily add 5-6 quality players. Get Eriksen for £18ish (which would entice Ajax, since Dortmund is lowballing @£10ish m (reportedly) AND that Eriksen would see it as LVP wanting him. Get Wanayama for, I think, £7-8ish m (an absolute beast; much better than Lucas); Papadopolous £12ish m (partnered w/ Agger, a great combo); Wellington Nem for £8-10ish (Nem will be the "next" Suarez); & Wellington Silva for ... a pittance!-- which is ridiculous; he's an amazing talent. Also we could sign Danny Rose (£8-10ish) &/or Lucas Digne (£8-10ish) & also pick-up Joshua Gatt for £2ish (make him a right wingback!-- & also could provide cover on the wing too) as well as Atsu for £3ish (a bargain!).
Sell Skrtel, Carroll, Downing, Coates, Spearing, Shelvey ... probably a few others too. Oh, and unless there is a attitude/personality problem with this kid we don't really understand the nuances of, keep Dani Pacheco!
LVP FC 2013-2014 could easily look like this ... for the next 5-7-10 years!
--- Reina (next season sign a youngster for the future)---
Johnson/Gatt - Papadop./Toure - Agger/Kelly - Rose/Digne
----- Wanayama/Lucas ----- Gerrard/Allen/Henderson -----
-------- Coutinho/Henderson ----------
Sturr./Ster./Atsu - Nem/Sturr./Aspas - Ster./Silva/Atsu
Bench: Jones (replaced next 2-3yrs.; reward him for the time being), Gatt, Wisdom (maybe loan out; depending), Toure, Kelly, Enrique (maybe sell, if get both Rose/Digne), Lucas, Allen, Henderson, Borini, Suso, Atsu, Pacheco, Aspas, etc.
(Obviously all would not be on the bench... some would have to be rotated)
Other viable alternatives ...
• Cristian Tello (Barcelona) £8-10ish m (or swap deal w/ Reina; which would mean getting a new keeper...)
• Toby Alderweireld (Ajax) £9-10ish m (I think he's agreed/signed w/ Roma though)
• Thaigo Alcantara (Barcelona; release clause fallen dramatically! -- also same as w/ Tello; could do a swap deal + with Reina, but that means getting a new keeper since Jones isn't a No.1)
• Luke Shaw (Southampton; very intriguing... would be excellent, I think) £5ish m
Players to Sell/Loan
• Stewart Downing £7-9ish m (he's 29 & not a LVP first-teamer. Cut the loss & sell)
• Sebastian Coates £6ish m (same as above though he is younger. Sell)
• Oussama Assadi (Loan) -- worth keeping tabs on.
• Martin Skrtel £12-15ish m (sell now while value is there; should have sold last year for 20ish+ m)
• Andy Carroll £12-15ish m (just doesn't fit & it is very unfair to him as well... sell)
• Jay Spearing £3-4ish m (not LVP quality; unfortunate since he's a local lad. Sell)
• Jonjo Shelvey £3-5ish m (possibly loan; but as of now not a reg. first-teamer)
Budget £20m to £25m + £40-50m for Suarez = £60/65m to £70/75m
Sales (low figures; not counting Shelvey) = £40m
Budget = £100/105m to £110/115m
Out-go on proposed transfers (even going highish valuations of ALL those players and including £10-15ish m for a new keeper should Reina go, we're looking @£105ish m to £115ish m.
Now, I know this isn't FIFA '13/'14, & that turning over so much might be a little unrealistic, but all these transfers are linked "rumors" which have more than just a little validity in them I'd wager. Also, LVP doesn't need ALL the players, only about 4-6... so, w/ selling Suarez (or not) the other sales almost pay for everything anyway. There's very little reason LVP could not look similar to this to open the '13/'14 season. With a squad like this, LVP could be challenging for the EPL; not just hoping for CL.
