KopTalk.com Forums Football Liverpool FC Forum Why couldn't we finish 4th?

well you are entitled to that opinion, all i can do is hope that it changes with time as that would mean that the club is more succesful. I have no issues with people who disagree with me and put forward some valid arguments like yourself Stan, but we cannot blame them for everything wrong and not give them credit for whats good. My only problem is with those who dont fail to recognise the good, but rather refuse to do so. Thats all.

A bit of a Lyons man myself.

Tea and maltesers, oh lovely.

is that maltesers in the tea?

No

But i like getting chocolate fingers and biting the ends off and then using the finger like a straw.

Just a question sixties...and I mean no offence. Have you ever posted on here saying FSG have done something right or giving them credit for the good they have done? As I said, I am not having a go, it is a genuine question, i disagree with some of your posts but agree with some as well. I just cant recall if you have ever given FSG any credit? Or have they done no good at all in your opinion?

I am waiting to see how it goes in this transfer window to conclude. As we know in the last summer window both BR and FSG cocked up completely as Allen (even if he comes top class) was not a priority, Borini was a flop (we needed a centre forward but Borini was usually played on the right and was not good enough there even before his injury) and Assaidi was a mystery. It was even irresponsible from FSG and BR to end up with only one proper striker and we were lucky that Suarez didn't get injured.

The winter window was much better and gives me some hope, we nevertherless finished 6th if the 2nd half of the season and I think we could have been 6th without changing our last year squad but with a good manager.

We need to strengthen to go beyond 6th else what's the point. This is our chance with 4 teams above us out of 6 going through major changes (management), it will be much more difficult after that.

I think FSG have been poor however yiu look at it. They have made a lot f errrs of judgement primarily the hodgson / doltish era when the club was put back years. The progress on the stadium was and continues at a glazier like pace. Transfer funding on a net basis has been very average. You could argue we have got good spoonsopship deals but is that FSG or what remains of the LFC reputation ? The club needed major surgery after moores and gillet and hicks and we got an aspirin.

That's the way I see it.

My beef with considering the Dempsey saga comes from a slightly different perspective. I actually think they did really well not to dish out any more on Dempsey, my problem is that we should have gotten someone far better than Dempsey. They messed up badly there, we never should have gone into the season with 1 recognized striker. As Vish said, we can thank our lucky stars Luis didnt get injured.

would a signing like Mkhitaryan do anything to improve your views of FSG, because he would be a big signing and a BIG COUP. 1 thing i think we are doing right this window is that, contrary to popular perception, we arent signing only young potential. Toure is very experienced , Aspas is 25 and is nearing his prime, but more importantly has enough experience as a professional footballer. Mignolet also has enough experience and is very talented, only Alberto could fall into the young potential category.

I would be honest to say that I know nothing of Mkhitaryan (my fault) but have heard that he is quite good and Dortmund who regularly buys good players on the cheap is after him. However, all will depend on how the whole transfer window goes, if we buy him but sell Suarez without a top replacement, i will definitely not think better of FSG. This is why I am saying that I would rather have a proper view at the end of the window, so far I am not happy because we are not working on transfers I consider a priority like a top central defender (Toure for me should be a squad player as I think he has passed his best) and also a defensive midfielder (we currently have only Lucas who hasn't been top recently, even if he gets back to his best, we'll need good cover). However, the other missing piece, ie, right forward/winger is being probably filled by Aspas. Mignolet is ok but I don't think a huge improvement if any on a good Reina, good to have signed him but not a priority and I think he is replacing Reina who will be sold.

My opinion, is that "Liverpool buying youth" transfer policy is existent to a point, but we have brought in 2 25year olds, and a 32 year old, alongisde 1 20 yr old.

Mignolet is a great keeper. He shone at Sunderland. In Decemberm Hart even went so far as to say he was the best keeper in the league. So one of the top Premier League keepers is signed just before his prime, for £3m more than Reina did 8 years ago. To me, that is an intelligent purchase.

Aspas was signed on the back, of almost single-handedly helping Celta Vigo survive in La Liga. Another guy at 25, he was amongst the top squads picked by the pundits at the end of the season; even if he had little chance displacing Messi, Ronaldo or Falcao. At £7-8m, he is a snip for a striker who contributes both goals and assists. Compare that to Kuyt. Similar Age when signed. Similar Position. Kuyt cost in the region of £9m. He seems to be the replacement we were crying out for last year.

Toure, at 32, is the oldest player FSG have allowed in to the club. An experienced defender, on a lower wage than the departing Carra. He is on a short-term deal and a proven winner. His influence in the dressing room could prove invaluable, even if he doesn't play much. If he does, and appears as in shape as he does in the images, then he could be ready to surprise a few people. He did play at Arsenal when they played similarly expansive football.

Lastly, we have 1 player who we can all say we knew the least about. Luis Alberto is the only player we haven't seen/heard about fully, and the only one not to compete regularly in the top division in their country. In all honesty though, his record in the Liga Adelante is brilliant. He'll come in as a young challenger, and looks to be replacing the departing Shelvey.

I think they're all upgrades on what we have. Our 2 weaknesses are a strong driving midfielder and another ball-playing centre-half. They are the two things left on our wish list, and Mkhitaryan appears to be our main focus. We may be moving on to Alderweireld but I think that all depends on Skrtel leaving, and not sure that will happen to be honest.

Where in the first window there was no clear strategy, now it is plain to see. Proof is in how they play. I don't know how anyone can look at their records and think they're not good players. I can understand that people want "top signings," I just think we've signed players like this before... They've been as mixed as our big money signings. Let's be optimistic and think they'll do well.

Plus, if Skrtel does stay and reclaim his old form, and Borini and Allen get back to their best, they'll be like new signings to us anyway. BR has little to hide now. His squad depth is building quite nicely. He just needs to hone the qualities that lie beneath its surface.