I’m a new member but I feel compelled to post my two pennies. I enjoy flicking through threads of these nature where potential ins and out are speculated over. I understand everybody is entitled to their own opinion, but mine is that some Liverpool fans have lost a bit of perspective (apologies if I deviate but I believe all of this is relevant)…..
Now I’m not a doom monger, but the current state of affairs is challenging to say the least. The ownership is a joke; we have no manager, question marks over senior players and significantly not much of a transfer budget. This may all change but we cannot take that for granted.
However despite recent struggles I still have faith that there is a good backbone of the team (obviously assuming Gerrard & Torres stay put) and given some shrewd dealings this summer we can get ourselves reestablished and back where we belong. Everyone realized that two years ago it was the lack of squad depth that cost us the title, and when injuries hit last season the squadmen simply were not good enough.
I wont name particular names but a lot of those I have read as suggested signings seem to me to be out of our price range, players who would be more interested taking a fat paycheck at City or Chelsea than showing any pride to wear the red shirt.
Please do no label me as a xenophobe as I am anything but, however for the past 10 years under Benitez & Houllier we have been subjected to far too many journeymen and average footballers from the continent & beyond who either cannot adapt to the English game or are simply not good enough and do not care about the club. I’m all for top quality foreign talent but for every Torres & Reina there’s been twice as many Dossena’s & a Voronin’s.
Obviously football was different 20-30 years ago, but Liverpool’s successful history was built upon British talent. Last year we had 3 Brits who could be called first team players. I hope I do not offend anybody when I say that is pathetic.
Back to the topic! Needless to say I have no influence over the Clubs transfer policy but if I did, given our current predicament & budget we could do worse than this lot.
Scott Dann – solid 1st season in the top flight with Birmingham. Born & bred Scouser and Liverpool fan who could replace Carra in the coming years. In the meantime a good 3rd choice CB.
Ryan Shawcross – similar to Dann although more potential & probably more expensive. Would replace the height at the back we have lacked since Sami left, clearly a better option than Krgiakos.
Joe Ledley – nothing wrong with taking a gamble on a lower league player, especially on a free transfer. Looks like he has the quality to make the step up, and even if he turns out to be an average player in the top flight you will get more commitment and passion out of him than Babel or Riera.
Kris Boyd – similar to the above. His goalscoring record north of the border shows if nothing else he can find the net if given the chance, another free transfer that to me would easily offer more than Ngog.
Danny Murphy – seems like a step but it could make sense. Not going to be a 1st team regular but can still spot a pass, would give his all for the club & may have some influence on Gerrard staying. If Hodgson gets the job this could be an intruiging possibility as a Gary Mac style veteran squadman.
These are just a few names, and I’m not suggesting that these would necessarily come in as automatic starters. What they would do is create better squad depth, reclaim some traditional values of pride work ethic and (dare I say) Britishness and they wouldn’t cost an arm & a leg.
Rant Over.
It’s nice to be here.