Summer Transfer Window

[Juan]

We are playing 4-3-3 next season and Lucas is still recovering from his injury so we need another midfielder and Allen fits the bill.

Our 4-3-3 next season could look like this:-


--------------------Reina--------------------


---Johnson---Skrtel---Agger----Enrique----


--------------------Lucas-------------------

-----------Henderson----Allen------------

-----Borini-------Suarez--------Gerrard------

Or swap Henderson for Dempsey and put Gerrard further back.

We need Allen because a future threesome of Lucas-Henderson-Allen when all 3 have great technique, possess good ball retention and have great game intelligence means we will be sorted in midfield for years.

We are definitely going to line up something like that Ed but its going to be hard to tell what Rodgers has in mind when it comes to the team. I think Gerrard is no longer going to be first name on the team sheet, theres no definite position you would have him play. And as you say does Henderson play and where does Dempsey fit in when he signs. Interesting times!

[Juan]

Where though?

For argument's sake this lineup (I stuck Dempsey 6' 1" up front because he can header the
ball from what I've seen and because I'm not entirely sure where Carroll fits into BRs 4-3-3).

Johnson                                               Enrique

               Henderson              Lucas
                                  Gerrard
                                        |
                  Suarez                     Downing
                               (Dempsey?)

An alternative formation incorporating Allen (I stuck Borini in there though I
see his role as a sub).

Johnson                                               Enrique

                       Allen              Lucas
                              Henderson   

                                 Gerrard
                                        |
                  Suarez                  Borini
                             
Now I've gone crazy with the strikers and left out most of Kenny's signings:

Johnson                                               Enrique

                       Allen              Lucas
                                 Gerrard   

                                Dempsey
                                        |
                  Suarez                  Borini


This one includes Allen but retains physicality with Henderson in the middle & Dempsey up front .

Johnson                                               Enrique

                       Allen              Lucas
                              Henderson   

                                 Gerrard
                                        |
                  Suarez                  Dempsey

Then finally, I stick Carroll in and left out the squad players (Dempsey, Borini & Allen)

Johnson                                               Enrique

                    Gerrard              Lucas
                               Henderson
                                        |
                  Suarez                     Downing
                                   Carroll

Then I decided to stop 

Lol the two Eds are giving themselves headaches over our potential lineup next season.

Its clear Rodgers will play the 433 he played at Swansea. If he signs Dempsey and Allen I see them as starters, likewise Borini and Suarez. Gerrard will probably get the nod because I cant see Rodgers upsetting the apple cart too early by leaving him out. Lucas when fully fit is a certainty. Not many places up for grabs if we do sign who we are being linked with. Looking at the players we have Adam and Carroll wont get near the starting eleven imho. In fact I think Adams a gonner.

[Tes]

We are definitely going to line up something like that Ed but its going to be hard to tell what Rodgers has in mind when it comes to the team. I think Gerrard is no longer going to be first name on the team sheet, theres no definite position you would have him play. And as you say does Henderson play and where does Dempsey fit in when he signs. Interesting times!

If Gerrard carries on with England, it's bound to take it's toll. If he finds himself starting less regularly then he knows what he has to do. Plenty before him have done it and reaped the rewards.

Wherever he plays he's going to have to show more discipline than he has in the past. His best season was out wide right and with the dearth of cover there it wouldn't be a bad thing for him to be used there.

[Tes]

Lol the two Eds are giving themselves headaches over our potential lineup next season.

Ed to Ed. 

[Tes]

Rodgers has to get it right on Allen. He had enough time at Swansea to know if Allen would make the grade at a bigger club and clearly he thinks he will. We cant waste anymore money.

Also, we already have two young central midfielders, in Shelvey and Henderson, at the club.
I'd prefer to see Rodgers work with them and concentrate what funds we do have on strengthening the wide forward areas, especially as we've lost Dirk and Maxi already, and we could add Bellamy to the list aswell.

Then there's the centre half positions. And what about some competition for Enrique at left back, and can we rely on the fitness of Johnson and Kelly to make sure we're well covered at right back.

There just seems to be far more pressing matters and need for funds than to be spending a huge chunk of our budget on yet another young central midfielder. We all know it will take time and I'm sure we'll all understand if the manager addresses other areas of the team and squad before the centre of midfield. 

[the dude abides]

Lol the two Eds are giving themselves headaches over our potential lineup next season.

Ed to Ed. 

two Eds are better than one.

[Edward224]

HAHAHA    

Really 15 million for Allen and of his ability and age sounds right to me. 15 million is a small price to pay for a player who could be key to our midfield for the next 10 years.

Plus, he won't be on too much wage wise.

[the dude abides]

15 million is a small price to pay for a player who could be key to our midfield for the next 10 years.

Plus, he won't be on too much wage wise.

can the lad manage to reach the Anfield sign though......or will he need a step-ladder.

[Ed]

who could be key to our midfield for the next 10 years.

Anyone occupying the Liverpool midfield for 10 years would need to be world class.

[the dude abides]

Anyone occupying the Liverpool midfield for 10 years would need to be world class.

anybody occupying Rafa's midfield would need to be close to, or world class.

anybody in kenny, woy or houllier's midfield, merely needed to be average (and ideally cost a lot).

[Tes]

anybody in kenny, woy or houllier's midfield, merely needed to be average (and ideally cost a lot).

As good as that, Dude, are you sure? 

[Tes]

HAHAHA    

Really 15 million for Allen and of his ability and age sounds right to me. 15 million is a small price to pay for a player who could be key to our midfield for the next 10 years.

Plus, he won't be on too much wage wise.

Does that mean our budget is bigger than we're all thinking it is, as there are a lot more positions that need quality to be recruited for them before central midfield.

Or maybe we have buyers lined up for all our excess and sub standard central midfielders.

I just think this is one signing we don't need to make yet and the price yet again is the top side of too high.

Micu for £2M is an example of value, as was the Podolski and Marin signings. Bayern did well getting Xherdan Shaqiri for the price they did.

Yet again there's quality and value to be had but we appear to be choosing another route entirely.

[Tes]

Adam on the move, or maybe not:

http://www.nsno.co.uk/everton-news/2012/07/everton-linked-with-liverpool-midfielder/   

[Ed]

I just think this is one signing we don't need to make yet and the price yet again is the top side of too high.

I mean Kagawa cost in the £15million ballpark:

Manchester United have agreed a deal reported to be worth an intial £12m to sign Japan midfielder Shinji Kagawa from German side Borussia Dortmund.

The 23-year-old needs to pass a medical and obtain a UK work permit, but the Old Trafford club expect both to be completed by the end of June.

It is thought the fee could reach £17m depending on success and appearances.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18262878

[Edward224]

It will most likely be £11m plus £4m in add ons.

Budget is not bigger than we think it is but the system we are going to play means that we need another midfielder. Allen fits the bill for Rodgers.

If we play 4-3-3 then we'd have Lucas, Henderson, Aquilani, Adam, Allen, Gerrard, Shelvey and Suso who can play as part of that three. One suspects Aquilani is going and as I stated we offered Adam as bait for Dempsey. That means Lucas, Henderson, Gerrard with Shelvey and Suso supplementing those three. With Lucas coming off a big injury and Gerrard being injury prone, we definitely do need another midfielder so that it gives us extra depth in a 4-3-3 formation.

I don't think many other positions do need looking at really. The defence is sorted. We just need to add another forward to Suarez and Borini, plus a replacement for Carroll.

I expect to sign 4 players in total this window. Borini, Allen, Dempsey and Carroll's replacement.