Who Should Liverpool SELL?

[UVALaw]

Well, we've signed Finnan, and (hopefully/maybe) Kewell. We may even bring in one more player (I'd like to see Joe Cole). So now, who do Liverpool sell? The current squad will have 5 forwards (Baros, Diouf, Heskey, Mellor, and Owen), 8 midfielders (Biscan, Cheyrou, Diao, Gerrard, Hamann, Kewell, Murphy, and Smicer), and 8 defenders (Babbel, Carragher, Finnan, Henchoz, Hyypia, Riise, Traore, and Vignal). Most of these players expect some sort of first team action, and it will be hard to keep them happy. One problem is that several will have absolutely zero teams interested. I think Babbel is out because of the comments Houllier made. Either Smicer or Biscan will go. Either we sell Heskey, which doesn't look likely, or we loan Mellor to a first division club (Derby has been mentioned). Finally, one of Vignal or Traore will probably leave, since Finnan, Riise, Carragher, Henchoz, and Hyppia will almost always be first choice defenders. Throw in your thoughts.

[Matt Clark]

Bear in mind Houllier's long-stated philosophy that a perfect squad has three goalkeepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders and five forwards.

WE have more than that now - ours is one of the largest squads in the Premiership, even after Jamiekins, Litmanen, Barmby, Vignal, Babbel, Berger, Diomede, and Arphexad have all been shipped out in the past 12 months.

With Kewell and the French youngsters arriving, i would put our main 8 in midfield as:

Kewell, Murphy, Gerrard, Didi, Smicer, Diouf (which is where he will play, let's face it), Le Tallec, Diao.

I believe Smicer will leave this summer. Biscan may also, with young Welsh in the reserves waiting to come through. Rumour today (as reported in the other Transfers thread) has it that either Vlad or Biscuit will be make-weights in a deal with Auxerre for Boumsong.

Which brings us on to defenders: here we have Sami, Henchoz, Finnan, Carra, Riise all playing major roles next season. Traore enjoys a lot of respect from Houllier, who clearly sees potential in him that the rest of us on occasion miss.

One of our main problems last season was lack of cover in defence, so the Boumsong deal makes a lot of sense, should it prove to be true.

But other than Biscan and/or Smicer, I don't think there will be many more departures this summer. Ste Warnock has gone out on loan and we may ditch Partridge, but that's about it as far as I can see.

[Snackbar]

My guess is Smicer, Biscan, and Babbel.

[Lanky134]

Vignal is out? Is he on loan somewhere, because he's still listed as being in the 1st team squad.

[655321]

We have a really strong squad right now and can afford to keep all of these players. So it's basically make or break time for many of them. Heskey, Biscan (I think he'll go before others), Smicer (ditto), Diao, Cheyrou, et al usual suspects HAVE to start performing this year or they're gone. Traore is spotty, but I agree with Matt...Houllier has given him the "golden son" tag, thus will have to have something drastic happen to see him sold soon.

[kopiteinkc]

Originally posted by 655321
We have a really strong squad right now and can afford to keep all of these players. So it's basically make or break time for many of them. Heskey, Biscan (I think he'll go before others), Smicer (ditto), Diao, Cheyrou, et al usual suspects HAVE to start performing this year or they're gone. Traore is spotty, but I agree with Matt...Houllier has given him the "golden son" tag, thus will have to have something drastic happen to see him sold soon.

Traore was one of our most underrated players last season.

Yes, he made some mistakes, but he more than made up for it with some excellent performances in other matches.

Same goes for Diao. Once he settled in and GH stopped playing him in the back four he played pretty decent down the stretch.

[655321]

Originally posted by kopiteinkc
Traore was one of our most underrated players last season.

Yes, he made some mistakes, but he more than made up for it with some excellent performances in other matches.

Hence, the term "spotty".

[kopiteinkc]

Originally posted by 655321
Hence, the term "spotty".

I was referring more to your reference to "golden son" which I think is totally unjustified.

[655321]

Fair enough, maybe that was a bit overboard. But it's hard to deny that Houllier has certain players that are given more leighway than others, and Traore certainly fits on one of those sides. Now whether that is strictly b/c Houllier rightly sees more talent in them, I don't know. But it happens. Traore had good games and bad games last season, just like all of the players that I mentioned, I didn't necessarily single him out.

[Snackbar]

I do like Diao (Latrell Sprewell lookalike), and keep rooting for him to do well. He's also spotty, but if he could be settled into one position, that might help him, and us. Traore, well, the kid's got heart and maybe a bright future. Right now, he's solid off the bench. Finnan should fit in nicely if/when the injuries start.

I'm starting to imagine some great midfield play, Kewell on the left, Diouf on the right, in bringing the ball forward a lot down the sides.

[Lanky134]

Originally posted by Snackbar
I'm starting to imagine some great midfield play, Kewell on the left, Diouf on the right, in bringing the ball forward a lot down the sides.

I think with Kewell on the left, Diouf isn't likely to see time on the right, with either Murphy or Gerrard moving there.

[Snackbar]

You might be right. I was thinking those two in the middle, but that's completely forgetting Hamman on my part. Geez!

Diouf is best when there are injuries, or for fresh legs late in the game. I was just thinking of Diouf because I remember him handling the ball quite well deep into the right corner last season.

[Lanky134]

Let's sell Kewell. We can probably make a really good profit on him...

[imasyko]

Originally posted by Snackbar
I do like Diao (Latrell Sprewell lookalike)

Yikes. Let's hope he doesn't emulate Sprewell and choke his coach! ;^)

[Snackbar]

LOL! I certainly hope not. Don't know if Hooley's ticker could take a confrontation like that.

[gdiersing]

I'd like to see Heskey go. His size and abilities (or lack there of) compliment Owen well, but he just doesn't produce the results. I'd like to see him leave and fill the coffers a bit so we could chase Kluivert

[Lanky134]

I should've done this a long time ago...

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?postid=1321381#post1321381

[Wildman262]

The Reds have Kewell. Murphy is expendable. Kewell is a much better player and more dangerous. He's a poor man's Ryan Giggs.

[655321]

Originally posted by Wildman262
Murphy is expendable.

Thanks for playing, we don't need to hear anymore from you. You are not too smart.

[gdiersing]

What is with your favorite teams "ManU/Real/Bayern/Juve".


Wanna throw in the Lakers and Yankees?