I'm really pleased with the summer transfer window so far. We replaced Gerrard with Milner, Aspas with Ings, Coates with Gomez, Jones with Bogdán, Sterling with Firmino, and Johnson with Clyne. On paper, our squad is now significantly better than it was at the end of last season. Technically speaking, our new signings are all upgrades over the players we lost. Gerrard was getting old and needed to be replaced with an experienced midfielder who can still give his utmost for the next 3 seasons and assert himself against tough opposition, and that's exactly what we got in the form of Milner -- for free! Aspas didn't do much during his Liverpool tenure, and Ings looks like a promising replacement with a lot of ambition and potential. Bogdán is definitely an upgrade over Jones. Sterling was overhyped and didn't show any signs of consistency last season, whereas Firmino looks like he has already established himself as a reliable midfielder/winger. Finally, we replaced an injury-prone Coates and an aging Johnson -- no pun intended -- with two very promising defenders (i.e. Clyne and Gomez). Overall, I can't really complain. So far, this year's transfer window has been a lot better than those of the previous two years. For once, we look like we have a good, well-rounded squad that can seriously challenge for the top four and the two major domestic cup competitions. I, for one, am not the least bit concerned about Manchester United's signings. I'm confident that we'll knock United off the top four this season. All we need to do now is get rid of one or two underperforming strikers and sign Benteke. With this squad, we can genuinely challenge for the top four and, possibly, top three. Nowadays, success depends a lot less on exceptional individuals and a lot more on teamwork, team spirit, and team unity. As long as the players gel together and the manager keeps everything in order, we shouldn't have anything to worry about.
And, perhaps even more importantly, the quality depth. That was something that had been significantly lacking.
1. Christian Benteke: Liverpool set to meet £32.5m release clause http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/33557059 2. Liverpool ‘to follow up Christian Benteke transfer by meeting Pedro’s buyout clause’ http://metro.co.uk/2015/07/16/liver...sfer-by-meeting-pedros-buyout-clause-5299158/
It is all on Rodgers now (especially if we sign do Benteke). He has the players he reportedly targeted, he's in his fourth year as manager of LFC, he's taken us close to the title...I say compete on all fronts, but target the PL as your main goal. Absolutely he needs to get us to the top four. What say you fellas? What does BR have to do to stay at LFC this season?
He has to make us qualify for the Champions League, without a doubt. Only then would Liverpool be able to have a sustainable financial model. We need to consistently qualify for the Champions League if we genuinely want to compete with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City.
If we sign Pedro as well, and roll with a front 4 of Coutinho, Firmino, and Pedro playing behind Benteke...well then lets just say Kleenex sales in the city of Liverpool will skyrocket.
Right now my target is the League, the FA and League Cups, and the Europa League. Want all four but I put them in order of priority.
If the team performs, Beenny will stay. I was going to say he needs to get champions league, but the reality is there exists a scenario in which LFC play very well and don't get back into CL. So I think top 5, cup runs, Europa league deep run means he could stay put.
I'd say quarterfinals in Europe, he's got to get to the finals of either Carling Cup or FA Cup, and he's got to get us into the top 4. I agree, if he gets Benteke, he's probably got all the targets he said he wants. Not sure what to think about this recent Reus stuff. Would be icing on the cake for me though (probably would mean Markovic's number's up).
There are 5 (maybe 6) teams in the Premier League whose minimum requirement is to finish in the top 4. Sacking the manager for finishing 5th would be harsh especially if we have a good season. Finishing outside of the top 4 last season was inexcusable because of how poor Man United were. However, it would be a different story if all of the top 5 teams play up to their potential. I just want to see us playing good football again. Rodgers need to prove that his 2nd season in charge is more indicative of his ability as a manger than his 3rd.
1) Win the Europa. Trophies will stand out to all players - and they are good 'history' to have. We have a large enough squad to make a run here. Hell, Sevilla has basically used 17 or 18 players in each of the last two campaigns and managed to win it while playing to their level in the league. 2) Finish no lower than 5th - be in the running for a top 4 place until late. 3) Make a run to the semis in one of the two domestic cups.
Pedro is a goal scoring wingker (winger/striker) - bit like RaheemFC who is a goal fluffing wanker (wanker).
Good news today. Benteke is a great signing. Who else were we realistically going to sign? Others are right though, that it is now up to Rodgers to incorporate his talents into the "system" If this Pedro news is correct and he's available for ~20m that would be incredible. Hopefully we can offload Borini, Lambert, and Balotelli for roughly that amount.