As it looks like another quiet January at Anfield I thought it would be interesting to see who people think should stay and go out of the current squad. I find it difficult to do these articles based around who should come in as they invariably end up with totally unrealistic tranfers 'suggestions' just one or two notches short of insisting that we sign both Messi and Ronaldo to sort out the side.
So who should go and stay. In my opinion I'd not be upset to see the back of Allen. I dont know what he brings to the side. In his two and a half season at Anfield he has looked a good player for roughly 3 months of that time. The rest has been spent being rubbish or being injured. We have better midfielders and in a team that is going to challenge at the top regularly we need stronger back than him. Skrtel would be next on my list. I know he scored a great goal against Arsenal and scored a few last season but defensively he has been a complete liability this season. Despite having the least dynamic role of the three defenders he seems to be capable of losing his man and giving away clear cut chances to the opposition more frequently than either Can or Sahko. He is the weakest on the ball and seems to be offender in chief for inducing panic amongst the defensive players. He has always been patchy with his form but has had calming influences such as Agger and Hyypia to help out but now he is the senior defender in that line up and still looks like the frightened youngster at times when up against it.
Johnson. I think we all know his time is up and he is playing like someone running down their contract as well. Lethargic on the ball and casual in defence. He could be forgiven a little more frequently if he at least looked like he could be bothered.
Despite the regular criticism, Lucas should most certainly stay and for a number of reasons. Yes he could do with adding goals to his name but primarily he is a defensive midfielder and its no coincidence that our rise in performances have come about with his return to the side. He is excellent at both breaking up the play and reading the game to intercept. His passing is also enormously underrated and is able to slide clever short passes splitting opposition players and are almost always progressive. He seems to have come out of the other side of the injuries suffered in the last 18 months. I find it bizzare that there is constant talk of letting him go when we have no other player that can fill this role.
Balotelli. I'm genuninely torn on this one. I think that injuries coupled with his own stupidity leading to a suspension has stopped him featuring more regularly in a formation that could work more for him. He needs to stop with the stupid attempted flicks all the time and pick his moments but I'd be tempted to give him another season unless a team came in with a bid of the value that we paid for him or more.
Borini, in a similar position to Balotelli although I think his card is marked as far as the manager is concerned. His link up play and work rate are strong, he created several chances in both this game and the Real game when he last started but he needs goals. He needs to add goals to his game.
Player ins and outs in the next window
posted on 16/1/15
comment by T Bone Steak Roysters (U3947)
posted 28 minutes ago
Get shot of -
Jones
Migs
Johnson
Allen
Enrique
Coates
Balotelli
Borini
Alberto
Lambert
Buy 2 Keepers
Buy a striker
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Honestly, I was about to come back with the whole "Let's rebuild an entire squad again " but I'm not really sure I can disagree with any other than maybe Lambert, who I think it's pointless trying to sell at this point.
posted on 16/1/15
Igor
I think he will want to retire with us but I can't see him getting any opportunities when Origi comes in.
The rest of those players are average and we have better.
posted on 16/1/15
Much will depend on what happens between now and the end of the season.
Right now though, would be selling/releasing (with some maybe's)
Jones
Coates
Ilori
Enrique (dodgy knees)
Johnson
Manquillo (maybe, will go back to Atletico I reckon)
Toure
Gerrard
Alberto
Lucas (maybe, depends who we buy)
Aspas
Balotelli (Maybe, depends how he fares to May)
Borini
Lambert
Buy:
First team keeper to compete with Mignolet
experienced right back/right wing back
experienced left back/LWB
top class holding mid (if possible)
experienced goalscoring centre mid
Naturally right sided attacking wide player
Reliable goalscorer
All fantasy stuff though. No idea what will happen in reality.
We need to lose more than we buy though, we have too many players.
posted on 16/1/15
Jones and GJ are out of contract at the end of the season aren't they? They're both already out the door I'd say.
I don't mind Allen. Would be happy to keep him as a squad player, equally if someone offered half decent money I'd sell.
Enrique I'd sell. Never really rated him and I don't think Rodgers does either. A year down the track Moreno should have settled and Enrique shouldn't get a look in.
Skrtel I would sell if we have a replacement lined up. If not then, as sad as it is to admit this, he's still as good as we've got. Better than Lovren at the moment unfortunately.
Balotelli and Borini I'd sell. Very different reasons, there is a player there with Mario, I'm sure of it, but he just can't seem to be bothered to come out to play. Borini tries his heart out but it's just not there for him IMO.
posted on 16/1/15
Transfermarkt says Jones' contract expires in June 2016.
posted on 16/1/15
Skrtel is still out best CB
posted on 16/1/15
I think we really miss Skrtel when he doesn't play and I think his form has been more than decent for a couple of months.
I want to be sure on Balotelli and see him in a two. He's been good from the bench and affected games. He's got such a good touch I don't think we should lose that ability.
Everyone says let go of Borini, they're right to, but he won't go. He's getting reckless and looks angry and I'd rather play Sterling there.
Will the others go? I wouldn't do it all at once either way.
If we can replace Enrique then I would. He looks a stone overweight at the moment and I think Rodgers rates Moreno a lot.
Allen plays well when the team plays well but he needs to do more even then. I don't think he can handle playing for Liverpool.
posted on 17/1/15
Skrtel is still out best CB
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No he isn't, he is our most consistently played centre back because Rodgers has no clue how to defend, but Sakho and Can are much better players in that back 3 than Skrtel, who is the weak link there.
Toure commands more leadership too, so I'd even pick Toure over Skrtel in that position.
The only centre back he is better than is Lovren, which isn't saying much!
posted on 17/1/15
I don't know why Skrtel gets so much hatred.
He has been our most consistent defender for years.
He is not perfect by any means but until we have better than him, which nobody has proven they are, then he is one of the first names on the team sheet.
Rodgers knows this, which is why he picks him most games and according to the Echo is set to give him a new contract too. I can't see him leaving any time soon.
posted on 19/1/15
I disagree that he is our best central defender. He hasnt been any worse than Lovren but Can and Sahko have looked much more comfortable. The fact that he has been here for 7 or so seasons and is being outshone by a 20 year old midfielder tells you all you need to know.