We're linked to Kevin Gameiro again.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%A9vin_Gameiro

Doesn't have an impressive goals to games ratio but it's likely because he plays in the hole behind the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Seems to be able to play anywhere in the front line which suits us. Not sure if we need another forward at this time though. We've already got Aspas, Suarez, Sturridge and Borini on our books. Also, Luis Alberto can play up front if required. Maybe it's a sign that Suarez's departure is imminent.

Talk about pressure. Aspas gets the fabled no. 9 jersey previously worn by the likes of Torres, Fowler, Rush and Ian St. John. On the other end of the spectrum, we have El-Hadji Diouf, Djibirl Cisse and more recently, Andy Carroll.

Mignolet gets no.22. I'm assuming this means Brad Jones keeps his no.1 jersey.

http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-new...t-squad-numbers?

Pretty much echoes my sentiments. Expectations need to be managed.

http://www.footballfancast.com/premiership...ecting-too-much?

Simply because of new management? Whatever the case, I'd like our fortunes to be in our own hands, and not our rivals.

I've already mentally prepared myself for live after Suarez just as I have for life after Carra

To put a positive spin on it, we'll be getting a healthy profit for a player who gets himself banned for a third of the season and brings about a lot of negative publicity to the club. At 26, he is an adult and should conduct himself as one. Biting an opponent isn't just wrong, it's juvenile. Joey Barton may be a prick but at least he fights like a man. That being said, he is without a doubt one of the most talented forwards in the world right now and we will miss his ingenuity and guile, not so much his goals because with the attacking talent we've signed so far, the team should be able to make up for it. We ended the season well despite Suarez's absence. Didn't lose a single game.

It isn't exactly a straightforward deal especially since it was discovered that Mkhitaryan isn't fully owned by Shakhtar. The club had already put in an offer and was awaiting his arrival for a medical when the complication arose.

Not sure how true this is but it is from the Independent.


http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/footbal...an-8679525.html

Conflicting reports coming. This article also mentions what was reported in The Independent.

http://www.thisisanfield.com/2013/06/repor...ikh-mkhitaryan/?

Rob Jones rates Kelly highly as well. Special praise coming from one who could arguably have been our best rightback ever if not for injury.

http://www.thesportreview.com/tsr/2013/06/...elly-rob-jones/?

Keisuke Honda is said to be available for a cut price £5 million. We've been eyeing him for some time now but interest in him cooled after an impressive World Cup in South Africa. Despite not getting past the group stage of the Confederations Cup, Japan won many admirers with their attacking style of play and a Honda was at the centre of this. £5mil for a 27 year old in his prime? Worth looking at.

I'm pleased with the signing of Mignolet. First step in attempting to rectify our defensive woes from last season. Made less errors than Reina did last season despite his goal being a shooting gallery. Hope he has a bright start or he'll incur the wrath of gloomy, naysaying fans. At the very least he will provide stiff competition for Pepe. It has been an eternity since we've had a strong no.2.

Really doubt Mignolet will be bothered by what posters in LYN have to say about him. Kopites are generally a patient lot and I'm sure The Kop will stay supportive for as long as humanly possible. How else would the likes of Camara, Biscan and Meijer been cult heroes?

The 3-5-2 formation can be effective depending on the personnel you have at your disposal. It is effectively a 5-3-2 when teams are defending as the 3 central defenders are usually flanked by 2 wingbacks, not wingers. Kenny and Rodgers to a degree did toy with this formation as we had the right personnel and it sorta worked. Enrique and Johnson while not in the mould of Cafu are equally adept at going forward as they are defending. The drawback is that neither are as disciplined as the great Brazillian and they often get caught out of position.

This formation was also more popular back when team played sweepers, effectively the deepest of the 3 centre backs. The role of libero or sweeper was played to great effect by the great Franz Beckenbauer and the mercurial Franco Baresi. The sweeper needs to be good at playing the ball and passing it. The other centre backs are encouraged to push forward. These days you don't get many central defenders who are good on the ball and adept at going forward. Daniel Agger is probably the only defender we have that comes remotely close to being a libero.

The 3-5-2 is actually deployed to protect against counter attacks because the team plays with 5 defenders. With the advent of the defensive midfielder who can slot in between the two centre backs, and the extinction of sweepers, this formation is used much less these days.

The 3-5-2 formation can be effective depending on the personnel you have at your disposal. It is effectively a 5-3-2 when teams are defending as the 3 central defenders are usually flanked by 2 wingbacks, not wingers. Kenny and Rodgers to a degree did toy with this formation as we had the right personnel and it sorta worked. Enrique and Johnson while not in the mould of Cafu are equally adept at going forward as they are defending. The drawback is that neither are as disciplined as the great Brazillian and they often get caught out of position.

This formation was also more popular back when team played sweepers, effectively the deepest of the 3 centre backs. The role of libero or sweeper was played to great effect by the great Franz Beckenbauer and the mercurial Franco Baresi. The sweeper needs to be good at playing the ball and passing it. The other centre backs are encouraged to push forward. These days you don't get many central defenders who are good on the ball and adept at going forward. Daniel Agger is probably the only defender we have that comes remotely close to being a libero. Problem is he isn't a particularly great defender and being the last man, the sweeper needs to have an excellent reading of the game. Agger is more suited to playing on the left of a defensive trio, allowing him to roam forward knowing he's got a man playing behind him.

The 3-5-2 is actually deployed to protect against counter attacks because the team plays with 5 defenders. With the advent of the defensive midfielder who can slot in between the two centre backs, and the extinction of sweepers, this formation is used much less these days.

This post has been edited by Duke Red: Jun 30 2013, 08:17 PM

Great deal of pressure on the new lads to deliver especially if Suarez and Pepe leave. Still I think it's important to be supportive of the lads even if they don't meet expectations early on. They won't be there first and they certainly won't be the last. What matters to me is that they try. Igor Biscan wasn't blessed with talent but he played on inspite of the criticism and he won many admirers because of his attitude. Erik Meijer was another who showed great heart even if it was during a reserve game. Some people look beyond ability. Now where is that walking stick of mine?

The glass is either half empty or it's half full. Applies to just about everything, including football players and managers.

This post has been edited by Duke Red: Jul 1 2013, 09:58 AM

So now Wigan want Jay Spearing who incidentally, was Bolton's player of the year after we shipped him out on loan. Tough nut that one, but not technically gifted enough to play pass & move football. I'd opt to keep him because for starters, he isn't going to fetch much. Also, he isn't earning much and he's a good option to have on the bench especially when we are being pressed back and we need someone to hound opposition players. However he's not getting any younger and first team football is a must for him at this point of his career.

Wigan are also targeting Scott Carson, another former Liverpool man. Tipped for bigger and better things during his youth (still only 27 though), but never lived up to his early promise. Like Chris Kirkland, he was tipped to be England's future no.1 at the time. Now worth only $750,000. 9

Andy Carroll may not be someone you'd want to see start for Liverpool but he's definitely a bloke I'd want to go out on a drinking binge with.

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/andy-c...its-las-4751364

Good ol'Andy. Just 36 hrs before his medical with West Ham.

I've never judged a player solely on watching youtube videos. In fact, I seldom watch youtube vids of players. Based on report cards, they seem to possess the right attributes. Toure is a stop gap measure brought in to bring some experience at the back. No great expectations on his shoulder.

In terms of Mignolet, here's where he may struggle. Playing a high defensive line means the keeper will be required to play the ball with is feet rather frequently. Mignolet's passing accuracy isn't anywhere near Pepe's. Also, I'm not sure he's as adept as Pepe at rushing off his line to clear impending danger. He's a keeper who is used to staying on his line but to his credit, he does have good reflexes. He's 6'4" is Mignolet and he needs to come off his line more.

Can't comment on the likes of Aspas and Alberto as I've never watched either of them play, less so Alberto who has very little top flight experience. All I can say for certain is if they try their best in Liverpool red, I'll always be willing them on, even if the fall short in talent and ability. I support the jersey first and the player second.

Unless I'm mistaken, he's indicating that whilst Shakhtar are consistently in the Champions League, we are not. I think we need to come to terms with the fact that we are no longer giants.

However, one needs to consider that Anfield is still one of the most famous stadiums in the world and Liverpool are giants compared to Shaktar in terms of commercial value and appeal. To boot, the Premier League is light years ahead of the Russian league commercially speaking.

The Liverpool Echo is reporting that the deal for Mkhitaryan is done and both clubs have settled on a $25 million pound transfer fee. Expected to be unveiled in 72 hrs pending a medical. Good news.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/footb...ur-mill-4799477?

Why are we still after Thomas Ince?