Good call. Turns out it's from a BBC sports parody site. Wouldn't be surprised if he actually did say it though

I don't think the issue of signing older players is as much to do with their ability than their resale value, not that I don't think we can benefit from having a seasoned player or two, especially one like Alonso who I can see playing well into his 30's.

Included European and Capital One Cup games I imagine. Lost their first game but have since gone unbeaten,

Well done Robbie C'mon Robbie would not be Robbie if he didn't occasionally do or say something controversial.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/bbc-f...-robbie-2317961?

This is why I was so concerned about being light in the middle of the park. No replacement for Lucas who is several shades off colour this season and Stevie is clearly feeling the strain with so many back-to-back games for club and country. The decision to release Jonjo Shelvey looks premature at this point. The engine room needs an overhaul and we've been linked with Alonso and Pastore in the January transfer window. The way things are looking, we'll need them both. Till then, let's hope we can continue to win ugly.

Problem is we have no central midfielders to rotate.

Those are gross figures unless I'm wrong. Thing is we haven't been adding to the squad, we've been replacing player after player.

This all but reinforces FSG's stance against spending big in the transfer market. We've been doing it for years under different managers and yet the league title still eludes us. Hence, the insistence on spending with one eye on potentially recouping their investment and making a profit somewhere down the line, marginalising the nett outlay.

The problem we're having right now is we're having to pay over the top to attract marquee players because rivals can offer European football. So do we compete head to head? We've lost out on Mkhitaryan and Willian because we could not offer European football. Lets face it, the top players known to the world will all likely already be with clubs playing in Europe's biggest club competition hence we've needed to gamble a little and take risks by signing players on the verge of stardom. Sometimes it pays off (Coutinho, Sturridge) but often it won't.

I don't hold it against FSG for not spending big unless they're really sure anymore considering what we paid for Henderson, Allen, Downing and Carroll. Being prudent is a good thing for the club in the long run, spending only after scrutinising each target (Suarez, Sakho, Mignolet - not exactly a big money signing but still, it's the most we've paid for a keeper ever).

Didn't notice the high waistline but it sounds like you're describing Lee Cattermole. Bloke was sidelined by Di Canio. Also, we were linked to him a couple of seasons ago.

Pastore AND Alonso please. Need to revive our "best midfield in the world" chant.

Given we need someone who can provide cover in an advanced central midfield position, what about a big for a name we've been linked with before in Keisuke Honda? Not sure what kind of fee he will command but I imagine he'll be content being used in a rotation plus we'll sell some kits in Asia, potentially expand our fan base in Japan and cause a spike in viewership.

I don't see how BR has been any less successful than Rafa or Houllier in the transfer market. Notable signings were Daniel Agger, Xabi Alonso, Martin Skrtel, Glen Johnson, Javier Mascherano, Fernando Torres, Lucas, Dirk Kuyt and Pepe Reina. On the flip side of the coin were the likes of Robbie Keane, Fernando Morientes, Josemi, Antonio Nunez, Jermaine Pennant, Sebastian Leto, Andrea Dossena, Andriy Voronin, Phillip Degen, Albert Riera, Alberto Aquilani, Milan Jovanovic and Ryan Babel. To be fair, some came on a free transfer but my point is there were a fair share of flops as well. I think it's the same with any manager at any club.

As you quite rightly put though, I think BR and FSG played a massive part in Suarez staying. Rafa on the other hand pissed Alonso off and one wonders what would have been had Xabi stayed? Having said that this isn't an attack on any manager, it is to point out that almost every manager will have more failed or average signings that successful ones. Fact.

Yalor I've been repeating myself like a broken record since pre-season. I'm really perturbed that we were not linked to any defensive midfield players. Now it seems we're forced to play Lucas even when he's off colour.

I reckon that Arsenal, Man City, Chelsea, Spurs and the mancs are still better teams and realistically, I see us finishing behind them, potentially pipping Spurs. Much will depend on the January transfer window of course. I don't see Everton maintaining this momentum until the end of the season. Brilliant move to get Lukaku though. Wonder what Mourinho was thinking? Eto spent a season in wilderness and he's preferred to a young, hungry, powerful forward who is on fire for both club and country? Go figure.

Indeed. If my wet dream comes true and we re-sign Alonso plus bring someone in the mould of Pastore to Anfield, we should be in good shape. Need to give Gerrard and Lucas a break, desperately. Thing is can we promise Alonso first team football because I've read somewhere that Juventus are prepared to offer him a nice package plus the guarantee of first team football. In my opinion, having Alonso on the bench isn't even an option unless he's crocked.

Good for Lukaku indeed but still puzzling on behalf of Chelsea. Lukaku only because a surplus because Mourinho wanted Eto and I'm questioning the rationale behind that decision. Eto is a big name but I reckon is best days are behind him whilst Lukaku has the world at his feet and he has proven his ability to play in the Prem. Eto has bagged a fair share of goals for Anzhi but if you consider that Andriy Voronin who couldn't hit the broadside of a battleship in England is currently joint third on their scoring charts, the Russian League doesn't exactly scream quality.

Excellent recruits indeed.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premie...10/02/4305834/-?

All 3 were arguably the best players in their respective positions in England at the time. I'm convinced that had Rob Jones not been forced into early retirement because of injury, he would have had a long and successful career with both club and country. One of the finest rightbacks in the country at the time, and along with Danny Murphy, the best recruits we've had from Crewe, our feeder club at the time. Speaking of which, do clubs still have feeder clubs in the lower leagues?

Too few superlatives in the dictionary to describe 'God' when he was at his peak, although it needs to be noted that he started his descent from that peak a little earlier than expected. Arguably the most natural finisher I've seen with my own eyes, bar Ian Rush. Fowler could score with his eyes closed, and his back to goal. In fact, he did just that against Yeovil. I'd post it but I can't even find it on youtube!

Steve McManaman was one of a very small number of English players who could impersonate a South American footballer with the ball at his feet. Him leaving on a Bossman still leaves a bitter taste in the mouths of many Liverpool fans but there is no denying his talent. 'Shaggy' was a nightmare for defenders to deal with when he was running at them.

I'm chuffed to see all 3 on-board. One defender, one midfielder and one striker.

Let's just say that reputation does matter and Suarez hasn't exactly done much in regards to keeping a squeeky clean image. Torres on the other hand is not a serial offender. Can you imagine how much attention it would have got if Joey Barton was the perpetrator?

Not sure if the 3-5-2 was enforced upon is or planned. It may be pre-meditated hence the purchase of Sakho and Ilori when we already had Agger, Toure, Wisdom, Skrtel and Kelly on our payroll. It has been said that we'd not field this formation with the return of Johnson but I reckon we'll be even stronger when he returns and we maintain this shape. Enrique and Johnson are both well suited for the role of wingbacks unlike say fielding Sterling in that position who is a liability on defence. It also helps masks the inconsistency of Lucas and gives him less pressure in that position. Henderson excelled against Palace also because there was less pressure on him defensively what with us having 3 at the back. More importantly this formation allows both Sturridge and Suarez to adopt more central roles and it was easy on the eye how well they linked up against Palace. They are the highest scoring duo in the prem. Like it or not, Rodgers isn't a one-trick-pony despite allegations that he doesn't have a plan B. The issue we have now is maintaining our rhythm in the 2nd half. When asked, Rodgers said they weren't playing passively under his instructions and it was an issue of mentality. Reckon we need to hire a new sports psychologist then.

Good write up on the improving Jordan Henderson.

http://www.empireofthekop.com/anfield/2013...matthewcotton3/

The lad received a lot of flack for some underwhelming performances under King Kenny who thrust him immediately into the first team. Brendan Rodgers deserves some credit for relegating him to the bench and easing him into the first eleven again. Despite pressures of living up to his price tag he has shown good mental strength to play through the doubt and criticism levied against him, and has delivered some fine performances this season.

I'd take 2 in the face if Stevie gave me his kit

Having not chicks on your medical team would only encourage injury and lengthy recovery