fred milne

What did they pay for Mangala? Sterling is a forward so that should equal another £10m (say) and then there's the English tax on top.

That's not true. Besides you were the one trumpeting the signing of Aspas the loudest, if memory serves.

Go on.

You always do.

Which one of those is going to sit in front of the defence?

He is getting a good salary and presumably a signing-on fee.

I've got my doubts about the wisdom of this signing but hopefully I'm proved wrong. This points to us reverting to a flat back four with either a diamond or a 3 in midfield. Henderson and Milner either side of a holding midfielder, either Lucas or a new signing.

Fixed that for you.

Coates too.

I hate this kind of language.

It would be perverse to offer a 30 year old defender a pay as you play contract whilst at the same time as offering a 29 year old midfielder one without out those clauses.

Klopp yes, Ancelotti no. Amen to that.

Eh?

Benteke, Ings and Clyne I don't mind. Milner I do.

To play instead of Skrtel or Sakho?

Milner would be the 3rd ex City player we've brought in since we brought in Fallows from City.

Become able to pass the ball well has always been the first thing to look for in that position. The likes of Giles, Souness and Petit had eye-catching long-passing games but the likes of Whelan, Keane and Makelele were underrated when it came to the quality of their short-passing, recognising the importance of releasing the ball quickly and accurately.

Easier said than done.

You don't think the same might be said of us too?

I've never warmed to him in the way I warmed to Rafa in terms of his media persona but there is a good coach in there amongst all the verbiage, as he demonstrated last season and during the middle third of this season.

Because he won't play for free.

Benteke and Ings I am ok with. Its Milner that I have the problem with. In terms of striking options, you have to assume that Sturridge will be available for more games and we also have Origi coming in. There are other areas of the first team that need strengthening too - namely centre-mid and right back.

The Sinclair comparison is wishful thinking. Sterling is a far more gifted player - he has proper acceleration, lovely balance, a footballing brain and physical strength that allows him to compete with players much bigger than him. His finishing could be improved but surely will as he gets older. That we look to be losing him is a massive blow. Whoever gets him is getting a fine player with his best days way, way ahead of him.

Luiz 50m, Mangala 42m, Shaw 30m, Lallana 25m, Lovren 20m and Markovic 20m. We've got to remember these prices if we are going to sell. Also we can turn this into an auction. This isn't Kroos with eyes only for Madrid.

I don't see the logic of selling him. He is an experienced player in a team lacking experience and is an accomplished holding midfielder to boot. However, given his injury record, it would seem sensible to bring someone else in although I'd have that as only 3rd priority after a striker and RB.