G Richards

As I said at the start and near the end, I think it's very unlikely Alves will sign this summer. The rest was mere speculation as to how it MIGHT happen. If I'm dreaming please forgive me.

I won't take the bet on becasue the odds are hugely in favour of Alves not signing this window. But to try and answer the questions: Where is the £12M going to come from? Kromkamp sale £2M, Pongolle sale £2M. Kewell to Spurs £5M? Just guesses though. None of us knows the state of the finances. Maybe we did spend our CL money before Maccabi Haifa, and we gambled as Parry said. Then again, maybe we didn't. Why would we sign another right winger when we have Pennant and Gerrard? Perhaps Rafa sees Alves as a right back? Maybe a wing back in a 3-5-2? He doesn't necessarily go head to head with Pennant and Gerrard for right midfield. Why would we sign a right back when we have Finnan and Kromkamp/Neil? We don't have Neil (though he might come, but let's see). Kromkamp would presumably be offloaded to make way for Alves. Then it's up to Alves to show he is a better bet for the team than Finnan. And if Rafa's long standing interest is anything to go by, I imagine he rates Alves quite highly. Don't get me wrong, it's unlikely Alves will come at this time. But until the window closes there remains a small chance, especially if he is still making positive noises. Maybe Rafa can persuade the board to make one last push, given that Alves' value (and interest in him) will likely go up, given the performances he is putting in and the likely improvement ahead given his young age.

I reckon Fowler will get about 10-15 starts (all comps) and 10-15 subs appearances. He will contribute a very worthwhile 10-15 goals.

Bellamy needs to tone it down a bit IMO. I'm all for his energy and battling qualities - they bring a lot to the team. And a bit of moaning is OK, especially if you are not getting anything (as appeared the case yesterday). But I think the moaning can be overdone, and unfortunately it will turn refs against him further, even if he has a legitimate case. When Sampras was ruling tennis he inly needed to raise an eyebrow and the umpire/line judge knew they had made a bad call. I'm not sugesting Bellamy will ever be so composed as that, but if he keeps up the histrionics he will turn refs against him and lose out on some legitimate decisions he might otherwise have got. I'm sure Rafa will tell him to keep up the great things (movement, harrying etc.), but he will also no doubt be telling Bellamy to tone it down a bit and concentrate on tracking back. If Kuyt has already said that to Bellamy then that speaks volumes about the Dutchman for me, and it augurs well for the future. They could well become a sensational pairing.

He's a Boro lad and I think he will go there. They lost their best CB when Southgate got the manager's job. Just a guess like.

It was a calculated risk, and that was fair enough for me. If the unthinkable had happened and Haifa knocked us out, we'd have managed. I agree with budgeting for success. It's a great incentive. We're in good hands with Rafa too.

Agger is more experienced than Paletta, so based on that he should play. Paletta looks to be a very good player, but his inexperience showed with a few errors pre-season. That's not to say he won't come good (I'm sure he will), but Agger is ready now.

What role do you see for Sissoko?

It's hard to name a man of the match from today. Too many not really firing.

It was always going to be a tricky game at Sheffield United on the first day of the new season. What they lack in quality they make up for in endeavour. Whether or not this will sustain them remains to be seen (I doubt it will), but from the off they were always going to be at it, especially in front of their own fans. Considering we lost half our defence to injury and went a goal down, it has to be viewed as a point gained rather than 2 lost. We will improve and play a lot better than that. A shame we didn't get the 3 points, but no point bleating about what might have been. We've got a point on the board. Onwards and upwards.

It's all posturing for the fans. The fact is they were a poor side last year (or if you are generous, they were a mid-ranking club). No too long ago they had aspirations for a CL spot, but even their most ardent fan would struggle to see that these days. After that there is the mantle of being the 'best of the rest' but it looks like Tottenham are making strides to secure that, and of all the sides in the league they look to have the best chance to break into the top four. Beyond that it is the last UEFA Cup spot, then irrelevance. With a fair wind the Geordies might get sixth or so, but I can't really see that. They are rapidly becoming an irrelevant club, alongside the likes of Everton. This is a unfortunate for them, but underneath the bravado, their fans know it. She-ra has gone, Owen won't play this season, and when he does eventually make it back there are huge question marks as to whether he will ever be a top player again. They have holes all over that side, with the defence being of particular embarrassment. So, when a like for like replacement for Shearer comes along, and you fail to land him, the playground response is to say 'we didn't want him anyway, he's crap.' There may be trouble ahead...

The squad does look very strong throughout. I agree that with such a strong base we should be in a great position in future windows with only needing one or two players to come in (of top quality), rather than 5 or 6. This will give us a better opportunity to sign the likes of Torres or Villa, if we don't have to spread our budget too thin.

That is some great dusty bin 3-2-1 logic

If Reyes goes Arsenal might get Baptista. If Cole leaves they may possibly get Gallas. Both of those 'swaps' would see them no weaker (perhaps a bit stronger). Still, I can't see them higher than 4th. Man Utd will need a lot of luck with their strikers to sustain a challenge. THeir midfield will be much better than last season, but Saha has had a lot of injuries, and Solksjaer makes Kirkland look like and iron-man. Rooney is not much of a goalscorer IMO. He has a reputation as some sort of saviour of English football, and whilst he is obviously a good player, I feel the reputation goes beyong solid achievement at this point in time. It will be between us and Chelsea. I agree that we should start using 'big two' terminology, after too many years of being regarded as also rans behind the Manu Utd/Arsenal axis.

I reckon the top 5 will be something like below, and it will be touch and go who will be champions out of us and chelsea. If we take points off them then I really think we're in business. Liverpool and Chelsea 85-90 points. Man Utd 79 points. Arsenal 75 points. Tottenham 70 poins.

I don't think I'd sell Momo for £25M. It is exciting to have such a talent and it will be great to watch him grow even more over the next few years. He will be an integral part to us winning many trophies. Just to play Devil's advocate for a moment, if such a decision was made to sell Momo, then I'd buy either Reo Coker or Hargreaves to be the defensive midfielder. I think either one of them could do a good job for us. The money left over from Momo's sale would also buy other players we are interested in, such as Kuyt or Alves.

I thougt Agger looked very good today. He was excellent in the air and his composure was fantastic. Comparisons with Hansen make me nervous for the kid, bcasue that's a hell of a name to live up to. ButI can see similarities there, but I'm nervous about going overboard. I reckon he will play a good 10-15 games this season to enable Sami to stay tip-top for the others. Then next season (injuries and continued development permitted) I think he might well overtake the big Finn and become a first team regular.

I'd be happy if we were able to buy a tv or net season ticket for games on Saturday's at 3pm. Hopefully the emergence of the various streams that enable viewing via the internet will force an official response to offer a better service and collect the revenue. If they don't pull their fingers out the unofficial streaming will get better and more prolific while an opportunity to serve the fans and collect revenue is missed.

I would go with Kuyt/Bellamy. If Bellamy tires or is not a goal threat, then I'd bring Robbie on around 70mins, as he will sniff out plenty of goals that way. If Kuyt finds it hard to adjust to the Prem then Crouch will be in while the Dutchman finds his feet.

Bridge + £5M would be fine by me. But this Riise to Chelsea rumour is probably horlicks.

I'm torn on this one. I want Gerrard to be ours, so I'm hoping it goes to Terry. That way, we can maintain a sceptical distance with the whole England set up. (It's good to support England during tournament time, as it is a nice summer sideshow while we wait for the season to start, but with England there is always lots of associated palava that most reds do not care for). On the other hand if Stevie wants the job then I hope he gets it. It could make him an even better leader, and it will also give him more say in how he might play for England (rather than playing within himself, or out of position, in order to accommodate lesser mortals). He could also be the first Liverpool captain to win the lot (European Cup, FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Cup, Prem League - to come, and World Cup if he takes England that far). In years to come, when I'm an old man, it will be great to see our Steven Gerrard still lionised by the whole nation because he won the World CUp as captain of his country. But as I say, I'm split on this, so whatever happens will be OK with me.

There have a been a lot of players not really up to scratch pre season. I'm sure the hard work in trining will reap longer term rewards. The bit I've seen of Carson he's done OK. We'll never know how good he is until he has a run of games for us, and that might be his undoing, given Pepe is so young himself.

Chelsea fans would argue their midfield is just as strong, if not better. Essien v Sissoko Ballack v Gerrard Lampard v Alonso Robben v Kewell Cole v Gonzales SWP v Pennant I think our midfield just shades it, but it is close and is easily open to debate.

I would start with: Reina Finnan Carra Sami Riise Gerrard Alonso Momo Kewell Crouch Bellamy The above assumes all players are fit. If we sign Kuyt then he would start to threaten Crouch's place. I'd start introducing Pennant and Gonzales as the points are mounting up and we're out of the traps. Garcia and Fowler would obviously feature as well, though I don't see them as regular starters in the league. It's imperative to keep in touch with the top from the outset. If we are in touch around Feb/March then we have a great chance of winning the league, since I think we have the easiest run in over the last two months.

We need another accomplished striker. If we don't get one then we'll have to be lucky to go through a whole season without it biting us on the a***. Crouch - good team player, not prolific Bellamy - great signing. Usually has a couple of injury problems each season. Will miss games. Fowler - great signing. Too much to ask him to be the main man for a whole season at this stage of his career (though he will make a very good contribution). Obviously we have some back up options, but they should remain back up options IMO and a fourth striker needs to be brought in. Everything else looks very good, but a lack of goals could cost us if we don't bring another forward in. Kuyt should be the player we land, but if not him, then Klose looks a good bet to me. Trezeguet on loan would be a great deal, but I don't know if that's even possible. Anelka, while talented, is probably not one we should pursue.