Tommok

Perhaps Rafa has still been adjusting to the English domestic game. The Premiership is pretty different from just about every league in the world in terms of the pace the game is played and the physical aspect. However I have full faith that with the experience of the last couple of years or so behind him and the squad he wants, we will be serious Premiership title contenders. Next season may be another of slight transition if we are to get in a few new players this summer but I exepct we will be running Man Utd and Chelsea very close indeed the season after that.

From Beeb Benitez added: "He can play as a holding midfielder but can also get from box to box and so I am looking forward to seeing him score goals for Liverpool . "We know it can take time but I think he has the quality to be putting pressure on Gerrard, Mascherano, Xabi and Sissoko next season."

I remember him saying in one of the World Cup commentarys that "you can almost smell the tension"

Quote Of The Day "I was hoping in the last fifteen minutes that Barcelona would beat them. I've made my mine up on Benitez tonight. He's a nice man but he's got a huge negative streak running through him. Liverpool were terrible in the second-half. They didn't play football. If that was a concert, you'd boo. Gerrard: found out. A nothing player. They were terrible. Terrible" - Eamon Dunphy, RTE Sports. Runner-Up "When Barcelona get on the plane home, they will be kicking themselves to go out to a team like Liverpool who only had hard work to offer" - Liam Brady, RTE Sports.

True but I'd back Rafa to outsmart any of the Spanish clubs tactically.

We have - Mascherano. He showed in the World Cup that he is probably the best exponent of defending from midfield and passing simple. I'm sure we'll get to see this in the next tie.

Its only the English teams that I fear to be honest - I'd be more confident of beating any of the other teams.

yeah me too - far too many people seem to think its a formality - I'm expecting a long tough and nervous night!

He is apparently very settled in Spain too which is another factor. As I say I can see his price tag going way out of control as he is the next big thing and the Spanish clubs go crazy for Brazilians! Although we'll have a healthy transfer pot, I'm not sure Rafa will want to spend £20M of it on a right back esp when the quality of striker we'll presumably be going for is going to cost in excess of that too. Hope I'm wrong though.

I just can't see us getting Alves this summer as he will cost towards £15M -£20M. I hope we do as I think he is fantastic but Madrid, Barca, Chelsea, Juventus, AC Milan will all be sniffing around him (so a price war is very likely) even Man U have been linked - "long term replacement for Gary Neville" apparently I went to the Brazil v Portugal game at the Emirates a few weeks back and sadly Alves only came on for about the last 15 mins or so. He looked lightning quick and liked to get forward. However one of the things that impressed me most in his brief cameo was that despite it being absolutely FREEZING cold and all the other players wearing roll necks and gloves etc, Alves trotted out in a short sleeve shirt - he's a tough cookie!

Throughout his career (even in his early 20's) Vieira has been able to mix up the rampaging destroyer style with moments of sublime skill and ball control to get past players. I don't feel Momo has quite managed to add this to his game yet.

Once they have 75% they can compulsorily acquire the other 25% I think.

Doesn't sound like him but perhaps he's doing a Mourinho and saying something controversial to take the spotlight away from the team esp after Portugal.

Perhaps he thinks that if he keeps scoring, Rafa will want to give him another go for Liverpool. I think he does show some real promise and is worth holding on to but his 1st team chances might be limited here.

Before signing Carrick (and arguably still) United had virtually no options in central midfield compared to us though. I think United could be interested in Mascherano if they struggle to get Hargreaves in the summer actually. I guess it depends how he gets on for us - I suspect if he gets some games, he'll be a big hit and will make it hard for us to let him go. I just think unless we get a HUGE transfer kitty, £16M will be a tall order for us tho.

Exactly what I was thinking. Even with a takeover I can't see us being to justify paying that much on a Central midfielder really.

Do we know what will be the terms - is it a loan?

I can't believe that this won't go through - how difficult can it be for the Premier League to fax the appropriate forms to LFC and then vice versa? Surely they couldn't overule FIFA?

Is it going to be a loan deal, with a view to buy or are we purchasing him outright now? I assume it is the former?

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