Even with full control of transfers and a blank chequebook....

[Iver]

I am going to get a bashing from the pro Rafa brigade here on the basis of the title of the thread, but please hear me out, this is not an anti Rafa rant.

 

Let me start by saying that our current league position needs to be put into perspective by the realisation that the side currently leading the Premiership, are arguably the best squad of players since it's inauguration, so it is no mean feat to have challenged them until now.

 

BUT...... I feel that it is obvious where the deficiencies are in our current side.

 

Defensively we are sound, we could possibly do with strengthening in both fullback positions, but I don't consider this as priority.

 

Regarding our goalkeeper, and options at centre half, they are as good as any other Premiership side.

 

I think what we need more than anything right now, is a playmaker, a creative talent, who can pick a pass from nothing, and change a game with a bit of magic - Aguero or Ribery for example would fit the bill.

 

Yesterday's game highlighted this again.

 

We are also badly lacking in wide options, and need pacy players for either flank, who will provide genuine width and a goal threat.

 

Riera has been okay on the left, but I don't rate him as good enough to be a regular starter in a side with title ambitions, same applies to Yossi who deserves special mention for his improvement and application in recent weeks.

 

As I am mentioning players by name, I cannot let the opportunity go without stating that I consider Ryan Babel's attitude and performances in a Liverpool jersey this season nothing short of a disgraceful insult to all fans - he deserves the Robbie Keane treatment this Summer - get rid at all costs.

 

Anyway, back to the title of the thread ;

 

Let us suppose that the club, or at least Gillette's share, is sold before the end of the transfer window, that Rafa has signed his deal, and is in a position whereby he has full say over who we sign, and for what money......

 

I cannot see him going after the attacking players I have referred to above.

 

It would be far more likely that he would sign the likes of Gareth Barry.

 

I just cannot envisage us playing attractive, attack minded football under Rafa.

 

The emphasis will always be on a safety first, cautious approach, whereby the priority will be not to concede.

 

For as long as that is the case, I can see the current status quo persisting - a 3rd/4th place finish in the Premiership compensated for by progressing to the last four or two in the Champions League - and for me that will not do.

 

With the exception of Newcastle away where we played one of the worst sides I can recall ever in the Premiership, not once this season, have we really looked like battering a side - ironically this seems even more to apply to our home fixtures against the "lesser sides".

 

"This is our bread and butter - this is the one that we want" ; with our main rivals on the brink of equalling our title haul, I think these sentiments have never held more true.

[Ed the Wool]

Yes because we'll have better attacking players.

Better attacking players have better movement and score more goals.

 

In fact when our two best attacking players play together, Gerrard and Torres, we wiped the floor with a lot of teams last season.

[carrafan]

Lets just give one to him and find out.

[gns]

As soon as you start referring to fans who support the clubs managers as a "pro brigade" youre likely to get a f*** off response.

[Mike]

Yes because we'll have better attacking players.

Better attacking players have better movement and score more goals.

 

In fact when our two best attacking players play together, Gerrard and Torres, we wiped the floor with a lot of teams last season.

 

we have barely wiped the floor with any teams this season to be fair. newcastle away is all that springs to mind.

 

gerrard and torres starting together in the draws to stoke, everton and wigan btw

[gns]

I just cannot envisage us playing attractive, attack minded football under Rafa.

 

Like say, Arsenal?

[Hassony]

The one mistake that has held us back this season is buying Keane, if we actually had spent the money on buying Villa/ Eto/ Ronaldinho/ robinho we would have been more attacking and closer to united

[domlfc]

Like say, Arsenal?

Don't think he mentioned Arsenal, did he? Neither do I think is he asking for an Arsenal approach to our game, just much less negativity. I mean, what the hell was Yossi doing on the bench yesterday after arguably his best game for us against Real Madrid!

[Lark]

This summer will be vital. It will be interesting to see what players rafa goes for now that he has freedom from parry. All transfers will be on rafa's shoulders - he has to get it right - or the calls for his head will grow.

 

attacking players is what we need - end of.

 

We have a decent set of young strikers and i wouldnt mind a stop gap striker near the end of their career to fill in for torres every other game until the young lads come thru.

 

Owen is free

henry shouldnt cost that much

both would create a buzz going into the new season.

santa cruz another striker option might be interested at a last chance of glory.

 

alternatively we can try and pry the likes of villa, aguero for big money and again shift gerrard back into midfield.

 

I'd sooner we go for a cheap striker and blow whatever money we have on midfielders.

 

silva, ashley young, ben arfa, lennon, walcott, diego, mountinho, ribberry, downing etc etc.

 

I think our defence is sufficient enough and perhaps the season after look at the rightback position.

 

rather depressed to be even considering next summers transfers in february.

[psl]

This summer will be vital.

 

Sounds familar.

[kop205]

we have barely wiped the floor with any teams this season to be fair. newcastle away is all that springs to mind.

 

gerrard and torres starting together in the draws to stoke, everton and wigan btw

 

And either one or both missing from wins against the Mancs, Chelsea and Real Madrid.

 

It has been an odd, odd season.

[Lark]

Sounds familar.

 

been familiar for 11 years.

 

parry's gone now though.

 

like last summer i think rafa can raise a substantial amount of money to bring in two or three decent players. This time there should be no excuse for failing to get the players he wants.

[Damian_de]

For as long as that is the case, I can see the current status quo persisting - a 3rd/4th place finish in the Premiership compensated for by progressing to the last four or two in the Champions League - and for me that will not do.

Out of interest, why won't it do?

[Igors Uncle Dave]

Creativity is desperately missing from the team - as has been said, we have not thrashed anyone for some time. We rely on Gerrard and Torres and when they are firing we do ok. But even when they are in the team we can not rely totally on them. We desperately need at least 2 more world class attacking options. I dont mean a £10M player who has done well in the league, I mean an outstanding individual who would fit into any team. Yes it will costbut if we do not invest in that kind of quality then we will continue to be second or third best to the mancs.

 

Having said that, at times we can lift our game to match any team around. So what is it that enables us to raise our game and mix it with the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona et al? The manager.

 

It is the manager and the team around him that will get the best out of everyone. So what is going wrong now?

 

Stability and the complete lack of it. Yes we love Rafa, he has done well for us to a degree but his contract wranglings of late have had a massivly negative effect on the side. The Hicks and Gillete debacle too has not helped us in the sleightest. Until we sort out who will be taking us forward for the next ten years then you can kiss goodbye to any hopes of a sustained period or challenge to the league title.

 

We will see the odd cup run here and there and no doubt a little success on that front but you will not see is challenging for the league albeit a small good run, like we have seen this season to keep our hopes up.

 

This summer will be the turning point in our title aspirations. If the Americans some how fluke yet another extension the kiss goodbye to the titel for next season. Even if we do find some nice sugar Daddy to finance the new stadium or bring in a couple of world beaters it will not happen immediately. That is unless all clicks into place.

 

I want to see Rafa do well but more importantly I want to see Liverpool football Club back at the top of the league and giving a few teams a right royal hiding. I look forward to tomorrow, because today things dont look too bright.

 

Just a thought

[DarthVader]

I must say that I concur. The 10 draws say it all. We lack match winners, creative game winning match winners in our team.. 2 is not enough. We need 2 more as MU have Rooney,Tevez, Ronaldo and Berbatov plus a well balanced and mature squad.

 

 

Creativity is desperately missing from the team - as has been said, we have not thrashed anyone for some time. We rely on Gerrard and Torres and when they are firing we do ok. But even when they are in the team we can not rely totally on them. We desperately need at least 2 more world class attacking options. I dont mean a £10M player who has done well in the league, I mean an outstanding individual who would fit into any team. Yes it will costbut if we do not invest in that kind of quality then we will continue to be second or third best to the mancs.

 

Having said that, at times we can lift our game to match any team around. So what is it that enables us to raise our game and mix it with the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona et al? The manager.

 

It is the manager and the team around him that will get the best out of everyone. So what is going wrong now?

 

Stability and the complete lack of it. Yes we love Rafa, he has done well for us to a degree but his contract wranglings of late have had a massivly negative effect on the side. The Hicks and Gillete debacle too has not helped us in the sleightest. Until we sort out who will be taking us forward for the next ten years then you can kiss goodbye to any hopes of a sustained period or challenge to the league title.

 

We will see the odd cup run here and there and no doubt a little success on that front but you will not see is challenging for the league albeit a small good run, like we have seen this season to keep our hopes up.

 

This summer will be the turning point in our title aspirations. If the Americans some how fluke yet another extension the kiss goodbye to the titel for next season. Even if we do find some nice sugar Daddy to finance the new stadium or bring in a couple of world beaters it will not happen immediately. That is unless all clicks into place.

 

I want to see Rafa do well but more importantly I want to see Liverpool football Club back at the top of the league and giving a few teams a right royal hiding. I look forward to tomorrow, because today things dont look too bright.

 

Just a thought

[Earl Hafler]

The one mistake that has held us back this season is buying Keane, if we actually had spent the money on buying Villa/ Eto/ Ronaldinho/ robinho we would have been more attacking and closer to united

 

Buying him and then selling him without a replacement.

[Archangel]

In answer to the original question, no i dont think Benitez style would change, but with more financial freedom we'd probably have slightly better quality and a slightly better chance of winning the league. I say slightly better, you'll stand a much better chance if we had better quality players playing a mix which incorporated more inventive liberated football. The question is redundant because we are not going to have the funds required and its not the fault of the americans its going to be a fact of life for the while.

Edited March 1, 2009 by Archangel

[Barnesy_10]

In answer to the original question, no i dont think Benitez style would change, but with more financial freedom we'd probably have slightly better quality and a slightly better chance of winning the league. I say slightly better, you'll stand a much better chance if we had better quality players playing a mix which incorporated more inventive liberated football. The question is redundant because we are not going to have the funds required and its not the fault of the americans its going to be a fact of life for the while.

I don't think money will change how we play. After all, there are clubs in the premier league with much less money and quality but play much more positive and attack minded football. I think it's a trait that Rafa has that will not change.

[CaptainXabi]

Obviously we need to buy quality (I think everyone but MFletcher concedes that at this point), but Rafa also needs to fill three glaring holes:

 

1) Set pieces. For the love of God, get Stevie away from them and in the box scoring. We HAVE to sign a specialist this summer. That's 5-10 goals a season we're leaving on the table, and the kind of goals that win tight matches as well.

 

2) Pace. Last season we added Riera, Dossena, and Keane to an already pedestrian squad. Given the way Rafa emphasizes "control", and requires a solid back 6, we NEED more pace in the side to be able to be more dynamic in attack. No player we sign this summer should be slower than Masch, imo.

 

3) Ball carrying. We usually only have 3 ball-carriers on the pitch at a given time. I mean someone who can really beat a man to create space for the next pass. We don't need a team full of Messis, but we should have at least 4 or 5 decent ball-carriers on the pitch at a given time.

 

Obviously one player can meet multiple criteria, but I think we need to address those issues.

[gns]

Obviously we need to buy quality (I think everyone but MFletcher concedes that at this point), but Rafa also needs to fill three glaring holes:

 

1) Set pieces. For the love of God, get Stevie away from them and in the box scoring. We HAVE to sign a specialist this summer. That's 5-10 goals a season we're leaving on the table, and the kind of goals that win tight matches as well.

 

2) Pace. Last season we added Riera, Dossena, and Keane to an already pedestrian squad. Given the way Rafa emphasizes "control", and requires a solid back 6, we NEED more pace in the side to be able to be more dynamic in attack. No player we sign this summer should be slower than Masch, imo.

 

3) Ball carrying. We usually only have 3 ball-carriers on the pitch at a given time. I mean someone who can really beat a man to create space for the next pass. We don't need a team full of Messis, but we should have at least 4 or 5 decent ball-carriers on the pitch at a given time.

 

Obviously one player can meet multiple criteria, but I think we need to address those issues.

 

If ever there was a post from someone who plays Football Manager this is it

[CaptainXabi]

If ever there was a post from someone who plays Football Manager this is it

I didn't give performance values for each category did I?

[gns]

I didn't give performance values for each category did I?

 

You might as well have!

[CaptainXabi]

You might as well have!

Seriously though, I feel like those are systematic issues.

 

Rafa is never going to have a non-compact side (which is fine, that's how he is). Thus with the players we have, who are generally on the slow side for the PL and not amazingly skilled at carrying the ball, it's no wonder that our buildup is ponderous. Obviously, we don't want to sign all pace and no brain like Darren Huckerby, but I also think that signing Riquelme (of 2005 vintage), for instance, would also be a bad idea.

 

In general, the three things I mentioned are things that I think are required to take the predictability out of our attacking game. It doesn't mean that every player on the pitch has to have those attributes, but given the quality players we have now, those are the holes I see. If that's Champ Man, then so be it.

Edited March 1, 2009 by CaptainXabi

[Iver]

Out of interest, why won't it do?

 

Erm...... you are asking why I would rather win the Premiership than concentrate all our efforts on making it to the semi final or final of the CL but not winning it?

 

I would have thought the answer is pretty much self explanatory.

[Jim D]

Rafa will never change his style of play, why change it when he has had so much success with it? We just need better quality attacking players, more match winners that can convert those draws into wins on a consistent basis in the League.