SSN: "Downing won't commit to Villa"

[Dave Cooper please]

CL is not the be-all-and-end-all. No CL footie hasn't done City's recruitment drive much harm. And we're talking about Vargas and Bastos here, not Sanchez and Neymar.

Being able to offer any player astronomical wages helps though.
You can't offer either CL football or astronomical wages, just being Liverpool and having Kenny won't help sign today's pampered superstar I'm afraid. Welcome to the World of the wannabe also-ran Redman!

[Redman]

Redman,

You mention that Kenny has a "system". What do you think that is as based on the signings and reported targets (especially when you consider the plus points of Lucas and Meriles (sp?) last season). I am struggling to see where Gerrard fits into the first XI. Admittedly it's a squad game nowadays but if you had a bad start I could see a Kenny v Gerrard war developing amoungst the fans or alternatively Henderson being marginalised.

From an outsiders perspective that would be great to watch but I guess not from your point of view and equally harsh on Henderson who will be desperate for games to justfy his fee.

So how do you think they'll line up?

It's a fair point and something I'm curious about myself. Gerrard has barely played under Kenny so it's difficult to envisage where he'll fit in.

It looks like Meireles will be sold and I'd guess Shelvey will go out on loan. So that leaves Gerrard, Lucas, Henderson, Adam, possibly Aquilani and Spearing competing for the midfield positions. I wouldn't be surprised if we played a lot with 3 or even 4 central midfielders. Henderson, Gerrard and Adam can all play wide if required.

[Redman]

City offer stratospheric money, though. Liverpool don't.

It's a pretty big swinging factor.

Liverpool pay bigger than most and according to the owner, are prepared to pay bigger.

[Redman]

CL is not the be-all-and-end-all. No CL footie hasn't done City's recruitment drive much harm. And we're talking about Vargas and Bastos here, not Sanchez and Neymar.

Being able to offer any player astronomical wages helps though.
You can't offer either CL football or astronomical wages, just being Liverpool and having Kenny won't help sign today's pampered superstar I'm afraid. Welcome to the World of the wannabe also-ran Redman!

Somebody forgot to tell Suarez.

[Lambert and Payne]

Redman, why haven't manure assembled a great side? I hate man utd and I hate Fergie, but the mans an excellent manager and they have had some truley excellent players.

[Dante Lavelli]

Redman,

You mention that Kenny has a "system". What do you think that is as based on the signings and reported targets (especially when you consider the plus points of Lucas and Meriles (sp?) last season). I am struggling to see where Gerrard fits into the first XI. Admittedly it's a squad game nowadays but if you had a bad start I could see a Kenny v Gerrard war developing amoungst the fans or alternatively Henderson being marginalised.

From an outsiders perspective that would be great to watch but I guess not from your point of view and equally harsh on Henderson who will be desperate for games to justfy his fee.

So how do you think they'll line up?

It's a fair point and something I'm curious about myself. Gerrard has barely played under Kenny so it's difficult to envisage where he'll fit in.

It looks like Meireles will be sold and I'd guess Shelvey will go out on loan. So that leaves Gerrard, Lucas, Henderson, Adam, possibly Aquilani and Spearing competing for the midfield positions. I wouldn't be surprised if we played a lot with 3 or even 4 central midfielders. Henderson, Gerrard and Adam can all play wide if required.

Then add Downing to the mix and the fact that both Suarez and Caroll justify a starting berth. I dunno, I still think it's a bit lop sided and must give hope to the other teams in the chasing pack (and Villa).

[Billy Walker]

Suarez is not a superstar!  If and when he reaches that status he'll be wearing a Real Madrid/Barca shirt.  Let's not swallow the Scouse media hype.  He's a good player, though, I'll grant you.

Redman what is your view on having Alonso and Mascherano in your midfield two years ago and Henderson and Adam this season?  Can this really be considered progress?

[Redman]

Redman, why haven't manure assembled a great side? I hate man utd and I hate Fergie, but the mans an excellent manager and they have had some truley excellent players.

I mean genuinely great.

No Man U side has dominated both at home and Europe nor have they redefined how football should be played. Fergie's had a quarter of a century to assemble a side capable of matching the likes of Michel's Ajax, Saachi's Milan or Guardiola's Barca and not come close. There's no shame in that though.

[Redman]

Redman,

You mention that Kenny has a "system". What do you think that is as based on the signings and reported targets (especially when you consider the plus points of Lucas and Meriles (sp?) last season). I am struggling to see where Gerrard fits into the first XI. Admittedly it's a squad game nowadays but if you had a bad start I could see a Kenny v Gerrard war developing amoungst the fans or alternatively Henderson being marginalised.

From an outsiders perspective that would be great to watch but I guess not from your point of view and equally harsh on Henderson who will be desperate for games to justfy his fee.

So how do you think they'll line up?

It's a fair point and something I'm curious about myself. Gerrard has barely played under Kenny so it's difficult to envisage where he'll fit in.

It looks like Meireles will be sold and I'd guess Shelvey will go out on loan. So that leaves Gerrard, Lucas, Henderson, Adam, possibly Aquilani and Spearing competing for the midfield positions. I wouldn't be surprised if we played a lot with 3 or even 4 central midfielders. Henderson, Gerrard and Adam can all play wide if required.

Then add Downing to the mix and the fact that both Suarez and Caroll justify a starting berth. I dunno, I still think it's a bit lop sided and must give hope to the other teams in the chasing pack (and Villa).

It's just strength in depth, surely?

[Lambert and Payne]

But they've won european trophies and dominated English football for years. Isn't that what matters? No offence but what have Liverpool done in recent years? Birmingham City have won more in the last 5 years!

[Redman]

Suarez is not a superstar!  If and when he reaches that status he'll be wearing a Real Madrid/Barca shirt.  Let's not swallow the Scouse media hype.  He's a good player, though, I'll grant you.

Redman what is your view on having Alonso and Mascherano in your midfield two years ago and Henderson and Adam this season?  Can this really be considered progress?

Let me tell you - compared to Bastos and Vargas, Suarez is very much a superstar. We just bought him at the right time. Had it been this summer, competition would have been a lot more fierce. Not many clubs were busy in the January market and ordinarily, players of Suarez's quality wouldn't have been available anyway.

As for Henderson and Adam, neither have kicked a ball for Liverpool yet so it's impossible to say.

[Redman]

But they've won european trophies and dominated English football for years. Isn't that what matters? No offence but what have Liverpool done in recent years? Birmingham City have won more in the last 5 years!

That's a different argument.

[Dante Lavelli]

Maybe, well yes, but it somewhat depends on the personalities and I doubt Gerrard will play the squad player on the bench. As a result Henderson wil hardly get a game and waste the potential that he has.

I suppose my gripe is with the modern footballer. Henderson would've played every week at Sunderland and as a result become a better player (although poorer). There is a risk he'll become another sidwell or Parker who both stalled their careers by going to Chelsea. Ditto Milner to Man City.

[Dante Lavelli]

I'm watching the Copa America right now and Suarez looks every bit a quality player.
I'm amazed spurs never used their Chumps league carrot to get him in Jamuary. Fair play to liverpool for taking the risk.

[Redman]

Maybe, well yes, but it somewhat depends on the personalities and I doubt Gerrard will play the squad player on the bench. As a result Henderson wil hardly get a game and waste the potential that he has.

I suppose my gripe is with the modern footballer. Henderson would've played every week at Sunderland and as a result become a better player (although poorer). There is a risk he'll become another sidwell or Parker who both stalled their careers by going to Chelsea. Ditto Milner to Man City.

I take your point. We'll have to see how it works out. Deep squads always leave casualties. Assuming time and injury haven't yet caught up with Gerrard, I expect him to be the first name on the teamsheet next season.