http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-fc-defender-jose-enrique-4014506
Final comment about strengthening the LFC squad further in the summer is encouraging.
Now it is just a question of how much money we are willing to spend.
We could quickly have £50M.
If Carroll agrees to terms with Westham where he is clearly loved (as documented by comments made on BBC's match of the day last Sunday) and with his manager clearly playing to his strengths as well, that would be 15M since several papers are reporting we have agreed that fee with the hammers (plus the two mill we got for him playing there this yr). He should also consider how having one of his best mate and mentor Kevin Nolan there as well is key to success. When he was fit they linked up excellently at hammers this season with special understanding just like they did at the Magpies a few yrs back. I still think we could have used Carroll because he is so different in his qualities. Hold up the ball, a killer left foot, good techniques that goal he took directly on his right foot coming over the top earlier in the season - (and it even made it in the BBC goal of the year top 10 competition), shows he has got something special. If we would have kept him for another yr or let him go on loan again to hammers I think we would have got more money for him. He did not get more than 7 goals this yr but much was due to injuries and when you look at how many of their goals he was involved in when on the pitch whether it was in the build up, assists or just drawing attention from many defenders to open space from others you have to give him credit.
Having said all that despite those facts and his ability to be a plan b (whilst not being happy on the bench) and the potential to raise more money, I think we are right to sell him due to other options that may be available to us that are even better. Benteke, benzema or lukaku are all players that are or could be world class strikers and I think benteke or lukaku becuase of their pace, their strength, the heading ability and their goal tally in the PL last yr is who we should go for to add to our attacking options, plan b and squad for next yr. It would potentially convince reina and Suarez to stay which is crucial to continued success. I would be happy with tevez or dzeko also who may be pricy but would improve our squad. Another striker at this level would allow us to loan out borini for him to develop.
Then if downing leaves for 10M which I think Fulham would pay (rumours on. Guardian last couple of days) and we sell Pacheco for 2M and maybe Flanagan and Robinson and Coates could raise another 2M in loan fees we are already at 30M.
That means the owners would only have to commit another 20M for our budget to be at 50M, excluding debt and expenses of course.
I think it would make shelvey happier if he got a few months on loan after Suarez comes back as well. Hoping he can be the box to box midfielder that Gerrard turned out to be. Anders Daniel will agree I am sure :). Pun intended!
Btw have to mention the love for not only legend Carra but also Suarez on Sunday. Warm, heartfelt and what a day to show how great the support and the place (Anfield) and the club LFC is. So much history and such a great occasion to remind those that were there why they should stay - be it reina, Lucas, suarez or others like coutinho.
It was just plain terrific and the tribute that carra got before and after the game and continues to get, players that stay like we hope Suarez and reina will can expect as well.
Gerrard will get one soon and Torres would have got one if he stuck around. Maybe he wants to come back now, and for the right price I would take him but would still prefer lukaku and Benteke before him. Benteke said today he wants to go (guardian) so I think that is who we should go for and maybe offset the price with a downing going the other way. He was successful at villa before he left and will made them a lot of money.
They already have bent and he could become a regular starter again if benteke leaves.
Anyway, lots of tangents but it will be a very interesting summer. Holding on to Suarez, reina and Lucas is key...
But signing world class players may be the way to keep them.
Not sure about others but I worry Rodgers may think lets get potential and develop them. To take the step up to compete we need 1) world class players 2) leadership at the back 3) for the squad to continue to take steps towards becoming consistently better.
YNWA,
Stian
Sent from my HTC
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