11 May 2015 12:23:51
Hi guys,

Assuming that we raise enough funds this summer and we don't piss away the money as usual, which striker would you like to see at Liverpool (realistically so no Messi, Lacazette etc)? I think Higuain would be a good addition, and although I haven't really watched him since he moved to Napoli, I remember rating him above Benzema when they were both at Real Madrid, and I would certainly like to see him with a red shirt on next season. In my opinion, the other "big-name" option we have, Benzema (who apparently is going to be available and might be tempted to make a move?) wastes too many chances and doesn't really seem to be a world-class striker which we desperately need.

What's your opinion guys (and Ed001 if you're around)?

1.) 11 May 2015
11 May 2015 13:34:58
How are you going to rule out Lacazzette as viable yet but Higuain and Benzema in there? You've just broken your own rule there

{Ed002's Note - Another club met with Lyon about Lacazette on Saturday and any transfer will be difficult at best. Higuain and Benzema might well be available.}

2.) 11 May 2015
11 May 2015 13:42:59
I like both benzema and higuain. Both will be very hard to get though.

3.) 11 May 2015
11 May 2015 13:53:21
If Messi and Lacazette are unrealistic, which they are, so too are Benzema and Higuain. Any forward who is playing at a top European side who play CL football or has the choice to this summer is out of reach. Utd got Falcao and Di Maria without, but that's due to two factors we done have. Pots of money and a world renowned manager who has won almost everything.

Ings is the level we're at. If Europa football is used to blood kids and fringe players opportunity then we could have another season like the previous one, where our first choice 11 can prepare and play a game a week thereabouts. Another challenge and top 4 could see top players in a years time, but not before. Imo.

4.) 11 May 2015
11 May 2015 14:05:28
Ings is not the level we are at. There are quite a few levels between Benzema/Higuain etc. and Ings. It's about time the scouting team steps up and delivers the right player.

5.) 11 May 2015
11 May 2015 14:34:11
Right you are, Davey. If Ings is our level now then we should be ready for EL footie for the foreseeable future. IMO, Higuain, Benz (didn't he say we weren't big enuff for him?) and Lacazette are not realistic hence, no point discussing them. Players like Son, Vietto are who we should be going for. They will do the job, for sure.

{Ed002's Note - I would by no means hold your breath over Vietto. Real Madrid have been looking and Atletico see him as a replacement for Griezmann.}

6.) 11 May 2015
11 May 2015 15:53:44
Ings is our level our we wouldn't be going for him, if not already agreed. Ideas of buying top rated strikers like Vietto or Benzema are just not going to happen. Rodgers isn't a 'name' in football, if he is at all recognised it's relating to youth progression (believe it or not). Established international players which play for Real Madrid or are being chased by CL playing clubs will not choose us.
When we had money and CL football Benzema shot us down, not big enough. Only we could manage to get Balotelli cause no one else would touch him. Rightly so.

Papers link us with Cavaghi, Depay and other £30m players. Yet FSG have invested loads already, no CL football and FFP mean the truth is Ings, Milner and an embarrassing if true €7m bid for Kovicic (after turning €20m) last summer.

Bit of reality on our situation, losing recognised players like Suarez Toure and Gerrard, a no one manager with zero trophies on his cv, young talent looking to leave and contracts based on bonuses (totally agree) is not a huge pull.

Name one world class, or top rated player who has chosen us over living in London, established CL football, a big name manager or money? If true the list of Willian, Salah, Mkhtaryian, Depay, Falcao, Sanchez etc will be added to rather then broken.

We have to sign potential or others disregards like Markovic or Moreno. and at twice the price. Forget Benzema.

7.) 11 May 2015
11 May 2015 15:54:49
Higuan is a big wages but Napoli probably will be in the Europa League like us next season, so if LFC can be persuasive, a move could be made. Benzema rejected LFC some time back,a nd he will never move to a club without CL. Maybe a move back to France with PSG when they offload Ibrahimovic and Cavani? Lacazette will have plenty of clubs interested in him, and Lyon are difficult to deal with and hence a move to LFC is not going to happen. Vietto looks unrealistic based on what Ed002 has said and it really looks like Ings is what the club has settled on for now, which is a real shame, as while he is a decent player, like Origi, he is not at the level at this moment in time to fire LFC back into the CL. When this blows up in their face, we will hear more excuses from Rodgers if he is still here, probably about Suarez and the Anfield turf.

8.) 11 May 2015
11 May 2015 17:01:13
@Max, by your logic anyone we go for then that's our level? Ludicrous. Was Cissokho, Moses, Aspas, Alberto, etc. our level last season?

Or maybe we should go for Messi, we wouldn't get him but if we go for him then that would be our level so we'd be winning all round us, fantastic! Next year may be our year afterall eh?!

And for the record I think we should be steering clear of Ings. Signing for the sake of signing. He is no way clearly first team material or a step up on what we have so just leave him off.

9.) 11 May 2015
11 May 2015 17:19:42
I agree wholeheartedly with your assessments, Max and AG. we are where we are and it seems the only way we can get top class players is to fire the manager and bring in someone these players have heard of. Steve McMahon made the same comment. If we keep BR, we will continue to attract potential and BR will complain that he can't get top players whereas top players will not play for a club with EL aspirations and a coach without a pot to piss in, trophies-wise.

10.) 11 May 2015
11 May 2015 19:53:47
They may be available Ed but I seriously doubt they are all too viable for us, there seems to be so many 'ifs' there that it seems unrealistic.
We'd need to have some Sterling money or at least a deal agreed, at the speed in which we conduct transfers we also need to hope nobody else has snapped them up,
We need to hope they are willing to sign for a club without champions league, because let's face it, Higuian and Benzema will have champions league clubs after the signature,
Then it's if we can convince them to play for Liverpool, which I imagine given the managers precarious position at the club, could be more difficult.
I sincerely hope your right Ed, and I'm long past the stage I would question your knowledge,just seems unrealistic however possible.
Here's hoping your onto something Ed02,

{Ed002's Note - I am more than happy never to mention either again on these pages.}

11.) 11 May 2015
11 May 2015 22:50:39
Sean, those players you listed were at our level yes. Remember going into that season we had no european football.
We are apparently almost there with Ings, so yes if that's who we are signing then yes that's where we are at. Arsenal, City and Chelsea need a striker this summer all playing in the CL next season. Any of them linked to Ings?

Ings could do really well? So could Origi, but that's us until we have regular CL involvement and/or a top level coach, signing possible and potential.

{Ed002's Note - Manchester City and Manchester United are both looking at Ings.}

12.) 12 May 2015
12 May 2015 08:50:11
@Max, I'd rather just go with our own youth than accept mediocrity like you.

And none of those players I listed from 2 summers ago were, or ever will be, our level.

I'd be a lot happier if we signed less players than to continue signing average ones.