Liverpool Rumours Archive June 10 2015

10 Jun 2015 21:03:02
Ed002, do you genuinely think Lucas will stay?

I checked the search function and the last thing you said was something along the lines of "Liverpool convinced him to stay in January". Has his head been turned since or are Lucas and Liverpool both happy with him playing here next season?

{Ed002's Note - If Liverpool put him on the market now it would be pretty nasty for the kid.}

10 Jun 2015 22:05:25
I hope he stays. He's one player I truly respect here, thinks he's quality.

10 Jun 2015 22:28:37
I really hope we don't force him out. He is pure class.

If Sweden got Zlatan into the Swedish Dictionary and it means "to dominate", then Lucas should get his place in the scouse dictionary with his name meaning "role model".

10 Jun 2015 23:25:08
It was one of Rafas true genius strokes to see his potential, and turn him into a Dm from his original role.

In the early days, just like Can probably will, Lucas took a couple of seasons to adapt into the role, and he gave away a lot of clumsy free kicks, and he also took a lot of flack from the fans during that education. I thought he was basically rubbish for most of his first season to be honest.

Now that he can do the role really well, and once the injuries are well behind him, he will only get better. It makes no sense to let him go, none at all- he is one of the best and most underrated DMs in the league.

I hope and pray that BR has the nous to make Lucas the first name on that teamsheet every single week, and for me it is one of the clearest signs of BRs lack of vision that he cannot see how much Lucas influences the game, gets a strong tackle in, takes the pressure off the side, and allows the team some breathing space to develop our own game.

He doesn't score goals or play the 35 yard hollywood balls (that most times come to nothing anyway), but he closes players down very quickly, breaks up or slows down opposition moves, and he always seems to keep hold of the ball under a challenge, and usually finds a ten yard forward pass to give us an outlet and get us moving forwards again.

He doesn't only do the defensive role- he gets the ball moving again, and often very quickly with one touch.
Is he the player he was 2/3 years ago before the big injuries? Maybe not quite, but if he stays free of injury he will get better and stronger, and he still has 2 or 3 years of top performances left in him.
I would let any other player in that squad go before Lucas- barring maybe Coutinho.
A top DM seems to be almost as difficult to find as a top striker these days. We have one in the squad, so why on earth would we let him go?

10 Jun 2015 23:28:21
Trouble is, Brendan doesn't see him as what he wants, as he doesn't want a defensive midfielder like Lucas, but use Can or Kovacic if he comes! Feel sorry for Lucas.

11 Jun 2015 07:13:12
While I like Lucas and what he can do for Liverpool in the DM role, Its the injuries that are affecting him that I think the EPL is not the league for him now. I think Italy would very much suit his game. In saying that I would be happy for him to be here as back up to a 1st choice DM.

11 Jun 2015 10:59:11
Agree with the above - I think BR has it all wrong trying to focus on a deep lying playmaker (unless we can sign a genuine all rounder that can also defend like Alonso).

Admittedly the role worked well last season with Gerard on form and Suarez/Sturridge/Sterling launching swift attacks off his passes, but even then we were porous in defence and conceded too many goals that cost us the title. In addition, our strength is no longer upfront since Suarez left, it's in our attacking midfield.

He should just put in a specialist DM and give Hendo/Milner/Llalana/Coutinho the ball as quickly as possible and license to drive forward from midfield with confidence there's cover behind them if they lose possession.

Only way I'd be comfortable losing Lucas is if we sign someone like Kongdogbia.

11 Jun 2015 15:00:48
I like Lucas, always have. He's without question the best DM we have and he's a model professional
Unfortunately I've also always thought that he wasn't quite top drawer. I think we need better to achieve top 4.
Would I let him go?
Yes
Do I think BR should let him go?
No because he won't replace him properly

11 Jun 2015 17:33:03
I'm sorry to disagree, but I don't think he's all that good. Yes, he can break play up, but almost every game he plays (which aren't many) he seems to make a mistake in his own half, gifting the ball to the opposition. His first touch is woeful and his passing is poor, even though he only plays the simplest ball available most of the time. He frequently puts players in trouble with his decision making with the ball also.

Having said all that, he does sit in front of the back 4 quite well and breaks up play fairly effectively. I'm just not sure that the strong areas of his game make up for the weaknesses.

11 Jun 2015 18:10:15
Will never win league with Lucas as dm. Get rid off now while still has some resale value. Get a dm with a bit of tenacity, intimidation and physical. That is what we lack. Lucas is crap.

10 Jun 2015 19:20:57
Alright eds, followed for a while, quite happy with first two signings to be honest, think we need an actual threat for mignolet, seen any interest in Boruc?

Another free. Wouldn't be bad business again, unless he's off somewhere else.

Is Clyne seen as a major target who we'll push the boat out for do you feel? Good proven Right back to push Emre into the midfield wouldn't go a miss
Thanks in advance.

{Ed001's Note - Boruc is not good enough and just moved on a permanent deal to Bournemouth, so no idea why he would be a free. Clyne will need to have the boat pushed out for, but I doubt we will, nor do I see any need for him, we have lots of right backs and never needed the idiocy of playing Can there.}

10 Jun 2015 22:27:42
I think it was largely so he could still play Can whilst shoehorning in the welsh xavi and SG. and Lucas on the rare occasions, instead of taking the correct decisions

11 Jun 2015 07:18:51
Would much rather we just made Wisdom our RB, buying someone for the role will just be another in the long list of signing a player for the sake of signing someone without any planning. Wisdom is more than ready, he should be given the chance to nail down a first team role and make RB his own. But I have my doubts that he will be given such a chance.

11 Jun 2015 07:43:42
I would be interested to know the eds thoughts on Wisdom. I also like the player and having recently signed a new deal suggests he may get an opportunity? Do you believe he has the ability to make it at LFC and do you think he will be given a chance? Or was the signing of a new contract just to make sure we can make some money on him?

{Ed001's Note - I like him, he is quick and powerful with a good touch on the ball.}

10 Jun 2015 15:35:30
Hi eds
Do Liverpool hold interest in Antonio Candreva? And is Skrtel looking to leave?
Thanks as always

{Ed002's Note - (a) No. (b) Not that I am aware.}

10 Jun 2015 14:09:29
Hi eds
Do we hold any interest in Vlarr as imo he's better than what we got
Cheers

{Ed002's Note - No.}

10 Jun 2015 14:51:43
He isn't even close to as good as we have. Hasn't even performed well at Villa this season.

10 Jun 2015 16:10:37
Vlaar-t are you smoking over there, danzan?!

11 Jun 2015 00:13:43
He's by Vlarr better than Sakho who always looks like someone has shouted BOO behind him when he receives the ball. Lovren had 4 Good games fo Southampton and is only here for the payday and Skirtel is s penalty waiting to happen . I'd rather see Llori get a start and picking up Vlarr on s free I think would be better than what we got

11 Jun 2015 09:21:35
Vlaar is nowhere near as good as Sakho. He has had a poor season himself and he has had some injuries too so it would be a big risk.

I agree with you on Skrtel, his pulling and hauling in the box from set pieces especially, he can't keep getting away with it.

No idea how you can decide that Lovren is only here for the payday? He looked extremely committed and his poor performances at the beginning really seemed to upset him - why would he care if he was just here for the money? I hope he'll come good and I'd like to see him adapt to RCB playing alongside Sakho without having to worry about where Skrtel is running off to.

11 Jun 2015 14:10:18
im still not sure of Sakho he gives the ball away too much and seems to panic when receiving.
I agree that Lovren probably lost confidence but he was never that great at Southampton apart from the games against us . I re read my post and should have said looks like he's here for the payday not is here . Apologies.
Still would like to see Llori back and given a chance

09 Jun 2015 21:21:19
Ed's can you confirm if inter do actually have some level of interest in all of Skrtle, Borini and Lucas?

I've read in various parts for months that they were but is that just paper talk or are they actually interested in all three?

{Ed001's Note - they were trying to get a deal done for Lucas in January. They have been interested in Skrtel for a while and Borini they rivalled us when we got him. No idea if their interest in them is ongoing, but I see no reason for it not to be at the right price.}

10 Jun 2015 08:10:04
Id keep Lucas as we look a better team when he plays, Skrtel can be replaced but unless the right offer comes than he stays and Borini will be gone so if we are after Kovacic than include him in the deal

10 Jun 2015 08:31:02
Potential leverage to get Kovacic as reported eds? I could see us trying to offload Borini and Lucas but would skrtel also be looking to leave this summer? Could work out, I like Lucas but doesn't look like he will stay, Borini indifferent and tbh I agree with ed01 in not rating Martin skrtel at all.

10 Jun 2015 09:25:58
Lucas is o.k. but to slow for a regular place in a top 4 or even a top 6 place in my opinion.If we have to lose him to get Kovacic I would say do it.
Obviously prefer to lose Borini

10 Jun 2015 10:55:48
Too slow? Tell that to Busquets.

10 Jun 2015 12:44:14
Take the money and run, IMO.
I hate to say it in the case of Lucas but darn it, I've said it now.
An injury too far.

10 Jun 2015 15:28:42
35 million for them all or Kovacic and 20 million would do us. I would even throw in a anfield tour for free, a ride in Ian Aryes Harley and one of Brendens teeth whitening sessions.

Baz

10 Jun 2015 17:48:05
I find it's quite a sad situation for Fabio Borini. He really did try hard when he was on the pitch(perhaps too much), he really looked like he wanted to succeed here too. It must be seriously disheartening for Borini, putting all that work in and not getting a chance up front, especially given we needed a forward who looks to get behind defenders.

I feel that Borini has been mistreated personally.

Whether is "good enough" or not is subjective, many people stated that he made some very intelligent runs almost every game, got himself into good positions almost every game and really gave his all. Those are some good qualities that were perhaps needed this season, but instead, we gave the position to Sterling, who's currently been in the media for all the wrong reasons.

10 Jun 2015 18:00:07
Too slow, ever watched Lucas live? When playing every week he's the first to move for anything in midfield as his anticipation and reading of the game is much better than any of our other midfielders. He doesn't need to be lightning quick as the first few yards is upstairs

10 Jun 2015 18:21:13
He also concedes a high number of free kicks in dangerous positions for no reason too