On July 1st the transfer window opened. I already had my shortlist drawn up and began sending enquiries to their respective teams.
Udinese set a price for our primary target Luis Muriel at $23,500,000, almost our entire budget for the window. We also sent an inquiry to Barcelona for veteran Left Back Eric Abidal, they returned asking for around $1,000,000. Dinamo Moskav responded to our enquiry saying that they would not let Balazs Dzsudzsak for any less than $15,500,000. This posed quite a headache, and made it clear that we would need to let a few players leave the club in order to secure our targets.
As well as sending these enquiries, we also recieved a few bids from other teams for our transfer listed players. The first of which was from Londoners Tottenham Hotspur for Joe Cole. Their bid of $5,500,000 was rejcted and we raised the fee to $7,000,000. A few days later, the Spurs agreed to this fee and our first player was sold.
Following the Negotiation of this deal was our first friendly against Sampdoria at Anfield. I fielded what I felt was the strongest team in the pre-determined formation. We were technically outclassed and lost the game by as score of Two goals to One. Ousamma Assaidi netted in the 53rd minute and provided some form of consolation.
While dissappointing several substitutes were given an opportunity in the second half to see how they could fit into the team. In spite of this it was clear that we needed to strenghten in a few areas of the pitch.
After the game Yeovil Town contacted us seeking the services of young playmaker Suso on a short team loan. We agreed and wish him the best of luck.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
A New Beginning
With the kick-off of the 2012 season fast approaching and several weaknesses in the squad, the Summer transfer window will be critical in establishing a strong line-up that can contend for a coveted Top 4 spot and berth into the Champions League.
The first order of business upon arriving at Melwood was to compile an initial Squad Report including youth players that are eligible for the first team. This graphically laid out each individual players abilities and potential, allowing me to assess each player immediate contribution as well as how they will progress in the future.
The best players in the squad that will be in the starting XI week in and week out are Luis Suarez, Captain Steven Gerrard, Defensive Force Daniel Agger and the resurgent Lucas Leiva. Our starting XI for our first friendly is as follows.
The reason for using formation is accessing the depth this squad has at Center Mid. Liverpool have 5 central midfielders that can be used in rotation as well the up and coming Jonjo Shelvey, as well as youngsters Conor Coady, Suso and Jay Spearing who is on loan to Bolton.
Also, in this formation Luis Suarez will be used as a False 9, while he can play as an out-and-out striker he is more effective in a free-role. This will allow our wingers to cut into the box and present us with goal scoring opportunities.
This poses some issues with our current squad. Certain players simply do not fit in.
These players are Former Chelsea player Joe Cole, Underachieving winger Stewart Downing, former prodigy Dani Pacheco. Money made in the transfer of these players in addition to the budget given to us buy the board will be used to fund transfers for young, dynamic players.
After assessing the values of our transfer listed players and the gaps that they will leave in the squad I drew up a short list of players that we will be going after in the summer window. They are Udinese's 21 year old Luis Muriel, Dinamo Moscow's tricky and pacy winger Balazs Dzsudzsak are the main targets, we will also be looking to strengthen our defense with an experienced Left Back to provide cover for Jose Enrique.
Two players that will look good in red come September 1st....
The first order of business upon arriving at Melwood was to compile an initial Squad Report including youth players that are eligible for the first team. This graphically laid out each individual players abilities and potential, allowing me to assess each player immediate contribution as well as how they will progress in the future.
The best players in the squad that will be in the starting XI week in and week out are Luis Suarez, Captain Steven Gerrard, Defensive Force Daniel Agger and the resurgent Lucas Leiva. Our starting XI for our first friendly is as follows.
For the following friendlies I will be rotating several players through to see who fits into our team, who does not, and who can be used as a super-sub during the season.
The reason for using formation is accessing the depth this squad has at Center Mid. Liverpool have 5 central midfielders that can be used in rotation as well the up and coming Jonjo Shelvey, as well as youngsters Conor Coady, Suso and Jay Spearing who is on loan to Bolton.
Also, in this formation Luis Suarez will be used as a False 9, while he can play as an out-and-out striker he is more effective in a free-role. This will allow our wingers to cut into the box and present us with goal scoring opportunities.
This poses some issues with our current squad. Certain players simply do not fit in.
These players are Former Chelsea player Joe Cole, Underachieving winger Stewart Downing, former prodigy Dani Pacheco. Money made in the transfer of these players in addition to the budget given to us buy the board will be used to fund transfers for young, dynamic players.
After assessing the values of our transfer listed players and the gaps that they will leave in the squad I drew up a short list of players that we will be going after in the summer window. They are Udinese's 21 year old Luis Muriel, Dinamo Moscow's tricky and pacy winger Balazs Dzsudzsak are the main targets, we will also be looking to strengthen our defense with an experienced Left Back to provide cover for Jose Enrique.
Two players that will look good in red come September 1st....Friday, November 30, 2012
The European Dream: An Introduction
On November 24th, 2009 Liverpool were knocked out of the Champions League. Despite winning that night's match against Debrecen in Budapest; Fiorentina's defeat of Lyon nearly 600 miles away in Florence sealed Liverpool's fate.
Since that night Liverpool have not returned to the esteemed competition. This has coincided with a decline in the once great football club as financial mismanagement and a poor managerial appointment brought the team to the brink of collapse.
On October 15th, 2010 the club was saved from administration and potential liquidation by its new owners Fenway Sports Group. The new owners brought the promise to return the club to its place amongst Europe's elite teams.
The transition has been painful with talisman Fernando Torres leaving the club on January 31st, 2011, the misappropriated, overvalued transfers of players such as Andy Carroll, Stewart Downing, Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam and a hotly debated managerial change following a controversial FA Cup final exit.
Despite having a new manager the goals remained the same, build a team that can earn a Champions League berth, win Liverpool's first Premier League Title, and finally, return the Champions League Trophy to Anfield.
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