Liverpool thread

[Darren]

With Euro 2008 drawing to a close and pre season training to start for Liverpool on Monday things seem to have started to move a bit. Like every season Rafa has said we want to get our business done early. Like every season we haven't. Only Degen officially signed and young Saric, Dossena on the brink of moves. Riise sold to Roma and Alonso probably heading to Italy.

Best news I heard in a good while though was that finally work on the new stadium has begun Its been a long time coming, think we first got planning permission around 5-6 years ago and where due to finish similar time to Arsenal. Its thought work will be complete in time for the 2011-12 season.

[Jonesy Knows]

To be honest it does sound good the new ground is starting to get built!
But what a time to start!!! Fuel costs higher than they have ever been cost of living up about 11.55% over past year or so!
This ground could turn out to be another Wembley! and cost a lot, lot more than budgeted for!
I would rather they shelved the plans until the economic climate is rosier.

I think it's a ploy by the Yanks to apease the fans they know that they will get what they have put in and more when they decide to piss off which I am certain will be before the ground is built!
It's another bartering tool for them when they decide to listen to offers - a false sense of equity.

I fear we will get too far into the build to realise the spiralling costs and be left with far more massive debts...

[davidmphill]

Degen not good enough to start for an ordinary Swiss side in Euro 2008, surely that tells you something about the guy. I'll be honest I have no idea what he's like and i'd never heard of him, no doubt he'll be bombed out at the end of the season!

[davidmphill]

Good to see Anderson going out on loan again and at a higher level next season. Sure to be a tough season for Forest and it'll be a big learning curve for the lad, it should make clear whether he'll have a future career with the club for me.

Like Rafa's policy of recruiting young talent from around Europe, hasn't done Arsenal any harm of late. Hope this kid makes it and comes into first team consideration in a few seasons time.

[Darren]

BOSS CONFIRMS PELLEGRINO APPOINTMENT Jimmy Rice 30 June 2008
	Mauricio Pellegrino is set to return to the club as first-team coach, Rafa Benitez today confirmed.
The Argentine defender, who played 12 games for the Reds under Benitez in 2005, will become the second high-profile addition to the backroom team following the arrival of Sammy Lee earlier in the summer. Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv the 36-year-old had much to offer. "His role will be first-team coach, and he'll also carry out specialist training sessions," said the boss. "He can also work specifically with the defence, and also the reserves. "Pellegrino has a winning mentality. He won the Intercontinental Cup before going to Spain with Barcelona and Valencia. "He has a lot of passion. When I asked him to come he was very pleased, but first he wanted to find out if there was a school where his three children could play good football. He is a football man." Pellegrino had been coaching Valencia's youth team.

[aliando]

cant say i'm that interested in the on the field moves as its all paper talk atm - but what does interest me is the behind the scenes movement. Seems rafa is reinforcing his bootroom - will wait to see the effects....

[Sir Fernando]

Kewell's gone to Galatasary, 3 year deal for him to sit on his fat injured ass and absorb some Turkish sunshine.

Didn't mind him as a player when fit, but after he turned down a reduced wage deal to stay, went down in my estimations, afterall the club have only been paying his wages/treatment costs for the last 6 years, a period in which he's hardly played.

Dont get me started on his Champions League final antics...

[davidmphill]

I don't think anyone will be sorry to see Kewell go. Never the same player as he was at Leeds where he looked a world beater at times. Shame it never worked out because at the time the 5m transfer fee looked a bargain.

[DJ]

Peter Crouch is on the verge of signing for Portsmouth, a move that should be concluded on Monday.

[Sir Fernando]

Originally Posted by DJ

Peter Crouch is on the verge of signing for Portsmouth, a move that should be concluded on Monday.

If Crouch goes, hope Rafa can land Robbie Keane.

[DJ]

Originally Posted by Sir Fernando

If Crouch goes, hope Rafa can land Robbie Keane.

I really hope not... can't you just go for Villa or someone else like that?

[Sir Fernando]

Originally Posted by DJ

I really hope not... can't you just go for Villa or someone else like that?

by the looks of it, Spurs are lining up a deal to sign Espanyol front man, Luis Garcia,possibly suggests Keane or Berbatov might be on the move, watched a bit of Spanish football and Garcia is a similar type forward to Keane.

Keane would be a more affordable option than Villa and is proven in the PL, not saying Villa wouldn't be superb, but Valencia will probably want silly money for the golden boot forward.

[DJ]

Really hope that's not the case as Luis Garcia isn't comparable to Keane in terms of quality; well he is Luis Garcia is worse!!

[Jonesy Knows]

Valencia want £32 million for David Villa!

He's good but not that good

I could see Ramos trying his hand at trying to do a swap somehow for Keane with Xabi Alonso as Juventus seemed to have cooled their interest.

[Football-Tipper]

Liverpool v FC Luzern LIVE 6:35pm KO

FT

[AJ]

With the Alonso deal with Juve apparently dead due to pricing problems, does that mean that Liverpool either can't afford Barry or have a place in the team for him ?

[aliando]

Originally Posted by AJ

With the Alonso deal with Juve apparently dead due to pricing problems, does that mean that Liverpool either can't afford Barry or have a place in the team for him ?

i'd rather keep alonso than pay the inflated price for a guy who's physical presence will only last for another season or 2 at most before natural decline.

the money would be better spent on talented youth imo

[Sir Fernando]

Robbie Keane, having medical later today.

[swampster]

£20 mill though, worth it ??

[doublecee]

50 goals a season and he still wouldn't be worth 20 million.
Could have been spent on someone with real ability. David Silva for instance.