For me our main transfer should be a left-sided winger, as i'm now decided Babel has to be on the right of the 4-2-3-1 if he's to play in our side. I don't know much about Modric, other than listening to the hype during the Euro qualifiers, but this is quoted from wikipedia:



By the sounds of that, he is already accustomed to our set formation, can be comfortably deployed on the left of the '3', and would also be able to cover Gerrard if needed. If he's suitable, and can fit our formation, i'd love to have him... He sounds like a bright star, with his career ahead of him at 22 (if we're to be paying £18million it needs to be on players with a real future).

I wouldn't hold my breath though. We're linked with tons of players who's supposed transfers never materialise.

I hate to hazard a guess as to what Rafa's plan is BUT I did say earlier on in the Season that if he wants to persist with this 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 or whatever you want to refer to it as (and I believe he should) then he needs more attacking fullbacks and a classy pacey creative RW or a pacey goalscoring RWF that will cut inside.

Modric is perfect! I had all but resigned myself to the fact he was off to Chelsea but now I am able to dream again.

He should be our number one priority signing along with a LB or RB.

Don't be fooled by the fact that Modric plays on the left, he might start there but he doesn't play there, he is like Deco in that he covers every blade of grass and goes wherever he wants.

According to some sources who have been SPOT ON about DIC Liverpool have signed their number one transfer target and also according to Balague and Rafa himself an English player who can play on the right "not a big name but a quality addition"'.

Whatever the case I would love Modric at Liverpool.

But we would still lack an out and out winger.

Who is United's out and out winger? Who is the closest thing they even have to one?

The answer is Evra.

Yes United have width with Nani and Ronaldo but at any given moment they cut inside. Modric is the same. He starts outwide and always looks to get inside and move off the ball. Babel gives width but is in no way an out and out winger.

We need Fullbacks in the Evra mould.

Benitez it seems has chosen his formation now.

4-2-3-1 (you can argue over that if you wish but it is pretty much it).

Watch how often when Babel plays he cuts inside, practically all the time. Now he is fast enough and strong enough to go past 2 players or more but he shouldn't have to do it all the time. This is where the Evra type player comes in.

Imagine you are a full back. You know that Babel is going to cut inside so you go with him as teams always do with him, but what if he has an Evra type player overlapping? Straight away you are given a dilemna from a threat that at the moment Liverpool do not pose.

Our right sided threat is practically non existant but we have seen this ploy work superbly well in one of our better results. Remember Liverpool 4-1 Arsenal? The formation was different but the principle was the same. Pennant had Arbeloa overlapping and it paid dividends.

Of course if you have a player like Ronaldo you don't even need the RB and it scares me to think just how much space he will get when United do sort out their obvious problem position.....

I agree we need better full-backs, that will overlap relentlessly (assuming Finnan has had his day).

Out of interest, what foot is Modric predominantly then?

Right footed but he is more than handy with his left.

Who are the fullbacks is the question that puzzles me.

I'm not the biggest Rafinha fan. Alves could be excellent but I doubt it will happen. The only fullback I would really welcome for both his defensive and attacking abilities at the moment is CHIELLINI. He has got some future ahead of him that lad.

Apparently according to a good source Liverpool have all but landed their top target for next Season, I just hope it is Modric but they won't say. Still the noises this Season are much more positive. Rafa seems to be acting early as Balague and he confirmed we have already agreed a deal for an english talent for next year and now this.....

Can't they even give us a hint? English talent could be that Gates kid from Havant & Waterlooville. Scored 95 goals or something for Havant youth team!

I sort of agree we need a left-back that can cement his place but lets not forget about the contribution of Fábio Aurélio over the past few months. He's scored a superb goal against Bolton, set-up up Torres for his goal in the San Siro stadium, Put the cross in which lead to the corner for Hyypia's goal against Arsenal after some great play with Gerrard down the left and he's generally been doing ok at left-back. But for some reason we don't see him as our long-term left-back... maybe he isnt a big enough name for us?

Trying to second guess Rafa is not easy but i'd expect the left-back to be experienced after vying to sign both Heinze and Kaladze in the summer and January windows respectively. Of them i think Kaladze would be the only option still viable. I don't think anyone too young, mainly boasting promise, would be useful if we intend to promote Insua in the near future. I also think we need more experience in the side as we have a distinct lack of players who've managed to play in side's that've triumphed in a major domestic league.

As for right-back we know Benitez's scouts have been watching Schalke, with the general consensus that Rafinha is the target. If they reported back positively i think he will be the signing made in this position. Alves, whether you like him or not, would cost a fortune... It's painful when thinking back that Parry had us miss out on him for the sake of about £2million, with us offering £10million.

You have to admit that the type of players we're attracting has improved under Benitez, despite those who detract from the progress he's made with the club. Our European triumphs improve our credentials massively.

The reason i'm personally unsure about Aurelio is because defensively he's questionable and also he's injury prone.

Two good points there Ben-itez91. He's been doing well though, lets just see how long it lasts because as you say he is injury prone but we can't deny his forward play is excellent at times.

Bare in mind though that Heinze was being bought as a LB who could cover CB, since that time we have bought Skrtel so that is not a major priority anymore, we have more than enough cover. Also as I say the change of formation and the emergence of Babel will mean we really need an overlapping fullback and once again that is what I expect to see either from Aurelio (when he is actually fit), Arbeloa or anyone else we sign.

Rafinha just doesn't convince me defensively.

Hype is well justified with Modric and would be a great signing. Hope you get him!
Whats all this about Kranjcar? Where did that rumour spring up? Could see it as a possibility as he should really be playing in Europe with the big lads.

you lot are now linked with Gareth Barry

why is he not called gary barry

Cause they rhyme. When your a kid you don't want a name that rhymes with anyhing, not even your own name

Gareth Barry? Hmm, I thought Kaladze would have been that major signing that was spoken of.

i prefer gary barry. even better if roy hodgson tried to say it

I sometimes call him Gaz Baz.

Would we use Barry at left-back or centre-mid though? Can't see this being true though, and nothing will have been agreed already i don't think.

I think the only way he would fit into the team is if Alonso left.

My thinking exactly.

However i could see Rafa being more inclined to spend on Michael Johnson if he were to go English. We've been linked with him for some time.

Liverpool need wingers, not central midfielders. Pennant is distinctly average and Kewell is always injured. When you have to play Kuyt and Gerrard in wide areas in your most important game that says alot. Benayoun is ok but i think Liverpool could be doing better.

You could do with someone like bentley, or maybe someone with more pace but as much quality in delivery and decision making.

Liverpool tend to struggle to break teams down in the premier league, who just sit back and defend, due to their problems in getting behind defences and getting quality deliveries in wide areas, this is why they have had so many draws. (and why they are so much better in the Champions League because they can play counter attack)

Once you improve your wide players and maybe add another 15-20goal/season striker, you will you will be true title contenders, because the spine of the team is very good.

Rumour's have it that Borussia Dortmund's Swiss international attacking full-back Philipp Degen, 25, is the signing that Benitez claims has already been made.


I've not heard much of him but i hope fans don't start moaning 'cause he isn't high profile. We have to give people a damn chance.

We're also heavily linked with Barry still.


I wonder if Benitez is intent on using Barry on the left, should their be substance to this move. Whether that's the case, or whether he's looking to replace Alonso, i wouldn't say no to bringing in an English player who is definitely able. We're said to be in a fight with Chelsea for him but you'd think him being good mates with Gerrard might sway him in our direction.

Another player linked with us is Maxi Rodriguez.


Seems lazy to me - Hispanic/friend of Torres ... therefore we're going to buy him? We'll be linked with most Spanish/Argentines in the summer. Again, i wouldn't say no to him at all when you consider other players we've been linked with.

Like with Barry, Bentley is surfacing a lot recently.


Other names mentioned have been Antonio Valencia, Oscar Trejo, Albert Riera and, resurfacing after January, Fernando Amorebieta.

What are the odds none materialise?

rumours are Liverpool are interested in javi martinez / mattias fernadez / and urby eManUelson but id be suprised if we signed any of them