Manchester United Banter Archive July 01 2014

01 Jul 2014 20:14:39
Not sure we'll see any more signings for at least another week as rumour has it all LVG's transfer targets are still at the World Cup, with the exception of Vidal.

Having said that there is the possibility that the deal for Vidal will be done by the end of next week.

I hope Sanchez is a target as well.

01 Jul 2014 19:31:16
There has been some great banter this week. Betty is maintaining his usual high standard but after promising to raise his game, GDS did exactly that: the De Frij comment was pure quality. I did explain my Pikachu comment to my 12 year old who fell about laughing but no takers on here so damn you. All.

The money we are throwing a prism is very interesting - is the the Glazwrs trying to protect their asset or is this the younger Glazers not enjoying finishing 7th? Either way, I'm not sure we will see many more, possibly 2 more in with a few going out.

I can't wait for LVG to start, he will take no nonsense from anyone and I expects significant improvement form last years players or they will find them selves not being selected. A few of us have said, strap yourselves in for a bumpy ride (as my wife said to me last night).

Apologies, I clearly have fot fungers

I have a similar problem mate with thunky chums

Yeah me too. Thuge Clock.

AJH

At least that bumpy only lasted a minute or so.

30 Jun 2014 21:39:12
Eds how many more players do you think van gaal will need. I was thinkin he will need a centre back and maybe a attacking midfielder left side. What players you think he will let go and what future does Zaha have. Just asking for opinions be4 everybody says your not van gaal so how's you going to no. Cheers

{Ed004's Note - Over the next three windows we need atleast one centre back, centre midfielder and a left winger. Will probably need a new striker while possibly needing a right back, cb and winger depending on how are players perform}

We need at least one CB during THIS window. We could in theory plug the gaps elsewhere, but I suspect we will sign three more players in this window alone.

Sydney other than your imagination what leads you to suspect we will sign 3 more players?

01 Jul 2014 18:52:42
Carloto what makes u think we wont?

Its easy to bash syd but please tell us how u know we won't ;-)

De vrij, Vermealen and Vidal are all possible, Vidal maybe not so likely but still.

01 Jul 2014 19:36:32
We've been linked with CB's, CMers and wingers so I expect us to try for 3. A CB is essential, hope we get at least one on top of that. If we can't get our preferred CM or winger it may make sense to wait a year.

I think vermalen,de vrij ,depay and carvalho will all arive ,I suppose this also makes me crazy

CTR I didn't write that I didn't think we would buy 3 more players, I asked Sydney why he thought we would. I'm sure he can answer for himself but thanks for your input.

Common sense Carloto.

Carloto, we lost Ferdinand and Vidic therefore we will sign at least one CB this summer. We still need one more midfielder. We also need an injection of pace for the left side of our attack. Arguably we need a new RB, although I guess that wouldn't be a priority. Then there will no doubt be one or two youth players looked at. So Dwight Yorke thinks we will sign seven more, I think we will sign three more.

I think you'll be closer than Dwight's guess.

I think Dwight is off his rocker. Seven more signings? Not going to happen.

I thought Yorke said 6 or 7 I took it as total

Pardoe -

“You look at the players who have left Manchester United – Rio (Ferdinand), Vidic, Ryan Giggs and possibly a few more – they need to add to the squad, probably six or seven players from what I’m hearing.”

“The manager is on duty with Holland at the World Cup and doing extremely well but I’m sure he’s got one eye on the players he wants to bring in."

01 Jul 2014 20:05:39
ED you keep saying that we need these several position over the next three windows. But surely players will be leaving in that time frame and we will need more than those specific positions

30 Jun 2014 11:32:04
Question for Ed002, with having made two fairly expensive signings already, I think we will Probabily end up with say another 3 signings

Would something like this be realistic

CB - Thomas Vamalaen or De Vrij
CM - William Carvahlo
AM - Alexis Sanchez

I would be seriously happy going into the new season if we could add these players or like for like. Are we being realistic or not? And do you know if were even showing interest in these players? Thanks

{Ed002's Note - No.}

01 Jul 2014 19:25:05
Can you elaborate? Just saying "no" doesn't really explain much. No we're not interested in them players? Or no it's not realistic? And if not why not?

{Ed002's Note - The question was "would something like this be realistic" - the answer is "No" - I am not going to elaborate about your fantasies.}

02 Jul 2014 18:28:58
Silly me thinking we might be abut to spend a bit as we've fallen from premier league champions to 7th and missing Europe. What a silly fantasy of mine to sign good players. Would this be more realistic, we sign Jermaine Defoe and bring him home from the USA, then go in for Charlie Adam and a good CB such as hangaland. Would that be more realistic for you Mr Happy?

01 Jul 2014 13:17:07
I very rarely pop over to the Liverpool page but somebody mentioned it so I just went over and saw this wonderful post from Big Al.

People go on about fee, fabregas was dearer, is.older lallana is far better IMO. Great signing

Big Al

I thought the stuff you said on the United site was just for a wind up to be honest Al, but seriously, better than Fabregas? It just doesn't need a comment that does it.

I saw that one too. Next they'll be claiming that Lambert is a better player than Suarez!

In terms of fitting the Liverpool system he is a better player. Fabregas obviously has quality but is lazy and doesn't press and work tirelessly like Lallana does. This is what Rodgers demands.

They are also I believe completely different types of players to compare.

And people calling Lallana 'Average' is quite frankly insulting your own team as he would walk into yours! 'Believe' also saying we have 2 better players than him in Sterling and Coutinho! Guess that shows how much you're declining.

I don't see him even playing regularly for Liverpool

Countinho is a class player and should play
Henderson is playing some off his best football
Sterling is liverpools most exciting young talent
And well gerrard is gerrard and pool won't drop him

01 Jul 2014 14:44:36
Why does u having 2 better players than lallana in your squad show we are declining mohawk? Surely it shows once again that, much like last season when u spent well over 25m 'improving' your defence, that when Liverpool spend they waste. Now I know your already thinking 'well every team makes transfer mistakes' but in all honesty Liverpool do this more than most, now and again u will find a great player i.e Torres or Suarez, but for every top player u find there's about four bad ones that preceded him and 4 bad ones that arrive after.

Lallana is decent but at mid 20's is not imo gunna improve much more, u have over spent imo on a squad player in a position I are fully stocked in!

Nothing suprises about big Al GDS, every Liverpool fan that pops over loves to call syd on his prediction last season but I remember AL frequently stating on here that not only will Lallana start for England but he will star for them! How did that go AL?

Mohawk I've seen ure petty jibes at EFC on thier page a while back and must say u a are 1 ain't ya lol!

@ Aggers Mohawk

How does Liverpool already having two better players than Lallana possibly reflect on Manchester United? If you mean because Lallana would "walk into" our team, I tend to disagree. Lallana is best when played centrally and given license to roam, which is probably where he will play for Liverpool given his inflated price tag in order to try and influence the game. We already have Mata, Kagawa and Rooney who can fill that role in our team, all of whom are far superior players to Lallana (although Kags hasn't done it as often as he would have liked for us).

As for our decline, let me remind you that Liverpool were 7th in the 2012/13 season and managed to come 2nd last year (a success in their eyes despite an almighty collapse that blew the league title). Last season was a blip, we know it and better still, you know it too. That's why the Man Utd obsession continues across the country.

There is absolutely no reason why we can not do the same next season as LFC did this past season, or go one better and win the league. We have a better squad of players (most of them champions as little as 15 months ago) and are spending big money on fresh, young, fantastic players, money that we generate as the World's biggest football club. We also have a new manager who is proven at the highest level all over Europe.

I'd bet any money that Manchester United finish higher than Liverpool (minus Suarez and with Gerrard another year older) in the 2014/15 season.

I know one thing, if United are second with three games to go and two of them at home and don't win the league we will not insult our own intelligence by passing the season off as a success. That is a small club, loser's mentality.

Believe - For a selling club like Liverpool second place is a massive achievement and something many of their fans will be telling their grandchildren about in years to come. Don't take that away from them!

I meant top with three games to go.

01 Jul 2014 15:45:55
I was over there yesterday, missed that post but I did see one where he said Suso is the best young midfielder in Europe, ahead of Pogba, Koke etc.

Needless to say I lol'd at that one!

CTR, football banter is always about petty jibes. Whether it's the number of league titles you've won or number of European cups you have. You give some you take some :)

I don't believe it was so difficult to understand. Lallana usually plays on the left when at Southampton, and made the team of the year. Your allowed your opinions on him but he is quite clearly not average. He would be better than all your current wide players such as when kagawa plays there or nani and Valencia.

I don't think you'd all be saying this if he was set to join Man United. It just comes across as bitter.

From an unbiased point of view I can say that I believe you have signed two good players that will no doubt improve you.

Believe, you could well do what Liverpool done last season. Although I'm skeptical you have 'a better squad'. Your first 11 should be stronger and you haven't got the clueless Moyes.l any longer (unfortunately, rather enjoying his reign)

If United finished 2nd next season I'm sure you'd me very happy though! Given where you were last. As long as your team makes improvement every season I don't see why you shouldn't be pleased. We didn't claim real success as in a trophy, but certainly a lot closer to becoming a rival season in season out.

And with the point of lallana being 'Average' yet he'd still get in your team. And saying we have 2 better players shows we have greater squad depth and not average like nani, Valencia and young in the ranks.

Lallana will probably fit into a Rodgers team quite well and I expect he will be a success at Liverpool, and quite possibly worth the money. Is he a great player? No.

Accusing Liverpool of wasting money on transfers is a little rich. Bebe? Young? Fellaini? Anderson? Djemba Djemba, Kleberson, Veron, Even Mata has yet to show he's worth anywhere near what we paid for him. With a few exceptions United's transfer dealings since selling Ronaldo have been less than stellar.

Whether Lallana, Shaw or Herrera are worth it will ultimately be determined by the team's results and economic structure. That's all the matters, it's a subjective business. Real Madrid may be able to make 85m work for Bale, but another club couldn't, what ever the outcome.

01 Jul 2014 16:52:32
Where in my post did I mention he was average Mohawk? I said he was decent!

How can u base an argument on how good he is in the same sentence as the words he USUALLY plays out om the left? So who is getting dropped for him on the left? Coutinho? Sterling?

Like I said he is a decent player! But imo its a lot of money for a squad player when u are fully stocked in that area and drastically need to improve your defence! Dnt u agree?

There has already been talk of replacing migs and that other lanky defender u brought for £10m (name escapes me) and then loaned straight out.

Its all banter and opinions mate, if u feel its a great deal for the club then no matter wot I or any1 says won't change your view. Its just mine that spending a large amount of money on him when apprently Sanchez is ment to sign to is a bit of a wase.

Lol gav, is that the same suso that continually keeps getting loans to bottom half league teams in europe? He has a point I meam wot is the likes of pogba doing really apart from starting and scoring in worldcup last 16 games!

Aggers, Lallana isn't average, I think he's a good player, but don't be fooled into thinking some of us are bitter. He is not a player I would have shouted about had he signed for us. A good player, but MU need to aim higher than Lallana. No offense!

Aggers Mohawk- I'm not sure why you're under the illusion that Lallana would get in to our team - but if I were you I would be more concerned about whether or not he will get into your team.

Personally I don't think he's any better than what you have and see him ending up being another squad player like Joe Allen. Considering you've blown the bulk of your transfer budget on him; that should be a pretty big worry too.

I'm sure you're chomping at the bit to reply pointing out that it's looking increasingly likely that you'll pick up 40-60m for Suarez; but if this is any indication of how Rodgers spends money I'm not sure if that's really of any consequence either. I wouldn't be at all surprised if some of that money's been spent in advance on Lallana too.

CTR

I wasn't specifically meaning you when I said 'Average' that is the opinions of others. l know you said he was decent.

Yes CTR for Southampton he USUALLY played on the left, but the great thing is he has flexibility. He can comfortably play on the right and centrally also. But in the position he played last season (On the left) he'd walk in for united. Whilst we have excellent young competition in reserve if needs be.

So he won't necessarily be taking the place of coutinho or sterling, he could fit in alongside them also. And as you know, it's a squad game.

I think a lot of people's judgement has been clouded by England's world cup performances. Lallana wasn't good at all, but every player who is managed by that man goes downhill. Sure thing is, you don't get in the team of the year if you don't have a bit about you.

The defence needs improving no doubt, which I'm sure will happen in the, coming weeks. We need a LB badly and a CB wouldn't go a miss either.

Aggers Afro - Is that the same PFA team of the year that has included world class players like Ashley Young (twice), Antonio Valencia, Nani, Glenn Johnson, Richard Dunne, Darren Fletcher, Pascal Chimbonda, James Milner and Scott Parker over the past five seasons?

He's had one passable season in the top flight and at 26 years of age is unlikely to get much better than he currently is. He rarely performs over 90 minutes and is subbed off more often than not. At £25m you've been well and truly mugged off by Southampton. I bet even Lallana (as an Everton fan) is having a little chuckle about it!

And how long did it take Van Persie to have a passable season? He is a quality player now, but it took him forever to hit the 20 goal mark in the league. He's has perhaps had 3 passable seasons at the age of 30.

He has got better with age and there's no reason why Lallana can't also with the manager of the year at the helm :)

01 Jul 2014 19:01:24
So u think he will fit along side coutinho and sterling? I feel sort for Henderson then mate, because he is gunna have to cover a hell of a lot of ground dnt u agree?

Yed he could do a job for us on the left ure right, I would swap him for young any day of the week. But to suggest this signing somehow shows how far we have fallen (your original point) is a bit off the mark.

Your sqaud is 'ok' not fantastic imo, the young players u talk about stepping up whem needed are? Ibe? 5 mins of 1st team football is it? Then? i'm afraid if your thinking liverpool signing Lallana is taking a forward step and suggesting the youngsters will play apart too, then maybe that shows u how far off the pace u really are mate.

U had ure chance and i'm afraid stevie me and ure team bottled it.

Aggers Afro -

RVP had shown enough to secure a move to a big club at the age of 21. Lallana is now 26 and still hasn't managed to secure a move to a big club.

If your team finishes all the way down in 7th I think it suggests that you are the ones 'off the pace' :) Enjoy watching us on your Wednesday nights

In the prem of course red seven. If we're not a big club, God knows what you're with less than half our European history :)

LOL Redseven. I couldn't have said it better myself.

Lallana is a decent player - nothing more.

I personally don't think he is better than the Liverpool player's currently occupying the position he would like to play in the Liverpool team; but that is just my opinion.

None of the of the signings Liverpool have made thus far, will improve their first 11.

Aggers, Liverpool are not a big European club anymore. We are.

You might have history, but so have we; and ours is far more recent and illustrious.

Yeah - we will enjoy watching Brendan getting owned in the CL.

Aggers Afro -

I'm not sure how you can still call Liverpool a big club - what with them having not won a domestic title for over 20 years!

To be fair though; second place last season was a great achievement for a selling club like Liverpool! McManaman, Owen, Alonso, Mascherano, Torres and soon Suarez.

Adam L is decent. But I wouldn't swap him for Mata, Rooney or Adnan and considering only two of them are likely to play at once for us I doubt we'd have been interested in him. If we didn't have other areas to address he'd have been a decent signing for the squad and that's it. Mind you, I don't think he'll be first choice at Liverpool unless Suarez leaves so it's a clkse call.

01 Jul 2014 11:31:37
A lot of people have said that paying £30m+ for Luke Shaw was a bad decision by United finanancially, but I think Liverpool paying £25m for Lallana is worse. Don't get me wrong, he is a decent player but I just don't see him being worth £25m. He's 26 and has had one decent PL season. In my eyes, £30m for Shaw is expensive, but for a player who is days away from being 19, has already played 2 PL seasons and was in the top 2/3 LB's in the country last season, it seems good value to me. I wonder if the Liverpool fans will be slating their own team for paying quite a lot of money for a just above average player? I doubt it eh.

I'm enjoying this 1 day old transfer window much more than last years already. It was suicidal on here last year, but this year, with the 2 early signings everyone has added confidence on more business being done. It's nice to come on here and read positive posts, no one coming on spouting miserable nonsense, long may it continue. All we need now is Kloot, does anyone know if he is still around, lurking under a different name? His miserable nonsense used to give me a laugh at least.

Lallana is one of the most average players I have ever seen. He has about ten minutes in ninety where he's any use and then goes missing and gets substituted off. Ever since the rumours linking him to Liverpool first started I've been hoping they would be stupid enough to blow £25m on him and now it's finally happened!

The deal for Shaw is the equivalent of buying shares in Apple back in 2006 before they launched the Iphone. The deal for Lallana is the equivalent of buying shares in Blockbuster video in 2006.

I actually use to enjoy kloots post, he used to alteast post with a passion and use to make some valid points.

He is technically superb and is one of the best balanced footballers in the premier league. I guess you wouldn't know what a avantages that would carry as you seem a good few sandwiches short of a picnic.
I don't mind banter but lallana average? He is a superb player and will shine next season.
I come on the.united page for some decent knowledgeable banter but you.just.find.yourself arguing with stupid
And shaw 18 costing cloae to 34million.actually is a.good deal? ;)

01 Jul 2014 12:12:57
If he had a different name I would imagine it would be ALL IN CAPITALS so I think he must have disappeared as it stands.

I agree the Lallana deal has cost Liverpool too much, and I think depending on if you are a United fan or a Liverpool fan you would think one deal is better than the other.

Both players are players that will improve each club and are young enough to get plenty of years out of. I think Shaw is probably the better signing, but we paid £5 million more so he should be, but at the end of the day they are players both club wanted and both clubs have paid money they can afford, so all in all both decent deals in my opinion, but we will get more from Shaw than they will get from Lallana.

If Suarez was to stay then Lallana would improve Liverpool slightly, that being said it doesn't mean they would have a better season than last season. But if they sell Suarez and bring in say Shaqiri and Lallana, then Lallana and Shaqiri are not better than Coutinho and Suarez. Even Sanchez and Lallana isn't as good as Suarez and Coutinho. So if Suarez leaves next year, they will be significantly weaker regardless of who they sign. Regardless of what we all think of Suarez, we all worry when he's on the field. All defences worry about him. I would not worry about Lallana, Sanchez, Shaqiri or Markovic in the same way. Sanchez is possible for Liverpool, but even he can be hit and miss at times and for me Liverpool lose their fear factor the moment Suarez leaves Liverpool.

GDS, I agree with that. I think both are good signings for each club. I expect Shaw to be a better left winger than Lallana within a couple of years, he's not far off of him now and there's an eight year gap. So it's hard to say Shaw will not be the better signing. Shaw is just 18 years old. He still has a few more years of growth but is already a beast. Time will tell, but I wanted us to sign Shaw, I didn't want us to sign Lallana. I am hoping we set our sights higher than Lallana.

Syndey, Liverpool have a better win rate without Suarez, Liverpool tend to play more as a cohesive unit without Suarez, Lallana is a great football, with tremendous technical ability and work rate, he will quite obvioulsy improve Liverpool, especially as they're lacking in depth.

If Suarez goes, Liverpool would likely sign Sanchez (part of the deal), Moreno and Lovren, I think those 3 in exchange for Suarez will improve them dramatically.

A team of Mignolet, Flannagan, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno, Gerrard, Coutinho/Can, Henderson, Sanchez, Sturridge, Sterling/Lallana would be better than it is now with Suarez.

Lallana is above average, he is a good player. But I don't believe he is a CL level, £25m player. Shaw on the other hand will most likely be the best left-back in the world, certainly top three, in the next 3-5 years. Also, Liverpool will have to drop one of Sterling or Coutinho to accomodate Lallana, both of whom are better players than him imo. Even if they lose Suarez, surely Lallana is not his replacement? So one of those two will have to drop out.

Big Al -

It looks like you're a few words short of a vocabulary. I'm assuming that you intended to suggest that I do not know 'average'?

While perhaps I don't have as good a measure of it as you (in my defense - you have spent the past 20 years watching it every season) - I can tell you that Lallana is very much an average player.

As I mentioned - Lallana is capable of some great moments; but what good is that when he goes missing for the rest of the match? There's a reason he was the most substituted player in the league last season and it's the same reason why he only managed 90 minutes in one of the six England games over the past month.

I understand why you come to this page for knowledgeable posts as there aren't too many of those on the Liverpool page. It must be terrible being a pool fan! If it makes you feel any better though; I go to the Liverpool page every now and again when I'm in need of decent laugh - and you guys never disappoint!

I agree Lallana is average and I've repeatedly said that when people wanted him here. I also think £30m is too much for Shaw but at least he could be worth it in time bags of potential.

01 Jul 2014 13:08:41
McRonald,

If you believe any of what you just typed you are utterly deluded. This whole 'better win ratio without Suarez' nonsense only works if you played the exact same teams without Suarez as you did with Suarez.

I am guessing being a better team without Suarez only works when it fits your argument, how can any team be better without its best player and one of the best in the world? None of your other players are near world class, so clearly without Suarez you will be a weaker side. Your post is basically saying that replacing Suarez with Sanchez would improve your team, absolutely crazy thing to say.

01 Jul 2014 13:18:14
Lallana is a good player, technical etc but for me he runs out of puff after 60 minutes, so that could cause problems with liverpools style. Also is he better than what they already have, not really.

Carvalho had a 90% pass accuracy at the world cup 78.8% of which being forward passes.

GDS2, my point is without the Suarez money, they won't be able to sign the forementioned players and being totally honest, what team would you rather have :

Mignolet, Johnson, Skretl, Sakho, Enrique, Gerrard, Henderson, Can, Sterling, Suarez, Sturridge

or

Mignolet, Flannagan, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno, Gerrard, Henderson, Can/Coutinho, Sanchez, Sturridge, Lallana, Sterling

Ofcourse Suarez would be a a huge loss, he's arguably the greatest player on the planet, on current form, however with the Suarez money + Sanchez they would be able to improve their team dramatically, compared to what they currently have, thus improving their team.

Another thing that is hysterical, you've all bombarded Liverpool with the classic "you have no depth" phrase, yet now they're signing good players which will give them quality in depth, you're saying, Player A isn't better than player B, but the whole point of signing player A is to add depth.

I rate both lallana and shaw.
Both where on long term contracts and Southampton didn't need to sell so they where never going to be cheap .
Both good signings for there clubs imo

Rewz
Carvalho may of had a 90% pass completion rate but holland had 3rd worse pass c/p of any team in the wc but have played some of the best football.
Sometimes it what you do with it that counts

McRonaldo -

If selling Suarez enables Liverpool to play with 12 players rather than 11 then there might be some merit to suggestions that they will be better off selling him.

I'd still probably pick the team with Suarez in though - especially as your chances of signing Sanchez are exceedingly slim!

McRonald, the fact is you don't pay £25m for a player to sit on the bench. Rodgers like any other manager will have an idea of his best team and Lallana will undoubtedly be in there because of the fee regardless of his performances. My point is, Lallana will replace either Sterling or Coutinho in his "Best XI", despite both being better players. That is why the comparison and questioning is relevant.

Sydney your tripping over your own words and losing all viability.
You said coutinho was a decent' players months back to now excellent player that would scare you with suarez? Coutinho without your opinion is an top 21yearold footballer, inconsistent but young.
Its a squad game. And whoever said average? You are too used to watching united ;)

01 Jul 2014 15:08:36
Mcronald,

I get you are trying to prove a point, but why would selling Suarez enable you to play Flanagan instead of Johnson at right back and why is there no mention of Coutinho in the first team?

I think quite clearly everybody reading that would rather have the team with Suarez in it, and anyone saying otherwise is a liar.

McRonald, you are forgetting one thing. You would have signed the likes of Lovren, Can, Lallana, Moreno regardless of selling Suarez. So the real question is who better Suarez or Sanchez?

Suarez.

What about squad rotation and keeping players fresh . Both couthino and sterling looked like they needed a few games off last season.add to the fact sterling is only 19 and shouldn't be over played .
Suarez, sturridge, couthino, lallana sterling gives BR options I don't see what the problem is .

Al, Coutinho is a decent player, nothing special. I said Suarez was a player defences feared, not Coutinho. I said Coutinho and Suarez is a better two than Lallana and Shaqiri or Lallana and Sanchez.

It was a silly post by me, really sorry fellas. I was totally forgetting that Lallana was a whole year younger than Fabregas and that he is a better player and Liverpool got the better deal. I will try to do better in future.

Thanks Al, gave me a great laugh that one.

Jred, I don't think that has any relevance to this actual discussion. People are clearly debating Liverpool's strongest eleven, not matchday 18.

However you make a valid point of your own that Liverpool will need more quality having more games to play next season. You are right about Sterling.

Sterling looked knackered towards the end of the season even though he didn't get introduced as a first team regular until December.

There will be more fixtures, more tiredness, therefore more injuries. I am not sure they have the squad to cope with the type of injuries we have had.

Syd
Few teams pick the same 11 game after game by having a stronger squad you cam pick a stronger 11 on a more regular basis .
after reading the op again am not sure the debate is about what liverpools strongest 11 is.
it look more about if lallana is a good player or average.
fir what its worth I rate him I think he is a BR type player and gives liverpool good options.
as does shaw for us .

Jred, I agree with that my friend.

Surely the difference is that Shaw will improve United's first XI, whereas Lallana will improve Liverpool's bench.

Prof Frink -

Add to that the fact that Shaw will improve whilst Lallana will not get much better, Shaw will increase in value whilst Lallana will never be worth £25m, Shaw will be the best LB in the world in 6 years time with 8 years ahead of him at the top of his game whilst Lallana will be retiring - and you've hit the nail on the head!

01 Jul 2014 08:54:31
We may well see a lull in our transfer activity atm as several of our targets may well be still playing at the world cup.

De Vrij and Vermaelen are still playing and they seem likely targets for centre back according to reports.

For the No.6 role then Blind and De Jong have been touted, as well as maybe Carvalho.

Both Depay and Sanchez appear to be the obvious choices for a new wide man.

So 5 of the 7 are still at the world cup, and the two that aren't(Carvalho and Sanchez) will be very hard to get as there will be loads of interest in them from other parties.

De Vrij, Vermaelen, Blind and Depay seem the most likely targets who we can pull off, all are still at the world cup and none will be done until they are out.

Shappy, I watched a bit of Carvalho last week and he sits nicely in front of CBs and his distribution is very good. Tidy on the ball, doesn't panic, he's strong and I can see exactly why the likes of RM, Monaco, Chelsea etc have had an interest in him. I don't think he's a £37m player yet, but if we can get him for around £25m I would be very happy.

This transfer ticks all the boxes for MU. It's a Herrera type transfer fee, but he would be on low wages, therefore the overall package will be cheap. Not to mention he's a client of Jorge Mendes. I think he will be our next signing, either him or De Vrij.

I'm convinced LVG wants Strootman just read what he has already said about him. If i'm right I can't see us going for Carvallho. Yet a lot of rumours pointing to us doing exactly that so i'm confused. I really hope we go all out for Vidal. So my hopes are maybe getting the better of me. Carvallho, Strootman Herrera would certainly be a formidable mid 3.

Carvalho passing isn't great, haven't watched him in the world cup to be fair .
I would of though lvg would go for more of a play maker in the 6 but who knows

I agree that we will see a lull, I don't think we will sign our next player until a week or two after the World Cup final. Players will be going on holiday also and may want a break.

In my mind we are going to be negotiating with Juventus for a while to see if we can get Vidal. If it is true that we have been quoted a fee and that he would like to join then it may not take too long - but all of our moves seem to take years. If and when we fail to get Vidal, then I think the William Carvalho deal will probably go through but he and de Jong are very much backups for Vidal.

As for a center back, a majority of the press think that the fee is agreed for de Vrij and personal terms will be sorted in the coming weeks. Vermaelen is the opposite, the fee hasn't been finalized but he has agreed personal terms.

But as you say, I don't think too much will get done during the rest of the tournament. But seeing as Chile are out hopefully we can crack on with Sanchez and Vidal negotiations.

He's no Scholes or Pirlo agreed, he cannot pick a man out anywhere on the field with a long pass, but he's very accurate and can spread play out wide comfortably. He usually passes the ball to the attacking midfielder or the wingers. Importantly he isn't slow on the ball and that will be an instant improvement from Carrick who dwells on the ball for far too long and turns around and passes it to a defender. We will not get that with Carvalho. I have only seen a couple Sporting games and 45 minutes against the USA in the WC so I am by no means an expert on him, but from what I have seen he is a major improvement from what we have and he's just 21. I have read a through scouting reports from the internet and a lot of it ties in with what I have seen in those few games.

Agree with syd carvalho turns defence into attack with one or two(at most) touches,this is something we have been missing for years and he is a very accurate passer too ,gonna stick my neck out and say he will go on to be one of the very best and if we don't get him we will be talking about him the same way we do about silva etc.

I do hope we go for Carvalho. He has all the qualities mentioned here, he will allow the attacking midfielders more freedom, and he is a young player that will only develop more in time.

Expensive now, but at that age, he could hold down the middle for the next decade, potentially.