I think together in a 4-4-2 diamond but I think we will have options to go with Benteke up on his own with 3 players behind him.

Sturridge is a lot better when he a player beside him I am not sure if Benteke is the right player though.

Health warning - this is from a year or so ago but it's a bit about Origi: http://wp.me/p3lcjP-1Vq. It reflects the fact that the World Cup certainly was not reflective of his wider career to date.

We're paying £32.5m for him. Of course he's not going to be second choice behind Sturridge, and if he is, then whomever sanctioned the bid needs sacking and fined £32.5m. He's capable of being a lone-striker, which we wanted Mario to do, and so he'll do that while Sturridge is out, then maybe play alongside him when they are both fit.

Really not interested in suppositions until we know for sure he will be playing for us - and then it is all down to what our manager has in mind.

That sounds fair enough, but if you were to play them both together, how would that affect your midfield pairings, you would then be a man down, or have one less to play in that area.

If it does go through, it will certainly give you more options, but quite how this all fits together for you, I am not sure.

Then it's a good thing the team is experienced in using 3 at the back formations.

We've played two up front, or one up & one off, many times; in fact I'd say the 442 diamond is our best lineup.
However, expect Liverpool to play a few different formations as the games come and go as we now look to have the personnel to play 3 or 4 formations competently whenever we choose.

If we're still lacking anything in depth, it might be in back-up full-backs. If Clyne and Moreno are first choice, are Ward and Gomez second choices until Flanno is fit again? I saw BR's comment that he wasn't going to send Gomez out on loan, so he must have plans to play him, and we're not short of CB's .

I really hope Liverpool play a 4-3-1-2 formation. It's the only formation I see value in our signings. Once again, I don't see an overall improvement in the first-team. Also, you are looking at Allen, Lallana, Lovern and Markovic all being out of the team - That's £80M worth of talent there. Such a waste.

Milners first goal for the club

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewenTHN7ouQ

LFC could bank up to £10m from the two games in Australia having been paid appearance fees and picking up the gate receipts. (James Pearce)

That's nearly half the Pedro money.

Do you mean Wisdom? (not Ward). Have not seen any of the pre season (like many I refuse to pay LFC TV the money) apart from the goals but if Gomez is an alternative LB to Moreno then that is good as we need one - and Enrique is not really an option any more it seems.

Re the Studge Benteke debate I see no issue with Benteke sometimes not being selected despite the big fee, I like the fact that the options seem to be any two from Studge, Benteke, Ings or Origi which has to better than last season's choices. Obviously Benteke will play a lot but BR will not be afraid to rotate it a bit I hope. I think it unlikely that 2 of those four will play as strikers (tho Origi may play wide) as we would have to lose a midfield player or play 3 at the back and I do not want either of those 2 options. I see quite a lot of support around the net for Mario to stay - I think people here are letting their hearts rule their heads as him at LFC has not worked and selling him will raise money and save wages and with the 4 listed above we are OK in that area. Lambert and Borini will also go I expect which will bring more money in so it should end up with not too much of a spend overall.

Would not object to Saleh as he was good a Basle and did not really get a fair chance at CFC but not that bothered with Ibe and Markovic around, would be keener on Pedro but doubt that will happen, want Lovren out but that does not look likely now but overall fairly happy with the window - but ask me for a more informed evaluation once I have seen us play a few times - in the PL!!

I still get the feeling people think Benteke is just a big lump that hangs around up front similar to Andy Carroll and all he is is a target man.

He's got so much more variety to his game and if you look at his 42 PL goals there is all sorts in there. Free kicks, headers, running at players, scoring from outside the area etc etc. he also sets them up. I think he's a much better player than people think. If he played abroad and not for Villa. Say for Dortmund I think people would be more excited!

So are Liverpool interested in Pedro?

He's quality - 49 goals in 101 appearances says that and he's not at hus peak yet. Certainly a handful when he's on his A game. We're paying over the odds but that's almost inevitable if we are to compete. As you say, he has good all-round attributes. We can't attract the gold standard strikers so have to pay top dollar for the best of the rest. Some physicality up front is needed at times and he's a ruthless finisher when the service is right.

Thanks, Alan, yeah, I meant Wisdom. I don't know why, but it's not the first time I've mixed up those names.

That new all-white strip looks really nice as well.
In fact, New Balance have done quite a good job on all three of their first season kits; simple traditional designs using plain single colours, a good formula for selling kits to actual football fans.
Personally, I'm never the biggest fan of black kits, but this new one is ok, and the Red and White for home and away both look very good efforts.

Indeed, he's pretty good technically and is no slouch either. More like Drogba than Carroll. Although it's hard not to get excited at the prospect of finally being a threat again from corners and set pieces. The guy's got a mean leap on him!

Perhaps he can also take over Stevie's role when defending corners, getting rid of anything that comes into that near post area.

Great goal by Stevie for LA weird seeing him like that he was still good enough for us

But gotta move on, let's hope are signings do better this time, I'm excited for Firmino.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuElujZv6_Q

Looks like Jomez will not only be staying but will have every chance of playing in the first team.

Rodgers sounds really impressed by him:



Every window we are linked with him so I would say no.

Even if we are I think it would be extremely difficult to get him. The media say Utd, Chelsea and PSG want him.

It would be a big ask to beat all those clubs in a race for Pedro.

I only think he leaves if a club triggers his release clause as turan can't play and barca would be short without Pedro.

Enrique doesn't want to lose him.

Bent necks medical on Monday

Time to eat some humble pie.

Yup, im very surprised.

Liverpool 'reach agreement with Aston Villa for Christian Benteke'
Last Updated: 19/07/15 10:00am



Liverpool and Aston Villa have reached an agreement over the sale of striker Christian Benteke, according to Sky sources.

Liverpool have already met the £32.5m release fee clause in Benteke's contract and the two Premier clubs have been in talks over the weekend over the finer details of the Belgium international's transfer.

Benteke, who has two years remaining on his Villa contract, has scored 49 goals in 101 appearances for the club since he joined from Genk in 2012.

SSN

Job done.

Rodgers confirmed that gomez will not be going out on loan and will challenge for the first XI this season.