Markovic would have been good to keep in the squad. I guess Firmino and Ibe are going to play down that right side. It would have been handy to keep Markovic for games where Clyne needs some protection..
Originally Posted by ChristmasCake: “Markovic would have been good to keep in the squad. I guess Firmino and Ibe are going to play down that right side. It would have been handy to keep Markovic for games where Clyne needs some protection..”
It seems that Rodgers is distancing himself from the committee signings whilst pressing on with giving opportunities the players that he apparently punted for, regardless of form.
Has been Markovic less deserving of a chance this season that the like of Lallana and Loverns?
Originally Posted by Eddie hunter: “It seems that Rodgers is distancing himself from the committee signings whilst pressing on with giving opportunities the players that he apparently punted for, regardless of form.
Has been Markovic less deserving of a chance this season that the like of Lallana and Loverns?”
For me, Markovic improved as last season went on, with the little amount of time he played.
Lovren has been pretty good this season, I don't see any issue with him being in the side.
But yeah, Rodgers has this obsession with 'attitude' and it seems his signings have good 'attitude' and the committee signings don't..
I did not know Markovic before he signed but when I saw we had spent 20m I thought he would be used more than he ended up being. I do think there is possibly a decent player there - we saw it in the 15 minutes V Basel before he got sent off which ironically was maybe his best spell as a LFC player - but I am not sure 20m for that kind of player was exactly wise use of our money. I think he has hopes to play international football and that is not going to happen when you are not even in the 18 selected at your club so you cannot blame him for moving and at all times his attitude at LFC has been good.
It is still 'early days' but it does appear that this season the transfer dealings have been a lot better in terms of
a) how much we spend (not over much unless it is for a player who is going straight into the first team)
and
b) what kind of players we get (older and preferably with PL experience whose attitude is right).
I still do not agree with all that has happened with Lovren being in the team especially I(altho yes he was good V AFC I know) and also there are people like Sakho and Lucas to name two who are far more on the edge of things than I would like + also Texeira and Illori to name others but so far the results have been good and we are getting far nearer to where I want us to be squad wise so lets be positive. Borini and Enrique leaving are the two other wishes most fans would want before the end of the window so lets hope it happens.
These problems arise a bit though cos of having such a big squad and for every game only 18 can be named so even if someone is part of BRs plans it may appear that he isn't. Topically with the draw having been today the EL could be a way of at least partly addressing that.
We've been drawn against Rubin Kazan, Bordeaux and FC Sion.
Trip to Russia is gonna be a bit of a bitch, but distance wise we haven't done terribly. France and Switzerland ain't too far in the grand scheme of things, especially when you see the distance Dortmund will have to travel in total this season.
Originally Posted by Dandem: “We've been drawn against Rubin Kazan, Bordeaux and FC Sion.
Trip to Russia is gonna be a bit of a bitch, but distance wise we haven't done terribly. France and Switzerland ain't too far in the grand scheme of things, especially when you see the distance Dortmund will have to travel in total this season.”
I'm happy with that draw. Not the worst in terms of travel and no teams there we should be worried about but at the same time all with decent pedigree who we will need to respect - no easy games in other words. A decent challenge for the EL squad, what ever that looks like. Add in the League Cup games and we've got enough matches for everyone hopefully.
Originally Posted by kobashi100: “Wouldn't be surprised to see another offer come in for sakho. Being dropped from the French squad may see him push for the club to allow him to leave.”
I dont the club could allow him to leave now. january maybe but it's too late now.
Would leave us short in Centre half with Toure and a raw Illori.
I doubt Markovic will be seen playing in a Liverpool shirt again. If Rodgers has no need for him despite a squad so paper thin that he was bringing a 16 year old on against Arsenal, not to mention a European campaign to deal with, then Markovic is finished at Anfield.
Originally Posted by Double Helix: “I doubt Markovic will be seen playing in a Liverpool shirt again. If Rodgers has no need for him despite a squad so paper thin that he was bringing a 16 year old on against Arsenal, not to mention a European campaign to deal with, then Markovic is finished at Anfield.”
That's quite a tough EL draw; we're up against three very capable, European experienced teams. It could actually work in our favour as these are at least well known teams and there will be no under-estimating them or turning up thinking it's an easy game against a 'minnow'.
I know many people hate the Thursday games and the EL in general ( Kobashi? ), but I'm sure many of you have noticed that we slipped into pot 2 for this draw as last season's results weren't good enough to keep our co-efficient competitive. So, like it or not, there is an importance to doing well in this competition as when we do get back into the CL we don't really want to be in pot 3 and definitely not pot 4!
I didn't expect Markovic to leave this window as it was only a couple of weeks ago BR was commenting on how he expected him ( and Moreno and Sakho ) to be a contributing member of our squad. I guess he's maybe just a little too expensive to have sitting around doing not a lot most of the time. I agree with seellee, a loan for Ibe might have made more sense; it'll be interesting to see how both players get on.
Last few days of the window and I'm struggling to see any more first 11 signings for us now, though I still think a genuine winger type or someone who can actually cross a ball would be useful. But as long as Lucas and Sakho are still here come Tuesday evening, I'll be happy enough.
Originally Posted by Double Helix: “I doubt Markovic will be seen playing in a Liverpool shirt again. If Rodgers has no need for him despite a squad so paper thin that he was bringing a 16 year old on against Arsenal, not to mention a European campaign to deal with, then Markovic is finished at Anfield.”
I think it's unlikely also. If we're playing 4231 or 433 then we'll have Firmino, Ibe, Lallana and maybe Origi, Coutinho and possibly even Moreno vying for those wide roles.
When (if) Sturridge comes back and stays fit then I suspect Rodgers will try and play with 2 up top which could mean we play either the diamond again or 4312. If that happens then there would certainly be no room for Markovic, whereas the other players we have (aside from Ibe) can easily slot into central roles.
Can't say I'm upset though. Aside from that volley against Sunderland that hit the bar and a couple of runs he never looked convincing. Didn't help that he spent most of his time playing as a wing-back but then Rodgers demands versatility from players.