Donatello

I noticed the way he conceded possession on the half-way line with a short pass, minutes before half-time.

Given that we're playing away at Anfield with an unsettled side, I'm happy with the performance. JWP should stay on the pitch for me, since we're going to lack fluency regardless of who comes on (i.e. Long) and his set pieces are perhaps our most dangerous goal threat.

Given that we're playing away at Anfield with an unsettled side, I'm happy with the performance. JWP should stay on the pitch for me, since we're going to lack fluency regardless of who comes on (i.e. Long) and his set pieces are perhaps our most dangerous goal threat.

Oh, was he really? I did not know that. Live and learn and stuff.

It's called history/context, mate. It doesn't cease to exist because a player moves.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/aug/15/dejan-lovren-i-never-expected-to-be-somebody Lovren puff piece. Supposedly he was close to joining Liverpool last year (although the article makes no attempts to justify this nonsense). No mention of his antics either (or any mention of his Southampton career, really).

The chivalrous Pochettino prefers to disrupt players behind closed doors.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/aug/14/southampton-sign-shane-long-hull The Guardian are suggesting that we're interested in Townsend, with the possibility of JRod going the other way (as a condition of the deal).

You what, sonny-boyo?!

Cheers for the information, Steve.

That's a tactical decision. Not every player can attack.

He scored 7 league goals last season. He'll probably hit similar levels this year. £1.2m is a snip.

My thoughts exactly. Furthermore, if their second place finish was no fluke, how could they possibly be surprise champions, let alone the champions we're all apparently craving for.

Apologies if already posted (although it's only just appeared on the BBC's live stream) : Dan Roan BBC Sport #PLPredictions Posted at 11:11 "1. Liverpool, 2. Chelsea, 3. Man City, 4. Arsenal, Bottom three: Southampton, Burnley, Leicester. "Most people will understandably write Liverpool off having lost their best player & with the added burden of Europe again. But last season was no fluke. The runners-up have reinvested the Suarez cash wisely, and for the first time in years have proper strength in depth and a solid defence. "In Sterling, Coutinho and Sturridge they also possess the kind of young, attacking talent that will only improve, and which can compensate for the departure of their former talisman. Liverpool can go one better than last year, and be the surprise champions the premier league so desperately needs. There will be life after Luis, just you watch."

Morgan's not going to be here for long, and how you can possibly elevate Reed above a first team player of three years, I do not know. Furthermore, JWP had a so-so season last year and Davis has never (well, rarely) been a starting CM for us - although Koeman clearly rates him in said berth.

Because the club have deemed that he shouldn't be sold. He has a point? Pfffft.

All true enough. I think adding a winger simply provides versatility to the current squad. Different options and all that. Ultimately, it's going to be JRod/Pelle/Tadic, so Long and winger will become rotation/impact players.

Anders Lindegaard on a free?

Greedy.

Haha, failed to C&P correctly, obviously i.e. 'often 'shoved' out on the left' and 'rarely plays there'. Apologies.

I remember *everyone* saying we *need* another striker.

David Silva is 'shoved' out on the left, but he rarely often plays there. The width at which a player can play varies, shockingly. It is incumbent upon our full-backs to provide the width. Edit: I'm not suggesting that there isn't a degree a risk with him playing there, because there is, but I'm of the opinion that he certainly has the physical attributes to play there, probably has the mental attributes, and potentially has the technical attributes.

Haha, that's just about the size of it

Yes, I'd be delighted.