George Costanza

:D fucking quality.

If the latter is the case then a) Figo's a fool &/or b) it would reaffirm that he's just looking for a final pay day & not necessarily playing at the highest level. For a complete random name for right midfield how about Luis Gonzalez. Granted I've only seen him a couple of times but I was very impressed with him when Argentina played Brazil recently. And if he can keep Javier Zanetti out of the starting line up he can't be bad. Think he plays for River Plate.

i'm sure if the asking price was lowered their would be a few interested parties. I still believe he'll stay at Betis for another season and have a crack at the Champions League with them. Betis could be a potential banana skin for us the 3rd qualifier.

Any news about Figo? Guilem Ballague seems to think we turned down the opportunity to sign him. If we can't afford to sign the likes of SWP and Joaquin I do think Figo could do a good job for us for a couple of years.

IF this is true then its a blow becasue I would have loved SWP at Anfield but £18m is massively over priced. Joaquin will stay at Betis another year I think. Especially now there in the Champions League (i never thought we could have afforded him anyway) Maybe Rafa believes he can get a 'johnny unknown' for much less who will do just a good a job for the team next season? We have to trust his judgement. Also anyone thought where Garcia's going to fit in next year? Rafa's continually said he likes playing with wingers.... Luis is certainly not a natural wide player, which leaves him playing centrally but we have Nando, Cisse and possibly Kuyt. Possibilties I guess 8)

individually Baros is a far superior player to Crouch but at the end of that day its about what rafa thinks they can add to the team/squad.

Where do you think Owen will be playing his football next season & If he does join another Premiership club I hope you won't be afraid to kick him up in the air :D

Can't the club allowing Baros to run down his contract and similarly I can't see Baros settling for a place on the bench (if that) next season with the World Cup coming up.

Can I ask the question why everyone seems to think we'll have £30m to spend?? I know its been the figure generally being banded around papers, forums etc but does anyone not think Rafa might not be given more than that? The guys just brought back number 5, despite our poor league form I believe progress is being made. The board would be foolish IMO not to back him to the hilt. Rafa has said on numerous occasions that the squad needs significant improvement and I'm sure he things similar of his possible strongest XI. Now I don't mean go out & spend fortunes but is not inconcievable that even forgetting any income recouped from player sales he might be able to go out and spend a relatively substantial amount on one or two players. Just a thought like

Figo: I want Reds move Jun 13 2005 By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo Luis Figo in action for Real Madrid LIVERPOOL are considering a move for Real Madrid superstar Luis Figo after the Portuguese international offered his services to the European champions. However, manager Rafa Benitez still needs convincing to swoop for the 32-year-old. Figo's representatives contacted Anfield officials after the right midfielder was told he was surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu. Figo is keen to move to the Premiership, but the reaction thus far hasn't been as enthusiastic as he'd hoped. He's also in talks with Marseille. Although Figo wouldn't command a huge transfer fee, his wages would certainly be a significant factor. Benitez is also concerned about how hungry the player would be to make a major impact at Anfield as he enters the twilight years of an illustrious career. Liverpool will sign a right-sided midfielder during their brief closed season and Figo is one of numerous options. "I have been linked with Liverpool and Manchester United. Almost every player would like to play for either of those teams and I am no different," said Figo. "I have always said that the Premiership is a competition I would like to play in one day and that's not changed. But I have a family to think about, too, and it's important that I make the right final decision for them. "The Premiership has improved so much over the last few years and many of the world's best players are signing for clubs in England. "It's very different to the Spanish League, but I am sure that I will be able to adapt to it if I ever moved there."

Voted 4th. Obviously a lot will depend on who we bring in over the next coupleof months. I've no doubt we will be considerably better in the league than we were last season but 19-37 points is an awful lot to make up on the top 3.

If were not prepared to gamle on signings then we'll never get anywhere. Of course expensive buys are more of a gamble than cheaper ones but often the rewards can be greater.

would cost a fair bit wouldn't it?

Couldn't agree more. Lets hope were proven wrong though :yes:

Alonso's been a class act (when fit) but Luis is still a bit of an enigma. His goal tally has been great, he scored some very important goals & when on form is a joy to watch BUT too often he goes missing in games (particulalrly away from home) and if his fancy flicks don't come off he can be more a hinderance to the team than an asset. Saying that I believe he will improve further next season & maybe keep it a tad more simple on occasions. Its great that we're going to bring in players & develop them here at Anfield (i'm all for that - makes winning things far more rewarding than when you've just gone out & bought proven players) BUT IMO we're already at a key stage in Rafa's rebuilding plans. We have the fantastic attraction of being European Champions, now more than anytime I believe we should bring in at least one top, top quality player which will hopefully help us significantly reduce the gap between us & Chelsea/Arsenal. IMO SWP would be one such player.

By the sounds of that we'll be bringing in a bunch of squad players & not enough players of real quality :no

I'd be suprised If we didn't make a move for SWP sooner rather than later.

Would be a good signing for Everton. I believe we can do better.

Good player Not sure where he would fit in though. Guess he would be another possibility :D

I cannot disagree. I desperately wanted us to sign Duff. I was over the moon when we signed Kewell.... look how thats turned out so far. Anyway thats the past & Rafa is the future. I might have reservations about some possible signings but I trust the man. Whoever we sign will get my full support whether they were my ideal choice or not. We've shown in one off situations we can match anyone in the world, now its time to do it on a consistent basis.

forgetting wages which is more a long term thing Anelka & Duff were still £6m more expensive than Diao, Diouf & Cheyrou. Everything is great in hindsight & while those 3 signings could have been seen as the demise of Houlliers tenature, Diouf looked excellent in the world cup (& has done very well for Bolton this season) and I was impressed with Cheyrou when I saw him playing for Lille in the Champions League. IMO every signing is a potential gamble... whatever the player has done previously can mean nothing when he moves to a new club. Some of todays worlds best might struggle in the Premiership.... you never know. While an unfashionable no mark thrives.

Could we have afforded both Anelka & Duff?? While I have to admit being slightly/very disappointed with the likes of Crouch, Prutton, Boa Morte & Zenden (who i really dislike btw) being linked. I'm sure Rafa has other targets who are potentially more likely to go straight into a 1st choice eleven and those mentioned previously are only possible squad players. Or is that just blind faith??

Have to say the thought of us signing Peter Crouch hardly fills me with excitement. While I think he's better than some people make out, I do not think he'll add the desired qualities to our squad. IMO anyway. For the amount of money being talked about I would have thought/hoped there might be better options available. Who am I though to question a man who has just led us to European glory though.

Xabi & Xavi ran the show when Spain played England. Xabi's injury has obviously put him down the pecking order but I would be amazed if he wasn't 1st choice come the World Cup.

Pellegrino is not getting his contract renewed