Top 5 targets for liverpool

1.ADAM LALLANA

Southampton forward & Captain Adam Lallana is one of the main & foremost targets of the Reds who want to bolster their attacking strength even more.They have a very small squad which is good for epl but this year they will have european commitments which can challenge the strength & fitness of players.Rodgers is aware of the fact & that's why he wants to bolster the attack even more so that he can more attacking players so that even if injury happrns to one of them they did not need to worry.first on this list is lallana who is talented young player who can play as a centre forward & can also come from the wings.so,he can really bolster the attack of the reds even more whichn already consists of the likes of suarez & sturridge,.Southampton is demanding a fee of $30 milliion & the two teams are yet to agree on a common deal.Rodgers want the player for $25 million but southampton are demanding more so it will remained to be seen whether he will come to anfield or not.

2.WILFRIED BONY

Second on the list is Rodgers former team swansea city ivorian forward wilfried bony.He has fantastic season with the wales club swansea with his holding capabilities & the knack of scoring goals will only add to liverpool strength.furthermore he is also willing to play in a champions league team this season.And,Reds style of play will suite him far better.So,he can also be a prized asset for the Reds.considering the fact that rodgers likes to play with the youngsters more & with the age not a problem for bony he can be a good buy for Rodgers.This deal looks to be done.Let's see what happens whether bony will become a kopite or not.

3.ASHLEY COLE

this year,defence was the major problem for the reds which is one of the main reasons because of which they lost the title to mancherster city.So,no doubt he Rodgers is trying to bolster his defense also.flanagan being a natural rightback & forced to play as a leftback because of injury to jose enrique so leftback is what he will be seeking for.And who better than ashley cole can play in that position.Although,he is 33 as of now but he still a lot to offer & already quitting international cricket he will only focus on club football.so,he is best for the leftback position for the reds & with chelsea not extending his contract anymore he is now a free agent.So,Rodgers may not have much problems in making this deal.with other rich clubs from outside england are willing to buy him but as cole said he wants to stay in england so that can only add to rodgers advantage only.

4.JAVIER MASCHERANO

former red mascherano who went to barcelona in 2010 is now not fitting in barca plans anymore.After struggling as a center back this season in barca he is willing to leave the club.And,which can the best place for him other than his former club liverpool where he got all his fame that lended him in barca.
he was a holding midfielder earlier he can be reinstated in that place again.with gerrard playing as a holding midfielder this season & no one to help him out he will be the ideal partner for gerrard.And with mascherano playing that holding it can give gerrard more breathing space & he can attack more & burst forward more which is his natural instinct.But,with other clubs also willing to buy him he can be togh ask for rodgers with limited purse on his disposal.

5.PEDRO

another barcelona player who has a great season barca but he has played most of the season as a substitute.with martino preferring sanchez & neymar over him he was left out in the cold.so he is major target this season for other clubs to snatch such a talent.He is fantastic player who makes great runs from the wings & can cut dangerously inside the penalty box from the sides.He is a very attacking & always has that extra knackm of scoring goals.So,he can be a prized buy for every club.no, doubt he can be fantastic addition to rodgers tally of attacking players,but he can also like his barca teammate mascherano can be tough ask for rodgers.But,the free flowing play that rodgers prefers he will suit to this style of play.So,it will remain to be seen whether rodgers will be able to snatch him from other clubs with rumours that reds closest rivals united are also in the race.But,with the lure of champions league rodgers is willing to win the race & bring pedro to anfield.

key talking points of next season

 With the 2013-14 edition of Europe's top competition now complete following Saturday's Madrid derby,a look at some key talking points ahead of next season

Statistically, Lionel Messi enjoyed yet another outstanding season. Most forwards would dream of scoring 41 goals in 46 games in all competitions.

Indeed, in the race for the European Golden Shoe, only Liverpool star Luis Suarez and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo struck more times in the league than Messi in 2013-14 – and the Argentine would have scored many more had he not been sidelined by injury for three months in total.

But, in football, statistics only tell part of the story and there can be no denying that Messi’s performance levels dropped considerably this past season. Although he hit a hat-trick (two of them penalties) in the memorable 4-3 Clasico win over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu in March, Messi went missing in far too many games – most of them big ones.

In six matches against Atletico Madrid this campaign, Messi, 27 next month, failed to find the net (even if he did have a potentially title-winning goal incorrectly chalked off for offside a fortnight ago).

When Barcelona needed him most – in the final-day decider at Camp Nou, in the Copa del Rey final and in the Champions League quarter finals – he was nowhere to be seen.

Gone is that burst of acceleration – that quarter-of-a-yard that makes all the difference at the very top level – which made Messi an untouchable every time he slalomed towards goal. Gone also is that single-minded desire and focus to be the best. "He has lost his passion for football”, noted Argentine coach Angel Cappa earlier this year; an opinion supported by the fact the attacker ran just 6.8 kilometres in Barca’s European loss at the Vicente Calderon in April.

The World Cup in Brazil may answer the question for us next month – but next season’s Champions League should definitively tell us whether we have already seen the best of Lionel Messi.

GUARDIOLA CANNOT FAIL AGAIN

Just like Messi, the fact that Pep Guardiola has been on the receiving end of stinging criticism will come as a surprise to many outsiders. The Bayern Munich coach has just led Bayern Munich to a domestic double, clinching the Bundesliga title in record time, and winning four trophies in total in 2013-14. Not bad for a first season, right?

Wrong.

Given the low standard of the Bundesliga, and the manpower and resources he inherited from Jupp Heynckes – which included undoubtedly Europe’s best squad of players – Guardiola was always going to be judged on how he fared in the Champions League.

The humiliating 5-0 semi-final mauling at the hands of Real Madrid was a microcosm of all the mistakes Guardiola has made since taking charge of the Bavarians. Instead of adapting to the high-intensity skillset of his players, as he promised at his unveiling, Pep stubbornly attempted to imprint his tiki-taka signature on a group who did not possess the attributes to do so. 

“You cannot get them to play Catalan here. There were too many changes. The ship begun to go off course,” complained Bayern legend Lothar Matthaus.

When the sterility of such a possession-obsessed system was laid bare as Bayern struggled to overcome a crisis-hit Manchester United side in the quarter-finals, Guardiola still refused to adapt. Nor did he learn his lesson when just days before the 4-0 capitulation at home to Madrid, his suicidal high defensive line was twice carved open by lowly Werder Bremen.

In 13 matches against so-called major opposition, Pep’s Bayern have emerged victorious on just four occasions in normal time. These numbers must improve next season if Guardiola is to silence the critics who say that he is destructively dismantling a winning machine. Nothing less than ultimate Champions League glory will suffice.

JUVENTUS 2.0

The 2013-14 season was a juxtaposition of incredible highs and lows for Juventus. Domestically, the Old Lady created history. The Bianconeri became the first Italian team ever to break the 100-point barrier, setting a new record for a major European league with their 102 points. They also became only the fifth team – after the Juventus of the 1930s, Torino of the 50s, Fabio Capello’s Milan, and post-Calciopoli Inter – to win three Scudetti on the bounce.

In Europe, though, it was another story altogether. The failure to progress from a Champions League group containing Galatasaray and Copenhagen was a massive failure – one that wasn’t soothed by Europa League glory on home soil as Juve exited to Benfica in the semi-finals.

Next season, things should improve for the Old Lady as she plans to revolutionise her playing system. The 3-5-2 formation, which has achieved so much success in Italy but is unsuitable to European competition, is set to be replaced with a 4-3-3 model.

With the right summer signings, this modification will boost Juve’s chances of going deep in the Champions League. For two years now, Juve have possessed a mean defence and one of, if not, the best central midfield trio in Europe in Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Paul Pogba. But these strengths have been diluted due to formation.

Should they retain the in-demand Pogba and succeed in purchasing at least one top-class winger – Barcelona’s Alexis Sanchez and Fiorentina’s Juan Cuadrado are high up the club’s shortlist - then we could see the development of a Juventus 2.0. However, there are still tactical question marks hovering over coach Antonio Conte, who will need to learn from his past European mistakes, particularly when it comes to substitutions and squad rotation.

RETURN OF THE FALLEN

The 2014-15 Champions League season will see a number of former powers return to the big time – most notably five-time European Cup winners Liverpool, and former finalists Monaco and Roma. This summer will determine just how well the three teams do on the continent.

Liverpool lit up the Premier League this term and were on the verge of their first title since 1990 until Steven Gerrard’s miscontrol and slip against Chelsea. Brendan Rodgers’ brand of free-flowing, high-octane attacking football has the potential to blow away a number of European opponents.

But a defensive naivety – particularly in the holding midfield position where the Gerrard-Jordan Henderson partnership has been ludicrously overrated by the national press – must be addressed after Liverpool conceded a whopping 50 league goals despite finishing second.

Playing twice a week will also tire Liverpool and challenge their pressing game – to maintain this style the Reds must bolster their squad. The roster is simply too small right now to fight on two fronts – let alone at their 2013-14 intensity when they were absent from Europe.

Monaco’s finance-fuelled return to the Champions League, a decade after losing in the final, will also make for interesting viewing. Financial Fair Play is unlikely to deter billionaire owner Dmitry Rybolovlev from splashing the cash again, after the big-money purchases last summer of Radamel Falcao, James Rodriguez and Joao Moutinho.

It may be too soon to expect instant success, but with Victor Valdes set to sign from Barcelona, a transfer bid for Roma’s Gervinho being formalised and a number of other high profile arrivals inevitable, no one will want to be drawn with Monaco in the group stages.

Serie A runners-up Roma will also turn heads following an outstanding 85-point league season which most years would have won them the title. If the Giallorossi can keep their squad together, sign an attacker and improve their depth in defence, they have the ability to be one of the surprises of the Champions League.

The backline boasts one of Europe’s most complete stoppers in Mehdi Benatia, the midfield oozes quality and quantity with Daniele De Rossi, Miralem Pjanic, Radja Nainggolan and the currently injured Kevin Strootman, while there is plenty of offensive talent too. The concern is whether coach Rudi Garcia can retain his best players as the foreign vultures hover over the likes of Benatia, Pjanic, Strootman and Gervinho.

TIME FOR NEW SUPERSTARS TO EMERGE

Every footballing era is defined by its best attacking talent. In the early 1980s it was Zico, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Michel Platini. In the second half of the decade, it was all about Diego Maradona, Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten. At the start of the 90s, Roberto Baggio and Romario were the biggest superstars, before being replaced by first Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo, and then Ronaldinho and Kaka.

Since 2008, football has been symbolised almost entirely by two men - Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. They have shared the last six Ballons d'Or between them and this term was the seventh in a row that one of the pair finished top-scorer in a Champions League season.

The top end of the game has never been dominated by two men for so long. This fact is as much a damning indictment of a low-quality footballing era that lacks depth, competition and in particular top-class defenders as it is an acknowledgment of the brilliance of the Clasico duo. But what is undeniable is that the time has come where the football-defining successors to Messi and Ronaldo must emerge.

The Argentine's decline has already been documented, while Ronaldo will turn 30 before the next Champions League knockouts kick-off - the Portuguese machine will slow down sooner rather than later.

It is the Champions League where the greats are born now - the 2014-15 edition is waiting for some new ones.

Top 5 teams to win the world cup 2k14

1.BRAZIL
Brazil is always considered the favourite to lift the title when it comes to the world cup.They have already won 5 of them & are aiming for a record sixth title.The biggest advantage on their side is that they are the hosts this time.So,they will enjoy the added advantage of their home supporters.supporters are considered one of the biggest strengths of any sport & no doubt brazil will be looking to add it ibto their advantage.Their side is nt that experienced but they bolster of many talented players on their side with the likes of neymar,fred,former bayern player luis gustavo,chelsea defender david luiz & his partner thiago silva who is also their captain.They will enjoy the support of previous world cup winning coach luis felippe scolari who has been fantastic with the brazilian team.He brought the world cup last time to brazil in 2002 with the heroics of the likes of ronaldo,rivaldo,ronaldinho & cafu.That team was much experienced as compared to the current team but the brazilians always play with passion & that champions spirit which can take them through.They have already shown that last year when they routed spain in the conferedations cup finals 4-0.so,they considered one the the favourited in my list.

2.SPAIN

you can't leave them.They are current world champions & the euro cup champions for the last two successive times.They won the euro cup in 2008 & then successfully defended their title in 2012.So,everybody will expect them to do the same in world cup.Their biggest strength will be their midfielders xavi,iniesta,fabregas,alonso,david silva.All are in fine form & will put their best foot forward to win the cup.yes they have some problems at the front with none of 2010 strikers are in their best form of late.David villa is at the twilight of his career & torres has lost his touch sin ce that injury in 2011.Although he scored the highest goals for the team in last year confederations cup but now he looks completely out of touch.But,their will be some respite for them with the inclusion of diego  costa.He is a brazilian but will be playing for spain in this world cup.So,it will be remained to be seen being an outsider how will he gel with other players.They will miss the preveileges of their star defender puyol who will be not available.So,ramos & pique will have sahoulder the responsibilties of the defense.Not to forget their team will be incomplete without their inspirational captain iker casillas.it is his last world cup & he will be expecting to lift the title once more.

3.GERMANY
They are the strongest looking tea,m in the paper.they have the best players on their display who can win the world cup for them.But, the biggest challenge for coach joachim leow would be to find the best combination to start.it sould not happen that too many cooks spoil the broaths's kind.out of 23 he have to find the best 11 who can win him  the title.thier team will mainly revolve around the playern of bayern munich & dortmund with the likes of potential match winners klose & podolski can come good sometimes.klose has already shown he is a special player in world cups & will hope to add more goals to his kitty & lift the title for his country.thier's biggest hurdle has been the semi-finals.last two times they have faltered at thsi juncture.They will be hoping to cross that hurdle & go one step further & lift the title.

4.ARGENTINA

Argentina is always known for their attacking playh with the likes of Hand of God maradona,riquelme who were beautiful forwards in their times.This time around also they have forwards whpo can threaten any defewnce on their day.with the likes of world's best player lionel messi, sergio aguero,gonzalo higuain they will be hoping to lift the title for the 3rd time around.Their biggest strength will be their skipper messi who have achieved almost everything except that world cup trophy in his cabinet.He will be hopin g to add that this time around.And with the likes of javier mascherano,pablo zabaleta they can bea potential strike force to lift the title this time around.

5.ITALY

you can,t leave the azurries out of the big tyournaments.They have always something special in their kitty when it comes to those big tournaments.They does'nt bolster a stron g team this time around but as in 2006 they surprised everyone with their they can do the same this time arfound.They have already shown that by reaching the semifinals of confederations cup & euro cup.They have a world class striker with them mario bslotelli who can break any defence on his day but the biggest challenge with him  is to control his temper.coach of late have a very good relationship with him & that can add to the team's advantage.Everyone will be hoping he comes good & help the team win the title.They will enjoy the preveleiges of their legendary playmaker adrea pirlo who will be playing his last world cup & he will put his every bit of strength on the field to lift his team & win the title for the nation .

So, these are my top 5 teams who can the winners of world cup 2k14.It is hard to leave out the dutch team.They are also agreat team but you include all of them in the list.

Real vs Atletico-a match between the best attack & the best defence

what a fitting end to this surprising season coming up.This season can be considered one of the best to be remembered because of the kind of action & shocks & surprises happened.starting from  liverpool stunning revelation in the premier league which propelled them back into champions league after a hiatus of 5 years & even made them title contenders till the end of the season which eventually went into the hands of manchester city after playing a musical chair between the top 4 teams.liverpool finished 2nd still this is a great season for liverpool.

Then,another surprise happened in the cash rich spanish la-liga when atletico madrid pipped real & barca to win the title that went till the last day of the league with atletico & barca playing the title decider.But,it was going to be the season of atletico & it happened so.they needed a draw to win & they did exactly that & won the league after 18 years.great revelation under diego simeone.But the great thing about them is their never-say-die attitude that have made them champions of spain & they are just one step away from becoming the champions of europe.they will play their neighours real in the final this saturday which  is expected to be another entgertainning clash.

Both teams have contrasting style of play.Real is bolstered by a threatening trio up front consisting of benzem a,ronaldo & bale popularly known as 'BBC'.they can destruct any defence & they have shown that this season with all three in threatening form this season.And then they have ronaldo who can single-handedly win the trophy for the team.last year their defence let them down.But,this year that is not the case.They a fabulous back four with a mix of veterans & youngsters who are keeping the opposiotion attack at bay as they have shown against bayern & throughout the champions league.The form of captain sergio ramos has been fantastic this season with him heading two goals against bayern at the allianz arena that ousted the champions bayern & propelled them into the finale.The manner in which they thrashed bayern shows they can be extremely lethal agains t any team if they play even close to their bestThe only setback for them would be the absence of xavi alonso who has been such a master figure in that central midfield area.But,real would not think much about that thehy will play their best football as theyh have done so far.

Athletico on the other hand pace their game on strong defending & attacking on the counter & they have been so far very successful this season.Their defence does'nt consist of world class players but as simeone character he has instilled the feeling of fearlessnees in his players that's making them the world beaters this season.Their back four are the best in world this season consisting of godin ,luis,juanfran.these defenders made life hard for every opposition this season including the likes of real & barca.then,their coun ter-attack from the wings have beeen fanmtastic this seson & it has beared fruits for them.Then, ypou can't end the discussion without two of thier best players without them this would not have been posssible.Diego costa & Thibaut courtois have been fantastic this seson.courtois has becomne the best goalkeeper this season with almost every imposssible looking saves done by him.even mourinho said the difference between the two teams in the 2nd leg of the semi-final has been the saves from courtois.So,he is such an asset for the team in the final & he can be a real hurdle to cross for the real players.Then,comes costa their leading goal-scorer for the team.He is not as fluent as his counterpart but his passion for the game & his ability of at the right place place at the right time makes him the most dangerous player.But,he is doubtful for the finale beacuse of an Hamstring injury that can really give a slight advan tage to Real madrid.They can also misss their playmaker adra turan but as they have already shown against chelsea & most parts of the barca last league game that they play as a team & does'nt depend on just a single player to win.So,this confidence can help them to lift the trophy.

so,let's see who becomes the champios of europe this year!!!!