Well, having seen quite a bit of papa I'd say he's an upgrade on Skrtel. Carragher did a very good job coming into the team, but in my opinion Skrtel was always our 1st choice CB partner to Agger, but he was horribly off form. So, Papa>Skrtel and Toure is simply there to provide some experience in reserve. Toure isn't better than Carra, but I don't think he'd have been in the 1st 11 in an ideal world anyway. Of course this is only assuming we do get Papa, and yes that is currently uncertain.
Illori would basically be replacing Coates as a young prospect, I've not seen him play either but my post was in relation to the 1st 11. Romero is a very good prospect from the look of things; I believe him to be an upgrade on Shelvey for the AM prospect (but can also play anywhere across the front 3 if required). Aspas looks good and will provide a good option up front, but I don't believe he has been bought as a pre-emptive replacement for Suarez, I don't think they've been connected in any way other than the obvious need for further depth up top.
That depends, I agree he's upped his game considerably this season but, as you say, still "consistently average"...Could work as a squad player, but remember he'll be on fairly high wages - Would he get into the squad of any other clubs in the top 4? I don't believe he would. Point is, I believe the money we get for him could be reinvested into someone who Rodgers would prefer. He's reaching 29 this summer so his resale value will only drop from now on, let's get some money back from that horrendous transfer while we still can.I'd also like to keep Downing. Not in a first-team capacity, but the man works hard and is consistently average. He's a good squad player. I'd rather put in Downing from the bench versus United than Ibe or Sterling.
Agree with most of that, the point would be not to "replace" Suarez as such, but to use the money to buy a top 4 standard CF, and spend the rest on improving other aspects of the squad. With that aforementioned potentially giant budget we have this summer, I believe we can have a very interesting and successful summer ahead (I'm carefully avoiding saying "next year is our year"!).*If* we spend the money we get from Suarez wisey then we will be strengthened. With the Transfer Committee I believe we can spend it wisely. However, we will never find a replacement for Suarez. He's at the top of his game. He's developed since he came from Ajax. Torres on the other hand was sold after one year of on-and-off performances (with the vast majority of them being off). But I suppose as long as we steer clear from new Carroll, Downing and Borini deals etc we can come out of this strengthened. But I think that will be tough. Everyone knows that if we sell Suarez, we have to get a replacement. The price for strikers will sky-rocket.
Yep I'm excited by him, see my first responseFrom what I have read Aspas is a Suarez-esque player (even in regards to doing controversial stuff! ), so it might be we have acted ahead of time. In which case: well done.