29 Mar 2012

35 goals in 31 starts? Liverpool should sign this superb young striker *now*

In January, I argued that Liverpool should sign Huddersfield striker Jordan Rhodes. With Liverpool's goalscoring issues still a major problem, I'm once again calling for Kenny Dalglish and the club to pull out all the stops and bring the incredibly prolific striker to Anfield in the Summer.

Liverpool have a history of plucking successful players from the lower leagues. Amongst others: Ian Rush came from Chester City; Alan Hansen arrived from Partick Thistle; John Aldridge signed from Oxford United, Steve Nicol came from Ayr United, and Sami Hyypia came from Willem II. All went on to become Anfield legends.

Some facts about Rhodes:

* 21 year old Rhodes has grabbed 35 goals and 3 assists in 35 games for Huddersfield this season, which is an unbelievable record.

* The youngster is no flash-in-the-pan either; in the last three seasons, he's scored 79 goals and created 14 more, a record that has attracted the interest of many top Premier League clubs.

* Rhodes perfectly fits the club's new transfer policy under FSG, and given the fact he plays for a League one team, he wouldn't cost the earth.

* Three player of the year awards

* Holds the record for the fastest ever headed hat-trick (3 in 8 minutes)

For me, the only question to consider here is this: Why would Liverpool NOT want to sign this guy? Rhodes is definitely a natural goalscorer, and with such natural ability, the chances of him making the grade at a higher level of football are high.

Liverpool have been snapping up youngster from all over Europe for years, and how may of them have actually made the grade? Rhodes is a prodigious goalscorer with tremendous talent and superb potential, and if Liverpool don't snap him up, some other top club will.

For me, Rhodes should be one of Liverpool's top transfer targets this summer, and they club could probably get him for 5-10m. Surely, with such potential, it has to be worth it?

Liverpool should get Rhodes hooked into a pre-contract agreement to stave off interest from other clubs.

Since I became of aware of Rhodes, I've watched quite a few of Huddersfield's games, and I would absolutely love to see Rhodes at Liverpool. Sign him, Kenny!

Rhodes scores 5 goals against Wycombe earlier in the season:


Jaimie Kanwar


56 comments:

  1. Oh so now you want Kenny to do things for you??

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  2. IN RAFA WE TRUST1:39 pm, March 29, 2012

    scoring goals in them divisions is alot different than the premier league..... we want quality signings, not more ''hopefuls''..... 


    this is getting ridiculous.... every other team will be strengthening, we need to aswell, or we are aiming towards mid table mediocrity....... the squad is shit!!!!! 

    the most frustrating time as a liverpool fan ever!!!!!

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  3. Really the major question should be why would a kid like him want to join Liverpool?? If Shelvey can't even get off the bench for our underperforming team, after banging in the goals in the Championship playoff race, what would make a kid from an even lower division think he'd fare any better chance??
    If I was his agent, or somebody just with his best interests at heart, I'd advise him that it would be great in the short term for him to make the move asap and pick up that (relatively) big contract, but that long term, sitting on the bench for Liverpool for several years might not be best for his career...

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  4. Only trouble is that Comolli won't be able to claim Business Class expenses flying to Huddersfield.And then he would probably decide that we could get a player of similar calibre elsewhere who would cost a more 'respectable' £10 - £15 million. No point in not spending FSG money on bargain buys!!

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  5. He's an interesting player, however there's been many at that level that have ultimately struggled once they step up. Take Billy Sharp for example, fantastic player in league one 5 years ago, moved to Sheffield United and struggled. Granted he's at Southampton now but it took a move to Doncaster to resurrect his career. Could prove you right though Jaimie, we take risks on players from all around the world so why not take one closer to home?

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  6. Buy him and then loan him to Blackpool for a season... Too much of a risk to jumped straight up to our league... remember Beckford?!

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  7. He might be worth a punt but the fact still remains that they need a proven scorer from a stronger league.
    As far as taking punts on players closer to home the failures of the expensive henderson carroll downing and Adam must say say that the club needs to look abroad.

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  8. Just becasue a striker scores a bag full of goals in the lower leagues,it does not mean he'll do the same in the Premiership. Unless he's one of the world's most clinical finishers (like Robbie Fowler was), then you have to look at more of his footballing attributes then just scoring, i.e. does he have good technic, game intelligence, quick, strong, awareness, etc. From what I've seen of the youtube clip above, he wouldn't be allowed to score 3/4 of the goals he has if he were in the Premiership.

    With regards you comments about buying gems from the lower leagues; in the past it was easier to unearth these gems, as the youth academies at the top tier clubs were virtually non existent or not to the level they are now. This I think is the main reason why you often found the likes of the Rushs', Phil Neils', Rob Jones', etc, playing at smaller lower league clubs. If they were plying their trade now, they would have been snapped up by a top tier club at the age of 14/15 & asked to work their way through the academy system.

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  9. He is British, so thats enough for KK to go after him I guess

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  10. I have it on good authority that Kuyt, Maxi, Aurelio, Cole and Aquiliani will be sold in the summer and LFC have targeted 5 key replacements in the summer which are as follows:

    LavezziLuuk De JongDries MertensMoussa SissokoPablo Armero

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  11. Chris Smalling Maidstone United then Fulham now Man U
    Alex Oxlade Chamberlin Southampton before joining ArsenalAaron Ramsey Cardiff 
    Walcott Southampton
    Bale Southampton
    Sterling QPR
    Rose Leeds
    Few hopefuls from the lower leagues.

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  12. Yeah, the player looks promising and more mobile than our current number nine. Also go for the left and right wingers. Ours are shite with the high price tag. Their crosses seem to reach their number nine at least.

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  13. As a Huddersfield Town supporter for 40 yrs and general foootball watcher i can say Jordan is the best finisher i have seen for years.
    Very similar to Alan Shearer and WILL score goals at any level should he get the service.
    I will be very pleased if nobody signs him but i know he is to good not to go soon.
    Who ever does sign him will get a fantastic down to earth young as well.

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  14. Totally agree, have been thinking it is worth a punt in the last few weeks, to  be honest.

    He's young, he has broken a lot of records, which stand up to scrutiny. He is going to be a Scotland International, so will get the chance to play at a higher level, he's good in the air, his movement looks ok, he looks as if he will score for any team if the team create enough chances. He would be a good alternative to Carroll and, replicating the success that Carroll had at Newcastle, would give the team the option of playing more direct football with two guys up top who could cause havoc, in the way that Carroll and Ameobi were doing last season. They both looked better players playing together.

    Not to mention that he might actually be better than Carroll already and would cost 25% of what Carroll cost. After what we wasted last season, we need to make up for that with astute signings this summer. Rhodes, 6 or 7 million, Hoillet, 1 million, offer him a large wage on a long contract. If that's all we can afford, work on Johnson as a right midfielder, bring Coady and Sterling into the first team squad and sell Adam to fund another defensive midfielder to compete with/play alongside Lucas.

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  15. Grant Holt has done ok in the Premier League, so has Morrison and Graham at Swansea. If he costs 7 million or so, he's young enough and cheap enough to not be a huge risk. If he has to be sold, he would probably recoup at least half of that. Surely would be worth a run in the Carling Cup and certain European games next season to give Suarez a rest?

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  16. Who is proven that will come to us. People saying Huntelaar are not being realistic. Anyone from Serie A is a risk. This guy would not cost what our other failures cost and, at the very least, would improve the squad, which we clearly need in order to avoid fatigue with the European games we have to play next season. We need to have two players for each position next season.

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  17. Exactly, its boring and too predictable to say 'we need a proven player from a better league'. We've tried that and it hasn't worked. We can afford proven, beyond doubt, quality, we have to find the 'next big thing', and this guy has enough records to suggest it could be him. We'll hardly take a big loss if he fails. He's the type of player that is young enough, who you could get for 7 million and end up being worth 20, not the guys last year, who cost 20 million and are now probably worth 7.

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  18. hard to say if his performance in the lower league will transfer over into the premier league. That being said, I wouldn't mind having him at the club. Being a youth hopeful and having good managment behind you is a reciepe for success. Build him up through reserves and lower league FA/Carling cup fixtures and theres no going wrong. But if he's more than 5mil, don't even bother. YNWA!!

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  19. Some nice finishes in there with both feet, plus he has the 8 minute headed hat trick. Think he could definitely be worth a shot in the squad and then see how he goes. At the price, i think it is a no brainer.

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  20. While I agree that the players you've mentioned have had a good 1st season in the Premiership, for me it's the second, more difficult, season that you judge them on their longevity of performance in the Premier League. Also, while doing well at other clubs (i.e Norwich, Swansea, etc), it isn't a guarantee they'll perform or be as effective at the next club they go on to. Charlie Adam, Downing, Carroll are perfect examples of that! As for buying & giving them a run in Carling cup or europe (to give Suarez a rest), I personally would like Morgan (or the likes) from our youth system given a chance in that scenario.

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  21. Jk, im inclined to believe you. lavezzi and mertens are done deals according to good sources. 

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  22. Totally agree about the young players and about players who come from certain clubs who don't always do it elsewhere. But Rhodes had a very good scoring record when on loan at Brentford as a kid as well, think he was League 2 player of the year for them as well, so it might be his level, we will never know, but i would suspect that he is, at least, mid premiership level with his scoring record. If he can't cut it for us, we lose 2 million, maybe?

    Kenny's blown his chips on Henderson, Carroll and, especially, due to his age, Downing. They have to come good for him. He can't sell them now and take a 40 million pound hit, he won't get offered the same again to waste, so he has to find bargains now. Of the players out there, i reckon this guy, with his record, has to be high on the list of potential bargains. Hoillet would be another. The owners would be crazy to give Kenny 50 million to spend this summer. I can imagine that conversation, about spending, being very tricky, come June!

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  23. Chi Bai lu, this player is from the lower leagues. Caroll can stll score against lower league sides.

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  24. LAVEZZI 2 EXPENSIVE.LFC NO CHAMPIONS LEAGUE,WILL NOT HAPPEN,SIGN RAFA AND TORRES

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  25. TORRES,TORRES,TORRES TORRES.HE WANTS TO COME HOME,BUT HE CANT SAY THAT CAN HE,MAKE CHELSEA AN OFFER.

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  26. This kid is worth the money.
    Terry Mac has been working with this lad and he said he will score at all levels. Plus for the money we could get him and another with more experience.

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  27. Enough British born players..We dont any more one season wonder player..clerance sale -REINA..ADAM..HENDERSON..CARROL..CARRAGHER.
    buy-CAVANI.LAVENZI.MARTINEZ.SOLDADO.

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  28. I think as Jaimie said, why not? I would also add that we shouldn't pin our hopes on him if we do get him- he is still unproven. We still need more options.

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  29. Agreed. I score at least 30 goals per season in my Sunday football. Does that also mean that I'm good enough for Liverpool? :)

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  30. The number one question Kenny asks when a player is recommended to him is "What is his character and attitude like". If the player doesn't get 10/10 on both counts Kenny won't sign him.
    So for all this kids ability, what is he like as a person, will he be a positive character in the dressing room and on the training ground?

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  31. no pace jamie

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  32. Someone was asking about his attitude:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXvF_ezXW7M 

    That's after scoring 5 in a game
    "8 Premier League scouts here, do you take any notice"
    "No, they could be here watching anyone"

    The lad has his feet firmly on the ground - will go far.

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  33. So no proven striker from any league that is a step above league 1 will come to liverpool wtf of course there is quite a few who would happily ply their trade at Anfield.
    That is a ridiculous statement the club got Suarez didnt they !

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  34. NO MORE BRITISH CRAP!!! What about this is so hard to understand!

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  35. Give me Tevez with an attitude over that collection of "high character" garbage that Dalglish signed anyday!

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  36. disagree a goal scorer is a scorer he has a poaches way about him and if u give him the ball he will score ! which is more than can be said about our strikers no matter how good suarez is

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  37. Straight swop for the donkey Carrol !!!!!!

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  38. At the price, why not? He wouldn't be our main striker but if he does well, who knows what he could do? These are the type of signings that we are going to need to make and some of them will have to come off. No more 20 million pound risks. His record is so good that I'm sure there are plenty of Premier League strikers who would not do better than he has. We shouldn't let our mistakes from the past cause us to make a completely new set of mistakes. If we have a 25 million budget in the summer, then a signing like him, and three others, could make a big difference. He won't do worse than what we have done last summer and will be an international soon, which will give him more experience. Rhodes, Hoillet, a defensive midfielder and a decent right winger.

    People calling for Falcao and Cavani, etc, etc, who might not work out in any case, just don't seem to realise how far we have fallen. The cost of these types of player are not worth the risk that they might fail. And our budget, to bring these guys in, would have to be pushing 50 million or so. Would be surprised, particularly if Kenny is still in charge.

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  39. Did you break any records while doing so?

    Didn't think so.

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  40. How much do you think Kenny will have to pay to buy another 15 goals a season man like Suarez? You reckon Henry will be giving him another 50 or 60 million to blow?

    I hope i'm wrong but i reckon the club will have to make some astute signings this summer to make up for last summer's waste. And if we do get a decent amount to spend, i hope Kenny is not the one entrusted to spend it.

    Not sure why a guy who is breaking records left, right and centre, would probably not cost more than 7 million or so, is going to be an international player and could learn his trade slowly at the club without a huge fee on his shoulders is scaring so many people. We cannot go out and spend 30 million every time the manager makes a mistake. If we create chances, he looks like he will score them. Reckon Carroll would have 35 goals in league one this season? And he cost 5 times what this guy would cost.

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  41. I do think it is worth a gamble, he will not cost the earth, he will command smaller wages and he may turn out to be a star. If it all goes pear shaped, at least he is young enough to be sold on.

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  42. Jordon Rhodes as a buy is a no brainer.What could go wrong ,if he is a donkey sell him in two years and you get your money back.We should take a chance ASAP

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  43. I am sorry closer to home what was Carroll, Henderson, Downing and Adam French?

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  44. Karl your a legend bring a boy home and Rafa. Along with Suarez and a creative MF and we will destroy anyone. Then let our youngsters play along side them one at a time, then we will see a future worth watching. Sorry but KK can not manage LFC.

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  45. I have just read that Barnes says that KK needs to make three marquee signings and that we (the fans) should give KK wonder signings more time, he all so mentions that we do not need squad players at the moment. I could not agree more Barnes, but it is too late cause KK has bought 4 squad players already and thats all they will be. I reckon that if you are a serious talent then you will always be one. We should not have to wait, when Torres came how long did we have to wait. People will say that Chelsea had to wait but i put that down to he did not really want to go but he (like so many fans) was tired of waiting and tired of the lies. I hope to eat my words one day but KK is not the manager that we need to catch up to the rest of Europe. Now on this young guy why the hell not he can not be worse than what we already have but as for the future only time will tell. Does anyone know with out a doubt who actually signs the players for the club? because it is one thing to sign 1-2 bad players but 4 FFS.

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  46. I'm sure Liverpool are well aware of the Huddersfield lad. But so is everybody else in the premier league. He was nailed on for Newcastle I heard before they sacked Clarke. 

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  47. As a town fan I do think JR will play at the top level. He is not a player with much pace nor does he take a man on or hold the ball up but what he does do pop up in the right place and 9 times out of 10 he will get a shot on target. His long range shooting is very good as well as his heading. If you can get good ball for him to run onto or good crosses in the box he is the man for you. I do hope that if we get promoted this season he will stop and continue his development in the championship but if he does go the team that gets him will get goals.

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  48. Fact is, people are saying League one player, blah, blah, blah, British, blah, blah, blah, but he is not the same as the other British flops that we bought. And the records he is breaking are not records that fall every other week. When someone starts breaking records, people should sit up and take notice. Straight away, that should tell people that they are dealing with an above average talent. What harm is playing him in the Carling Cup and Europa League going to do? If he shows he can do it, great, if not, we sell him to West Ham or someone and take a 2 million pound hit after a couple of seasons, no big deal. People are talking as if it is such a risk, no risk then it is a no brainer. Henderson was a risk, Downing was a risk, even Adam was a risk cos he played so many league games. A young squad player is not a risk.

    Marquee signings? I don't want Kenny to make any more marquee signings.

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  49. LFC KD should really think about this kid Jordan Rhodes!!! future Ian Rush!Prolific and sensation striker score 35 goals in 31 starts! Liverpool for 2011-2012 had only scored 30's whole season!!!LOL Otherwise our rival will sign him away!!.Regret will be too late!!!Damian Comoli  , please check out this player.I'm sure he will cost way less than others.....

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  50. Has he got P   A   C   E

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  51. Is this what Liverpool FC has now been reduced to?

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  52. Think it's a no brainer , how can you lose ? He's great you win , if he doesn't quite make it in the top div. teams in lower league would be queuing up to sign a proven goal scorer , The Blues took a gamble on Beckford and ended up with money in the bank , and that's the worse case scenario , if the kid came up trumps , well . As for pace , doesn't seem to be doing him much harm . Someone in the top league will take the gamble , just hope it is us .

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  53. Exactly, Kirk. This is no-lose situation.

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  54. He's scored more goals than our entire team and people are turning their nose up at him.

    Worst thing that can happen is that Swansea, or someone buy him, he has a great season with them and we then have missed him for good or he will cost 3 times the amount.

    There are plenty of strikers who are not the quickest, if their positional play is good, Van Persie, Drogba, etc, it doesn't matter too much. The fact he is good in the air is a bonus, too.

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  55. Hope you`re right mate....but who would NOW want to come to LFC...if we lose to Newcastle...bottom 10 in EPL begging,are we really going to be a drawcard club to attract top overseas players???

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