Liverpool fans have been calling for exciting youngster Joao Carlos Teixeira to be given a chance in the first team, and last night against Fulham, the Portuguese attacker got his opportunity. How did he do? Very well, according to Reds boss Brendan Rodgers.
In his post-match interview, Rodgers enthused:
"It's good to see young players contributing.
"Joao Teixiera has been outstanding in the reserves.
"He came on tonight and did very well, and made a crucial tackle at the end"
Teixeira looked composed and confident on the ball; made (mostly) good decisions with his passing, and had two thundering shots that could've easily been goals, so overall, a decent debut. After the game, Teixeira told reporters:
"It was great, I'm really happy. I'd like to thank the boss and my team-mates for helping me improve. I wasn't nervous; I had confidence, so I came on, and did my best".
£7m summer signing Luis Alberto dropped out of the match-day squad to make way for Teixeira, and that has to be a concern for the Spaniard. He's barely played all season, and now Rodgers decides that an untested academy player is a better option in a crucial, must-win game.
Alberto's excision from the squad is a vote of no-confidence in the attacker, and another tacit admission from Rodgers that he made a £7m mistake last summer. Yes, it's a comparatively small transfer fee, but when added to the fees for Aspas and Ilori, it amounts a big chunk of cash that should've been spent a hell of a lot better.
I doubt we'll see much more of Teixeira this season, though. Rodgers tends to give Academy players a taste of the first team and then they seem to vanish. For example, Jordon Ibe made his debut on the final day of last season, and he's only featured twice this season. Brad Smith and Jordan Rossiter also came into the squad over Christmas, but haven't been seen since. Teixeira is 21, though, so that could weigh in his favour when it comes to staying in the squad.
To be honest, I don't see how Alberto is going to make it at LFC. Suso is due to return at the end of the season; Teixeira is coming through; LFC already tried to sign another attacking midfielder during the January transfer window, and will inevitably sign someone in the summer, so where does he fit in, and how will he get regular game-time?
If Alberto can't get regular games in a season where countless players have suffered injuries, then how will he break into the team when everyone's fit, and the club brings in more players in his position?
Author: Jaimie K
In his post-match interview, Rodgers enthused:
"It's good to see young players contributing.
"Joao Teixiera has been outstanding in the reserves.
"He came on tonight and did very well, and made a crucial tackle at the end"
Teixeira looked composed and confident on the ball; made (mostly) good decisions with his passing, and had two thundering shots that could've easily been goals, so overall, a decent debut. After the game, Teixeira told reporters:
"It was great, I'm really happy. I'd like to thank the boss and my team-mates for helping me improve. I wasn't nervous; I had confidence, so I came on, and did my best".
£7m summer signing Luis Alberto dropped out of the match-day squad to make way for Teixeira, and that has to be a concern for the Spaniard. He's barely played all season, and now Rodgers decides that an untested academy player is a better option in a crucial, must-win game.
Alberto's excision from the squad is a vote of no-confidence in the attacker, and another tacit admission from Rodgers that he made a £7m mistake last summer. Yes, it's a comparatively small transfer fee, but when added to the fees for Aspas and Ilori, it amounts a big chunk of cash that should've been spent a hell of a lot better.
I doubt we'll see much more of Teixeira this season, though. Rodgers tends to give Academy players a taste of the first team and then they seem to vanish. For example, Jordon Ibe made his debut on the final day of last season, and he's only featured twice this season. Brad Smith and Jordan Rossiter also came into the squad over Christmas, but haven't been seen since. Teixeira is 21, though, so that could weigh in his favour when it comes to staying in the squad.
To be honest, I don't see how Alberto is going to make it at LFC. Suso is due to return at the end of the season; Teixeira is coming through; LFC already tried to sign another attacking midfielder during the January transfer window, and will inevitably sign someone in the summer, so where does he fit in, and how will he get regular game-time?
If Alberto can't get regular games in a season where countless players have suffered injuries, then how will he break into the team when everyone's fit, and the club brings in more players in his position?
Author: Jaimie K
AAAAAAahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
ReplyDeletemore over the top headlines from YOU
you are obsessed with Luis Alberto...
ReplyDeleteNo, I'm obsessed with LFC's continued poor use of transfer fees, and the seemingly unbreakable habit of buying the wrong players time and time again.
ReplyDeleteHoping to see Joao more at the emirates.. Have confidence he will be a big player soon, if Br doesnt kill his career!
ReplyDeleteGuess he will have to get better from practice sessions or be loaned out and prove himself at another club and then come back to challenge for a starting place. Isn't this how it works most often?
ReplyDeletejoao carlos teixeira looks like a good player.. we signed him didn't we?
ReplyDeleteYes, for £800K. There's a big difference.
ReplyDeleteand you are obsessed with Luis Alberto, after every game.. win lose or draw, he's who you talk about.
ReplyDeleteHe's a young player, never really played much top level football before (7 games at Sevilla) and the rest in Segunda División. he as got a taste of a few games, sat on the bench, maybe next year he will be involved more.
Whose careers has BR killed? Not everyone will necessarily be an instant success at Liverpool and some might not even make it at all for any number of reasons. So far BR seems to be improving and extending careers rather than killing them.
ReplyDeleteAlberto will come good, one game he played for the reserves he scored a hat trick , just needs a bit more game time.
ReplyDeleteWhere's the historical evidence that this will happen? Players like Sterling, Flanagan etc cost nothing, and came through the ranks. Players in Alberto's price range who come and don't get games in their first season never end up making it, and history proves this.
ReplyDeleteCan see your point, but I believe that Rodgers rewards effort, endeavour and quality, as seen in training, before allowing players into the first team squad.
ReplyDeleteIt's also possible that Rodgers knows that he'll need a much bigger squad if we get into CL for next season, so all these players are being looked at as potential squad members for next season.
If I'm right, it's up to Aspas, Alberto, Moses and younger players, like Ibe, Kelly, etc, to show what they can do and how hungry they are on the training pitch. Flanagan and Sterling have shown that it can work.
Players like Suso, Borini, Assaidi and Ilori, get to show what they can do at other clubs. Maybe we should also consider keeping Reina, as Mignolet seems to have dropped a little from his earlier form. Two good keepers competing can only be a good thing.
Just my thoughts, but with some of the potential we have already, I'm no longer so concerned with our transfer dealings.
sterling cost 5 million from QPR
ReplyDeleteJust what % of signings do you expect to be successful, I know you like stats, so give me your % IYO.
ReplyDeleteIn the reserves, and underage teams we have about 50/60 players approx, do you expect them all to make it, ? I dont.
Besides do you know if Alberto didnt have a knock in training, I dont know, maybe you are privy to that info.
And look at the bright side, Tex was impressive, if Alberto does not make it but Teixeira does, I would be happy.
Lighten up, we just pulled off another miracle at the Cottage, my glass is half full after that match, yours is half empty, be optimistic, Your readers will slate Rodgers et al, if or when the wheels fall off.
any way, I take your point... but it has happened a few times. What about Agger signed for 6 million as a 22 year old (young for a centre back), only had a few games in his first season gone on to be club VC.
ReplyDeletelucas to an extent as well... Probably 5 fail for every one that is a success. But that's the same at almost every club.
ReplyDeleteWhy must everyone have the same opinions about stuff? Just because LFC won a game doesn't mean that other issues can't be discussed. You and so many others seem to have this attitude that if LFC win a game, then there must be an enforced moratorium on anything critical. This is nonsense.
ReplyDeleteIt's perfectly possible to be positive about LFC and be critical at the same time, and my articles prove that over and over again. I constantly praise LFC/Rodgers etc, yet I also focus on things that see as ongoing issues. That is what this site is about, so I really wish you and others would stop complaining about the critical approach this site takes. That's the whole point.
I'm not going to change that just because LFC win a game. And even if the Reds win the league, it will remain the same.
But it is frustrating at 5-0 up against Arsenal after 52 minutes of high intensity, knackering football, that Rodgers couldn't give players like Alberto some decent pitch time. The game, by this stage, was well and truly won and Alberto and Aspas could have been sent out with 35 minutes remaining and told to go fill their boots.
ReplyDeleteDon't necessarily disagree with the subs he made, but why not make them much sooner?
Usually I'd say that Alberto is young so he's going to get his chance eventually.
ReplyDeleteBut in this case, this season, we've been up big on different teams on several occasions, and he hasn't been put in until late or hasn't been put in at all.
Combine that with the number of injuries, the fact that he hasn't been able to sniff the field is very disconcerting to me.
On the other hand, I was relatively impressed with Joao yesterday. There were a few moments where he was slow/hesitant, but overall, in a pressured environment in a come-back win, I thought he contributed to the win as opposed to us winning in spite of him.
I know your critical viewpoint, you make that perfectly clear, the first sentence you read here at LK,, at the top of the page states that it is a critical view of all things LFC.
ReplyDeleteI am very critical of LFC/FSG also, I am just pointing out, WE ALL do not know why Alberto was dropped from the squad, if you do, enlighten us.
But dont make assumptions based on no factual evidence, but by all means continue to point out issues that should concern us fans. YNWA
im totally with you Jaimie and why Rodgers signed another teams Academy player for so much money (£7M??!) i have no idea. regardless of academy stats, Which Alberto's are very good, you must prove it in the 1st team or it means nothing. If BR knew he had Texieria and Suso why did he sign Alberto and not grow those 2? Anyways next season, i really hope we get CL football. the league is out of the question as much as we may dream, as it will just hurt too much if we dont get it in the end. Top 4 must be viewed as the prize.
ReplyDeleteExactly, the more of these type of players we have the better, its unfortunate they will not all make it, but we will be left with the best of them, so the more the merrier, I dont expect Tex to nail down a 1st team place place anytime soon, but he has shown great potential in his 1st start, and fair play to Rodgers he called it right, I doubt Moses would have saved us points.
ReplyDeleteSo he then becomes an excellent purchase as he would have improved Liverpool to the Champions League. If he is then improved on so be it. You have to look at the prices other teams paid for their work horses and £15mil is pretty standard.
ReplyDeleteI also disagree with the argument the money should be spent on high quality first team players necessarily as we can't afford that. We can only do what Brendan is doing - but cheap on the hope they come good. Perhaps the Champions League years are when the big players can be bought - but that's for a later date (hopefully next year!)
I do get annoyed all this 'hind sight' stuff as unless you pay silly money for obvious world class talent then it will always be a risk.
Look at Ozil - a guaranteed world class player at £42 mil - and he hardly delivers. I'd are Coutinho or Sterling appear to offer more at the moment. Splashing cash doesn't always work.
i consider Moses gone already.
ReplyDeleteSuso has the qualities to be in the front 3 and fighting for the last place with sterling as a creative winger, Tex not ready for first team yet but having him coutinho and alberto fighting for the No10 role could be consider, we a defensive minded midfielder with Hendo's physicall qualities it could even be the 3 battling for 2 place and having a really technical midfield in the future.
like everyone is saying a good defensive midfielder battling with lucas, hendo and allen and then the 3 players for the number 10 role we could have a really good midfield in the years to come, the 3 of them are still really young and with champion's league fortunately and differents cup they good have a role to play.
Players sometimes grow and become better over time like Lucas, Henderson, Sterling etc. Alberto needs to get a little stronger and better at tackling but what he has over Suso is a cleaner more power shot. I think Alberto, Suso and Teixeira will all be good players in the future. But you're right in that they're all after the same position and he picked Teixeira over Alberto in an important game. That had to of hurt Alberto's conference.
ReplyDeleteYes if Alberto is fit seing Tex probably hurt him . So is he going to do a Sahin or a Henderson?
ReplyDeleteIt's surprising how good Liverpool have done this season after doing so bad in the last two transfer markets. If Liverpool don't finish with CL football next season we'll 100% know what caused it.
ReplyDeleteWe really have come a very long way,when lack of playing time for Aspas and Alberto is turning into a gripe. I would understand if we were losing or the players they were competing with had a lack of form,but they're not. I believe he chose Texiera over Alberto because of what he is showing in training and the fact he's more used to the english game and I believe Brendan got it right as Texiera done very well when he came on,so why complain? we have to trust our managers judgement on players,he is after all working with them day in day out.
ReplyDeletePoint is that the games one and it's an ideal opportunity to bring the likes of Aspas and Alberto on with no pressure and little risk. Would have also rested Sturridge and Sterling for the Fulham game, because they're the ones I'd have taken off. It's a win - win situation to do this. Maybe with fresher legs in the team for the Fulham game, we wouldn't have had to win it at the death.
ReplyDeleteNo, I'm not unhappy to have seen us rip Arsenal to bits and then have the fortitude to keep going to get three points at Fulham, but you're making Jaimie's points for him, if you think that BR shouldn't be seeking to optimize.
Dont you think he should have been introduced way more earlier than last night? Its nearly the end of season and crucial games to play, and now br comes with tex, come on, why didnt he play him vs oldham or bournemouth at all, that was a career killer im talking about. Almost everyone was getting chances this season bar tex, after being the best young player in europe last year, and terrific this year on reserves. Hes been harshly treated and if lucas was fit you still wouldnt see him even on bench, I thought you and the others who think like you, already knew this!
ReplyDeleteI agree, splashing cash doesn't always work.
ReplyDeleteWe can afford to spend, but unfortunately as last summer proved, unless we have CL football, the top tier talent won't play here.
I also agree with the assertion that if Hendo helps us get back to the CL, then it affirms his purchase that much more. I just think we overpaid to get him. Just my opinion, though I'm sure others here agree (while others such as yourself disagree).
In Kenny's second spell, that first January/Summer when we spent like drunken sailors, we overpaid for everyone but Suarez and Craig Bellamy (and Bellamy was on a free).
You would've rested Sturridge and Sterling for the Fulham game and broke up the best forward line in the premier league?Who said they were tired? Sturridge got another goal and won us a penalty in 90th min,not really the actions of a tired man,is it?! We supporters pay good money to see Liverpool play and this season we've been spoilt at Anfield, do you think anyone wants Brendan to take Suarez,Sturridge and Sterling off after 60 mins,no chance we want to see more magical football.
ReplyDeleteI am surprised Nobody Mentioned about Ryan Mclaughlin who is on loan at Barnsley...This Lad luks Brilliant...He will be our Surprise Package if he gets a chance too in the senior team this summer
ReplyDeletehttp://youtu.be/YnbqIZfU-y4
I have resisted the temptation to vote you down as well because that would be petty.
ReplyDeleteA whole career up in smoke so easily.......
If a career consists of one or two matches YOU think he should have played in for a few more minutes then yes BR has killed several players' careers. But then so has every other manager that ever existed.. Clealy Tex has a potentially geat career ahead of him but I expect BR knows better than we do how to get the best out of him and the team now and for the longer term
Alberto will probably play on Sunday.
ReplyDeleteYeah this is the typical answer of most of you guys " rodgers knows best.. He seen him in training etc" really poor excuse but I will not mind it. As for voting me down that was hilarious to read, do you think I care or you can harm me with your down vote on me? Not sure how old are you now... Must be a teen! Clearly your one of those who think that br is untouchable and he knows everything. Dear friend didnt you just see games like southampton arsenal away wba villa chelsea hull newcastle.. Just go and judge rodgers there, and then you could say he knows best!
ReplyDeleteYou misunderstand me, I think. 5-0 up after 52 minutes, I'd have taken Sterling and Sturridge off, for two reasons. They would have 35-40 less minutes on the pitch, hence leaving them more lively for the Fulham game, which may have made that game easier for us.
ReplyDeleteAnd two, it would have given Aspas and Alberto, with fresh legs, perhaps the opportunity to help us score one or two more against Arsenal.
We didn't see much more magic after the fifth goal went in anyway. Might have seen more with fresh legs. Plus, two players who hardly get any game time, may have benefitted and got a confidence boost.
I don't accept that you've got to leave your best eleven on the pitch for 90 minutes every game. Suarez is an exception in this, but he's a phenominal machine.
Well said I agree with that.
ReplyDeletePlease just read what I said.
ReplyDeleteSo am i, im very pissed that he is not given a chance as his performances have been pretty good when he played! Please get him some game time!
ReplyDelete15m for the future long term captain of LFC? Seems like decent business to me.
ReplyDeleteThere has been a lot of games where we could have given Alberto some game time
ReplyDeleteI still don't really know what type of player he is
What is the problem?
Doubt very much Alberto will be sold and I disagree completely with the assertion he was a waste of money. IMO opinion he's a gifted player and adds to the quality of the squad. If Coutinho gets injured or has a big loss in form I'm sure Alberto is the guy BR will turn too.
ReplyDeleteInitially Henderson was over priced, but overall I think a fair assessment is that he (eventually) represented good value. 7M for Alberto is significantly less than the fee for Henderson, but Alberto's value for money is arguably nothing. The way it's going for Alberto, he will be out on loan next season and possibly just become a more expensive Dani Pacheco.
ReplyDeleteIf you're looking towards the future and wanting to replace Henderson then 75% of the squad is not good enough. I think he's by far, one of our better players. I'd rank him 4th for performances this season behind SAS and Skrtel.
Why hasn't Alberto been given any significant game time?
ReplyDeleteNot sure about that. Ivanovic, Zabaleta and Coleman are certainly better.
ReplyDeleteI do actually think he is very good. Last season at least. I've seen far less of Fulham this season but I understand they've been in disarray at the back.
He's Coutinhos back up and BR hasn't hardly wanted to take Coutinho off the pitch. You can't play them both.
ReplyDeleteSure... if he becomes captain
ReplyDeleteTo maintain and subsequently improve our position in the league, our squad will need to improve, especially defensively.
ReplyDeleteAnd the same will apply to us if we are able to make Champions League this season.
I don't know if I'd go as high as 75%, but I think we will definitely need to change anywhere from 33% of 50% of the team. Especially the depth of the team, which is simply too thin.
Best way to do that is bring in new people to compete with the starters.
Br kill his career? Like he's killed hendo's, sterling's, flanno's, sturridge, coutinho etc. stupid comment
ReplyDeleteHe's a calm player with good vision, through passer, ability o score, good in ball control, u know how he works if u saw against spurs, he pass a nice through ball to Suarez to score.
ReplyDeleteSo just to be clear, the fact that BR see's him in training everyday is a poor excuse to exclude him from games?
ReplyDeleteMoan moan moan ...cant you just praise teixeira for a good game and be happyy we have so much talented youth ALBERTO illori suso tixeira sterling kent smith chivella mglauchlin flanagan .. If another top team had so much talentented youth you would be slating our youth policy ..Stop nit picking after every game and just enjoy our jouney back to the top
ReplyDeleteYup, he looks like a real prospect; doesn't look the quickest over the ground though that might just be because of his size. Feet not great in terms of speed either but he compensates with great use of his body and has a decent enough touch. Like the look of his passing and crossing too.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand.. Luis Alberto is an amazing player and has to be played more! Brendan is doing the wrong and has to put him In the squad. He is going to be amazing in the future, how can you play Allen and not him.. He needs to wake up.
ReplyDelete