FC Dnipro attacker Yehven Konoplyanka continues to be one of Brendan Rodgers' main transfertransfer targets, and after watching him action against Tottenham over the last couple of weeks, Anfield legend John Aldridge has once again bemoaned the failure to sign the Ukrainian during the January transfer window.
Brendan Rodgers reportedly sent three 'trusted' scouts to watch Konoplyanka in Dnipro's Europa League home victory against Spurs last week (where Konoplyanka scored the winner), and scouts were also present in the second-leg at White Hart Lane on Thursday.
After watching that game, which Spurs won 3-1, Aldo tweeted:
"We really missed out on Konoplyanka. Top player!"
Konoplyanka definitely looks like an impressive player, but Reds hero Mark Lawrenson doesn't share Aldo's enthusiasm. In his column for The Mirror last week, Lawro observed:
"Even if Brendan had brought in winger Yevhen Konoplyanka from Dnipro, I don’t think he would have got into the side ahead of [Raheem] Sterling, who has improved beyond recognition"
All is not lost, though, and according to Dnipro executive director Andriy Rusol, the Reds will sign Konoplyanka this summer. Speaking to the Ukrainian press in February, Rusol blamed Liverpool for failing to tie-up the €19m deal, but suggested that a deal will be done this summer:
"I am a thousand per cent sure that Liverpool will try again in the summer and then we'll let him go. Everything will be fine. If Liverpool, in the summer, report to us, Yevhen will still go to this club."
Spurs are allegedly convinced that Konoplyanka will join them over the Reds this summer, but if Liverpool do go back in for the attacker, one crucial factor could make the difference: Champions League football.
LFC are in a great position to finish in the top four, and if the club can achieve its goal, why would Konoplyanka reject the chance to play in Europe's elite competition? Does he have kind of personal allegiance to Spurs? I seriously doubt it. Indeed, when asked if he was upset about the failed LFC deal, Konoplyanka told reporters:
"Well, I will not hide it, there is a little resentment, but life goes on. I hope that everything will turn out okay."
Konoplyanka's comments seem to suggest that he wanted the move, and hopes for the deal to be resurrected in the summer. A lot of things can, and probably will, change over the next few months, though, and with the World Cup to come, new transfer targets will inevitably emerge for LFC.
Should the Reds go back in for Konoplyanka this summer?
Author: Jaimie K
Brendan Rodgers reportedly sent three 'trusted' scouts to watch Konoplyanka in Dnipro's Europa League home victory against Spurs last week (where Konoplyanka scored the winner), and scouts were also present in the second-leg at White Hart Lane on Thursday.
After watching that game, which Spurs won 3-1, Aldo tweeted:
"We really missed out on Konoplyanka. Top player!"
Konoplyanka definitely looks like an impressive player, but Reds hero Mark Lawrenson doesn't share Aldo's enthusiasm. In his column for The Mirror last week, Lawro observed:
"Even if Brendan had brought in winger Yevhen Konoplyanka from Dnipro, I don’t think he would have got into the side ahead of [Raheem] Sterling, who has improved beyond recognition"
All is not lost, though, and according to Dnipro executive director Andriy Rusol, the Reds will sign Konoplyanka this summer. Speaking to the Ukrainian press in February, Rusol blamed Liverpool for failing to tie-up the €19m deal, but suggested that a deal will be done this summer:
"I am a thousand per cent sure that Liverpool will try again in the summer and then we'll let him go. Everything will be fine. If Liverpool, in the summer, report to us, Yevhen will still go to this club."
Spurs are allegedly convinced that Konoplyanka will join them over the Reds this summer, but if Liverpool do go back in for the attacker, one crucial factor could make the difference: Champions League football.
LFC are in a great position to finish in the top four, and if the club can achieve its goal, why would Konoplyanka reject the chance to play in Europe's elite competition? Does he have kind of personal allegiance to Spurs? I seriously doubt it. Indeed, when asked if he was upset about the failed LFC deal, Konoplyanka told reporters:
"Well, I will not hide it, there is a little resentment, but life goes on. I hope that everything will turn out okay."
Konoplyanka's comments seem to suggest that he wanted the move, and hopes for the deal to be resurrected in the summer. A lot of things can, and probably will, change over the next few months, though, and with the World Cup to come, new transfer targets will inevitably emerge for LFC.
Should the Reds go back in for Konoplyanka this summer?
Author: Jaimie K
I feel the WC will give us a lot many new players to look at with new stars emerging there and if we have CL by the end of this season am sure the players coming to Anfield would be of a different ilk and make an impact firing on all cylinders as soon as they hit the ground.
ReplyDeleteI am sure a lot of players that we're going to get linked with would be new and better than the current crop as that is what every WC offers.
What do you all think about the Isco deal? I know its a long shot but what if we signed a player of his talent?
SUMMER IS A BIG MARKET...WE CAN GET GOOD QUALITY PLAYERS LIKE KONOPLAYANKA...HOPIN FOR THE BEST YNWA
ReplyDeleteWell 2 decent outings against Totenham(comedy channel) doesn't mean much. Salah destroyed Chelsea twice but is now cleaning boots of Hazard and Oscar.
ReplyDeleteThe next level for Liverpool awaits and a star like konoplyanka will be a greathe addition to our already outstanding team. A world class talent like konoplyanka should be the first of many super stars to arrive at afield this summer as we move into Europe's elite.
ReplyDeletePukeee you make me puke. Your the comedy on here.
ReplyDeleteKonoplyanka is not world class. What has he ever done in Europe, or on the world stage? How can someone who's achieved comparatively little in the game be world class?
ReplyDeleteIf we make CL then we need to beef up the squad! In saying that, not squad players, but players that will compete for the starting 11!
ReplyDeleteYes Sterling deserves the spot right now, however, with so many more games next year, we need more quality players!
Look at you big boy sticking your oar in. What's to say that konoplyanka Isn't world class. just because he doesn't play for a top team or he hasn't won the world cup etc means nothing. He has the talent for all to see, he has the skills and the feet. He has proven himself at international and European level. So although your ignorance is stupid your education is now enhanced. Before you respond and cry me a river remember konoplyanka is world class!
ReplyDeleteHis team made it to the knock-out stages of the Europa league and he scored for his national team in a WC qualifier. By that standard, there would be quite a lot of players 'proven at international and European level'.
ReplyDeleteKonoplyanka is a good player, no doubt ... he might even become world class in the future. But to be tagged world class right now, you need to be an integral part of a big team in one of the major leagues and play at that level week in week out for years.
lol
ReplyDeleteJaimie, you've proven yourself a prize fool of the highest order...as usual!!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's like this, dummy: Konoplyanka was a shite panic buy after we missed out on Salah but then when we missed out on Konoplyanka he instantly became one of the all time greats.
Gah. It's like you form your opinions over time based on facts and stupid stuff like that instead of emotionally reacting to everything, ya dingus.
Without a doubt, lets get this kid
ReplyDeleteYes He is absolute class, been saying this for 2 years now. Please LFC get him in the summer.
ReplyDeletewas ronaldo world class when he left lisbon for united, was hazard world class when he went to chelsea, Was suarez world class when the reds bought him? Is he not still world class because he doesnt play champions league? KONO has all the attributes to become world class,only people who have no football brain cant see it..
ReplyDeleteIf things stay as they are and Tottenham do not have Champions League football, Konoplyanka comes down to Tottenham and Liverpool, Konoplyanka is ours to lose. Spurs will be busy trying to hang on to their players who might be moving to LFC.....Vertoghon(sic) is one player who is not happy at Spurs.
ReplyDeleteSterling had improved beyond recognition. We have a top player now, what did BR done to him lol!!!
ReplyDelete