21 Aug 2014

Exciting News: Boss admits 'amazing' £20m LFC target may leave in next 10 days. Sign?

After weeks of fevered speculation, it's all gone quiet on the Marco Reus front, and it seems likely that many Reds fans seem to have given up on the tantalising prospect of the 'amazing' German coming to Anfield. LFC remain second-favourites to sign Reus, however, and Dortmund's CEO has admitted that the club may struggle to keep hold of Reus this summer.

When asked today about Reus's future, Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke told reporters:

"We will have to wait and see whether we can keep hold of Marco. All I can say is that I know him really well and it’s not about money with him"

German legend Franz Beckenbauer is also convinced Reus will leave. In an interview with German newspaper Bild this week, he noted:

"If you can get a player of his class, you need to try. If he doesn't go to Bayern, he will probably go to another big club, like Real Madrid, or Manchester United. Dortmund will probably not be able to hold on to him. "

I doubt Dortmund will be impressed with Beckenbauer's nakedly self-serving comments, which basically constitute indirect tapping-up on Bayern's behalf. Pep Guardiola is not interested in Reus, though, and when asked this week about the possibility of signing the attacker, he noted:

"We already have eight strikers. I do not need new players. I am pleased with this squad"

And Manchester United? Absolutely no chance. Reus isn't stupid, and Atletico Madrid President Enrique Cerezo confirmed this week that the German rejected the chance of a move to Old Trafford. He told reporters:

"I don’t know where the Marco Reus [to Atletico] rumour came from. It’s a player who, at this time, is impossible to us. He had an offer for a lot of money from Manchester United and he has not gone, and we will not get him with a lesser offer."

Like many Reds fans, Anfield legend Jamie Carragher wants to see Reus at Anfield, and when asked about the deal recently, he enthused:

“I’d love LFC to sign Reus. [He's a ] great player, and would be one of the best players in the Premier League.”

Reus's stats add weight to Carra's contention that the attacker could be one of the Premier League's best. After his return from injury in February, he grabbed 19 goals/assists in 13 games for Dortmund, which is a Luis-Suarez level of creativity. Stats for the last three seasons:

* 127 apps
* 61 goals
* 29 assists
* Goal/Assist every 1.4 games

With Man United and Bayern out of the picture, now is surely the perfect time for Liverpool to aggressively pursue Reus? Next year, he can leave for for just £20m, so any club that offers more than that now must surely be in with a good chance of sealing a deal.

Signing Reus may seem like overkill for this transfer window, but as Beckenbauer states, if a player of Reus's class is available, it's remiss not to at least try and snap him up.

Author:


82 comments:

  1. Yes of course we want him: Balotelli and Reus would be amazing additions. Somehow doubt we'll get him though.

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  2. I've heard on social media Arsenal want him. But my source hasn't indicated in this transfer window they we want him...yet. That might change. Fingers crossed.

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  3. keep flogging that dead horse Jaimie.

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  4. Reus would be awesome but I fear he will not think we are an established top team in Europe yet. Let's get the Did Man speaking on the clubs behalf to change his mind.


    This signing would give Rodgers a nightmare in picking a side, but what a nightmare, and would give us strength in depth to seriously challenge on all fronts, and I truly mean ALL FRONTS!!


    Here's to dreaming.

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  5. Mate, are you Ian Botham!?

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  6. Liverpool will negotiate n negotiate only for Chelsea to come in with huge bid n grab him away last min..

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  7. Mate Balotelli and Reus Come on Now your teasing Us .
    Not fair

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  8. balotelli, reus and eto"o on a year contract would be transfers sorted, with money left for possibly needed additions in january.

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  9. looks like it could be a done deal already, as long as paperwork done by mid day tomorrow he can play against city.... apparently !!

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  10. You cant read the article is about Reus not Balotelli
    REUS

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  11. After buying Mario and If Liverpool sell Borini to Sunderland for £14m, the net spent this summer will be £24m which is incredible.Liverpool have enough to buy another top player. The Liverpool squad is just packed with quality now. I love it.

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  12. No need for Eto'o when we get Reus and Balotelli (as we obviously definitely will).

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  13. Marco Reus would be a fantastic signing for LFC and would definitely be a regular starter. Haven't had the opportunity to see him play live unfortunately but from my (armchair youtube scouting) he looks the perfect addition to our impressive midfield force, he seems to have it all, really good free kick taker too. Kudos BR and Ian Ayre for a refreshingly promising transfer window.

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  14. So..
    Gerrard Hendo Lallana Reus Balloteli and Sturidge. With only Coutinho, Sterling and Markovic waiting on the bench.. Damn, I do not think we can make it to the Europa League...

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  15. get a life, stating business affairs which does include the whole team, plus players we need.
    besides i was commenting on other peoples opinions regarding balotelli. always get one.
    go correct all the others while yor at it ;)

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  16. tony says article is only about reus, please only talk about REUS it is forbidden to talk about others concerning lfc !!

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  17. thinking ahead if sturridge with his record picks up an injury, with the amount of extra games we will be playing.
    cant see borini staying, talk of him going to inter.
    id say ideally need 4 strikers

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  18. Yes that is mathematically correct but we now have a massively increased wage bill that is probably ok as it stands but we could do with a really good clear out now and give the current squad ( 10 new additions ) time to gel and earn their transfer fees, We have a fantastic season to look forward to and we can dare to dream, but bear in mind thee usually is a transitional period. Maybe tho just maybe

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  19. Still doesn't make Sense article is about Reus .
    Your talking about paperwork done midweek ?
    where does it say that,
    where does it say Reus wont be ready for Man city.
    your talking about balotelli
    Lifes good here .

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  20. Im going to talk about Tony and Balotelli

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  21. That's plausible given that Arsenal is filled with German players.

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  22. thanks mate champion

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  23. We could play the guillotine formation with Reus, Balo, Sturridge, Cout, Sterling,Gerrard, Manq, Skr, Lov, Moreno

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  24. How about:
    -----------------Sturridge------------------
    Reus----------Coutinho---------Sterling
    -----------Gerrard-------Hendo-----------
    Moreno---Lovren---Skrtel----Manquillo
    -------------------Mignolet------------------
    Subs: Jones (Romero?), Balotelli, Lallana, Can, Sakho, Johnson, Markovic
    Other (I might forget some...): Allen, Enrique, Suso, Agger(?), Toure, Coates(?), Lambert, etc...


    That, my friend, is a strong squad.

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  25. Pepe Reina and Suarez were on huge wages. I think Johnson's days are numbered and he's on 100k per week so Liverpool will be okay in that department with a few others leaving too, starting with Borini.

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  26. Post Sanchez, Reus is and always was they key to reaching the next level NOW instead of next year. To add him to our current crop of young stars allows us to compete with the best in the PL and ensure that we continue to build our reputation across Europe.
    The younger players can take their time to develop, and learn from true masters; to that end, if possible, we should also seek to resign Xabi Alonso to prolong both his and Gerrard's career and to show the new guys the way to do it.
    We will get on just fine without him. With him, though, I would say that we would be a match for ANYONE in the PL and a good few in Europe.
    The capture of Balotelli may just be the kind of thing that would make us attractive enough for someone like Reus- he could legitimately see a real future in joining us. I would not have said that earlier in the window. Our squad is young, hungry, full of experience and promise, and anyone who turns us down from now on may just live to regret it.
    Whatever it costs, buy Reus.

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  27. Just a side note on other outgoing players:


    IF, and its a huge IF, we get Reus, we have no room for Borini, Assaidi, Alberto, and Aspas as well. Essentially every transfer fail in the past 2 years. I'd say BR did very well this summer, even without Reus.

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  28. Wk's comment is about Reus and how Chelsea will (in his opinion) come in and steal the transfer, and you reply that the deal is already done. You obviously meant Balotelli, which is completely off topic...

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  29. I really do believe we may be moving to 3 at the back , two young wingbacks, Moreno and Manquillo, with Gerrard Hendo Reus Sterling Coutinho Markovic and Lallana rotating behind Sturridge and Balotelli

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  30. All these comments indicate to me very clearly that this move is about what Reus wants, not what Dortmund or United or Liverpool or anyone else want. The player is in a perfect position to decide his own future and he turned down a new contract that would potentially have included a prohibitive release clause. For a time I was thinking that Dortmund would simply refuse to sell but that latest comment indicates that they are not so sure that they can simply say no. The reality is the same as always: if the player wants to leave then there is not much the club can do except get a good fee.


    To me the fact that Reus is still at Dortmund today is a strong indication that he's not fussed about moving. He's at a good team with a great manager and good prospects for the coming year. He probably just wants to compete at the highest level and Dortmund have given him that. Challenging for the league title and going deep in the Champions League competition is what every player wants from their club and that's what he'll get this year unless something goes wrong.


    So while we could make an enquiry I will continue to advise fans to keep their expectations in check. This move is about what Reus wants and I just can't see why he would be interested in moving to Liverpool at this stage in his career. Maybe if we have another big season and produce a Dortmund level of results he'd consider us, but if I were him and I had no emotional attachment to Liverpool as a club then I'd not be inclined to sign myself up to a club that, from an outside perspective, has just as much chance of falling flat and failing to live up to the performances of last year.

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  31. You mentioned Xabi, and that got me thinking on some other small business we should conduct, maybe not this window, but over the course of the next 2.


    1) Sell Johnson. He's effectively replaced by Flanno as our 2-sided fullback.
    2) Buy Manquillo permanently. He's good.
    3) Offload AAA (Assaidi, Aspas, Alberto) and Borini.
    4) Swap Jones with Romero or another good keeper. I love Jones, but his performances haven't been as solid as I'd like.

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  32. It's not forbidden, your comment was just a non-sequitor that made no sense in the context of the post you replied to, that's what the other poster was calling you out on.

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  33. Even with the changes though....Thats an awesome squad for any formation really!

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  34. I don't think we should sacrifice our attack, for a 3 5 2.
    Right now assuming Balotelli comes in and we want to play him with Studge, it's struggle to fit in the attacking talent. Add an extra defender into the mix and it's a much more defensive minded formation.

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  35. I think all that will happen, apart (unfortunately ) Johnson. Borini MIGHT stay too.
    People say Xabi is too old. But we now have youngsters everywhere, and he definitely has 1-2 good seasons left in him, both he and SG would interchange seamlessly. And who better for Can, Hendo etc to learn from than those two?
    Pressure off for both of them

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  36. Noted, but both Lallana and Sterling can operate in wing back roles defensively, with 1 or 2 midfielders staying at home/chasing and harrying SG, Hendo?Can

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  37. Exactly! Johnson will hopefully be sold at the same time we buy Manquillo. I mean, if for whatever reason the option to buy is cancelled, or we opt out, we'd be stuck with only Flanno, and forced to buy.


    And that second point is spot on. With Rossiter and Wisdom coming up, we wouldn't even need to buy anyone once those two and Agger retire. Not to mention Origi to take Lambert's place, and Ilori for Toure, we have basically all of our oldest players all ready for replacement!

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  38. They are worried about losing yet another key player to Munich, effectively conceding the title to them, and getting less than £20m for him. So I think they would settle for more money now and Reus going overseas.
    If they accept an offer, then Reus' choices are more limited than it looks ; no place for him at RM or Barca, PSG in financial straightjackets and Utd in freefall. that leaves Man City Arsenal and Chelsea all of which are even more top heavy with top AMs than we are. Not guaranteed a starting place.
    We have a similar setup to Dortmund but are on the way up, rather than stagnating or going down
    Maybe he wouldn't join us. But we should try REAL hard to get him

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  39. Throw in Sterling at RWB and it really won't be though... I mean you mention extra defenders, but the two wing backs would be exploding down the wings. Just for visuals:


    -------Surridge-------Balotelli-------
    -----------Coutinho/Reus------------
    ------Henderson-----Can/Gerrard-
    Moreno-----------------------Sterling
    --------Sakho--Lovren--Skrtel------


    Like we have now, one of the CM's would be more of a holding player to take the space between the mid and def, and the other would be Box to Box. The wings are covered by flying WB's and the 3CBs would prevent easy countering. The attack should be pretty self explanatory.

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  40. Precisely.

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  41. I reckon he'll stick for another season and see how it pans out. His agent can send out the "Reus wants to move" signals towards the end of the season if he's keen. Most teams have done their business for this summer but there are bound to be one or two that don't get the final result they want and come next summer they'll be looking to make some changes. Overall, given the uncertainty that he'd be facing right now, isn't his best option to just stay where he is?


    I agree, we should try. There is money to spend and it would be dumb to not go for the player just because we don't desperately need him.

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  42. That's the option we always have. In a 3-5 formation there is always one wing that defaults as defence so with Sterling on the right it would be the left side that is more conservative. Skrtel has played as a dedicated right back previously so I guess he can fill that role, although I get nervous at the thought of it.

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  43. I agree whole-heartedly, but there are a few things to consider.


    While I doubt Reus is looking for a move, he did refuse the contract extension and his current one is up next year. Dortmund will hardly push a player of his caliber out, but they also will probably want money for him. The potential move will be about what Reus wants, not anyone else (like you said), but he probably understands that not leaving and not signing a contract is kinda screwing Dortmund over. Not to mention he will be leaving anyway. Considering Bayern doesn't seem to be interested (or at least Pep isn't) any move within Germany would be a down-grade, both now and next summer, assuming Shalke, Gladbach, or Leverkusen don't become world beaters this season.


    Even if he doesn't move this summer, he will be considering his options. Next summer, Dortmund will not be a choice, and barring a sale from Bayern, they won't be a choice either. From the comments, he's not about the money, so Chelsea and City wouldn't be as enticing as they seem. France is also a step down. Real and Barca are always options, but for me, Atletico Madrid and Liverpool would be the most similar to Dortmund in terms of style of play, need for a Reus like player, fan-base, managerial youth, and projected success. And by no coincidence, those are the two teams most mooted to be after his signature.


    So again, while he is under no real pressure to move (other than Dortmund wanting money for him), I do think these rumors have at least a bit of truth in them. He's considering his options, and Dortmund extension, Atleti, and LFC seem to be the options.

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  44. Reus watching Mario join Liverpool could definitely help him want to join. Reus, Balotelli, Sturridge that would be special and even better than SAS.

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  45. It would be amazing to see Reus joining Liverpool, but I don't think he will. He's more likely to want to join Barca, and now that their transfer ban has been upheld they might well go for him as they can't wait until next year.. However, with all the players already there it would be a huge gamble for him to join them, Neymar, Suarez and Messi, tough to break into that setup, although it could happen that all four played...... my God!!! Barca vs Real CL final anyone?

    As many have pointed out, Liverpool are very similar in nature to Dortmund, but with exciting times ahead, so who knows. The world's at his feet right now, no need to rush it. As I understand from what I've read, there's pretty much no chance he'd go to Bayern, he simply doesn't like them, good lad.

    Hopefully Liverpool at least try to sign him, that's all they can do, and should.

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  46. He will go to Barca or Real. You heard it here first

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  47. REUS WILL NOT BE AT LIVERPOOL PLAYER FOR THE REST OF HIS CARRIER, WE NEED A STRIKER, WE HAVE LALLLANA AND MARKOVICH, THEY WILL SETTLE IN SOON, WATCH THIS SPACE

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  48. LFC aren't in Italy. I can't see any 3 at the back system working for any club in the PL. If United continue with it, it seems that they will keep struggling, too. It's countered far too easily by teams playing with one striker, as almost all do in the PL. We didn't have the personnel to see it out properly last season but I don't want Rodgers to try it again all for one signing. It's the Cavani thing all over again.


    Did you not see Ashley Young as a wing back? Not schooled as a defender and it cost them a goal and 2 points. Why would you want to put Sterling there and mitigate his effectiveness for us?


    I think it's potentially a good option for a tough away game, and on larger pitches, too. But I wouldn't use 3 at the back on a regular basis just for Balotelli.

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  49. Latest rumour

    Liverpool will only sign Mario Balotelli if the player agrees to conduct clauses in his contract.



    I would be happy with that. If true and he does not want to have these clauses in his contract then he can go fly.

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  50. I think he's holding out for one of the Spanish two

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  51. Neither would I, but it's an option. Rodgers has played 3 at the back, he's played 4-4-2 with a diamond, he's played Coutinho in a central midfield role. Maybe I'm imagining it but haven't we already seen Sterling play wing back in a 3-5-2 last season? I rule nothing out and Rodgers isn't going to limit the team to 4-3-3 because it might be a defensive liability. If we've learned nothing else it's that he believes in attack, attack, attack.

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  52. Turn down the volume

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  53. Not sure I believe this. Why would you sour negotiations harping back to things now hopefully in the past?. And what extra penalties would you impose that you would not be able to do anyway if club discipline was breached? Sounds like the sort of things papers make up just cos it is remotely plausible and stirs things up at the same time.

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  54. It may seem like overkill, but the options we have now/ would have if he signs, would be incredible. The squad has really improved this window and I would love to see Reus at the club. Outside chance of it happening, but more than likely will not. Still very happy with where the squad is at the moment. Maybe a GK for some much needed competition.

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  55. Exactly what I said yesterday. The whole 'bite clause' fabrication is still fresh in everyone's minds, so why not get more click views by opportunistically lying about some behaviour clause?

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  56. Mario is a likeable guy unlike the disgusting merceneric personality of Eto'o

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  57. Nevergonnacrackthecode11:55 am, August 22, 2014

    with barca banned you only have real madrid

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  58. Oh yea I forgot about that. God knows where he'll end up then

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  59. Nevergonnacrackthecode12:22 pm, August 22, 2014

    ................................balotelli.....................sturridge
    ................................................sterling
    .......................coutinho.......................................henderson
    ...............................................gerrard
    ..........moreno................................................................manquillo
    ...............................sakho........................lovren
    ...........................................mignolet


    bench: lambert,markovic,lallana,can,flanagan,skrtel,romero




    i dont know many teams stronger this

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  60. To the Gods of Transfer, make this happen!

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  61. Nevergonnacrackthecode12:52 pm, August 22, 2014

    its happening!

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  62. Info was from James Pearce, Liverpool Echo who is quite accurate when he writes about LFC. He reported that the clauses contain financial penalties.

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  63. he's excited about lunch.

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  64. There isn't enough pitch to add Reus now. Sturridge, Sterling, Coutinho, Balotelli, Lallana and Markovich already make it pretty jammed and bringing him in makes the Markovic signing in particular pointless. I think Reid is amazing and I would buy all three kits with his name on them if he signed with us but I just don't see it happening.

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  65. When did Lawro make those comments? Seems like it must have been after a big game or something. If it was just off the cuff, that's pretty harsh. To call him a disgrace is pretty extreme.

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  66. And there is also Lambert too and Ibe if he does not go on loan. We have more than enough attacking options now.

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  67. And me. And my mum.

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  68. Maybe he cracked the code...

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  69. Well, there was some rumour of sending back to Milan if he plays up...

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  70. haha.. I would be too if someone made something for the spoon...

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  71. Just read all ur comments an I must say that you all make valid points but I can't understand why or wot possessed rodgers 2 even consider him given his chequered past on and of the pitch. ?....he's got a very volatile personality an I think he cud do us more harm than good if he starts getting sent off every other game ffs......
    spose we'll just have 2 wait and see I guess an just hope he's grown up a bit now an settles his sen down......

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  72. I think Ian Botham is a boyhood Chelsea fan.

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  73. This is a bit tricky one.

    Would never say no to Reus. A true world class player and would be a great purchase. So saying we really don't need him is a bit silly.



    But tbh we won't get him. Don't know even if we have really tried. Haven't read anything from good sources. It's okay though because we already have a great young team. Not really feeling bad if he goes to Spain. I'd rather see him staying in Dortmund because they are in similar position teamwise as we are so I kinda hope they manage well. Only thing I don't want to see is Reus in another big PL team. But fortunately doesn't seem very likely

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  74. Rodgers' response to question about Balotelli:
    "I can categorically say I cannot comment about it." Haha...

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  75. Spirit of the Shadows4:43 pm, August 22, 2014

    If the experts were fully honest then they would acknowledge that these kind of players with their fiery attitude win finals single handedly too. Even our own stevie g at his prime had an attitude and could get himself sent off too. It comes with the best, gotta live with it.

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  76. a lot of these guys all though legends belong to a bygone age.....if he score a hat trick against the bitters or utd all will be forgotten

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  77. as a matter of fact, Lawro states in his predictions on bbc THIS week, that .."Liverpool need a new striker and I think AC Milan's former Manchester City frontman Mario Balotelli would be a great signing.

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  78. That's irrelevant, it's the amount of games that matter. You will find that Suarez scored less in his first 54 games. The point is Suarez's goal scoring rate increased significantly under Rodgers so lets hope he can do the same for balotelli.

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  79. Wow, never knew Rodgers managed Ajax and the Uruguay national team too. Suarez has scored wherever he's played. He started scoring more for us because he played in the point of attack after having to suffer behind the likes of Andy Carrol for a season and a half.

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