16 Dec 2014

Done Deal: LFC to sign 'incredible' €8m World Cup star who 'dreams' of Liverpool move

Over the summer, long-time Liverpool target Guillermo Ochoa delivered a goalkeeping masterclass during the World Cup, and after the tournament, Malaga snapped him up on a three-year deal. €8m-rated Ochoa is yet to make an appearance for the La Liga club, though, and reports today suggest that the Mexican stopper will be LFC's first signing of the January transfer window.

Liverpool were last linked with Ochoa in October, and according to multiple reports today, the Reds have agreed a €4m deal to sign him in January.

Liverpool have tracked €8m-rated Ochoa for the last two years. The story so far:

JAN 2013: Liverpool made a €6m bid for Ochoa, and in an interview at the time, the 27-year old stopper told Reporters: "My agent had contact with Liverpool, and I hope this summer there will be some offers. There is no doubt, though, that this one of the dreams I've have had since I came to Europe".

MAR 2013: Ochoa told Mediotiempo: "There is interest from Liverpool, but I have to let things happen. I feel very good, in the professional and sporting way. Physically, I am also very well"

APR 2014: Eurosport claimed that the Reds are still monitoring Ochoa, with a view to signing him this summer.

APR 2014: When asked about Liverpool's interest, Ochoa told Todomercadoweb.es: "I have several offers from different countries, and I am willing to listen to all the offers. My agent is dealing with everything and I do not exclude a future in Italy or England."

When asked recently about Ochoa's permanent bench-status, Malaga’s general director Vicente Casado confirmed that the club may consider selling him during the January transfer window. He told Mediotiempo:

“We still think Guillermo will fight (for his place) in every training session and then we’ll see in December. Memo has incredible ability, but Kameni does too. The thing is that we have two great goalkeepers.”

Ochoa - voted Ajaccio's Player of the Season for 2012-13 - has a flamboyant public persona, but according to the people that work with him, the Mexican's humility is what makes him popular in the dressing room. In April, Ajaccio defender Arnaud Maire explained his appeal:

"He [Ochoa] is quite a simple person and he's actually quite subdued, strangely enough. I think he's someone who shines through his performances rather than his role off the pitch"

The club's goalkeeping coach Thierry Debès added:

"He's well liked because he is extremely humble. He's a superstar in his country, but when he arrived he just kept his head down and worked hard."

Despite being linked with some big clubs over the last few years, Europe's big guns don't ever seem to follow through with their interest, which is strange considering Ochoa has proven his talent time and time again.

One thing's for sure - if Ochoa signs, he will be under intense pressure to do well, and that could be counter-productive.

Just look at the Dejan Lovren situation - when he arrived, Rodgers immediately put pressure on the Croatian by immediately lauding him as a 'leader', and Lovren subsequently crumbled under the weight of expectation.

Hopefully, Ochoa will be mentally strong enough to deal with the expectation that comes with playing for Liverpool.

Author:


90 comments:

  1. So we buy another possible future great? So we lose another dozen of games before he may get better

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  2. If true and we have signed him then BR should not come out and say he's fantastic keeper world class etc instead he should say we've signed him cos he reminds me of my favourite cartoon character Hair Bear from the Hair Bear Bunch

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  3. Cant we just sign De Gea? I tried to follow him on twitter but he blocked that too.

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  4. support another club with a small minded mentality like that who dump managers for fun.

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  5. He's struggling to start at Malaga. Risk buy.

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  6. Future great? He's 29, and an established international 'keeper.

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  7. We are actually now short of ideas. Where do we go from here when our rivals are advancing with unbelievable pace? Remember, we the fans of LIVERPOOL will never be beaten nor be intimidated by the current trend. We have a world to win & surely we shall triumph.

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  8. Nevergonnacrackthecode5:36 pm, December 16, 2014

    Who we could sign in goal ?
    no obvious candidate
    striker : Bony
    Cdm: Song/
    right back: Clyne






    struggling for candidates


    chech and lloris are unrealistic




    What about Michel Vorm again


    he is prven goalkeeper and should not be playing second fiddle to any one

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  9. Nevergonnacrackthecode5:42 pm, December 16, 2014

    yeah we should have left roy hodgson on charge because we dont sack managers


    we should not have a superiority complex to other clubs we have not won anything in the last 24 years apart from a fluky cl win to justify such behavior

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  10. Nevergonnacrackthecode5:43 pm, December 16, 2014

    small club mentality
    is when you enjoy being in the bottom ten
    and enjoy losing

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  11. Nevergonnacrackthecode5:43 pm, December 16, 2014

    Does anyone know how good Begovic's distribution is?

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  12. Nevergonnacrackthecode5:47 pm, December 16, 2014

    breakthrough


    apparently Rafa Benitez might be sacked by Napoli soon
    if this happens liverpool have no excuse but to get him


    he is a big name manager like Mourinho,Van Gaal, Wenger ,Ancelotti

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  13. hodgson was never going to succeed at Liverpool. im assuming you were one of those who was praising rodgers 7-8 months ago and now all of a sudden you want him out. how quickly you forget. you fire him now and who you going to bring in? please tell me because i dont see world class managers just waiting around looking for a job. unless you want tony pulis, youre a joke of a supported. hear chelski need some plastics like you maybe join their bandwagon

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  14. Huge mistake again. Unproven players coming to play in the EPL for us... Let's see how many season will pass by before he settles. I can't believe it, we won't get Begovic or Chech but Guillermo Ochoa......

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  15. Nevergonnacrackthecode6:05 pm, December 16, 2014

    simeoene and klopp are legends of their clubs
    they have a pull and a aura

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  16. Nevergonnacrackthecode6:05 pm, December 16, 2014

    how is begovics distrubution idk?

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  17. I personally like his distribution. Not the quickest goalkeeper when it comes to attack building but at least he doesn't flinch on crosses and set pieces.

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  18. it must be a year or more ago. when Ochoa was originally linked with Liverpool, i watched couple of videos back then. i know not much about the player, or if he is actually good keeper. but those youtube clips serve as truth, He can FLY!!!

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  19. Don't let on to Ochoa but he's probably a stop gap til the summer

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  20. Apparently the express say it's a done deal because he has followed LFC twitter account... like mikhy-whatever (or was it willian ?) his name proved, being followed on twitter doesn't mean he was signed so i'll wait until it's official to say it's done.
    Don't know him but if no top club have pursued their interest and if he can't be the first keeper at Malaga maybe he's not that good.

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  21. Nevergonnacrackthecode6:44 pm, December 16, 2014

    lacazette the guy Logan wants is he a striker or a winger never watched him play?

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  22. I'd think of buying the goalie keeping him out

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  23. to be legends of the club they needed to be given a chance just like rodgers. success isnt built over night

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  24. you are nothin
    you are a fool
    and a waste of time
    good night

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  25. Ahem! Balotelli.

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  26. Here's something that should give most people a good laugh. My cousin, who's school football coach, scored a free kick from outside the area against this bloke while training with the Mexican team for WC 2010. My cousin was 20 at the time (and not a professional footballer).

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  27. It is interesting. Not really funny. And doesn't indicate Ochoa is bad at goalkeeping.

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  28. Fair point. It's probably a fairer reflection of my cousin's free kick taking abilities.

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  29. Carlos Kameni played 15 conceded 14 - I think Itandje our ex keeper is keeping him out of Cameroon team

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  30. The clubs who 'dump managers for fun' are the ones at the top of the table.Not that i'm advocating change at the rate Chelsea and Man City go through managers.They start from a better base with quality squads and have unlimited funds to make managerial transition easier.
    Brendan Rodgers needs to earn the the right to stay at Liverpool.It should never be automatic.He put credit in the bank with a decent end of season league position.It decreased with continued stupidity in the transfer market.League position mixed with bad performances and transfers who are having no positive effect, is rapidly emptying his account.

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  31. My anecdote aside,if I learned anything from watching this keeper at the WC was that he's a decent shot stopper and less proficient in other areas of the game. Doesn't Liverpool have that in Mignolet already?

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  32. She sounds good though

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  33. I am not convinced he is even a particularly good shot stopper now. He gained some credibility for his opening match penalty save last season but has done nothing special since. Every goalkeeper saves some shots. That's their job.

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  34. bri GONE!!!!!!!

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  35. spot on eric his bottle has gone along with his job

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  36. Man he is not the one for us... We need established playing goal keepers...then again for £3M is a bargain.

    Once again we are getting second grade players.

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  37. At least with Pullis we could be confident that we wont get relegated

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  38. I didn't think Origi was going to be a good signing if I'm honest. Obviously he still can develop into a good player but I didn't see what people were raving about during the world cup. Yes he got passed players and created a lot of chances for himself but he scored 1 goal. He seemed to lack the finishing ability. He actually reminds me of Sinama Pongolle. Fast, agile and the ability to get past players but lacks that final killer finish. Alas, the last is only 19 so I really hope he proves me wrong.

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  39. well at least he will feel at home

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  40. thats to easy why buy a good player when you can buy one on a downward curve

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  41. Hes another shot stopper mate. The type of keeper who is fine for the likes of Sunderland where het gets shot at every two minutes so he can shine. But a title chasing side has a goalkeeper who is all round and who can stay focussed. I'm not saying hes a bad keeper. Hes just no better than Mignolet

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  42. this guy is a shop stopper and nothing else ,have fsg done any home work hes not an organizer and his kicking and control is real suspect

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  43. not really as mingo cant even stop shots

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  44. I have said many times before that the grass roots problem starts with the scouting system at lfc,I don't like saying it but everton's scouting system leaves us as second rate.lfc season ticket holder for 50years

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  45. every goalie apart from jones and mingo

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  46. dont worry neither has logan

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  47. Well whoever at the club thought Balotelli was a good idea is an idiot, that much is clear. Even if that list is true though, its not like Bertrand is such an enlightened choice. And Eriksen and Bony could have been bought for 25 million combined last summer. When we decided to buu Aspas, Alberto and Ilori for that money

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  48. neat and tidy player but we really need an imposing midfielder who can bully players and upset teams

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  49. I think Can can fill that role. Eventually.

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  50. As a school football coach, it could be argued that my cousin, is just pure class...

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  51. stop over reacting9:22 pm, December 16, 2014

    Hodgson is 25 years plus older than Rodgers. Comparing cvs is ridiculous. Rodgers has made mistakes this year but the brand of football we were treated to last year was a joy to watch. Hodgson could only dream of replicating that style of play that led to huge victories overt arsenal, spurs, Everton, manure....... Rodgers will come good again but may take time. By the way fans have a part to play too. Atmosphere at Sunderland game was embarrassing. If we'd played our part and got behind the team rather than pouncing on every stray pass that would help. We're supporters not eternal whiners!

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  52. stop over reacting9:28 pm, December 16, 2014

    Spurs always changing manager? Those clubs that have the most cash and can afford to change managers and give them an open cheque book. We're not in their financial league. About time you had some long term perspective. 60 + games of great footy followed by a dodgy start this season. We'll get back on track but supporters have got to start supporting and stop whining. Patience, perspective and support required!

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  53. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:40 pm, December 16, 2014

    This is how i eventually see lfc attack lining up
    ..........................................Balotelli...............Sturridge/Origi
    ...................................................Sterling/Coutinho
    .......................Lallana/Can......................................Henderson/Markovic
    .........................................................Gerrard/Allen




    i think we might need another striker instaed of Balo and a cdm instead of Gerrard and Allen


    my suggestions are Bony and Song

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  54. How can you play Emre Can over the Welsh Xavi? HOW?!??!

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  55. Read a report which says the LFC are reviewing their transfer policy (Cant think why!) and guess what,the people doing the reviewing are non other than............the transfer committee !!!! you couldn't make it up.
    I think a big problem is that there is no one at the club who is a proper football man, they are either americans who on their own admission no little about the game or Rodgers who has placed his own people at every level in the club. We need a David Dein type character to oversee all the inexperience at the club, it makes you wonder what would have happened if Henry had stuck to his guns and appointed Van Gaal as DOF ??

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  56. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:43 pm, December 16, 2014

    Rodgers and Allen have history and a relationship that runs deep
    deeper then we will ever know.................

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  57. I like how you think ;)

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  58. Malaga sporting director denies a move has been made for him

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  59. Jus read their club president says he's going nowhere

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  60. I can't say Bertrand is that good a player but he has done alright at Soto and he.is.physically stronger than Moreno but I think Moreno will.no.doubt be the better player on the long run. But Bony and Eriksen instead of Aspas and Alberto would clearly have been better options if not world beaters and on more wages. Not signing Bony in favour of Ballotelli this window was daft.

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  61. I don't know about Ochoa. Is he REALLY an upgrade on Migz? Who cares if he's a good shot stopper! So is Mignolet!
    The fact that no one wants him concerns me.


    Secondly, I don't understand the logic of buying an ordinary player just because he's a bargain. Who cares if he's a bargain or not, he's still going to be a s***, ineffectual player at the end of the day! Someone needs to explain to me how a bargain deal makes up for a bad a player is in any way, shape or form. He's a 'bargain' because that is what he deserves to be- cheap.

    Thirdly...OUR ADMINISTRATION HAS NO IDEA ABOUT FOOTBALL! They may tick the box for corporate expertise, but they couldn't organise a competition-winning under-12's team.

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  62. Right you are about the bargain thing and corporate stuff.

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  63. Who gives a flying f*** if he's a bargain.

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  64. Agreed, he may be an upgrade on Allen but as a long term replacement for Stevie? No way

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  65. Stop over reacting:-7 "Those clubs that have the most cash and can afford to change managers and give them an open cheque book" Read my comment again.That's what i said in other words:)
    "Not that i'm advocating change at the rate Chelsea and Man City go through managers.They start from a better base with quality squads and have unlimited funds to make managerial transition easier"
    You're absolutely right.Spurs have chopped and changed recently.They've also become a genuine threat for CL places every season.For years they were in Arsenal's shadow and were perennial bottom half finishers.With Daniel Levy's ultra ruthless streak (which i don't wholeheartedly agree with) he turned them into a dangerous team and he's got them CL football a few times.Which is a great achievement.
    "60+ games of great footy followed by a dodgy start" This season is nearly at the midway point.Another fan that uses our title contending season to try and excuse what's going wrong this season.What Liverpool did last season was great.We played superb football and fell short towards the end.But that chapter is closed.Move on.
    It's about time you started looking at this season in isolation.Turn off the excuse machine.

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  66. When are we gonna learn any lessons,we don't know really what goes on with transfers,but if mignonette was bought on the approval of Rogers then he should fly to Boston and explain to the fog board why he thinks he should be given funds for another keeper after spending 9 million already,if he manages to pull that off then move down the list on to aspas ,Alberto ,borini etc ,hold someone accountable whoever it is and sack him tomorrow,even if it is Rogers, I've got money on Tom Werner being at arsenal game

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  67. Predictive txt sorry

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  68. No man,


    It's just that we're extra, extra special.....

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  69. Taylor, mate, 50 years season ticket holder...


    Whether we're playing crappy football or not, you are a lucky man to have the privilege of watching matches live....


    Something people like me only dream of...


    anyway, sure, the scouting system; there must be something that FSG can change about it - look at Southampton - no matter almost who the manager is they have players that just adapt and shine - maybe the expectation is much lower so the players play with freedom, same as everton...I don't know.....


    but even given us fans and the fact we are so loyal and forgiving - I wonder if our long and illustrious history doesn't end up being too much for some of our newer and younger ones....

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  70. .....and the ones involved in, ahem, match fixing......

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  71. ....so can R Kelly..........

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  72. The sites claiming the Ochoa deal is done are hardly reliable...

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  73. 60+ games of great footy and rubbish defence. Now that our attack is nowhere near as good as it was, our defending hasn't improved at all. In fact it has got worse. Poor selections and poor tactical decisions. I'm all for giving managers time but lets not do so blindly. There is a lot that Rodgers has to answer for - whether he stays or not.

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  74. If that had happened, Rodgers would of been sacked and our manager would now be a large headed Dutchman.

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  75. What like this one? :-)

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  76. Great shot-stopper, not sure about the rest of his game. Would he be much better than Mignolet. Certainly nowadays, but I think if Mignolet regained his confidence (in which case, I still don't think he'd be good enough for us) there wouldn't be too much between them. Having read a decent amount about him, I question whether he has the mentality to succeed at a big club.

    We need someone who is a clear upgrade.

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  77. I'm not too concerned about the overpraise. It isn't great, but if players can't put that into perspective, they'd never be able to make it at the top level anyway.

    I think Origi is in a similar situation to Sterling, I think both players are having unfair pressure put on them because the teams they play for are desperately bad going forward. That is a more worrying trend, because it can ruin a player or set them back mentally (and in Sterling's case, physically).

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  78. Ter Stegen?

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  79. Even though he is on the bench at Barca, I can't see him jumping ship. Barca wouldn't be able to bring in a replacement either, given their transfer plan.

    He's good on the ball though, which would be good for us.

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  80. Not sure if this article was before or after the Toulouse game. I assume before. Origi won a penalty (foul outside the box but given anyway) that had a player sent off, he had a shot blocked off the line and got an assist for the third goal. Form comes and goes, especially for players of that age, and on the very day that this criticism comes out Origi puts in a solid performance. Perhaps your well timed article was a wake up call for the young man who just needed someone to give him some hard truths and he was steeled by it and motivated to perform better. Or maybe Origi is a still developing player who's lack of goals is over-analysed because of the hype surrounding him. That kind of coverage may or may not effect the player, there is nothing supporting that idea either way. However it's quite clear that the talk around the player has an effect on the fans and how they receive that player and his performances. The main benefit of not hyping Origi would be that maybe Liverpool fans wouldn't pay him so much attention and he could simply get on with his job. The absurd amount of coverage a player gets simply by being even vaguely associated with Liverpool is massive, to the point where players we don't even sign are analysed and talked about. For me that's probably the bigger issue here and the atmosphere it creates is not at all helpful.

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  81. "Allen killer" is anybody with two legs & a heartbeat!

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  82. Origi 67 games 11 goals. He was bought on a whim. Brace yourselves for the new and 'improved' David Ngog who was bought with an equally poor goal scoring record.

    Check out Lukaku's goals tally at 19! it is possible BUT you have to be a class player and Sterling and Origi are far from that.

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  83. Instead of buying class quality, we are bringing in another shot stopper.


    The only two GKS B Rodgers should be going for is:


    A Begovic(27) Of stoke Or T Krul(26) Of Newcastle , one of these Gks should be brought for £11-£15M


    B Rodgers has spent £16 and £20M on 2 CB'S Sakho(24) and Lovren(25)


    B Rodgers spent £12M On A Moreno (22)
    And B Rodgers spent £9M On S Mignolet(26)


    Yet team are still conceding goals as the main liabilites in side last season have still been playing week in week out when thet should be on the bench permanently: Mignolet(26), G Johnson(30), M Skrtel(30) and S Gerrard(34)


    B Rodgers needs to bring in a commanding experienced GK who will be able to come and collect at corners, is fearless and our defence have trust in. B Ochoa(29) is another risk


    A Begovic(27) and T Krul(26) are top class and quality GKS who have been plying there trade in the premiership for a few seasons now and would all be eligible to play in Europe also for us this season if either one is brought to the club

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  84. That sounds ominous...and sexy.

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