12 Jan 2015

Yes Please: 62% of fans want BR to bring 'unplayable' attacker to LFC in January. Sterling Mk 2?

Earlier this month, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers hinted that he may bring Jordon Ibe back to Anfield this month, but with the young attacker having a productive loan spell at Derby, is that such a good idea?

Speaking to reporters on New Year's day, Rodgers explained:

"We could bring him [Ibe] back in January, and if we do, it will be to contribute. In the game against Leeds on Tuesday, he was so exciting. He fits into our model and how we play"

I recently conducted a site poll asking if Rodgers should bring Ibe back:

* 9600 visitors (approx) participated in the poll.
* 62% of visitors voted YES to cutting short Ibe's loan spell.

It's not a huge majority, but the overriding preference is clear: bring Ibe back to Anfield. Derby County boss Steve McLaren won't want to lose Ibe. After the club's recent 4-0 win over Birmingham City, the ex-England manager raved:

“At times he [Ibe] is unplayable. It is not just his work going forward, it is his tracking back and his defending – the discipline side of the game that you need if you want to be a top player.”

In my view, there's absolutely no point bringing Ibe back to warm the bench, especially when he's playing regularly for Derby. However, Rodger states that 'if' Liverpool cut short the loan, 'it will be to contribute', which suggests that the young attacker will get regular game-time.

If that's genuinely the case, then that's a positive, but I still don't see the pressing need for Liverpool to bring an untested 19-year into a struggling squad.

Liverpool already rely too much on Sterling, and the last thing Ibe needs is massive pressure on his shoulders to try and rescue the LFC's faltering Premier League campaign.

Liverpool have improved a little over the last few weeks, but the damage is already done. The first half of the season is basically a write-off, and the Reds will be playing catch-up for the rest of the season.

If Rodgers had simply signed players capable of coming straight into the team and making a difference, the Reds would probably not be languishing in 8th place right now.

Author:


104 comments:

  1. 2m for neto, 3m for origi and keep lucas maybe bring back this kid as well, ffs.

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  2. So Assaidi has gone and reportedly for a profit.

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  3. Ibe should only be brought back if he's going to see a decent amount of first team action. He needs the minutes, we're relatively well covered in his position. His development is probably best served by him staying out on loan.

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  4. Perhaps we could have saved the cash on Lazar & kept Ibe instead.

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  5. Bring IBE back and loan them Stirling till he learns how to play

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  6. What on gods earth are you talking about?

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  7. So do we think Ibe is playing at a higher standard than Markovic did last season? Is having both going forward a bad thing?

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  8. We have Sterling, Markovic and Lallana in those positions.... But if he is hungrier, more passionate and if its true to say the wolf climbing the hill is always hungrier than the one on the top then bring him in.... give him a chance and let him play.....

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  9. No point in bringing Ibe back just as Markovic finds form and Sterling and Sturridge return fit and rested respectively, he'll just end up sitting on the bench. Leave him at Derby to continue his development

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  10. I half agree but as we are still in three cups the numbers could be useful.Especially as the games will be coming thick and fast until the end of the month.

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  11. Leave him be. He's young,he's playing well and it seems like McClaren is looking out for him. He's got a fair bit to learn still and he'll benefit more from playing that sitting on the bench. Nice to see this loan spell working so well.

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  12. Similar to buying Luis Alberto (and sending Suso on loan), or Ilori (and sending Wisdom on loan), or Lovren (and sending Ilori & Wisdom on loan)...

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  13. I half agree with you, but then we built a squad for the Champions league and got knocked out at the earliest opportunity 😄

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  14. Forgive him. He's 50+ and needs an eye exam.

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  15. Still got those games though mate just not in the top comp. Win Europa and we get back in the champo. We saw that without Sturridge we suffered. Having another mobile forward player would mean playing Sterling up front will be offset slightly if/when Dani gets injured again.

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  16. Yeah, I was kidding. You make a good point. I just don't think he'll get much time on the pitch with Gerrerd also in that position.

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  17. Thick and fast buddy Gerrard is getting off because he was told he won't play every game.

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  18. IMO Ibe has better potential. My main point is that markovic was not essential. The 20mill could have been spent on a quality DM to replace Lucas or a striker.

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  19. Fair point - I think it's more an admission of the fact that no money is available to Rodgers. The good thing about not getting Shaqiri is that it opens up a big opportunity for Ibe.

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  20. We were willing to spend on a striker. What did Arsenal pay in the end? We just couldn't get one we needed. As for a DM I agree we should have pursued one but that's by the by. Ibe has been playing and Markovic hasn't much. Ibe has been coming along nicely and Markovic now having pumped the iron a bit is also coming along nicely. Who has the higher ceiling is yet to be seen but we can feasibly bring Ibe back now and rotate the two in our heavy fixture list. We can keep Lucas who is doing an admirable job and If Markovic turns out to be the worldie some predict we got in there early enough not to get gazumped.

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  21. True. I would happily have Origi too. He may not get any money of note but we can still continue to improve while giving these players good game time. If we stay in the Europa like. Which is a big if.

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  22. We don't need Ibe, we need a striker who knows what he's doing now, we need a goalkeeper and ideally a DM... Ibe is better served staying put and developing his game with a good coach in a good Championship team...

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  23. JAYJAY=BOB=Well if you watch you will see that stirling contributes nothing to a game, He can run, but he cant dribble to beat a man, When he does get onto a ball he cant cross He cant shoot cant head, But he can foul trying to get the ball back that he just lost, so pull your heads in and don't be sheep and listen to all the hype use your own brains and try watching what he does, The sad thing is that he believes all the hype himself also. SO I am on 50+s side

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  24. Sounds like Origi needs to come to Anfield, if the fans in France have turned on him. I don't think we should be giving Lille anything like the 5or 6 million euros that's being bandied about

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  25. Agreed. So is Origi's. No point paying an additional 3m for a player who is already ours. Talk about wasting money frivolously!

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  26. The thought over there is that he has already left in his mind and the performance drop is due to it. Get him over and he can be Sturridge's understudy until Sturridge is injured again. A period of settling in whilst not being scrutinized by the fans would be a blessing for the lad. I wouldn't mind three million going towards it.

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  27. Is this the same Sterling (note the spelling as we might be talking about different players '-)


    I see a young man who has already played for his Country in a WC and been voted best European young player so it seems lots of very good and experienced judges of a player are also looking at a different person. He may have some faults (he's young) but most people form a balanced view.

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  28. Best England player at the dreadful World Cup aswell for that matter... There's no denying he has alot to learn, but here's the great part, he's only just starting his career...

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  29. Especially with all the pressure that will be on him too. What a way to curse him from the start.

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  30. Is being a mobile striker short worth it if we need him? Three million is not all that much in the long term.

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  31. Now with Sturridge coming back, Lallana coming back, Markovic getting in the team and Sterling back from hol. Those players won't have much focus on them which would be perfect rather than Origi coming in the summer and being expected to instantly do something incredible or being considered a waste by the impatient support.

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  32. Emre Can was brought in as the DM, but no one could have guessed that Lovren would have struggled so much hence Can being in defence.


    I agree we should wait for Origi and not pay the extra to bring him in early, but we do need another CF.


    Personally I would move Can into midfield now and get Lovren, Skertle and Sakho used to playing together, get a keeper in and if we can a CF, ideally Lazette (I know I've spelt this wrong), young and scoring for fun in the French league.

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  33. He can't dribble to beat a man? You know mate it's probably worth watching a couple of games before making any points otherwise you end up looking daft.

    Mate your talking such guff that I have no doubt you are doing what you accuse me and Bob of doing. Your a one man nonsense factory under two names.

    Jaimie do us a favour. You can check IP addresses so check this fella out please.

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  34. Striker wise we could have bought Bony for 20mill and/or Remy for half that but we foolishly ignored these players especially when we had champions league as a bargaining tool.
    Not buying a DM was a gargantuan sized oversight. We knew Lucas & Gerrard were on their last legs. We knew that Mascherano & Sissoko was our last decent defensive midfielders so what did we do we ignore Alex Song?! There are plenty of other options I could mention in that holding position. Our back 4 have zero protection for years now. This is why I think Markovic is judge harshly, he's expensive & non-essential therefore was expected to hit the ground running.

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  35. Remy failed a medical van we let that go please? It doesn't matter the ins and outs and what other teams do. He failed a medical with us so he is gone. As for Bony we missed out on him twice that is for sure but like I said we were willing to spend so the Markovic money is irrelevant to that point.

    As for Song isn't he on loan? So we could have gotten him for a minimal loan fee and so again the money spent on Markovic has no barring.

    Regardless of cost expecting Markovic to hit the ground running was arguably a bit daft and criticising him for not doing was unarguably arlarse and a bit daft.

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  36. Alex Song was ignored because he wanted Gerrard playing there. Horrendous decision!
    Got to add that Lucas is looking really good again - might be a bit early writing him off.

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  37. Can isn't a holding midfielder more box to box. Like I said already there were suitable striking candidates which we ignored. Lacazette is amazing I would go all out to sign him. Lacazette, Sturridge & Sterling would be awesome..!

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  38. Great discussion between you and Jay Jay. I would leave Origi in France at the moment but would bring in the French striker (I think he's called Lazette, seems to be scoring for fun). Try to remove Borini and Ballotelli as that would cover his fee.


    Ibe stays at Derby then comes in next season flying and full of confidence. That would give us Sturridge, Lazette and Lambert to call from this year, with Sterling as back up, next season adds Origi which gives us a lot of speed up front with Lambert as an alternative, which we just need to learn how to use better.

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  39. Move Can into DM role and let Lovren, Sakho and Skertle defend, will be better if they have 2 of Lucas, Can or Henderson in front of them.


    Fully agree regarding the need for a keeper, and also Ibe staying at Derby. I would try and get a quality CF for the time being and try to offload either Ballotelli, Borini or both.

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  40. I think Lacazette would be a great signing but hard to say if we have a chance. Apparently City have been sniffing around as well as Arsenal and Lyons president saying he is going nowhere. I would love a signing like that but I am not sure much will happen barring perhaps a keeper on the cheaper.
    So imagining we won't sign anyone of that calibre or price then I have no problems with Origi coming in in what could be a less pressurised environment and be able to get used to life hear before next season even starts.

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  41. Lucas is decent but there is better. Shame on us that he's the only decent DM we have! That's why talk of Ross Barkley is nonsense because we'd be all attack no defence ie no balance. Lucas is too slow & is still prone to challenges because he's not got recovery pace like say a Wanyama.

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  42. We have definitely missed a trick not signing a younger more dynamic DM.One who could score the odd goal would be brilliant. But now is not the time to do it and we shouldn't bemoan the signing of a young player as he starts to show some form.

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  43. I think he's a young player who is developing all the time. Far from the finished article, but seems to adapt to new ideas well and definitely gives us us variety.


    Dribbling seems pretty good, shooting improving, heading poor, but at least he does track back which is more than a lot of attackers do.


    I would rather he be for us than against us and I just hope he continues to improve and his end product become more consistent.

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  44. A lot of people are talking about Lacazette, but I've not seen him so can't comment. He seems to know where the goal is, so that would help because we don't seem to be blessed with many natural goal scorers. The only thing I disagree on is Lambert. - he is terrible (I hate saying it, but he is!)

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  45. Two footed, can dribble, good passer, good crosser, lightning quick and works hard. Just needs more goals and he will be world class before too long. Similar story for Coutinho. Our future looks great, just a shame we started the season two or three months too late...

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  46. Do you realise that Remy has scored more or less the same amount of goals in less minutes than ALL our strikers combined. That's why he can't be ignored! I guess failed medical = top scorer for the Geordies, world cup selection & playing for our rivals.
    Spending 20mill on "potential" in a position where there is cover when there were other more important positions is sensible?

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  47. I agree, although I like Markovic. I think there was more to the Remy story then we know, but then I also believe prince philip killed Diana and the moon is made of cheese so don't pay any attention to me ;-)

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  48. You are 50+, using another identity,, thats why you both misspell his name, as Stirling, go get a life.

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  49. Remy's agents outrageous fee's were the problem.

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  50. Glad I am not the only one who spotted it.

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  51. We will fight the good fight 'til the bitter end.


    I'm but a lad, but I do know the song :-) Had no clue about Citizen Smith, though; thanks. Here in SA it's quite a common slogan, as I'm sure it is in many other places.


    We're being way harsh on Mario. I don't think he's a bad guy at all, and he's simply got too much skill for Rodgers not to 'fight for his life' to maximise it. If Suarez could come back from the dead and have his best season in Red, Balo can also hit some form with us.


    Oh, I've just watched that opening theme - classic stuff! Hehe

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  52. Yep the way I see it we picked up a £50-£60 million striker for £16...why the hell wouldn't you fight for that to work!?!?!?

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  53. Agree and anyone who thinks Origi is going to hit the ground running is seriously deluded. He'll need an adjustment to a new team AND an adjustment to a bigger, faster, meaner league. Whereas Berahinho only needs the former. I wouldn't expect Origi to be any kind of help before May and that would be too late.

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  54. Leave Ibe be at Derby. Playing week in week out at the IPro will do his confidence the world of good without the pressure of the LFC fans on his case. Next season will be interesting with Sterling, Sturridge Origi, Ibe, Marcovic Couthino and Lallana being able to combine we should grow to push the top teams. Mixed with some true added quality of course.

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  55. We need a good striker now. We are still in 4 tournaments...4...and we need to finish 4th or better. Origi is not the answer and either is Ibe. We need a striker who can RUN with the big dogs NOW. My vote is still Berahinho.

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  56. It's a good thing you're on his side. Otherwise, I would think you have a split personality.

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  57. If you think about the games Lambert played and even Ballotelli can you imagine he would do worse? He will need that adjustment period and having Lallana and Sturridge coming back at the same time will allow him that time. If Markovic continues his good form and Sterling continues too we will need Origi less and that gives him time to settle whilst picking up some minutes and the odd start without as much pressure as the pressure should be on the more established players. By May we have a player at home. That means it could be good in the long run mainly but not as bad as Lambert in the short. At least he has pace.

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  58. For £20m that is madness.

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  59. The problem with Origi's situation is that he's getting booed off the field every other game. Under normal circumstances, he should most definitely stay, but Lille fans think he's already at LFC in his head and has no motivation. The atmosphere brewing at the club could be poisonous.


    We don't owe anything to Lille, so I'm a bit on the fence about this transfer. Ideally he would stay, but the longer he stays the more he'll be put under abuse.


    Honestly, I would like to see him back at LFC, but not for him to save our season, and certainly not because I think he'll hit the ground running. Recalling him would let him gel with the squad and get grips with the league a half season ahead of schedule.


    Like you say though, 3M is pretty ridiculous considering we already own him... And it would also unfairly mount pressure on him from deluded fans and direct some abuse toward BR for the wrong reasons.

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  60. Who said the only problem was a heart problem. The whole Remy situation probably had more to it than any of us know. We don't what went on between Remy and the clubs, but I can guarantee it wasn't just a poorly examined medical.

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  61. More goals and a better first touch...but I agree with everything else ;D

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  62. Read my post below

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  63. Dont mean to disappoint you guys, but Orogi has been boo'd in his last few games, by his own fans.

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  64. If Rodgers had simply signed a selection of world class players who could have had an instant impact in the team with zero time to adjust and instantly produced league leading stats then we'd be challenging for the title again. Oh damn you Brendan, why couldn't you just do that? All he had to do was go to the world class player supermarket, or even just login and do it online. They deliver these days for a small fee.

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  65. The great thing about Ibe is that he's developing his full game. I'm not sure if McLaren is coaching him to track back so hard or put in so much work or if it's just in the player's DNA. But while the player is doing all of these things so well and doing it against tough opposition then I'd say leave him where he is. Derby are a top championship side and they're scoring plenty of goals. I think this is probably as good an education as Ibe can get and so long as he keeps playing regular minutes it can only improve him more. He can come back in the summer.

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  66. Good points but we need an effective striker NOW...not after he settles for a season. We don't have time for settling. Having Lallana, Sterling, Markovic and Coutinho do all the work until Origi 'settles' hasn't done us a whole lot of good so far has it? We need someone who isn't afraid to take on a whole defense by himself, like Suarez. I think Berahinho is that guy.

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  67. Yep all we need now is to get rid of Boroni and Lambert...£1.65 should cover it

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  68. I would leave Ibe where he is until the end of the season. Would benefit both Ibe and LFC in the long run if he plays every week...can't see that happening at LFC this season

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  69. I do!! Derby are a premiership side awaiting promotion. The top of the championship is IMO better than Portuguese league.

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  70. I agree nothing wrong with that back three maybe playing in front of Mignolet or Jones is what panics them into mistakes....that and BR blind refusal to see we need to sign a defensive coach. Can IMO is Lucas replacement

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  71. Here here

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  72. I've watched Origi a couple of times and he is truly woeful and IMO getting worse. I would suggest a 3rd option...get him out of France and lend to Derby for the rest of the season (if we bring back Ibe).

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  73. Since we either can't or won't spend for anything beyond a hamburger, we need to sell a large portion of our deadwood and bring in 1,2 or 3 solid accomplished players, one of them a goalie, then add add back kids like Ibe, Rossiter and the next best kid after these two and go for it.

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  74. Adam, of course you are right but BR is who he is and the past is done. All we got is this window at the moment. We should all be pissed. That city are gonna sign Boney and we are talking about Milner???.? There is all you need to know, sadly.

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  75. Jock, I agree with you except for the likelihood that Sturridge is likely to miss more games before the year is done, given his past. Extra skilled players means we can either recover from an injury or rotate to keep everyone fresher and healthier.

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  76. I am astounded that Origi is laying an egg in France. anyone seen him play? If so, what's up?

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  77. Great idea, REALLY!!!! Can't get worse than where he is and Derby gets quality back...we hope....

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  78. I watch a lot of games on bet365 and at beginning of season I looked out for him for obvious reasons. He was a bit hit and miss but overall showed a lot of promise, but the last few months he's been beyond awful. I mean really really bad...something is clearly very wrong and LFC would do well to get him away from his personal hell and put him in championship for rest of the season IMO

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  79. I would have been thrilled had we signed song and not Markovic......glad he had a good game lat time out and might pan out but we need a DM now with a first class goalie and a striker, sell deadwood and backfill with our own kids. No more external kids PLEASE,!!!!
    OUTS:
    Enrique
    Balo
    Borini
    Allen. (Welsh xavi my ass)
    Jones
    Assaidi. (Done)
    Johnson
    Enough cash to pay for three good players coming in.....or close enough to it.

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  80. Best idea on this post was to bring back Ibe and Origi but loan Origi back out to Derby to backfill for Ibe......

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  81. Then it's pretty disingenuous of lfc to hide behind the medical as the reason for letting him go.

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  82. NO.


    Barkley won't have priced over 20mn, had he not been English; besides Everton won't sell him - they can get same money from City or CFC.


    If we are for a mega deal - GO FOR POGBA. I believe whole Suarez money is worth investing. Just 21, 6'2" with great ball skills, vision, shooting & leadership quality. Pogba 'll be among top 3 midfielders for next 10-12 years.

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  83. Exactly! Just about everyone acknowledges his world-class potential. We'd be mad to not at least try to make that work. If he was English he would be touted as the next Hoddle or something.

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  84. That's a relief. :) Living to fight another day.
    Ah, I'm not fussed about Lambert staying When Sturridge comes back he won't play much, anyway, any transfer fee we get for him won't subsidise any player we want to sign, except maybe Neto or Origi. But I think him hanging around Anfield won't harm us in any way.

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  85. I am as feel BR rates both Lambert and Boroni above Mario as a fit for style he wants to play. Mario needs a ball to ricochet off his arse or something to kick start his season and force BR to reconsider

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  86. Silly question but we are nearly half way through January. And we haven't signed a keeper yet, why!?!?

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  87. Fear not; there's a master plan. I reckon we're scouring couches the world over to build up funds for Neto.

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  88. Agreed. From the day Balo signed there was an element of animosity in Rodgers' tone, from the "risk" quote to the comment about ego and press conferences. For me BR doesn't want him in the squad. I just hope the guy finds some motivation and a bit more luck in front of goal.

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  89. Yep get the feeling just like DS MB wasn't BR choice but out voted by transfer committee

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  90. "Sugarfree daddies" - tee hee. As I've said before, I'd rather gamble with the owners' money than with LFC's future. Of course the two are linked, but a few reasonable big transfers won't necessarily bankrupt us.

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  91. Actually I am, but that is true..

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  92. to be fair rafa never had much chance to manage him and most players were doomed under hodgson. there was nothing wrong with aquilani other than they signed him while injured which is never a good idea. he has gone on to do very well back in italy again and is 100 times the player allen is.

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  93. Spanish journalist Guillem Balague has told SkySports he was convinced Liverpool would sign Victor Valdes.

    The goalkeeper signed as a free agent with Manchester United last week, having been training with them for the past two months.

    He said: "I was absolutely convinced that he was going to Liverpool. I have got very good reasons to say so and I know a lot of people in Liverpool who also thought he was going. But he felt that he was being trialled at Anfield.

    "And very cleverly, Louis van Gaal said we are not going to trial you, just come and train with us. But in a way, it was the same thing. It was just the choice of words he used, so Valdes decided to go there instead."

    This is potentially a difference where Van Gaal's experience of working with big egos and top stars proved superior to Rodgers, who has this year managed only his first season in the Champions League.

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  94. ross b is an LFC supporter..or was as a kid. well known in L4

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  95. I actually did not know that, thought he was a blue. Fcuk what Gerrard says about his career choices then, he made out lie he's always been an everobjan

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