12 Jan 2015

Mega-Deal: Legend urges LFC to break the bank & sign 'perfect' £38m star to replace Gerrard

Everton star Ross Barkley is one of the most coveted young players in Europe right now, especially amongst former Liverpool players, who frequently heap praise on the 21-year old attacker. Reds boss Brendan Rodgers is reportedly an admirer of Barkley, and Arsenal legend Martin Keown insists that he'd be an excellent signing for LFC.

In April, Liverpool were linked with an improbable £38m summer move for Barkley (swiftly dismissed by Roberto Martinez), and in his weekend column for the Daily Mail, Keown - who also played for the Everton - enthused:

"[Ross] Barkley is the perfect replacement for [Steven] Gerrard. He is still a long way from becoming the complete player Gerrard is, but he has all the potential to be the leading player of his generation".

Do Liverpool have any chance of prising Barkley away from Everton? Probably not, and Everton legend Ian Snodin has also dismissed the idea. In a recent interview, he noted:

"I don't think Liverpool have much of a chance signing him. I don't think Ross would like to upset Evertonians and go across the park".

Snodin did, however, concede that if such a deal is to happen, the transfer fee will have to be 'considerable'

"If he does happen to go in the next few seasons, he'll go for a lot of money".

Whilst I agree that a move to Liverpool seems improbable, as Snodin suggests, money talks, and Everton will undoubtedly sell for the right price, and if the Reds are the highest bidders - and Barkley is open to the move - then a deal could conceivably happen.

One thing's for sure, a whole host of ex-Liverpool players want Barkley at Anfield. After watching his performance against Ecuador in June, Dietmar Hamann raved:

"[Ross] Barkley is special. He reminds me of [Michael] Ballack"

Ex-Reds Jamie Redknapp, Mark Lawrenson, and Jamie Carragher are also huge fans of Barkley. In a recent column for the Daily Mail Redknapp enthused:

"He [Barkley] is magnificent. We’ve not had a player in this country since Gazza who can run the length of the pitch with the ball without ever looking under pressure. It’s as if the ball is glued to his foot".

Lawro is equally impressed:

"The more first-team action [Barkley] gets, the more we are seeing he is pure gold. Whether he is still at Goodison or moves on, he should develop into a massive midfield presence"

Jamie Carragher added:

“There has been a lot of talk on Merseyside about Ross. We talk about the players that will come through and ask who is going to replace Steven Gerrard? Who is going to replace Frank Lampard? That goal on Saturday was Gerrard-like"

Switching clubs on Merseyside is not that uncommon. In the last 30 years, the following players have done the unthinkable:

* Peter Beardsley
* Abel Xavier
* Nick Barmby
* Gary Ablett
* Kevin Sheedy
* David Johnson
* Alan Harper

Alas, Steven Gerrard may already have sabotaged any LFC attempt to sign Barkley. Last season, the youngster revealed the advice he'd received from Liverpool's captain:

"He [Gerrard] said the big hitters are going to be looking at me but the main thing for me is to stay with the club I’m at, the team I support and love, which is Everton"

Reverse psychology, perhaps?

Unfortunately, the painful reality is that if Everton decide to sell, Barkley will probably go Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City, or even Man United. Rodgers just doesn't have the pulling-power of Mourinho, Wenger, Van Gaal et al, and with Steven Gerrard also leaving, there's even less incentive for top players to come to the club.

Sad, but true.

Author:


133 comments:

  1. Totally Agree 100% Buy Him he is not having got time of it this year at Everton. But Benteke also if Daniel gets injured again we are in trouble .
    Pay the big Buck For Gerrards replacement on proven world class player

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  2. Mr. Point Of View7:30 am, January 12, 2015

    It just purely paper talk. Come on JK pls post something more solid ! If you ran out topic then try harder dig something which is not relevant to transfer news. Admire your site bcoz there a lot of news which is solid back then! Nowdays this site seem copy paste what other pundit talk !


    This is just my opinion and no intention to harsh. TQ

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  3. Aaron Ramsey is the closest player i have ever seen to young Gerrard.
    He is clever,fast, has a great shot , super passing skills,hardworking and can change games like the fa cup final vs hull city.
    Ramsey is even more likely then Barkley , but both highly unlikley.

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  4. These articles have gone past laugable to annoying now. Everton would never sell him to Liverpool and he would never want to go. On top of that, If he does leave Everton it will be for a top team who are challenging for the title and for European Trophies, not for a team who have the same (realistic) abitions as the club he is at, which is to get into the top 4.

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  5. Obviously never going to happen but no harm in testing the water...why not throw out a £45 million take it or leave it offer. The worst that can say is no!

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  6. I'd say the only thing that would swing it is if Everton get relegated and Liverpool secure a top 4 spot. Everton look rubbish at the moment, they're in much worse shape that Liverpool. Otherwise it's definitely more likely to see him at City or Chelsea, maybe Arsenal or some club overseas.

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  7. I think that' a bit far fetched. Yes we are playing poorly, but despite Lvierpools recent run, they are not playing too well either and certainly won't be winning anything or wualifying for Champions League. If Everton got relegated (which there is no chance of Im afraid, sorry to dissapoint) he would still go to one f the bigger tea to challenge for honours each year). Talk of Barkley goinf to Liverpool is as far fetched as saying Sterling is coming to everton in a part exchange for Leon Osman!

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  8. How about we give you Sterling for Mirallas and 20 mill?

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  9. I really think Barkly is something special, but 45 mill is too much..

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  10. As long as e are getting the £20 mil then deal. In seriusness, Mirallas is a very frustrating player, ooks like a worl beatr one min then loses the ball the next very inconsistent. My thing with Sterling is, that I think, he could just end up the next Aaron Lennon....(but with a slightly better end product). He also is too inconsisent and these breaks are ridiculous.

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  11. RB will become a 50m+ player, shame but no chance. Did anyone see Higuain yesterday, not very inspiring performance from him? Can't see he is the answer, no better than Ballo, Real Madrid aren't daft, they wouldn't have sold him if he was any good.

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  12. SELL Lambert Johnson Jones Borini FIRST = BALANCE THE BOOKS BABY - Its called Mamagement

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  13. He's averaged more than a goal every 2 games for both Madrid and Napoli for the last 6 years. He's deceptively quick, and clinical. Not really anything like Balo at all.

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  14. Yes genius, which is why I asked, what makes you or anyone think that you have to be less talented to be ethical, a hard worker, a team player a fair play player? The Liverpool way is just a poor cop out from people like you for accepting the lack of quality in our signings. There is absolutely nothing to suggest that a player like Ronaldo, Messi or even more realistic signings like Martinez and Strootman would not play "the Liverpool way". So as such there is no excuse for signing only players "with potential" which is another one of those platitudes used by those ignorant to our lack of ambition. So maybe you should get off your high and mighty attitude and actually worry about the club you supposedly love because it's declining rapidly. We used to be an important club in Europe that players wanted to come to. Sure they were "local" but that was the world back then. European players didn't leave their county easily. The point is, players wanted to come to us and saw it as the crown on their career. Now we're a step up to better things. You may just have to accept that not all Liverpool supporters are happy to be average like yourself. Being average is not "the Liverpool way". Because as you recall it was Shankly who said "If you are first you are first. If you are second you are nothing". He didn't say "If you're first you're first, but eight is quite ok too".

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  15. I think saying certainly won't be qualifying for champions league is an arrogant statement...the way I see it 3rd and 4th are up for grabs with M Utd Arsenal Southampton LFC being the 4 main contenders. We are only 5 points off top 4 with 17 games left to play and DS to come back add to that new signings starting to get used to prem football and show promise. Unlikely but certainly not out of the question!!!

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  16. Damn, how did I earn that respectfully bit...


    Now tell me what was the last game you said we would have won this one if Steven was playing? And if you don't count the last season he sat enough matches out, due to injury mainly. We play totally different when he is on and off the pitch, and I think Hendo and Couts- and others have learned how to play without him, and successfully. Sad but true, Steven faded away and won't be that much missed. He has glimpses and is capable of being a saviour still and should have stayed for another two years than retired(used much more sparingly ), but...

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  17. Preaching to the already converted mate! SG's head hasn't been the same since unfortunate slip at end of last season and this year playing like legs have gone and wearing lead boots. Lost our high tempo game when he has been on the pitch and feel he has list us more points this year than he has gained us.

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  18. The times were different then. Players didn't travel around the world to play football. Especially not Europeans. Plus the issue is not as black and white as you make it. It's not either a club of galacticos or not. Bayern is not a team of galacticos, Barca isn't, Juventus isn't. They're clubs who have a good balance of homegrown players, potential and a couple of big name imports. There is nothing wrong with taking a chance on guys like Henderson, Allen and Can but there has to balance. Which is there is not with us. The only "established" player we've signed in three years is Balotelli and only because no one else wanted him, his price was heavily reduced, yet still 20 million pounds too high (and yes I am aware we "only" paid 16) and we couldn't manage to sign a proper striker in spite of the fact we sold Suarez one week into the transfer window. That's how much good players want to come to us.

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  19. So how come if we don't buy big to replace SG it will put is back years?

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  20. He's a little inconsistent but still improving and capable of scoring special goals (like that beauty against QPR in December, having run most of the length of the pitch). Last season I would have said he was nailed on to stay at Everton for the next 3 or 4 years, but with their current slide down the table it's not inconceivable that he will leave sooner. No chance he will ever come to Liverpool though, for a myriad of reasons (price, competition, loyalty); frankly I'll eat one of my own testes if he does.

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  21. Because IMO these few years are/were perfect opportunity to change balance of power with M UTD. If we could have kept them out of top 4 for 3 years running it would have taken them years to recover!!!! I feel if we don't buy big to replace SG then we will not be top 4. This will mean not only we get weaker but M UTD get stronger increasing gap. This season should have been a spring board from lady season.

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  22. I agree extremely unlikely will come to LFC but also feel won't be at Everton for as long as you think. If he's still at Everton next season it will IMO be his last.

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  23. He'll never come to us in a million years but not because Rodgers has no "pulling power" as you put it, but because he will both earn more and win more at City or Chelsea and then there's the fact he's a huge Everton fan! We have as much chance of signing Barkley as we did of signing Rooney from Everton - none

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  24. 22.5 I think it was

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  25. Didn't look too clinical from three yards last night. His movement was minimal and looked aloof just like Ballo

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  26. Who cares about those Everton fans, we have Rossiter. Oh, wait..

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  27. I didn't see it. But the guy's had great success at every level he's played. You can't make a sweeping generalisation based on one performance.

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  28. Agree on everything regarding manu- us comparison, but I don't think we need Steven for that, that much...

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  29. Just suggesting he's past his best, he had a good goals ratio in his first season with Napoli but I don't think he is 30m pounds worth of improvement to LFC.

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  30. I watch quite a lot of Italian football, he is still among the best in my opinion...

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  31. Fair enough, god I hope I'm wrong if he comes

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  32. No not Steven s Steven replacement. FSG IMO need to buy big with a Pogba, Rues or Berkley. It's fine buying young talent for the future like Can Moreno and Markovic but one big signing to replace SG should be enough to squeeze back into top 4 and with Chelsea and M City dead certs and Arsenal thinking 4th is the new 1st (13 seasons in a row top 4) that will leave no place for M UTD

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  33. Considering his age I actually think Sterling is very consistent. He's nowhere near the finished article yet but he's been our most consistent player this season. As for the Aaron Lennon comparison... Sterling is already better than Lennon has ever been. Lennon is quick and that's about it. I honestly believe in 4-5 years Sterling will be one of the best players in the world. More Eden Hazard than Aaron Lennon

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  34. That's OK we have Suso...Oh, wait...

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  35. If he can tighten up his dribbling, crossing and decision-making then Sterling can certainly be one of the best.

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  36. Is he any better than Emre Can?

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  37. Agreed, don't see how he and Sturridge would fit in the same team either. We need an all action forward. Lavezzi is probably our most realistic target for that kind of player IMO

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  38. His injury record is worrying and if he wasn't English would there be as much hype. I think we have three 20 year olds with equal or better talent.

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  39. I think there is some team bias here. I have just been saying that Barkley doesn't do enough for me and Sterling is far better. In fact I don't think Barkley is any better than Can. Time will tell.

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  40. I feel a lot of people underestimate the need to keep M UTD out if top 4. I personally saw Chelsea, City and Arsenal as sure things so between us a UTD for other place, so in our own hands to keep them out...when this season Southampton have become our favorite 2nd team :)
    IMO 3 seasons in a row would put UTD back a decade as no matter how big the wages they pay or play on history of the club they wouldn't get the Di Maria's and Falcos of this world. I'm convinced even Di Maria would have a get out clause if don't finish top 4

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  41. Name them

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  42. These things will come as he get gets older. If you think of the positional flexibility and tactical intelligence he has, he's already streets ahead of most players in his age group

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  43. If United miss out on top 4 for the next 3 seasons they'll be in serious financial difficulty and you'll probably see the Di Maria's of the squad being offloaded

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  44. I hope so as I put £1000 at 13/2 on them finishing top 4 just before the Leicester game :( was feeling good at half time and after manu dropped 2 points earlier in the day and leading 2-0

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  45. Absolutely. He's a blue though so no convincing him. Anyone else who doesn't hate us wouldn't even argue.

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  46. As acknowledged by the European young player award. Which was not decided by Liverpool fans

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  47. I disagree as 1st time I saw him play he reminded me of Gazza. Only time will tell but I think he's got a big future ahead of him no doubt at Utd or City

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  48. Sterling better. Markovic and Can equal.

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  49. That's why it is imperative we get top four.

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  50. I completely agree with you. For me the pain of LFC finishing this season out of the top 4 would be lessened if Southampton or another kept out UTD

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  51. 13/2 means your pay off is 7500?

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  52. Just casting out a line.

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  53. Yes but I'm the guy who put £1000 on LFC winning the league last January at 14/1 and at beginning of last season £1000 on A Madrid winning champions league :( oh how much do I hate G Bale!!!! Actually it was £1000 e/w
    This seasons bets are just as bad lol

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  54. I do rate those 3 highly and maybe Can could end up as a SG replacement but Sterling and a Markovic very different type of players and neither can be compared to SG or RB

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  55. Dunno If that's a serious question Jay Jay, but personally I don't think he's equal to Can. They are comparable players, big and strong with flair, very good close control skills, and luscious passing, but Can just seems more intelligent, more able to influence the game consistently. Barkley might might more headlines in his career for the magnificent individual goals he will score, but Can, I feel, is going to win more trophies.

    What I'm saying is, Can is German.

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  56. That's true. I think he needs the time and space to develop without the pressure of being a huge club's talisman just yet. His play will come under too much scrutiny. He should be allowed to make mistakes and be imperfect. No way should LFC be relying on somebody his age. It's neither fair nor pragmatic.

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  57. I think at this stage of their respective careers, Barkley probably is better than Can but I have high hopes for Emre, he looks a class act. I think he'll develop into a top DM in time

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  58. Ah, Lavezzi is good enough and get-able. Hoping the owners don't baulk at the wages. We really need that kind of forward.

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  59. Can't see that happening as so many teams are worse than this out of form Everton let alone an in form Everton. I feel mid table 8-12 this season. QPR (let's hope they can kick start season next weekend) and Hull look the worst at the moment Sunderland can only draw games. Leicester and Burnley look out of depth....a few very poor teams will stay up this season. With only Cheleas and City playing well this season I wouldn't rule out Everton for Europa place...if anyone can hit a vein of form and get 5 or 6 wins on the trot they will fly up the fly up the table. If that's Everton or someone else who knows, but don't be surprised if someone close to the bottom flies up the table before end of the year. It's a poor league this season IMO

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  60. Agreed. Sturridge return will help ease that pressure a bit. Good to see Coutinho, Lallana and Markovic starting to step up too

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  61. I've got the landing net ready should you find a toffee to bite...

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  62. he had a good game on the weekend... i would really love to see him in the DM role for a few games...

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  63. Would prefer to see him take Lucas role in midfield. I know a lot would disagree but I have no problems with our defenders and feel Can would be wasted if he ends up perm with that role. Skirtel has proved when playing with Agger, Hyppia or carra that he's class, Sakho proves it when playing for France and let's not forget how good Loveren was last year for Southampton. I believe a combination of playing in front of Mignolet and BR refusal to see the need for a defensive coach have a lot to do with defenders panicking and messing up most games!!! Can as a defensive midfielder I feel could be the Masho replacement we have missed for so many years

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  64. 4eva LFC, LFC 4eva11:17 am, January 12, 2015

    Ross Barkley for me is an exciting player to watch he has strength, pace with the ball and confidence, if we were ever going to go for him then now would be the time, but 38mill is too much imo he is just not worth that much, still young and inexperienced, would be a good piece of business if we could get him for cheaper though. I would like to see another keeper and someone of the same calibre as Cabeye or give Rossiter a real go bring back Ibe or sign Luciano Vietto for 12mill he is an exciting talent.

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  65. You don't have to tell someone to leave to make them feel unwelcome. The simple fact is that Rodgers, in his infinite wisdom, has failed to understand what pretty much every Liverpool supporter on the planet knows. We need a Defensive/Holding midfielder. But rather than recognizing that and getting one, he continues to waste money on one CB after another whilst playing Gerrard in a position that both takes away most of what he can contribute to the team in goals and assists and is playing to his weakness. Besides that, you don't let someone with his track record run into the final year of his contract and then make him an insult of an offer in November. You don't tell him he will play less for the benefit of guys like Joe Allen or Lucas Leiva. That is an insult and all those things together is what pushed him out the door. That's getting rid and trying to make it look like it was his decision. Seems like it's worked on you.

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  66. 4eva LFC, LFC 4eva11:41 am, January 12, 2015

    BR is building his resume for the England job, buy chasing all these overpriced British players Berahino is worth 10-15mill we payed 35mill for a one season wonder and we are looking like doing it again. Spend some real money for a Martinez, or someone, don't know who is in charge of all the transfers but they are shocking at their job. Maybe we are going about it the wrong way, maybe we should be offering DeBoer a contract instead?

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  67. Nope. It's because he's English.

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  68. What? We do have Rossiter.

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  69. I was referring to Everton fan part...

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  70. Rossiter is not a Toffee? That his career gone then. All of our good homegrown players were toffees as kids. (at least that's what they always say the poor buggers)

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  71. Talking about signing Barkly who is Everton fan.-
    Who cares about those Everton fans, we have Rossiter. Oh, wait, he is a Everton fan.

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  72. absolutely agree!
    on paper we have 3 top-notch CB's and a solid and very experienced alternative in Toure. It's just Roders inabilty to coach a defence properly that's causing us problems at the back. I'm praying for a defensive coach since Rodgers came to the club, but i doubt it will ever happen.
    there's no doubt, Can's best positions are CM and CDM, and i think he should be used there more often.

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  73. you're already doing a better job than Ayre

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  74. Skrtel is the worst defender we got. Over 7 years he have shown his inability to communicate with his teammates on the pitch, his inability to organize, his inability to keep his head calm, his inaility to position himself and work together with the back four. Why on earth would anybody make him captain? Honest and likable player - but never ever captain material.

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  75. Mario has 15 % arial duels won. All those muscles and height aren't getting him a lot of advantage...

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  76. Different types of players I was just reffering to talent and output.

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  77. Alot of the reasoning I hear when concluding it all sounds alot like, 'well there really isn't anyone else so lets just giv it to Hendo'. He is a potential captain but he is not currently a talisman or an anchor in the team that we cannot do without. His effectiveness needs to be at a level where when the confidence and performance level of the rest of the team is poor, then he's still good, just Gerrard. But Hendo at 24 cannot be compared to Stevie at 24 so I'm still waiting to see if Hendo can impose himself on games more, and go out to take more responsibility for both LFC and England.

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  78. Our defense is no worse than Arsenal's, Man Utd's, Spurs's... even Man City have been leaking goals this season.

    Only Chelsea, with their experience and solidity as a team, and Southampton, with their deep defending and phenomenal (and unsustainable) hard work, have anything like a solid defense this season.

    The defensive *coaching* looks fine to me, even if the defending doesn't. It's obviously not the coach's specialism, but it's not a glaring weakness. Our defensive frailties come from mistakes due to inexperience and to necessary changes in personnel, not to innate tactical flaws.

    I mean this as an honest question: what do you think a defensive coach would bring, what would they do, what sort of work would they do with the players, how would it be different from what's being done at the moment?

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  79. Balo's afraid of heights...and apparently running after the ball too.

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  80. In a Jaimie sort of way I ask you to give evidence he is better. On more games he has the same amount of goals and has one assist but Emre has been deployed more defensively more often.

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  81. Yes I know you were. But my point was we need to replace SG on only one with potential in our squad to do throat instead of buying a Berkley, Pogba or Rues is van who we both agree excites and has great potential

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  82. I wasn't talking about Ariel battles, just that I don't see many people still standing after Mario runs into them, let alone Mario bouncing off and falling on his arse whilst Can looked as if a fly had flown into him

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  83. Here here!!!!

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  84. I'm surprised you think so little of Berkley. Would the fact he plays for Everton and their fans treat him like the second coming have anything to do with that?
    If for example he played for A Villa or Newcastke would you still not rate him?

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  85. I rate him. Just no higher than those players. Evertime I see him he is in and out of games. Lots of nice touches and dropped shoulders but no end product. I think he could be brilliant one day but right now he is not at Sterling's level.

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  86. Do you think that Barkley is on Pogba or Rues level?

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  87. Hm you might have a point there :)

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  88. Oh hell NO!!! Not yet anyway I see Berkley as a young Gazza so huge potential. I think in a few years he could be a top class player with silly price tag attached

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  89. Yes but you could be describing Suarez 1st season or Ronaldo when he 1st joined the scum...it's the potential that excites me with Berkley and that's why I said why not throw out a 45 million bid for him....worse they can say is no!! I know he's not worth that as I guess a 20-25 million player but in a few years time the 45 million will seem a bargin and let's face it Everton won't sell him to LFC for market value....even at 45 million they would probably resist

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  90. I think if Barkley could stay fit he'd be having a much bigger impact on the league than Emre has so far this season. Wouldn't say he was necessarily better but maybe slightly further along his development.
    Tbh I don't think they're the same type of player. Barkley will probably end up in the no10 role whereas I see Can developing into more of a Javi Martinez type midfielder

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  91. On a completely seperate subject which would you prefer at end of season? Top 4 finish or finish out of top 4 but win Europa and why?

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  92. It would be funny if United finished 4th and we nicked their champions league spot by winning the Europa. I'd rather we finished in the top 4 outright though

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  93. Is that what would happen then!? I knew winning Europa would earn champions league place but I assumed extra place. Personally I would agree with you as I feel top 4 and keeping UTD out would benefit us much more longer term that winning a Europa trophy. I would give up a Europa trophy for keeping UTD out of champions league

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  94. ....if what you are saying us true, then maybe winning the Europa as that would be soooo funny

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  95. I want to see Emre Can make a claim at some point...

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  96. where did you find the wages from? I would like to look at the other teams in our table. very curious...??? Thanks

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  97. What I am saying is that he constantly bounces off and falls on his arse

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  98. Am I the only LFC fan who hopes we don't get rid of Mario? The only one who wants to see him get a run of games partnering DS? Looks like I am :(

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  99. Yea remember that's how Chelsea nicked Spurs Champions League spot a couple of years ago

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  100. Referencing the quote: How would it help Skrtel communicate more? Because he's wearing a fabric around his arm?


    One of the more asinine things I've read in a while.

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  101. Terry McDermotts perm4:16 pm, January 12, 2015

    just keep Gerrard. Who in their right mind gives away their best player.

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  102. I'm a big Lucas Lieva fan as well. An adopted scouser whos kid was born in Liverpool. Wife is a psychologost in Liverpool so he's more or less a true part of the LFC family. I'm praying that all the speculation about his future are false. I think he is a better candidate and could have a long career at LFC well past his 30s if given the opportunity.

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  103. What's 'asinine' is your glib inability to think outside the box. Some players rise to the occasion when they're made captain, and the extra responsibility may give Skrtel the confidence boost to be more vocal. Captaincy legitimises the authority of players, and Skrtel may feel more compelled to be stamp his authority on the game.

    And the idea that Skrtel doesn't communicate in defence is nonsense anyway. I've seen him play live many times, and he does talk to other defenders; however, he's like Gerrard in that he's not a screamer/shouter.

    Gerrard is captain, but that hasn't stopped countless terrible performances from the team, and/or the midfielders immediately around him. Does that make Gerrard poor captain material? No. He mostly leads by example, so why can't Skrtel do the same?

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  104. Btw what happens if the Europa League winner is already qualified for the CL through his championship? Does the other finalist get the CL spot?

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  105. Hindsight but imagine if we done this is in summer
    Bony for Lambert
    Lacazette for Balotelli
    Depay for Markovic
    Firmino for Lallana




    .................................................Bony.
    Lacazette................................Sterling..........................Depay

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  106. Lacazette,Depay would add pace and skill up front
    if we get both i am in dream land

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  107. Bony's going to City.

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  108. These three top class midfielders could and should replace S Gerrard(34) at club for combined total of £65M


    1: M Sissoko(25) Of Newcastle for £12-£20M CM
    2: T Alcantra(23) Of Bayern Munich for £20-£34M CM
    3: G Imbula(22) Of Marseille for £8-£11M DM


    Those three top class central midfielders could and would bring most of the key attributes S Gerrard(34) has brought to club for last 16 years.

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  109. How about
    Lacazette (30m)
    Depay (18m)
    Schar (free)


    sell
    Balotelli 5m
    Borini 4m
    Lambert 3m
    Markovic 10m
    Lovren 10m

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  110. Europa League. It's a trophy, the biggest one we are in barring the league. It will give us some European pedigree if not atvthe highest level. It helped athletico on their March forward and it could help attract players. But the two more important things are getting in the champions league next year, which we can do by winning the Europa and it's a trophy.

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  111. Ronaldo and Suarez ate made of pure forged valerian steal. They don't get injured. That helped them become some of the worlds best. We have players in our team now that may have the same ceiling. I worry Barkley's progression will be hampered by injury.

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  112. We are talking about players to replace our captain fantastic S Gerrard(34) who was all round CM and at his peak 7-8 years ago the most complete midfielder in world football and the best midfielder in the world.


    I think M Sissoko(25) Of Newcastle would bring the class, mobility, Power, bursts of pace, speed, Goals and to side.


    I think T Alcantra(23) Of Bayern Munich would bring the world class passing range S Gerrard(34) possesses to side and creativity from the centre of park , something that no other centre midfielder at club possesses.


    I feel that G Imbula(22) would bring the Energy, fight, battle, Getting stuck in and tackling side of the old S Gerrard(34) back to club.

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  113. I think you're misunderstanding my point. Whereas you accuse me of not thinking outside the box, you took my one line response and turned that into me seemingly claiming that Skrtel is not a leader at all. Which is the opposite of what I meant.


    Most of the points you just raised; I agree with, which is why Lawro's comment is asinine in my opinion.

    Skrtel has been here for a long enough time that he's an established professional on the team. He's not a 20 year old kid who's still maturing (e.g. Sterling, Raheem).



    He doesn't need a piece of fabric around his arm to be vocal. He's been here long enough and has the respect of his teammates that he doesn't need to change who he is or how he leads.


    He's already a leader on this team. He just doesn't have the captain's title or the armband. If he were captain, more would be expected of him and I would expect him to be able to handle it without an issue.


    I guess to make a long story short, my "glib" response was directed at this idea that Skrtel would improve as a vocal leader because of a title/piece of fabric when I think he's already a fine vocal leader.

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  114. Okay, my bad. I agree with you that he doesn't need a piece of fabric around his arm to be vocal, but with Steven 'Mr Liverpool' Gerrard in the team, i can see how some players might be intimidated, and may not feel comfortable taking control on the pitch.

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  115. Somebody needs to be the highest wage earner on the team. After all, if you continuously got rid of the highest wage earner, no would be left.

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  116. That's an excellent point but your initial description could have described all 3.
    Don't think even with his potential he will ever come close to those two!!

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  117. Yes I can see a lot of plus points doing it that way but my preference would be to take man utd place away from them whichever way that happens and would willingly sacrifice a trophy to keep manu out of champions league.

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  118. I recall taking Evertons. how dare we go and win it lol

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  119. Obviously not a fan then

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  120. Go home, Bob, you're drunk!

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  121. I'm really not sure bud

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  122. hendo can lucas allen plus another dm is more than enough ....gerrard isnt a box to box midfielder in the mould of robson or keane because they had defensive instinct which gerrad for me has never had ...gerrard has played his best stuff at number 10 or right midfield and we are covered there

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  123. He's a red, so don't write it off.

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  124. henderson has grown into the leader role over the years u see him barking at other players durimg the game when it comes to the pressing game. i would have him as captain any day. i would have chosen lallana firat but he doesnt feature enough.

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  125. yes he appears to hide in tough games and/or he just not good enough for a top 4 team and gets found out often in the big games and internationally too ...i still dont understand why he's at our club, he is ok but to be effective he needs to be surrounded by quality ...lots of huff and puff

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  126. Joel Matt Murdock Hwa3:27 pm, January 13, 2015

    That's because Suso was not given as much chance/faith than Coutinho by BR. Suso's position is similar to what Coutinho's was when he was at Inter. Wasn't given the faith to start consistently.

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