12 Mar 2015

Top Transfer? Liverpool want 'excellent' £20m Brazilian maestro who's 'like Cristiano Ronaldo'

Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Lazio attacking-midfielder Felipe Anderson, who is also being watched by Chelsea and Manchester United.

According to The Mirror:

* Liverpool scout Paul Goldrick watched 'excellent' Anderson in action during Lazio's recent 4-0 victory over Fiorentina.

* Lazio are allegedly willing to sell if offers 'exceed' £20m.

When asked last week about Anderson's future, the player's Agent, Stefano Castagna, told reporters:

“He [Anderson] has everything that's required to become a top player. Many teams show an interest in him, but Lazio always turn down every request proving that they really believe in his talents".

Some info about Anderson:

* Current contract expires in 2018
* Attacking midfielder, who can also player left/right wing.
* 6 appearances for Brazil's U20 team.
* 2013: Out for over three months with a malleolar injury.
* 2011: Won the Copa Libertadores with Santos.

* Career Total: 15 goals/24 assists in 111 games.
* Goal/assist every 2.8 games.
* Gets yellow-carded once every 6 games (17 in 111 apps)

* Passing accuracy: 79%
* Averages 1 key pass per game.
* 66 successful dribbles this season.

* After grabbing one goal and two assists in Lazio's 3-0 victory over Sampdoria in January, rival boss Sinisa Mihajlovic raved: "He looked like Cristiano Ronaldo tonight"

With 15 goals/assists in 23 appearances, Anderson is in excellent form this season, but in a recent interview, Lazio Coach Stefano Pioli outlined a few areas in which he needs to improve. He noted:

“He [Anderson] has grown when it comes to consistency during the game. He’s working hard in both a technical and a physical sense, but he could still be even more calm in his choices and decisive".

The comparisons with Coutinho are obvious: young; Brazilian; a number 10, who can play left/right etc. Anderson has a far superior goal/assist record in Serie A than Coutinho, though, which is encouraging.

The biggest difference is clearly the price tag. Coutinho is one of the transfer bargains of the century, but Liverpool will probably have to pay through the nose to seal this deal, and after spending £20m on Lazar Markovic, it's debatable whether it's a risk worth taking.

That said, it'll be exciting for the club if Liverpool can unearth another Brazilian maestro capable of having a Coutinho-like impact, but what are the chances of lightning striking twice?

Whatever happens, it's (arguably) imperative this summer that Liverpool target players who are capable of making an immediate impact on the club. Last summer's signings only started to settle after Christmas, and by that time, the club was already out of contention in the league and Champions League.

Author:


34 comments:

  1. listen this guy absolutely brilliant. he a mix of Costa with his passion and aggresiveness and south american work rate, and gareth bale with his bullish approach, dribbling and incredible pace. hes a speed demon. remember when he played for Santos, it was encouraging how much Neymar use to pass to him. hes a top player and can play up front or on the wing or box to box. hes animal. far better than markovic. and hes both footed. i watched him at santos and all this season at Lazio. hes the real deal. IMO perfect buy for LFC. we should target him, Vietto and depay and moussa sissokho. 4 top players and future champions

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  2. this kid is honestly brilliant. along with him and Vietto i think they crucial to LFC future. we could possibly get £100m for both in 4 years. Vietto is capable of 30 goals at LFC. hes 21 and grabbed his 20th goal this season along with 8 assists. we need to act fast in the summer. £20M for Vietto, £20M for felipe anderson, £20M for Depay £75M for sissokho. we will be the best team in world in 2 years and one of vietto, anderson or depay will become the best player in the world.


    ------------------Sissokho-------------Hendo
    ----Anderson-------------Coutinho----------------Depay
    ------------------------------Vietto


    vietto is brilliant. absolutely love him. i think hes the one we need most bcause he can potential score 100 goals in 3 seasons with LFC. the others are just as important though, we need these 4 champions. with Coutinho to set the tone, with brilliant players like Vietto depay and felipe we will be unstoppable

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  3. Seventy five million for Sissokho? Newcastle's Sissokho? I was gutted when they signed hi. So cheaply but anything more than twenty million would be madness.

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  4. Do you think that playing in the Italian league his forms would translate to the prem? I have heard lots of good things about Delay and we have seen players from the Dutch league make the grade.

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  5. The pace in that team would be rediculous.

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  6. 1. Felipe Anderson: He reminds me of PSG's Lucas Moura.Quick and direct with good technique.We could offer Balotelli in a straight swap or use Fabio Borini as a discount.If Liverpool bought Anderson it would probably mean a permanent wingback position for Jordan Ibe.
    2. Marc Andre Ter Stegen: One of the best GK's in the world with the ball at his feet.Lionel Messi even joked Stegen is a better passer than him.I doubt Barcelona would want to get rid of such a talent.But he's young and needs to be playing regular first team football.Hopefully we target Stegen and he chooses ambition over bench and money.
    3. William Carvalho: A big strong dominant midfielder with decent technical quality.Very good positioning and anticipation.Fantastic tackler and he uses his big frame well.He'll put out fires at the smoke stage.Carvalho would be our version of Chelsea's Matic.
    4. Luciano Vietto: A creative, hardworking South American who scores goals and links up well with other attackers.I know, that sounds familiar.Brendan Rodgers could quickly turn Vietto and the others on my list into Superstars.
    I would be happy with your list too.

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  7. This would be a beast of a summer. :-)

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  8. My friend tipped me off about this guy. He's a gem of a player. One of the few for whom the hype is just about justified. He plays with the confidence of a player with a winner's mentality. I'd be very happy if we signed him.

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  9. It seems to me that Liverpool are still looking for that false 9 type of player ever since Suarez left. Whoever it is they need to be able to score goals as well as deliver a pass and dribble with the ball. Sanchez could have been that player but he went to London. Ings fits the bill as does Pedro, another reported target. Perhaps Anderson is another player in that mould although he's doing so well at the moment because he's the central player at the heart of the Lazio attack. If he came to Liverpool I think Coutinho would remain in that 10 role so Anderson would need to either play as a central striker or go wider left and right. That's what Suarez did in the second half of last season and it's what he's doing at the moment for Barcelona, so the role exists and it can be made to work. Whatever the case, any inbound player needs to be a bit like Sterling in that they can play anywhere in a front 3/4 and be flexible enough to create for the team no matter what.


    It's exciting to think that Liverpool are looking for this type of player given the wealth of attacking options we already have. Add a top quality box to box midfielder and suddenly the team looks VERY good. That's really all the players we'd need. The wing back roles can be covered by existing players and the only position lacking is the goalkeeper. If Liverpool have an efficient but effective summer then we could be looking at a very good full strength team available at the start of summer training, ready to start next season in much better shape.

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  10. I'm not sure we need all of them. I don't see two attackers coming in the summer so it'll either be an outright striker or an attacking mid who scores lots of goals. A keeper of the quality of Ter Stegen would be great, maybe he'd come on loan.

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  11. Just read that Fernando rates Coutinho as the best Brazilian in Europe. That is some praise!

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  12. Agree. But for me the priority is a still a GK. He has improved in some ways but he does not command his area. I hope I am wrong but I think he could cost us this year.

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  13. I've seen a few Brazilians that I prefer ;-) Too few though unfortunately.

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  14. Can't see Barca parting with Ter Stegen until at least after their transfer ban's lifted.
    Don't see us signing any attacking midfielders. We'll sign at least one quality centre mid and probably a defensive mid too, definitely if Lucas goes and for that I would agree with Carvalho.
    Not seen enough of Vietto to base an informed opinion but Mandzukic would be my first choice forward

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  15. I don't know if you meant £7.5m for Sissoko, I hope so, because thats a hell of a fee otherwise... Those names don't make me think title contenders though, not just yet... 2/3 years definately...

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  16. I've a hankering for Roberto Firmino.

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  17. are we still talking football ?

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  18. I forgot about Barcelona's transfer ban.No big deal.Mattia Perin is equal with Stegen in terms of having the potential to grow into a top level GK.
    It's funny how you and others think our attacking midfield options are complete.
    I look at someone like Lazar Markovic who goes missing for long periods in games as not good enough.Jordan Ibe was doing a fine job at wingback until he got injured.
    That leaves a technically stylish but so far non productive Lallana.Philippe Coutinho who is finally starting to play with consistency and Raheem Sterling.
    In the Premier League Mario Balotelli, Lambert and Fabio Borini have scored 4 goals combined this season.Clearly we need more in attack.Having options are one thing, but if they aren't productive and don't look like scoring.I see them as expendable.
    Mario Mandzukic would score goals, but I think our team operates better with very mobile options in attack, instead of a technically gifted target man.
    However we could suffer transfer setbacks.Mandzukic would then be a quality experienced option.It just means we'd have to tweak our style.

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  19. What as a replacement for Sterling ?

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  20. I find it hard to commit to players that Liverpool are 'rumoured" to be looking at to come in in the attacking positions. Liverpool are quite well stocked, especially with young players and yet we still manage to seem lightweight (Balotelli's just wrong for Liverpool, talented or not, Lambert's a good player, but not what we need and Borini is more suited to playing in Italy).

    I've liked Firmino and Lacazette for a long time now and (although not surprised) I was disappointed we didn't get Vietto (when he was cheap0 in last year. I'm sure a lot of Liverpool fans want Benzema, but who's putting money on that happening?

    As for Felipe Anderson, he is an incredibly talented player and appears to have the physical prowess to excel in the Premier League. He has got a hell of a shot on him and his technique and ability with the ball at his feet has made him one of the best players in Italy this season, in my opinion. If he can prove that he's not going to be overly injury-prone I'd like him to come in more than most linked to us. I know he's more expensive than Coutinho was, but who wouldn't like to have two proper Brazilian players in the team - far from the likes of Doni and Lucas (love him, but gives away stupid fouls and isn't the stereotypical Brazilian).

    Reading everybody else talking about players like Sissoko and Carvalho, I don't feel they're the right option. Sissoko is a good powerful presence (something we need), but I don't rate his decision making or his consistency. Carvalho has a poor first touch and has just been hyped without enough evidence to show for his current valuation.

    Being realistic about the level of player that we can attain, ignoring valuation. My targets this summer would be; GK - Cech & Karius, AM - Felipe Anderson, F - Lacazette (or Firmino - reminds me of Suarez early in his career), CB - Van Beek (able in the air and good at passing).

    If money was no issue then Danilo at right wingback, depending on how Rodgers decides to go forward with the formation. Emre Can is going to be a brilliant CM if (and only if) he continues to improve at his current rate. A player able to maraud from deep, while covering Henderson and any overlapping wing backs. Teixeira is a good player, so I'd like him to get a chance, but if not - a Kramer or Schneiderlin would be lovely to sure up the centre of midfield. Younger options being Ruben Neves, Kovacic or giving players like Rossiter or Chirivella a place in the first team squad.

    Liverpool should sell Borini, Lambert, Balotelli (if Lacazette or Firmino can be brought in - Sturidge, Origi and one of those two would be backed up by Sterling), Mignolet (if ideal candidates could be brought in), Coates (too injury prone), Wisdom (can't turn around), Alberto, Aspas and release Toure and Johnson. Although these transfers would continue the large squad rotation of the last few years, but the spine wouldn't change and although young, the first 11 have been starters for long enough now to step-up. Players like Henderson have proved that recently. With the youth of Wilson, Canós, Sinclair, Ojo, Rossiter, Brannagan, Dunn, Trickett-Smith, etc coming through, Liverpool's future is looking good. There's been a lot of false dawns with the youth system in the past 15 or so years, but I can't recall there being so many potential players and the odds are that a couple will break through.

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  21. Hanky's and Brazilians go hand in hand :)

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  22. I ewally think he has comanded his box really well of late. Perhaps less do the last couple of games but I think we can put that down to the unsettled backline. He has punched a lot, caught quite a bit and in most of this run been off his line fast enough. I heard stats that he has Joe Heart type stats this season.

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  23. See one of the things I like about Mandzukic is that I think he'd slot right in to our style. He can play up front on his own or with a partner, well versed in the pressing game, tactically very good, not afraid of the physical aspects of the game... Sorry Beast but for me he's the perfect fit. You're right about the rest of our forwards, they've been rotten and I hope we get rid of the 3 of them.
    Perhaps a forward line next year of Sturridge, Mandzukic, Ings and Origi? I also expect Jerome Sinclair to be knocking on the first team door in the not too distant future.
    I don't really watch Serie A so haven't seen much of the lad Perrin.
    In regards to out attacking midfielders, I think it's a little harsh to say Lallana hasn't had an impact, he's been unlucky with injury as well as coming back into a team doing some serious soul searching. I have faith in Lallana therefore can't really advocate replacing him. Markovic is still very young. We've seen flashes from him but I don't think we'll see the best of him til next season. I also expect us to sign a RWB which will free Ibe up to move forward. Listen there's always room for brilliant players, I just feel we have more pressing needs in other areas of the squad that we'd be better concentrating our transfer funds on than attacking midfield

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  24. "Sorry Beast but for me Mario Mandzukic fits perfectly" That's fine bud.We don't have to agree on everything Jock.I still respect your football opinions highly.
    "I think it's harsh to say Adam Lallana hasn't made a big impact" I think he's been more style over substance, especially from an attacking point of view.You can even take productive stats out of the equation.Lallana has made a handful of creative impacts on Liverpool matches in general play.I can't think of many times he's been a serious contender to be Man of the Match.
    Defensively Adam Lallana fits into our pressing system perfectly.I like him though and have actually turned into Lallana's defensive lawyer a couple of times this season.I think he'll take his game to a higher level next season.However I would like extra competition in attacking midfield from a quality player like Felipe Anderson.
    Lazar Markovic's disappearing acts won't get any better next season.This is one of the things that he did at Benfica.I warned everyone early but got told by YouTube scouts I know nothing about football.
    I watch a lot of European Football mainly for betting/accumulator purposes.

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  25. Thank you mate, and I yours.
    I'm not a betting man myself so the only European teams I see are the ones playing in the Champions/Europa League so I'd seen Markovic for Benfica a couple of times and I must admit, was fairly underwhelmed but like I say, he's still very young so hopefully the disappearing acts will fade as he matures.
    The only thing YouTube videos are good for is giving you an idea of what a player is like physically and how quick they are. Show a compilation of any player's career highlights and you can make them look good

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  26. Don't let Jaimie hear you say that

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  27. I really don't want Benzema. He's a good player but he's a big diva who thinks he's above Liverpool. If he signed for us I think it would be with reluctance and only because he didn't have any 'better offers'.

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  28. All I can say to fully appreciate a Brazilian you need to be close enough to smell them

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  29. I like the way he has come out to sweep up behind a high defence but sometimes when the area is more crowded he has left balls for his defenders to deal with that I think he should have claimed .

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  30. I guess you really 'nose' your Brazilians then?

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  31. I think he and Skrtel have developed a decent understanding. It's usually one of them. He is far from perfect but ecen compared to last season he is very much improved

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  32. Surely, we should not sell Mignolet. I like his baby-face.

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  33. I meant that he's rank average and should know his place until he proves himself at the top level, whatever that is.

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  34. I was surprised when we didn't sign Vietto. Still can't wrap my head around why we'd pass up that opportunity.

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