20 May 2015

'The Architect' to Anfield? Rush references 'Liverpool's strategy' for signing 'amazing' legend

Liverpool are currently linked with an improbable summer move for 'amazing' Italy legend Andrea Pirlo, but what are the chances of the club actually being able to seal a deal?

Over the weekend, the Daily Mail claimed:

"Brendan Rodgers will make an all-out attempt to persuade Juventus maestro Andrea Pirlo to move to Liverpool in the summer"

During an interview this week with Italian newspaper Tutto Mercato, Reds legend Ian Rush - who spent one year at Juventus in the 1980s - was asked the following question:

"There is talk of Andrea Pirlo as a possible replacement for Gerrard. Is this a possibility?

Rush responded:

"This I cannot say. We'll have to see what Liverpool's strategy is [to sign him]. I just know that Pirlo is a great player and will give a lot to the team"

Is Rush vague because he knows something, and 'cannot say', or because he doesn't know anything about Liverpool's interest in the deal?

Whatever happens, Pirlo - nicknamed 'The Architect' - is almost certainly leaving Italy this summer, and he confirmed this last week, when he told reporters:

"It [winning the Champions League] would be a dream end for my spell here. Yes, if we win it, I might move abroad because Juventus will be my last team in Italy.”

It's probably just pie in the sky, but it'll be absolutely amazing to have Pirlo at Anfield. The Italian is my favourite player in world football, and watching him play is just pure joy. At the age of 36, Pirlo is still absolutely integral to Juve's success, and he's achieving the kind of consistent impact in his later years that Steven Gerrard should be having on Liverpool.

The question is, if Pirlo can maintain his quality and impact until the age of 36, why can't Gerrard, who is 34? It would've been fantastic to have Gerrard still having an impact at Anfield for another couple of years, but it's all come to an (arguably) premature end.

Team-mate Gianluigi Buffon is a huge fan of Pirlo, and in an interview last season, he raved:

“When Andrea told me he was coming to Juventus, my first thought was “thank goodness”. His footballing skills are out of this world. A player of his quality and his market value, especially on a free transfer, must be the buy of the century"

If Pirlo signs for Liverpool, it will be another 'buy of the century'. Just imagine how inspiring it'll be - for fans and fellow players - to have a bona-fide world cup legend at the club.

Some fans will argue that Pirlo isn't mobile enough etc, but his recent record blows that theory out of the water: 4 league titles in a row, plus a Champions League final to come. Play him in the right position, and Pirlo will deliver, irrespective of mobility.

Possible line-up with Pirlo in the team (Using current players):

--------------------- Mignolet

Johnson -------- Skrtel ---- Sakho ------ Moreno

---------------------- Lucas

--------------- Hendo ------ Pirlo

--------- Coutinho ------------ Lallana

------------------ Sturridge

I'd buy that for a dollar, especially with upgrades on Johnson, Lucas, Lallana, and Moreno.

Author: Jaimie K


65 comments:

  1. i really shouldnt pick on players based on nationality but Italians and Liverpool just does not seem to work an absolute legend though.

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  2. Perhaps the best passer of the ball in the 2000's.

    Won't come, wouldn't dominate.

    Next...

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  3. "I'd buy that for a dollar"

    One of my favourite sayings : )

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  4. Haha are u on drugs. No chance bin dipper

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  5. We will get him on the cheap next season when Villa are relegated.

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  6. Nicolas Chamberlain7:44 pm, May 20, 2015

    Great, we don't need Gerrard, our general, but we do need the slow, two years older, way over his peak Italian Pirlo... There is no logic in that.

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  7. there about 30 cm i'd prefer over pirlo

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  8. There are better teams than Liverpool. Infact he might as well stay where he is if only Liverpool come calling

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  9. The five comments above sum it up. Waste of time.

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  10. How is Pirlo 'way over his peak'? That's so inaccurate it's not even funny. The guy has helped Juve win 4 league titles in a row, and their recent success coincided with him joining the club. Age is irrelevant if a player is still capable of performing at the too level, and Pirlo *is* still performing at the highest level.

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  11. IMo Rush "cannot say" anything because, like Aldo admitted, nobody have a clue what is happening at Liverpool regarding transfer.

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  12. watching him now against Lazio in cup final. He will be destroyed in EPL ...IMO.

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  13. He also has Pogba and Vidal around him - that's got to help

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  14. Mate most of his goals comes from headers and that's not how we play at all. He will not fit in we need small quick players who can make runs and work defenders. He is too immobile but don't get me wrong he's a quality striker but he won't fit our system.

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  15. Yea villa to Liverpool... No upgrade at all. What team do you support?

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  16. Next you'll be saying we should target Jamaicans ;-)

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  17. Not the African ones I hope

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  18. The big problem is that if G Rodgers is not sacked and Pirlo comes to Liverpool, Rodgers would play him as a right back!!!!

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  19. I think if you put Gerrard in a midfield 3 with Vidal and Pogba, he'd shine as well. Pirlo is undoubtedly a true great of the game but his latter years have been made far easier by;
    A) Playing in a slower, non-physical league
    B) Having probably the two best box to box midfielders in the game at the moment, doing all the running and tackling for him
    C) Playing for by far and away the best team in his country who dominate every game

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  20. In my opinion, it's incredibly unfair to use Pirlo as a means to highlight Stevie's waning career.

    Playing in the Prem instead of Italy offers up two very different type of physical games.


    And Stevie's best times of his career were made of someone who marauded forward in the attack, whereas Pirlo is much more of a technician.


    There's no doubt that we all wish Stevie was having similar success today as Pirlo is in the same position, but to compare the two is apples and oranges in my opinion.


    And furthermore, I don't think Pirlo would be nearly as successful here as he is in Italy due to the more physical style of play, and I don't think he'd come here without Champions League.


    He's nearing the end of his career... I can't imagine he'd want to waste any of it in Europa.

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  21. Honestly they only strikers we really need are aubemeyang and lacazette. Lightning quick striker to partner sterling in a top 3. That's the only way we'll get back up the table. But knowing lfc we will go no where near them.
    We'll probably buy ings even though chalie austin is the better striker. It's as if we don't know what we're doing. Klopp in now!!!!!!

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  22. he's already won every trophy you can win in Europe and is on course for a 3rd champion's league, so i guess winning the champion's league would not be his primary target.

    But i can imagine if he were to leave Italy but stay in Europe he'd certainly want to link up with a manager he respect or with a team that propose something interesting so i doubt he'd choose us if we start the season with Rodgers at the helm.

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  23. His legs can not be relied upon in Serie A anymore, not for the week in week out..
    And I am glad Liverpool supporters watch enough of the Dutch league to know how good is Depay...

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  24. David Godoy Cano9:27 pm, May 20, 2015

    I see that alot of guys are complaining about no top4, no Champions leage ect..
    Even if Liverpool aren`t there now, any player who would play like Benteke have done for Aston Villa and does that for Liverpool will become somewhat of a superstar.. The marked Liverpool has is gigantic, and thats why we are still attractive for many players.

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  25. SP = Square Peg?

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  26. Yeah right ;-)

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  27. That wasn't my guess ;-)

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  28. ...couldn't have said it any better.....

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  29. I could see him flourish in a MF 3 with Can and Hendo running box to box. Thought that's how we would have operated this year with Stevie in the Pirlo role, but Bren had other ideas.

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  30. Lacazette and Aubemeyang seem like a far away dream. I agree with you about these two.

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  31. Scott 'Doc' Hadlington10:32 pm, May 20, 2015

    Im a villa fan, and im prety much resigned to the fact that were gonna lose Benteke, and reading about seems alot of Liverpool fans are skeptical, and to be honest with some of the money u have spent in the past on strikers, but believe me when i say wherever Bentke goes hes gonna absolute be worth every penny, u might think that bentke wont suit the liverpool system, and if i was on the outisde looking in i might thing that, u see a big guy whos great in the air and scores goal by bullying defenders, but truthfully take it from someone who has watched benetke week in and week out, Benteke is more comfortable with the ball at his feet than he is in the air. and what goes unnoticed alot because of the way match highlights are is Bentkes ability in tight areas, hes not some lumbering big man whos crap with the ball at his feet, Benteke is top class when the ball isplayed into his feet, its no coincidence that since sherwood has ben playing 2 no.10s behind Benteke that he has started banging in the goals, and our no.10's are not on the same level as Coutinho.

    Long story short. Benteke will trhive in the passing game as much as he will thrive in the more direct game. hell be a snip at 30 million.

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  32. Pirlo tracks runners and tackles well, was not wrecked by injuries over the years and is comfortable in the deep-lying playmaker role. Even if he didn't play too much he'd raise the level in training to the stratosphere and teach our players a thing or three about dictating a game. Also, I'd buy his shirt.

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  33. It's irrespective of Rodgers, in my opinion.


    It's about trying a new challenge in a new place, and getting compensated accordingly.


    I don't think his new challenge is considered Europa. I don't think Liverpool are real challengers for the league title next season. And I don't think Liverpool would compensate him as much as another team.

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  34. We need a stern talking to if this happens.

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  35. trophies won't make pirlo younger

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  36. Something tells me that they'd be really poor with direction and location

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  37. Fred Vargas Asiedu10:50 pm, May 20, 2015

    Do you have issues with afro jamaicans?? or were you just being sarcastic.

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  38. It's an old joke from this site. A character called 'Nevergonnacrackthecode' thought Jamaica was in Africa, much to the amusement of the regulars on the site - that's what I was referencing. I don't have a problem with any group of people, I'm just here for the football

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  39. The Scots are a bit iffy though

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  40. More than a bit...

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  41. Fred Vargas Asiedu11:14 pm, May 20, 2015

    good player, would really love to see him at lfc but he's quite injury-prone.

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  42. Nicolas Chamberlain11:24 pm, May 20, 2015

    Pirlo' s contribution shouldn't be exaggerated.
    He was a great player but his stats aren't that great at all. He scores a nice free kick now and then but I prefer Gerrard without any doubt. The fact is that Brendan didn't want to create a formation that could utilize Gerrard's true qualities. Pirlo is, as already mentioned, surrounded by much better players who all play to the strengths of him.
    If he is man marked other players take their responsibility. The Serie A is also not a very pacey league with very low intensity football. I'm pretty convinced after seeing Juventus more than enough this season that signing Pirlo while letting Gerrard is leave, is just madness.

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  43. Fred Vargas Asiedu11:34 pm, May 20, 2015

    No hard feelings mate.I recently found this site and kind of got lost with the jokes. Am also here just for the football, pardon my ignorance.Great site though.

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  44. Not a problem bud, pleased to meet you

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  45. Fred Vargas Asiedu12:09 am, May 21, 2015

    likewised pal

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  46. He'd be great and have alot of wisdom to pass along...in Italian...so Borini would have to stay to translate. So many of the translations would suspiciously say that Fabio should play every match.

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  47. JayLiverpudlian4:32 am, May 21, 2015

    Jeremy Menez & Andre Ayew over Benteke.. But if we ended up signing him, we need to do the other thing & that is sacking Brendan Rodgers because Brendan doesn't know how to use striker like Benteke.. The same he did to Lambert...

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  48. Pirlo is basically playing as well as he ever was. He is El Grande Maestro of all midfield maestros.

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  49. Alright; alright. We'll only take Pirlo if we can take Vidal or Marchisio, too.

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  50. He's achieved a pretty honourable goal record in a team that has struggled a lot this season, and weren't great last season.
    I think he could produce more at a 'better' club.

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  51. The Italian league is quite a bit slower paced isn't it? This seems to be why players can still produce the goods when they're a lot older.
    I'm not sure whether Pirlo would keep up with the pace.
    Also, why would he join Liverpool?

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  52. But on set pieces Pirlo wont waste as much as Stevie has done this season. I actually think Balo was mocking Stevie with that "pleased to leave penalties and free kicks to you" statement in that goodbye message

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  53. Are you his agent by any chance?

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  54. 4eva LFC, LFC 4eva1:27 pm, May 21, 2015

    I really do not understand what is going on with BR, why is he and the club seriously entertaining this idea and why haven't we booted sterling to the curb already, we are looking at Benteke for apparently 30mill but yet we play games with bids like 14mill for Vidal and Lacazette.
    I clearly remember a great man say once that "No One Is Bigger Than LFC", well ain't the powers that be making a mockery of him with all this Sterling saga, believe me if any of you guys think he is that good then really you need to take a good look at his games. Sell him and lets move on, we are making offers (rumors) for the likes of Ings,Austin and Benteke are they serious surely not or maybe they have no idea.
    Suarez has shown us what it takes to be serious contenders and BR still hasn't learnt from that, but this is the same guy that continues to over rate his players even when we can all see that they are really not up to the challenge, the sad thing is we will all still be here after he is long gone and after even more damage has been done with them (whoever) is in charge of recruiting.

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  55. Enough with these Knee Jerk purchases.We all know he's on a good run atm but seriously??? Benteke?? Nah, sorry guys, I'm not on board with this. Suarez set the bar, c'mon, at least try and maintain for crying out aloud.

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  56. I can't tell if that's sarcasm or not.

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  57. Yeah we really cant tell but looking at how Gerrard has been wasting them, Balo getting stick (including from Gerrard too) for taking that penalty ahead of Hendo, I would hazard to think that he was mocking him and laying the ground for him to be the first choice if he stays on after this season

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  58. Pirlo's set pieces aren't enough to justify that he'll be able to cope with the physical nature of the premier league, especially when he's not playing with Pogba and Vidal.


    In terms of the Balotelli note, I will give Mario the benefit of the doubt that it wasn't derogatory, or at worst it was a tongue-in-cheek joke. One thing Mario has really tried to do is endear himself to fans via social media. I can't imagine he'd publicize going after the club legend.


    The only I problem I had was him publicizing the letter he wrote to Stevie (it should have remained private, and he should have learned to spell "Captain" correctly).

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  59. I just appreciate that you called him a "character"!

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  60. That is very true. He can potentially settle in and cause trouble with his set pieces and passing. "Potentially" er. Which is why we should not in the first place be looking at players who have so much in terms of potential and have wads of clear drawbacks-lack of pace, age (both too young and too old) etc. We should just sack the transfers guys (the scouts and the negotiators-IA, BR, DF) and institute a good scouting system and manage that will scour other leagues for good players-It is a joke that ALL good and appropriate players only crowd at Barca RM, Bayern, Chelsk, Man shitty, manure, PSG, Monaco!! Surely the scouts and the manager cannot identify CDMs,CAMs, RMs, RBs and strikers players in the entirety of the world from Rubin Kazan, Sparta Prague, the Danish League, Swedish League, Bulgaria, Cech republic, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Nigeria, Cameroon? I think these guys are joking and plainly ineffective.

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  61. I'd have him as part of the squad definitely. He's been on the wane at Juve this year though, so people shouldn't expect the Pirlo of last season even.

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  62. FFP only applies to clubs playing in Europe, if Villa could afford the players they wouldn't be hiring and firing managers left right and centre and dodging relegation every season. O' Neill left because Villa can't afford top players. Stop kidding yourself that Villa's situation has anything to do with FFP.

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  63. It's the only description I could think of that would get past moderation

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  64. They are not. Dortmund are worse than us this season. So they couldn't resist a 30 million euro bid for aubemeyang. 35 million pound sterling on lacazette. And they'll both more than double in market value baring injuries. They'll bring the goals and we'll more than likely be in cl next season.

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