2 Jul 2015

Can-Killer? Liverpool pushing to sign 'extraordinary' £37m destroyer who dreams of transfer to England

Earlier this year, Brendan Rodgers reportedly dispatched Liverpool scouts to assess Sporting Lisbon star William Carvalho, and new reports this week suggest that the Reds are back in the race to sign the coveted Portuguese midfielder.

In May, The Mirror claimed that Liverpool are determined to sign Carvalho (who has a €47m [£37m] buyout clause in his contract), and according to Portuguese newspaper O Jogo today:

* Liverpool 'representatives' ran the rule over Carvalho during Tuesday's U21 European Championships final between Portugal and Sweden (Carvalho missed the decisive penalty)

* Spurs, Manchester United and Arsenal also watched the young midfielder.

In January, Carvalho - hailed by Portugal boss Paolo Bento as an 'extraordinary' player - revealed his desire to play for one of the World's top clubs:

"We all have ambitions and I hope one day to play in the best leagues in the world. If I continue to do my job as I have done so, it will certainly come sooner or later."

Then, Last month, Carvalho made it clear that he wants a move to the Premier League. He told reporters:

“My dream is to play in England. I know some clubs are interested, but my agent Jorge [Mendes] is looking after it and I am relaxed.”

Carvalho is exactly the type of tenacious, athletic, tough-tackling midfielder Liverpool (arguably) need, but if the Reds spend £30m+ on him, where does that leave Emre Can?

* Club's don't spend that kind of money for a bench-warmer, and if Can moves into midfield, and LFC sign Carvalho (or some other midfielder), the competition will be incredibly fierce:

- Henderson
- Allen
- Lucas
- Milner
- Can
- Carvalho


* It's possible that one of either Lucas or Allen may leave this summer, but if not, I don't see how Rodgers can keep six first-team central midfielders happy for a whole season. Henderson will almost certainly play most games, which leaves just ONE spot available to share between four players.

* The other option is to kill-off Can's midfield ambitions by converting him into a full-time defender. I doubt the German will want that - he's on record several times stating that his preferred position is in midfield, and with Gerrard leaving, he probably expects to be playing there next season.

There is simply no way to include Henderson, Milner (a certain starter), Carvalho, and Can in the same team on a regular basis. For example: 433

-------------------- Carvalho

--------------- Milner ----- Henderson

----------- Coutinho ------- Firmino

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

* Milner or Henderson could be pushed further up the field (with Can slotting into midfield), but that means one of either Coutinho or Firmino will need to make way, which is a nonsensical decision.

* If Firmino plays as a false 9, then Hendo/Milner can slot in alongside Coutinho, but neither of those players is an upgrade in that position. Plus, with Ings, Origi, Sturridge (when fit), and possibly Benteke, there's no excuse to play Firmino (or Coutinho) out of position up-front.

At this stage, it makes no sense to sign Carvalho unless one or two of the club's existing central midfielders leave and/or are converted into different positions.

If Liverpool do decide to spend £30m+ on Carvalho, then that will arguably be a vote of no-confidence in Can's ability to make a difference in central midfield. If Rodgers sees the German as the future of LFC's midfield, then there's no need to sign Carvalho...right?

£37m is a ridiculous fee, though, and in my view, it's madness to even contemplate paying that kind of money.

Author: Jaimie K


120 comments:

  1. IMO, Carvalho is not the kind of player we need nor is he a Rodgers type of player. He is very physical and will be able to adapt well to the new league but his reading of play leaves a lot to be desired. We can't afford to splash £37m on a DM who has potential but isn't the finished article yet.
    What we need is a smart DM with a good passing range and (Sorry if I bring this up too much) but Illaramendi is that guy! He can sit and protect the midfield but he also has a tremendous passing range in his locker comparable to Gerrard and Alonso. He had the second highest passing accuracy in the CL last season (Not to Xabi eh?) and can instigate attacks. Another bonus is that he can drop deep and collect the ball from our Centre Backs and look to start attacking. Madrid are willing to sell and he wants to leave due to a lack of playing time.

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  2. original-gideon5:26 pm, July 02, 2015

    Where's the money coming from if we're allegedly buying Benteke?

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  3. I cannot see us signing another midfielder 'cos we have "enough already" even though i think we could do with a DM. It will be interesting to see how BR covers that position. So imowe will be possibly short in that area and in the goalkeeping position

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  4. ...managers are perennially pi-headed, wont-be-told kind of people......especially if the one telling is making sense.......


    ..I wish you the best of luck with that one....!

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  5. I completely agree on Illarramendi but I think you'll find Carvalho range of passing is good too. However there's no choice between the two considering price and suitability.

    6 quality midfielders is the perfect number IMO for good solid competition for places.
    433 and 442 diamond are two formations that use 3 CMs

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  6. Sell Joe Allen there's 1 extra spot.

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  7. ...bro I am really not the kind of person who can, with any possible authority, write as much as some on here about 3-4-3, 4-4-2, 1-1-1-1-5, ect.......I'm slowly getting to grips with the idea that this all has something to do with how footballers naturally play and where, subconsciously, they like to jump up and down on a football pitch...I may be wrong there btw.....


    ...right, so now, I've set the scene, I'd just like to say from what I've seen BR looks like he just wants to attack, which I love by the way, but that means the mids in front of defence have to be quick thinking and forward minded and not static and going backwards only with def in mind aka true holding mid...again this could all be wrong (please be patient)...


    .....so that means then why not just get Can to do that job isn't he good at that? holding a bit but thinking forward I mean....


    ....maybe BR just wants to sign attackers and wait to be slapped hard into understanding no top team in europe plays without a designated holding mid....
    ..BR may also want to change the world and prove that a team can win everything without a true holding mid.....


    ...one of my favorite films 'the ego has landed...'...


    ..I like BR btw..... :)

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  8. Carvalho will most likely end up at Arsenal (he is a long-term Gunners' target) so I don't think there is anything in this rumour. Portugal's opponents in the final were Sweden so the Liverpool scouts were probably watching Augustinsson.


    That said, we do seem to be in the market for an additional midfielder as Lucas is tipped to be forced out. We lost Gerrard and if we lose Lucas we will replace the pair by Milner plus either Illarramendi or Kovacic. I think Can will still be used as a utility player next season and will therefore fit in wherever he can get a game.


    You have mentioned competition for places in midfield but what about the competition at centre back? In that position we have the following players vying for game time: Skrtel, Sakho, Lovren, Toure, Illori, Wisdom, Can and we're being tipped with a move for a Monaco centre half. Looks like Rodgers wants huge competition for places throughout the squad.

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  9. So BR either puts Hendo and Milner as deep lying midfielders who could share defensive responsibilities, when one marauds forward the other sits back, something in the rein of Modric-Kroos combo at Real and that could work, they have the engine and work rate to accomplish that but then again where does that leave Can?
    Or we could have Can-Hendo-Milner combo with all of them playing box to box and producing intense pressing back and forth- that would be joy to watch

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  10. There was a huge new TV deal for Premiership clubs coming into effect this year so money shouldn't be too much of an issue for most Premier league clubs this summer. Plus we'll get a hefty pile of cash from the sale of Sterling. In addition we should be able to generate some more cash through projected player sales: Ballotelli, Borini, Lambert, Coates, Lucas. Don't forget either that many of the signings we have made this summer are free transfers, so we have been very careful with money thus far.

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  11. Jules Winnfield5:58 pm, July 02, 2015

    By bringing Illarramendi I would imagine that Liverpool could be offloading Allen and Lucas, not a bad swap in my opinion and would free up a space to bring someone through from the youth ranks.

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  12. I really want to see can given an good run at cm but I think he's got a lot more ability than hendo and could be an absolute general for us, but we won't know till he has been given real game time there

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  13. Jaimie why didn't you provide any stats on the guy? If any good, at least it would've made his ludicrous £37m fee more palatable.

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  14. Carvalho is EXACTLY what we need. Can needs to force Henderson out.

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  15. original-gideon6:51 pm, July 02, 2015

    We've already spent 30+million on players. Free transfer is a very misleading term. Add in the alleged transfer of Benteke for £25-30mill. Nearly 60 and we're supposed to be throwing another 30 in for another player that our midfield doesn't need. Like I said where's the money coming from? Our normal budget is roughly 45 million. It's alright estimating projected player sales but without them willing to go(see borini) or teams willing to match our valuation it's exactly that-an estimation.

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  16. I rate Carvalho very highly, and would move heaven and earth to get him to the club.
    However, I don't think Can is the player who would come under the most pressure.

    In a 4-2-3-1, I would be playing Carvalho and Can as the 2 in that formation.
    Lucas and Allen would become surplus and would probably be sold.
    Its Henderson who would come under the most pressure.

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  17. Selling Sterling would alone pay for our transfers so far.. Gerrard and Johnson were also on hefty salaries... Not only is there are bigger income from the new TV deal Liverpool have also got a very much improved sponsor deal with New Balance and like others have stated just selling Sterling would pay for our current transfers and we still got 5-10 players to sell if needed. Liverpool have also received cash from CL/Europa League this season by now

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  18. I'm the other bloke who likes Rodgers! :-)

    I don't think Can is a defensive midfielder from what I've seen, plus I think it would be a waste of his attacking ability to utilise him in that role. I would like to see a specialist DM, and the longer this summer draws on the more I'm wondering why we signed Milner (who I rate). Where does he fit? The midfield lacks balance at the moment for me....

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  19. Jaimie you need some stats to back up your theory...
    But there is something very important you are forgetting between Carvalho and Illarramendi and that is the physicality that Carvalho has that Illarramendi doesn't have. I think we need Carvalho engine and strength

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  20. LFC played more matches (58) than any english team last season! Maybe Rodgers wanna pack the squad cos he expect LFC to lead d pack next season. For me, replace Allen with Illarramendi, problem solved.
    I'm looking forward to the season.

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  21. Carvalho may have a good range of passing but he can't read and predict play as well as Illaramendi which is what makes him so good. Illaramendi is also near the finished product so he can come in and make an impact straight away on the first team.

    For rotation i hope we can keep Lucas for cover and competition in the DM spot and can play cup games and when Illaramendi is injured.

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  22. What theory? I haven't advanced any theory here.

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  23. original-gideon7:44 pm, July 02, 2015

    Love your optimism but, I just don't see anymore big transfers after the alledged Benteke deal. Sponsorship deals are paid season by season. What is the champions league worth for failing to get out of the group? Add in a stadium expansion. Who are these ten players you mention? How many did we manage to sell worth a mention last season? Reducing the squad by that amount isn't wise and even if we did it still requires another bedding in process for players coming in. Another season of transition isn't going to washwith the owners.

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  24. I think this pure media speculation, won't happen. Fee is ridiculous as well.

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  25. This is the reason why the Milner signing was totally not needed. He is not a DM and is not better than either Can or Hendo ( other CM's). We need a bona fide DM because Can aint one yet and Lucas is injury prone. In our best team, Milner does not find himself in the CM spots ( could play as a winger maybe).


    My midfield would be
    New DM
    Can-Hendo

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  26. Any information on Glen Johnson's new club? It seems like no one wants him or maybe he's being greedy.

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  27. Same thinking as me pal.
    DM - Illarramendi and Lucas
    CM - Henderson, Milner, Can or Allen
    Personally I'd love Kovacic to come in for Allen but I'm mindful that we'd be integrated to many players again, need a striker first

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  28. Do think perhaps Allen comes in for more criticism than he's due and perhaps that's as a result of Brendan setting the bar too high, BUT if selling him meant we got for example Illaramendi, then I'd wish him the very best of luck whilst being delighted with our new player.

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  29. I'd be happy to have either as we need a player who can naturally play that role. It's great being good going forward but we also need to be tougher to beat and having a player who can support our defence from midfield but can also play is essential.

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  30. Ghost of Suarez8:54 pm, July 02, 2015

    Agree Jaimie....fee quoted is madness. In any case I haven't seen anything to suggest he has any more potential than Can ....in fact I would say Can potentially a better player (nearly 3 years younger). Very similar style players, why pay massive money for something you have already got a younger version of??

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  31. Ghost of Suarez9:03 pm, July 02, 2015

    Well apart from the tide of public opinion, which is as far as I can see the only reason people seem to think Milner is anything other than what he has proved to be....a very good player, and one who is now in his absolute prime, what is the evidence to support your dismissive assessment of Milner, he got more goals and assists than Hendo last season. He certainly had the confidence of his manager when the heat was on.....I just think he suffers from the image of being, well, a bit dour....I can't remember seeing him have two many bad games (except for England under Woy, but let's face it he's not alone there), also has paid the price for being too versatile, something that afflicted Carragher until 26/27. I think he will prove to be one of our best signings....big game and title winning experience shouldn't be underestimated either in a very young squad

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  32. I have not called for BR to be sacked and think he might be a good coach but i cannot see anything much to like about but each to their own ;-)

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  33. I support Milner's signing but must admit when watching him play for England his final ball can be a bit random

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  34. Sign Carvahlo, nuke Useless Welsh Xavi Allen and either Lucas or Markovic, and lest we forget, Enrique, Lambert, Balotelli, Borini, Alberto and the books will be just fine thank you. If this is for real and not another BS rumor, its great but we need a proven, fast footed, shifty relentless clinical striker. Lacazette? Mais Oui!!!

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  35. No but my point was that you are saying that Emre Can can deliver there (im assuming) and Liverpool should stick with him..... But I would have liked to see some stats that proves that he is good enough in that position compared to Carvalho. Anyway you cut it Lucas is probably going and having only 1DM is not enough imo

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  36. We need a clinical, relentless striker!!!!!!!!! Lets hope this obvious point is not lost on the front office and we act quickly while Lacazette is having contract issues......

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  37. Definately the position that need to be filled, if Dodgery had bought in a 'specialist' DM when he first took over we'd be much further ahead than we are today. Up to yet he has not bought in a player that will make any difference to us. Hope he's gone soon.

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  38. looks like they want Benteke m8, personally i think there's much better than him for the money.

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  39. Mad money to say the least! But I still feel we need a quality ball winner, Can has the engine and has quick feet so could burst forward like Gerrard so I do not see why both of them couldn't be played at times. If Carvalho is signed (Which I very much doubt) then the player I would prefer to see sold would be Allen. There are many options in this position though that would cost far less... Ozan Tufan or even Claudio Yacob from WBA would give us more steal in midfield than we currently have for far less money. Carvalho does look a great prospect but £37m would be total madness as priority is a proven goalscorer in my opinion

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  40. There are many options in this position though that would cost far less... Ozan Tufan or even Claudio Yacob from WBA would give us more steal in midfield than we currently have for far less money. Carvalho does look a great prospect but £37m would be total madness as priority is a proven goalscorer in my opinion



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  41. I think Can has some latent offensive skills and could develop into a better offensive threat than Hendo is 2-3 years, or less if moved further forward, and be our backup DM if useless Allen AND Lucas are sent away. I like Lucas as a backup at this stage. We would nuke Markovic and use Lallana strictly off the bench..........

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  42. Just to throw in some players that we could sell beside Aspas and Coates.
    Sterling (£45m), Luis Alberto
    (£4m), Borini (£8m), Lambert (£5m), Enrique (£2m), Allen (£8m),
    Teixeira (£4m), Balotelli (£10m)

    Add that up and u get £86m. Liverpool have so far spend about £54m.
    Liverpool earned about £92m from PL this season.
    CL depends on winnings and such but I would reckon about £15m-£20m so a total of £200m and we haven't even included with sponsor-deals and merchandise but we can skip that and say that goes to the expansion of anfield (they pay that over several years)

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  43. It's ok having 10 outfield players that are all great at passing the ball but that can make a team vunerable in other areas like when we don't have the ball. It can't be just about building a team that's good when you've got the ball . Good balance is very important and I feel We lack balance . I think a tenacious hard working ball winner would be great for shielding our defence . Carvalho is certainly that and his passing isnt bad anyway from what I've seen.
    ------------------Mignolet----------------------
    Clyne-------Skrtel-------Lovren--------Moreno

    -------------------Carvalho------------------

    Milner (c)----------Coutinho-------------Firmino

    ---------Aubameyang----Sturridge -----------

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  44. There are other profits like tickets/season-cards, commercials and such but there are naturally also other expenses. But I would say Liverpool could use at least £100m especially if they can get as many as those players sold which means we have only spent half that so far. Lucas could also get sold for £10m~£15m.

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  45. And most of those players aren't in the first squad. Its mostly our reserve players that are getting replaced so the transition won't be as brutal as last season

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  46. The silence is still deafening. it is already the 2nd of July and still not one word from Rodgers.


    The only assumption for me is that Rodgers has been told to stop making a mockery of himself and been put in his place if he is to continue. No disrespect in what I have just said but that can only be a good thing.

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  47. Sell henderson he is useless

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  48. Sturridge unlikely to be fit for the EPL opener but I am dying to see how we will be lining up as well as the team selection!


    How will Stoke be treating us this time round?

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  49. he needs to keep quiet.....preparing for the January discharge from FSG..

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  50. How to kill a mockery bird perhaps :)

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  51. Like royalty if they have any sense, cos they're in for a dam good thrashing ;)

    Agree though, very intrigued to see how the summer pans out and who makes the first match line up.

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  52. Do you actually make a living from hosting a website, spelling out the obvious or incredulous..reighning down throwback gossip to include a timeline of of when LFC were previously liked to a player we will never buy...., adverts tempting me to buy some sort of a weight loss/muscle building product.. fair play to you lad ... have you got a job because I know a taxi driver who has 3 hours ago picked up Higuine from Speke...
    ?

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  53. FSG have IMO made a big mistake giving him till December if that is the case. Just do not see how things are going to be turned around.


    It is a game of Russian roulette right now.


    I shall wait in vain to hear of the plans going forward...

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  54. Muzzle is all that was needed from the very start.

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  55. Lacazette, Higuine, who knows ? Get a grip... Its Benteke or nobody

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  56. Well if we do not sign Benteke, which we will need to cough up £32.5m for then it is Ings who might be leading the attack.


    I am not keen on Benteke but would much rather have him in the starting eleven than Ings.

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  57. I'd keep him. One thing I learned watching all those games on the spin the other night was that Joe Allen is a very good footballer. He'd play for Chile! ;)

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  58. Carvalho please otherwise this will be the spice boys II. If we sell Lucas just to give the guy a chance to enjoy the rest of his career plus financially we could get something for him. Allen ought to go asap. IMO Carvalho is the sort of player who can make the difference against Chelsea & Manchester United. If we spent the Sterling money on him that would be great business.

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  59. I am a cynical fool and there is much bollocks written on this thingy site... however your post has caught my attention as you know.... Chelsea would not be Chelsea without Matic... we need a world class holding midfielder... few and far between but who would you suggest who would join us at a realistic price?

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  60. See, Milner is a decent player like Lallana is. They are definitely above average players hence why they are playing at the highest level but they are not, and I repeat not the stars they are made out to be. Players like Milner are good for the team but will never change the complexion of it. When you talk about Milner what is the first thing that comes to mind - that he is a workhorse but when you talk about Suarez you would never say that that was his defining quality even though he was most definitely a workhorse. To be world class you have to have a bit extra to your game which Emre Can has and Hendo has started adding. It is great having these guys in your team but they can never be relied on to change the face of games. That is what seperated Murphy from Gerrard. Both workhorses and started out as above average players but Gerrard became one of the greatest players to play for Liverpool while Murphy went on to play for Fulham. He was never a bad player till the end of his career and that is why he had a good career but he did not have the extra something to carry on his promise to become one of the best.


    What I expect from Milner is a good player who can be relied on when played in the team and perform well in the team. He has more to his game than Allen and as you say he rarely has bad games but on the other hand, he almost never has game changing ones.

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  61. What about his funny way of wrinkling up his nose when he's happy and sincere? That's adorable.

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  62. Me, you, and Case are going to dream this into reality.

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  63. Excellent signing and he was free!

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  64. It seems we might be lining up against Shaqiri... not needed anymore, but boy what a coup he would've been a few years back...

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  65. I don't think anyone makes Milner and Lallana out to be world class stars, who'd play for a World XI representing the human race against the Martians or whatever...

    ...but I still like both of them, and though Milner doesn't stir my blood, I just love watching Lallana, who actually does have that bit extra, in my opinion -- just not the athleticism to be at the very, very top. He's one of my favourite footballers. And I love what he represents -- someone who has come up all the way from the bottom, playing the game with real *fantasy*. A superb player, and I'm proud to have him at Liverpool.

    Is he a week-in, week-out game-winner? Well, no. Suarez is the only one of those we've had at Liverpool since Dalglish in my opinion. Gerrard wasn't that. Even Barnes, my favourite ever Liverpool player, wasn't that. Both of them had a trait of complacency that to some extent cost them real, sustained glory in league football.

    What I like about Milner is that he has that durability and consistency. He's going to be up for every. Single. Match. Mid-season, going into fixtures against mid-table sides, he's going to be the one who finds us a goal or an assist where snazzier talents can't, or he's going to lift the performance of the side to get the win.

    You don't have to beat the world to win the English Premier League. You just have to beat the other teams in England. And these players are up to that task -- Milner's even *proved* it!

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  66. I'll be watching the final this Saturday, didn't see Argentina's games en route but thinking it's got the makings of a great game.

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  67. Argentina are a bit hit and miss with some frankly rather ropey players by their traditional standards. Better individuals than Chile in most positions though -- don't know if you've heard of this little playmaker they have, can't remember his name, but I'd say he's one to watch in the future :)

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  68. Damn straight, worst player ever EU.

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  69. If it's Benteke or no other striker then for maybe £15-£20 million, I'd say give him his chance but much more than that and I'd sooner we did stick with 'just' Ings, Origi, Sturridge and possibly still Balo.
    Can't believe there's no better and viable options though - specially this early in the window.

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  70. I think

    Ings - Firmino

    Coutinho

    As the three forks of a diamond...

    (pause to consider that metaphor)

    ...looks pretty good. Nice blend of abilities. They'd enhance each-other. Not many Premier League defences could cope with that, I suspect. We don't have to beat Real Madrid every week, after all. People forget that sometimes I think!

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  71. Quite amazing that, even as I read of the reported agreement between Stoke and Inter it just doesn't seem real, plausible or even possible but yet it appears it may actually happen; unfathomable.

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  72. This is of course true, and also a diamond that doubles as a triangle up top sounds right up BR's 'shape shifting' street.
    I'd still love a new Marquee Striker to appear this summer but am becoming increasingly dubious of it's existence or affordable availability, and am slowly warming to the idea that the attacking players we have can at least get us back into the CL spots.
    Agree, that trio will wreak havoc (in a good for us way) Also, and plaudits to Logan for pointing this out to me, Firmino is easily as good as Suarez in every way and in fact better in others, :)

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  73. Our normal budget has changed. FSG are doing loads behind the scenes with various things, like the redevelopment, the new shirt makers , sponsors etc.... . FSG might not know football, but they know how to make money. They will build us up and make us a very attractive buy again, for the highest bidder, with stacks of city type cash. After they have gone? We will be a buying club. Like the so called BIG BOYS (cos they have the money, not necessarily the history of honours.) some may not like it but unfortunately it is now football. YNWA.

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  74. I know the one, some even say he may be the next Suarez...

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  75. Were crying out for a player like Carvalho. he is exactly the sort of DM that will provide a rock solid shield in front of our ever fragile back line and we haven't had that since Masherano left. Lucas will leave this summer but Rogers does have a surplus in centre-mid. Can's strength is not as a dm but as a box to box attacking mid. The obvious 3 to play would be Carvalho behind with Hendo and Can in front - leave out Milner (only Rogers knows why he's bought him)!

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  76. If it was as simplistic as that why isn't our squad full of marquee players every season?

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  77. we need power players who can command the game....these players should have vision,strength and above all technique...teams with great attacking strength have this quality and Carvalho foots the bill...as for the players saddled with this responsibility at Liverpool...They should be shipped out immediately...Allen,Lucas,Henderson(even though i know its difficult as Henderson is being used as our poster boy),These players don't have the technical capacity to build attack minded football,that is why when in front of goal these players don't DELIVER!! Gerrad/Alonso set standards that any player we want to buy should be in that cadre....As for the buying of Firmino(Rodgers Never had an input)...His type of player would HAVE BEEN be another misfit...So those individuals that bought Firmino should acquire a roving CM, DM....and above all a striker!! Concerning the Benteke issue....PLEASE DON'T BUY HIM! We should be in Europe!! Fighting for laurels and trophies...

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  78. You realise, don't you Gideon, that the new broadcasting deal is 70% bigger than the previous one?: clubs are awash with cash! Look at the sums of money Manchester United are currently looking to spend! So I really wouldn't worry too much about this- your name suggests that you might currently be running the nation's economy, so now that you have been reassured about football finances maybe you can get the economy growing again....

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  79. I'm aware of the commercial side of the business. Money's been about since the days of the Moores. It's certainly not a new phenomenon. It's just the quantity changing hands has gone up. If we had the financial clout everyone commenting thinks we have we'd be competing with the likes of Chelsea, city, etc and wouldn't be forced to sell our best players when a more affluent club comes along.

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  80. Even since he left his wife, lost weight and became pretty? ;-)

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  81. Can only find the same as you, seems West Ham was an option but their looking to re-sign Jenkinson instead, so Glen is still searching. Hopefully he finds a decent Club where he can get some regular game time.

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  82. we need power players who can command the game....these players should have vision,strength and above all technique...teams with great attacking strength have this quality and Carvalho foots the bill...as for the players saddled with this responsibility at Liverpool...They should be shipped out immediately...Allen,Lucas,Henderson(even though i know its difficult as Henderson is being used as our poster boy),These players don't have the technical capacity to build attack minded football,that is why when in front of goal these players don't DELIVER!! Gerrad/Alonso set standards that any player we want to buy should be in that cadre....As for the buying of Firmino(Rodgers Never had an input)...His type of player would HAVE BEEN be another misfit...So those individuals that bought Firmino should acquire a roving CM, DM....and above all a striker!! Concerning the Benteke issue....PLEASE DON'T BUY HIM! As for Sturridge,the teams he played for(apart from Bolton) sold him as he was surplus to requirements! These teams have better quality strikers and these strikers get involved immensely with all aspects of the game.The best Sturridge gave us was when the Suarez factor propelled the team immensely. So we need an total striker that can score,create and is not selfish. Just heard that we signed the youngster from Barca...let the chap give HYPED JORDAN IBE A RUN FOR HIS MONEY.... We should be in Europe!! Fighting for laurels and trophies...Lets be serious!! Rodgers is a no brainier for Liverpool. Period!

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  83. a - man utd is the third richest club in the world with a turn over of over £500 million a season, £200million more than Liverpool and b - they have a capacity of 70,000+ people which they pretty much fill every game. That's why they can afford to throw money about. The TV deal helps but, they make a ridiculous amount of money anyway.

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  84. ....ummmm....but man city threw milner on as a sub on numerous occasions and went on to give the opposing team heart attack after heart attack with his running and passing from the flanks...along with his link play....


    ...personally I think he is a very good player who will surely make A difference if not THE difference...bearing in mind LFC play a team sport and for years (proven wrong again and again) we were called a 'one man team' yet we would win with the difference making player NOT playing......cos we play a team game...... :)


    ps. I know nothing about football but everything about passion.... :)

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  85. ...hear hear,,,, :)

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  86. ...hey Phil B nice to meet you in that case....


    ...you know we'll probably get rounded up and put in a pen for future torture by the BR lynch squad....


    ...remember, give name and rank only... :)

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  87. I do not mean to be cynical or anything but if Milner was that great, City would have been fighting tooth and nail to keep Milner especially with the home grown quota thing. He was well liked by the fans but was still flogged off. Of course, there might be other reasons with it other than quality but it just does not inspire confidence.


    I do agree with you about the team game aspect but the point I am trying to make here is Milner is being glorified for qualities that most other footballers have. A good workrate and passion is a bare mimimum for any professional and if that is the main thing being focussed on then that is a bit worrying about what his other qualities are.

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  88. ...two and counting stuart...I'm hoping my time as a chain gang operator on the docks in a previous life on the sea will come in handy as I force more people to join... ;)


    ....the middle bit of your reply was very true...I like the bit about scoring lots of lovely goals - thats like shiny things to a bloke like me....


    ....and also agree about the numbers 5-5-3-2 sounds brilliant to me too..I only added the extra because our defence has struggled a bit and wasn't as bolshie as you were being with 4-4-3-2.... :-)


    ps..if you eventually have to put me down for the BR support madness.....just make it quick.....ta....

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  89. Allen passes well? If you are talking about his success percentage, then yes ... because he always takes the easiest option, but has the guy ever made an assist? Now that johnson is gone, i think Allen is my new whipping boy. Really don't think he has the fight in him to make any significant difference in a game.

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  90. You might not but so many on other sited believe that Milner is a marquee signing who is an upgrade on the existing batch and will walk into our starting line up. I even heard some people saying he could walk into almost any team in the world. IMO, he is not an upgrade over Hendo and Can but is over Allen who is a squad player so that should be Milner's role at the club. Lallana has not yet done enough in terms of the contribution but I still like him and I like Milner. I rate them as players but not to the level essential for the best of the best. I am all for Milner to be a part for Liverpool but not as a guaranteed, bona fide starter.


    As for Gerrard and Barnes, they certainly had their fairshare of moments where they took charge of a game and made it theirs. In the 4-3, it was Barnes' composure and skill that made it for Collymore, it was Gerrard's deft header that kickstarted the miracle. Even Coutinho had his Man City moments. I do not envisage Milner doing that. That is why Sterling is also not there with me, he has never dominated a game.


    I agree with you about durability and consistency but being up for each and every game is a bare minimum for a footballer, especially such highly paid ones. In the end, if Milner was a squad player for City, he should not be a guaranteed starter here as we consider or hope to consider City as our direct rivals.

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  91. Already is a better offensive threat in my opinion

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  92. Agree with everything you say as usual, just want to add that the truth is that footballers *aren't* always up for every game, even the best ones. Bring professional means, a lot of the time, playing at less than 100% in order to conserve energy, to avoid injury, or whatever. And a few of our players have historically done that a bit too much. Gerrard talks about it in his interview with Ferdinand, which was more interesting than I expected it to be!

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  93. I still think we should be doing everything we can to get this lacazette bloke ... big men upfront have never cut at anfield in my time watching. I recall the days of getting so wound up at Heskey ... Benteke will be a mistake in my opinion, although he is far and away the most skillful big man when comparing to the last 15 years

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  94. No chance, he's too lightweight, hasn't got the build to really dominate the opposition. I wouldn't fancy him on a wet wednesday etc etc...

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  95. Can for me is more a central midfielder, carvalho is more a DM midfielder. i think you can have them both but agree that the likes of lucas and/or allen would prob have to leave.

    I like how he referred to as a CAN killer and not lucas or allen killer lol

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  96. I feel like your valuations may be a bit on the optimistic side...
    Alberto did ok on loan, maybe 2-2.5m
    Borini I think will go for about 5m. I just cant see anyone paying more.
    We can't sell Lambert for more than what we bought him for, considering his season. 2m.
    Enrique is broken, can never play, cant turn left, completely lost his pace. 1m at most.
    Allen for 8m, maybe. Id think more around 5-6m.
    Teixera is unproven and I think we'd struggle to get the 4m.
    Balo, god knows!

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  97. No right foot either, and can't head a ball.
    Overrated. He's no Heskey.

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  98. ...sorry bro, I beg to differ, work rate and passion is a more rare commodity than you would think...just look around at the consistency and percentage level of constant performance from players and you'll find many, many, many players fade in games.....cant be bothered...only turn up for big games...etc..


    ...many talented players do it.....


    ...milner not one of those....


    ...reason man city didnt fight is cos they can throw £71 mill at someone like pogba...that's it really ...when you have that then soemone like milner aint gonna stiuck around feeling that comparison value when he has been a willing servant and given his all....

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  99. Is less no more ?

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  100. Kirklan Faternity Grey2:46 am, July 03, 2015

    I do think we need a DM, reason being 1. Lucas is injury prone 2. Allen is definitely not top class material 3. Miller is up in age and will soon begin to decline. The ideal thing would be to move Allen and Lucas and bring in either illaramendi r carvalho

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  101. Emre must be a starter next season in midfield so don't throw away big money on Carvalho.

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  102. Oh great, losing out on 2 transfer targets in a day, must be a long boring day.

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  103. Oh great, losing out on 2 transfer targets in a day, must be a long
    B O R I N G day

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  104. Really if you you are to make way for say an Illaramendi then Allen is the logical choice to go not having a real go at him but everyone else seems to have their purpose.

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  105. Shaqiri did nothing in Italy last season i am thinking he may well be over rated.

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  106. I see the club have signed Adekanye this guy has a big rep and could well be the best academy player since Sterling.

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  107. AC MILAN have signed Carlos Bacca and Brazilian hotshot Luiz Adriano yesterday !
    Sevilla have signed Yevhen Konoplyanka .

    Maybe BR thinks that LFC do not need a top class striker .

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  108. BR wants Benteke i reckon he will arrive soon and i think its a huge mistake.

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  109. If Hendo goes down you will be grateful we signed Milner.

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  110. BR gets rid of Carroll , Balo is a flop and we saw in the FA final that Benteke is NO different , even his national coach called him a pole !

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  111. original-gideon6:48 am, July 03, 2015

    I'm not sure why but, I'm really getting need out with your site's mods/you knocking back my replys or deleting, it's happened several times in the last few week for it to be a mistake. I'm not rude or insulting even in the face provocation. I understand sometimes disqus I'd slow to catch but, that's not the problem. It's pointless censorship. I thought better of this forum.

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  112. Bacca was available ,Luiz Adriano as well .
    Rondon , Volland and many more for much less

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  113. original-gideon6:57 am, July 03, 2015

    A - Utd has a vastly bigger and well attended stadium with 20,000+ more seats B - Utd is the third largest club in the world with a £500+ million turnover each season. To put that into perspective it's £200 million more than Liverpool. Utd are now the biggest payer of wages in the epl. So they should be. The deal whilst okay, isn't the reason behind their sudden interest in high profile marquee players. They spent £150 million last season. The deal wasn't made till Feb this year.

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  114. original-gideon7:21 am, July 03, 2015

    Again, it comes down to if we can get rid of them. I love the simplistic championship manager view fans develop whenever transfer window comes round. As I said previously if it was that simple our squad would be littered with world class proven quality & not 'potential'.

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  115. original-gideon7:23 am, July 03, 2015

    Transition? We've been in transition since Rodgers took over. The knifes are already out from a section of our fan base. There won't be any more chances this season. I can guarantee you of that.

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  116. It's hard to get them to join normally but now we have mega TV money all the young up and comming stars are being advised to head to England. In 8 years time we will have the Messi and Ronaldo of that generation playing in england. and the best thing is a lot want to play for us over are rivals as they no fsg and br give youth a chance where others dont

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  117. Haha good point but with TV money the selling of players is Irelevant I agree we won't get much as most of said name are shot or untested but every little helps

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  118. original-gideon7:32 am, July 03, 2015

    You think extra money and our policy of giving youth a chance is suddenly going to change our fortunes? Most talent heads to Italy or Spain to develop their game. The English attitude is to throw money at the problem and this is reflected in English clubs in the champs league.

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  119. argh don't mention or compare us to that dieing price of red shite from Manchester were better than them period just need to concentrate on getting are ship in order bigger stadium bigger fan base bigger sponsors more outlay= bigger players= bigger trophy cabinet

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  120. Yeah Robo I was meaning to ask u this? Do you think it could work formation and tactics wise? Just enough engine and work rate? And one more thing- do you think Lovren will make a comeback? And what flaws in his games do you see?

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