15 Nov 2011

GILLESPIE: The signing of Luis Suarez was a 'risk' for Liverpool. Is he right?

Former Liverpool defender Gary Gillespie has praised the club's management team for taking a risk on the signing of star-striker Luis Suarez.

Gillespie, who is a massive fan of the Uruguayan maestro, said:

"All credit to the likes of Damien Comolli and Kenny for going out and taking a risk. There were a lot of people who looked at him [Suarez], and didn't fancy him enough to go and sign him, but his performances for Liverpool, and his international team have been incredible".

Gillespie is probably referring to Suarez's patchy disciplinary record and suspect temperament when he describes the signing as a 'risk'. Obviously, things have worked out amazingly well, but is Gillespie right? Did Kenny Daglish take a risk when he initially signed El Pistolero?



Jaimie Kanwar


26 comments:

  1. Absolutely no signing, especially those which could be described as genius, is free from an element of risk - an objective fact, regardless of what anyone comments about it.

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  2. I was suggesting as soon as Suarez & Benzema began having difficulties at their clubs that we should prioritise the purchase of either to team up with Torres (+ Babel or another signing) in a 3 man attack that would have  pace, power, skill and goals. As far as I'm concerned there was minimal risk that either signing would pay off.

    His goal record was phenomenal and I couldn't have cared less about who had flopped from that league beforehand. Quality player, with the right experience and at the right age made it a no brainer decision for me.


    (BTW, Kenny said that the club were all set to sign Suarez before he was appointed as manager anyway so it wasn't a risk to him at all - at the very least Mali should be happy to hear that!)

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  3. I have to be honest when I watched the last world cup he was a player that stuck in my mind the most and when there where rumours that we cod sign him I checked on an almost hourly basis hoping we had him because I thought he could be great. I didn't think he'd start as well as he did but if you look at his strike record it's phenomenal, an the way he plays, not just his record, shows he could be a success anywhere he went in the world. Just so I don't sound like a know it all there is one other person I was as excited about, his name? Glen Johnson. An apart from a couple of games he's a disappointment for me, apart from when he has an England shirt on.

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  4. dont be too harsh on glen we should be playing as a right mid not right back and playing him at right mid would open up space for kelly at right back

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  5. Suarez signing was a massive risk due to his disciplinary record

    He had recently BITTEN an opponent, incurring a 7 match ban, he could have been sent off twice in first few months - for Rafael hair pull and his reaction to Michael Dawson simulation but he seems to have calmed down a little, even stays on his feet!! - as against Stoke in Carling Cup

    Footballing ability-wise it was a no brainer

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  6. I agree, but there's no denying he's been a bit disappointing mate.

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  7. Kenny is a risk taker but to field Lucas is a risk, not Calculated Risk.

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  8. You said something about Lucas on the other thread that's nothing to do with Lucas, can you read?

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  9. Ashfah, you really are an idiot. You need to get your head checked....

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  10. i think signing any player is a risk. granted that Liverpool have done well this signing. One player that i have always wanted at Liverpool is Gonzalo HiguaĆ­n.
    Still a possibility... Anyone else agree?????

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  11. Yeah mate, top player and seems a bit under appreciated at Real.

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  12. I reckon Lucas needs to take out a restraining order on you Ashfah! Are you stalking Lucas you sound obsessed?
     

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  13. I suppose so but he's been taking some pretty unfair criticism lately in my opinion

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  14. Stop bashing lucas he does his job very effectively and puts in 200% effort for the team and averages more tackles than anyone else in the league. That happens to be good enough for me he isnt alonso or a messi at his position

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  15. You've said it my friend..out of all the signings that Kenny has signed only enrique has worked out so far and that is a shame

    Henderson..downing..Carroll..bellamy..coates..enrique were all signings of Kenny and only one in six success rate so far.....someone has to take the blame for the transfers.

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  16. Notice there's no reply? He's hangin off lucas's washing line sniffing his jock strap to see if he can still smell whether Lucas sweated enough in the Swansea game haha.

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  17. ARE YOU ....JORDAN HENDERSON.....in disguise..trying to make Lucas look bad so you can take his place in the team...

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  18. Oh I don't know mate, I was just comparing that I was excited about Luis an knew he'd be class an was like that with Johnson. To be fair I don't think he's been fit enough to criticise. Watching the games last season I just feel that for a very quick player he doesn't track players well enough, stay in front of the ball well enough when the opposition player runs with it. An I don't think he does his runs enough either. But as I said I wasn't bein overly critical although reading this it looks like I am!

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  19. Its sickening to see downing play for England. how does he get in??? he was crapp again so nothing changes

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  20. He had a 7 game ban when we bought. ( for biting bakkal's ear) if that doesn't cry out risk then i dont know what is.

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  21. all transfers are a risk, however it depends sometimes on the fans also. look at henderson, downing, carroll. All I see is berrating, questioning their ability, lack of confidence in them. 'You will never walk alone' is what we say but do we actually means this anymore? when we do sign a player nowa days the clock is ticking, god help that he takes time to adjust to the team, if this is the case then he will have a rough ride. Lucas got berated and crap for ages, even last year he was the player of the year and cemented the central midfield position for BRAZIL! He consitently performs and give his all, but we still berate him.

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  22. One in six success? Idiot, Downing was the best player on the pitch against Sweden; Bellamy is a top quality player (which anyone who has a clue about football knows); how exactly is Coates supposed to have proved that he is a success already; & as regards Henderson & Carroll, aside from the fact they were bought with the future in mind; they have hardly played any games together - do you actually know anything about football?

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  23. on his day though hes a top quality player
    first choice rb for england
    was linked with real madrid
    ex chelsea player 

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  24. Mr clever..downing was the best player on the pitch that's why the spurs player got man of the match ...duh

    bellamy is a top quality player...then why is kk not playing him ..duh

    Which other manager do you know who pays 100+million on 6 players and they are all for the future...will they come good in 2015...we need results now...duh

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  25. Downing was regarded as MotM by many who saw that game: 'Downing helps to lift Swedish hex as fans stay away' - A more positive option than Milner, he put in at least three outstanding crosses, plus had one fine run through the middle. Rating:8; what did you say? Duh?

    Games Craig Bellamy has played in this season: Stoke, Spurs, Brighton, Everton, Norwich, Swansea - but no, Dalglish doesn't play him. Duh! & what did he cost? Oh yes, nothing.

    The other three have been bought with the future in mind. You say 'who pays 100+million on 6 players & they are all for the future...' Who said they are all for the future? Duh!

    I notice you avoid the question of exactly how Coates could have proved to be a success - how very convenient. Is it because there is no substance to your point? Duh.

    So you reckon 'we' need results now - have you ever seen a football match that doesn't have a result? What 'results' do you mean exactly? If you mean wins, Henderson & Carroll have both made telling contributions to good results; but it remains that they both have years ahead of them, especially AC who plays the kind of role that often takes a player years to develop their top performance; whether you like it or not. Have you heard of the concept of a player reaching his peak? Duh?

    & while we're at results or success, as you put it in the above post, why don't you define the terms you have for what would be success? But I don't see you doing that with any substance; perhaps you want LFC winning the title this year? & by the way, which manager pays 100+million on 6 players? Which one do you want? Mark Huges, or Roberto Mancini? DUH

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