3 Sept 2012

Scraping the barrell? 28 'free agent' strikers who could end up at LFC...

In his post-match press conference on Sunday, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers confirmed that he would 'look at' any currently unattached striker who could 'improve the squad. With two weeks until Liverpool's next game, Rodgers has plenty of time to scour Europe for a decent striker (or two) but who is actually available right now, and would any of the 28 strikers in the following list actually improve Liverpool's squad?

Fans should forget about Nicolas Anelka, Didier Drogba or Yakubu - All three are under contract to Chinese clubs, which means they are not free agents at the moment.

The following list makes for pretty grim reading (!)

FREE AGENTS: Currently Uncontracted Strikers

Free agent strikers

To be honest, unless Liverpool can get Drogba, Yakubu or Anelka, the club should just forget about signing free agents and promote youth players such as Adam Morgan, Samed Yesil, Michael Ngoo, Joao Teixeira etc. What's the worst that could happen? One of them actually might actually make a breakthrough and we could end up with a new Michael Owen/Robbie Fowler at the club.

It's not ideal, but IMO, it's infinitely preferable than signing any of the strikers in the list above. Michael Owen seems like the most likely possibility, but LFC legend Alan Hansen is not a fan of the idea. He told The Independent:

"I am a big fan of Michael Owen, the fact the former Liverpool forward is now being considered as an option shows the club are desperate for reinforcements. Liverpool are desperate, and if Liverpool had been able to sign Dempsey from Fulham after loaning Carroll to West Ham, there is no way Rodgers would now be considering going for a free agent like Owen".

Jaimie Kanwar


50 comments:

  1. One of the best strikers on this list is Maltese whose credentials are at a championship level. Is this how far our glorious club has fallen?

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  2. Michael mifsud is currently contracted to Valletta. He signed another contract early this year and so he should be taken off the list. I'm maltese by the way ;)

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  3. jamie for once i agree with you. lets see if BR get the best out of them . i think deep down its what the owners want.

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  4. Del piero is at Sydney fc. get your facts correct jaime

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  5. true he's Maltese and he's scored many times at international level and in many different leagues......

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  6. The Del Piero deal is not finalised yet. his manager said last night:

    Obviously things were misinterpreted. We still have to properly analyse the project. (The offer) has not left Alessandro indifferent, we're talking about a two-year deal worth 2 million a year. It's a serious offer but that doesn't mean everything's decided."

    Perhaps it's you who needs to get their facts right, eh?

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  7. You describe it right Jaimie, "scraping the barrell". If I were to take a blind look at the options and choose on reputation alone, then Adriano would be my choice. However, reports about his weight issues probably explain why he's a free agent. If any of these were worth pursuing then they would have been snapped up by now, and by clubs lower down in the pecking order than Liverpool.
    Right now, there should not be any players knocking around that are of Liverpool's standard (exceptions are Drogba and Anelka due to contract dispute). Out of all of those, the only one that remotely interests me is Florent-Sinama Pongolle, and that's only because I was disappointed we got rid of him when we did. Lord knows how far he has fallen down the footballing world to be released by Sporting Lisbon or wherever he was...

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  8. It doesn't feel right. Please go back to disagreeing with me :-)

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  9. isnt ryan babbel a free agent
    and klasnic doesnt look bad although owen does have the best games per goal ratio but liverpool should play morgan yesil and assiadi in the smaller games

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  10. I'd have to agree, promoting a couple of youngsters makes FAR more sense, both from the point of view of implementing Rodgers' tactics and also financially - Michael Owen will cost us about £2m per season and have zero sell-on value, these young kids will cost a fraction of that but with first team experience will easily be worth £1-£2.5m.

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  11. Promoting talanted youngsters like Morgan or co or signing outburned, injury prone or psycotic free agents? Is the answer not obvious.

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  12. Signing any of these names would be nothing other than a total embarassment. We are already a laughing stock. Brendan is right. We are where we are and there is no point crying about it. We just have to get on with it. Having said that, I can't help thinking he has been right royally shafted by FSG who (whatever the financial posiiton) don't come out of this debacle with any degree of credit whatsoever. I for one would play the kids. As God, Stevie G and the striker who shall not be named demonstrated...if you are good enough, you are old enough.

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  13. Michael Owen's scoring record is too good for us. The rest wouldn't be out of their depth though!

    The only thing against Owen is his injury history... forget the Man U bullshit, we had a former Man U player as club captain 15 years ago and people were clammering for us to sign Berbatov and Heinze not so long ago.
    That injury history is exactly the reason that any of the under 18s at the club should not be rushed into the first team... as Michael Owen was.
    Same contract he had at Utd - pay per play - and I don't see the problem.
    As for the Letter from the owners. There's no need to apologise for the performances, I can forgive the dropped points. The naivety/incompetence in running the club is a different matter.
    Hicks and Gillet and Kenny Dalglish did not negotiate the transfer fees for the £100+ spent last summer. H+G may have been crooks, but they knew what they were doing. FSG, giving them the benefit of the doubt for now, are just out of their depth.
    It's not H+G's fault, it's not Kenny Dalglish's fault and it isn't Brendan Rodgers' fault.
    It's two years in another five weeks, same promises, same lack of action. At least they haven't loaded all their debt on... yet...

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  14. maybe Sinama would not be a bad deal after all with a contract until summer. However, most of these strikers would likely go to clubs were they are an integral part of the system. Most of the strikers would not be up to standard for liverpool FC. The fact that at youth level, strikers are also thin..we have only michael ngoo, yesil and morgan who can really be considered as outright strikers. I was also impressed by Mark pelosi today during the U21 match against city. he has the knack of finding spaces and is a good player of the ball. however he is still not strong enough imo to cut it out in the EPL

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  15. For the first time in my life (must get an MRI tomorrow because i must been having a stroke), i agree with JK -- and that is to promote the youngsters.

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  16. Crespo about 8 years ago. Del piero the same. Adriano- that the guy who played for inter Milan? He was good but no idea about now. Owen will cause a divide amongst fans. However, needs must and if any of the above are up for the challenge I don't see why not? They most prob lack pace but as they are highly experienced, they should be able to get into goalscoring positions in the box. I think though, that it's best to promote suso, Morgan and Pacheco and give them a chance as lfc have invested heavily in the youth system since rafa's reign. Also can lfc please bring back xavi Valero (gk coach) for reina!!!!!! He needs a good coach to help him out mentally cos he must be in bits with the catalogue of mistakes he is doing.

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  17. Unfortunately Mifsud is currently playing for Valletta so he is not available. would take Sinama or maybe ilan from that list. the latter got 6 goals for a shitty team which is not that bad

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  18. Purely for a bit of Champ Man retro loving I would deffo go for Cherno Samba!
    Saw an article from the daily post which puts another name in the Chinese club/contractual dispute hat...Lucas Barrios. If he did become available, we would have to get him....a quality forward and only 26.

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  19. Cherno samba! Lol joker. Going further back in that game- Peter prosper! Lucas barrios is prob the best you're right there on that list. However, you got to wonder his mentality to want to play football to have gone to china at 26/27 years of age?

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  20. I am scared we might be left too behind in race to top 6 when it comes to Jan. No top class player would obviously not want to cum again to us resulting in struggling even after Jan

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  21. Cherno Samba and Emile Mpenza??

    I haven't seen those names since playing football manager 2001 :D
    (and complementing each other in a way Samba scored 50 goals in 50 matches for me :P)

    Or in other words - what a shitty list of players. I agree on giving Texiera, Morgan and Yesil some game time.

    YNWA

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  22. None of the above, most of them haven`t played enough last year, and I feel it will take them to long to get fitness up. We will waste games trying to do that. Sahin looked poor imo, not touch wise but fitness wise. Reason = he didnt play much at all last season. It will take him a good 6 games to get back to pace, how many games will we lose in that time while he gets his fitness up? Same will be applied for any new striker.

    Use Morgan and Suso imo, Granted I don`t think there ready and don`t think they will do much, but at least they will get experience.

    As long as us fans don`t slate them if they fail. If morgan plays and we lose and he doesnt score even once this year, I would be gutted to see fans doing what they did to Ngog and Lucas. Morgan isn`t ready yet imo, but will do as back up.

    We only need to make it to jan, I`m sure he can cover till then.

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  23. Great to see such a thorough list - not sure that Del Piero's Sydney deal actually went through btw.

    Personally I don't have a problem with Owen - hatred has never been part of the Liverpool lexicon. Him aside, it's probably Klasnic or the kids.

    Regarding the FSG letter - clearly there was some misunderstanding between Rodgers and the board. FSG weren't to know that LFC were paying over the odds for its players - it was up to Comolli to ensure they got value for money so he paid for his failure with his job. It was up to Dalglish to get value on the pitch, ditto.

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  24. there is absolutely no point in bringing any of these cans to the club...we may as well stick with what we have....why oh why was morgan not on the bench......drogba or owen are not the answer they dont suit the way we play now under rodgers ...think about it who will rodgers drop 11m borini who he sanctioned or are current best player sterling ...rodgers is a big boy and has made his own bed ...lets see how he deals with it ....he bought in borinin and sahin when the team was crying out for a pure striker....real tuff months ahead for rodgers, take no notice of him saying hes being backed if where near bottom at Christmas hell be out

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  25. I think Owen would be a good signing if he can stay fit, as he can still score goals, his movement in and around the box is great, only concern is that there is a big question mark over his fitness but could be a risk worth taking.
    Another one could be Klasnic, haven't seen him play much but last season i saw Bolton play in 3 games at the start of the season and he scored in all those games and even though Bolton didn't create much chances but he made them count.
    Carew is another player who could be good signing and he is technically good for a player of his size, he was always looked good against Liverpool whenever i have seen him play.

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  26. I would consider Owen, i didn't like the look of the subs bench having 2 CBs and no Striker. I don't think it is all doom and gloom thou... We have had one of the hardest fixtures for the start of the season that i can remember. We dominated against Arsenal, lets just hope that we can start to find the net!

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  27. all thses players where good in there day but there is a reason they dont have clubs THEY ARE NOW CRAP THATS WHY NO ONE WANTS THEM ....you may as well play coates up front or kelly or shelvey ...they would be better ......

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  28. As desparate as we would look in Shearer's eyes, a) yes - we are already desparate, secret's out, so what's more to lose b) United signed up Paul Scholes last year after he retired because they needed cover in center mid c) City signed up Viera - both clubs finished 1 and 2 in the league. Any club could get desparate, even top ones.

    That being said, I agree that our first priority at this point is to promote youth - as long as we look after them and keep them injury free (ie/ avoid another Michael Owen situation), then they could blossom very early in their careers - look at Fabregas (regular Arsenal player at 17), or Rooney. Sterling/Suso definitely have the potential.

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  29. Considering some are missing Carroll, I say go for Heskey, equally as effective.

    Anyhoo, only if Crespo was a few years younger. He'd show Suarez how to really finish.

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  30. FSG and 37 year old Del piero ? match made in heaven ?

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  31. same old same old, as M Lawrenson says. its not looking good so far. johnson poor in defence again (he was three yards ahead of podolski at first), no proper striker, downing still awful, not much movement/support off the ball, BR belittling Carroll as soon as he arrived, then saying wouldn't send him out loan, then saying...., be discrete BR! at least though BR warned us after WBA that there will be more bad results to come :)
    owen? no thanks. would rather give an insider a chance. morgan, suso, etc. wasn't borini bought as a striker? but he's being played out wide! where's assaidi? he should be a first teamer?
    at least sterling is sterling. and allen can pass the ball (albeit mostly left/right/back. unsurprising that he has a good pass rate!)
    should've let skirtl and agger go as the price was good. plenty of decent back there. might as well've done a 'fresh start' and taken it from there.

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  32. Its not Johnsons fault, he is supposed to push forward being an attacking WB. Gerrard is the one who was at fault with his poor pass...

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  33. When Arsenal went up 1-0 how many thought the best we could get was a draw. This team cannot score one goal let alone two. Especially playing from behind. We were the better side for much of the game but none of that matters without goals. Hard to see how FSG could have let this situation stand. Looking at he above list gives me a sinking feeling. Suarez has been a huge disappointment so far. No one should be safe.

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  34. anelka, good team player

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  35. What a surprise, we are now promoting the youth.... i said yesterday that the intention was to do just this i.e. fcuk Carroll off and bring in Morgan....

    Meanwhile we get to have a debate about free transfers.... i think we're still being mugged off, still being drip fed a load of BS, i say again this is very high risk IMO, i cannot believe the arrogance of this Club and those people who are trying to pacify the fanbase by way of diversions....

    Really i don't know whats worse tbh, our fcuk up in this transfer window, or this pathetic attempt to appease the fans with well timed propaganda which seems to have been pre planned....

    And IF it that is indeed the case which i suspect that it is then what else was pre planned...? Was there really a failure to get another striker....or was that BS as well..

    What i will say is that this PR machine is "desperately" working overtime....meanwhile the frustraion/depression and worry of many LFC fans who wake up only to realise that once again its the same old same old, i say we deserve to be treated better than this....i say we are tired of being treated like fools....tired of having our intelligence insulted by this sweet talk from the Club....

    What we wanted was a quality EXPERIENCED Striker and perhaps a goalkeeper to challenge Pepe for his place in the side....what we've got is a load of PR and justifications for why we are where we are, well if that was the case then why fcuking get our hopes up...???

    Why not just tell us during the window the truth of what the Club intended to do.....then at least we could of had this debate BEFORE finding ourselves with only 2 experienced strikers etc and with Carroll out on loan....it all seems a bit shady if im to be honest, for me that is actually the worse part of this whole window saga, i really don't like being taken for a mug...

    Honesty is ther best policy IMO, we are LFC, we are intelligent football fans who deserve better treatment than this....

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  36. I agree with article, there is enough young quality talent in the ranks to bring about conditions conducive to produce the next Owen.

    The Owen of old is beyond the task of coming off the bench and threatening defences. Micheal Owen could be used as a training ground mentor anything beyond that is hopeful thinking.

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  37. why is everyone taking a crack at FSG if it wasn't for FSG there would be no liverpool atm give them time and support and yes it is Kenny (who i largely blame) and H+G's (don't even need to state why) fault for why we are in such a predicament therefore back your team and back the management

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  38. lets get it straight the finances in and out are evenly balanced as far as shirt deals sponsorship go, players in players out add to that selling naming rights to anfield £300m plus sell on value of club, get it right son, these are money grabbing yanks who seen a quick buck, you heard it here first, no new ground,sell naming rights of Anfield,lower wage bill,sell club.wake up and smell the coffee. OH and by the way, that c### IAN AYRES is in on it all. that PRICK is a fun boy and gutter rat like RICK PARRY.

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  39. what gets me you crowd don't live in the city,most not in the countryand as soon as it gets worse we will be left on our own.

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  40. beware IAN AYRES the man is a fun boy rat

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  41. I don`t see why we should bother with one of these strikers.
    FSG made this bed for us to lie in. fluffing around over an extra few million. im sure Henry spends that amount on leather gloves.

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  42. what i meant was that johnson was 3 yards 'goal side' of podolski when their attack started!

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  43. It's very shameful, embarrassing and moreover pathetic to see in the PL table that LFC is 18th on the log. I guess after 2 more games, we will be at the very bottom of the table. What a disgrace that causes every loyal supporter of LFC to develop a migraine headache? Even though Danglish did not live up to expectations but I think giving him another chance this season was the best option. Well, I guess many, if not all LFC supporters, will argue with me that KD doesn't deserve a second chance, particularly based on his buys and the manner in which he handled Suarez-Evra's racial issue.

    During KD's era at LFC, I think we were more feared by other clubs. Yes, our goalscoring ability was realistically skewed. However, we were able to pull out some interesting results....played two cups finals....won one and loss one. In my deepest love for LFC, this was not the result we have hopped for by the way. But what we would have done is to stay calm and patient and let KD continue and see how he does untill at least January of this season. The suggestion here is that greatness comes with time and patience. I believe Sir Alex of Man-U didn't just start reaping immediate result when he took over at Man U. He had some difficult times.

    Even if KD was not considered the solution to LFC's CL dream, firing him didn't necessarily suggest we should as well allow Steve Clark to leave the club. What Rogers needs now is some experience if he and LFC should stay afloat of the relegation zone. Steve Clark would have certainly been able to provide that extra experience that Rogers needs the most at the moment in terms of mamagerial knowledge. Not only that LFC lacks clinical finishing touches but the entire defence to the goalkeeper are very prone to conceding cheap goals. This was evident in two games vs Man City and Arsenal respectively.

    BR seems to be a very talented young coach but his lack of real PL experience is causing LFC to experience its most toughest, bitter and perhaps pathetic form in 50 years. The only solution to our goalscoring woe would be in Owen. If we fail to secure his services, we are in a graved danger of relegation come January. And fighting to stay in PL would even cause more money than what the owners have fail to spend on just Dempsy alone!

    Meanwhile, I ask that Rogers doesn't show too much sentimentalism toward Gerrard based on legendary status. Gerrard needs to be benched and let him work on his fitness issues. Having said that, Reina is of no exception. He (Reina) Needs to be benched for Jones. These two players have been the very cause of Man City and Arsenal causing LFC more frustrations. Benching Gerrard would not dismiss or dwindles the love, respect, and loyalty that LFC supporters owe him. It would only serve as a challenge and enables him to work on his fitness. I, for one, would be very excited to see Rogers succeed at LFC. What he needs to do is to start building a winning mentality in the times of the storm. We are with you Rogers.....YOU WILL NEVER WALK ALONE BRO!

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  44. I don't see an real issue about not getting another striker in. BR plays with one striker and that is always going to be Suarez. I am more concerned that he continues to play Borini on the right side where he is clearly so limited for that postion. I believe Downing and Joe Cole should and will play there in the next game. Suraez should then be rested in Euro games & Carling Cup where Borini or Morgan should get run out. Borini was bought as a striker as far as I'm aware....

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  45. i would said yes to OWEN..he may not the owen back then...but the FUNCTION of this transfer i can see 2 benefit..........

    1st is adding more pressure to Suarez...he currently too self centered in my oppinion...
    2nd is mentor role for morgan n etc...............

    reasonable to see the overall other than he a traitor or watsoever.....IF THE CONTRACT BASIS IS REASONABLE (pay as u play) THEN WHY NOT???

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  46. Owen has to be worth a go for a season.

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  47. Anybody advocating moves for Owen is just showing the hypocrisy and fickleness of the modern fan.

    The guy was derided as a washed up has-been last year, and nothing has changed since then in that aspect.

    Maybe such fans shall be slower with the cries of 'mercenary' and 'disloyalty' in the future. Doubt it though.

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  48. We should get Del Piero because it would amuse/please me greatly.

    Just seeing him on the bench would alleviate my sadness.

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  49. We would be wasting our time and money on any of these people,for the impact they would ultimately have,might as well give Morgan, Suso and the other younger player's a go at least they will be gaining useful experience which in the long term will benefit us.

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