2 Oct 2012

'I'm disappointed!' - £18m striker target slams 'frustrating' boss. Chance for LFC?

Aston Villa striker Darren Bent has publicly revealed his unhappiness with the way he's being treated by Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert, and with the Reds desperate for a consistent, regular goalscorer, perhaps Brendan Rodgers could capitalise on the situation in January...?

Lambert clearly has some kind of issue with Bent: since the start of the season, the England international has been stripped of the captaincy, and he now finds himself regularly languishing on the bench, something that Bent describes as 'disappointing'. He told Reporters:

"It’s been a crappy couple of weeks for me, finding out I was no longer captain before the Swansea game, and again on Sunday to find out before the game that I wasn’t playing. It was disappointing. I can’t remember the last time it happened.

"I only found out when the gaffer read the team-sheet out. It’s frustrating and disappointing. I’ve not spoke to him at all about why he left me out - I’ve heard nothing. We’ll probably speak in the week"


There's clearly a problem here. If what Bent describes is true, then Lambert's man-management skills leave a lot to be desired, and I doubt the Scotsman will take too kindly to Bent mouthing off in the press.

Liverpool have been linked with Bent many times over the last year, and in the january transfer windo, the speculation was particularly acute, with Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson claiming at one point that a deal had actually been agreed. After the window closed, Bent confirmed Liverpool's interest:

"Liverpool's interest was flattering as they are one of the biggest clubs in the world but, at the same time, it never once crossed my mind to leave [Aston Villa]."

With 164 goals and 39 assists in the last nine seasons, Bent definitely matches the type of striker Liverpool need, but given the fact he will be 29 soon, it seems unlikely that FSG would sanction the deal.

If Bent came to Anfield, would he fit into Liverpool's style of play? Liverpool legend John Barnes is not so sure. He explained:

"It all depends on the way you actually play and you have to play to someone’s strengths. I don’t know if he [Bent] is the type of player that Liverpool want; he likes to be direct, play over the top, run on quickly.

"Liverpool don’t play that way and as good as Darren Bent is a good goal-scorer in the right team, I don’t know whether he’d fit at Liverpool.”


I disagree with Barnesy; I think Bent would definitely fit in at Liverpool. He's quick and mobile, and he has the knack for being in the right place at the right time in the box.

Most importantly, he SCORES GOALS! He is Premier League proven and he has done the business for every team he's played for.

Bent cost Villa £18m but there's no way he'd command that kind of fee now. If the club could get him for less than £10m then given his goal record, it would surely have to be worth it?





Jaimie Kanwar


44 comments:

  1. Not really a fan as such, but he would be a good option from to have, and he does score where ever he goes, but would only be worth it at the right price, and you know that wouldnt happen! Villa would probably want £12 mil plus I think, and that isnt worth it.

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  2. i doubt very much that he would be a target these days. walcott and some unknown people are the most likely imo.

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  3. As good a player as he is, FSG will never pay 10 million for a player at the wrong end of his career the Dempsey saga was a clear indication of this.

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  4. Villa Season ticket holder here - Can't believe how quickly you seize on things!!! He gets dropped, comes on as a sub, scores and looks 10 times the player he has been previously. I say there's no rift, just good management from Lambert. He will start the next few games and let's see if he pushes on for us. Watching him for the past 2 seasons, I don't think he is a Rodgers player as he doesn't work hard enough and in any event he would command very high wages. I thought you lot were on a cost-cutting exercise!

    Anyway good luck for the season, and keep developing the youth, there's only you and us doing it!!!

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  5. Its typical journalism to jump on anything that anyone says. But hey its fun!
    What else would we talk about if there were no transfer rumours
    ;-)

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  6. 1) We have a Captain ..... his name is Stylian Petrov, the armband on anyone is temporary until his future is clearer 2) Lambert has constantly insisted this is a team not a group of individuals, places are earned on work ethic and performances and will be named on the day of the game 3) This isn't what Bent was getting across, it was answers to a couple of questions straight after the game had finished and all players are dissapointed to be on the bench, that's healthy for the squad....... lazy journalism

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  7. ................ plus FSG haven't got a pot to piss in, they bought the club on borrowed money and squandered it .. lmao

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  8. Proven goalscorer! Yes please! £18M is pricey but he will guarantee goals.

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  9. Last player we bought from Aston Villa is Steward Downing. I need not say more ..........

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  10. Yeah ..... cheers for the £20m (8m profit on a hasneverbeen) .. :)

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  11. he is mercenary not worth the money. prefer demba ba

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  12. As a Villa fan I will be forever grateful for that ;) Bent wouldn't fit into Brendan Rodgers passing style of play IMHO. I really can't see him wanting Bent at Liverpool. Finisher he is (most of the time) pass and move he most definitely is not.

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  13. no you was right the 1st time, he may as well be a steward! best bit of business we did, £20mil

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  14. Demba Ba is all about money too

    As a villa fan, Bent needed a kick up the arse. And he needed to be dropped as it shows no one is bigger than the club, and he got dropped once, and look how he is whinging. The lad has to work harder, improve his overall play outside the box.

    You wouldnt get him for less than 10mill. Looking at a min 15mill, possible play involved, or a straight swap with Carroll.

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  15. He's had 1 game on the bench. He'd not exactly been putting in big performances and an Agbonlahor-Benteke partnership was worth trying. It fired him up, he came on and scored. Good management, he'll probably start next weekend. Absolutely nothing more to read into it, but of course the press will run stories and ask him leading questions to get a reaction. It's their job.

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  16. liverfool hav no cash , wheres Dempsey ????? ..... Move on, liverfool are a mid table tean now!!!! FACT!!!!!!!!!!

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  17. you write pure nonsense constantly

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  18. We did a dustbins video to flog weasel Downing. We'll arrange a barn door video for Bent then you'll be gagging to give us 30 Mill. Just a shame he's not bessie mates with Stevie G to cement the deal.

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  19. Another overpriced British dross just like Downing.Villa will be lucky to get 7 mil for Bent.Villa,please take back Downing at half the price Dalglish paid you.

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  20. another day another nobody linked god i can still remember when we were a big club [showing my age] lol

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  21. the problem with having a penalty box player like Bent means he the way we play he would mean he wouldn't participate in our play so it would be like playing with a man down which is why he doesn't think Carroll fits into his style of play

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  22. yup. you said it Lee 'opinions'?. like CE said in an old movie. 'Opinions are like assh@les. Everybody has one'.

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  23. We don't need him at all. it is an opinion from JK. He is worth zilch. and LFC will not pay a pence for him. At 29 he is past it for that valuation.

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  24. Does jbd stand for just born dumb??

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  25. Still an overrated player, still overpriced, still don't want him.

    We could get Huntelaar for less. Or Demba Ba for half as much.

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  26. Yes but this is a fact ...... plus my opinion was edited by the moderator !! (not for swearing either !!)

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  27. Straight swap, The Exciting Boreini, for the goal machine Bent. Happy days.

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  28. I'd rather see him come over on loan for a year, as more of a temporary option. He's a scorer, that's for sure. But he's not the age range I think BR is looking for. It seems like LFC is looking long term with players under 24, and trying to stock up for the future. (think Sterling) For 12 million, LFC just isn't going to do it.

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  29. Never really liked Bent as a player eventhough he scores decent amount of goals as i don't think he will improve us great deal. He hasn't shown that he can handle the big pressure as he hasn't established himself as a regular for England and that is despite the fact England are pretty light in strikers department.
    Huntelaar, Llorente are the obvious choices for me who are in last year of their contracts, my favored choice out of the 2 would be Huntelaar because he has already played with Suarez at Ajax.

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  30. that was then this is now - never ever should we sign him

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  31. no thanks, lucky headless chicken is what we dont need. we can do a lot better

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  32. Don't be so F stupid Jaime, D Bent is CR*P and u know it, and that is exactly why, you would like to see him, at (your non beloved!)Liverpool.

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  33. Just making a football supporter's observation, you're just making ignorant name calling sly personal digs.

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  34. Absolutely not a snowball's chance in hell that we'd go anywhere near him, thank goodness

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  35. Stan Petrov is finished if you think he'll ever play football again you need to go see a doctor...He was finished before he got sick but at 33 with Cancer he's got no chance of ever playing again...Bent was dropped for 1 game came on and scored that is not regularly sitting on the bench is it?

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  36. Bent doesn't fit in Rodger's style, if he would fit we would still have Carroll.
    At 12 mil. not a bargain, we are getting younger players now.

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  37. stan petrov had a contract and was not finished why is he finished are you his doctor are you shite

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  38. Poo Poo! U ever seen a game of footy? Bent?

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  39. haha you scouse gits couldnt afford bent anyway and downing you can keep him thanks for the £20 mill pmsl

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  40. Sorry Will regardless of goals scored etc they paid 24mil with add ons so 12 would be no were near as much as they would want

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  41. enjoy the championship next season, long time over due. yes we have already gifted you £20 mill but wont happen again.
    what have you to show for it??? pmsl.......

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