29 Jan 2013

'The war starts now' - LFC want controversial €10m South American star. Risk...?

In November 2012, the Agent of Lazio star Mauro Zarate spent a couple of days in England sounding out clubs over the possibility of a January transfer, and at the time, Liverpool were reportedly in 'pole-position' for the deal. With the Coutinho transfer all but wrapped up, and Liverpool coach Brendan Rodgers hoping to add more experience to the team, could the Argentinian attacker end up at Anfield before the end of the transfer window?

According to Sky Sports today:

"A number of Premier League sides are keen on bringing Lazio striker Mauro Zarate back to England.

"The likes of Sunderland, Stoke and Liverpool are all said to have cast an eye in Zarate's direction"


Liverpool have been linked with 25-year old Zarate several times in the past. Rafa Benitez tried to sign Zarate in 2009, but Lotito emphatically blocked the deal. At the time, he told reporters:

"There is zero chance. Lazio will exercise their option to buy Zarate and they will not sell Zarate to Liverpool, full stop"

Then, in August 2011, Beppe Bozzo - Zarate's Agent at the time - confirmed that the Reds had reignited their interest in signing Zarate, but negotiations fell through due to Lazio's contractual inflexibility. In November 2012, Lazio President Claudio Lotito confirmed that Zarate is definitely for sale in January. He said:

"The situation with Zarate has been clear since the summer. In January when the transfer window opens, we will be prepared to speak with any club that makes an offer. Make us an offer and we will evaluate it. However, there will be no loans considered, including a loan with an option to buy."

Zarate has been frozen out of the Lazio set-up due to an alleged lack of effort in training, and Lazio manager Vladimir Petkovic recently accused the Argentinean of lacking hunger and desire. He told reporters:

“Zarate's situation situation depends entirely on him. He must confirm his desire to start again. Over the last few days he has seemed a little better, with the hunger to prove his worth and this gives me hope he wants to get back on the field"

Lotito reportedly wants €10m for the 25-year old, which would represent a significant loss for the the club, after the initial €20m deal for the attacker. Zarate's current, Luis Ruzzi, is angry with the valuation, and in early January 2013, he warned the club to let the Argentinean leave for a fair price. He told TMW:

“I have gone round Europe and there are no clubs interested in the figures president Claudio Lotito is bandying about. So the war starts now. We are giving Lotito five days to lower Mauro’s price-tag, otherwise we’ll go into the final six months of the contract and that’ll be his problem."

Is Zarate more trouble than he's worth? Would he fit into Liverpool's system?



Jaimie Kanwar


70 comments:

  1. Just what we need jamie, a guy with a desire problem, lol

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  2. Think we are better off without players with "lack of effort in training".

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  3. Don't really think we need more attacking players now with the addition of Coutinho. I've just read that Suso hasn't even made the squad for tomorrow night which I'm not happy about. I think this type of game would of been perfect for him.

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  4. liverpool4life5653:58 pm, January 29, 2013

    Il rather pass. Lol don't need no problem child.

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  5. think we should scout germany a bit more those teams are on the up along with a great national team, there must be a few good germans knocking about in the mid to lower half of there table and they always seem to have a good mentality

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  6. I hope we dont go for him. I still want Ince, but can`t see that now, as Coutinho will most likely play in the role Ince would have, and with Sterling also playing there I can`t see us getting a third player for that role. 

    I also still want a solid DM.

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  7. Dont think we'll get anyone after countinho, we are too slow of getting deals done so two days remaining wont get us another player even tho we needed another class striker as for this coutinho Ive watched a few videos of him not impressed, saw many wrong passes of him we already have suso, this policy is ruining us hard

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  8. completly agree and they would have the physical edge as well but there top players normally command top dollar

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  9. My thoughts exactly! Why are we nOt being linked with powerful, players, passionate about LFC??

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  10. i still think were crap with our scouting, i mean when was the last time we found someone that was cheap that no-one else really knew off and theyve gone on to be a massive success.... the last top signing for me we made like that was hyppia, we really should look into our scouting department more i mean i'd love that job as any of us fans would paid to go and watch as much football as possible.... i'm sure i'd be able to find at least half a dozen real good players in a season that are within budget and if i couldnt then i should be sacked

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  11. yes me and you two,maybe our scouts dont go to matches maybe they just look at clips on you tube,and i cannot think of anyone since hyppia either thats how long ago,garcia wern,t bad but i cannot think of anyone else depressing

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  12. Blackwhirlwindlikui5:37 pm, January 29, 2013

    i wish this read, 'the war starts now' l'pool to take karate

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  13. for me whoever is looking for our youth players isnt doing too bad as although far from the finished articles they are at least producing some talent that could benefit the team along with rodolfo and others that are managing them when they do come in.... those guys should be promoted to go out there and find us players for the 1st team if not they can give us the jobs and we will do it lol

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  14. We need to sign Diame, at the moment BR cant see past his nose. So no chance of that happening:-(

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  15. hopefully hyppia will put a few more youngsters our way the youngsters get picked up when they play against other academys,or through the city schoolboys,to be fair now more clubs have academys the better players are snapped up earlier so its harder to find one whos slipped through the net,lfc have a young striker,hes under 14,s he broke all of fowler owen and rooneys,schoolboy scoring records at under 12,some last 3 players to hold the record aybe he will be our next big thing

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  16. A question I've been asking myself during this transfer window. There were some strong defensive midfielders on the market, and we didn't go for them.

    As for "passionate about LFC". Those are probably hard to find. The modern professional footballer is, arguably, passionate about heaps of money, arm-candy women, expensive cars and some even about medals.

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  17. already got another striker hes on loan at the moment at west ham. cant wait to see what unfoldes in this saga come the end of the season. wtf is going on at our club????????

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  18. Think I read about that boy, but can't remember that we had signed him already.

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  19. You are right, nowadays everyone is greedy like Joe Cole, (baby faced mercenary) or Smicer, (plays shite for a long time, has 2 good games and then announces that "he might be leaving")

    B. Rod this year has excuses, fair enough! Next year, he will either be called a hero or we will demand his head!!!

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  20. B. Rodgers now wants the Birmingham reject!!!

    I think the prolific Danny Graham would be a better prospect!!!

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  21. I dont understand the notion about a player non-Liverpool player quite reasonably being called passionate about Liverpool. How can this be verified since in most cases you have players who will name all the top 6 English clubs being desirable to play for.
    You have the odd occasion were players like Turan publicly declare their Liverpool affinity but how many more can you name.
    Many will cite Alonso but was he saying he is a Liverpool fan while at Real Sociadad?
    Fowler and Carragher boyhood Evertonians are Liverpool legend because they got the chance to play for Liverpool first and foremost then switched allegiance to present club.
    Passion usually grows when you get a chance not while you are attached elsewhere and Suarez epitomises this to the fullest whether you agree with his methods or not.
    He goes all out for his country wast at the wars for his club sides as he is now for Liverpool but I never heard him mention his Liverpool passion before he signed.
    Fans make heroes and in most cases are the key drivers in proclaiming players passionate about the club because we are receptive of their efforts.
    Lucas for example gives his all for the club and has long spells on the sidelines to show for his commitment but he is usually called a hard worker or key player but never a player passionate about Liverpool when clearly their desire is there for all to see. The same could be said for Kuuyt while he was here but when passion is mentioned it is always linked to his Feyenood days

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  22. we didnt go for any because rogers is clueless ...he thinks allen can play the role all 5 foot 5 of him....we will have a massive problem defending set pieces if allen suarez and courtinio and sterling all play at the same time

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  23. smicer knew he was leaving before the cup final fair play to him he saved his best to last

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  24. hes signed already mate ...

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  25. FSG < Ayre and BR ...thats whats going on ......

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  26.  its like deja vue signing an injured player from italy...lets hope its not aquashit mark 2

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  27. hey Jason what happened to the scouting team that signed on this year from Man city ......what r they up 2 .... sounds like the best job in the world 2 me mate .... doing stuff all ....

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  28. sadly i dont think he will get another chance at lfc rodgers ego will see to that he cannot be wrong so theres no way back for caroll,imagine if he came back and banged the goals in left right and center rodgers ego could not take it

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  29. mr rodgers works in mysterious ways,its a master plan so i,ve been told

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  30. Fair pOint Jon, but what a LONG response to the word "passionate"! Lol!
    Agreed it was the wrong word to use, but LFC need players who will give their all for the club! Players who will not be brushed aside or will not be second in a challenge for the ball! Players who WANT to play football and who HATE losing!!

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  31. He did, but my memory of him also includes being a poor replacement for Macca! Also, he was a wizard for Cech, I can't remember him dribbling the ball for us?

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  32. dont really see us sign any1 after Coutino frankly ...2 more days before the transfer window , we would have known ...missed a trick once again cuz if Sundays match showed anything we are playing too many kids in important matches, we needed to buy some experianced head i.e. like a bellermy or Mac allister ( even Gerrard stressed that latly wen he said Mac allister helped him)  .... while the players like robinson and Coates need a hard look at themselves likewise soo should the manager ...throwing lambs into the lions den is also not the wisest thing to do .... Play you best team and after you are coasting then pull the seniors out and let the jnrs in cus its less pressure , its that simple ......

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  33.  Jason you like a laugh go to lfc website and read what rogers says about mental toughness ...trying to say borini and allen are a pair of tuff nuts.....its ridiculous .this is the same pair who would get knocked out of line in mothercare

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  34. I believe that Smicer was very passionate about LFC. He was a technically very gifted player whom I've watched, and admired, long before he joined us. Unfortunately for him and us he was somewhat injury prone and obviously not of the right built to be a big success in the Premier League. Still he is the only player to have scored on two different days in one CL final.

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  35. re mothercare lol for some reason it will not let me reply to that comment

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  36. re dribbling for cech i no its a mystery

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  37. re the man city scouts ddont know probabley stuck on fifa

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  38. jaimie why it not letting me reply to certain comments is it just me or is it because am special lol

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  39. do we really need any more attackers on the budget were on. tough defenders and a ball winner in centre of the park who can pick a pass (( forward )) unlike some !!!are what we need

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  40.  whats amusing jase is for all the talk of tikataka we dont half lump high balls up field and into the box ...apparently rogers thinks this wouldnt suit carroll?

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  41. It's because the reply depth is only set to 5. I'll try and increase it.

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  42. What on earth would he bring? He'd barely be a squad player imo.

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  43. Always liked this player, but with the problems we've got at the moment (hunger and desire seem to be the most urgent) I don't think he is worth the risk.

    I heard Moussa Sissoko had a nice game tonight...

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  44. A few names which would turn LiverpooL into world beaters Javi Marteniez, Matt Humels, Ozil, di maria, Robben, Gotez, Alonso and Villa!! Jaysus if we could add 3 of them quality internationals players.. We would then go from an average team too one who will challange and beat most team

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  45. Rafa did not allow dribbling.

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  46. argh... Suso needs to get some more game time!

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  47. Scored on two different days in one champions league final?

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  48. wont let me reply further down for some reason, but ive heard of a lad called jorden rossiter whose suppose to be like stevie g and i believe conor coadys younger brother is supposed to be quite good aswell

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  49. Don't know why, but I can't reply to Joshjones1's comment directly.

    Yes, on two different days. When Smicer scored his penalty it was already the next day in Istanbul, after midnight.

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  50. Most of these players come at 50m, each, and their clubs wouldn't let them go. Robben is past it, but still behaves on the pitch as if he was the dog's bollocks. Disruptive to say the least. Never heard of Gotez, though.

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  51. i know and no one there to get a head on the end of it

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  52. no hes half the price hope hes not half the player lol

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  53. cannot remember his name think its gerrard gardener or some thing like that(who broke the records)

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  54. we do seem to have a good youth set up now though so if we could get 1 good player a season from now on i'd be happy and i think that is easyily achievable

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  55. we do get one or two good players a year ,but they are not good enough for lfc,as a rule most of them end up plying there trade in the lower leagues,we won the fa youth cup a few years back and none of that squad as gone on to command a regular starting place for lfc

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  56. i personally think the next batch is better than this one but i suppose only time will tell, i think even with some of this batch they could sell one or two for a decent profit and at least it helps the club ticking over financially

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  57. He may not have,but wingers are an exception! Surely Rafa would not have stopped his wingers providing the fans with mazy runs down the wings? It is not logical! Wingers have to get past players!!

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  58. think he means the dortmund lad gotze but again hes at least a 30m kid the way hes talked about

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  59. You are probably right. Thanks. Dortmund won't let him go and Sahin wouldn't tell him the nicest things about us anyway.

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  60. fair point on the sahin bit i think we can forget any dortmund boys now

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  61. hope fully the foriegn contingent will come good ,they look like they are playing well the youth team is doing well so you never no we may already have some stars at the club i like the look of a few of them and if they carry on there development they should have a chance(sorry the posts are random it will not let me reply to your last comment)

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  62. It's funny the way everyone seems to think they know more than Brendan Rodgers!! He has been involved in the game for many many years and has worked with some great managers and players. I have FAITH

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  63. no probs lad ive been having that issue aswell but thats one of the positives of our team going forward some of our prospects.....if we could get the right team together at the top bringing players in of good quality... though good scouting then we have all the makings of getting back in the upper echelons where we belong....getting that team together though is of massive importance i'm sending my cv after ive typed this

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  64. good luck with the cv,if you get it put i word in for me;-)

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  65. im not one for saying get rid imediately as i dont think doing that mid season is a wise move anyway.... but i disagree with him laying into youngsters in public then taking borini and allen out of that group on the website and building them up....against oldham only gerrard and downing for me could come off that pitch with there head held high and to a lesser degree suarez... lecture them all behind closed doors but dont come out and say some of these guys might be playing in league one if they don't buck up to the press even if they do deserve it.... ive never seen wenger or fergie do that to the press myself and theyre greater.... also the "new philosophy" thing is just spin for me as weve always been a decent passing team apart from when hodgson was here so its not as if hes trying to impose a completely new style on things.... hes got some pluses as in youth gets a chance and that will draw more good youth prospects to us so im not completely writing him off cause u can win things with kids but he himself is just like one of these kids in terms of his management career, hes also just starting out at a big club and it wouldn't be wise if his bosses came out and slated him in public so he shouldnt do it to our young lads in public........ he could make us or break us it was a gamble by fsg to give him the chance and it could pay off and we could turn that corner fingers crossed but it could also go south very quickly but he gets full support from the guys upstairs he says so show the same in public to the guys under your guidance........ im prepared to give him a chance for at least another 18 months if were improving points wise at the end of the season.... he'll probably do that this year so he gets another 12 months after that for me....i hope i can say the same next year aswell until were top of that tree... im still at 50/50 though yet he has to convince me more himself yet before i truly believe... until then he has my support but not my heart lol

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