A few days ago, I made an (obvious) prediction that Liverpool would soon be linked with a move for Reading star Alex McCarthy, the goalkeeper who put in an amazing performance against the Reds in last week's Premier League draw at the Majdeski stadium. Anfield legend Mark Lawrenson has already called on his old club to keep an eye on McCarthy, and now - you guessed it - reports are linking Liverpool with a sumer move for the 6'5 stopper.
Rodgers worked with McCarthy during his failed six-month spell at Reading in 2009, and after he watched the 23-year old thwart Liverpool on Saturday, he raved:
"That's arguably the best goalkeeping performance I've ever seen. He's genuinely going to be a top, top keeper and to perform like that having been out for so long was absolutely staggering.
"He has all the attributes to be a top, top keeper - he's 6'5", makes unbelievable saves, is good on his feet and is very calm and assured despite being very young"
According to reports in the UK press today, Liverpool:
* Have' stepped up their interest' McCarthy.
* Want to be 'kept informed' of any transfer developments.
* Are 'determined' to sign him if Reading are willing to sell.
As I argued earlier in the week, it's a foregone conclusion that Rodgers will pursue McCarthy, especially if he thinks that his performance is the best he's ever seen.
In his column for the Liverpool Daily Post on Thursday, Lawro urged the Reds to sign McCarthy, arguing that he's at the right age to come into the club and 'put some serious pressure on Pepe Reina'. He added:
"Sometimes you can tell from watching a player at a young age they are going to make it, and many have said that about McCarthy. Because of that, you wonder if Liverpool might take a little look at him.
"Rodgers will have known about him from his own time at the Madejski. At 23, he would fit the criteria of Fenway Sports Group. And Reading’s imminent relegation would presumably make it easier to lure the player away".
Lawro also revealed that he'd been discussing McCarthy with some Reading players, and they all delivered glowing reviews:
"I was speaking to one Reading player before the game, and he was saying this lad has a real future. Everybody at Reading says McCarthy has a fantastic attitude, he is happy to train every day, he works like a dog and has a great build for a goalkeeper"
Reina's form seems to have improved in the latter stages of the season, but speculation still persists over his long-term future. I can't see McCarthy - described by Reading boss Nigel Adkins as 'world class' - replacing the Spaniard straight away, but on current form, he could provide great competition, and potentially saved the Reds £10-£15m on a new 'keeper.
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
Rodgers worked with McCarthy during his failed six-month spell at Reading in 2009, and after he watched the 23-year old thwart Liverpool on Saturday, he raved:
"That's arguably the best goalkeeping performance I've ever seen. He's genuinely going to be a top, top keeper and to perform like that having been out for so long was absolutely staggering.
"He has all the attributes to be a top, top keeper - he's 6'5", makes unbelievable saves, is good on his feet and is very calm and assured despite being very young"
According to reports in the UK press today, Liverpool:
* Have' stepped up their interest' McCarthy.
* Want to be 'kept informed' of any transfer developments.
* Are 'determined' to sign him if Reading are willing to sell.
As I argued earlier in the week, it's a foregone conclusion that Rodgers will pursue McCarthy, especially if he thinks that his performance is the best he's ever seen.
In his column for the Liverpool Daily Post on Thursday, Lawro urged the Reds to sign McCarthy, arguing that he's at the right age to come into the club and 'put some serious pressure on Pepe Reina'. He added:
"Sometimes you can tell from watching a player at a young age they are going to make it, and many have said that about McCarthy. Because of that, you wonder if Liverpool might take a little look at him.
"Rodgers will have known about him from his own time at the Madejski. At 23, he would fit the criteria of Fenway Sports Group. And Reading’s imminent relegation would presumably make it easier to lure the player away".
Lawro also revealed that he'd been discussing McCarthy with some Reading players, and they all delivered glowing reviews:
"I was speaking to one Reading player before the game, and he was saying this lad has a real future. Everybody at Reading says McCarthy has a fantastic attitude, he is happy to train every day, he works like a dog and has a great build for a goalkeeper"
Reina's form seems to have improved in the latter stages of the season, but speculation still persists over his long-term future. I can't see McCarthy - described by Reading boss Nigel Adkins as 'world class' - replacing the Spaniard straight away, but on current form, he could provide great competition, and potentially saved the Reds £10-£15m on a new 'keeper.
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
15mn?
ReplyDelete15mn Reina, 8mn Borini, 15mn(not below 15mn) AC, 12mn Skrtel. That's 50mn plus 20mn provided by FSG = 70mn
ReplyDelete8mn Alderweireld, 12mn Bony, 12mn Williams, 7mn Gameiro, 15mn Eriksen.
15mn Saved.
Reina will not be sold, (end of). If we buy McCarthy it will be as a replacement for the unfortunate Doni.
ReplyDeleteWould be a good signing, he not only had one game like that, so he not a one off person, his shot stopping skills are very good and he is only young, we need two decent GK. if reading get relegated then we cud get him cheaper :)
ReplyDeletechirag erikesen will be 20 plus
ReplyDeletei,am so glad rodgers as been at all these top clubs before were nicking top talent from his vast experience as a manager
ReplyDeletejaimie how many keepers were man of the match last season ,how comes we never signed any of them ,or does rodgers have a different mentality,imo rodgers thinks anyone who performs well against us must be world class because we have been outstanding every game this season(according to rodgers)maybe just maybe rodgers got the wrong personal for some games maybe he only as one way to play and if that does not work hes clueless ,expect more of the same today win,lose or draw we will be outstanding in rodgers eyes
ReplyDeletewilliams is nearly 29...on another note why does rogers big up players he wants to buy thus inflating the price and highlight faults with players he is trying to offload thus deflating the price ...the mind boggles
ReplyDelete20 plus big wages ...hes a non starter...more like leon britton
ReplyDeleteleon britton is not that bad but if we want to get back amongst the elite eriksen is the kind of player we need ,i do not know how much we will have to spend in the summer,i do not think rodgers as a clue either ,is statements change daily
ReplyDeleteI don't think so. He is not signing a new contract and wants to leave so Ajax will try to cash in unless a) there are big money competitors or b) we pay over the odds as usual
ReplyDeleteSorry, I forgot about williams. Also, I think 12mn is too much for him...7-8mn perhaps.
ReplyDeleteThat Rodger thing, he is too naive and inexperienced and thus it shows in his transfer and man management.
ReplyDeletethere will be competition
ReplyDeleteWe already have a world class 'keeper in Pepe Reina. Admittedly he's not had his best season but he is still up there with the best in the world and is just coming in to his prime. We'd be mad to let him go and replace him with Reading's 3rd choice 'keeper, even if he does have massive potential.
ReplyDeleteIf we want to push on and challenge for Champion's League next season we have to keep our best players. Almost any club in the would take Reina if he were offered to them. Man Utd and Arsenal would jump at the opportunity to sign him. Why would we sell him without already having an equally good or better player in place?
good points but how about this. sell stewart downing for 9m ,fabio for 8m,carol for 16m ( 10m cash from west ham plus momo diame the midfielder),shrewd deal this could be obviously,sell skertel for 13m,coates for 6m, spearing for 4m,pacheco for 3m,osama for 3m,jones for 2m,flanagan for 2m to raise 60m add the 20m from the owners and we have 80m.we then buy these: aldweld from ajax for 7m,lovren the croatian defender for 8m,erickson for 14m,tom ince for 5m,mcathy the keeper for 5m,ana jackson martinez from paorto for 37m totalling 76m leaving a balance of 4m.how on earth does rodgers say he doesnt have money to spend.he just hasnt got a clue on how to raise the money and build the team.
ReplyDeleteDo not too rushing about sign him please.With only 1 game.now LFC want to try sign him?
ReplyDelete