14 Jul 2013

LFC make surprise move for £5m Chelsea star BR hailed as a 'top talent'

Liverpool are reportedly weighing up a surprise move for Chelsea left-back Ryan Bertrand.

According to The Mirror today:

"Liverpool have made an enquiry about [Chelsea] left-back Ryan Bertrand as Rodgers attempts to build a squad capable of challenging for the top four".

Brendan Rodgers worked with Bertrand during his time as a coach at Chelsea, and ge also signed the 23-year old on a season-long loan whilst at Reading.

Bertrand made 51 starts during his loan-year with Royals, which clearly shows Rodgers' faith and trust in the player.

The Reds boss also showered Bertrand with praise, predicting a bright future for the defender. Indeed, during one particular 2009 interview, Rodgers told GetReading:

"He’s going to be a top talent. He’s one of the few left-sided players who is good defensively and can go forward. I know what he can do and he’s 100-per-cent committed and is a big possibility for the future"

Bertrand - who signed a new 5-year deal with Chelsea in 2012 - is certainly highly regarded at Chelsea, especially by English stars John Terry, Frank Lampard, Gary Cahill, and Ashley Cole. After the defender's Champions League debut against Bayern Munich last season, Terry enthused:

"Young Ryan was thrown in at the deep end, but he did really well. He is excellent and he didn't show his inexperience at all."

Lampard raved:

"He's clearly a player with a massive future. He's a 22-year-old with a Champions League medal who came in and did a great job for us, you can't ask for more".

Cahill observed:

"People are just starting to sit up and realise how good he [Bertrand] is. He has got a great reputation, especially at our club, and is going to have a massive future, that’s for sure"

After signing his new Chelsea deal in January, Cole told the club's official website:

"I didn't just sign because I wanted to play. He is a great player and hopefully I can help him. He deserves to be at a big club, and he has improved a lot in the few years I've seen him"

Given Rodgers' history with £5m-rated Bertrand, and his high regard for the player, this link seems credible enough, and Liverpool could always do with some serious competition for Jose Enrique.

Is left back a priority position, though?





NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)


156 comments:

  1. Depends on the cost.

    For 5m it's a no-brainer.

    I do prefer us signing Eriksen, a striker, and a player to compete with Lucas first.

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  2. £5m would be a lot of money to splurge on a backup full-back. Especially for a club with limited spending potential...

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  3. Enrique had a poor start to the season but eventually reverted back to being a very solid leftback as the season progressed. And Johnson looks more solid defensively as a left-back than as a right-back. Behind them, Robinson could fill in for a couple of games, if necessary.


    I don't understand all the fuss about needing new fullbacks, unless Enrique &/or Johnson are moving on this summer.

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  4. I diagree.
    We spent 8m on Alberto, a back up winger, when we had Ibe, Suso, Sterling, Coutinho, and Downing, in addition to Aspas and Borini (and Suarez...well, for now).

    At left back our only competition is Flanno and Robinson, both of which are too young and haven't shown enough in the chances they've got so far to make the position their own, like Kelly did for right back.

    Our left back situation is so bad that BR played Downing there last season(!).

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  5. I want to emphasis that I do prefer us spending our budget on the other areas I mentioned first.

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  6. Chris Rossington1:43 pm, July 14, 2013

    Im excited by the reports of Erikson, toby alberwield and Ryan Bertrand today! I'm not convinced that Toure is good enough to fill carras boots and from last years performances Skrtl and Agger werent good enough as a partnership however Skrtel from loosing his place last season might be the kick up the backside he needed and might return to the form the season before when he was our player of the year. Although Erikson plays in a position we are an abundance of players i cant help but look back to that game against england when he ran the show for denmark and looked a top talent and competition for enrique is what he needs to maintain his best level. Hopefully its not paper talk.

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  7. Chris Rossington1:45 pm, July 14, 2013

    5 mill for a potential future england left back is pittence in the grand scheme of things. Got to think of the squad and for the last couple of years we have been playing right backs as left backs half the time.

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  8. Chris Rossington1:49 pm, July 14, 2013

    I agree with Jaimie that Wanyama is defo a player we could have got to provide competition for Lucas for that more defensive midfield role.

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  9. Chris Rossington1:59 pm, July 14, 2013

    The report says 22 million for Erikson and Toby and 5 for Bertrand. Thats 27 mill and we have spent so far 9 on Mignolet, 6 with add ons i believe for Alberto and around 7 for Aspas which is around 22 mill. We have sold Carroll for 17 and Shelvey for 6 so thats 23 mill brought in.So if we do have a budget of around 25 mill then its possible we could sign this lot. The squad i believe would be very strong then in most positions. Gk - Mignolet, Reina. RB's - Johnson, Kelly. CB's - Toby, Agger, Skrtel and Toure. LB's Bertrand and Enrique. CM's - Lucas, Garrad, Henderson and Allan. Att Mid - Erikson and Coutinho. WIngers Alberto, Downing, Sterling, Ibe. forwards - Sturridge, Suarez and Aspas and obviously some of those players can interchange playing wide or behind the front man. WIth no European football, i expect us to really do quite well in the league, no excuses this year. Each week there is one important game to win forget the cup, can rotate the squad in the cups but Brendan needs to find his best 11 and pick that week in week out in the league.

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  10. Is there any truth to the supposed 'link' to Bernard? As for Bertrand he'd certainly keep Enrique on his toes to perform each week.

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  11. liverpool4life5652:14 pm, July 14, 2013

    I was thinking the same thing, but in brazil tabloids are saying we are. IF true he would be a great signing

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  12. I don't believe there's any truth to it. The initial rumour was started by Sports Direct News (run by Newcastle owner Mike Ashley), a site that was recently forced to publicly apologise for making up transfer rumours:

    "SportsDirect News wishes to express its sincere apologies to Wayne Rooney and Triple Sports and Entertainment Group for publishing the article 'Newcastle in shock Rooney bid', which was formulated and published without authority, merit and is untrue."

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/may/15/sports-direct-sorry-newcastle-wayne-rooney

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  13. no thank you sick of buying subs,unless rodgers us trying to get rid of enrique whats the point every player we have signed so far as not been for the positions that needed covering toure was a freebie

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  14. Its to improve squad depth,Thus making competition for places much more fierce which in turn keeps players sharp in order to perform each week or they'll be dropped,We need two good players in every position if we truly want to become a top team again.

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  15. Some people cannot see the light.

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  16. We do not need another left back. Keep Robinson around for the cup matches. We aren't even in Europe. Come January there will be links with the players we have constantly on the bench for loan moves out, because we will be playing one match a week and they will rarely get a chance.

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  17. I'd say it could become more realistic whenever Suarez goes,if we are interested that is but like you said SDN doesn't have much credibility as it stands.

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  18. Is Robinson really going to challenge Enrique for the LB spot? No is the answer in reality,not yet anyway's so my point still stands,the team needs an ample back up in every position who can slot in at any given time.

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  19. Yes, it wouldn't hurt to sign but then why'd he step down from Chelsea to us when he's going to get the same role here too.

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  20. IMO there won't be such a competitive nature about the squad because for the most part we will only play 1 game a week, and if that is the case the manager will always put out his preferred team. Robinson is sufficient backup. Johnson can also cover. I completely agree with what you're saying but in reality, any 'competition' purchased is just going to sit on the bench, unless they are a clear upgrade on Enrique. That's why I maintain, Robinson is good enough.

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  21. can anyone realy see chelsea selling this player

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  22. we have robinson and downing as cover,who do we have to cover lucas nobody (and please do not say allen)so you strengthen them places 1st

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  23. snipe snipe snipe your pathetic i would love to meet you

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  24. no not really,and not for the price mentioned

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  25. Why not we need strengthening in that area and competition for jose. As for Suarez, has no self dignity or self respect. It's so obvious now that he engineered the bite to push for a move so would suit him a lesson if we sold them to him. He is a skilful player but also very selfish. Have you noticed as the seasons went on, players were not getting in the box? Why? because they knew when he was making those runs they knew he wouldn't pass. I also recall one game when he scored and nobody celebrated with him?!! I think they're fed up with his selfish play. we play more like a team when he's not on the pitch. one final say, Liverpool aren't going places he claims, well if he hadn't got banned for 20 games bet we would of qualified for CL! better off with out him, let him create problems at another club. I personally don't think Chelsea players would be happy to have him, he clearly wants to go to arsenal if Real don't come in for him so sell him to Chelsea!!!!

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  26. lol if we perform as badly in the cups as last season hardly any players will get game time,half of them might as well go on loan

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  27. Its only banter m8 :) We're all LFC supporters so we all have something in common ;)

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  28. come on m8 you can hardly go on about suarez being selfish ,but fail to mention sturridge ,and we had one good game against newcastle what about the rest

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  29. Enrique is giving the ball away in dangerous positions way to often. His passing isn't that good either. I like him, but considering that some people even call Enrique's counter-part on the other side of the pitch a liability, what is he. Johnson contributes much more and is much more solid.

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  30. Yes I agree we need a DM too but LB we are kinda short in QUALITY options,Granted its not the main position we need strengthening first but we still do need to strengthen it.

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  31. its not banter m8 hes a cowardly bully i have lost count how many times he has sniped at me and anyone else who dare to disagree with him,trying to belittle them and leaving snide replies ,mine are i bit of banter mostly ,but his are not,jaimie warned him yesterday ,but he still carries on,read his posts

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  32. I am glad that Suso is out on loan. He has a lot of talent, but I found that he needs much more experience to be really considered to be playing as much as Sterling did. Alberto can be seen as understudy to Coutinho.


    Downing was played at left-back, because the manager wanted to see whether he is any good there, as he didn't contribute much as a winger.

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  33. Yeah sturridge can be but not to the same degree as suarez. he reminds me of school playground football when you would get the ball and take on everyone to score a goal. bet he would shout "rush goalie" in the playground to!!

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  34. If you call someone else a cowardly bully, they really must be awfully bad people. :-)

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  35. we should do a deal with west ham get rid of downing and do a swap deal for Diame this would be a great piece of bussines imo filling the much needed position of defenseive midfielder

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  36. but not this season on a tight budget,johnson as also played there,out priorities should be centerback DM and a proven goalscorer if suarez goes ,even if he stays ,i still think another striker is needed ,borinni is not upto it imo and sturridge could miss loads of games through injury

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  37. The Internet is not a very nice place.

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  38. he his m8 check his posts always trying to belittle people ,i pulled him the other day about it when he was doing it to vickybottom,

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  39. i think they are both about the same just my opinion

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  40. why get rid of downing many players performed worse than him last season

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  41. Downing isnt good enough any one who thinks otherwise are deluded if liverpool want to step up to the next level hes got to go.west ham want him we could do with Diame its a no brainer

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  42. i agree hes not good enough but he was not the worse performer last year and anyone who thinks he was is deluded as well

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  43. he might not have been the worst performer but this is an opportunity to do a swap deal and bring in a player that fills a void that Liverpool have been missing

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  44. He wouldn't be the future England left-back if he came to sit on our bench. Johnson, Robinson, Smith et al are fine to cover the left back role this season, if need be.


    If £5m was being spent on Bertand to replace Enrique, then fine, but to spend that money on a squad player (particularly in a year where we don't even haveany European football) would just be a waste of money, again.

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  45. At his age Downing won't be getting any better. A younger player who didn't perform great still has time on his side to develop.

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  46. I have already realised that you have indeed made a few better friends than me on here. :-)

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  47. Depends on the people you meet.

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  48. Well hopefully we have CB and another quality attacking mid in Alderweireld and Eriksen should we actually get them,as for DM I'm not sure seeing as Wanyama is gone,Diame could be it plus with the reported 'interest' WH have in Downing we could trade with cash our way ( If that buy out clause is real,By now he may I have signed a new contract,I honestly dont know) Whenever Suarez goes we'll have to seriously nail a proper replacement,but for now all we can do is speculate :D

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  49. simple hes not in rogers clique...up to now we have signed several players but our team hasn't improved...the squad has but the team hasn't....we haven't signed one player who is a nailed on starter on the team sheet.Instead of a big squad of average players why not have a team of great players

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  50. Ask Man City and Chelsea how much it costs to have a team of great players. Then come back with that kind of money.

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  51. Attackers tend to be rotated much more than defenders, so a backup winger would expect to get more games than a backup fullback.


    Even then, Downing is likely (hopefully!) on his way out, Ibe is unlikely to get much pitch time this year, and Coutinho & Suso are both naturally central players rather than widemen. I wouldn't have advocated spending such a sum on another backup wideman, but there was much more argument for that than for a backup fulback

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  52. i was not only on about the younger players

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  53. if downing isnt good enough where do allen borini fit in......some serious double standards at play ....downing isnt my cup of tea but there are worse players in the squad

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  54. If age doesn't matter, well, then Downing is probably better than 99 percent of our youth players.

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  55. why would we swap a player we can probably get 10 million for ,for a player that is supposed to have a release clause which is a lot lower

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  56. Who out of the 25+ players didn't perform up to their standard last season?

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  57. Obviously you'll say Allen, but who else was in this group of many players that should be shifted out ahead of Downing?


    Reina and Skrtel both look to be on the way out already, and I can't see any other senior player that has less to offer than Downing

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  58. up to now we have splashed out 25m and the team hasnt improved IMO ...ISNT THAT THE PRICE FOR BETEKE

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  59. Let's face it, unless you know somebody on this site personally which is unlikely then chances of you ever meeting anyone you reply to or get replies from on this specific site is next to nothing.

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  60. well you have mentioned skertal ,assaidi,borrini,

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  61. but we may make a profit on them lol

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  62. Allen and Borini have this season to prove there worth both of them are young so you never know Downing has had time to prove himself

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  63. hes not a geriatric ....the fact is he played a lot of games last year ....you name one player in the squad who you can guarentee is better than him in his position....reality check is we beat a sh*t team yesterday....playing stoke on a cold windy night when its p*ssing it down might not be up some of these players street

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  64. speculation is the name of the game

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  65. Get a Job Jason

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  66. Straight swap would be a bad idea, if the release clause in Diame isn't just a product of some journo's fantasy.

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  67. cheers thats what i said i think

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  68. And "BETEKE", whoever that is, does make "a team of great players"? Is this "BETEKE" an entire team?

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  69. i will m8 shame you will never get a life

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  70. I meant "Depends on the people you come across on the internet". There are decent people out there, too. Even the majority of people, but the b€ll€nds make much more noise.

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  71. I know. Just wanted to put it into other words. It might become clearer to more people that way :-)

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  72. wikipedia strikes again....the fact is hes one good proven player or is that lost on you and he would improve our chance of winning a game....migolet for reina wont make much difference ..bekteke would make a difference....im using him as an example ....id sooner have a few bona fide starters than a load of potential

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  73. Yes very much so :)....Still doesn't stop us from dreaming eh? :)

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  74. and they don't come much noisier than you

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  75. the thing is even our dreams are starting to get downgraded lol

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  76. newcastle bid for rooney... LOL

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  77. if you like i bow to your superior knowledge of the english language

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  78. 10 million for Downing i doubt it very much more likely to be 5-7 mill bracket when you take his wages into consideration

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  79. we all knew what you meant m8 ...its just that some like sticking there oar in

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  80. will they get in the team to get the chance though...we have to hit the ground running we are not in the position it mess about

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  81. a 1000 crap players wont make a 1000 crap players good...one world class player can

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  82. I think that unless we're convinced that Robinson is ready to step up, we need a left-back to provide competition.

    I think £5mil for Bertrand would be a great deal. The fact he is English means that his value would be largely protected, should we decide to sell him if he doesn't get enough games.

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  83. I hope that they dont get in the team but with injuries and suspensions they might get an opportunity. Play well and you may see totally different players,lets not forget how allen started last season im not a fan of his but you dont know how he might have come on from last season

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  84. Why do you bring up Wikipedia? Were we discussing about that site? I can't remember that to be honest.


    You were talking about having "a team of great players", couldn't come up with a solution how to finance it, but threw in one name I haven't ever heard of. And I won't search Wikipedia for that name. And then you throw in another name, probably African, when mentioning "bekteke". I don't know him, sorry. I am not very knowledgeable when it comes to African football.


    We have had a decent first eleven in the past, but no-one to step in as soon as injuries, suspensions or fatigue struck. That brought us nowhere.



    The transfer window is open until the end of August and some people already start panicking. What will those people do, in case we didn't sign some first team starters by mid-August? Die of a heart-attack?

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  85. i dont know the kid but if hes that good why would chelsea sell him....and more so why would he come to be back up

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  86. The thing is, Rodgers is never going to get rid of his own major signings (Allen & Borini) a year after bringing them in, during which they both missed plenty of time due to injury.


    He dumped Skrtel to the bench when it became clear that he wasn't up to the job, and has already bought a replacement for Reina. Downing has had two underwhelming seasons where he has been given plenty of opportunity to shine (unlike Assaidi) in his preferred and many other positions, is already 29 years old and is one of the highest earners at the club. He should definitely be shifted out at the earliest opportunity

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  87. benteke is the belgian footballer ( i think ) who plays centre forward for aston villa and ran us ragged last year

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  88. he brung in sahin and got rid of him after half a season lol

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  89. I disagree,if they're on the same level of 'crapness' they'll want to get one over on the other person by pushing themselves to nail their first team place,same applies for good players etc. etc. But what 'crap' players have we signed? And provide ample and logical reasons why they are 'crap'.

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  90. im going to ask your opinion who do we have who can play his position better than him...if you can name someone ....fine ship him out...i just cant see the point of making the team weaker just because someones face doesnt fit

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  91. Just like Rafa brought in Keane and sold him back half a season later, losing something like 8m on the way. Point is, not every transfer works out the way the manager wants it. That goes for every club and every manager.

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  92. I wouldn't say downgraded,not for me personally,I'm just willing to look at the situation we're in and compensate for it in the short term,but anything out of the top 4 is unacceptable for Liverpool football club,Its just to get back there we need time to rebuild from almost meltdown,Dortmund done it,we can too

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  93. the point im making is a world class player can inspire the whole squad ...you can watch them train watch what they eat watch how they conduct themselves who do you think you could learn more from on a training pitch mesi or robbie savage

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  94. Nice trick you use there, editing you message and putting in the name of an entirely different player than the one you had mentioned before.

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  95. You avoided my question....and while there would be some universal benefits having a world class player come in, I still feel if two players want to start a game both will do their best to push themselves that little bit extra to get their name on the starting eleven.Look at it this way if Messi came in sure Enrique would learn something but if Bertrand came in and was threatening to take his place He'd be more inclined to improve to get him place back in the team or reassure it.

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  96. Totally agree, the only way you can eliminate complacency is to have competition in the squad.


    You can only think what is going through Reina's head at this point of time that is if he is not leaving.

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  97. Erm, what? I thought we were discussing something entirely different. I won't compare a player, who should be at his peak, with 22 and 23 year old players who still have plenty of time to improve, and may, by the way, be not as bad as some people want to make us believe.


    Downing is so good in his position (left-winger), that he isn't played there anymore. He was tried at left-back and now plays as a right-winger, a position we failed to fill with a decent player probably since McManaman left. Now, that's an achievement.

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  98. I know Benteke, of course. You mentioned two different players before and I hadn't ever heard of any of them before you mentioned them.

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  99. Downing as cover for our first-choice left-back. Now, that is a frightening thought.

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  100. Why Jaimie felt that my comment stating that you made friends on here had to be deleted is beyond me. He should by now know that I actually try to have not trouble with you and it didn't belittle or harm anybody either.

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  101. your missing my point im not saying hes the bees knees ....what i am saying is that as poor as he is no can dislodge him with any certainty

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  102. ive only ever mentioned benteke ?

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  103. you have lost me ...who did i supposedly mention

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  104. is bertrand any better than robinson, wisdom and co...and im not sure if enrique has that many gears to move up with....i kinda think the level hes at is the level hell stay at

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  105. liverpool4life5656:03 pm, July 14, 2013

    Skysports have said we are NOT interested in Ericsson from Ajax.

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  106. He didn't contribute much as a left back either

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  107. Yes, I have failed to figure out your point. Thanks for posting it again. Well, young Sterling dislodged him from his original position on the left wing. And I wouldn't be surprised, if Downing was dislodged by any of our new signings.

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  108. No, you have mentioned a player called Beteke and one called Bekteke. I am no linguist, but I believe these are proper names in Africa. And I have acknowledged that you probably follow more international football than I do. You mention a van der Vark elsewhere. Hadn't heard of him either. That underlined my assumption that you, indeed, know a lot of football players I have never ever heard of, though you mentioned van der Vark as a possible manager for us.

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  109. You've mentioned a Beteke and a Bekteke, as well as a van der Vark (manager, but of whom?). These are probably proper names in Africa/the Netherlands, so I assumed that you know many, many players/managers I have never heard of.

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  110. He is a very good player, if we can afford him why not? highly praised by everyone, he would be a good addition, if Coates leaves he could step right in.

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  111. sorry jay i disagree mate, Coates fee would cover this guy..

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  112. Erm, if I'm not mistaken, Coates and Bertrand play in different positions.

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  113. I like Enrique but i thought he huffed and puffed his way through the season at times, if he gets injured who would you prefer to come in a strong left back or Downing? we will be losing one or two defenders (Coates and possibly Skrtel) don't see the problem, he is a very good left back.

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  114. I am all in favour of signing a strong left-back. If possible one that makes Enrique our back-up in that position.


    Not so sure about losing Skrtel or Coates, though. There are not even rumours anymore.

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  115. Sturridge can play the position much better than Downing.


    And I was advocating selling him with some of the funds being used to bring in a starting caliber replacement anyway, whether that be directly with another right sided forward, or a striker.


    I dunno why you'd say his face doesn't fit though. He's an Englishman in an English team? If not for that fact, it's doubtful that he would've been given so many opportunities to prove himself...

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  116. true - well let's hope somebody is crazy enough to do a Redknapp and help to rectify those mistakes asap then!

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  117. i think we need to keep at least few older players

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  118. whats rafa got to do with it hes history

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  119. hahahah i was messing about van der vark was a dutch detective on the telly.....i meant benteke with the others i just kept spelling it wrond lol

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  120. Enrique, Agger, Johnson, Lucas & Gerrard would remain as core LFC players from previous years, whereas Mignolet, Henderson, Sturridge et al would carry plenty of Premier League experience into the new season.


    I hope any further signings are men in the 23-25 age range though, rather than more inexperienced kids & midgets...

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  121. Was just an example of others getting transfers wrong, too, as I've pointed out in the rest of my comment. I don't think that you will find one manager out there who gets all his transfers right.

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  122. True, but, to be fair, he is a solid performer. Nothing spectacular, but consistent. He fails to beat his man every time he tries. I'd have him rather than the more talented Pennant, though, who would be really poor 8 out of ten times, at least.

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  123. So 'great' a player he can't get in the Chealski team.

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  124. I never said anything about Bertrand replacing Coates did i? i said use the money from the sale of Coates. p. s. i know they play in different positions!!

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  125. I agree anteater, and it has gone strangely quiet about Skrtel and Coates, but i believe Coates will go, shame really, I thought he would have done better,hay- ho

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  126. I know from your previous comments that you would prefer proven and experienced players rather than gamble on potential, What is your opinion on Toby Alderweireld?
    He has CL Exp, Over 100 appearances for Ajax and if reports are true he could be availible for 8m euros.
    Also at 24 he still has time to improve.

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  127. Sounds like a good player but I doubt he will want to move from a Champ League team to a non CL team. If we can get him ,then all the better. I doubt it though.

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  128. fair comment jay, but anything is possible mate, CL isn't the only consideration.

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  129. Not much into telly, sorry. And never considered that you could miss or mix up keys on the keyboard.

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  130. me too maybe 27 to 29 even

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  131. agree ,but you have to get most right or your out of a job

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  132. he has experience,i am going on about players who have played a handful of games ,i think we will sign him if suarez leaves ,but the longer we wait the less chance they will be

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  133. they was more names than downing

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  134. I don't know why people keep on saying that.
    Last year our back four have rotated as much as our front three.

    We had Wisdom, Kelly, Robinson(for half the
    season), Carra, Agger, Skrtel, Coates, Johnson, Downing and Enrique, all of which got their chance(I'll count Flanno out from this one, he only played 4 games).

    The front 3 rotated between Suarez(When he wasn't banned), Borini(when he wasn't injured), Downing, Coutinho(half a season), Sturridge(half a season), Sterling and Suso(I left Shelvey out since he only played as a striker once).

    That's 10 players for 4 positions vs 7 players for 3 positions. There is hardly a big difference there.

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  135. Yep. Who would have thought that the, what did he win, young player of the Copa America, wouldn't be able to impose himself on our squad.

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  136. Without calculating in, the rate of transfer success might be about 50 percent.

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  137. that depends on each persons opinion in yours you reckon 50% some mite think 20% some 100%

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  138. Well, then I misunderstood what you wrote. Thought "he could step right in" meant into the gap left by the outgoing player.

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  139. That's why I wrote "might" and not "is". The phrase "Without calculating it" was used to make clear that I don't know the exact figures and that all I do is estimate.

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  140. it's cool my friend, it's so easy to misinterpret the written word sometimes, when i re read my posts i thought i had not expressed myself very clearly, YNWA

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  141. It takes a decent guy to admit this, redgeorge.

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  142. Well i do try, stop it now you're making me blush LOL!

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  143. That's probably why you are called REDgeorge :-)

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  144. haha! very good, it comes from"red john" the serial killer in "the mentalist" cheers mate :-)

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  145. But none as frightening as Downing's.

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  146. Unfortunately (?) I am not much into TV series.

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  147. lol,maybe but he would not be 1st choice cover

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  148. People say that because it's the truth. It's very surprising to see a defender subbed under normal circumstances - meanwhile managers will sub their midfielders and attackers as standard.

    Chelsea have to shift Bertrand around the team to get him game-time as they didn't want to move Cole (and they rotated their backline more than most last year!) and I'd rather not have Liverpool do the same.

    (btw, we had 7 players with legit claims to one of the 4 places at the back last year - anybody else that got game-time was being shoehorned into the team as an exception)

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  149. Sturridge couldn't get ahead of the has-been Torres in the Chelsea team. Names count for a lot in football...

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  150. i can't agree with that at all. These are general accusations that has no empirical evidence to support. Also, who counts what "legit claimes for a place" is?
    If you would do the research I would accept it.
    I'm not the one who has made the accusation, therefore I'm not the one to prove it.
    All I see from our discussion is two examples of top teams where the defence rotated at least as much as the front.

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  151. If you want to argue that Downing, Wisdom, Robinson et al went into last season as legit first team defenders last year, then that's up to you. And if you want to believe that teams typically rotate their defenses as much as their attack, then that's up to you also, and we'll just have to maintain opposing stances on that.


    If you really think I'm going to do extensive analysis to back up a general statement, just to prove a trivial point to you, then you're just going to have to think again though.

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  152. Who cares who goes as legit first team defenders?
    Do you reckon Sterling, Suso, Coutinho and Sturridge started as legit first team attackers? Half weren't even in the squad.
    Your argument is invalid.

    And about the fact you're not going to check on what you claim is right - well, isn't that convinient? making a statement without basing it on anything?

    I hope in future discussions you won't just say things in sake of saying them, and think of the counter arguments before arguing.

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  153. Of course Coutinho and Sturridge were bought to be first team players last season. Comparing them to the likes of Wisdom and Robinson is a totally invalid argument.


    Anywhoo, I'm not a blogger - I made what was a pretty obvious statement. If you want to counter it, that's up to you (although if you're going to go after me, I'd expect better counters to my actual statements than what you've managed so far).


    As I said though, if you think I'm going to do research into an obvious statement on a football blog just to prove a trivial point to you, you really need to think again...

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