16 Aug 2013

'LFC can do better': Barnes happy that LFC failed to sign £15m Arsenal star. Loss?

In the months leading up to the January 2012 transfer window, Liverpool were heavily linked with a £15m move for Arsenal star Theo Walcott, a self-confessed LFC fan since childhood. At the time, Anfield legend John Aldridge urged his old club to sign Walcott, but looking back now, Liverpool hero John Barnes believes the Reds dodged a bullet by missing out on the England international.

In his column for the Liverpool Echo, Aldo highlighted Walcott as a must-buy for the Reds. He said:

"I would be happy to see Theo Walcott move to Anfield. He is still only 23 and is getting better.

"He has the ability to play anywhere in that three-pronged attack Rodgers favours. Walcott comes from a Liverpool-supporting family and would be welcomed by the fans".


Discussing the failed deal this week, Barnes - who played alongside Aldo in Kenny Dalglish's all-conquering dream team of the late 1980s - told the 5 Times Podcast:

"I don’t think Theo Walcott would’ve been the answer for Liverpool. If you’re going to spend that amount of money, I think LFC can do better than Theo".

At the time of LFC's interest, Kop legend Steve Nicol also argued that the Reds should steer clear of Walcott. He told The Telegraph:

"Liverpool need players who are proven and Theo Walcott’s not proven. He’s too inconsistent. What they don’t need now is another inconsistent player. They need someone who every match you know exactly what you’re going to get."

As Aldo noted, £15m-rated Walcott - recently described by Arsene Wenger as 'fantastic' - is a huge Liverpool fan, and he revealed this in an interview a couple of years ago. He enthused:

"I was a Liverpool fan, but unfortunately I wasn't born when the team had their golden era, but I enjoyed watching the likes of Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler and Steve McManaman. When Liverpool won the Champions League I went mad. I was shouting so loud I think I woke up the entire village where I live!"

As I argued at the time, I'm not a huge fan of Walcott, but his end product is what matters, and in the last three seasons, his creative return is creditable:

* 2010-11: 13 goals/11 assists in 47 apps (34 starts)
* 2011-12: 9 goals/8 assists in 44 apps (39 starts)
* 2012-13: 21 goals/14 assists in 47 apps (31 starts)

If Walcott had joined Liverpool and grabbed 21 goals/14 assists last season, I doubt Barnes would be saying that Liverpool could 'do better'. Is Barnesy right overall, though? Did the Reds dodge a bullet by missing out on Walcott...?

In my view, Liverpool did do better: the club brought in Coutinho and Sturridge, two players who are (arguably) better than Walcott, and I'm sure they'll prove that in the coming years.






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


54 comments:

  1. I Arsenal had to come back and offer Walcott plus 40m for Suarez then I would bite Wenger's whole arm off!

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  2. Give me a break with Coutinho and Sturridge. The former had a handful of good games, the latter scored a handful of goals. Arguably better than Walcott. The arrogance from a group of fans who are blessed with a dire, mediocre squad is just baffling. Not to mention what that mediocre squad cost. But let's stick with their quality. They are not very good.

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  3. Walcott > every Liverpool player, except Suarez, AINEC.

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  4. I think Theo is unfairly dissed too many times. He has shown great skill and scoring ability, but I do have to agree he can be inconsistent. My biggest caution is that he can't perform against big defenders week in and week out. Like all little guys he can be muscled off the ball too easily. I would be for adding him if we had other Ibrahimovic, Benteke or Drogba-sized strikers to turn to at need...but at the time we didn't and still don't. Adding another one doesn't really change the challenge your team can field.

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  5. His stats don't lie, he is a quality player.

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  6. why would walcott leave arsenal to join liverpool? that just doesn't make any sense at all what so ever. a straight swap for suarez an d we might, and i say might entertain the idea. like suarez said, the players that rodgers is bringing in are just not good enough, and the highest finish liverpool will achieve this year will be 6th at best.

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  7. Barnes yous a joker. Lightened up my day.

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  8. Theo had a good season when he was played down the middle but as soon as he signed his contract Arsene Wenger had him back playing out wide.I am sure this tells us his own manager doesn't trust him in the middle to be good enough. at this moment he doesn't suit Liverpool . bring on Willian !

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  9. *you're ....get your garmmar right before making fun of others

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  10. Wouldn't he represent the ideal type of candidate that Liverpool want - that are in such short supply? Those who are fans and might want to build a legacy at the club? In 2012 would have been a good buy (maybe a little steep at 15M - could be a good buy in the future, when he's approaching peak.

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  11. Hahaha my friend you make a good clown!

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  12. What player has Arsene signed?

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  13. Agreed. He is still surrounded by the biggest urban legend of football today, namely his "lack of football IQ". Absolute rubbish. Watch his runs, link ups, and (especially his low near and far post) crosses. They are awesome. And he plays great against top competition, don´t you worry about that. Messi called Walcott the most intimidating player Barca (and Guardiola) had ever faced.

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  14. He would have come for around 15m, but at least at 6.5m/year (around 120K/week). On a 5 year contract, that's around 50m. NO THANKS.

    We should take a note from the Portuguese, Spanish & French clubs - for 10m & at 35-40K/week, they are bringing the likes of Jackson Martinez, Piere Abumyang, Quintero, Capel, Rabello & lot many Latin & African players.

    I don't think Walcot has anything but the typical British football qualities - 90% of which is physical - speed, body strength & stamina; not much in skill or technique. With his ball control, football sense & vision, I don't think he can become a world beater forward, someone like Suarez, Van Perse, Ribery, Reues, Muller, Hazard, De Maria, Neymer, Moura, Pastore or Roben (not to mention CR).

    I heard similar hypes 2 years back for another English prodigy - Ashley Young (Thank God, we didn't waste another 25m), then came Alex Oxled, then Conor Wickham (10m for a 18 year old!!!), now Zaha (15m!!!!!!!!).

    NO, BIG THANKS AGAIN. Any given day, I 'll take Willian for 30m & 110K/week over Walcot (for 15m & 100K/week)

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  15. No, no, he is even better than Suarez. He plays for mighty Arsenal. We should give Wenger Suarez & 15m for Walcot.

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  16. Willian is great and all, but the day he takes 110k a week is the day pigs fly, hell freezes over and all that....


    And don´t you dare bring Oxlade in to this. He is his own player, and will be a great one at that. With ever evolving playmaking abilities coupled with his drive he will be a force to be reckoned with.


    Last, but not least, don´t compare Britain and it´s 60 million to the rest of the world and it´s billions of inhabitants in terms of talent pool... That is being ridiculous, and using that to talk down Walcott´s abilities is committing straw man fallacy at best.

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  17. I see what you did there. My point still stands. Walcott > every single Lpool player, except Suarez

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  18. i like walcott...used the right way he can be a handful plus he chips in with goals......but not at 120 g a week

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  19. When he was playing for the new contract he was amazing and then once the contract was signed he seemed to drop a level. If he consistantly performs at that higher level, he could become one of the best in the league wirh his assists and goals. That's from a Liverpool fan.

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  20. Yawn !!
    If LFC had Theo they'd be singing a very different tune. Barnes, the only thing he was famous for was his terrible 'Gerri- Curl' ... nuff said !

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  21. Why you are bringing talent of British nation in Football blogs? What is to do for National talent or pride with something like football talent or Murry winning The Championship in 70 odd years by a Brit? But then, Brazil & Britain has talent in different areas, & unfortunately British are at the wrong side, when it comes to football - let's accept it.



    My point was, had we gone for Theo, we had to pay a mark up price, which I am not interested. The few real quality English players are there actually ransom ridiculous money (Roo 250K/week, Terry 170K/week, SG 140K/week, Lampard 130K/week, Cole 120K/week) & I just don't want to be bullied by that. We have burnt the hand once.

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  22. OFF TOPIC DOWNING HAS CALLED RODGERS A LIAR ABOUT HIS MOVE SUAREZ HAS ALSO HINTED THE SAME JUST MAKES U THINK IS ARE MANAGER JIM CARREY COS THERE ARE ALOT OF PEOPLE ACCUSSING HIM OF PORKYS. IMO I DO THINK HE IS A WALTER MITTY

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  23. Downing has not called Rodgers a 'liar', and there is nothing in Rodgers' statement about Downing's move that hints at him lying.

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  24. billy you are a liar because jamie says so ,the same jaimie who deletes comments so max looks good no matter how abusive is posts are because he agrees with him ,and has his tongue shoved so far up his ar$e that he tickles his tonsils (no doubt i will be banned again but hay ho the truth needs to be told gilstap keep the fight going on and do not put up with this biased sh1te)

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  25. is that you or max i find it disgusting that you delete mine and other people,s comments but keep his insults live

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  26. Off topic but does anyone else feel that we've chosen Cissokho instead of Siqueira to save some money for Willian ? Might be dreaming a bit but it does make sense to me

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  27. Notapoolfanfromthe70s9:40 pm, August 16, 2013

    Walcott cost arsenal £15mil including add ons. Lol nearly 6 yrs ago
    In the last yr alone, Walcott assisted more than ten times and scored
    20 times more, lol, yuse(lol) sold downing (of whom I was referring to
    For £6.2-£6.8 mil a loss of nearly £13.2mil. Couldn't get him to perform
    For the glorious pool. You may have kept Suarez this season. And
    He may help you to 6th place. Without him and Gerrard , Coutihno you would be less than a mid table team. We as Arsenal Maybe punching
    a little above our level but for 17yrs have Performed consistently
    above liverpools level. Don't play high n mighty!!!!!

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  28. I think he's something of a loss, but in the context of us signing two players, who are arguably better than Walcott, for less than £20m.. I think we did alright! However, in the context of 'would we be better if we had Walcott in our squad?' I would say yes, hence why I've voted loss..

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  29. Barnesy.... Celtic, Tranmere he bought some real rubbish.



    like almost every other former Liverpool player other than maybe Molby...maybe.... they talk rubbish. Barnesy is my favourite pool player of all time BUT he has no idea what ingredients are required to make a team work.



    And..... Nicol! he's a KD fan. He won't be happy until KD is reinstalled.


    Former Pool failed managers are terrible pundits.

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  30. 15 mill for Walcott? Could get nearly half an Andy Carroll for that! How ridiculous. As if...

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  31. All that story tells you is that there are journalists who think there's money to be made in making Brendan Rodgers look bad. There's no substance to these stories if you look closely.

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  32. So JK any fantasy leagues set up, or do you think taht could lead to blood fueds on here??

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  33. You missed out your "And its not even close" bit at the end.

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  34. GerrardCoutinhoSturridge11:59 pm, August 16, 2013

    Nigel Clough

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  35. Walcott fits Arsenal for now. let us have Willian. [all the 'who is better argues' is ridicules btw].

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  36. what are you arse-nel fan smoking? a female's bush

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  37. Maybe Stevie Nicol can be one of our scouts? I'd actually love someone with such an objective and high standard approach

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  38. A fee for Downing was accepted because BR could not guarantee him first team football. Downing could have rejected the move but I think he has accepted that he has under performed and should move on.


    In saying that though, accepting a fee because a player may not necessarily be guaranteed first team football isn't an approach that should be taken to actually build up a competitive and good enough squad. Downing would actually be in my starting 11 right now.

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  39. Arse is going to come down this season, you read it here first.

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  40. I sincerely believe no player at LFC comes close to Walcott (except Suarez). No one are even contending the way I see it. In 2286 minutes he produced 14 goals and 13 assists. Those are Bale numbers. If you don´t believe me, do some math and compare his output/gametime ratio to that of Bale´s. They will be alarmingly close to you naysayers.

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  41. Yeah, his incredibly underrated football IQ matched with several years of top flight experience leads me to believe we could very well see a 20+ goal season from Walcott! People forget how young he his, and how old most players are before they even hit double figures in the EPL as a striker, let alone 14 from the wing...

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  42. Oh, the irony...

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  43. Well Coutinho made half those stats in just 4 months and he is a midfield player... Coutiho>Walcott.... Plus you cant go and say Walcott is better than all LFC players... Not every players role is to score goals. Walcott is meant to get stats like those as he is a forward/winger. You might as well compare Agger to Walcott...

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  44. That was one season! If he does it consistently then I'd agree with you but he hasn't yet, come back to me at the end of another 2286 minutes of football.

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  45. Give us the Emirates stadium and walcott and you can have Suarez.

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  46. I wouldn't say no too Walcott.

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  47. Theycallmemrburt5:14 pm, August 17, 2013

    I'll give you that........just. :)



    Cloughy hasn't failed and he is yet to really succeed. But he seems to have all the qualities of a winner

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  48. I think you'll find that Sturridge had a return of 12 goals in 14 games for us, which is not only more than a handful, but is also world class form. Whether or not he can continue that form is another question, but he has one goal from one match this season, so quite possibly can. Coutinho has been excellent since he's arrived and was excellent against Stoke too, he was arguably the signing of last season and being he is only 20, still has time to develop into the world class player he is capable of being. Walcott is good, and has electric pace and last season added goals to his game, however he seems to me to be a bit like Babel, a wide player who wants to be a striker.

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  49. Walcott would have worked well and the fact that he's a Liverpool fan could have only helped matters, but give me Willian any day of the week...
    On the whole an Improvement today against potters but lots of missed chances to bury them early on - enough to give you a heart attack, pisses me of...
    Set pieces, accuracy in the final 3rd and a possible PlanB for me. As well as Eriksen, Willian and someone at the back???????


    YNWA

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  50. I know exactly what I was typing thanks. Yous is slang.

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  51. Time to ask that legendary question again: "What have you been smoking over there??"

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  52. O'rly?

    If I were to take three of your strongest players are you suggesting your performance levels wouldn't also drop??

    >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


    Also for all of your noise about the great Arse that you follow, how is the CL working out for you? 10, 12 or 15 consecutive yrs getting in and what have you done with it?? We've lost more finals than you've won, ya plum! Oh that's right, even Birmingham City have more silverware in the last 8 yrs than you. Ooh do you mind if I add Wigan, Pompey, and SPURS to that list?

    >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

    Enjoy your library

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  53. Not to take anyway from Coutinho´s performances, but playing great for a couple of months is a totally different ball game that playing great over the course of a season. Ask Jermaine Defoe, Aaron Lennon, Darren Bent, or any other career EPL tweeners.


    In other words, Coutinho´s sample size is so small that is would make sense to withhold judgement until this season before comparing him to the likes of Walcott and Bale who has several years of experience in the EPL.


    Insult to injury - during his ten games of actual playing time (923 minutes) he produced a gametime:production ratio severely beaten by Walcott´s, despite Walcott having more than double the sample size. Anyone with even the tiniest knowledge of statistics would say that is a knockout punch to Coutinho´s aspirations to being the offensive force Walcott is. But maybe Coutinho is a better tackler of the ball than Walcott (like Agger)?

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