Over the last year, Brendan Rodgers has (arguably) done a great job at Liverpool, and for the first time in nearly five years, the Reds look capable of mounting a serious challenge for a place in the top three. Be that as it may, Rodgers' performance in the transfer market leaves a lot to be desired, and Anfield legend Jan Molby has revealed his fears over the effectiveness of LFC's transfer recruitment process.
In his column for 5-Times this week, Molby admitted that Rodgers' transfers over the summer 'make you worry about the recruitment process', and suggested that the Sturridge-Coutinho double-whammy may have been a one-off piece of good luck. He observed:
"Liverpool did great business last January getting in Coutinho and Sturridge but [looking at] the deals they did this summer [perhaps] they just got lucky.
"When you [have] a smaller squad than some of the top teams you have to make sure that nearly every signing counts. Deals can be done though – just look at Everton. If Liverpool had brought in the players [they] did in the summer then they would be fine now"
Molby must be referring to James McCarthy (£13m); Romelu Lukaku (Cost Chelsea £20m; loan); Gareth Barry (Loan), and possibly Gerard Deulofeu (loan), four players repeatedly linked with Liverpool over the years:
* McCarthy: Rejected the Reds THREE times - 2007, 2010, and 2011.
* Lukaku: Regularly linked with the Reds over the last two years, and ex-Reds such as Didi Hamann, Lawro and Steve Nicol called for Rodgers to sign the striker.
* Deulofeu: Acording to Spanish newspapers AS and SPORT, Liverpool put in a £7.5m bid for the youngster over the summer, and also tried to negotiate a loan deal.
* Barry: Every Reds fan knows about the Barry/Alonso debacle under Rafa Benitez, and the ex-England star recently confirmed that Liverpool tried to sign him.
Is Molby right, though? All four of the aforementioned players would arguably strengthen Liverpool's squad. Imagine having Lukaku in the team right now, playing alongside Suarez whilst Sturridge is injured. McCarthy would add steel and presence to the Reds midfield, and the highly experienced Barry would be a useful squad player (in the Gary McAllister mould).
One thing's for sure, McCarthy and Lukaku - combined cost £13m - are better value for money than Aspas and Alberto, who together cost £15m, and struggle to get into LFC's first team. I don't doubt the talent of LFC's Spanish signings, but in terms of ability to make an impact, just look at the Everton duo's combined impact for Everton this season.
Author: Jaimie K
In his column for 5-Times this week, Molby admitted that Rodgers' transfers over the summer 'make you worry about the recruitment process', and suggested that the Sturridge-Coutinho double-whammy may have been a one-off piece of good luck. He observed:
"Liverpool did great business last January getting in Coutinho and Sturridge but [looking at] the deals they did this summer [perhaps] they just got lucky.
"When you [have] a smaller squad than some of the top teams you have to make sure that nearly every signing counts. Deals can be done though – just look at Everton. If Liverpool had brought in the players [they] did in the summer then they would be fine now"
Molby must be referring to James McCarthy (£13m); Romelu Lukaku (Cost Chelsea £20m; loan); Gareth Barry (Loan), and possibly Gerard Deulofeu (loan), four players repeatedly linked with Liverpool over the years:
* McCarthy: Rejected the Reds THREE times - 2007, 2010, and 2011.
* Lukaku: Regularly linked with the Reds over the last two years, and ex-Reds such as Didi Hamann, Lawro and Steve Nicol called for Rodgers to sign the striker.
* Deulofeu: Acording to Spanish newspapers AS and SPORT, Liverpool put in a £7.5m bid for the youngster over the summer, and also tried to negotiate a loan deal.
* Barry: Every Reds fan knows about the Barry/Alonso debacle under Rafa Benitez, and the ex-England star recently confirmed that Liverpool tried to sign him.
Is Molby right, though? All four of the aforementioned players would arguably strengthen Liverpool's squad. Imagine having Lukaku in the team right now, playing alongside Suarez whilst Sturridge is injured. McCarthy would add steel and presence to the Reds midfield, and the highly experienced Barry would be a useful squad player (in the Gary McAllister mould).
One thing's for sure, McCarthy and Lukaku - combined cost £13m - are better value for money than Aspas and Alberto, who together cost £15m, and struggle to get into LFC's first team. I don't doubt the talent of LFC's Spanish signings, but in terms of ability to make an impact, just look at the Everton duo's combined impact for Everton this season.
Author: Jaimie K
With Sturridge and Suarez in the squad, where do you find space for Lukaku who want's to be a regular starter? If we'd signed him, he wouldn't be playing and you'd probably be accusing Rodgers for bringing him in the first place.
ReplyDeleteGood point made . Maybe we did just get lucky buy you cant bring luck into 14 prem games so far. Lets hope we get more "luck" in Jan sales.
ReplyDeleteif we had mccarthy and barkley in our midfield we'd be set
ReplyDeleteJan Molby doesn't ever seem to have a good thing to say with regard to LFC in recent months..I don't know what he thinks he knows, but if it was worth anything at all he should perhaps put his money where his mouth is and take to management himself,,,, then we'll see..
ReplyDeletePretty tired of hearing from him,,, he was completely wrong when he said get rid of Suarez, he'll ruin LFC's chances this year.. yeah! whatever!
And who's to say that we could have gotten any of those players...
ReplyDeleteMcCarthy went with Martinez.
Lukaku wasn't guaranteed to start here so Chelsea wouldn't send him to us.
Deulofeu was linked to us before many times. We aren't going to get everyone we seek.
Barry - Would not start over Lucas under Rodgers so Man City wouldn't loan him out to us.
While he's at it, why doesn't he ask why we haven't bought Ronaldo or Messi yet.
Chelsea sell Lukaku to a rival? There is a reason why Mourinho loaned Lukaku to Everton as he knew Everton are not going to win the league and Lukaku scoring goals for Everton would help Chelsea througout the season.
ReplyDelete...erm, he's already done that...Swansea, Kidderminster and Hull.
ReplyDeleteI cant agree that Rodgers is doing a great job. His dealings in the market are more miss than hit. He uses players badly.The defence is dodgy despite the money spent. Actually I could go on and on but ill just say that if Liverpool dont make top four this year when they have Luis Suarez in the team then they need a new manager.
ReplyDeleteLike I said, they aren't going to "break the bank" to sign an aging player, which is why it might be hard to imagine Xabi ever coming back.
ReplyDeleteAll I'm saying is that for the right price and situation, they'd consider bringing in older players.
The point is we never tried to sign him, once Louis was staying we should have bought a world class player to compliment him - not two gambles. We ALREADY have a great player who for reasons known only in the mind of Rodgers has not been given a chance - even after being "outstanding" in the last 4 u21 games. He has it all, Suso got chances and TEXIERA is a much better player than him,
ReplyDeleteyou mean he really though liverpool had a chance of winning the league ? (dont think so) its no mystery we just went for the wrong one because Brendon knew him like he knew Borini and Allen. I would be made up with 4th,
ReplyDeleteya i agree with u sammy we dont need him just bring ASBAS in
ReplyDeleteits a long season the players he has brought in could still have a big impact between now and may im alot happier now than I was last seasonor when kk was in charge
ReplyDeleteIf he' knew' them really well,he wouldn't have signed them.
ReplyDeletehaha
ReplyDeletePlease get a strong midfielder instead....we are heavily relied on aging Gerrard. ...M'Vila would be a great addition for the same price as that of berbatov. .. he may be expensive. ..not sure..!!
ReplyDeleteAnelka-esque!?
ReplyDeletelol
ReplyDeleteBorini and Allen have nothing to do with Lukaku so your point is irrelevant.
ReplyDeleteIsn't that Allen in a nutshell?
ReplyDeleteIf we are not going to spend money on backup for Lucas then we better sign Barry on loan or free next season.
ReplyDeleteI would only take Lukaku from that list.
ReplyDeleteWork Rate please! He has none.
ReplyDeleteIm not liking Delefeu at the moment. Obviously bundles of talent but so selfish! Everton would have beaten us easily if he ever passed the ball instead of shooting from ridiculous angles.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest I think it is easier for Everton to have a hit signing, there's much less pressure and attention. If Henderson had gone to Everton not us he would not have the reputation he does currently with non Liverpool fans. McCarthy would not be given the patience he is at Everton and would suffer the same fate. Just look at Fellaini! Highly praised throughout last season but the opposite after just a few games at united.
This is hy I don't listen to 5times anymore. They tend not to give more in depth analysis than TBT or TAW but say nonsense like this. Why at the time that Everton loaned dela-whatever would it have made snese for us to loan him? Why should we assume that we could have loaned Lukaku just because Everton did and why if not signing for us the times we tried would Mcarthy have signed? Barry may have been an option but considering the lack of legs in our side in that position I am not sure he is the answer.
ReplyDeleteMcathy and Lukaku a combined £13m? Was Mcarthy not £13m anyway? So it again depends on that loan that may not have happened if it was us. If it did (hmm) then who doesn't play when Sturridge, Suarez and Lukaku are fit? We can say in hindsight "oh but Dani ha had lots of injuries" but that kind of soothsaying is rare in football. Lets remember the long term outrcome of the signings mentioned are very questionable. Alberto and Aspas' contributions may not be certain but what is is that Lukaku's will not go further than this season.