31 Jan 2014

'It's essential, but...' - Carra questions LFC interest in £16m attacker. Deal still on...?

Like every other LFC fan, Anfield legend Jamie Carragher is on tenterhooks, waiting for the Reds to announce a new signing before the January transfer window slams shut in less than three hours. Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers claims that failure to bring in a new player will not make much difference to the club's season, but Carra insists that new blood is absolutely essential.

Discussing the Yehven Konoplyanka deal earlier today, Carra told Sky Sports:

"I think it's essential [to sign someone] as he [Rodgers] missed out on Salah, but whether he [Konoplyanka] is vital to the team in the position that he plays remains to be seen.

"Pace in wide areas is something they could add, but it's just vitally important they get a signing across the line".


I agree with Carra - it's imperative that Liverpool strengthen the squad. Konoplyanka may not be a top priority (like, say, a defensive midfielder), but you can never have enough attacking players (IMO).

If the club's defensive solidity is not addressed, then at least the Reds will have one more player who can score/create goals, which will continue to paper over the defensive cracks (in a 'if they score three, we'll score five' kind of way)

To be honest though, it seems increasingly unlikely that Liverpool will signing anyone today, and if that happens, serious questions will need to be asked about the Reds' negligent inability to seal transfers.

EDIT: Looks like he Konoplyanka deal is off. A visual representation of how many LFC fans probably feel right now:



:-)

Author:


113 comments:

  1. I said earlier to not keep ones hopes up...

    ReplyDelete
  2. its a done deal or as good as !!

    ReplyDelete
  3. How do u know this?

    ReplyDelete
  4. I totally believe FSG don't share the same ambitions as BR. Rodgers isn't the type who would just spend for the sake of it but I think he has been told to choose whether he wants a cm or an attacker. LFC are in a great position just now and by not spending some money to capitalise on our position we risk not making top 4. I honestly think we will regret not buying a central midfielder.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Who cares, im gonnay check it out in the morning. Fed up with alll these if`s and but`s.

    ReplyDelete
  6. its part of being a fan

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh what's that i hear?

    ReplyDelete
  8. huge cheer heard outside melwood !! could be bull but got family in liverpool and ones saying done deal !!
    sorry if im wrong and slate me il deserve it ;)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Reports out of Russia are saying it's done (worldsoccertalk) Not sure how much you can trust the news. But i prefer the news to be positive rather than it's all off. I think FSG are doing a good job. I want Liverpool to be full of players that 1st want to play for our team not 1st want a big wage.

    ReplyDelete
  10. A Russian TV channel say the deal is done, but I doubt it, 11,01pm gmt we will know. I am still here in Asia, its 4.40am, and have to go to work in 4 hours, better I find out 2moro.

    ReplyDelete
  11. According to rumors he has signed!

    ReplyDelete
  12. it is obvious the player wants to come as he has had a medical, so the problem must be the selling club either more money, want the player to sweat it out or wont sell. 2 -1 we get him.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hope those rumours are tru but i'll wait to hear it on talk sport or sky!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Whether the deal is done or not, I agree that FSG are doing a great job. It's great that Anfield is on the brink of being extended. Proper owners.

    ReplyDelete
  15. No holding midfielder then, we'll only get one when Rodgers has gone!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Fsg ayre and rodgers owe lfc fans so much for these past 31days. John henry should give us each one million for fooking r nerves up.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Sir Alex Yeast Infection9:40 pm, January 31, 2014

    you'll be lucky to get a naked selfie of Ian Ayre...

    ReplyDelete
  18. Sir Alex Yeast Infection9:43 pm, January 31, 2014

    Is Ian Ayre taking so long with deal, so he's got an excuse for not going in for a DM. Feel like eating my pubic hair, i'm so frustrated!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. If ayre was living in north korea they would have executed him already, lucky man for living in uk! a

    ReplyDelete
  20. ...nothing like keeping things in perspective.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Sir Alex Yeast Infection9:51 pm, January 31, 2014

    We should employ Linda Pizzuti as the MD... she can go into the board room with a stupid bid...and the opposition chairman just think (BOW CHICA WOW WOW)...DONE and DONE.

    ReplyDelete
  22. What are we going to do in summer tw, 3 MONTHS? Im sure some will leave this world!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Think you need to see a shrink pal, most of your posts have been about the southern regions

    ReplyDelete
  24. Maybe they read VermHat's stageplay on the "He's a good player" thread? Was worth one.

    ReplyDelete
  25. ...and his nom de plume! Obsessed to the point of contamination.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Ha,ha, the guy has serious issues :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. don't see kono's deal going through with the countdown starting

    ReplyDelete
  28. Im with Cara. Not sure we absolutely need him when compared to a DM. We don’t need to be spending 15mil on untested talent. At this time I would pull out, focus on making sure we are using the best pysio practices to keep the boys healthy for the rest of the season and plan on spending BIG in the summer. Would rather add 7mil to this and get a world class winger, DM, CM, whatever in the summer. Rogers doesn't need to panic buy to satisfy the fans, we're on his side 100% and I dont really think "serious questions" need to be asked. Why? Because the target is CL, and if we reach that goal are this guy and Salah the type of players who will help us challenge with the best there? IMO no, so why waste the money.....
    We've been a forward looking club from the first day BR walked into the club, why start looking short term in January? Keep the faith because they players have as Everton can tell you

    ReplyDelete
  29. Well...we have a must-win game Sunday morning and we have who we have for the rest of the season...get on with it lads...you have the talent...just need the will, some luck with injuries and you'll be fine. Good luck...YNWA.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Still an hour to go I think because overseas transfer. The flat little bird I keep in my invisible scabbard tells me he's had a medical and agreed terms and the club have basically agreed the sale but are just sort of hoping that he changes his mind and decides he loves his dear old mum too much to leave.

    ReplyDelete
  31. will someone please kick the chair from under my feet

    ReplyDelete
  32. From the BBC
    "It's important to stress that although the window has closed there is
    still a drip-drip effect that deals can still be announced. I must
    stress that because Yevhen Konoplyanka is an international deal
    Liverpool have an extra hour to file the paperwork. But there's still no
    word from Liverpool.

    Also, they can still finish the deal later,, so long as they can prove the deal was completed before the close. i.e personal terms, pending medical.

    So yeah, if the dude comes, great, if he doesn't I guess we'll have to make due with just Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge, and co. So sad :(

    ReplyDelete
  33. These are dark days indeed. I think I only remembered Tuesday night about once every ten minutes today. Day before it was virtually all I was thinking about. A sad day for international business fans everywhere.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Piss up brewery springs to mind when it comes to Ayre... even if this deal does somehow go through we're being made to look like fools in transfer market and will not change my opinion of Ayre. As soon as he got that flight out there he should of had a good idea the deal could be sealed.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Like I said above, I'd rather concentrate on keeping our current crop out of the treatment room and save that 16mil for the summer and really go for an established player for 25mil or so, which would only be adding on 9mil to this if this deal falls through...

    ReplyDelete
  36. Well said, most teams would wet their pants to have Suarez

    ReplyDelete
  37. Tell me more about the flat little bird you keep in your scabbard, iam intrigued :)

    ReplyDelete
  38. Some sources are quoting a 12m figure, quite a bit less. Plus players coming in help keep people out of the treatment room by allowing rest. Either way, the team as is, is capable of outscoring just about anyone, which is the important thing.

    ReplyDelete
  39. This time we didn't even need another club to talk us out of a deal, thank Ian.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Not with Ayre involved 'established stars' would head elsewhere. We should get our business done early not all this scratching around at last minute...don't get me wrong am happy with Rodgers and giving youngsters a chance. But if we have targets bid and get them early.

    ReplyDelete
  41. I am absolutley shocked. But why should I be?

    ReplyDelete
  42. *Invisible* scabbard.


    I can't tell you too much right now but her name is Oksana and she likes traditional music, translating things, and oats.

    ReplyDelete
  43. crap,crap,crap,crap. i am sick to death of our incompetence in transfer closures. i will say it again, we can forget a top four finish. end of.

    ReplyDelete
  44. you are right. why the hell am i getting upset. this is standard procedure now.

    ReplyDelete
  45. It's a shame but the Dnipro people are completely bonkers by all accounts. I wouldn't pin this one on poor old Mr Ayre, sounds like he worked like crazy to get this one done.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Just glad it's the Six Nations....stops me ruminating until Sunday which would have happened otherwise.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Exactly I've yet to see a fan that has faith in this guy.

    ReplyDelete
  48. oh we worked early in the summer alright. we signed aspas and alberto. class.

    ReplyDelete
  49. More info needed, sounds like my ultimate wet dream!!! Ha,ha :)

    ReplyDelete
  50. I'll pass that on!

    ReplyDelete
  51. So when exactly does Ian Ayre have to start taking responsibility? Sigurdsson; Dempsey; Costa; Mkhitaryan; Willian; Salah; Konoplyanka. There is a pattern, which is why I've questioned LFC's competence in the transfer market over the last couple of days.

    Accountability is lacking at Anfield, and that needs to be addressed before the club loses out on more players this summer.

    ReplyDelete
  52. LFC are superbly skilled at signing players early in the transfer window*, so I have to give Ayre et al immense credit for that.

    * Players that no one else wants.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Please do, iam drooling :)))))

    ReplyDelete
  54. JamesPearceEcho:
    "As I stand outside Melwood right now, fans have arrived in waves on the back of pick-up trucks with pitches and forks. And a few molotov cocktails too."

    ReplyDelete
  55. Yup, some people will want to lay this completely at Ayre/BR/FSG's (they ain't choosey) door but it does seem that there was at least a very hard stance taken there....who exactly at fault here is difficult to determine....indeed it could be a combination of factors.

    ReplyDelete
  56. BBC Ben Smith

    "Liverpool had a deal agreed with Yevhen Konoplyanka - the player wanted
    to come to Liverpool. In the end it didn't happen because the owner of
    the Ukrainian club refused to sign the relevant paperwork."

    ReplyDelete
  57. Everything was agreed with Kono. The d*** owner refused to sign on the dotted line.

    ReplyDelete
  58. Lol. He offered less for his first choice salah in 3 months of negotiating, before losing out to Chelsea, then was prepared to offer more money in a panic buy for his second choice. Useless.

    ReplyDelete
  59. this should have been sorted one way or the other a long time before it going down to the wire.

    ReplyDelete
  60. money talks... just sayin

    ReplyDelete
  61. If it was as cut and dried as you state it makes you wonder why there is so much activity on transfer deadline days?

    ReplyDelete
  62. This honestly feels better than being hijacked though.

    ReplyDelete
  63. Bit harsh on Alberto mate still think he has potential..aspas give you that one.

    ReplyDelete
  64. Sigurdsson was down to the player, Spurs looked a better fit for him. Remember where we were at that point! Can't blame him for choosing Spurs at that time. Mkhit was always going to Dortmund. Costa wasn't moving for anyone. Willian was dodgy. Sorry we missed out on him but I'm sure you can figure out why Chelsea had the pull and we didn't. Salah it's still not clear what happened. I thought we'd nailed him, but Chelsea paid something like twice our valuation, I've heard? Mental.



    I find it really hard to get worked up about this stuff, sorry Jaimie! I'll let you get worked up on my behalf.

    ReplyDelete
  65. i would slate you but i'm too angry. i'll save it for another day when you get it wrong!

    ReplyDelete
  66. yeah we tried our best. but we still should have tried for other players. especially defensive mid. thats what happens when you stall

    ReplyDelete
  67. Ayre should not take sole responsibility and all the criticism. He is the only director to have ever been involved in football. The level of management above Brendan Rodgers is amateur. Useless American board members and directors.


    You're calling for people who know nothing about football to deal with the only director we have who has any prior experience.

    ReplyDelete
  68. where did i say it was cut and dried? i was pointing out that if we wanted him enough this should have been concluded with a yes or no a couple of weeks ago. not within 3 days of the deadline. this wasn't an off chance inquiry.

    ReplyDelete
  69. I think the main problem was Ihor Kolomoyskyi, the Dnipro boss. He's absolutely crackers.

    ReplyDelete
  70. Several hours of my life wasted by repeatedly clicking refresh on NewsNow

    ReplyDelete
  71. the redknapps of this world are chancers. if we are operating like that, we are doomed.

    ReplyDelete
  72. Did the club really want any players? It's cheaper to buy plane tickets and book accommodation. And look like you are making an effort, than committing millions on a transfer.

    ReplyDelete
  73. I agree with you, even though bbc have just said club owner refused to sign paperwork. Reckon Ayre pissed him off....player wanted to go, passed medical, no other club in for him still we fail. Thought they would have sounded the owner out that they were willing to sell before heading off to Ukraine...something does'nt add up....sure rodgers privately has no confidence in our dealings.

    ReplyDelete
  74. ...my bad, should have said infer or some such.... it seems quite clear he wasn't approached earlier because of Salah.

    ReplyDelete
  75. Where did I say we were operating like that? Was simply pointing out that these things are often very complicated and last minute...sometimes for good, sometimes bad.

    ReplyDelete
  76. Agree defensive mid was/is priority. Hopefully a few injuries at the back will clear up... I for one think Sakho will come good. Lets keep up the good attacking play...at least us and City are the best to watch at moment.

    ReplyDelete
  77. it appears brendan has been let down and not backed. i can't wait for the summer. lets see how ayre f*cks up tring to replace suarez.

    ReplyDelete
  78. Who says I'm getting worked up? I'm probably calmer than you. I don't get worked up over stuff like this, as I don't view football in the same way as most football fans.

    ReplyDelete
  79. I would guess it's about politics. A lot of weird nationalist around in Ukraine. And the owner is an obese gazillionaire megalomaniac. Remember those kids who would rather smash up their things than let anyone else play with them. That's this guy.

    ReplyDelete
  80. You reckon Ayre pissed him off...what do you base that upon exactly...I mean like any actual knowledge or just a general resentment?

    ReplyDelete
  81. Good point same thing crossed my mind earlier...like to think that's not the case!

    ReplyDelete
  82. how much of a plank do i feel!! got told had passed med and was to be announced when paper work signed !! still in shock it was not complete.

    ReplyDelete
  83. you didn't directly. indirectly, by questioning why there is so much last minute activity, that implies that we possibly deal like that.

    ReplyDelete
  84. Okie doke. You write a cold-blooded laser-visioned article about it on my behalf, then, and I'll get worked up about that, on everyone's behalf.

    ReplyDelete
  85. ...he looks very cuddly though!

    ReplyDelete
  86. why so serious...just messing. Hold my hands up have no confidence in Ayre neither do other fans I have spoke to. Its just comical the owner must of indicated that they were willing to sell then changed his mind at last minute... love to know what was all said in between. 'Nice meeting you Ian hope you enjoyed your stay in the Ukraine' he probably ended with.

    ReplyDelete
  87. In mother Russia, you don't do transfer deal. transfer deal do you!

    ReplyDelete
  88. Not at all it simply pointed out it's not always possible to sort things long before...doesn't mean we should act like 'Arry.

    ReplyDelete
  89. Yes, perhaps that was the issue. Not enough cuddles. Not enough cuddles for all his godchildren is probably the problem. One of those occasions when suddenly everyone in the town is a football agent you've got to pay a million pounds. Cuddly mafia madness funtimes for all.

    ReplyDelete
  90. DANTCHOO CALL ME A FACKIN WEALADEALA

    ReplyDelete
  91. Despite all my posts I'm not too worked up either sitting here with a glass of red, kid and missus asleep upstairs. Dog curled up beside me..actually quite peaceful!!!

    ReplyDelete
  92. Probably frustration, three glasses of wine and the fact that Disqus keeps making it look like one person writes loads of s*it! Just refreshed the page and your name changed, sorry! :-) Didn't realise you were being light hearted about it.

    ReplyDelete
  93. The failure to sign anyone interview, is on the liverpool website. Probably prepared this afternoon.

    ReplyDelete
  94. Lets get the three against Brom then look forward to the double test against the gunners. I still think we'll be in top four come end of season....then we only have to worry about suarez saga!!

    ReplyDelete
  95. What a load of baloney, it's cheaper to do Nowt if you don't want to sign anyone

    ReplyDelete
  96. Wasn't Sturridge signed in the first few days of the window last year?

    ReplyDelete
  97. At least something was prepared and carried out properly. Take a look before I call it a night.

    ReplyDelete
  98. Was that your turn to be serious or you still being light hearted? Frankly I've lost the will to try and discern in my general fog of disappointment with the whole situation.

    ReplyDelete
  99. ....bung me a monkey and your on!

    ReplyDelete
  100. Oh dear. I'm a bit confused too. But don't be downhearted. Lovely Coutinho! Lovely Suarez! All the lovely reds.

    ReplyDelete
  101. My confidence in current squad.

    ReplyDelete
  102. Because we're not party to the negotiations its difficult to put the blame for individual transfer failings at Ayre's door (maybe, due to the Dnipro owner, this transfer would have fallen through which ever club was trying to sign Konoplyanka). That said, I agree when looked at as part of a collective transfer failures there must be something going wrong to have had this many f*** ups.

    ReplyDelete
  103. Aaah....that's better! .......


    That might have been the fourth glass off wine?!

    ReplyDelete
  104. Yeah Rodgers said that this afternoon, think he knew deep down that this would fail was a last minute job after Salah business and its not as if we didn't have enough time to get that sealed.

    ReplyDelete
  105. Hehe. This deal does stink though. I reckon they will have stalled on agents fees and claimed that payments to agents were necessary to seal the deal over and above the release clause. One for UEFA to look at probably if they can be arsed.

    ReplyDelete
  106. I'll be honest Robo...am retreating into my happy place for emotional protection....tomorrow/later today I shall emerge butterfly like from my chrysalis of disappointment butterfly to once more flutter wings in hope.

    ReplyDelete
  107. Yeah true. They Should of saved on the plane tickets etc.

    ReplyDelete
  108. Plastic fans like you make me laugh, 2nd highest goal difference in the league, 4th place, have just stuffed Everton 4 nil & all you can do is moan

    ReplyDelete
  109. Who's moaning? It's only banter and opinions. Is name calling necessary? I believe liverpool will be alright for 4th maybe better, but if not, I won't have sleepless nights, it's only football.

    ReplyDelete
  110. :) easy jet, £49 return, transfer window sorted :)

    ReplyDelete