Ex-Liverpool defender Phil Babb has urged Reds boss Brendan Rodgers to bring in yet another central defender during the January transfer window.
Speaking to the official 5-Times last night, Babb - who made 170 appearances for Liverpool 1994 and 1999 - observed:
“Jolean might be available in this transfer window and maybe he’s a little bit more dynamic that what Liverpool have.”
“He can play at left back, I watch Aly Cissoko playing there and I wonder if he will ever fit the bill”
The list of ex-Reds who don't rate Cissokho appears to be growing, and Babb now joins a list that includes John Aldridge, Phil Thomson, and most scathingly, Jimmy Case, who last week insisted that the French defender is 'not good enough for LFC'.
Liverpool were linked with Lescott in the months leading up to the summer 2013 transfer window, but with the multitude of central defenders at the club right now, signing another one should not (IMO) be a serious option, especially not at left-back (!)
If Liverpool are to replace Cissokho, then a dedicated left back is the best option, not a converted centre-half. In any event, with Jose Enrique, Jon Flanagan, and Brad Smith, he Reds are well-covered at left back (until the summer, at least).
31-year old Lescott - who cost City £22m - has been an unused sub FIFTEEN times for City so far this season, which suggests he's not in Manuel Pellegrini's long-term plans. The Chilean boss rejects this though, and when asked last night about Lescott's future, he told reporters:
"He [Lescott] is not going for the moment. Joleon is a very important player for us. He finishes his contract in June. We will see what happens in the future."
If Liverpool didn't have Kolo Toure - a central defender of a similar age - then I could see the sense of signing Lescott, but the vacancy for experienced older-head in defence is already taken.
As for Phil Babb - I feel compelled to defend him a little because almost without fail, whenever his name pops up, he seems to get criticised for being a comparatively poor defender for LFC. Well, I disagree! I watched him live week-in, week-out in the mid-90s, and whilst he wasn't the greatest defender to ever grace the Anfield turf, he certainly wasn't the worst (!)
Bjorn Tore Kvarme - one of Babb's contemporaries at Anfield - was far worse, and anyone who remembers him getting dispossessed and skinned by Danny Cadamarteri in the 1997 Merseyside Derby (at Goodison) will surely agree :-)
Author: Jaimie K
Speaking to the official 5-Times last night, Babb - who made 170 appearances for Liverpool 1994 and 1999 - observed:
“Jolean might be available in this transfer window and maybe he’s a little bit more dynamic that what Liverpool have.”
“He can play at left back, I watch Aly Cissoko playing there and I wonder if he will ever fit the bill”
The list of ex-Reds who don't rate Cissokho appears to be growing, and Babb now joins a list that includes John Aldridge, Phil Thomson, and most scathingly, Jimmy Case, who last week insisted that the French defender is 'not good enough for LFC'.
Liverpool were linked with Lescott in the months leading up to the summer 2013 transfer window, but with the multitude of central defenders at the club right now, signing another one should not (IMO) be a serious option, especially not at left-back (!)
If Liverpool are to replace Cissokho, then a dedicated left back is the best option, not a converted centre-half. In any event, with Jose Enrique, Jon Flanagan, and Brad Smith, he Reds are well-covered at left back (until the summer, at least).
31-year old Lescott - who cost City £22m - has been an unused sub FIFTEEN times for City so far this season, which suggests he's not in Manuel Pellegrini's long-term plans. The Chilean boss rejects this though, and when asked last night about Lescott's future, he told reporters:
"He [Lescott] is not going for the moment. Joleon is a very important player for us. He finishes his contract in June. We will see what happens in the future."
If Liverpool didn't have Kolo Toure - a central defender of a similar age - then I could see the sense of signing Lescott, but the vacancy for experienced older-head in defence is already taken.
As for Phil Babb - I feel compelled to defend him a little because almost without fail, whenever his name pops up, he seems to get criticised for being a comparatively poor defender for LFC. Well, I disagree! I watched him live week-in, week-out in the mid-90s, and whilst he wasn't the greatest defender to ever grace the Anfield turf, he certainly wasn't the worst (!)
Bjorn Tore Kvarme - one of Babb's contemporaries at Anfield - was far worse, and anyone who remembers him getting dispossessed and skinned by Danny Cadamarteri in the 1997 Merseyside Derby (at Goodison) will surely agree :-)
Author: Jaimie K
I would bid 15m for Salah today. He will be amazing for us. In a year he will be worth 30m.
ReplyDeleteLescott stays put at the back Cisokho moves to support strikers and his crosses are better than any of the other left backs
ReplyDeleteHey Jaimie, what was worse than Phil Babbs first touch?
ReplyDeleteHis second touch...
Joking a side I used to love Phil Babb when I was a kid. I don't know why but I did. This sort of love for Liverpools so called "shit" players seems to have stuck with me. I know Sander Westerveld is disliked by quite a few Liverpool fans but again I loved him. I mean up until FIFA 2007/08 I used to resign for Liverpool and make him first choice or if I was at another club I would still sign him.
Then why don't you do it Brendan? ;)
ReplyDeleteI agree. We shouldnt sign a center back. But I think signing a left back is important but if (and only if) we can get someone who is actually better than what we currently have (and Cissokho is not the bench mark).. I think we should focus on buying a center half (and again if and only if he is better than what we currently have) and a marquee signing in the shape of a winger or an attacking midfielder to give coutinho much needed competition..
ReplyDeleteIf we were bringing in a defender I would like to see a dedicated left sided player. Agger out for 4 weeks I hear. It's a shame. I thought it would be too good to be true that he could remain fit throughout Christmas leading into the new year.
ReplyDeleteThis has really cheered me up. I have just realised that Aspas and Borini aren't the worst attackers we've ever had. Cissokho isn't the worst full back and Allen...........oh well you can't win them all :)
ReplyDeletejk havn"t done much postin past few months but were is Jason carr? or is he banned again ...
ReplyDeleteConsidering the injuries anyone else glad we have so many CB's?
ReplyDeleteEvery game is crucial these days and having senior players ready to fill in is helpful.
Babb is talking nonsense here like.
Banned for sniping/slagging off other posters, and engaging with my stalker (posting on his website/sending him emails I've sent JC etc)
ReplyDeleteWow. I guess I'll have to change my Disqus comment thing, I don't miss him anymore. Pretty childish from a man I would assume is in his 40's...
ReplyDeleteHe wrote like a 12 year old...but who knows, he could have been dyslexic or something. He was still a funny joy to read sometimes.
ReplyDeleteB Rodgers should strengthen the CM, DM, RWF and LWF positions this month.
ReplyDeleteThat is where we are in desperate need of class and quality, Enrique will be back at start of next month and Johnson can play at left back with Kelly at right back for time being.
1:Now a class, creative Goalscoring box to box centre midfielder is needed: Y Cabaye(27) Of Newcastle Or I Rakitic(25) Of Seville , one of these should be brought to club this month for 16-20M
How many goals has Yaya toure, Oscar scored this season from centre midfield? And how many goals as Allen or Henderson scored this season from centre midfield in games?
2: A mobile physical tough tackling defensive enforcer who gets around the pitch very well and will protect back 4 : M'Vila(23) Of Rubin Kazan Or Fernando(26) Of Porto, One of these mobile tough defensive enforcers should be brought to club for 5-12M to compete with Lucas Leiva
3 and 4; Two class creative Goal scoring wide men who can play well on either wing and regularly provide team good service and who always stretch teams away and at home.
RW / RWF: M Salah(21) Of Basel should be brought for 7-15M and in year or two he could be worth double that.
LW/LWF: B Arfa(26) Of Newcastle should be brought for 10-14M , he is an international, he is of champions league quality. And B Arfa on his day is unplayable.
B Arfa(26) and M Salah(21) would offer our club some real class and quality out wide against the best sides in league and hopefully if we get these players and get back in Champions league.
B Arfa(26) and M Salah(21) would cause any full backs in world football problems , same cannot be said about poor V Moses(22) who should be sent back to chelsea now
I agree with Jaimie, I don’t' think the LB position is the most dire position that needs filling because everyone we have put there has done a job. While I love Johnson I have to point out that even Cissokho knows how to prevent crosses coming in better than Glen; that's not to slag Glen but more to point out that our LBs are doing thier primary job pretty well and that's to defend. Our defensive frailties lie in dealing with set peices and it seems like every time Lucas gives away a foul in our final third the opposition have a good chance to score. Especially against a physical stoke side I hope we're spendng as much time defending set-peices in practice as Sterling is on his finishing.
ReplyDeleteIMO the only two absolute positions we need filling in Jan are a RW and a goalscoring mid coz we only have Sterling on that wing and dont have any of the latter period...a DM would be nice but maybe Allen's recent displays warrent giving him that place behind Lucas till the summer...
Yes, his rants against FSG for the firing of Kenny were classic. No doubt about his love for the club.
ReplyDeleteWe will finish above manu this season, by the way...
ReplyDeleteI've been wondering the same thing recently. Used to be all over the place.
ReplyDeletethere are people in Walton for less!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAre Phil Babbs balls healed yet? :)
ReplyDeleteIt might be Anton.
ReplyDeleteWhatever happened to Neil Taylor? I thought he looked excellent for Swansea when he was fit.
ReplyDeleteCould we try and pry him away from Swansea now that Davies is well established?
He surely wouldn't cost much and would be familiar with Rodgers' ways. Would provide competition with Flanno and Enrique without demanding first team football.
Babb's talking rubbish. At least Cissokho has some pace.
ReplyDeleteNo acceleration though.
ReplyDeleteBit of an update for ya, I managed to find his Disqus profile. He comments on another Liverpool site. His comment thing is "kanwar cannot handle critism" yes, critism, critism, not criticism, but critism.
ReplyDeleteReally amazes me when people fail to understand how JK approaches criticism. I've criticised JK's opinion a few times, but my comments weren't deleted, were they?
ReplyDeleteWouldn't warn Ben Arfa anywhere near Liverpool. Undoubtably talented but he disappears far too often and his work rate and tracking back is extremely poor. Has injury/fitness issues more often than not as well as a questionable attitude. Can't even get into Newcastles team these days. No thanks :)
ReplyDeleteWant*
ReplyDeleteis B Arfa(26) better than any winger we have at club? YES, would he create and score more goals than any of the wingers we have ? YES
ReplyDeleteI am sure B Arfa(26) would learn how to press and drop back if club brought him in, B Rodgers could bring D Capel(25) Of Sporting Clube De Portugal/lisbon to club instead of B Arfa(26) for 5-7M , Capel has more pace and speed than Arfa(26), but Arfa(26) scores more goals. They both would create loads of chances for the side though