Liverpool are reportedly tracking coveted Fiorentina winger Juan Cuadrado, who is being chased by a host of top clubs across Europe, including Arsenal and (inevitably) Tottenham Hotspur).
According to The Mirror:
"Bayern Munich and Arsenal are believed to have made enquiries about the skilful wide-man.
"Liverpool and Tottenham keeping tabs on his situation".
25-year old Cuadrado - nicknamed 'La Vespa' due to his powers of acceleration/sudden bursts of pace - is co-owned by both Fiorentina and Udinese, and reports in Italy this week suggest that Fiorentina want to buy-out their Serie A rivals, and take full ownership of the Colombian.
However, friction over contract terms could leave the door open for other clubs to move in a gazump the two Italian clubs. Some info about about £20m-rated Cuadrado:
* Left/right winger, but can also play as a full-back/wing-back.
* 25 appearances for the Colombia national team (3 goals)
* Averaged only 27 games per season over the last 5 years.
* 15 goals/14 assists in the last 101 apps (over 2.5 seasons).
* Goal/Assist every 3.4 games.
* This season: 7 goals/6 assists in 28 games.
* Goal/Assist every 2.1 games
Rather ironically (given the ownership situation) Cuadrado scored the winning goal against Udinese last week to send the Viola into the final of the Coppa Italia. There was a sting in the tail, though; the Colombian got booked in the dying minutes of the game, and will now miss the final. Gutted (!)
Fiorentina boss Vincenzo Montella recently laughed off reports that a €30m bid from Arsenal would be enough to prise Cuadrado away from the club, and praised the Colombian's 'unique characteristics'. He told Sky Sports Italia:
"Cuadrado is unique with his characteristics, as he scored wide left in a 4-3-3 and almost netted on the right in a 3-5-2, so he can do anything. I’m sure he’ll stay with us, then we’ll see what happens in June.”
Cuadrado's versatility is probably the main attraction for Rodgers, and with Jose Enrique's continuing injury problems, and Glen Johnson's defensive frailty, the full-back positions are in need of a serious overhaul this summer.
Worth a bid...?
Author: Jaimie K
According to The Mirror:
"Bayern Munich and Arsenal are believed to have made enquiries about the skilful wide-man.
"Liverpool and Tottenham keeping tabs on his situation".
25-year old Cuadrado - nicknamed 'La Vespa' due to his powers of acceleration/sudden bursts of pace - is co-owned by both Fiorentina and Udinese, and reports in Italy this week suggest that Fiorentina want to buy-out their Serie A rivals, and take full ownership of the Colombian.
However, friction over contract terms could leave the door open for other clubs to move in a gazump the two Italian clubs. Some info about about £20m-rated Cuadrado:
* Left/right winger, but can also play as a full-back/wing-back.
* 25 appearances for the Colombia national team (3 goals)
* Averaged only 27 games per season over the last 5 years.
* 15 goals/14 assists in the last 101 apps (over 2.5 seasons).
* Goal/Assist every 3.4 games.
* This season: 7 goals/6 assists in 28 games.
* Goal/Assist every 2.1 games
Rather ironically (given the ownership situation) Cuadrado scored the winning goal against Udinese last week to send the Viola into the final of the Coppa Italia. There was a sting in the tail, though; the Colombian got booked in the dying minutes of the game, and will now miss the final. Gutted (!)
Fiorentina boss Vincenzo Montella recently laughed off reports that a €30m bid from Arsenal would be enough to prise Cuadrado away from the club, and praised the Colombian's 'unique characteristics'. He told Sky Sports Italia:
"Cuadrado is unique with his characteristics, as he scored wide left in a 4-3-3 and almost netted on the right in a 3-5-2, so he can do anything. I’m sure he’ll stay with us, then we’ll see what happens in June.”
Cuadrado's versatility is probably the main attraction for Rodgers, and with Jose Enrique's continuing injury problems, and Glen Johnson's defensive frailty, the full-back positions are in need of a serious overhaul this summer.
Worth a bid...?
Author: Jaimie K
the two fullbacks and the mid field were all below par the cat is a good shot stopper but is glued to his line we got out of jail 2 day but hey ho 3 points when u don't play is something we will all take ,how is that clown still reffin in the epl????
ReplyDeleteThis game proved we are far from winning the title as much as you guys will say oh why, we are only four points behind? Its not about the points, Id be saying the same even if we were one point behind the leaders. Its just the depth I guess, and this catastrophic defence that is embarrassing us. Thankfully we have a strong attack, otherwise we'd been like below 10th. So stop thinking, hoping and talking about the title, its clear we wont win it. 4th chase is looking good, everton and spurs both lost, as mancs are not even in it for me.
ReplyDeleteI doubt any player coming from Serie A. The quality of that league is very poor with all the flops from La liga and EPL going there and being successful says it all really.
ReplyDeleteSaurez being a bit off form isn't a bad thing in that he'll hopefully realise this team can fire irrespective of whether he scores! His contribution is fantastic & perhaps he now sees things as a team effort now!
ReplyDeleteAlso Cissoko's solidity was missed, no matter people say:)
Off the topic, Nathan Dyer is better than Alan Johnson, the boy is underrated & contributes more!
Either put Daniel Agger on the bench or experiment by playing him as a DM. His defending for a CB is going downhill.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure but maybe Agger's ineffectiveness affected Skrtel. If possible replace both Skrtel and Agger
ReplyDeleteJaimie are you aware that this player got sent off this season for 2 dives in the same game?? If yes, I'm quite surprised you haven't mentionned it.Thought you would be against this type of player joining LFC as you were against the signing of Suarez
ReplyDeletePlease God he doesn't get injured in the run in
ReplyDeleteDid anyone else notice V Moses after Hendo score the winner, all the bench were jumping up and down, his reaction was very tepid. You can say because he doesn't play he's disheartened, look at Aspas versus Fulham.... Hope we send him packing, no passion or desire on the pitch either.
ReplyDeleteSuarez sets up a lot of chances on a plate for his teammates, but has to create his goals for himself. He's starting to look a bit pissed off.......
ReplyDeleteHe's set up a few though ;)
ReplyDeleteI moaned about our defence months ago, and got slated on this site.
ReplyDeleteIf he did, Suarez would just revert to the role he played so effectively pre-Christmas. And he didn't do too bad.
ReplyDeletePity Carragher can't have a word.
ReplyDeleteNot at full-back. Talented player though. Scored a screamer against Udinese in this cup game. Beauty.
ReplyDeleteHappy for him and Allen. No credit on MOTD for the way he kept running to follow up the shot from Suarez. And no credit for the way Allen came on and showed a bit of dynamism in midfield.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, isn't it the hallmark of a good side to win when they don't play well??
ReplyDeleteLet's not waste money on this lad. Cuadrado is rubbish, period!
ReplyDeleteSimple analysis. We're great going forward. Can't keep a clean sheet.
ReplyDeleteWe're basically playing the way Newcastle played when Keegan was in charge. Great to watch, but ultimately no trophies in the cabinet.
Unless Lucas comes back and we're willing to change our shape, for once I am agreement with BR, in that the only way forward is to continue with the same. Ever since SG has been moved into the deep lying QB role, we've had a mixture of great success interlaced with defensive frailty.
This is not to put all the blame on SG. If the goalkeeper was more commanding in the penalty area and centre backs pushed up to a slightly higher line, most (not all) of the errors we have seen could have been eradicated.
But with only 11 games to go, how much time do we have to tinker with either our formation or players, given we normally put out our strongest available players. We have no choice but to go for broke - and credit once more to BR to have taken this approach. 33 points up for grabs, and if we can get 27 (8 wins, 3 draws - Utd away, City/Chelsea home), we might just stand a chance for something greater than 4th.
You thought Flanno was below par? Did we watch the same match?
ReplyDeletePlease...spend the dough on Rakitic or someone of similar quality.
ReplyDeleteReally, when 36 year Luca Toni is second in the league scoring stats you really can't take this league too seriously.
ReplyDeleteGoal vids please!
ReplyDeleteSkrtel conceded a silly free kick which led to a goal, scored an own goal, conceded a penalty and was lucky not to get sent off. Don't know how you can describe that as a solid performance. Great 3 points tho especially with results elsewhere. Walk on!
ReplyDeleteYes, but goals win games...but clean sheets win championships.
ReplyDeleteDon't think ngoo's gonna be good enough to break into the first team
ReplyDeleteWhenever Liverpool has had a successful defensive side in past seasons, there were clear leaders(hyppia, carragher, hansen, yeats) and very good organisation at the back. No leaders at the back this season. There isn't a
ReplyDeleteDossena, Padelli, Aquilani, Borini.
ReplyDeleteNo more needs be said.
I continue to maintain that Gerrard is not a defensive midfielder and should not play there. Lucas has far more awareness. In that position he still defends like there are two other mids behind him, when there are not. Shelvey had acres of space in the first half because Gerrard got drawn in to the ball and completely lost his space and his man, he was in no mans land half the time and he was lucky for some reason Shelvey did not come out for the second half - But one hollywood long ball and everyone becomes a proponent of him being in that position.
ReplyDeleteOur defence is a shambles. Schoolboy stuff. The only defender who looked comfortable was young Flanno. It was only a matter of time before Skrtel got punished for pulling/tugging/holding etc. Now he either needs to get rid of that habit or he will get punished again and again and again!
ReplyDeleteWe seriously need Sakho back ASAP!
Other than that, 3 points and job done. Our attack is just sublime...
Onwards and Upwards!
BR gambled a bit too much at the beginning of the game with his formation. Shelvey exposed Gerrard time and time again, and if he hadn't gotten injured at half time he would have put away another chance.
ReplyDeleteAllen and Toure for me was the difference today.
Yes our attack was clinical, but solid defence's win you silverware. We can't expect to score 3/4 goals against the City's and Chelseas and let in another 3.
Agger is an incredible player, and a loyal servant to the club, but his constant injuries and frailty is stopping his momentum. Added to the fact Skrtel has been our most consistent defender, (also due to the fact he hasn't gotten injured), I don't see Agger taking his place. Toure calmed the back 4, and kept re-organizing them, especially Glen Useless Johnson who just goes on walk about's up to their box leaving gaping holes at the back. Cissoko was an awful crosser and attacking defender, but he could defend, and he did. GJ somehow misses the point in the actual defending part.
Hopefully BR learns from today. Gerrard can't do it all on his own, he needs support and against the likes of Schnierderlin, Wanyamba, Cox, Llalana, Jay Rodriguez he needs help, and Joe Allen proved his class again. Maybe even a shift in formation 4-2-3-1 with coutinho playing in the CAM where he thrives, and Hendo playing a similar role to Gerrard in the 08 season. I'm not 100% sure, as I'm not the manager but we can't play this 4-1-4-1 formation without an effective DM like Bayern do with Lahm. 4 attacking players leaves us vulnerable in the middle.
Good to see BR finally getting the respect he deserves. A season or 2 ago we would have crumbled and been beaten 4-2. But he has installed that winning mentality. The type that Man United had under Fergie, where they stole games in the dying minutes. Its that type of mentality that will bring us back to the top!
PS Sturridge reallly needs to learn to pass! FFS he is starving Suarez of chances, unfair as Suarez is setting him up regularly.
I don't agree. Agger didn't win one header against Bony yesterday, got done for pace on numerous occasions and was generally quite poor. I thought he was the one that was marking Bony for Swansea's second goal and got nowhere near him!!
ReplyDeleteWe are all very sorry!! ;)
ReplyDeleteThat 1year old you mentioned the other day also has better dribbling stats but we cannot sign every player that gets a mention in the press. i am getting bored with all these links already and we haven't even reached the summer yet.
ReplyDeleteProb is ..... thats the only way he knows how to defend - Reactive instead of Proactive and gets behind and plays the man rather than the ball . Much better at the other end of pitch ! I think any other defence in the league could do a better job with the forward line we have . It's such a shame as we have the most exciting team to watch with guaranteed goals ....... just sad that they are at both ends !
ReplyDeleteAfter watching our defending this season, i'd concentrate on getting a center half that can deal with anyone taller than 6 foot, every time a ball is put int our box it's blind panic. Mignolet hardly fills you with confidence either, flapping at crosses, indecision and failure to marshall the back four.
ReplyDeleteAlso a Defensive midfielder MUST be a priority.
Liverpool want to buy a Vespa!?
ReplyDeleteI'm impartial to Ducatis or Aprilias.
No chance sell Agger and Skrtel instead
ReplyDeleteIt's less that Skrtel can annoy because he got punished for grappling it's more that he concentrates to much on the player. He could arguably been better positioned for their second too but was concentrating on the man. Thats not a "solid performance" in my book thats one lacking in game intelligence and concentration. I really do think he has done well more often than not this season but this kind of thing bugs me. Has he benefited from being the only CB to have a full preseason and no real injuries?
ReplyDeleteI thought Agger didn't look good against Arseanal either. People said 'you expect Ox Cham to beat him for pace" but personally I think if his positioning and anticipation was better he could have done much better.
ReplyDeleteI really have issue with both Skrtel and Agger to be honest I don't think they are either very good unless at their very best. Even then there are plenty who are better.
I agree. Sometimes I think Gerrard doesn't take some opponents too seriously. They found space early on with ease and Stevie seemed to be just ambling about. He needs help from the others for sure but he certainly could have done better.
ReplyDeleteYou have clearly NEVER even seen him play
ReplyDeleteBergkamp, Henry, Viera, Coutinho, Gullit
ReplyDeleteNo doubt he's a good player. Serie A is much more entertaining than its ever been before and does have some very good players. He has always stood out whenever Ive seen Fiorentina play
ReplyDeleteI have an issue with them playing together. They dont at all seem a good partnership when they should be perfect together but everytime they play in the same team I get nervous. Skrtel has been great overall for us this season. A few mistakes have been creeping in of late but I'd still pick him over Agger. Once Sakho gets back he needs to be in the team. Missing his aerial power and tackling ability. He is also much better than any of our defenders at keeping the ball
ReplyDeleteAnd the fact he scores more than Bawlotelli says alot about how good Bawlotelli really isn't.
ReplyDeleteNot sure about this Henderson guy personally. He runs a bit funny....I think last weekend the men were separated from the boys. At the end of the season the victory of Citeh, Chelski or ourselves will be seen as one of the victories that won the title. I love this season I really do. Sure we concede a couple too many but we just always look like scoring. Every single game. When they got 3-3 I didn't panic for a minute. 18 months ago I would have thought, points gone, lead wasted. Now I just know we'll keep having a go until we break them. Teams are constantly on the backfoot against us. Sure, it backfires every once in a while but for me this is the way football should be played and how titles should be won. I maintain we will win the title this year but even if we don't, the is not a doubt in my mind we will under Rodgers. Great great manager.
ReplyDeleteI have been saying the same thing 'reactive' about Skrtel for I do not know how long!
ReplyDeleteSkrtel has done ok this season but I am just not a fan of him and never will be.
Agger is just not that good really, he's slow and makes mistakes. He needs to be sold and replaced with a right footed player to match up with Sakho.
ReplyDeleteForget the dribbler,it's an enforcer or two we need.
ReplyDeleteWhen he lost his footing he looked at the grass as if that was the problem,when he checked his studs and could find no apparent fault there he just shrugged.Out Now.
ReplyDeleteBut none natives of that country.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right.I can't stand childish stats.I wonder what were the statistics of Crazy Horse,Tommy Smith or Didi.Wise up people the only way to judge a player is long term scouting coupled with a short sharp bid then hope he settles in the area and the team.Some of these stats can confuse a player with Roy Race.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that Liverpool needs him; as a Colombian, I rather see him being brought from a team that WILL and NEED to use him. Arsenal seemed more realistically when Walcott got injured.
ReplyDeleteOh please; if Armero who is on loan with West Ham from Napoli can play well in England, I seriously doubt that Cuadrado would have an issue owning any defender in England.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever watched Ilori play football at all? The boy was brought in to be around the team for the year, maybe get integrated into the team come the end of the season, and then be our first choice RCB alongside Sakho for many years. The fact he hasn't had a look in is testament to how well Skrtel has been playing all season. Word is that he's actually hacked off the Liverpool hierarchy by asking to go out on loan when the plan was always for him to play for the reserves for the season. He's obviously got the ability but he actually has to convince BR about his attitude and whether he's happy to knuckle down and work. Bearing in mind the teams that wanted him in the summer, teams that we beat to his signature, there's no way we'll be selling him unless the coaching staff have been significantly pissed off by his attitude.
ReplyDelete