Norway legend Jan Aage Fjortoft has poured scored on Liverpool's new £10m signing Emre Can, arguing that the Reds have made a huge mistake bringing the 20-year old German midfielder to Anfield.
When asked over the weekend if he thinks Can is a 'good signing' for LFC, Fjortoft - a football analyst for Sky Sports Germany - offered the following withering assessment:
"No, he [Can] is not. I don't think he's a good signing.
"He's an average player in Germany. I can't see that he will improve LFC".
"Brendan Rodgers is a much better manager than me, so we have to trust him.
In his role for Sky, Fjortoft is basically the German football equivalent of Jamie Carragher, and spends much of his professional life watching the Bundesliga. Reds fans might not like the Norwegian's view, but he is clearly in a good position to offer an informed opinion on Can's abilities.
That said, Fjortoft's analysis conflicts with that of Anfield legends Sami Hyypia - Can's former boss - and Mark Lawrenson. In a November interview with Kicker magazine, Hyypia outlined six of the midfielder's best qualities:
"He [Can] has everything needed to play in many positions, and he is well on the way to becoming a very good player. He is incredible with the ball; has great technique, and is strong in one-on-one situations. He plays better offensively, but he can defend well"
In his column for the Liverpool Echo this week, Lawro argued that fans should be 'encouraged' that Bayern Munich wanted a buy-back clause in Can's Leverkusen contract, adding:
"I’m told he is a real industrious midfielder who has the ability to run at and take on opposing players. Can may only be 20 but he has more Champions League experience than half of the current Reds squad"
I've already outlined my minor concerns about the transfer in a different article, but it's not encouraging to hear Can described as 'average'. I have faith in Hyypia's judgement, though, and I really hope Can turns out to be a success at Anfield.
Rodgers can't afford another costly transfer mistake. £10m seems like a comparatively small figure, but all these mid-range fees ultimately add up to a huge chunk of change, and if this deal fails, serious questions will continue to be asked about the manager's judgement in the transfer market.
Author: Jaimie K
When asked over the weekend if he thinks Can is a 'good signing' for LFC, Fjortoft - a football analyst for Sky Sports Germany - offered the following withering assessment:
"No, he [Can] is not. I don't think he's a good signing.
"He's an average player in Germany. I can't see that he will improve LFC".
"Brendan Rodgers is a much better manager than me, so we have to trust him.
In his role for Sky, Fjortoft is basically the German football equivalent of Jamie Carragher, and spends much of his professional life watching the Bundesliga. Reds fans might not like the Norwegian's view, but he is clearly in a good position to offer an informed opinion on Can's abilities.
That said, Fjortoft's analysis conflicts with that of Anfield legends Sami Hyypia - Can's former boss - and Mark Lawrenson. In a November interview with Kicker magazine, Hyypia outlined six of the midfielder's best qualities:
"He [Can] has everything needed to play in many positions, and he is well on the way to becoming a very good player. He is incredible with the ball; has great technique, and is strong in one-on-one situations. He plays better offensively, but he can defend well"
In his column for the Liverpool Echo this week, Lawro argued that fans should be 'encouraged' that Bayern Munich wanted a buy-back clause in Can's Leverkusen contract, adding:
"I’m told he is a real industrious midfielder who has the ability to run at and take on opposing players. Can may only be 20 but he has more Champions League experience than half of the current Reds squad"
I've already outlined my minor concerns about the transfer in a different article, but it's not encouraging to hear Can described as 'average'. I have faith in Hyypia's judgement, though, and I really hope Can turns out to be a success at Anfield.
Rodgers can't afford another costly transfer mistake. £10m seems like a comparatively small figure, but all these mid-range fees ultimately add up to a huge chunk of change, and if this deal fails, serious questions will continue to be asked about the manager's judgement in the transfer market.
Author: Jaimie K
When has Fjortoft ever been a legend???? He obviously has some history with Emre Can and cant stop running his mouth off
ReplyDeleteWho's right? Who knows.
ReplyDeleteEveryone sees similar and different qualities then make predictions which may or may not come true.
We'll have a better idea after a few months, if he plays a part.
eum...I would give him a season but I'm told that we actually have to wait three years or so before we can form any opinion on a player. So I say we best already buy next season and the season after that targets as well. That way we won't have to wait till 2020 before we know how good they are.
ReplyDeleteJaime you're boring me now,
ReplyDeleteHere's a transfer fail for you. City are signing Fernando for 12 million pounds. 25 for Lallana still sound like a fair price?
ReplyDeleteWell, I am a bit concerned. Analysts generally don't tell negatives so bluntly, unless they are almost certain. Also, logic says, Can can't be that good for a 10m sale. Had he been someone like Khederia or Schoanstiga (!@#??!) in making, I don't think Bayern would have allowed him to go, not at least with a nut size buy back clause. Also, most top teams has very good scouting system, don't believe that BR or Ayre could pluck a gem for s low as 10m. for 10mn, he isn't a that risky investment & for that money, if he is as good as Allen, I guess we can recoup the investment, just in case. Noway, he is an Andy Carroll type howler.
ReplyDeleteHope I am proved to be wrong in course of time.
Poured scorn presumably. First senescent.
ReplyDeleteBy who? I would think 1 whole injury free season or equivalent would help people make an informed decision but Henderson has proved that that may not be enough. Perhaps just a bit of support might be helpful for our players.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it bodes well for a manager if he is buying players who do have an impact. If this trend continues, surely the owners, already unhappy about the excessive waste with the previous regime, will not tolerate it. Worse would be to fall out of contention next season, then there really will not be any hiding.
ReplyDeleteLets not forget they invested in a business to make money not to throw it away.
However, who cares what Fjortoft thinks - the proof will be in the pudding and to date Rodgers as a tactician/coach has been superb.
Yeah at £10m it may not be a risk, but the £14 paid for Aspas and Alberto, the loan deals for cissoko and Moses and that accounts for close onto £17m-18m of investment that may seem low risk but it all adds up (not forgetting the impact of these players). Add £10m for Can to £18m and that is close to £30m. I know it is not as simple as this but I would rather invest funds for proven world class players than low risk low impact players.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that I do not think this is a bad signing, though my preference would have been prejo.
Yeah we heard the same about Sturidge and Couthino funny thing is the ones that we were told was going to do something did not. Enough of the BR did not give them a chance. They train everyday question is what are they not showing the coaching staff??? That guy contradict himself by saying he is not good enough but then say BR is a better coach than the one he is playing under. So which is which??
ReplyDeleteI'm sure he'll become an even better player under Rodgers. Still, as a Champions League side, we need to sign 'marquee' players. There is still time.
ReplyDeleteYeah, that doesn't sound good. The thing is, he's young, will start as a squad player, and can grow into the role that we've needed to strengthen for some time. Still, a lot of money spent.
ReplyDeleteHyypia has managed him, and is perhaps more in the know concerning Can. Not sure to what extent Fjortoft has watched him, but what is shared by both comments is the fact that Can is far from the finished article, but we already knew that. Getting young, promising players and nurturing them to fit into a dynamic, exciting up and coming team seems to be the right way to go, so we'll have to wait and see, and try not to judge him straightaway.
ReplyDeleteHenderson has proved nothing. He's IM-proved but that doesn't mean he's become as important to the team as the likes of Sturridge and Coutinho. If Henderson has proved players come good, Allen, Downing, Cole etc have proved that they don't.
ReplyDeleteBR is a good manager, hope he bring out the best of Can
ReplyDeleteso fernando is a cdm
ReplyDeletelallana is a cam
sodid bayern munich not release ozil , hummels as well ?
ReplyDeletebarca release a lot of good players as well then buy them
i think his situation was simmilar to suso now
I do not have a clue while we clearly are not going to sign Rakitic?
ReplyDeleteYou unfortunately are the one who cannot see the reality of the situation yet keep on posting the same thing every single day when other people have given you the same message as I have.
I recall similar comments the last two transfer windows.......
ReplyDeleteWho is Fjortoft? The media are supposed to create debate. so ye not worried about this persons opinion. Can looks like a tough cookie, something we lack if we compare to allen, coutinho.
ReplyDelete:P
ReplyDeleteB Rodgers is a good manager but he says now we are in Champions league he can attract better players. Well he should stop bringing in players who may or may not cut it. We need Three attacking players in 2 world class players and 1 class quality player along with 4 class quality defensive players.
ReplyDeleteB Rodgers needs to spend £60m on these three attacking players:
1: CM: I Rakitic(26) Of Seville for £18-£28M
2: RW / RWF: A Sanchez(25) Of Barcelona for £22-£25M
3: LW / LWF: D Capel (25) Of Sporting Clube De Portugal for £4-£7M
And then B Rodgers needs to ship out these players ASAP ASAP:
GK: B Jones(32) GK: P Reina(31)
CB: S Coates(23) CB: K Toure(33) RB: M Kelly(23)
DM: L Leiva(27) AM: L Alberto(21) RW: O Assaidi(25)
FD: I Aspas(26) FD: F Borini(22)
To make space for these 4 Defensive players: GK CB RB LB
4:GK: M Vorm(30) Of Swansea for £3-£5M
5:CB: D Lovren(24) Of Southampton for £10-£16M
6 RB: S Aurier(21) Of Toulouse for £5-£8M
7: LB: B Davies(20) Of Swansea for £4-£7M
No serious question needs to be asked about transfer judgment. As we can see the FSG politics about transfer is to bring in young perspective players for a small fee who can be developed with time (years). This way of recruiting is cheap but also risky. You can not know what some perspective player will turn out to be after 1-2 seasons. Success or flop. At age 20 all they have is (huge) talent and that is what FSG/Rodgers are buying. Therefore it's fair to give them/him time and judge a little later.
ReplyDeleteMuch easier and safe is buying proven players with experience, of course. But their price would be then much higher, 15M or even more...
Here lies the crux of the argument. If you can't see just how important Henderson was then we are never going to agree. Personally I think..So there is no point. We should go back and believe the other knows nothing and not even try to convince the other of anything. But that is football. We talk like it's facts but it's far more open to.interpretation than that.
ReplyDeletePlus much higher wages.
ReplyDeleteGot to say I rate Allen more and more as time goes on
ReplyDeleteThe idea is also if they do flop younger players are easier to move on. Unlike Joe cole
ReplyDeleteYes they can be recycled (sorry I'll get my coat - again!)
ReplyDeleteWhos wages we had to supplement just to get him off our books. Or Aquilani were we had to do the same.
ReplyDeleteNever understood why aquilani never got a run of games. Looked good to me in preseason. Produced some killer passes of course it didn't work every time
ReplyDeleteI trust Honigstein ahead of Fjortoft. He's usually very balanced.
ReplyDeleteHe was a legend for Swindon... I'm sorry, I just choked on my dinner.
ReplyDeleteOf all the analysts that have talked about Emre Can, Fjortoft is the only one who has said bad things about him. He starred for Bayer Leverkusen, helped them clinch a CL spot, he is talked up as being very similar to Bastian Schweinsteiger as well as Michael Ballack and both Karl-Heinz Rumenigge, chairman of Bayern and former two-time European Footballer of the Year as well as Rudi Voller, sporting director of Bayer Leverkusen, as well as Sami Hyypia have all sung his praises. I am not in the least bit concerned about one "expert's" analysis. Bayern Munich let Bayer Leverkusen sign Can with a buyback clause to gain first team experience and then with the hope of resigning him. For Bayer Leverkusen, while playing in a defensive midfielder role, he scored 4 and got a further 4 assists, this is pretty impressive for a 20 year old. Can has all the potential to be just as good as Khedira, if not better, as Khedira is a defensive midfielder, but that is pretty much his only position, whereas Can can play a number of positions, is very good technically, is very composed, has a very good passing range. He is going to become a top notch player and whether he chooses Germany or Turkey as the nation to represent, he will be a vital member of the national squad for many years to come.
ReplyDeleteActually, Bayern Munich did not sell Ozil, as Ozil has never played for them, he was signed by Real Madrid from Werder Bremen, who had in turn signed him from Schalke.
ReplyDeleteI hope you copy & paste this stuff :)
ReplyDeleteBut not a good shopper.
ReplyDeleteEmre Can is has been bought to be the understudy of Gerrard, as Gerrard won't be playing every game this season, then he is going to make an impact. I believe this is a very shrewd signing by Rodgers, Emre Can is definitely a player for the future, but with the way his season at Bayer Leverkusen went, he is also a player for the now as well. You say FSG invested in a business to make money. The manager they handpicked in his second season took them to the brink of winning the title and have just offered Rodgers a new contract, this despite signing players who have no impact in your opinion. This means they trust in Rodgers.
ReplyDeleteThe name of the game now is 'Instant Success'.I think Rodgers is naive in talking about developing players,especially with the inexperience of the club coaches.
ReplyDeleteNo, we don't need to sign 'marquee' players as those type of players come with a primadonna ego, extremely high wages and an extremely high risk. It is much better to create world class players who have a hunger to play for us, which is what we constantly do, than players who are already world class players and have no real motivation to play for us. A star team is much better than a team of stars.
ReplyDeleteWhy do we need instant success? As a starting 11, we are just as good if not better than anybody, but we have players like Gerrard who are getting on, therefore we need players who will take the club forward in the future. This is not naive, this is smart.
ReplyDeleteIvan Rakitic is as good as a Barcelona player, they are reportedly in the process of finalising a 20m euro deal. Alexis Sanchez would be nice, but with all the clubs that are after him, his pricetag will no doubt go up to 30-35m, he is not worth that much. Diego Capel is extremely overrated and apparently has a bad attitude and is extremely inconsistent. Why would you sell Borini? We need 4 strikers and you haven't mentioned another striker we should buy, if we sell Aspas and Borini, then we only have 3 strikers, with the amount of games we have, especially with Lambert being 32 and Sturridge getting injuries, we need Borini. By all accounts except for Fjortoft, Emre Can is going to be a world class player in the future, he already has a Champion's League medal and is only 20. Why do we need to buy Serge Aurier when we have Glen Johnson, Jon Flanagan, Martin Kelly, Andre Wisdom and Ryan McLaughlin in that position. As far as LB, we have Brad Smith, we are about to sign Moreno and let's not forget, we still have Jose Enrique. Let's face it, we scored 101 goals in the Premier League last season, the attacking positions are not our priority. Rodgers needs to be smart in who he buys and if he can get players of the potential of Emre Can for around 10m, that is far better than paying 30m for a player who has never played in the Premier League before and may not be able to adapt. It would be nice to buy some world class players, but we have to find the right ones for us that fit into our style of play rather than buying a player just for their name and changing our whole style of play to suit that player. Our team is already has it's own dynamics, the player or players we sign need to be able to fit into our dynamics, rather than have our dynamics change for the player.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't quite call Fjortoft a legend by the way...
ReplyDeleteI disagree with you. Borini had an injury hit first season with us but this season on loan played a crucial role for Sunderland helping them reach the final of the League Cup, including scoring in the final, helping them reach the semi-final of the FA Cup, and helped them avoid relegation, scoring some goals in big games. I believe he has a role to play for us for years to come. Alberto was clearly bought for the future as was Ilori, who spent the season on loan at Granada, again helping them stay up and earning rave reviews, including an excellent game against Barcelona. Rumenigge, Voller and Hyypia who have all worked with this player very closely have raved about him and have likened him to Schweinsteiger and Ballack due to his ability to defend and also attack. I see him as our eventual first team defensive midfielder or even the left-sided midfielder in the diamond.
ReplyDeleteAnd? That means that he should cost 10 million more?
ReplyDeleteSo to you Henderson is currently performing as a 20 million pound player and he doesn't need to improve further?
ReplyDeleteOr maybe because time goes on :-)
ReplyDeleteWhy did Chelsea let Sturridge go for £12M? And Inter let Coutinho go for £8,5M? So according to you Carroll must be one of the best strikers in the world as we bought him for £35M?
ReplyDeleteDiego Capel is no better than any other attacking player in our current squad. Not even Assaidi.
ReplyDeleteDONT THINK WE NEED HIM
ReplyDeleteI'm Henderson was an integral part to us almost winning the league. Can he improve? Yes of course. Who would not benefit from improving? After Suarez and Sturridge he was our best player last year. Arguably most consistent player all year. What is a £20m player (and I'm sure it was less than that) supposed to be doing? What Soldado did? What Aquilani did? The list can go on. If your one of these people who judge a player on goals and assists then like I say we will have to agree to disagree.
ReplyDeleteNeither. Crna Gora. Montenegro.
ReplyDeleteThat is one way to go but BR has said that this window he wants players who can take the club forward and make an immediate impact in the team - not just squad players, To my mind that suggests higher value tried and tested players.
ReplyDeleteIf he ends up warming the bench and we do not bring Lallana/Markovic or some other top player BR wants, his fee is enormus.
ReplyDeleteI think you have reached everybody now with this post.
ReplyDeleteI was in the post office the other day and the woman in front collecting her pension said to her friend I see Twistadee is going on about Rakitic again doesn't he know he's going to Barcelona? Her friend said "who? Twistadee or Rakitic" but I felt I had to stick up for you and said I am sure that Twistadee has a much better understanding of the intricacies and complexities of the international football transfer market than either of us. Her friend added helpfully that Barcelona was nice at this time of year.........
Yes we "can" always recycle them
ReplyDeleteHenderson is much, much more important to the team than Coutinho. Coutinho does not play good so we take Sterling and put him there(out of position) and we're good. Henderson gets a red card- we fall apart.
ReplyDeleteHe actually said pretty much that, that it was down to him, not the handball. Also said if it were him he'd do the same thing. Think the "hate" bit got thrown out of context a bit.
ReplyDeleteExcatly.
ReplyDeleteThat was a good one, ha ha ha ha. I am just shocked at how B Rodgers has not gone for I Rakitic(26).
ReplyDeleteI Rakitic(26) is available, the deal is in place but it has not been signed. Didn't we have deals in place for Eriksen, Mkhitryan, Willian and Salah? But where did they all end up? Not at Anfield
I Rakitic(26) is a world class footballer, he is only midfielder who is in same calibre and class as Gerrard(34) and Suarez(27)
S Gerrard(34) is over played for sole fact what we have in reserve is not good enough to have him on the bench. I Rakitic(26) would be better signing for club than A Lallana(26)
Allen(24), Lucas(27) and Henderson(23) all do a similar role, but Henderson has the edge on the two due to his fitness, his good at pressing and winning, Other than that they are all descent passers, all do not create or score enough goals. ( All have poor games to goals ratio)
I Rakitic(26) should have been snared to club with last minute bid, so many clubs have nicked players off us. Yet B Rodgers is doing nothing we need I Rakitic(26) more than Barcelona do. They have more class and quality in their engine room than us, B Rodgers take your finger out.
Yep i didnt think he could get a game in a 3rd division side side at the start of the season, now i am fairly confident he would get a game in the championship.
ReplyDeleteD Capel(25) is a much better player than Alberto, Assaidi and Aspas he is a class quality winger.
ReplyDelete4Years ago the reason Seville used to cause Barcelona and Real Madrid so many problems was because of the class, quality, pace, speed and trickery that had on each wing.
Jesus Navas on right wing and D Capel on Left wing and for 4 years now i used to mention we should have brought both of them to club. But last season Man City snared Navas and he was very good for them, he shined in some games and struggled also. But i a sure this season he will be better
A Deal is in place for 20 Euros= £16.18M in pounds sterling. B Rodgers should offer £18M for I Rakitic(26) and see what happens. I Rakitic(26) would be a better buy than A Sanchez(25), Sanchez is class, quality but if he does not get the supply he can't hurt teams. I Rakitic(26) bosses, dictates and dominates things in the centre of park.
ReplyDeleteWe need to buy S Aurier(21) as G Johnson(29) wants new contract and is not getting one so he plays like his heart is not in it anymore, M Kelly is injury prone and for last 3 seasons has been on treatment table for 90% of the last three seasons he should be shipped out.
A Wisdom(20) and J Flannagan(21) are descent full backs but does B Rodgers trust either enough to be first choice right back.
D Capel(25) is not over rated he is class, quality winger with experience in europe and a fully fit injury free Capel would trouble any full back in world football 1 vs 1.
Borini(22) is a mid table team striker, he did well at Sunderland as that is his level. Borini is wanted by Sunderland, so we should ship him out and get £9-£11M off them.
A Sanchez(25) is class quality player but if Barcelona think they can buy players for Bargain basement prices then stiff world with inflated fees for their players they are stupid. And B Rodgers should offer no more than £26M for A Sanchez(25)
If wishes were horses!!!! *big sigh*
ReplyDeleteI admire your persistence but I don't think it's that simple. Nevertheless I understand that if you are able to get up a petition with 100,000 signatures the Government has to act. So I have started a petition for Rakitic to join Liverpool and have got all of my friends to sign it as well. I now only need another 99,998 signatures and we're in business........
ReplyDeleteWhen Brazil won the world cup in 94 after not winning for some time, Dunga (very unfashionable Brazilian player) was one of the reasons why they won. It was one of the first times Brazil had played with two defensive midfielders in front of their back four.
ReplyDeleteMost of Brazil wasn't best pleased during the build up of the tournament as this went against their main attacking principles.
Dunga was the rock which allowed players such as Bebeto and Romario to express themselves eventually beating Italy on penalties.
Now you can't say that because Romario and Bebeto are £x millions that for Dunga to be as important as those two, his skill set should match?
It doesn't make sense Eric I'm afraid to say, Henderson was vital and if you ask the question how much would you pay to have a player play at such a consistent level, integral to the teams performances and victories, leading us to second, top for a good few weeks, I'd say £20m is a fair price. The fact is, we bout Couts and Sturridge at bargain basement prices, for their abilities.
I won't sign the petition but will be your mate. Sounds like you need some more.
ReplyDeleteAt the same time, we need to add depth to the squad, which is also what he is doing. He is also about to buy Moreno who is going to be a starter in the LB position, there are also reports he is going for Xherdan Shaqiri, if this is true, this is another player who can walk into the first team. You've got to remember, it's only June and in a World Cup year, we have gotten 2 deals done and dusted, we have til the end of August to wrap up more deals. I have faith in Rodgers.
ReplyDeleteHow many are they going to keep bringing in more likely needing a season or two to show their true value.
ReplyDeleteThe club is playing C.L it is so much about the now every team is strengthening the club needs proven performers ATM.
For that amount, Rakitic would want to be a starter, but who would he displace? Gerrard? Henderson? Coutinho? I don't think he would displace either of those. Rodgers clearly trusts Flanagan as he played him out of position all season, that shows a huge amount of trust. Diego Capel is overrated. He is way too inconsistent. Borini also did well at Roma who are a top tier team in Italy, so your claims fall flat. He is an intelligent player, he can easily be a 10-15 goal a season striker. He is young, at 22 he is yet to reach his prime, he knows the Rodgers style of play and we need depth, therefore we should keep him. As far as Alexis Sanchez goes, it's not a matter of inflated prices, it's a matter of a bidding war. You say that we should outbid Barcelona for Rakitic, this is exactly what clubs are going to do for Sanchez, thus upping the price, it has nothing to do with the club selling. So, we outbid Barcelona for Rakitic, you think they are going to be nice and let us get Sanchez for cheap when other clubs who will pay more want him? They are a business, why wouldn't they want the most they can get for him? Get real, this isn't Football Manager or Fifa 14, this is real life, football clubs are businesses and players are assets who the clubs want to get the most for. If you think otherwise, you are naive.
ReplyDeleteAspas and Alberto are not wingers, Aspas is a striker and Alberto is an attacking midfielder, so yes, Capel is a better winger than these two. And with Capel at Sevilla was 4 years ago, what has he done since? He hasn't gone on to bigger and better things, no disrespect to the Portuguese league, but he has gone to a weaker league and isn't setting the league alight. If he was so good, he would be worth more than 5m, a 26 year old winger who is as good as you say would be worth 10-15m at least, not 5m. And if he was so good at Sevilla, why is it he wasn't in the Spanish squad, but Jesus Navas was. Not only this, but when Sporting Lisbon bought him, they bought him for 6m euro, which again means he can't be that good. Not only this, he is a winger and yet during his time at Sevilla, in 126 appearances, he only scored 6 goals. In 78 appearances for Sporting Lisbon, he has only scored 10 goals. He's not prolific at all.
ReplyDeleteYou say that Henderson doesn't score enough goals. Henderson is 23. Let's go with comparison. When Rakitic was 23, being the 2011-12 season, he played 36 games, the most games he has played in any season. And how many goals did he score in that season? 0, that's right, no goals scored in La Liga that season in 36 games. That is hardly world class. Why is it then that Henderson at 23 is considered not good enough by you? Why do you say we need Rakitic more? Didn't we score or create enough goals last season?
ReplyDeleteHenderson is more important that Coutinho and is up there with Sturridge, we really struggle without Henderson's energy and his ability to get forward but also get back and stop the opposition.
ReplyDeleteErr when you say you don't believe that BR or Ayre could pluck a gem for s low as 10m, how about Sturridge and Coutinho ?
ReplyDeleteThat's not just because of Henderson though. That is because Lucas and Allen are his backup..
ReplyDeleteEven his victims are... they probably consider it an honor.
ReplyDeleteImagine the guy who let him wear his own face! Instant celebrity!
Tried to respond to this twice yesterday but neither time worked for some reason. Simply put, It wasn't moaning about rumors.
ReplyDeleteHAHAHA
ReplyDeleteI'm usually a gent on the pitch but there's nothing more annoying than the overdone celebration of a has-been striker scoring a penalty kick.
Suarez broke the rules by taking away Ghana`s semi final place to give to his own team who were inferior on the day. To all those that say `well Gyan/Ghana were not cheated out of the semis because Gyan missed the penalty` - Why was a team that had chalked a goal ( 100% chance goal conversion) have their valid goal suddenly removed and then asked to try and score again via a penalty? ( 50% chance goal conversion). Ghana shouldnt have been asked to take a penalty in the first place . The goal should have stood and suarez shouldve either have walked or be yellow carded. Akin to a liverpool goal being chalked off and then the ref saying actually we will make you have to try and score again . The ref fcuked up but this wouldnt have happened if Suarez didt cheat. If the game is going against you and you unfairly break the rules knowing what you are doing then you are a cheat end of.
ReplyDeleteExactly. I keep trying to tell Mrs C it wasn't cheating but will she let me back into the marital bed.......
ReplyDeleteRegarding Ayew who i know very well. It depends what kind of player you want Rogers to sign. By his standards Ayew played within himself last season and suffered a long term injury the 2nd half of last season. Potential wise hes not arrogant and is nothing like Ben Arfa. He always works hard for the team especially tracking back and closing players down. Anyone that questions his quality be aware that hes one of Ghana`s top performers regularly and regularly performs against top teams when it counts. Attributes Fast , elusive and tends to glide with the ball. Can play across the front 3 and wide left or right. Dont believe me watch this cup. He definately has the attributes to compete at the highest level. His recent form has been down to injury and motivation waning at Marseilles. Generally hes a good lad and will get the job done if he knows his manager believes in him.
ReplyDeleteLet's be real about this. I am a Liverpool fan and I love Suarez as a footballer and an integral part of the Liverpool football club. But that does not take away from the fact that he cheated. Even if Gyan had scored that penalty, that would not take away from the fact that he cheated.
ReplyDeleteKeep on fooling yourself.
ReplyDeletelallana is brittish
ReplyDeleteYour trying to compare J Henderson(23) to I Rakitic(26) are you mad.
ReplyDeleteI love our team but apart from Henderson's fitness, mobility, pace and pressing game he does not create enough or score enough goals.
We need I Rakitic(26) more next season because we will be playing against world class teams and world class midfielders In champions league, so we are going to need more than Henderson's pressing skills to win and dominate games.
And we need goals from centre midfield, what if L Suarez(27) and D Sturridge(24) do not score half as much as they scored last season? where else are the goals coming from? If we don't get enough penalties S Gerrard(34) will struggle to get on score sheet playing his new role. And in Allen, Henderson and Lucas there is lack of class goals and quality in attack.
Gaz,
ReplyDeleteD Capel(25) will offer the club more class, quality and goals to side/squad than both Alberto and Aspas. D Capel has pace, speed to burn with quality, skill and great delivery.
Coutinho(21) struggled at Inter Milan, D Sturridge(24) couldn't shine at Chelsea or Man City but they are shining for us.
At end of day, he is experienced, he is mobile, pacey and quick, he is technically good/sound and he play anywhere in attack so he would be great signing.
Ah right, fair enough. The headlines can be a bit click-bait-y but I suppose that's what you need to get the hits on the internet, so saturated is the media landscape.
ReplyDeleteI suppose so, since Ray Liotta was happy to have his own brain served to him just so he could spend a little time with the good Doctor Lecter.
ReplyDeleteGaz, I Rakitic(26) would be a starter straight away. The person who would be dropped is Coutinho(21), Coutinho(21) is class quality player but too inconsistant.
ReplyDeleteD Capel(25) is not over rated at all, he is a very good winger. Just he plays for the best international team in world for last 4 years, who have players like Mata, Cazorla, Michu, Pedro, Isco, Koke, J Martinez, Herrera and Munian who cannot get in first team.
But if B Rodgers brings him to Anfield this summer, he would be a hit for club and he would force his way into spains national side next season. Like Navas them two are only spanish players , who offer real pace speed out wide and stay out wide if need be who are very direct with skill trickery and excellent delivery.
Sorry, but that's not true. The poster was moaning about transfer rumours, and suggested that the headline was 'fabricated', which is complete and utrter nonsense.
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing wrong with the headline. I argue in the article that signing Ayew may cause conflict with Suarez; it may be at the end of the post, but it's the crux of the point.
If people have a problem with transfer rumours, they can go to some other site. They don't have to come here. Transfers are a part of football, whether people like it or not, and fans love discussing transfer speculation.
Logan, what is annoying is Seville have put the price of 20 euros= 16:18M on their best player head.
ReplyDeleteYet are trying to mug us off saying they want £18M for an unknown untested young spanish left back.
I am gutted we did not go for I Rakitic(26) as he is world class player we could have brought to club for under £20M.
I hope B Rodgers spend £40M trying to bring in these two players from A Bilbao instead of I Rakitic(26) and Sanchez(26) now:
These two players are both young class quality players who are step below but are better than we currently have at club and would bring real class quality youth to squad:
CM: A Herrera(24) for £17-£22M
RW/AM: I Munian(21) for £15-£18M
Well to be clear, I have no problem with the rumors posted. In fact, I find it refreshing to a) have a central location to find some interesting topics, and b) to be able to discuss with other fans.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I didn't notice the moaning about rumors. I just agreed with the point about the headline from the perspective of it didn't seem to fit with the rest of the story, and thus (in my opinion) was somewhat forced.
I appreciate what you bring day in and day out and the opportunity that you provide to fans such as myself, yourself, and others to debate and discuss.
Henderson is much more important than coutinho. It is no coincidence that we went on an amazing winning streak, then only won 1 game when Henderson was absent. (Chelsea- lost, Norwich- win, CPA-draw) his relentless pressing was dearly missed throughout his absence. Whereas coutinho was regularly dropped to the bench due to his importance to the squad not being up to scratch.
ReplyDeleteSo what I'm trying to say is that you simply cannot compare Henderson and coutinho because Hendo would win any day.
more like bellend
ReplyDeleteThank you for your intelligent response to add to the discussion overall. We have all benefited from it and will be able to cite your response as critical for years to come to convey your clear point of view.
ReplyDeleteDepends... have you also been accused as a diver, a cheat, and a cannibal?
ReplyDeleteDid you watch our games at the end of the season was Henderson was banned?
ReplyDeleteWe are definitely better with him in the team...that's how you judge a player!
Top teams remain top teams by signing top players. Nothing new about that. Barcelona have just signed Rakitic from Sevilla at an incredibly low price. He is a phenomenal player - absolutely scintillating. Gives Barça a huge edge unless Real can come up with a marquee signing - might make then desperate to get Suarez.
ReplyDeleteAfter Suarez and Sturridge he certainly was NOT the best player last year. Nor anything like it! Skrtel and Gerrard were far better. Skrtel, in fact, is the only defender Liverpool have who is really any good.
ReplyDeleteFunny, I started off with a very low opinion of him and it gets lower every time I see him play. Take a look at Rakitic and you'll see what a midfield player should be like. Allen's main problem is that he can't actually do anything.
ReplyDeleteMaybe they didn't express themselves so well if they only won on penalties.
ReplyDeleteFantasy land comment.
ReplyDeleteHere we are, gearing up for the favourite Liverpool comment of all time: It's about transition this season. Give him six months. Give him another six months. Give him a year. Don't judge him yet. Next season will be different. Oh dear God - don't LFC fans ever get tired of repeating the same tosh year after year? If Moyes had been given the job at Liverpool he'd have been there for four or five years and there would still have been morons on the Kop with banners saying 'In Moyes we trust.' United realised that they had screwed up and chopped him. That's the difference and it is absolutely crucial.
ReplyDeletewhich so called legend how can you call some one a legend and I've personally never heard of him, just another heap of useless journalism
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry mate but that is nonsense.
ReplyDeleteBig fan of Johnson, are you? Or maybe the Sack is your man. Good Lord - open your eyes! The defence is laughable. They did so well because Suarez ( particularly ) and Sturridge played brilliantly and scored a stack of goals.
ReplyDeleteThey fell apart because Gerrard fell over. It really is that simple. Henderson had nothing to do with it. I'm not criticising Stevie - he had a great season. But that's the reason they fell apart.
ReplyDeleteIf you think Henderson is so good watch what he does for England this World Cup. My guess is...sod all. And watch how much interest there is in signing him from Barcelona or Real. My guess is...none at all. When you've just signed Rakitic you hardly need Hendo. At least I will admit one thing - he's twice the player Lucas is. But who isn't?
ReplyDeleteI feel it brewing... We have a quality manager and Kanwar just can't help but try to stir up some nonsense.
ReplyDeleteWell done for not using the words "blasts" or "slams" in your headline though.
Let's put this into context. 10 mill he's adding to the numbers. He's not the main signing he's there for depth and to develop.
You need to calm down Jamie.
G
Rakitic is a fantastic player and you don't think he should displace Henderson? If Hendo even dreamed he was as good as Rakitic he would wake up and apologise. Do you actually know ANYTHING about football? Have you ever played a game?
ReplyDeleteHendo is a water carrier - Rakitic is pure class. What the hell do you think a top club like Barcelona bought him for? Did they try to buy Henderson?
Genuinely didn't notice before. You did use the word "blasts"! Ha ha! Go and write for the S*n you amateurish hack!
ReplyDeleteHa ha!
G
Please explain what you define "cheating" as... I'm not going to say you are wrong until you explain that to me. If it means simply breaking the rules, then yes he very much so cheated. If it means giving a team an unfair advantage (this is the definition I personally believe), then no he most certainly did not. Suarez was caught and punished, so his team received no advantage whatsoever, even if he did break the rules. Heck he actually gave Uruguay a disadvantage making them go down to 10 men.
ReplyDeleteThat is such an easy (and infinitely wrong) point to make. Sure Henderson did not play against Chelsea or Crystal Palace but it's silly to claim that had he done so, we would have won. Our tactics were wrong against both sides and there is no way Henderson would have forced his way through a wall of Chelsea players nor had he prevented three goals against CP.
ReplyDeletePlus, with Henderson in the team, Liverpool still conceded 3 goals-apiece to Everton, Cardiff, Swansea, Stoke, Hull, and lost 6 games overall.
ReplyDeleteMy eyes are brother. I know generally how many chances players created, what players were doing on and off the ball including exchanging positions,tracking players, closing down opposition,closing down in the opposition half. I'm aware of the world's and team goals. I'm aware that without Hendon Gerrard would have been overrun many times. Like I said to Eric if your judging players on goals and assists then we are best agreeing to disagree. Either you only watched the highlights or Don't really watch the game
ReplyDeleteEither way we disagree. That I'd fine.
The topics are interesting and provide the opportunity to debate without red tinted glasses on all the time. Keep it up.
ReplyDeleteAs strikers, scoring goals is the job of Suarez and Sturridge. As a midfielder, they have many more responsibilities. They cover a lot more ground, they defend a lot more and in a box to box role, they have to have an incredible stamina, all of which Henderson does extremely well, so much so he is in the World Cup squad with a distinct possibility of starting beside Gerrard. Oh, so maybe Henderson wasn't as good as Gerrard or Skrtel last season, but when Gerrard was out injured, Henderson came to the fore and Gerrard wasn't missed, however when Henderson was out, he was incredibly missed. That has to be the biggest compliment and the biggest proof of how integral he is to the side.
ReplyDeleteIt would be interesting to see how Rakitic would fair in the Premier League, which is a faster paced league than La Liga. Would he sink or swim? Impossible to say at the moment.
ReplyDeleteGerrard didn't fall over against Crystal Palace though.
ReplyDeleteSo what you are saying is that when Arsenal bought Cesc Fabregas, he was an instant success? When Man Utd bought Cristiano Ronaldo, he was an instant success? They were bought as future stars and guess what? They became future stars. Are you saying Rodgers should have been sacked after his first season? Are saying he should still be sacked now?
ReplyDeleteI'm not saying Rakitic isn't a fantastic player, I have rated him since I first saw him play at Basel, with our local hero Scott Chipperfield. Rakitic has no experience playing in the Premier League, he may very well take the league by storm, but he also might need a season or so to settle, which in your stated opinion means he would be a flop. Hendo is 3 years younger than Rakitic, when Rakitic was 23, he played 36 league games for Sevilla and scored 0 goals and ok, so this was in a side that had Jesus Navas and Alvaro Negredo, but with the talent we have, as a 23 yr old, Henderson out performed Rakitic when Rakitic was a 23 yr old. And do I actually know anything about football? Have I ever played the game? Why yes, I actually played for the New South Wales Academy of Soccer at the same time Harry Kewell was there, so yes, I have played football and know quite a bit about football. Yes, I am Australian. And why do I not play football now? Simple, I am a biologist instead. I still follow Liverpool and football in general very closely though. Do you even support Liverpool? If you do, why then are you so insulting towards our players? As a true Liverpool supporter, we are meant to support our players 100%. The fact is, we finished 2nd last season and played some of the best football not only in the Premier League, but in the world and Henderson was a vital member of our side. Did Barcelona try to buy Henderson, probably not, but no one can say 100% whether they did or not. That is not to say that Henderson is a very good player. Barcelona never tried to buy Alessandro Del Piero for instance, does this mean Del Piero was not anywhere near as good as Patrick Kluivert? Frankly your reasoning is nonsensical.
ReplyDeleteFour years ago when you state he was so good at Sevilla, Michu, Isco, Koke, Herrera and Muniain were not even on the scene, so he would have had a much better chance at getting into the side, the fact is, he has only played for the full national side twice and both were friendlies. Sterling is an English player who offers real pace out wide. One thing Sterling has that Capel doesn't have is strength, not to mention his defending ability. You say we should be spending money on players worth large amounts and then you put Capel in there as well. I would rather spend more moeny and buy Juan Quintero than pay 4m and buy Capel.
ReplyDelete