Left-back continues to be a problem position for Liverpool, and with moves for Alberto Moreno and Ryan Bertrand still hanging in the balance, Brendan Rodgers has reportedly switched his attention to Ben Davies, who is the latest in a seemingly never-ending list of Swansea City players linked with summer moves to Anfield.
According to The Telegraph this week:
* Liverpool contacted Swansea on Wednesday to discuss the possibility of signing Davies.
* Both Liverpool and Spurs are prepared to meet the Welsh club's £10m valuation.
The Reds have been linked with Davies several times over the last six months:
* FEB 2014: TalkSport claimed that Liverpool were 'heading the chase' to sign Davies.
* APR 2014: The Express claimed that the Reds - along with Man City, Arsenal, and Atletico Madrid - were monitoring Davies' progress.
When asked recently about interest from big clubs, 20-year old told Devies reporters:
"It is nice to hear because it clearly means you must be doing something right. It's got to be a boost for your confidence but it's not going to turn my head".
Davies then admitted that he has his eye on a move to a bigger club:
"I am ambitious about playing at the highest level [and] if you put performances in to the best of your ability, things will take care of themselves".
Brendan Rodgers will know Davies well from his time managing Swansea City, and given the LFC boss's penchant for pursuing his ex-players, it will be no surprise if Davies ultimately ends up at Anfield.
Davies is also (potentially) versatile, which will no doubt get Rodgers' pulse racing. Prior to being sacked, former Swansea boss Michael Laudrup suggested that he could easily switch position in the future. He told the South Wales Evening Post:
"In the future, Ben can be a good left-footed centre-back. He is getting stronger in the air and physically he is getting stronger as well, and left-footed centre-backs are hard to find".
Former Wales winger Leighton James is also impressed with Davies, and after the youngster extended his Swansea contract in December, he raved:
"To have achieved what Ben's achieved in such a short space of time is phenomenal [and] to see Swansea produce another top-class youngster who's extended his contract with the club and committed himself is good news."
With 84 appearances for Swansea in the last two seasons, Davies has decent Premier League experience, and he's racked up significantly more game-time than Bertrand, which is clearly a positive. Additionally, compared to Luke Shaw - who cost Man Utd a ridiculous £33m - Davies is a comparative bargain.
Is Davies capable of going straight into LFC's first team and making a difference? If he can play well for Swansea and keep his place, then he's well equipped to do well at Liverpool. He's definitely an upgrade on the now-departed Aly Cissokho, which means the squad will immediately be strengthened.
On a related note, is Luke Shaw - who is two years younger - £23m better than Davies? No chance (IMO), and it's possible that if Davies signs, he could end up being a better deal overall.
Author: Jaimie K
According to The Telegraph this week:
* Liverpool contacted Swansea on Wednesday to discuss the possibility of signing Davies.
* Both Liverpool and Spurs are prepared to meet the Welsh club's £10m valuation.
The Reds have been linked with Davies several times over the last six months:
* FEB 2014: TalkSport claimed that Liverpool were 'heading the chase' to sign Davies.
* APR 2014: The Express claimed that the Reds - along with Man City, Arsenal, and Atletico Madrid - were monitoring Davies' progress.
When asked recently about interest from big clubs, 20-year old told Devies reporters:
"It is nice to hear because it clearly means you must be doing something right. It's got to be a boost for your confidence but it's not going to turn my head".
Davies then admitted that he has his eye on a move to a bigger club:
"I am ambitious about playing at the highest level [and] if you put performances in to the best of your ability, things will take care of themselves".
Brendan Rodgers will know Davies well from his time managing Swansea City, and given the LFC boss's penchant for pursuing his ex-players, it will be no surprise if Davies ultimately ends up at Anfield.
Davies is also (potentially) versatile, which will no doubt get Rodgers' pulse racing. Prior to being sacked, former Swansea boss Michael Laudrup suggested that he could easily switch position in the future. He told the South Wales Evening Post:
"In the future, Ben can be a good left-footed centre-back. He is getting stronger in the air and physically he is getting stronger as well, and left-footed centre-backs are hard to find".
Former Wales winger Leighton James is also impressed with Davies, and after the youngster extended his Swansea contract in December, he raved:
"To have achieved what Ben's achieved in such a short space of time is phenomenal [and] to see Swansea produce another top-class youngster who's extended his contract with the club and committed himself is good news."
With 84 appearances for Swansea in the last two seasons, Davies has decent Premier League experience, and he's racked up significantly more game-time than Bertrand, which is clearly a positive. Additionally, compared to Luke Shaw - who cost Man Utd a ridiculous £33m - Davies is a comparative bargain.
Is Davies capable of going straight into LFC's first team and making a difference? If he can play well for Swansea and keep his place, then he's well equipped to do well at Liverpool. He's definitely an upgrade on the now-departed Aly Cissokho, which means the squad will immediately be strengthened.
On a related note, is Luke Shaw - who is two years younger - £23m better than Davies? No chance (IMO), and it's possible that if Davies signs, he could end up being a better deal overall.
Author: Jaimie K
Lol this video shows us why we dont have to sign Davies " the phenomenal" . I would rather put Joe Allen at left back than waste 10-12 million on this dude
ReplyDeleteIf we're to buy local, which I can live with for a left back, I'm infinitely more happy with Davies than Bertrand. How about we just swap for Allen and spend the 10 million on getting Jordy Clasie from Feyenoord. Was anyone else reminded of a young Xabi Alonso when they saw him play last night? 19 years of age and completely setting the pace of the game. I saw him and realized this is what Allen should be doing....but doesn't.
ReplyDeleteInstead of buying world class players all we are linked to is Southampton and Swansea players
ReplyDeleteYou put up word like phenomenal make them great For Liverpool.
We are all waiting for those great signing Hummel Muller James Sanchez
Cavanni Higuaim Nothing.
Allen Moses Cissoko Aspas Alberto assadi All same either players he has trained or budget buy or loans have not worked out.
Well that would be a good move. I think Alberto Moreno is not better than this lad plus he's got premier Lague exprerience wich is good and in addition he has played for swansea...they play a similar style of football. I think at 10m he will be a bargain. For those saying lets spend big, can anyone assure me that buying players at 50m euros will bring succses to the club? If I would spend that kind of money better be in Paul Pogba (wich costs more than 50m) or Rodriguez,- Cavani Benzema or Higuain are not good for our style and they cannot adapt at rodgers system. We don't want another Andy Carroll do we?
ReplyDeleteThe only question i need to know is he going to strengthen the first 11 if not no we are going to spend 100 million plus on what seems to be the guys who are going to spend most of their time on the bench.
ReplyDeleteThis is getting worse a window as it goes do really like the lad but because of what we have been getting a big no.
I remember everyone saying 'look who Liverpool will sign with the champions league', well I'm a united fan and while we are signing shaw, Herrera, possibly Vidal and plenty of other top players, you lot have signed LAMBERT ha ha ha. And your best player has bitten someone on purpose to help force his move from you lot!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteFootballs a funny world. When doing well it can all so suddenly go wrong (Athletico Madrid) you just aren't used to doing well yet!
Ps stevie g let the whole country down at the World Cup. Since his slip he's been about as good as cattermole ha ha ha ha
You are still hurting from the mauling last season don't let it get to you there there Diddems.
ReplyDeleteFortunately you still have Smalling, Jones and Rooney. Fortunate for the rest of us.....
ReplyDeleteEverybody should remember the report is from a feature writer who are all very skilled in drafting fabrication.
ReplyDelete@Mark, remember at the minute you have made only 2 decent signings, Shaw has had only two decent seasons, Herrrera is not prem proven, Di Maria has just turned you down because of no CL.
ReplyDeleteIf you don't qualify for the CL this season which is highly likely, it is the slippery slope
You seem to forget your "World Class Rooney" played in the World Cup didn't exactly help the cause either
I'd take Lambert over Shaw anyday of the week! It's a holiday move, and Lambert who only cost 4m has still 2-3 years on an advanced PL-level in him, while 30m for Luke Shaw, who has done absolutely nothing to justify his price tag is a complete joke. We also signed Lalana, somebody YOU tried to sign too, so I doubt very mich CL doesn't play a role.. trust me Vidal and di Maria won't be signing for you, and Herrera will take time to adapt to the pl! So sorry for you splashing out cash for nonsense-players!
ReplyDeletePs Steven G is and will always stay a hell lot better than all your midfielders together ;-) if we talk about the WC, tell me how good Rooney and wellbeck were please
Where did you finish last season? ha ha ha ha
ReplyDeleteYes he will
ReplyDeleteAlways nice to see a United fan come in and raise the level of the discussion. Such mature and well though-out comments are rare around here, thanks for contributing.
ReplyDeleteSo all you want is a big name? Did you miss the season we just had? Henderson, Coutinho, Sterling, Skrtel, Sturridge ... none of these players were stars similar to the big names you just mentioned, and yet they were a massive part of the club playing as well as they did. Some of these players were considered not good enough to suceed at their old clubs, or like Henderson came from lower clubs like Sunderland. We don't need big name players, we just need more players like the ones we've already got and maybe an upgrade or two. They don't need to be 30 million pound signings or superstars with big sponsorship deals. It worked last season, why can't it work again?
ReplyDeleteWe need to go for Di Maria, if it is indeed true that he's rejecting Utd for UCL. FSG need to show intent and at least TRY to sign him.
ReplyDeleteThe answer for me is getting the right blend of experience/youth in the team. I think just one big name player added would keep everyone happy and would not disrupt our team which is full of pl experience. I expect Sterling/Sturridge/Henderson to kick on this season given the competition for places. With regards Studge, if we do not sign another main forward I expect him to embrace being the guy entrusted with getting the bulk of goals, despite a great season in was always in the shadow of Luis and did not get enough praise.
ReplyDeleteI hope Phil Thompson has apologised to all the fans for shooting his mouth off about Sanchez being a DONE DEAL - MASSIVE MASSIVE LOSS TO US NOW
ReplyDeleteif Gerrard cant do the running he shouldn't be in the team.....there can be no room for sentiment in regards ant player thats what holds the team up
ReplyDeleteLegend of a player and great pundit but never trust him regarding transfer rumours. Guillem Balague has more contacts with regards to our transfers especially any spanish based players.
ReplyDeleteif he never wanted to come hows it a loss , football is awash with deals which fall at the last hurdle or dont materialize i for one am only convinced when i see them with a shirt on at a press conference held by the club
ReplyDeleteI think Rb could be a lot better than people think hes been unsettled for several seasons a bit like Ds
ReplyDeleteIm not a fan of this guy i think a lot of high level south american players are football mercenaries. Utd have missed a bullet
ReplyDeleteLast year we had Suarez who lifted what was a good side into a very good side. Without a player like Suarez to put the opposition on the back foot and create space for others I fear a struggle
ReplyDeleteI've been saying all summer we'll go back in for Moreno and I expect that to happen. Davies over Bertrand if I had to choose but I would fine neither particularly inspiring. Both solid players but they're not gonna help us kick on to the next level. Certainly not yet regarding Davies. If we sign Davies then Enrique will be first choice LB next season
ReplyDeleteLike Stuart said, we lost Suarez. We had a big name player last season to catapult us into second spot. Without all of his goals and assists, top 4 would have been a big challenge. Chelsea have strengthened with big names, Arsenal have strengthened with a big name and look to continue that, while Utd are looking very ambitions. We can't just sit on our hands and just assume everything will be okay then. Remember, we lost Suarez.
ReplyDeleteDude, focusing on signing very good players who are albeit mercenaries are sometimes what you need to do. We need another season in the top echelon of the EPL to make ourselves more attractive to marquee transfer targets who would like to sign for long term instead, unlike Di Maria who you think is a short term mercenary.
ReplyDeleteAgree it will probably be Moreno in the end
ReplyDeleteif jose is fit and on form he is better than all 3 full backs mentioned
ReplyDeleteSuso has just stated on the official website that he wants to stay and fight for a place and that the season long loan in Spain really helped him improve his game. He has a chance in preseason to show how much he wants a spot in the team.
ReplyDeleteWhen please tell.
ReplyDeleteI agree. For some reason Cavani has not really been impressive to me
ReplyDeletewhy my comments are nt showing? am i banned?
ReplyDeletenot to say he no good but only 1 RB cant solve the long long problem since Riise left
ReplyDeleteIt surprised me. The club would run a feature like that if Rodgers didn't plan to keep the player. I'm glad because he's always been a talented player and if Rodgers has faith enough to keep him around and not try to just make a quick buck then it means he's showing more promise. Who knows where he'll actually fit in the squad but so long as he trains well he'll get his chances.
ReplyDeleteIt's also good to learn that Suso was the one who insisted to go on loan to Almeria. That topic has been subject to debate a few times on this site.
ReplyDeletePronounced Chan I believe unless someone is making a " Charlie" out of me
ReplyDeleteYou actually comingbaround on this one Jaime?
ReplyDeleteOn the fourth paragraph you wrote god instead of good. Just a heads up.
Yoga flame would have been better.
ReplyDeleteI heard it's pronounced sharn.
ReplyDeleteDaley Blind
ReplyDeleteI would respond to you but I don't see that you've posted anything.
ReplyDeleteyou have to get S A players young and cheap and then sell on ...Di maria would cost the earth and i doubt he would fit in.
ReplyDelete3 players in one
ReplyDeleteThat is not what Suso states in his interview at all. You're just indirectly sniping once again.
ReplyDeleteI note a lot of people are getting fidgety over us not replacing suarez yet. A bit of perspective is required. As yet, we have received £0.00 for suarez. formalities of the deal are still to be completed. Thus far, all of our signings seem to me to have been made regardless of suarez. we were always going to sign a LB, so that clears up the Moreno, Bertrand, davies rumours. Can was pretty much agreed before we even started negotiations for suarez. lallana was being discussed at the end of the season (he told soton he was leaving on the final day of season). lambert was £4M and again, we were always going to be signing a backup striker. If the quality of players we are linked with have not improved by the beginning-middle of august, maybe worry then. as yet, looking at the situation in context, im not worried.
ReplyDeleteI like Turan but the injuries are a big no no....Aquaman,carroll and an endless list of big money players who we buy injured and then more or less give a way
ReplyDeleteforgot to mention, we were going to sign kono in January, even ready to pay, so if we don't sign him, markovic is essentially just taking his place. as we weren't selling suarez in jan, that's another deal that was done without factoring £75M into the equation
ReplyDeleteHaha, here we go again!
ReplyDeleteThe Only wide player I want is Di Maria
ReplyDelete40M is way too much for Arda. He would be a great signing but his position is not a priority. We could use his class and experience though.
ReplyDeleteBR is now losing the plot . We already have Can . Why are we planning to spend money on another defensive link man . Karim Benzema or Griezman, Lovren , Bony , Morena or Rojo .
ReplyDeleteTuran is a winger for crying out loud!
ReplyDeleteThis deal should have been done a long time ago, not sure that it something that is required right now, but excellent player.
ReplyDelete*facepalm* Turan is a winger...
ReplyDeleteFALCOU
ReplyDeletedi maria well worth the money
ReplyDeleteI like him but agree with most of the other posts in that not sure he's really what we need right now plus 40million is just too much. I also noticed that when it got the business end of the season lasts year he was often left on the bench in the big games which seemed strange to me.
ReplyDeletePersonally don't get all the hype about Di Maria. He's a good player but again not what we really need plus I think he'd struggle with the physicality of the premier league. I mean sometimes he struggles in Spain!!
ReplyDeleteHe can play in the mid three or on the wing. He is kind a player that will always keep one or two defenders around him and will get past both of them 8 times a match. Shoots, crosses, very disciplined- likely to be in contention for ballon d'or.. Amazing player...
ReplyDeleteWe need a top player that can play all 3 positions up front to an extent, but most importantly the player has to be a goal threat. Jame Rodrigues would be a dream or someone like Muller - but doubt we can get such players right now even if we have the money, as James would rather go to Madrid and Muller is at Bayern. Turan Arda is not the answer, he is a good player but for that amount of money he will only bring depth to the squad.
ReplyDeleteHe did. We brought Lallana.
ReplyDeletewhat about griezman
ReplyDeleteWe definitely need someone who can play as a striker and out wide. I really pinned all my hopes on us getting Sanchez... I don't really see any other exciting options...
ReplyDeleteLiverpool already has a good team of players. A world class striker like suarez cannot be replaced by 6-8 new summer signings but only a striker on the same level. A good club transforms average players into great players and not make multiple signings in 1 single summer.
ReplyDeletesign me sign me pls..i try to linked with LFC long time...my contract pay as u play oso doesnt matter !!!!
ReplyDeleteseem now everybody is our target as long as u got passport....well y not me?
even worse, heard we are after Lukaku for 28 million. Markovic still hasnt arrived , some one maybe persuaded him to ditch LFC. Looks like end is near. We are the new Spuds indeed.
ReplyDeleteI don't see what's so great about the guy. He's certainly not worth his buyout clause. I can't see us going for Turan, it's paper talk.
ReplyDeletemayb we will
ReplyDeleteno to Turan, rather we used Jordan Ibe.
ReplyDeleteNo Liverpool transfer window is complete without a customary Arda Turan link. This tradition will not die until he retires.
ReplyDeleteI think we will know what the plan is for Suso after preseason is completed.
ReplyDeleteHe can play in the mid three or on the wing. He is kind a player that will always keep one or two defenders around him and will get past both of them 8 times a match. Shoots great, crosses great, very disciplined and eager to prove himself after being Reals' 3rd or 4th star- likely to be in contention for ballon d'or.. Amazing player... If you put him and Sterling on the flanks with Markovic behind the lone striker Sturidge- that is a team better than one with Suarez in it. And you would have likes of Coutinho, Lallana and Lambert waiting to come and impress...
ReplyDeleteYes indeed on Daley Blind all day if he is available and wants tone at anfield. Still hurts wham a guy like Sanchez spurns us.
ReplyDeleteAllen + Borini = Bony
ReplyDeleteWhat the man who couldnt make a crap England first 11 you are kidding Coutinhos better.
ReplyDeleteThere must be no confidence that Enrique has recovered from his injury
ReplyDeleteProbably just got a temporary ban from the internet for liking your own posts.
ReplyDeleteYea but that's a big if...
ReplyDeletePrefer Moreno myself but regardless, i'm somewhat under whelmed by the signings so far. Markovic is a step up on the first three, i think Can will become a great player, Lallana is a quality player entering his prime & Lambert serves a purpose but with Luis leaving we need a step up in quality signings & that marquee signing more than ever & with the transfer funds we have, now is the time to go & get them! Payers like Firmino, Griezman, Cuadrado, Iturbe, Konoplyanka, Lacazette Navas & Rakitic are the kinds of players who i think LFC should have been signing to TRULLY elevate the first team to the next level not necessarily worldwide star names & i don't understand why we're allowing such calibre to slip through our fingers without so much as a bid! Obviously there's still time to sign at least one of them (not Rakitic😡) but if we don't i'll be extremely dissapointed, especially if we sign the likes of Bawlotelli, Bony & Richards! Our defence needs sorting out so i hope Moreno is the first of two defenders signed, the other being Lovren. Sanchez was an unavoidable miss, Shaqiri would be a very good signing since we're not going in for Iturbe or Kono & Remy would be a bargain at <10m since we're not signing Lacazette but most of the other/recent transfer rumours are not inspiring!!
ReplyDeleteB Rodgers should sign B Davies(20) for 7-9M, he is a class, solid young defender with Premiership experience , he will not have to adjust to the physicality or speed of league as he has been a first team regular for last two years. And he would offer J Enrique(27) solid competition for his place week in week out
ReplyDeleteeveryone was saying??where??at your old town?that shows how much you are still scared when it comes to LFC...and maybe you forgot, we beat you even without Luis (he was suspended)...and talking about Stevie, he alone is better than your whole midfield by himself, 1 slip doesn't make smalling better than him!! and good luck with your Rooney, Jones...and instead of spying on your neighbour, catch a breath, look for some1 to replace your Ferdinand, vidic and evra...ah I forgot you got shaw!!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with @gilstrap, many south American players have created havoc many times during transfer windows...tevez, suarez, mascherano...
ReplyDeleteBe warned Liverpool, he did exactly the same at his previous club Lyon, so he has a history of this behaviour.
ReplyDeleteI do not begrudge Liverpool coming for our players, in fact it's a huge compliment to our scouting team, for bringing through these great players.
Greedy? We don't need to sell him, we want him to stay, so if he is going, he's going for big money.
At least Ronald Koeman will have the chance to talk to him and put forward his ambitions for the club. He's already publicly stated that he wants Saints to improve on last year. He was shown this courtesy by Lallana or Shaw.
At the end of the day if he stays, we as fans will forgive him after 5 minutes on the pitch, especially if he scores the winner at Anfield again!
Ronald Koeman has a reputation for severe punishments for any players being unprofessional and would imagine that he would happily fine Lovred and play him in the reserves to teach him a lesson. But be big enough to, have him back in the team and stand up and say he proud he is of the player for taking the punishment. He did exactly this with Saints latest signing Pelle. and he's just followed Ron to Southampton.
I am very pleased for Liverpool and wanted them to win the Prem last season, I hope they continue to do well this season. We can always supply a few more players next season to help you out.
I'm buzzing for the new season!!!!
And that's why we now have Koran as manager and a better replacement for Lallana rather making your point silly. It's not really a point it's an excuse Liverpool fans use to sleep at night.
ReplyDeleteIt was a shhhitty manager that did not select him.
ReplyDeleteA shitty manager for a crappy team pretty much fits.,
ReplyDeleteLast season we were not in Europe and we have lost our best player, who was and is ranked 3rd best player in world football. Why I Ayre did not get Pedro(26) and 55M cash as minimum for the deal i will never ever know. How does he complete deals? Every top world class signing we have gone for we have never signed!!! Sanchez(25) did not want to come, but Pedro(26) would have suited us down to a T. he is faster and quicker, scores more goals and more of a goal threat than A Sanchez(25). Pedro(26) Guarantees a club 15-20 goals a season.
ReplyDeleteAnd Pedro(26) is also a match winner, which we now need desperately amongst the ranks. I Ayre is a joke, I know we have been linked with Reus(25) and A Turan(27) but I Ayre should have brought Pedro(26) to club in the L Suarez(27) deal as Pedro(26) is more of a goal threat and better finisher than A Sanchez(25), M Reus(25) and A Turan(27).
Ian Ayre doesn't identify targets. He concludes the official deal and gets the paperwork signed, that's all. If we didn't identify Pedro as a target then that's a decision the club made, not Ayre. Or maybe Barcelona didn't want to sell Pedro. Or maybe the player didn't want to come here. You're right, you will never know why that didn't happen because you're not part of the inner workings of the club, you're just another fan who, if you're honest, doesn't really know what will be best for the club in the long term.
ReplyDeleteIt's fine for you to reel off a few names and say "we should get this player" but it's not that simple. You're not the manager of the club and maybe Rodgers has his reasons for thinking Pedro is not the right fit. We can simply never know, the only way we could is if we could ask Rodgers directly.
There is plenty of work still going on so let's wait and see who the club brings in. I agree that we need a very high quality player to help replace Suarez, but you can't get all bothered just because it's not the specific player you imagine would be good for us. There are a ton of quality footballers out there who may or may not be available so let's wait and see who we get. We can then wait and see how well they play. The Premier League is not won on the team sheet, it's won on the pitch. As I said before - we had plenty of unfancied players in our team last season and we did just fine. Wait and see how we play before you assume it's all a big mess.
Herrera is as big a risk as lallana. Shades a one season wonder and don't think Vidal will sign for a mid table PL team 😆
ReplyDeleteShaw not shades lol
ReplyDelete