Last season, Reds defender Daniel Agger threatened to 'leave Liverpool' if he didn't get more game time, and also suggested that Brendan Rodgers doesn't think he's 'good enough' to be a regular starter. LFC are currently negotiating to sign Southampton stat Dejan Lovren, which will conceivably restrict the Dane's chances even more, and this has seemingly prompted yet another threat to quit Anfield.
In October 2013, Agger told Danish TV:
"If the manager doesn't think I am good enough, that could make me leave Liverpool. I'm here to play football, nothing else. So if I don't play, I don't want to be here anymore."
That public threat made little impact on Rodgers, who restricted Agger to just 23 appearances for the whole season. This clearly doesn't sit well with the Dane, and when asked this week about his future, He barked:
"It is no secret that I had problems last season and I am considering things. How things turned out last season is not acceptable for me"
As vice-captain, Agger should not be making public ultimatums like this, and his comments will certainly not endear him to Rodgers. His attitude is all wrong, and he needs to take a leaf out of Martin Skrtel's book.
In the second half of the 2012-13 season, Rodgers dumped Skrtel for Jamie Carragher, but despite this massive setback, the Slovakian didn't mewl about it in public; he put his head down, worked hard, and ultimately reaped the rewards.
There may, however, be something to Agger's contention that Rodgers doesn't think he's 'good enough'. In a recent interview, Mark Lawrenson hinted at something along those lines:
"Agger has not been an automatic first choice this season. Rodgers watches him in training on a regular basis and has clearly seen something he doesn’t like. If a manager doesn’t fancy a player, usually that’s that".
Jamie Carragher also believes that Rodgers doesn't rate Agger. Speaking to Sky Sports, he noted:
"I've mentioned before I don't think he [Rodgers] is the biggest fan of Daniel Agger and that's why he always seems to leave him out".
To be fair, it's hard to blame Rodgers for marginalising Agger. As last season proved yet again, he is consistently error-prone, and his positional sense leaves a lot to be desired. This, combined with his continued injury problems, means that Agger is not reliable, and it's impossible to build a consistent central-defensive partnership with an unreliable defender.
In my view, the writing is on the wall for Agger. Liverpool have seemingly been trying to offload him for a while now, and the imminent arrival of Dejan Lovren will push him further down the pecking order. Indeed, last week, Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo claimed that:
* Liverpool offered £15m-rated Agger to Barcelona three months ago.
* Barcelona allegedly rejected the offer due to Agger's injury history, and his involvement in LFC's decline prior to last season.
It is further claimed that Liverpool are still 'desperate' to sell Agger, which seems to make sense given the club's pursuit of Lovren, and Agger's reduced role last season.
If Agger is unhappy with his situation, he should stop moaning in the press, work hard, and prove that he deserves to be in the team. It's totally down to him; Rodgers tends to employ the merit system, and if Agger plays consistently well, it will be hard to leave him out.
Having said that, Lucas, Johnson, and Agger are relics of the Benitez era; the squad has moved on, and it's arguably time for a change. The same could be said of Skrtel, but he has adapted well to Rodgers' playing style, and possibly saved himself from the Anfield scrapheap. Agger, it seems, may not be so lucky.
Author: Jaimie K
In October 2013, Agger told Danish TV:
"If the manager doesn't think I am good enough, that could make me leave Liverpool. I'm here to play football, nothing else. So if I don't play, I don't want to be here anymore."
That public threat made little impact on Rodgers, who restricted Agger to just 23 appearances for the whole season. This clearly doesn't sit well with the Dane, and when asked this week about his future, He barked:
"It is no secret that I had problems last season and I am considering things. How things turned out last season is not acceptable for me"
As vice-captain, Agger should not be making public ultimatums like this, and his comments will certainly not endear him to Rodgers. His attitude is all wrong, and he needs to take a leaf out of Martin Skrtel's book.
In the second half of the 2012-13 season, Rodgers dumped Skrtel for Jamie Carragher, but despite this massive setback, the Slovakian didn't mewl about it in public; he put his head down, worked hard, and ultimately reaped the rewards.
There may, however, be something to Agger's contention that Rodgers doesn't think he's 'good enough'. In a recent interview, Mark Lawrenson hinted at something along those lines:
"Agger has not been an automatic first choice this season. Rodgers watches him in training on a regular basis and has clearly seen something he doesn’t like. If a manager doesn’t fancy a player, usually that’s that".
Jamie Carragher also believes that Rodgers doesn't rate Agger. Speaking to Sky Sports, he noted:
"I've mentioned before I don't think he [Rodgers] is the biggest fan of Daniel Agger and that's why he always seems to leave him out".
To be fair, it's hard to blame Rodgers for marginalising Agger. As last season proved yet again, he is consistently error-prone, and his positional sense leaves a lot to be desired. This, combined with his continued injury problems, means that Agger is not reliable, and it's impossible to build a consistent central-defensive partnership with an unreliable defender.
In my view, the writing is on the wall for Agger. Liverpool have seemingly been trying to offload him for a while now, and the imminent arrival of Dejan Lovren will push him further down the pecking order. Indeed, last week, Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo claimed that:
* Liverpool offered £15m-rated Agger to Barcelona three months ago.
* Barcelona allegedly rejected the offer due to Agger's injury history, and his involvement in LFC's decline prior to last season.
It is further claimed that Liverpool are still 'desperate' to sell Agger, which seems to make sense given the club's pursuit of Lovren, and Agger's reduced role last season.
If Agger is unhappy with his situation, he should stop moaning in the press, work hard, and prove that he deserves to be in the team. It's totally down to him; Rodgers tends to employ the merit system, and if Agger plays consistently well, it will be hard to leave him out.
Having said that, Lucas, Johnson, and Agger are relics of the Benitez era; the squad has moved on, and it's arguably time for a change. The same could be said of Skrtel, but he has adapted well to Rodgers' playing style, and possibly saved himself from the Anfield scrapheap. Agger, it seems, may not be so lucky.
survey solutions
Author: Jaimie K
Sell Agger buy Inigo martinez
ReplyDeleteJamie what do you think would happen to Reina during this window?
ReplyDeleteProbably go out on loan again, or maybe a deadline-day transfer. Reina is still a top goalkeeper, so the apparent lack of interest is a little strange.
ReplyDeleteI do like Agger, but clearly he wants to be 1st choice, and he isn't. Therefore we should probably let him move on.
ReplyDeleteAnd with Lovren coming in (hopefully, still unsure) I would prefer him and Skrtel, with Sakho et al providing back up.
That would appear to be the case. There's plenty of time though -- don't start worrying quite yet.
ReplyDeleteCounter attacking means attacking after the opposing team attacks, hence you can do it from midfield like Liverpool do. So yes, it is counter attacking football. Go back to the Arsenal game at Anfield, Ozil lost the ball in midfield in an Arsenal attack after being pressed by Henderson and the ball was in Arsenal's net in 8 seconds, and then a few minutes later Coutinho won the ball in Liverpool's half of midfield from an Arsenal attack and 6 seconds later the ball was in Arsenal's net again. Also the Everton match, our second goal was won in midfield on the right side by Sterling off an Everton player and the ball was in the Everton net in 8 seconds. I'm not saying it's all we do but it's something we did more than not last year and did it well.
ReplyDeleteYep. And to add to that, who do we bring on when pace and trickery aren't working...when you need a target man to hit for a second ball or a header...when Morinho has parked the bus again? Lambert is a genuinely different option, not just a back up.
ReplyDeleteI just read that Van Gaal is offering 17M for Blind...why would we not jump into that race using CL football as incentive and offer 18M? A DM who has shown he has no problem LB would seem to fit well with both our needs and BR's reported premium on adaptable players.
ReplyDeleteI think BR will be a 'world-reknowned' manager within 5 years.
ReplyDeleteWould like to see us attempt to sign Blind as well, but any attempt would more than likely be futile as United are presumably going to offer higher wages. Plus, there's the player-manager connection
ReplyDeleteBut Ajax are playing CL football as will we. Manu...not so much and I'm planning on them not playing it next year either.
ReplyDeleteAgree with the Benzema summation and I really like that Isco kid.
ReplyDeleteHe signed a new contract either yesterday or the day before. Jamie k do some background work before writing stories just to get traffic to your posts.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen a supposed world class striker miss as many simple chance as Benzema. Not worth £40m and definately not 200k a week
ReplyDeleteIf Real signs Falcao, almost certainly Benzema 'll be relegated to bench & may be for full time mostly. Obviously Ancellotti 'll not bench after spending E50+ for a 28+ years old striker at premium salary, with the second striker's role is fixed for Rodriguez. KB can't start at wings over CR or GB & if De Maria & Jese stays, it 'll be hard for Benzema to sit even on bench, specially when he is not purchased by current Manager.
ReplyDeleteBenzema is a much better player than that & at his peak years would like to have pitch time. Also, Deschamp 'll rebuild his team for EURO '16; France has some of the best upcoming talents in attacking 3rd & unless you have significant pitch time, nobody is guaranteed a spot in the host's potentially brilliant squad. Despite bringing forwards, Benzema was given a great contract extension, most likely to ensure his transfer value. I don't think real is interested to pay E45mn over 5 years for a reserve player, who 'll be almost 32 at the end of the contract. I think, both Benzema & Real are actually looking for a move & a decent offer for salary & transfer fee can land him for any CL club in EPL.
Is he good enough to replace LS? Unlikely but debatable, it's difficult to match LS's finishing & endurance but KB has his own quality as well. Had Nauer not stopped his last second goal bound shot, France could have replaced Germany while Benzema could have Messi on Podium. Does LFC need him? I am not so sure. Surely, Benzema 'll cost E35mn+ at least & 'll draw close to E200K/week, but where arewe going to play him? Had we not wasted (wait for six months before bashing me) E35mn or so on Lallana, may be KB would have been perfect fit; but now I think we should focus on CMs.
No matter how good, at best only 4 can start in attack & we already have 7 + Remi, without counting youngsters & loan move of Isco. As said many times, only player for whom we might put all our eggs & break the bank is Pogba; rest area is pretty much safe. No point crying for Suarez, probably, only 3 players can match him & they play for mega rich Real, Barca & PSG; we should move on from Suarez comparison or filling that boot.
Interesting one but I just don't feel he's really progressed like he could/should have done. He hasn't really changed much as a player since he first burst on the scene and I would go as far to say he was a more exciting player in his early days at Lyon. Now when I watch him he always looks a bit lazy and disinterested and his finishing has never been the best. So all in all considering we have just got Remy in on the cheap, paying 40 million plus 200k wages... Big no thank you!!
ReplyDeleteAgreed, but at MU, he 'll earn probably 3 times & 'll definitely start under LVG (& Captain RVP). BR doesn't have the pulling power like LVG, JM, AW, MP; so we 'll have to play a bit safe for next few years. I am sure after 2018 WC, a lot of "stars" would love to join BR at LFC.
ReplyDeleteLukaku, maybe? cheaper and with PL experience
ReplyDeleteDon't you feel yourself to be fool now that you have put Benzema & Carroll together? He may be too expensive, might not be required for us, but had France not meet Germany in a QF, those two sides could have played the final & KB would have been a better contender for Golden ball than the Adidas ambassador. It's a shame that donkeys & camels are bought for 35mn PS to play football. You just left a bad taste with that name - the howler of sports history.
ReplyDeleteermm.. no thank you. Wrong choice for me.
ReplyDeleteLukaku or Benteke please.
Hold your horses... Let BR win something substantial before making those claims.
ReplyDeleteSorry don't rate Blind. One good showing in the shop-window does not make a player.
ReplyDeleteSince when is Benzema pacy?
ReplyDeleteB Rodgers does not need K Benzema(26) if we sign L Remy(27). I think Remy(27) suits the premiership more and is a better finisher than Benzema.
ReplyDeleteB Rodgers should spend the £75M L Suarez(27) cash brought in:
On these 4 attacking players who will bring class, creativity, goals, mobility, quality and more pace and speed to our attack:
1: CM: T Alacantra(23) Of B Munich for £26-£34M to be S Gerrard(34) successor in centre of park ( Compete with J Allen(24))
2: RW: El Shaarwaay(21) Of A.C Milan for 12-17M to compete with R Sterling(19)
3:CM: M Sissoko(24) Of Newcastle for £8-£12M to compete with J Henderson(24)
4: LW: D Capel(26) Of Sporting Clube De Portugal /Lisbon for £4-£6M to compete with Markovic(20)
Benzema isn't as good as Suarez and would make the money spent on Remy and Lambert wasted we are fully covered in the striker department and it is in CM and defense where we need to sign top quality players both Full backs and at least 1 CB need to be found plus a dominant centre midfield player
ReplyDeleteBut to say because we don't have LVH as manager we can't sign the right player just shows how little you have learned in the short time you have been doing this just watch what LVH does this season and tell me that again at the end of the season if he lasts that long he may yet be LVH (OBE)
Forget about him we will not get him just buy unknown striker who have potential like jese of real madrid
ReplyDeleteBut Chelsea was just one game. Liverpool scored in nearly every other match with pace and trickery. How many games will Lambert get? and what will it do to his confidence? Can you see a Rodgers team pumping long balls and crosses into the box for Lambert to be effective? If Lambert comes on when Liverpool are behind and slows everything down and starts crossing the ball into the box because he doesn't have the pace to get by players, you just know the Liverpool fans will start growning at him.
ReplyDeleteTo everyone who still believes the laaandon/manc based/biased media that lfc are counter attackers (ca), you need to wake up! A ca side defends for most of the time and only hits on the break! LFC were the best constructive footballing side last season; the 5:1 spanking of arse was a prime example! Stop believing the anti Liverpool press and grow a pair! Don't be afraid to state facts! The laaandon / manc media always deride LFC, don't do their dirty work for them!
ReplyDeletesince the worldcup
ReplyDeleteBenzema won't be joining LFC. Brendan and FSG are far more astute than that, they are searching for good quality at good prices, Benzema would cost far too much and would want a massive wage packet. It won't happen.
ReplyDeleteLFC are not predominantly a counter attacking team at all. They are clearly an attacking team.
ReplyDelete