Galatasaray are reportedly trying to convince Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel to quit Anfield for the Turkish Superliga.
According to The Mirror this week:
"Martin Skrtel is being lured to Turkey by a staggering offer from Galatasaray.
"The Liverpool star...has been told his salary will be a minimum £100,000 a week"
After enduring a miserable 2012-13 campaign, Skrtel turned his LFC career around last season with a series of imperious performances, and set a great example to the club's young players with his superb 'can-do' attitude, and positive approach to overcoming adversity.
It wouldn't surprise me, however, if LFC decided to cash-in if presented with the opportunity to make a huge profit. Skrtel may have had a great season, but he's shown in the past that things can go pear-shaped pretty quickly.
Zenit St. Petersburg and Napoli have also been linked with a £16m move for Skrtel, but In April, the Slovakian's agent insisted that a summer move is out of the question:
"There is no chance of Skrtel going. He will remain at Liverpool."
Daniel Agger is also linked with a move away this summer, but despite the Dane's less than impressive form last season, he still seems to be the more popular of the two. A few months ago, I conducted a survey on the site asking fans to choose who they'd prefer to see sold:
- 11250 visitors (approx) voted.
- 68% of participants voted for Skrtel to be sold.
- Only 32% voted for Agger.
I personally voted for Agger to be sold, and did so for the following reasons:
* Skrtel is strong and robust, and like Luis Suarez, he rarely gets injured.
* Agger is always injured, and the next big injury could be a career-killer.
* LFC now have Sakho to fill the left-sided centre-half role.
* Skrtel is in superb form, whereas Agger has continued to make costly mistakes.
Is it a case that Skrtel - described recently by Rodgers as 'exceptional' - is just going through a sustained period of good form, or has he actually improved and progressed, to the extent he is now a better all-round player than in the past?
Whatever the answer, I personally want him to stay. Good centre-halves are hard to find these days, and right now, Skrtel is one of the best and most consistent defenders in the Premier League.
That said, it's probably true to say that Skrtel's value is at an optimum level right now, which may factor into any transfer decision. In many ways, Dejan Lovren is a straight like-for-like replacement, but is he a significant upgrade?
After splurging £18m, it seems unlikely that Rodgers will dump Mamadou Sakho after just one season at the club, but given the choice, I'd rather see the France defender leave ahead of both Skrtel and Agger.
Author: Jaimie K
According to The Mirror this week:
"Martin Skrtel is being lured to Turkey by a staggering offer from Galatasaray.
"The Liverpool star...has been told his salary will be a minimum £100,000 a week"
After enduring a miserable 2012-13 campaign, Skrtel turned his LFC career around last season with a series of imperious performances, and set a great example to the club's young players with his superb 'can-do' attitude, and positive approach to overcoming adversity.
It wouldn't surprise me, however, if LFC decided to cash-in if presented with the opportunity to make a huge profit. Skrtel may have had a great season, but he's shown in the past that things can go pear-shaped pretty quickly.
Zenit St. Petersburg and Napoli have also been linked with a £16m move for Skrtel, but In April, the Slovakian's agent insisted that a summer move is out of the question:
"There is no chance of Skrtel going. He will remain at Liverpool."
Daniel Agger is also linked with a move away this summer, but despite the Dane's less than impressive form last season, he still seems to be the more popular of the two. A few months ago, I conducted a survey on the site asking fans to choose who they'd prefer to see sold:
- 11250 visitors (approx) voted.
- 68% of participants voted for Skrtel to be sold.
- Only 32% voted for Agger.
I personally voted for Agger to be sold, and did so for the following reasons:
* Skrtel is strong and robust, and like Luis Suarez, he rarely gets injured.
* Agger is always injured, and the next big injury could be a career-killer.
* LFC now have Sakho to fill the left-sided centre-half role.
* Skrtel is in superb form, whereas Agger has continued to make costly mistakes.
Is it a case that Skrtel - described recently by Rodgers as 'exceptional' - is just going through a sustained period of good form, or has he actually improved and progressed, to the extent he is now a better all-round player than in the past?
Whatever the answer, I personally want him to stay. Good centre-halves are hard to find these days, and right now, Skrtel is one of the best and most consistent defenders in the Premier League.
That said, it's probably true to say that Skrtel's value is at an optimum level right now, which may factor into any transfer decision. In many ways, Dejan Lovren is a straight like-for-like replacement, but is he a significant upgrade?
After splurging £18m, it seems unlikely that Rodgers will dump Mamadou Sakho after just one season at the club, but given the choice, I'd rather see the France defender leave ahead of both Skrtel and Agger.
Author: Jaimie K
French lad has potential BUT I would sell him if we coup get money back and Coates also poor - we have massive problem at centre back.I would buy A Williams - at least he is proven and cheap. The 2 Swiss centre backs were great in Brazil
ReplyDeleteYes they were great because whole Swiss team played a defensive game. Its not so easy here as Liverpool play a very expansive game. We need defenders who are fast and accurate tacklers
ReplyDeleteSo Sakho had a less than stellar first season, what of it? Yes we paid a lot, and he's 24 so not a youngster anymore, but this idea that if we pay a lot for a player they must immediately start to vindicate their cost is rather flawed. 20 million was spend on Henderson and he hardly made much of an impression during his first season. Sakho is highly rated and will adapt to the Premier league's faster in your face style of attacking play, something he would not have experienced in France. Also, I think we definitely need to settle on a preferred centre back pairing and stick to it. Skrtel has his strengths, but how is his organisation and communication? It's fine and good to react to a threat, but you also need defenders who can read the game and spot it before it happens the way Sami and Carra used to. Agger should take this season as a chance to either prove to Rodgers that he is that long term organiser of be content to be used sparingly where the need for his skill set is most useful. Personally, I think that with more games, with us involved in more competitions, he will get playing time as before, with just the league a consistent pair was the priority. If Lovren does come, or indeed Rojo or Caulker or others we have been reportedly linked to do come then we'll need to establish who stays and who goes, and of our current central defensive crop, I'm thinking Coates and Toure.
ReplyDeleteHis form year to year is like a boat in a storm. While he scored 7 goals, he also had a number of own goals which could be avoided and ultimately those errors were the reason (50 goals) we couldn't win the league.
ReplyDeleteHowever, i would try to lure away better center halves like Hummels with 30 millions rather than 20 millions on lovren. But seems to me, BR is planning on something else. to fail. buying markovic for 20 (or 25?) is one of them. just like the next season after the surge on previous two occasions.
Martin Skrtel is too prone to bad decisions and mistakes. Broke the PL record for own goals last season and isn't nearly as strong as his frame and tattoos would lead you to believe. He had a very good season compared to those previous but he is not the long term solution to our CB problem and selling him now may be the best option. I say sell him and bring in Varane from Real Madrid as he's young, confident on the ball and made a really strong pairing with Sakho in the WC and should be able to add strength to his game as time goes on. If we really wanted to break the bank go big for Hummels or Benatia but it seems if we're spending that much on the position they are looking for PL experience with it so I doubt it'll happen.
ReplyDeleteWe should of signed Filipe Luiz from Atletico for 20mil Hummel Lovern.
ReplyDeleteEveryone said last year we are not in champions league that why Class players are not coming .
We are in champions league But we really seem to be slow and what will it be this time no one wants to Come Suarez is leaving Come on.
Rather see Sakho leave ahead of Skrtel and Agger?
ReplyDeleteSeems like there is going to be some disappointment ahead...
Well before we worry about the central positions the full back issue needs to be addressed poor positioning and general defensive play was very costly in the wash up.
ReplyDeleteI say get rid of Johnson and get two decent full backs.
A Williams was mediocre at best last year in the premier league, you must still be thinking of him during the season before last as otherwise you must see that our current CB's are better than him easily.
ReplyDeleteIf we can get somebody to take on Johnson's hefty wages then he will leave. If nobody is willing then he will only go once his contract is up at the end of this coming season.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately we are stuck with him until then.
I'd rather keep Skrtel and sell Agger. Like you say, Agger is made of glass whilst Skrtel is.. well indestructible!?
ReplyDeleteI would rather wait and see how the new signings do before judging them. Can had great season in the Bundesliga, Lallana and Lambert were also very impressive last season.
ReplyDeleteThe positive thing is that we do not have to overhaul the squad, we need depth and the signings that have been made will hopefully sort out that issue.
Sell them Sakho
ReplyDeleteIt's not 'judging' new signings before seeing how they do. It's perfectly valid to form opinions based what we already know of players, and Rodgers' previous transfer history. As usual, you are only taking this particular view because you have blind faith in BR, and can't be seen to be going back on that after endlessly lionising the likes of Allen, Sakho etc.
ReplyDeleteYour view on transfers is as predictable as Rodgers' overpraise of players:
* Constantly argue that it's unfair to judge players before seeing them play.
* Exaggerate new signings' previous performance (i.e. Can had a 'great season in the Bundesliga')
* Always defend Rodgers' signings to the hilt, irrespective of performance, or logic (i.e. 'I really hop LFC beat Spurs to Origi!' - despite the fact you know next to nothing about the player, and have never watched him except in the World Cup)
* Persistently use unprovable arguments to justify transfers ('X will come good next season. I will have the last laugh')
* Regularly stick the knife into non-Rodgers transfers (i.e. Johnson/Skrtel etc)
Why is there so much hate for Sakho....
ReplyDeleteThe club has just spent 60 million on Can Markovic and Lallana hope you don't think that is good value for bench warmers.
ReplyDeleteDo like Lambert but surely you don't think Markovic and Can will add much with their lack of experience.
As for Lallana and Markovic they paid way too much and they need to look at a top quality player to replace Suarez which i am yet to see.
So who in your opinion should we have signed?
ReplyDeleteShaqiri is a good start Firmino Rojo Aurier Lars Bender Jackson Martinez Lacazette.
ReplyDeleteI have also mentioned Bender, Rojo, Shaqiri and Lacazette before. At the end of the day, it is Rodgers who makes the decisions on players.
ReplyDeleteIf Firmino does not move from Hoffenheim in this window then there is a very good reason for that. Either he is happy there or he is hust too expensive. He did sign a new contract before the season ended.
It is easy for us fans to sit here and say sign this and that player but we do not even know their availability!
Thats fine but in many ways i still see it as fairly realistic.
ReplyDeleteSee, I thought Sanchez was also realistic but he has rejected LFC so that in fact made him unrealistic...
ReplyDeleteThat was based on personal preferences and he is on another level to most i mentioned.
ReplyDeleteYes but how sure are we that Firmino would want to join LFC? We do not know, do we?
ReplyDeleteWell you could say that about anyone but not everyone is going to knock back Liverpool and in no way should they be at the back of line.
ReplyDeleteMkhitaryan, Willian, Diego Costa and Salah chose other clubs over LFC. These are players we were chasing.
ReplyDeleteSh*t happens.
Sell them both! Sign Lovren and him and Sakho, with Illori, who played really well on loan and Kelly as cover. I still feel Kelly is a player, fully fit, could become a truly great CB.
ReplyDeleteAgree, about Kelly. Hopefully he can stay fit!
ReplyDeleteJAMIE - ARGENTINE NUMBER 9 - Higwain think he is called - shall we offer Benitez 4 players - agger leiva jognson reina ?? straight swap - JOB DONW
ReplyDeleteWe have been over this one before but I think we all agreed that it is the transfer committee which has the final say on transfers :-)
ReplyDeleteThere has to be a scapegoat. There always is.
ReplyDeleteAh, yes, another part of your strategy to defend to the hilt any transfer made or pursued by Rodgers. Dortmund allegedly want Origi, so he, by extension, must be a top player.
ReplyDeleteIf we offer John Flanagan, maybe Real would thrown in Bale, Ronaldo, and Benzema as well.
ReplyDeleteThis deal sounds promising.
Why not? Flanagan is, after all, the 'new Cafu'...
ReplyDeleteDo you not think Origi looks like an outstandingly promising striker?
ReplyDeleteEvery credible person I've spoken to about him is interested and rates him.
What is it about him that you don't like?
Do not hit the like button on your own posts its a bit tasteless.
ReplyDeleteIs Skrtel making anything close to 100K a week now? He ain't getting any younger. Sakho is going to have a great year. We need to keep him. We need to keep all our CBs. We're going to need them.
ReplyDeleteAfter Suarez, he was our player of the season. 110% every game he played. Thats all you can ask for when playing for us.
ReplyDeleteLook at his criticism of Logan and reverse it. Then you have your answer.
ReplyDeleteI never once insisted Allen would become a superstar. What I have always said and stuck to is that Allen will be part of Rodgers long term plans. Sakho is no different.
ReplyDeleteMany people besides me have argued that Alberto was a long term signing. I never once saw anyone (myself included) talking about him becoming the next best thing. You are IMO just hellbent on seeing most of Rodgers player failing/leaving.
Im just saying put any money we get towards it. Why not try to be ambitious? What would you say his current value is at, £30 million? Seems worth at least making an approach with the numbers we're talking about with Lovren, a bit more money for a ton more potential. Honedtly, am I really that far off base even suggesting the idea?
ReplyDeleteHa, I f***king hate it when people do that. It's cheap and desperate.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you mean every 'credible person'? Every person who watched him play during the World Cup?!
ReplyDeleteNo one - including me - had ever heard of Origi a month ago, and after a couple of okay performances in the World Cup, he's suddenly an 'outstandingly promising striker'.
My issue is that he's yet another unknown quantity who will make no difference to LFC next season. It'll be another £10m (or so) splurged on a player Liverpool don't need.
Rodgers just never learns. Last year, he spent £14m on Ilori and Alberto, neither of whom made any difference. Now, it's another £10m on Origi. If he signs, that will make it £38m spent on players who ended up on loan.
LFC should be focused on signing proven players who can come in and make a difference straight away, not players who may or may not come good in three years.
What possible difference will it make if Liverpool don't sign Origi? Where's the pressing need to sign him? Why don't LFC focus first on experienced, European-class players, and then fill out the squad with lower-priority players for the future?
Ultimately, I just don't buy into the hype that Origi is some superstar in the making just because he scored in the World Cup. Bryan Ruiz looked like a world-beater in this World Cup, as did countless other average players, some of whom struggled in the UK lower-leagues,
ok i get your point. Yeah we should give a try
ReplyDeletelol whats the big issue here. I just wanted some attention. ( i thought nobody would notice )
ReplyDeleteNonsense. You've endlessly insisted that the likes of Allen, Sakho etc will become huge successes for LFC, and you've even goaded people by telling them they'll end up eating 'humble pie'. Don't try and move the goalposts now.
ReplyDeleteI give my honest views about BR's signings; you automatically defend his signings to further your pro-BR agenda, not because you genuinely believe that all his signings are top class.
Thank you! No one heard of him.
ReplyDeleteI'm not opposed to the signing, but the price seems a bit steep, and I feel like the consensus is that we are getting this superstar... yet, the consensus didn't hear of him until a month ago.
Just seems a bit strange how many people jumped on this bandwagon, and how many people are convinced that this will be a great signing. Especially when most people have only seen him play a handful of games.
I believe Sakho will come good in his 2nd top flight season. He'll be stronger and make a formidable partnership with Lovren (hopefully). Anyways, are you impressed with the signings made my rodgers so far, Jamie? I'm crying to see a top world class players sign for Liverpool! Would that happen?
ReplyDeleteThe way I worded my original post did not help my cause there lol. It would clearly take more then the Skrtel sale money.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to sell any CB. We're going to need all of them for the depth as we have all these additional games this year.
ReplyDeleteI'm not so certain we need to buy a new one either. I attribute our defensive failings on individual mistakes that can be corrected, as well as our aggressive style of play which left our back 4 exposed.
Just remember, according to Fergie, "Charlie Adam's corners are worth 10m alone"
ReplyDeleteI don't mind Lambert - he's a solid, dependable, experienced squad player. Lallana is overpriced, but is undoubtedly talented, and could be a good signing. Indifferent on Can, who'll almost certainly struggle to play in his preferred position and/or will be misused by Rodgers. Not impressed at all with the prospect of Origi and Markovic, two players LFC arguably don't need.
ReplyDeleteIf Markovic was coming in for £8-£10m (i.e. a Coutinho-like price), I'd feel differently, but £20m is a gigantic rip-off.
Skrtel is a scoring machine!
ReplyDeleteWell said Jamie, couldn't agree more. I am not gonna be impressed with further potential future or average players just to make up our squad and have more depth. We are in the champions league, I'm sure BR can attract better quality signings. There are so many players out there! But why 19,20 yr old that are not "finished article" and still raw... Liverpool never ever seem to learn what it takes to build a squad comparable to Chelsea and Man City to say the least. I mean we could spend the money wisely. Every transfer window, there's always a disappointment to the fans. I think there's another coming. Unless we really able to recruit a marquee signing to replace the imminent departure of Suarez.
ReplyDeleteYes, humble pie to Allen being part of Rodgers long term plans and I will not change my view on that. I had many people arguing with me that he will be sold etc and yet he is going into his 3rd season of his Anfield career.
ReplyDeleteI have criticised Moses, Assaidi, Alberto and Aspas so honestly do not know what you are trying to get at and I said the other day that I was not to keen on Lallana but I am not going to judge before he hasn't even kicked a ball for LFC.
Chelsea and Man City offer wages we can't compete with.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious to see who we go after once Suarez is sold. FSG will be expected to reinvest that money into the team.
I read a report earlier today that Benzema is a target for 40m. Price seems a bit steep, but he's a quality player to help replace Suarez.
Well that's the crux of the whole issue about being cheap and desperate. It's attention seeking.
ReplyDeleteAs do I. There's no excuse for such shameless self-promotion.
ReplyDeleteUnrelated to this topic, but good for FIFA for sticking by the original ban that they gave Suarez.
ReplyDeleteDo I think it was harsh to begin with? Yes. But if they showed any leniency it would have lessened the blow, and that's not what was needed.
Something tells me we won't see anymore biting in the game anytime soon.
Now I hope they can do something about the diving...
I knew you did..
ReplyDeleteSakho is a beast.
ReplyDeleteYes, but the problem was not the biting. It happened 5 times and 3 of them was the same lunatic. If they used the same diligence with players stealing time, diving etc we would have much more beautiful game in no time...
ReplyDeleteLallana and Lambert will have 30 goals/assists, by the way..
ReplyDelete...and what is it you don't like about Origi?
ReplyDeleteHis physique, his touch, his shooting, his flair and his attitude, it all looks top class. These are objective things we can argue about, and give examples of, and discuss in comparison with other players.
Your fantasy argument with Michael Owen is very interesting but it doesn't really answer the question of whether you think Origi looks a good prospect or not?
I don't think a player who just played a full season for Lille who finished third in Ligue 1 in which he was regarded as one of the season's outstanding young players is exactly coming from nowhere. I must have seen him half a dozen times last season. I guess we all follow football in different ways.
Origi v Lukaku is irrelevant to this question, but just to take that forward a bit: 1) Belgian football is a nursery and the club competition is nothing like as serious as in France; 2) players mature at different speeds; 3) Lukaku is a different kind of player to Origi, a physical prodigy who we have to assess by other criteria than his young usurper. Origi is a different kind of player who contributes much more creatively.
Is that final paragraph a serious considered opinion? Is that the opinion you'd confront Brendan Rogers with if you had the chance? What do you think he'd say? I think he'd laugh at you, and I think he'd be right.
Didn't they already show leniency by repositioning themselves on the Suarez Can't Train During the 4-Month Ban stipulation? Or was that just a rumour? Or did I dream it?
ReplyDeleteI think FIFA rejected the appeal because it was from Uruguay FA.. I would like to see once LS is Barca player ...and Barca appeal ;) That would be interesting :)
ReplyDeleteATM - That's what Liverpool are to Johnson
ReplyDeleteYou're right. Maybe we should demand Isco and Khedira as well.
ReplyDeleteI myself never heard of Origi or even saw him play before but his appearances at the WC has got everyone talking about him. If a club like Dortmun is after him then that is enough to suggest that there is something promising about the kid. Being picked ahead of Lukaku for a WC match? That should also suggest that the Belgium coach has faith in the 19 year old.
ReplyDeleteI've already explained my view on Origi, and given your snide tone, I'm not wasting any further time on this discussion.
ReplyDeleteCould it be that we will see Can alongside Gerrard to give the skipper some "free time"? It would mean a spot less in the midfield,but that seems like viable option when we play Lambert as a target man. I'm thinking something like
ReplyDeleteCan- Gerrard--
Lallana-Coutinho-Sterling
-----------Lambert--------
So, in other words, you're jumping on the bandwagon.
ReplyDeleteWould be very interesting, indeed. I bet they will not only accept Barca's appeal (once delivered), they will also offer to remove LS's current set of teeth and replace them with a glorious set of adamantium super teeth. More than likely, a deal will be put in place that will see FCB earn bonuses for every player Suarez bites in half.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree we are spending 35 million on promising players when Rogers stated that we will be buying 4/5 players that will be able to slot straight into the first team, and I agree with him but I hasn't happened yet, we will see when we get Suarez money but all the top players might be gone by then.
ReplyDeleteJumping on what bandwagon? Nowhere have I given my opinion on how good or bad Origi is. The only point I have made is that he seems to be very highly rated by many coaches, previous team mates, the Belgium coach especially when he is picked ahead of Lukaku and LFC are not the only club in for him.
ReplyDeleteEveryone who watches French football had heard of him to be honest mate.
ReplyDeletePull yourself together, man!
ReplyDeleteDream on
ReplyDeleteI don9t know why, but when people make gloomy predictions on this site, I think they would rather be right about it...
ReplyDeleteBand for snide coments
ReplyDeleteBut that's just like saying, 'everyone who watches Chinese football will have heard of Ching Chong Chang'.
ReplyDeleteThe difference would be that we would not have signed him and in a season orvtwo if his cost doubles we are priced out or gazumped. You aware of liner tolerant how it doesn't end every season?
ReplyDeleteThere is what is highly likely to happen and what is not i have grave doubts about that prediction even counting c.l and cups.
ReplyDeleteJust delete this. Pointless.
ReplyDeleteHow many did Chingy score this season?
ReplyDeleteAt both ends
ReplyDeleteMy god do people still think Fergie was serious?!
ReplyDeleteBoth ends.
ReplyDeletei'm trying, but the lampshades have started to giggle and the deer head is telling me there's no use.
ReplyDeleteI thought that rumor came out and FIFA squashed it.
ReplyDeleteI think we've all gone a bit mad... but if we're all mad, then doesn't that mean no one is mad?
No... I thought it was funny then, and I think it's funny now.
ReplyDeleteWhich is why I discount whenever someone brings up another manager's interest in an LFC target.
Agree with you at most - but get the feeling if BR could get decent money he would be willing to sell most of our defenders including Sakho, as he doesn't look too comfortable on the ball. I think if he he had his way he would taken Lovren and Caulker ahead of all our current CB's. Still don't know why we did not get Lovren last year ahead of Southampton. I think much of our defensive re-structuring will take place if we can get rid of our current defenders. Some do have to go - G.Johnson should be ahead of the queue looking at the exit door
ReplyDeleteThat's right....Who's laughing now?
ReplyDeleteopps i did it again!
ReplyDeleteBut you see why those things are very different right? In fairness your right in what you are saying I just think the example was odd considering the obvious facetiousness of Fergie's comments were Grant's are (most probably) genuine.
ReplyDeleteAlthough he played his best season for us, Skrtel broke the
ReplyDeleterecord for most own goals last season and Agger looks like his injuries are finally catching up to his performances. Sakho had his first season in England and didn't do too much wrong. How many goals can we directly attribute to him?
I think with time he'll be an absolute gem for us. Look at the French team...he's settled there and put in some very impressive performances through the World Cup. If I was BR, I would realize that Skrtel's stock is as high as it will ever be. We should work out a deal to sell him and lodge a bid in the 30-35 range for Hummels; if they accept it, sell Skrtel and replace him with hummels and start him alongside Sakho. That CB pairing would be a mainstay for
years to come....but as much and I trust and love BR on the pitch, I dont trust him to pull off any impressive signings of that caliber anytime soon
it's also tasteless and disrespectful to randomly shout out names of Britney Spears songs...
ReplyDeleteYou are just offending on all fronts today, puke.
I understand that... but the rumors on this guy coming here didn't start until last month.
ReplyDeleteThe timing seems uncanny.
Of course
ReplyDeleteIs it.
ReplyDeleteYou've explained your view on the views of others on Origi, but not your own view on Origi. I wasn't snide at all. I don't mess about with "tone" if I think someone's wrong. But yeah, fine.
ReplyDelete