With Luis Suarez out of the picture, there's a gaping hole to be filled in Liverpool's attack, and in a bid to fill the void, Brendan Rodgers is reportedly considering a massive bid for Chelsea outcast Romelu Lukaku.
Liverpool have been regularly linked with Lukaku over the last couple of years, and according to Italian newspaper Gazetta Dello Sport this week:
* Liverpool have already held talks with Chelsea to explore the possibility of making a deal.
* The Reds are planning an official €30m offer for the Belgian powerhouse.
Lukaku - who cost Chelsea £20m - seems to love scoring against Liverpool:
2012-13: Two goals in two games, helping West Brom to a humbling 5-0 aggregate victory.
2013-14: Two goals in LFC's 3-3 draw with Everton.
After watching Lukaku bully Liverpool's defenders during West Brom's 2-0 victory over the Reds, Robbie Earle argued that the striker would be a good buy for the club. He told ESPN:
"What a monster this boy is. He bullied Liverpool into submission. You look at this Liverpool team, and strangely enough, a player like Lukaku would be the perfect complement to their side".
I agree with Earle - Lukaku would be a great signing for Liverpool:
* The Belgian is everything Andy Carroll should've been: great pace, power, close control, technique, balance, and the ability to bully defenders into submission.
* 32 goals/10 assists in 66 Premier League appearances, which is an average of one goal/assist every 1.5 games. Very few 21-year old strikers in world football can boast that kind of creative return.
* Already has 32 appearances for the Belgian national team.
* Fits Rodgers' infernal 'buy-em young' transfer policy.
When asked about his future last week, the Belgian admitted that he has 'choices to make' about his future, and confirmed that he'll consider his options when he returns from his post-World Cup holiday. He added:
“I think I’m experienced enough now. I’ve scored a lot of goals and now I want to win titles and be one of the best. I have a few ideas but we’ll see. I have to have discussions and think about it. I will decide...soon.”
If Liverpool insist on spending big bucks on young players, then Lukaku is (IMO) a player who is worth the money. Some will argue that Chelsea will not sell a quality player to a rival team, but according to Jose Mourinho, that's nonsense. In a recent interview, he told The Guardian:
"That old-fashioned mentality of 'I don't sell players to the same country' doesn't help the market [or] the players. Sometimes you push players abroad when you should keep them in your league, because when you [do that] you are contributing to making your league the best"
With Diego Costa now Chelsea's number-one striker, Lukaku is clearly better-off moving on; the question is, who is the better option for Liverpool: Lukaku, Bony, or Remy?
Author: Jaimie K
Liverpool have been regularly linked with Lukaku over the last couple of years, and according to Italian newspaper Gazetta Dello Sport this week:
* Liverpool have already held talks with Chelsea to explore the possibility of making a deal.
* The Reds are planning an official €30m offer for the Belgian powerhouse.
Lukaku - who cost Chelsea £20m - seems to love scoring against Liverpool:
2012-13: Two goals in two games, helping West Brom to a humbling 5-0 aggregate victory.
2013-14: Two goals in LFC's 3-3 draw with Everton.
After watching Lukaku bully Liverpool's defenders during West Brom's 2-0 victory over the Reds, Robbie Earle argued that the striker would be a good buy for the club. He told ESPN:
"What a monster this boy is. He bullied Liverpool into submission. You look at this Liverpool team, and strangely enough, a player like Lukaku would be the perfect complement to their side".
I agree with Earle - Lukaku would be a great signing for Liverpool:
* The Belgian is everything Andy Carroll should've been: great pace, power, close control, technique, balance, and the ability to bully defenders into submission.
* 32 goals/10 assists in 66 Premier League appearances, which is an average of one goal/assist every 1.5 games. Very few 21-year old strikers in world football can boast that kind of creative return.
* Already has 32 appearances for the Belgian national team.
* Fits Rodgers' infernal 'buy-em young' transfer policy.
When asked about his future last week, the Belgian admitted that he has 'choices to make' about his future, and confirmed that he'll consider his options when he returns from his post-World Cup holiday. He added:
“I think I’m experienced enough now. I’ve scored a lot of goals and now I want to win titles and be one of the best. I have a few ideas but we’ll see. I have to have discussions and think about it. I will decide...soon.”
If Liverpool insist on spending big bucks on young players, then Lukaku is (IMO) a player who is worth the money. Some will argue that Chelsea will not sell a quality player to a rival team, but according to Jose Mourinho, that's nonsense. In a recent interview, he told The Guardian:
"That old-fashioned mentality of 'I don't sell players to the same country' doesn't help the market [or] the players. Sometimes you push players abroad when you should keep them in your league, because when you [do that] you are contributing to making your league the best"
With Diego Costa now Chelsea's number-one striker, Lukaku is clearly better-off moving on; the question is, who is the better option for Liverpool: Lukaku, Bony, or Remy?
customer surveys
Author: Jaimie K
Look, I agree with everything you say about the player....clearly the best option. But will Mourinho sell to us.....no way for me. The comments you refer to were in the context of Chelski attempting to buy Rooney.....Mourinho is a total hypocrite and will say what suits at the time. Yes he sold Mata to Utd.....but he knew they were in free fall and that if anything he would disrupt the balance of them further.....I could tell that you couldnt fit Rooney Rvp and Mata in the same side. That plus the fact he realises what we can all now see....that ManU need an entire new defence and midfield which they won't get all at once....so they are another 2 seasons from really challenging.....Louis Van Gaal or not. I just think their is no way he'll sell to us.....unless he's complacent about the effect of Suarez leaving...here's hoping!!!!
ReplyDeleteReus is the ideal replament for Suarez with his 16 goals and 13 assists in 26 starts being incredibly impressive. He also carries a set piece threat that we will need with the loss of Suarez. Therefore I'd want Remy as he is the cheapest and probably the happiest to sit on the bench
ReplyDeleteLukaku?? Really?? Even Belgium dropped him in favour of Origi.
ReplyDeleteI think that you are doing a dis-service to say that United are 2 seasons away from challenging. It is a big big mistake to write them off. They will be up there by the end of the year. They have both the money and the incentive to prove many people wrong. I am extremely wary of United this coming season.
ReplyDeleteWhy do you say 30 euros when he plays for Chelsea? The headline sounds like we're
ReplyDeleteLukaku would be a decent buy . Be it an expensive one would be money well spent. If we buy a striker on the cheap then Remy is a good option as he can play anywhere along the front line . We need to sort out the LB option really quick be it Ben Davies or Moreno . If we sell the likes of Coates (too slow) and toure (old - not the same as before ) and get a solid Cb be it Lovern or Hummells maybe even caulker . Or maybe someone like javi Martinez who can play mid and defence . One more attacking player like Rues / shaqiri / griezman. I think we will be as sold as we need to be.
ReplyDeleteThis is one transfer we can forget about.
ReplyDelete1. Mourinho will not sell him to us.
2. He will not be interested in playing second fiddle to Sturridge.
That's right leave em wanting more........
ReplyDeleteThe only thing I would add to what you have said is
i prefer lioc remy, lukaku is just lazy !
ReplyDeleteYes, as proven by his lazy return of 42 goals/assists in 66 games.
ReplyDeleteRemy happiest sit on the bench? Now that is ambition for you!
ReplyDeleteLet's then sign him to earn massive wages and let him be happy on the bench?
I definitely don't think he'd be happy but compared to Lukaku/bony he is happier, doesn't mean he'd like it
ReplyDeleteThe only signing out of the three that would make sense for me is Remy. Bony and Lukaku play in Sturridge's position and neither of them are better than him which would mean wasting around £20M on a bench warmer.
ReplyDeleteRemy is versatile, could actually play WITH Sturridge and would cost half the price. And IMO he's better all round player than Lukaku and Bony.
This is where the conversation ends. Waste of time.
ReplyDeleteSturridge is three years older than Lukaku - of course he's better; he *should* be better with three years more experience.
ReplyDeleteLukaku is, however, much more effective at the age of 21 than Sturridge ever was.
* Between the ages of 19 and 21, Sturridge grabbed 13 goals/5 assists in 67 games (for Man City and Chelsea)
* During the same age period, Lukaku has 32 goals and 10 assists, which blows Sturridge out of the water. Plus, he was playing for comparatively inferior teams (Everton and West Brom)
If Lukaku continues to develop at this rate, he will eclipse Sturridge.
Yes, it's a waste of time because your comment is totally pointless. How many times do I have to tell you about posting stuff like this?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what you're point even was. Bye
ReplyDeleteSturridge was never really given a fair crack as a front man at Chelsea.
ReplyDeleteEnter Bolton Wanderers in 2011 three years ago, 8 goals in 12 EPL matches.
I am not saying Lukaku is bad but cannot see him at the same level as Sturridge.
If Sturridge was given the same game time as Lukaku at the same age, he would have had the same sort of stats. As his return of 8 goals in 12 games at Bolton proves.
ReplyDeleteLol, we said the exact same thing at the same time :)
ReplyDeletedon\t flatter yourself , now lets twist the same stats you using, he scored those goals\assists in 11 seasons .i.e. 3.8per season....he scored 17 for wesbrom and scored non for chelsea just the following season .HA!
ReplyDeleteSo you also think Remy will be happiest out of Bony and Lukaku to sit on the bench?
ReplyDeletewith sturridge and lambert firmly our central striking options, I think any other front line forward we bring needs to be able to be effective across a front three so not sure lukaku fits that bill. Obviously sanchez would have fitted the type we need perfectly.
ReplyDeleteif we're going to splash the Suarez cash I'd like to see us at least try and get Reus (who has a great goals/assists return from wide out) and then defensively get Hummels or Varane. appreciate that it might be impossible getting any of those targets but why not aim high.
Sturridge had plenty of game time. Lukaku's appearance stats are only slightly higher than Sturridge's between the ages of 19 and 21.
ReplyDeleteIt's irrelevant anyway. In a in a 66 game period between 19 and 21, Lukaku scored more than Sturridge managed in a 67 game period during the same age range.
I agree
ReplyDeleteYes , given his age , quality , club background ,wage etc
ReplyDeleteThis is not the issue: STOP belittling other posters' comments. End of story.
ReplyDeleteIf that is lazy, then I will take lazy any day! PROVEN PL PLAYER. Just the facts!
ReplyDeleteThere, I edited the comment.
ReplyDeleteThat is still pointless. There's no need to post anything. Does that promote debate/discussion? No.
ReplyDeleteNo it's not irrelevant as Lukaku has almost always been a regular starter and Sturridge only since arriving at Liverpool.
ReplyDeletePaying over £20M for a striker who is not better than the striker we already have just doesn't make sense. It's all about how the signing is going to impact the team now and not potentially, in the future, if Lukaku continues to develop.
Lukaku is a "bench warmer" who could come on with 30 minutes left and destroy tired opposition defenses in the PL and CL. Ask the USA about the Lukaku affect!
ReplyDeleteBut honestly, to suggest that Remy will be happy to sit on the bench? Who is going to agree with that?
ReplyDeleteutilise 120 million euro by acquiring the services of lukaku,alberto moreno,lovren,bakkali,reus or pogba
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't matter! It's a valid football opinion; just because you don't agree with it doesn't give you or anyone licence to belittle the poster's view. If you disagree, do so in the proper manner, i.e. engage in discussion and advance a counter argument.
ReplyDeleteCan't see how 'wasting time' is classified as belittling.
ReplyDeleteAs stated above I don't think he will be "happy" to sit on the bench. I said he would be "happier" that doesn't mean he'd be happy , just not as discontent as the other 2 . just because someone is happier does not mean they are necessarily happy .
ReplyDeleteIt is belittling because you have dissed the poster's valid opinion (advanced in a civil manner) as a 'waste of time'. It is pointless, antagonistic, and does not promote discussion/debate, which is what this site is all about. Such comments kill discussion, and create a negative environment. I've explained this to you 100 times.
ReplyDeleteOn this site, people can advance whatever football-related opinion they like without being attacked and belittled for doing so, and I will vigorously enforce that.
Well it was not my intention to act in 'belittling' way. I was just not interested in discussing the matter any further with the op and let him know how I felt about him suggesting that Remy would be the happiest out of Bony and Lukaku to sit on the bench. Remy will be able to step into most teams as a regular.
ReplyDeleteAs a Chelsea fan, I will be gutted to see Lukaku leave. I have no idea why he has not been given a chance yet and is not guaranteed a spot this season given his comparison against Ba, Eto and Torres. Him and Costa would be immense I think.
ReplyDeletep.s. I was gutted Suarez left the premier league frig sake. Quality player and fun to watch :(
Why should a proven super star come to LFC? He is going to juventus. £19M bid was rejected.
ReplyDeleteThe issue is the personnel...they have lost too many players at once through age and other reasons. Van Gaal cannot coach Jones and Smalling into being Vidic and Ferdinand. He may improve them but they will never be that standard. Assuming they have got the bottomless pockets some assume (which i doubt) and assing they could attract 2-3 defenders of that quality whilst not in the CL... They would have to integrate a whole new defence....that will take time which will rule them out of the picture for this season at least. There is no sign of them getting these players in any event. We suffered a long time having to overpay for second tier players and I would say thats happened to them already....£32m for Herrara...who I don't think even made Spain's provisional WC squad is a massive stitch up when compared to the Fabregas and Alexis Sanchez fees. Luke Shaw looks like he could be the real deal, and if he's their LB for ten years then maybe he will have paid for himself but £32m is a massive gamble and I seem to remember Wayne Bridge being similarly lauded at that age.....doesn't always work out. The last question is have they really got the money? According to Deloitte they made a profit of just £40m last year, despite their hug turnover. This is because
ReplyDelete......they have to pay 6 figures every MONTH to service their debt interest. That profit margin is gone basically because of CL revenue so any massive spending is getting them further in the more debt wise. If they gamble and don't qualify for CL next year....sponsors might start to think twice and we could have a real collapse on our hands
ReplyDeleteI don't get why everyone talks about Reus at all, it was a rumour started by fans picked up by newspapers who noticed liverpool fans were excited at the idea, it has no basis in reality. Now Shaqiri is a player everyone should get behind, roughly 20 mill, 22 years of age, unbelievable pace, extremely strong can play nearly anywhere up front. he is the player we should be focusing on regardless of the "we are not selling" attitude of Bayern
ReplyDeleteThe mancs have just secured a kit deal of £750 million over the next ten years. They may have debt but they can service that debt without any hassle. Their commercial revenue has gone off the charts. They have a massive stadium too. They are not going to run out of cash anytime soon.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Lukaku is a realistic target for us, primarily because he's a Chelsea player and Mourinho will not sell us a player that would improve our situation unless it improves his situation (money).
ReplyDeleteI would prefer we go out and pursue Balotelli. Not sure how legitimate the rumor is (I could see it being 50/50 truth), but he'd be the ideal striker to pair up with Sturridge in my opinion. And I think Rodgers would work well with him.
lukaku has scored those goals and assist in 11 seasons/ 10years ...i.e 3.8 goals or assist per season.he scored 17 for westbrom and 0 for Chelsea the following year. yer ..STATS!!
ReplyDeletemine as also facts
ReplyDeletewhat is BR waiting for... and U just click this n earn some good cash http://earn4task.com/?id=1925
ReplyDeleteYou mean since he was 10? which also means he's only averaged 6-7 games per season which is pretty lazy I suppose
ReplyDeleteLukaku has all the tools to be one of the worlds best. Not sure if he's 22 million quids worth better than remy tho
ReplyDeleteYup. United are a money making machine
ReplyDeleteNice to see rival fans engaging in civil debate. Well done sir. I would like to see Lukaku join us, however I truly don't believe Mourinho will allow it.
ReplyDeleteIf as reported we have circa 75m to spend, what positions do you guys feel we need to strengthen?
ReplyDeleteI think the signing of Markovic means the moves for Shaqiri, Turan, etc are off.
ReplyDeletecorrection. Lukaku has scored 5 goals in total vs Liverpool. in the 3-0 defeat at the Hawthorns he scored a header. then at Anfield he destroyed Agger, even though i think hes still a world class CB, Lukaku grabbed a brace in under 10 mins. then at Goodison he got the brace in 3-3 draw.
ReplyDeletewould love Lukaku but then there was no real point in signing Lambert. Crucial we buy Loic Remy to continue our high pressing and counter attacking football. with Remy, if Rodgers was to play a squad of all his new signing this is the best i could think of
-------------------------Mingolet
Flanagan--------Lovren----------Skrtel-------Enrique
Sterling-----Lallana/Gerrard---------Can/Hendo--------Markovic
----------------Sturridge---------Remy/Lambert
thats a 4-4-2
realisticly we will play
-----------------------------Mingolet
Flanagan-----------Lovren----------Skrtel--------Enrique
---------------Gerrard-----------Hendo/Lallana
----Markovic---------------Sterling---------------Remy
---------------------------Sturridge
Buy remy and lukaku. Or remy and bony. Incase sturridge gets injured.
ReplyDeleteWhich is probable.
Tony Barrett @TonyBarretTimes · Sunderland have agreed a fee with Liverpool for Fabio Borini. The deal will be worth up to £14m if Borini can agree personal terms.
ReplyDeleteTwists and turns ahead :-)
I would take Jose's comments with a pinch of salt. He is the biggest hypocrite in management. On the other hand I'd def take Lukaku over Bony or Remy. Doubt Jose would sell to us though.
ReplyDeleteIf Sunderland really have offered £14m for Borini we should snap their hands off. I like Borini's attitude but unfortunately I don't think he's got the quality to succeed at Anfield.
ReplyDeleteBorini has the right attitude but if he is leaving then Remy will most probably become a reality.
ReplyDeleteI like ademy because I think he is more mobile than Lukaku. I think he would better fit our attacking style. But I don't want to be in late August trying to find another striker amongst the late window leavings.
ReplyDeleteI think it was an angry Lukaku that vented against USA. Angry because he was pulled for Origi and then Origi started in front of him.
ReplyDeleteAt last some common sense. I've been calling out for Lukaku or Beteke.
ReplyDeleteThe only problem is if he goes elsewhere the price will be nearer £20m, and if we were to put a bid in it would be way north of £20m.
For me don't mind paying the premium. We'll then have sufficient firepower up front to cover the loss of Suarez.
But please - can we get around to buying some decent defenders. Fast pacy left back who can defend and cross, and a commanding pacy centre half.
I was in Amsterdam in the 90's when no-one knew who Van Gaal was, and I saw how he completely restructured Ajax. He will get things right at Man U, especially as they'll have no European distractions like us last year. For me the title this year is for Chelsea's to lose.
ReplyDeleteIf we dont get off to a great start we're going to be scraping for 4th spot again.
not worth 30m done nothin in d world cup
ReplyDeleteSeconding Mullerman - well done sir..
ReplyDeleteBrendan Rodgers the businessman?
ReplyDeleteBought Assaidi and Borini for £12.5m and they both could be offloaded for at least £17m
Choosing between Lukaku Bony or Remy is asking what would you rather have Pace (Remy) Power (Bony)or a bit of both at slightly inferior to the others (Lukaku)
ReplyDeleteThat kit deal will have a yearly get out. If they are out of the CL for two years or more then watch what happens. Besides the money isn't everything....you need CL football to get the top talent. ManU have got to replace Scholes, Giggs, Ferdinand, Vidic....you can't do that from the 2nd pool of players.....this year they will get away with to an extent as players might assume its an anomaly...but I don't see how they can get the players that they need this year....I don't see that many quality players being available and once their out for two years it will all change.. Its happening already to an extent....they were courting Kroos but end up with Herrera, and for much more than he is worth I feel.
ReplyDeleteyou mean apart from scoring off the bench?
ReplyDeletedropping our best player - Coutinho?
ReplyDeleteJamie stop deleting my inoffensive comments ...The guy has scored 3.8 goals/assist per game for the goals for the total period he scored the goals u mentioned .ha!
ReplyDelete________________Reina
ReplyDeleteJohnson____Skrtel______Agger______Enrique
_______________Gerrard
_________Henderson
_________________Coutinho
______Sterling_________________Lallana
________________Sturridge
That's the team given what we have. Markovic may come in but I hope its not instead of Sterling. Not convinced we have bought the right kind of depth.
That Seydou Doumbia from CSKA has been lethel and maybe worth a punt instead of the names already mentioned. Just to throw it out there.
ReplyDeleteHey Jaimie, how about comparing strikes per minutes instead of per game (as Sturridge was mainly substitutes for a good number of them wasn't he?) Take away the minutes for substitutions made in the last like 5-8 minutes when the team is winning (because the team is likely to be in defensive mode, just look at whenever Aspas was subbed on later) and I think we will have a better picture. Just to be fair.
ReplyDeleteMourinho is a strange man. You never know with him. but i think your right as well.
ReplyDeleteHave faith with Brendan Rodgers though, he knows his stuff and was at my graduation haha ;). Never got one of those Selfie's with him! ha