18 Aug 2014

Carra: 'Faultless' £29m star is LFC's 'best attacking player'. Better than £31m man?

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge continues to go from strength to strength, and despite the breadth of attacking riches in Brendan Rodgers' squad, Reds legend Jamie Carragher insists that the England striker is LFC's best player.

Speaking to Sky Sports over the weekend, Carra hailed Sturridge as a 'key man' and a 'guaranteed starter', adding:

"He [Sturridge] now knows he is probably the best attacking player Liverpool have got and that people will be looking at him to deliver [and] I think he will do that".

I don't see any credible argument against this.

Sturridge is clearly Liverpool's best attacking player, and he's been a revelation for the club since the day he arrived:

* 46 goals/assists in 50 games for Liverpool. Just read that again: 46 goals/assists in 50 games. Only the likes of Messi, Ronaldo, and Suarez achieve a similar creative strike-rate.

* Scored more goals (36) in his first 50 games than any other LFC player in history (Bar George Allan in the 1890s)

To be honest, I had minor reservations about Sturridge's transfer to Liverpool, but the comparatively small £12m transfer fee assuaged those minor doubts somewhat. The deal felt like an educated risk, and a sensible use of transfer funds, as opposed to ridiculous gamble of signing Andy Carroll for £35m.

Sturridge - also described recently as 'faultless' by Carra - is a revelation for Liverpool, it's as simple as that. 46 goals/assists in 50 games says it all, and in my view, the striker is - pound-for-pound - LFC's best value for money signing since Sami Hyypia. Luis Suarez was also amazing value for money, but Liverpool paid £23m for the Uruguayan, which is a fairly significant transfer fee.

As regular visitors will know, my one of my pet-peeves is gross overpraise of players, but when a player actually achieves something notable, then praise is warranted. In Sturridge's case, he has consistently delivered the goods for eighteen months now, and deserves all the praise coming his way.

It still amazes me how some LFC fans continue to underrate Sturridge, and insist on spreading the spurious myth that he's a 'selfish' player to the detriment of the team. Strikers *should* be selfish, and when Sturridge achieves a creative return of 46 goals/assists in 50 games, he has earned the right to go-for-goal whenever he has the chance.

Sturridge is even underrated when it comes to transfer value. According to the recent player value index from the CIES Football Observatory (which has detailed knowledge of actual prices paid in thousands of transfers to ‘Big Five’ divisions over recent years), Raheem Sterling's 'objective market value' is currently £31m-£36m, and he is allegedly worth more than Sturridge, who is valued at £29m-£34m.

For me, there's no way Sterling is worth more than Sturridge. When averages a goal/assist *every single game*, then he'll be on the same level of worth, but right now, he's nowhere near that.

As Gary Lineker said over the weekend:


Amen. Sturridge has to prove himself in Europe, and on the international stage in order to be considered 'World Class', but he clearly has the talent to achieve that exulted status.

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111 comments:

  1. Surely has to be one of, if not the best striker in the Prem right now? Does another player have a similar strike rate over the last couple of seasons?
    We know Suarez did, and RVP is probably similar.
    I always had a good feeling about him.

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  2. The only person that matches Sturridge is Aguero in terms of striker rate and IMO, Sturridge is just a small bit below Aguero but he is the second best striker in the league for me. I was one of the fans who were underwhelmed when he signed but he has proved everyone wrong and long may it continue.

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  3. I voted for Lucas, because it is so ridiculous that he is even on that list... 'Attacking' and 'Lucas' just does not sound well...

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  4. top 5 forward in premier league surely. Will gain more respect this season because doesn't have to play in shadow of Luis Suarez.

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  5. lol any 1 who says lucas needs to be blocked from this site haha

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  6. Nevergonnacrackthecode3:36 pm, August 18, 2014

    what did you think of morgan schniderlins performance ?


    i think he is perfect for midfield with him sterling,hendo,lallana and coutinho

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  7. Eto'o used to be an amazing striker, he isn't anywhere near as good anymore, I can't see him being a 10 goal a season striker, where as Borini has the ability and potential to be a 10+ goal a season striker.

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  8. no more southcoast geeezers3:39 pm, August 18, 2014

    he needs a foil like wa he ad wth saurez somw onw big an powerfull thst can plsy gootball an great in the air a player that will giv defenders somthing to think about to give sturage the spaces he needs look at the game on Sunday sturage was starved very isolated when lambert came on he was on the ball constant atakn . I say look no further thsn bony we went in for costa last seasn bony is as good as him and beter than lambert a perfect foil for sturage and sterln

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  9. I believe he was our best player in the under 6`s stood out.

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  10. no more southcoast geeezers3:41 pm, August 18, 2014

    yer but look wat cun got to giv him the chances good midfeild

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  11. no more southcoast geeezers3:43 pm, August 18, 2014

    I dont think stura was ever in his shadow I think it was an cud of been the best partnershipin europe

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  12. Remember watching Sturridge about 5, or maybe 6, years ago in a preseason friendly for Citeh when no less than Maldini, on his backside, resorted to pulling down Sturridge's shorts when Daniel had bamboozled and gotten past him. Wanted us to sign him then, but (fortunately? - only because it may have given him the desire and drive that he displays now) he wasted a few years at CFC, though the loan spells certainly assisted his development.

    Agree with most everything bar the section on Sterling's valuation: Sturridge is certainly undervalued, but by no means is Sterling overvalued; he's a 19yr old revelling in responsibility and delivering consistently. Not only does he go forward effectively, he's tenacious at tracking back and his workrate is phenomenal, there are few forwards of that ilk in world football of any age. The last time he had a bad game or underperformed? I can't remember. The comparison between a 19yr old and 24yr old can't really be made. However, I suspect if we jump forward 5 years and look at Raheem's previous 50 games he'll be averaging above 1 goal/assist per game - at least I certainly hope so...and that's in a red liver bird shirt! If he delivers this season as he did last, at 20, he'll be a target for £40m+ bids next summer without a doubt.

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  13. Close one between DS and RS. Because I can see what Raheem WILL do this season, so for now, it is Daniel. Who has only Aguero in front of him in the whole EPL, by the way...

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  14. no more southcoast geeezers3:44 pm, August 18, 2014

    and bony wud be a great foil for dem 2

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  15. Who voted for Lucas? Haha!

    Sturridge is a beast, as long as he keep fit.

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  16. Top 2 with Aguerro. Don`t tell me you rate looney rooney more than him. Van Persie is close, but still worse. Who is on your list?

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  17. All jokes aside Studge could be amazing this season ,but he needs support from others, i think Sterlings been great but the two of them were a bit Isolated because of the weird tactics of BR tbh.

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  18. How did Lucas get a place in the votes... Attacking? Attacking other teams players maybe!!!

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  19. We cannot even try to go for another Southampton player this summer, its getting comical now.

    Schniderlin(24) is a very good player but a fully fit injury free E Capoue(26) will be better as a DM than Schniderlin(24).

    Look at Fernando(28) Of Man City he just protects the back 4 down to a T and we should have brought to club instead of letting Man City get him.

    E Capoue(26) B Rodgers could bring him to the club for £6-£9M

    Schnederlin(24) is going to cost at least £18-£25M to any club trying to but him this summer.



    And E Capoue(26) would be an awesome signing for the club.

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  20. With 6 positions (midfield and attack) to be filled, 5 might as well be english players...

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  21. And he's not bottom (Lucas)

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  22. I'm liking the sense of irony there - Lucas :)

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  23. Nice article JK, Sturridge has been a revelation & what's even swift our double agent Rafa sold him to us on the cheap! Chelsea must be so envious! I think he's class is fairly obvious & I'm certain that the elite European stage won't be an issue. His combination of pace & technique makes him more Brazilianesque than English in terms of how he plays.
    My only reservation is whether he has been fully embraced by the fans as JK suggested. Here's some of the reasons I've heard:
    1) He's selfishness cost us points- his stats justify is slight selfishness & I've seen him create & play for others. JK is there any objective evidence that Sturridge costs LFC points. I think this is a myth which ought to be debunked once & for all!

    2) He's cocky- I can understand Chelsea fans spewing this nonsense but to my surprise so-called fans spout the same thing. Is it his celebrations, his hairstyle, lifestyle?????
    Sturridge was the doorway for the showing the human nature of the England team, getting involved with the Brazilian locals, constant instagrams etc. Also the work he's doing for the Liverpudlian community. Is this the way of a cocky & arrogant person?

    3) Greed/mercenary- mooted by Man Citeh/Chelsea fans. He's worth he's weight in gold.

    I hope we continue to support Sturridge wholeheartedly & ask those who don't to justify their stance. There...end of rant :)

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  24. Nevergonnacrackthecode4:52 pm, August 18, 2014

    and sanchez if he recreates his barca form

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  25. Bony is a better bet than Lavezzi!

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  26. Nevergonnacrackthecode4:55 pm, August 18, 2014

    IMO this is how it is, best players defenders and gk not included and no new players :


    1) augero
    2) silva
    3) sturridge
    4) sterling
    5) hazard
    6) yaya toure
    7) rooney
    8) van persie
    9) ozil
    10) henderson

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  27. And Costa with his Atletico form, but it is not gonna happen.
    And Sterling if he continues to up his form, which is more likely...

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  28. Felt like voting for Lucas just to stir it up lol
    If Sturridge can stay fit he'll be in the running for Premier League top scorer this season. Even if we bring in Cavani/Falcao/Lavezzi he'll still be the main man I think.
    Back to Lucas, he had a bad game and Can had a better pre-season. I don't think we need him with Allen and Can in the squad. I'm not sure why he hasn't already gone to Napoli.

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  29. Based on past performances and the current squad - sure he's the best attacker.
    Based on most recent performances, and going forward, think it'll be Sterling. If yesterday is anything to go by, Sterling would appear to be the one who make things tick - He's making passes, taking shots (good ones), tracking back, making runs - overall menace. Sturridge is very good at what he does, very skillfull, but can go missing quite a bit - still he only needs to be "on" for a few minutes to contribute.
    Sterling, to me, has more magic - not quite Suarez level, but you get a feeling he can pull something crazy off, nice run, dribble shot, pass - whereas sturridge seems more one dimentional - he's good around the goal, and a bit more predictable.

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  30. Good list. Iwould flip numbers 3 and 2, and7 and 8. Plus number 9 is not top 20...

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  31. Predictablen yes, but not as stoppable...

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  32. I don't think we need him. He's not better than out first choices, and we have plenty of cover for the cup games.

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  33. Who the hell is voting for this? Lucas on 4%... More than Hendo, Markovic and Lallana and nearly as much as Coutinho... What is this world coming to?!?

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  34. My top 10 would be...
    1) Yaya
    2) Aguero (when fit)
    3) Studge
    4) Ramsay
    5) Silva
    6) Hazard
    7) Rooney
    8) Sterling
    9) RVP
    10) Costa or Sanchez (both could considerably improve positions depending on their seasons ahead)

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  35. Where there is irony you can be sure there will be jokers.

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  36. Nevergonnacrackthecode5:29 pm, August 18, 2014

    forgot ramsey

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  37. Nevergonnacrackthecode5:31 pm, August 18, 2014

    ramsey instead of ozil

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  38. read the top banner above the article title

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  39. the midfield was garbage yesterday id like it to be hendo,can, and allen v city

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  40. Suarez has had 8 more years to produce his magic...and it's sublime. I think it will take less than 8 years for Sterling to reach those heights. If he stays in the PL, his knowledge of opposing players' tendencies and weaknesses will combine with his impressive acceleration to make him really fun to watch. But then I think Sturridge will do the same. This ought to be a fun season just for that.

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  41. gerrard has to earn his place he was pedestrian v saints he just strolled about his legs have gone

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  42. Gerrard has been awful in his last dozen outings but its just simply swept away in a sea of nostalgia...watch a replay of the game and focus on him he does nothing he doesn't close anyone down he does nothing

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  43. To think Sterling is only 19. Defenders worst nightmare.

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  44. we won that game through pure luck and nothing else and to suggest otherwise is folly

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  45. I think i am about to have a serious migraine

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  46. the reality is that this kid is 7m down the pan

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  47. This is seriously how you write?

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  48. get him swapped he isnt good enough ......the dye was cast for me watching him get skinned by a non league player ...hes a defender who is okay if the team is built around him ...but his talent doesn't warrant selection let alone that ...nice boy good luck good bye

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  49. Bordeaux will not get anywhere near the European places, this move will purely be about education and experience.
    I watched him for Granada last year and he was solid defensively, and occasionally played some great forwards passes that lead directly to goal scoring opportunities.
    I haven't seen every game, but I really like him and I hope we keep him for the future. I can't say the same for Coates. There is a major problem though.
    If Lovren and Sakho are our future central defensive partnership, then both Ilori and Coates have nothing but Carling cup and FA cup games to look forward to for the next 4 or 5 years at least. If they have any ambition they won't stick around for that.

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  50. If he isn't the best, he's certainly the most indispensable

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  51. 25 assists over the last three seasons. I don't believe the selfish point of view. Sometimes he looks like he passes up a pass for his own shot...but all strikers do that...it's called self-confidence.

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  52. The English language just died a cruel, bloody death

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  53. Nevergonnacrackthecode6:23 pm, August 18, 2014

    wedensday
    liille vs porto cl play off
    chance to see origi play

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  54. Nevergonnacrackthecode6:23 pm, August 18, 2014

    he has more kids then most of them

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  55. great..i would like to see more from open play than spot kicks

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  56. Is it on the same time as arsenal?

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  57. I love Hendo but you rate him above Oscar, Ramsay, Cazorla, Mata to name but a few? Come on man be serious

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  58. Nevergonnacrackthecode6:26 pm, August 18, 2014

    see i forgot ramsey would ahve him in 9 instead of ozil


    oscar is poor mans coutinho , mata is past it and carzola i dont rate

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  59. Nevergonnacrackthecode6:26 pm, August 18, 2014

    dont know i think arsenal are playing tommorow

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  60. Ya, your right, just checked, looking forward to seeing him play alright, good shout.

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  61. Willian, Nasri, Fernandinho, Ramires, Dzeko... There's lots of players in the league better than Hendo

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  62. Nevergonnacrackthecode6:29 pm, August 18, 2014

    do you want arsenal out?


    i want them in europa league , but not out of europe
    i think injuries is their biggest problem and them playing more games is only going to lead to more

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  63. Nevergonnacrackthecode6:30 pm, August 18, 2014

    i can not take any brazil world cup players seriously apart from neymar

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  64. Nevergonnacrackthecode6:32 pm, August 18, 2014

    longer then the article ,
    well done!

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  65. no more southcoast geeezers6:36 pm, August 18, 2014

    go spec savers get youself a pair

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  66. no more southcoast geeezers6:37 pm, August 18, 2014

    no mi phne is working funny mate so stop taikn rubish

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  67. no more southcoast geeezers6:38 pm, August 18, 2014

    taik about football thats what we here for!

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  68. Nevertheless, Jock`s statement stands...

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  69. Nevergonnacrackthecode6:40 pm, August 18, 2014

    sturage


    love that name
    funny you managed to spell bony corectly though

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  70. Nevergonnacrackthecode6:40 pm, August 18, 2014

    are you alright?

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  71. no more southcoast geeezers6:41 pm, August 18, 2014

    nooo mate its my phne cant you tell that lets just keep to what we hete for and thst is football

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  72. Ok, got it. I have Liverpool in my vanes, but doesn`t mean I can`t laugh at someone unrelated to football? And your phone really makes you a target...

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  73. Yip, I'd like to see them lose even game

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  74. The tables have turned. There is nowhere for UTD or Van Gaal to hide.

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  75. Sturridge all day long. But remember he need to be injury free and requires our midfielder's brilliant assistance to get him a finish. Lambert had some decent running and touches in yesterday's game IMO.

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  76. Nevergonnacrackthecode6:55 pm, August 18, 2014

    sorry ,initially the picture did not come out


    so i thought you were laughing for no reason

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  77. It's too early in the season to take such a fatalistic view. It was the first match of the season. We beat ManU 1-0 last season from a mere touch of the top of Sturridge's head...and went on to finish second. If it were luck, then I'd just respond that you make your own luck.

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  78. no more southcoast geeezers6:59 pm, August 18, 2014

    well a true lfc fan wud take tume to read jus like I take time to read what ypu have to say

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  79. no more southcoast geeezers6:59 pm, August 18, 2014

    sorry bloody phone agen

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  80. The list is about individual quality, as every list of best players, but... We would miss Hendo much more than City would miss Dzeko. Same goes for say Gatusso in Milan and some other players, they never make those lists, that is why I would let Hendo in some top 10..

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  81. no more southcoast geeezers7:01 pm, August 18, 2014

    jok statement stands for nothing it hadnt got nothing to do with lfc

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  82. no more southcoast geeezers7:02 pm, August 18, 2014

    what are you a school teacher kets taik on one thing lfc thats it

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  83. no more southcoast geeezers7:03 pm, August 18, 2014

    thes touch phones are for grls wth small hands not a man like me me hands to big

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  84. I think that's more to do with our squad depth though if I'm honest. I really rate Hendo and he's absolutely vital to the way we play but there's no way he's in the top 10 attacking players in the league.

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  85. Agree, the difference between a finisher and an attacker.

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  86. Sturridge and Sterling can form a lethal partnership and our opening match suggests that Rodgers believes the same.

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  87. Looks like Mourinho is deploying Fabregas as a holding midfielder. Now that is irony for you.

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  88. Nevergonnacrackthecode7:21 pm, August 18, 2014

    for mourinho everyone is a holding midfielder

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  89. That's what I was trying to say. He's a good player and an absolutely vital cog in our midfield but never in a million years is he in the top ten attacking players in the league

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  90. Unsubstantiated criticism is a real bugbear for me!

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  91. But you CAN take members of the England more seriously?

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  92. I hope he's part of this revolution of putting lfc back to the top!

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  93. B Rodgers and I Ayre should turn all their attention to bring M Reus(25) Of Borussia Dortmund to club for £23-£28M , Arsenal got A Sanchez(25) for £32M off Barcelona. And M Reus(25) is of same calibre, class and quality of Sanchez(25) and would give the squad a boost/lift.


    M Reus(25) would bring another 10- 20 goals to club.


    And then B Rodgers should spend £14-£22M on a class quality striker for now and next two to three years at club: One of these Five class strikers


    1: L Muriel(24) Of Udinese
    2: G Rossi(27) Of Fiorentina
    3: L Adriano(27) Of Shakhtar Donesk
    4: W Bony(25) Of Swansea
    5: M Icardi(21) Of Inter Milan


    B Rodgers should not spend £10M on loan signing of Falcao(28)


    Manquillo(20) Looks like the only loan signing B Rodgers has made that will be a success.

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  94. Listening to Brad Friedel's comments before the Burnley vs Chelsea match. Seems like a very down to earth guy.

    I very much prefer him to Andy Townsend.

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  95. Chance to see how Diego Costa performs and also Danny Ings.

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  96. You make a valid point but the list wasn't top 10 players most vital to their teams, it was top 10 attacking players in the league and Hendo's nowhere near that list

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  97. im all for luck panda i think you need it to succeed to some degree, but from a purist standpoint of organization,fluidity,link up etc we where all over the place

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  98. Brought in because he was voted the Best Young player in Copa America in 2011. He teamed with Lugano, when Godin was injured for most if not all that tournament. He was good and then he seemed timid and scared. Now ....i was hoping they would use him for Cup games but I am sure he wants more in order to show that he still has a future.....even with the NT.

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  99. i dont think any striker will be revelation for Chelsea with their style of football.

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  100. Nope it's one. He has one daughter. Plenty of vicious rumors have circulated about the guy having multiple children, which have baffled Raheem (He's spoken about it recently). Comments like the above don't help the situation.

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  101. hate manchester utd8:54 pm, August 18, 2014

    Carragher was in no way in the same league as Gerrard...a leader at the back yes and an efficent organiser..but not with the abiltiy to change games..Gerrard would be a huge loose to us but there is talent such as Henderson to fit into his role not to mention the less inexperienced Can like for like that I hope he will be. Gerrards role has changed over the last season and given that was his first season playing as deep as he was he done more than sufficent given the much needed experience of last season this season will make him into a more defined player..granted saturday was to say the least shakey as to be expected with the first of the season I anticipate a spectualr season from without question the greatest player the premiership has seen over the last decade

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  102. The following are facts:


    * Brown - an unarmed man - shot SIX times from a distance of more than 2 yards (as confirmed by official autopsy)


    * Shot twice in the head; 4 times in the body.


    * Defensive wounds to his arms, which indicate he had his hands raised in surrender (as per the coroner's report)


    * No weapons of any kind found on the dead man, or in the vicinity.


    * The Police officer intended to shoot and kill Brown (why else would he fire SIX rounds).


    That is murder in my view. There's no excuse or justification for shooting an unarmed man 6 times.


    Eyewitness reports indicate that Brown had his arms up in surrender, and the autopsy report backs that story.


    Murder. And it's an absolute disgrace. I totally back the protests of those in Ferguson. The Police cannot and should not be allowed to get away with assassination people in cold blood.

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  103. I can't stand Andy Townsend

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  104. biggestfandownunder11:06 pm, August 18, 2014

    Spot on, Jaimie.

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  105. We should have brought Sami Hypia in when we had the chance

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  106. You simply don't have all the facts. You have some facts to be sure but not all. There are eyewitness accounts that tell a different story. There will be an investigation and the truth will come out. If the truth is not so one-sided as you seem to believe, will you or others who have jumped to conclusions prematurely repair the looted buildings, recompense the innocent store owners whose establishments were broken into and destroyed, apologize for the hot-heads who have been using the protests as an excuse to commit crimes, and condemn the third parties who have entered the city to incite violence? If you aren't on the side of the rule of law, then you aren't helping the situation.

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  107. Apparently Can had a knock and wasn't fit enough to play.


    Allen should definitely start in front of Lucas. JK you say here that Allen didn't do much - I've watched the game 3 times now really closely and I have to disagree BIG TIME. His on and off the ball movement completely changed the dynamic of our midfield and freed up Gerrard and Henderson, who both performed much better after he came on. He also did a lot of work that doesn't get shown in the stats - his pressing, and the way he clogged up passing lanes to prevent Southampton from springing counters. There's no stat to show a player got in the right spot to force the opposition to pass sideways instead of springing someone down the line, but that's a very important thing, and Allen does it extremely well. I'd recommend you and anyone else check out the 'Anfield Index' podcast, particularly the one about this Southampton game...they've got some fantastic analysis about everyone, and really make a great argument as to why Allen doesn't deserve to be as underrated as he is...backed up by real evidence and statistics, not just superficial impression of his play.

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