4 Sept 2014

Game Over: LFC agree to sell 'magnificent' attacker to Euro Giants for measly €3m. Rip-off?

For whatever reason, Brendan Rodgers doesn't seem to rate Spanish youngster Suso, and after being persistently ignored, it appears that the 20-year old's time at Anfield will finally come to an end very soon.

According to Sky Sports Italy journalist Gianluca Dimarzio today:

* Liverpool have agreed a deal to sell Suso to AC Milan.

* The deal will formalised' soon.

* Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid also wanted Suso.

* Milan have negotiated a transfer fee of €3M.

* The Spaniard will join Milan 'next season'.

Italian newspaper Tuttosport further claims that Suso - whose current contract expires next summer - wants to leave, and is reluctant to sign a new contract with Liverpool.

Suso - once hailed by John Aldridge as 'magnficent', and 'a joy to watch' - clearly has a lot of talent, and with the right coaching/development, he could become a top class player, and save the Reds tens of millions in transfer fees. Look at Raheem Sterling, for example. If Rodgers offered Suso the same level of pitch time, and showed similar faith in his ability, it's possible that the Spaniard might blossom at Anfield.

Until now, Suso has always been enthusiastic about staying at Liverpool, and recently, he told reporters:

"It's a dream to play at Anfield every weekend and in the Champions League, it's the best option that can happen. I would like to sign a new contract with Liverpool and stay there for many years."

It's no surprise whatsoever, though, that Suso appears to have changed his mind. Reds boss Brendan Rodgers clearly doesn't rate him, and despite a good pre-season (including two goals scored), the skillful attacker has been ignored for LFC's first three league games. To add insult to injury, Suso has not even featured on the subs bench.

Is there some issue behind the scenes that's prompted Rodgers to lose faith? In 2012, Reds legend Gary Gillespie - who covers youth games for LFC TV, and has done for years - hinted at this, when he told LFC TV:

"From what I can gather, he [Suso] might’ve had a bit of an attitude problem at the Academy, possibly because he thought he was a too good for them. I think he's put those problems behind him though".

Gillespie is pretty plugged-in at Anfield so he would know about what goes on at the Academy. He was, however, quick to add:

"Sometimes it's good to have a little bit of attitude and arrogance as you need that at this sort of level".

Suso certainly has a touch of arrogance and confidence on the field, and that's a great thing to see a young player. Rodgers has also praised Suso in the past. Last year, for example, he raved:

"He is tactically very good, strong technically with the ball. He makes things happen. I love that type of player. Talent finds space. He is a real talent".

There's no evidence to suggest that the youngster is a problem-player, but no matter how well he plays, Rodgers just (seemingly) isn't interested in giving him a chance.

For me, the treatment of Suso is disappointing, and it's yet another cautionary tale for any young attacking player trying to make the breakthrough at Anfield.

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99 comments:

  1. Hope he will get a few matches and persuade BR not to sell him..

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  2. The article's just been written, but 100% no on a poll for any amount of time must mean something

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  3. Rodgers should keep suso, I always wanted us to sign david silva during benitez's era and the only thing that makes me feel happy we didn't buy him is that we are gonna have our own david silva soon. Suso is gonna be Silva with a better shooting accuracy.

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  4. Well this is only next season, perhaps it is to put some fire beneath his arse. if you don't do well in the time your given this season, there is a way out, however if you realise your dreams and potential and push your way into the squad then there ya go... Anfield stay

    Perhaps this is the strategy, Rodgers has all these wonderful little strategies to get players performing to the top of their ability consistently...

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  5. Jamie, there's no way I can send you that e mail for free ad, what should I do?

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  6. It's strange you're having problems. Do you get any bounce-backs? Best thing to do is use the contact form. you should see a 'contact us' bar floating at the right of the screen.

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  7. like the 3 envelopes?

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  8. Some errors regarding pop or I don't know what.. I clicked on contact JK...

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  9. I would be sad to see him leave, he could be a great player in 2 years. I would either sell him with a buy back option or loan him, let him get 2 years at AC milan and he could develop in the italian league similar to Coutinho did.

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  10. I think that you have to trust BR's judgement. Suso was given a chance early on, as a number of younger players were. He was out on loan last season and hardly set the world alight. I just don't think that he suits the sort of game that Rodgers is trying to play with dynamic, pacey, attacks. Suso is very pretty on the ball, but to my mind he is just not suited to the Premier League - and I presume Rodgers feels the same.

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  11. Rodgers makes up his decisions on what he see's from players day in and day out in training so i will trust his decision that if he thinks Suso is not good enough he should move on after all he is more experienced than me and has more information available on Suso to go on.
    If he was good enough he would have got his chance, he is obviously lacking in some areas most probably being able (or having the desire) to track back and make tackles.

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  12. He seems like a good young(ish) prospect but at the end of the day for whatever reason it seems he wants to move on and BR either cannot or does not want to do whatever might be necessary to persuade him to stay.


    We might as well get some money back for him sooner rather than let him go for free later.


    Not every young player with promise can make it at every top club. Sometimes the timing or fit with the team is not right and sometimes the player is not good enough to improve on the players already in the team. It's a tough profession.

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  13. Rodgers racist?

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  14. Suso showed some excellent flashes, but he falls well short of those ahead of him on the depth chart. I don't think you can slight Rogers' approach to young attacking talent. He has Sterling 19, Markovic 20, Manquillo 19, and Moreno 22 in or hovering around the starting lineup all of whom play attacking roles (assuming the latter 2 play as wingbacks). That Suso couldn't shoehorn a place in the starting 11, despite having had an extended period of time to prove himself speaks to some issues.


    As much as I malign some of Rogers buys I can't think of a single sell I've come to regret. Especially when it comes to young talent.

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  15. I'll rather keep suso and sell allen.

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  16. If he is not getting a chance perhaps there is a reason. I didn't watch a.lot of preseason so don't know If Suso was working hard enough, closing down etc. If Rodgers is prepared to let him go maybe there is a reason. I suppose time will tell on that one.

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  17. Nevergonnacrackthecode3:04 pm, September 04, 2014

    why would he join ac milan ?




    they are dying that club

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  18. True. It was not even an original idea of Rodger's but despite my dislike for such management techniques amazingly some of what BR does actually works and works well.

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  19. Just hope he can do his magic on coutinho...

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  20. Bollocks as always get a real job I hear the sail cocks need sucking jamie

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  21. Can you have a written form of Asperger's syndrome?

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  22. It does seem as though BR just doesn't fancy him for whatever reason. He did have some off field trouble last year at Almeria if my memory serves me correctly. He talks a good game but I think there's more to this than meets the eye. I would debate that he had a great pre season ok he scored a couple of goals but his general play wasn't anything special. I had really high hopes for him and I'm sure he will prove an inspired signing for the money but I just don't think he stands much of a chance of cementing a place at LFC so maybe a move is the best solution. Having said that I would be more than happy if he stayed.

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  23. I watched all the pre season games and to be honest he didn't really do much other than the 2 goals. With the likes of Sterling, Coutinho, Markovic, Lallana all ahead of him in the first team queue and with the likes of Ibe coming through I just don't think there's a space for him at the moment.

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  24. ACM is having money problems. One reason they were glad to get rid of Balo was his wage bill. They have to scrounge for quality at the lowest possible price right now and Suso fits the bill...he's talented and he's cheap. I think he'll do well in Serie A because he's a little slow and so is Serie A. However, I would have thought the Liverpool press would have seriously questioned BR about Suso's lack of chances to get to the real reason Suso never got the shot his talent would seem to deserve.

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  25. Spirit of the Shadows3:58 pm, September 04, 2014

    if he wants to leave for first team footy let him leave. but make sure to put a buy back clause like real did for carvajal

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  26. I thought long and hard about my vote and eventually said yes. This is not because I don't rate Suso, I do and I'd like him to stay at the club but there's a couple of reasons why I think Rodgers could move him on.
    I don't think he's quick enough for what Rodgers has in mind for his attackers and ultimately with Sterling, Coutinho, Lallana, Markovic and our front two, when is he going to play? He'd have to be resigned to League cup games and I don't think he'll be content with that.
    Anyway, my main reason for voting yes was, if Rodgers doesn't rate him, and he doesn't seem to, then he might as well let the kid, who's obviously very talented, go off an further his career elsewhere. It's a shame but it's best for all parties

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  27. While Suso has some quality I've never seen enough of it to suggest that he will be a top class talent in the premier league. Italy may well suit him better due to his lack of pace.


    It should be remembered that Sterling came into the team at the same time as sterling, played 14 times and just wasn't as impressive as Sterling- so here we are. I tend to trust Rodgers judgement when it comes to players now, he's earned that right.

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  28. This is indeed disappointing, I always thought very highly of Suso and it's sad to see him leave as he has bags of potential.

    I have a feeling once he leaves he will do really well in Milan and become a real top class player.

    Like JK, I feel that given the same opportunities as Sterling and Flanagan he would have flourished, guess we'll never know.

    At the same time, why would BR give Sterling time and not Suso?

    At the time Suso seemed to be more advanced than Sterling, there is something there and I trust BR, but from a supporters perspective of course it's disappointing.

    I think Coutinho's spot is up for grabs and was hoping Suso would take, I haven't been impressed with Coutinho lately, he needs to find that consistency, being played out of position does not help and BR should know that.

    All the best Suso!

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  29. AC Milan seem like a club that had a hard time to catch up, just like us in the 90's, both financially and footballing wise.



    Instead of appointing a good manager and giving him time they just appoint ex players with minimum managerial experience.

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  30. the disappointing thing for me that i waited for long time for him .. and he would be sold ;'(

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  31. The question is are there players in the team who give us what Suso gives us and more? Then does Suso give us the work rate of Allen? If the answers are yes no respectively then the decision seems to make sense

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  32. Only Boring I'd currently at the club.

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  33. The competition for places is at a point where Suso will not even get a place on the bench so it is best for him to make a name for himself elsewhere.

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  34. I am disappointed for sure. Suso was one of the hottest tipped Spanish youngsters when he came and he rejected high profile clubs to join us. I was looking forward to see him play. He could have been a useful squad player. Good luck to him and hope he does well. But, the silver lining is that Teixiera might get a chance next year.

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  35. Sensationalistic headline at best, unfortunately nothing new from Jamie. Its cheap, lazy headlines like this that tend to detract from the actual story itself!

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  36. Not sure why Brendan doesn't fancy Suso, every time he plays he tends to score...however we do have a lot of players that can play in his position i.e. Sterling, Lallana, Coutinho, Markovic etc so he may just be frustrated and wants to play every week? Either way I trust BR and if he goes we move on..still think we should loan him and keep him on the books just in case!

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  37. the best thing about this kid is he has a catchy name ...hes no better now than he was at 17

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  38. Are you suggesting he's getting rid of Suso because he doesn't like Spaniards? I think the fact he just signed Moreno and Manquillo puts paid to that sillyness before it starts

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  39. add suso and you have 5 very average players who think they are better than they are

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  40. the names in the envelopes where his first 3 signings

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  41. Suso has never scored for Liverpool in a competitive match, only friendlies

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  42. I don't think we could judge that without seeing him back playing with our first team but that doesn't look like it'll ever happen again

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  43. Because Sterling has pace and end-product. Suso has neither.

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  44. Yup, gotta compare like with like. Lots of fans would like to have a team consisting of a goalkeeper, 2 defenders, 2 strikers, and 6 wingers, as far as I can tell.

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  45. Suso is a good player not a great player when given an opportunity in the past he has failed to take it

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  46. I'm not sure why anyone would claim that Rodgers is not willing to give him a chance. He sent him out on loan last season as part of his development and retained him despite offers being made. It makes no sense that Rodgers would pay his wages for a year and then sell him next season. The above story is no more than gossip.

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  47. The reason Sterling has had more pitch time is because he's a much better footballer. Fairly obvious really. Bizarre comparison anyway, anyone with a modicum of football nous realises Sterling is tailor made for the premiership with his pace and deceptive strength. Suso was always going to find it tougher. Decent player but not got the physical attributes to make it at the very top of our league most probably. That's not Brendan Rodgers' fault.

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  48. ,This is tragic. I dont know how on earth BR rates way more allen than suso or even ibe, the best player in pre season? Just incredible, teixeira as well, just what does allen offer to this club im struggling to notice big time? He is completely useless but theres no place for suso or ibe to get some first team football! We are losing bright young talents every year instead of promoting them, strange how sterling survived!

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  49. Yes. As tragic events go, this rates up there with the Titanic.

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  50. If you think Suso and Teixeira are more ready for premier league first team football than Allen then I worry for you. In case you haven't noticed Allen has made a very good start to the season. And what's happened to all these bright talents we've been losing? What clubs are they playing for now?

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  51. I have seen a few people say "He deserved a chance" why?

    Why is Suso so special that he "deserves a chance"

    We have no idea what happens in training, we have no idea what kind of attitude he has, how hard he works.

    He finished his loan spell at Almeria with total of 3 goals in 35 apps, not what you would call amazing.



    Fact is he is simply not good enough.

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  52. Name one young player (23 and under) who has left Liverpool in the Last 5 years that is playing for a bigger team.

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  53. Jamie. The easy answer to poll is Yes, if Rodgers believes that, or No, if Rodgers rates him. It's not just talent, but endeavour and attitude. Rodgers will know if he's his type of player and if he's not, so be it. Who would you drop to play him. Who would you take off bench bearing in mind lallana wasn't even on bench against Spurs and Origi plus more will come in next year. The best thing about us becoming great again is you can afford to let players like suso go rather than rely on them like we had to when Brendan first came. Madrid and Barca let better players go regularly and sometimes it turns into a mistake, but let's just trust our wonderful manager who has made us proud to be reds again.

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  54. The proof is in the pudding. Literally. You've ruined my dessert for the last time!

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  55. Nevergonnacrackthecode8:25 pm, September 04, 2014

    sakho vs costa is interesting sakho is coming on top

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  56. Nevergonnacrackthecode8:29 pm, September 04, 2014

    please allen is different to suso
    he plays a team role a bit like flecther when fegie was manger
    he keeps the ball really well, his decision making is fantastic very good at pressurizing the opponent

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  57. WTH. Please dont sell him BR.

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  58. Sterling is way and beyond Suso. Not sure why you are mentioning them in the same context.

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  59. Nevergonnacrackthecode8:44 pm, September 04, 2014

    sakho bossing spain and costa

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  60. Nevergonnacrackthecode8:48 pm, September 04, 2014

    Anyway i think if you are to play in rodgers system you need one of the two things:
    pace with flair
    sturridge , sterling,markovic,balotelli,coutinho


    a engine to play high pressing
    lallana,henderson,allen,can


    suso has flair but no engine or pace and rodgers does not want that

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  61. Our pressing is what makes us so devastating. Spurs did not know left from right. We just bossed them.

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  62. No point in signing all these under 17 boys when no one will get a chance. I was hoping that the very talented Jordan Ibe would make a breakthrough until Brendan sent him out on loan again. If he can't make it then no one else can.

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  63. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:01 pm, September 04, 2014

    funny how every year the fans have players they want to sign and the majority follow :

    in rodgers first transfer window :

    luuk de jong and gaston ramirez
    luuk de jong was vooronin for newcastle , ramirez laying on loan for hull


    rodgers second window:
    eriksen,lamela,soldado
    and they have all been epic failures

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  64. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:03 pm, September 04, 2014

    i am hoping snachez is the same

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  65. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:08 pm, September 04, 2014

    the person i hate the most on this earth karim benzema has just scored
    makes me so mad

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  66. I just found that out...hummm, I think Liverpool has changed BR to become the manager he is today. Yes he had core values but I think this job has motivated him to the point of huge growth. I think more credit from the fans also needs to be given to the staff around BR. For all the amazing work that has been done over these last years!.

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  67. Eriksen has impressed.

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  68. Can't be based on this...

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  69. Not in their last match he didn't ;-)

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  70. Easy now brother one game at a time. Let's just solidify top 4 like we did last year and qualify from the group stages of the champions league. If we've done that by March and the titles still in reach then I'll start dreaming of the title. Let's get over the other hurdles first

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  71. Gutted, one of our best technical players. Not blessed with pace, but finds the space and is a good link up player. Obviously very young too. Could develop into a player that unlocks teams. If anything, I'd keep him as a player that could sweeten a future deal - think Garcia. And I agree with the sentiment that he should've at least featured on the bench. Hopefully he'll be used for some of the cup games at least...

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  72. ...and keeps another clean sheet.

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  73. There are always two sides to consider. Just giving a player a chance doesn't guarantee anything. Suso has done OK with the limited playing time he's seen and he had a decent season at Almeria. Could he step up to the level needed to be a success at Liverpool? Maybe, then maybe not. It is indeed the manager's call to make and it seems he's made it: he doesn't think Suso would produce the quality needed. Given the players we have in the team these days I can't see much to dispute that. The players Suso would have to displace include Sterling, Coutinho and Lallana. Suso needs to show that he's as good as those players in order to deserve time on the pitch. If he doesn't then he stays on the bench and that's how it should be.


    Fans generally seem to think that if a player isn't given time on the pitch that he's being treated unfairly and isn't being given a chance. That's not true. Training sessions for a top flight football club can be quite serious affairs and players like Gerrard and Suarez are known for training as hard as they play. If Suso wants to impress his manager then he always has a chance to do that during training sessions. That's happening right now so while Suso is not seeing game time he's certainly being evaluated. Rodgers is therefore in a very good position to make this judgement and in my view it's somewhere irrelevant that Suso is not getting competitive minutes. If he can't impress Rodgers during training then he's simply not good enough. That's not the fault of the manager and there is really nothing more that Rodgers can do. He's given Suso time in the first team, time at Melwood, time on loan in La Liga where he played 90 minutes a week ... what more does Suso need? If he hasn't proven himself now then he never will.

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  74. Last paragraph is quite funny. Anfield is currently one of the best places in the world for a young player to develop. Cautionary tale? In what alternate universe?

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  75. You clearly have zero knowledge of the historical progression of young attacking players at LFC. If you did, you'd know that over the last 20 years, very few have come through the ranks to become first team regulars.

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  76. Allen is an important premier league player. Suso and Ibe are prospects. Ibe will get his chance to shine just like Suso has but neither will take Allen's position in the squad because they don't play the same positions.

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  77. Your right Rodgers didn't get the best out of Suarez.
    His faliure to exercise any managerial authority on his player or his social/behavioural shortcomings are what directly led to him leaving liverpool.

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  78. Liverpool are skint, bought bulk not quality.

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  79. Since when did being Spanish constitute being a RACE?
    No more than being English is a Race or Scottish...they are Nationalities NOT A RACE.

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  80. 1 of the few things I have not always understood with BR...y doesn't he give the lad game time?and y sell petterson? it will be like selling T.Ince and going for him after 2/3 years...

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  81. You cant even spell dumb bob stop trolling me and be a man and come out and show who you really are i reckon i know anyway grow up are you 10.
    Also if you think that bunch werent trying you are mistaken they all want to push for first team status you are not fan of football just a troll.

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  82. Bob are you a kid or just a frightened troll you know they have got nothin in reserve but then you are not a football fan are you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  83. Ok, but I don't think he's had many starts at competitive level? Friendlies or not, when he plays he seems to do well..doesn't stick out like a sore thumb like Lucas, Johnson or Toure :-)

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  84. No accounting for yours either trolly.

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  85. EPL first division same comp different name go fiddle elsewhere.

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  86. The Tom Ince decision is looking like a good one. I liked him as a player, but seems to be one of those situations where attitude precludes a player from developing. I feel as though Suso is a similar character who feels they should be in the first team more than they are willing to fight and prove it.

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  87. Suso not got the Pace to fit Brendans fwd attacking play.

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  88. Until you can spell Bob go have a big kof u r trolling me so kof off hope u pass primary school this year.

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  89. are the stadiums, clubs and players all licensed?
    i'm currently playing the EA-FM14 but next year i have to find a new one

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  90. Isn't Man City better support actually in Manchester? Man Untied is traditionally more the outskirts of Manchester and then the rest of their out of town fans.

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  91. I know but its just the way it is, always the same.

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  92. probably his worst game in recent weeks but canos has all the ability of others mentioned bags of skill and always tends to pick the right option in the final 3rd be it a pass or shot...great prospect

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  93. What a ridiculous remark.

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  94. People are so short sighted. Jordan Ibe is very much in Rodgers plans IMO

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