Over the summer, Liverpool were constantly linked with a move for Barcelona star Pedro,and with new reports this week suggest that the Reds - along with Arsenal and Manchester United - are still monitoring the Spaniard, who is reportedly ready to quit Barcelona in January.
According to the Daily Express today:
* After slipping down the pecking order, Pedro is resigned to leaving Barcelona sooner rather than later.
* Barcelona have 'told' Liverpool, Man Utd and Arsenal that they're happy to sell the Spaniard, but only for£25m.
This follows a report in September, which claimed that Pedro - who has only completed one 90 minute game so far this season - is 'keen to listen to offers' from Liverpool and Arsenal.
When asked in September about his future, the 27-year old - known as 'the silent superstar' by Barca fans (on account of his humble demeanour) - told reporters:
“It’s difficult [at Barca]. All I want to do is work hard. It’s difficult to get into the starting 11 because I’m competing with the best forwards in the world but I’m fighting for my place every day"
What would Pedro - recently described as 'incredible' by Spain boss Vicente Del Bosque - bring to the Liverpool team? In a recent interview, the forward outlined what he perceives his role to be for Barcelona. He told reporters:
"My job in the team is to free up space on the pitch for my teammates, to build moves, to turn certain episodes into goalscoring chances or to get assists for teammates in better positions. These are my responsibilities during the game. Everything I do must benefit the team."
Despite the ridiculous competition at Barca for attacking places, Pedro's stats over the last few years are very good:
2013-14: 20 goals/10 assists in 52 apps.
2012-13: 10 goals/7 assists in 48 apps.
2011-12: 13 goals/6 assists in 51 apps.
2010-11: 22 goals/8 assists in 52 apps.
2009-10: 22 goals/4 assists in 50 apps.
Liverpool fans certainly hold Pedro in high regard. Prior to the Adam Lallana signing, I asked fans who they'd rather see LFC sign this summer: Pedro or Lallana.
* 17100 visitors (approx) participated in the poll.
* A gigantic 80% of voters chose Pedro over Lallana.
That's a quite staggering vote of confidence in Pedro, but it's hardly surprising given the Spaniard's experience and pedigree. I also voted in favour of Pedro, for the following reasons:
* Pedro has consistent experience at the highest levels of the game, including copious European/international experience.
* He's played alongside some of the world's best players for years, including Messi, Xavi, and Iniesta.
* The Spaniard is a winner; he's won practically every trophy in the game, and that kind of experience could be invaluable for Liverpool. The Reds lacked experience in the final stages of last season, and that arguably contributed to losing the title.
* Pedro is the kind of player who'll come in and give the entire club a lift. He's a marquee signing with an aura about him.
After Rodgers' huge transfer spending over the summer, I can't see FSG handing over another €25m in the January transfer window, especially if the club's erratic form continues for the next three months.
From a business point of view, FSG are entitled to expect a manifest return on the £120m+ spent this year, and if Rodgers can't make it work with all the new signings he's brought in, then from a business perspective, it doesn't make financial sense to give him more money.
Then again, it all depends on where the club is in January. If Liverpool are well off the pace, and Champions League qualification is in doubt, then that's yet another reason to be cautious with transfer funds. Conversely, if the Reds are right up there challenging, another top signing may just be the positive push needed to solidify LFC's position in the top four.
If cash is made available, is buying Pedro the best use of that money?
Author: Jaimie K
According to the Daily Express today:
* After slipping down the pecking order, Pedro is resigned to leaving Barcelona sooner rather than later.
* Barcelona have 'told' Liverpool, Man Utd and Arsenal that they're happy to sell the Spaniard, but only for£25m.
This follows a report in September, which claimed that Pedro - who has only completed one 90 minute game so far this season - is 'keen to listen to offers' from Liverpool and Arsenal.
When asked in September about his future, the 27-year old - known as 'the silent superstar' by Barca fans (on account of his humble demeanour) - told reporters:
“It’s difficult [at Barca]. All I want to do is work hard. It’s difficult to get into the starting 11 because I’m competing with the best forwards in the world but I’m fighting for my place every day"
What would Pedro - recently described as 'incredible' by Spain boss Vicente Del Bosque - bring to the Liverpool team? In a recent interview, the forward outlined what he perceives his role to be for Barcelona. He told reporters:
"My job in the team is to free up space on the pitch for my teammates, to build moves, to turn certain episodes into goalscoring chances or to get assists for teammates in better positions. These are my responsibilities during the game. Everything I do must benefit the team."
Despite the ridiculous competition at Barca for attacking places, Pedro's stats over the last few years are very good:
2013-14: 20 goals/10 assists in 52 apps.
2012-13: 10 goals/7 assists in 48 apps.
2011-12: 13 goals/6 assists in 51 apps.
2010-11: 22 goals/8 assists in 52 apps.
2009-10: 22 goals/4 assists in 50 apps.
Liverpool fans certainly hold Pedro in high regard. Prior to the Adam Lallana signing, I asked fans who they'd rather see LFC sign this summer: Pedro or Lallana.
* 17100 visitors (approx) participated in the poll.
* A gigantic 80% of voters chose Pedro over Lallana.
That's a quite staggering vote of confidence in Pedro, but it's hardly surprising given the Spaniard's experience and pedigree. I also voted in favour of Pedro, for the following reasons:
* Pedro has consistent experience at the highest levels of the game, including copious European/international experience.
* He's played alongside some of the world's best players for years, including Messi, Xavi, and Iniesta.
* The Spaniard is a winner; he's won practically every trophy in the game, and that kind of experience could be invaluable for Liverpool. The Reds lacked experience in the final stages of last season, and that arguably contributed to losing the title.
* Pedro is the kind of player who'll come in and give the entire club a lift. He's a marquee signing with an aura about him.
After Rodgers' huge transfer spending over the summer, I can't see FSG handing over another €25m in the January transfer window, especially if the club's erratic form continues for the next three months.
From a business point of view, FSG are entitled to expect a manifest return on the £120m+ spent this year, and if Rodgers can't make it work with all the new signings he's brought in, then from a business perspective, it doesn't make financial sense to give him more money.
Then again, it all depends on where the club is in January. If Liverpool are well off the pace, and Champions League qualification is in doubt, then that's yet another reason to be cautious with transfer funds. Conversely, if the Reds are right up there challenging, another top signing may just be the positive push needed to solidify LFC's position in the top four.
If cash is made available, is buying Pedro the best use of that money?
Author: Jaimie K
We really do not need another attacking player. We have more than enough. Next season Origi joins up with the squad too. Adding another forward would be ludicrous.
ReplyDeleteClearly our defence still needs work and it would be a good idea to get proper 2nd GK and another deep lying midfielder.
On another point I thought gerrard was brilliant when he moved to number 10 when Lucas came on wonder how often they'll move him there
ReplyDeleteI thought we should have went all out for Pedro when we sold Suarez ,having too many attackers should never be a problem would his wages however be a problem ?
ReplyDeleteThe signing of Pedro makes no sense. Prior to signing Lallana and Markovic, then yes it would have made sense. Also, the suggeted idea that Pedro has an aura is incorrect. He has been a good player in very good teams for both club and country, no more than that. At any stage in his career there has been at least 3 players whom the opposition would have feared more than Pedro. LFC need to put the money towards a striker or a top class Central defender if one exists.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. Gerard is far more effective higher up the pitch. All we need is a powerful DM and great GK, then we can hopefully turn things around.
ReplyDeleteReally hoping emre can will be a power house for the years to come for us
ReplyDeletesong would have been the perfect signing imo
ReplyDeleteeveryone bar rogers thought that it was a no brainer ...he even wanted to sign for us which makes a change
ReplyDeletenevermind we have lucas ;-)
ReplyDeletewe should at least wait half a season and see how the CB pairing progresses before thinking about shaping the defense again
ReplyDeletethis fake rumour again. Yaaaaawnn Borrring
ReplyDeleteI'll go along with what seems to be the general consensus. Obviously I'd love to see Pedro or Reus (sigh) at Liverpool, just for the excitement factor, but if cash is to be limited then there are other positions that should be made a priority. After yesterday's game, it's clear that Gerrard should be back doing what he has always done best - charging at the opposition like a demented, rampaging bull. He would need to be rested more, but that's the way it should be now. This means we need a top-class (not Tiote, for pity's sake), mobile and strong defensive midfielder; we don't yet know if Can can carry the can.
ReplyDeleteOn another note, I'd just like to express my satisfaction at Lallana's perfomance yesterday and my hope that he can continue it. Like Henderson, he's a proper grafter and he really does have exquisite poise and balance. Carry on like that and he may yet justify that £23 million.
Yes he should not have allowed those players to join other clubs. I did not realise they needed his permission but there is no excuse for him giving it to them
ReplyDeleteyes...absolutely agree JK
ReplyDeletei would also have loved to see us signing blind, who i rate very highly but i guess there was no chance due to his relationship with LVG ...
ReplyDeleteWe looked exciting again as soon as Gerrard was further up the field, he looked like surprisingly good there for his age! Hendo and Lucas sitting kind of makes sense, would love to see Gerrard used like this as an impact sub, 30 mins of dynamic forward play from him would be epic!
ReplyDeleteHe's not just blamed injuries, he's stated full well that we are 'broken' and need to bed in new players on the training ground. At the moment, I feel, we have nobody up front to pass it to, when Suarez was around, you could just give it to him and something would happen. Not anymore.. missing Sturridge like mad.
ReplyDeleteI think Hendo, Allen, Lalana, Coutinho / Gerrard should be the quartet in future. I remember tottenham away last season when Gerrard was injured, we destroyed them, the energy in the midfield was insane
ReplyDeleteTrue. BR Played Gerrard further up in his first season, he struggled as he simply couldn't turn quick enough and go forward, and essentially gave the ball away a lot. He's not a back to goal player, but I think in the last 20-30 mins when teams are tiring, putting him there may might give him a bit more time.. No one could touch him yesday in the final third!
ReplyDeleteIt's a real shame Can got injured because he might have gotten some time in the role. We saw in this game that Rodgers is willing to use Gerrard in a more advanced position, it's just a question of having confidence in whoever is left to fill in that defensive midfield role. Can, Allen and Lucas are all options so it's up to those guys to show they're good enough to hold down the position in the long term. Otherwise Rodgers will definitely dip back into the transfer market, maybe even in January.
ReplyDeleteHendo and Gerrard as the driving force in midfield is a great combination, they really work well together and Gerrard's best season for Liverpool has been as an attacking midfielder.
I agree with regards to Pedro, overrated and lightweight. I'd much rather Reus. However, we need a top top goalkeeper and a DM if Chan isn't expected to be that guy. I'm done with Mignolet. All of the teams in the top four last season plus Everton and Utd have much better keepers than us - we can't expect to compete with such a fundamental weakness in our team and the fact that the position wasn't strengthened in the summer to at least offer genuine completion to Mings, to me Ives an indication of how obsessed on attack BR is. Very similar to Wenger in that regard, obvious lack of interest in the defensive side of their football studies.
ReplyDeleteGerrard should directly move to Coutinho's slot. let the Brazilian earn a slot ...
ReplyDeleteARGHH these striker rumours should go away. We bought three, THREE strikers in summer. We won't get rid of them this quickly. Borini will go and Lambert plays maybe two seasons and THEN we can think about getting new ones.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. We also have Ibe to be intergrated into the squad. I think we will attempt to sign a so called marquee attacking midfielder and it will be at the expense of Coutinho whose performances have been consistently poor and Suso who must have tried to **** Rodgers daughter or something cause he ain't gonna feature too much for us. It would also be a good idea to get a proper 1st Gk - Mignolet is not the keeper for a top team and may never be. Just imagine what Mourinho or Pellegrini would have done if he was their number 1. I'm all for loyalty but to be a winner, ruthlessness is required.
ReplyDeleteI was in that 20 percent. And I was right...
ReplyDeletejust how are chelsea able to play with so much energy on their third game of the week i will never know.
ReplyDeletei have very little confidence on the transfer front with rogers/panel there just doent seem to be any real logic or planning we could of got diame/song for a combined fee of 3.5m and they both wanted to play for Liverpool.Pedro is a good player but im not sure how he fits in with a fully fit sturridge sterling and lallana ...with guest appearances by balo,borini,lambert,tino,lazer. ...with ibe and origi on loan ...
ReplyDeleteits called man management and entering the campaign with a plan
ReplyDeleteThe latest rumour is Tiote from Newcastle as DM
ReplyDeleteReally?...We have one decent striker and he's hurt. Presently our strike force has scored a near 'goose-egg.' If it weren't for our wing/AM play we would be in the cellar. Origi next year doesn't help us this year. Our defense would not need so much work if our offense was scoring goals. Clearly the new guys need to gel but I believe we DO need another striker.
ReplyDeleteIt's called a deep, talented, expensive bench.
ReplyDeleteThey're footballing robots incapable of human feelings
ReplyDeleteOur attack would score more goals if we were playing two upfront and a midfield without two holding midfielders.
ReplyDeleteOur defence is inept. This has been proven over and over again. The only way we will continue to win games is by scoring goals i.e. last season. play two upfront and a midfield that presses the opposition to sh!te and Bob is your uncle.
you make it sound like the other teams go into the season on a wing and a prayer..
ReplyDeletewhile i agree they have a good bench, their core does not change a great deal. ditto city. and city seem to have more depth than chelsea.
ReplyDeletethat actually makes the most sense.. that will do.
ReplyDeleteMan management, Mata and Lukaku...
ReplyDeleteTwo players by the way some LFC fans have had verbal diarrhea about.
If you are going to take Chelsea apart then you have to get past their defence which is one of the most well organised in Europe.
and they didn't even park the bus in the traditional sense today. the way they prevented arsenal from putting together more than 3 passes at a time was exceptional. smothered arsenal to death...
ReplyDeleteYou are not going to get pretty football from Mourinho but he has the nack of getting his team to win no matter how boring their football is. Just look at how they beat us at Anfield last season. Parked the bus for 90 minutes and took advantage when we made mistakes.
ReplyDeleteHorrible football but it wins them games.
Watch how team evil prepare for matches in Shaolin Soccer and you'll find the reason Chelsea look fresh and energetic:)
ReplyDeleteWe seem to have been signing blind for some time now.......
ReplyDeleteSee you thought you'd probably never know how they did it and now you do
ReplyDeletegilstrap is spot on, they did their transfer business early & watched everyone else flap around looking for a last minute deal. The Remy issue was purely opportunistic they didn't waste time!
ReplyDeletewhat i was saying in the first place was that most of their key players who played today also played the other two games earlier this week. so even though i agree they have a deep bench, they knew exactly who they needed to buy and did just that, i am more in awe of how they threw themselves around and finished arsenal off so easily...
ReplyDeleteThey have an awesome spine to their team, which must breed so much confidence. We have a weak spine because we're soft in the middle & in defence .
ReplyDeleteif only we can find a DM half as good as Matic.. :(
ReplyDeletealso while we're on the subject of squad depth, surely our second string side can pick all 3 points against this QPR team ?
ReplyDeleteI do not think so. For some reason, all teams suddenly step their game up for us. Aston Villa seemed impenetrable against us but they crumbled so easily against Arsenal. Same with West Ham. And, we are enigmas. We can beat the best but lose to the worst almost the next day.
ReplyDeleteIf Can develops, who knows...
ReplyDeletejose made a decision and made it quick ..any transfer negotiations we make even with our own players tend to take an eon and are usually in full view of the world
ReplyDeletetrue. well the second string better sort it out because madrid arrive three days after QPR... and im guessing BR will rest those who played for their countries on returning from the break.
ReplyDeleteUTD up to 4th. Only one point ahead of us but still :-(
ReplyDeleteare bench is expensive also but cost and quality don't always go hand in hand
ReplyDeletewe need a full team out with all our big guns to have any chance of points
ReplyDeletewhen allen is fit i just cant see rogers using can that much
ReplyDeletethe reality is tiote isnt good enough or will carry enough kudos to get in the team
ReplyDeleteAnd boy is he clumsy. A red card waiting to happen, game after game.
ReplyDeletewe look better against the better teams because they generally play there own game ....the problem lies when teams get stuck in against us we just don't seem to be able to cope with it
ReplyDeletei should imagine tactics,fitness.motivation all play a part coupled with buying the right players for the job and not resting on sentiment que lampard and cole .....if you look at all these factors hand on heart how many does rogers display
ReplyDeleteRogers wont drop gerrard and has spent 10m on can that leaves allen who he fawns over and hendo and lallana who imo are the only top class midfielders we have and there is no room at the inn
ReplyDeletemore just a prayer the wing makes it sound like some effort has been used
ReplyDeleteThat was one of those transfers that seemed to make sense to everyone except the transfer committee
ReplyDeleteI like that first lineup since it gives Gerrard 2 options to thread passes to. And after 60, we can bring in coutinho to change things up a bit. Hopefully BR tries it out
ReplyDeleteAnyone watching the Fiorentina-Inter match? It's been a fun first 13 minutes - some good players on show, too.
ReplyDeleteYeah; we don't have time for these toothless pranks.
ReplyDeleteSeriously: Fiorentina has scored two amazing goals already. Thrilling stuff. There's some life in Serie A after all.
ReplyDeleteLallana is only getting up to full fitness now, Cout is not invite best form but that shouldn't effect his pressing but when we have had a team consisting of Markovic, Balotelli and new full backs it is understandable that the pressing would be an issue. Having said that of think more often than not this season Rodgers has screwed the pooch. It's not just Allen though, we are missing Flano, Johnson Sturridge as well as he who will not be named. It is a big overhaul of players used to that system even though some may have their problems. We know that when we are not pressing in bunches they drop deeper to have a better line. It wouldn't surprise me if they are told that when uncertain when to press they should drop. This team has not looked certain and ok be reason maybe so many new faces.
ReplyDeleteCompletely unrelated, but watching Eden Hazard today should remind BR (not that he needs it) that Sterling can still be hugely effective playing as a winger rather than centrally. Hazard should be the player Sterling looks to emulate.
ReplyDeleteVery well reasoned article Jaimie. An enjoyable read
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more. The spell were going through at the moment, without Sturridge, may well happen again before the end of the season, as Sturridge is injury prone,[great shame in my opinion], so another goal-scoring [proven] attacker would seem to be a prudent addition.
ReplyDeleteEh, if you've been watching Pedrito for the last 2 seasons,
ReplyDeleteyou'll see why he's up for sale. Can't take on a player, can't go to the byline and cross, just runs to ¾ up the pitch, turns around and passes back to the FB. He isn’t the same Pedro who burst on to the scene, becoming the first player to score in (correct me if I’m wrong) 6 competitions, all of which he won (Guardiola's ‘everything’ season). That Pedro was putting them in left, right, head, whatever part of his body touched the ball sent it into the net and he’d sprint away with his arms wheeling and flailing. Today’s Pedro, despite being more experienced and playing a style far more suited to his own, under Lucho, he’s really not doing well and is very lucky to keep getting picked. I’m sure he can turn it all around, possibly with a fresh challenge, and would probably be a great addition to any team, but it is a lot of money…
Can I add a third? Lallana looking good! His recent performances have deserved a goal IMO.
ReplyDeleteNo no no, you do not play a weakened side in the league, especially when even a full stregth side will struggle to get anything out of the game with Madrid.
ReplyDeleteI mean any player who would come here an give it his 100% and make an impact would be welcomed by me.
ReplyDeleteAt the same time price tag is way too much for a kid with limited experience, granted he does have potential.
Gerrard has had poor and decent performances at DM but I think AM is his better position and BR should have never moved him down.
ReplyDeleteFor me:
----------------Sterling Sturridge-----------------
----------------------Gerrard-----------------------
----Lallana-------------------------Henderson----
-----------------------Allen--------------------------
Moreno----Lovren-----Skrtel----Manquilo-----
oh how i love these playername-jokes
ReplyDeleteWhy can't Emre Can play the defensive midfield role described ? It may lead to Gerrard playing parts of games, perhaps the first 60 minutes or alternatively being brought on for 30 minutes.
ReplyDeleteAlso Henderson as future captain for Liverpool.
ReplyDeletePersonally I think he has the qualities for it.
i think Pedro will get squished in the premier league...
ReplyDeleteGracias :-)
ReplyDeleteCan we get some more clarity on the prank? Must have been quite the feat if he got kicked off the team for it.
ReplyDeleteChelsea don't park the bus. It's just something that us Liverpool fans say when we can't break them down. Having a strong and disciplined defence is just as important as the other areas of the team. When all areas of the team are as strong as each other then you get complete football teams like Chelsea and Athletico Madrid.
ReplyDeleteI hate Chelsea as much as the next guy but please stop all this horrible football rubbish. Last year Mourinho didn't have the attacking capability that he desired so he set his team up against us not to be beaten and due to our haste and desperation we gave the game away. JM is a winner and as such doesn't care about anything but winning - Liverpool fans crying about attacking football won't bother him one jot when his captain is lifting trophies come the end of the season. We need to think more like him if you ask me - his team are now very entertaining in my opinion, especially in the way that they can absorb whatever teams throw at them and then finish them off with clinical efficiency provided by Costa, Fabregas and Hazard. When I was growing up, the most entertaining aspect of watching Liverpool was knowing that their brilliant play wasn't for nothing - at the end of the season, Phil Neal was holding aloft a shiny trophy or 2 and that was the sole aim or Shankly and Paisley, not exciting football with no end product. I think when it suits some of us, we forget this.
ReplyDeleteEden is not carrying Chelski the way Sterling carries LFC!
ReplyDeleteYet again I say, we have tons of kids with talent. We need established stars (who can actually run and not just scowl and look tough) to compete in CL and EPL alongside our youthful team members. Kids alone is a doomed strategy. We have swung the pendulum too far to kids and that is hurting is. Bravo for Southy in scooping Pelle. Never hear his name in all the rumors on this site........
ReplyDeleteIf only Mario could / would run! His work rate is below average and is one of the biggest reasons he has been shut out so far. He is always stationary when served with a pass and isn't quick footed enough to do that quick turn like Sterling, Sturridge or Suarez, thus zero points.......
ReplyDeleteWhat a moronic thing to say...We had 75 million in our hands. We could have outbid both Arsenal and Man United. Do you think Man United was Di Maria's dream club? Out of Europe and everything? He's even said so himself. It was Real that sold him, not him who wanted to go. Had we matched United's bid, he would be playing for us right now.
ReplyDeleteFour names is one thing but how would you have them line up? Gerrard as DM doesn't really play to his strengths; Allen is overrun there but can't play more advanced because he lacks any type of attacking sense. He plays more square balls than Redknapp and Hamann put together.
ReplyDeleteYou're too hard on yourself. Granted it was daft to say he let them join other clubs but hardly moronic.
ReplyDeleteBut seriously, had we even bid for these players it would have been different. But we didn't. We were too busy trying to get in as many players possible all in one go. Making the same mistake that we've made many times before. You don't build a squad in one summer. You buy key players and rely on your youth team. Really? Is Emre Can that much better than Rossiter? Was Markovic really a necessary buy after we got Lallana? And if he was, why does he hardly play? We should have bought three players that go straight into the first team and work with what we had in case of injuries. We didn't and now we're paying the price for it. Mourinho understands that and that's why he has two Champions League and numerous league titles whereas Rodgers has a runners up medal from last year.
ReplyDeletea more humble you wont get than pedro
ReplyDeletesigh where can we get a fabregas?
ReplyDelete