Despite an impressive pre-season, and a goal in the recent Capital One Cup victory over Middlesbrough, Reds attacker Suso continues to be marginalised by Brendan Rodgers, and it seems that the youngster is now at the end of his rope, and is determined to quit the club.
When asked about his future this week, Suso told reporters in no uncertain terms:
"I will only renew with Liverpool if I’m guaranteed I’ll play regularly. The option is clear: if I don’t renew, let me leave."
I don't usually advocate players making comments like this in public, but in this case, Suso's ire is totally understandable. He's been at the club for 4 years now, and has only 21 appearances to show for it. Why should Suso sign a new contract if he's going to be warming the bench forever more?
The treatment of Suso is massively disappointing, but it's nothing new. In November 2012, Rodgers substituted him in the 38th minute of LFC's home game with Wigan, which seemed unduly harsh. Subbing players off in the first half of games is always embarrassing, and as I argued at the time, Rodgers cold've just waited a paltry 7 minutes until half-time. It's not as if LFC were in danger of losing the game.
£6m-rated Suso - hailed by John Aldridge as 'magnificent', 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've blossomed at Anfield.
Rodgers talks the talk with Suso (regular praises etc), but for whatever reason, he never gives him a consistent chance in the first team, which - to me - suggests the praise is insincere and/or disingenuous.
Right now, Coutinho and Markovic are not performing effectively for Liverpool, so why not give Suso a chance instead? I see no credible or logical reason why the Spaniard shouldn't be given a few opportunities right now in the first team.
Ultimately, if Rodgers genuinely doesn't rate Suso, then let him leave already.
Author: Jaimie K
When asked about his future this week, Suso told reporters in no uncertain terms:
"I will only renew with Liverpool if I’m guaranteed I’ll play regularly. The option is clear: if I don’t renew, let me leave."
I don't usually advocate players making comments like this in public, but in this case, Suso's ire is totally understandable. He's been at the club for 4 years now, and has only 21 appearances to show for it. Why should Suso sign a new contract if he's going to be warming the bench forever more?
The treatment of Suso is massively disappointing, but it's nothing new. In November 2012, Rodgers substituted him in the 38th minute of LFC's home game with Wigan, which seemed unduly harsh. Subbing players off in the first half of games is always embarrassing, and as I argued at the time, Rodgers cold've just waited a paltry 7 minutes until half-time. It's not as if LFC were in danger of losing the game.
£6m-rated Suso - hailed by John Aldridge as 'magnificent', 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've blossomed at Anfield.
Rodgers talks the talk with Suso (regular praises etc), but for whatever reason, he never gives him a consistent chance in the first team, which - to me - suggests the praise is insincere and/or disingenuous.
Right now, Coutinho and Markovic are not performing effectively for Liverpool, so why not give Suso a chance instead? I see no credible or logical reason why the Spaniard shouldn't be given a few opportunities right now in the first team.
Ultimately, if Rodgers genuinely doesn't rate Suso, then let him leave already.
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Author: Jaimie K
I know what you're saying here, he would be a fantastic player to be playing the Alonso role (which was exactly how he was described in his first seasons with the ressies), but I feel like he'd have to be in a double pivot, otherwise the defense would be far too exposed. Kind of like in our awesome 08/09 season, where we had Alonso/Mascherano/Gerrard as the Creator/Destroyer/Attacker setup. Without Masch there to protect Alonso, el maestro wouldnt have had nearly the same effect on our side as he did. I don't think Gerrard would be able to provide that protection that sMasch did and Suso is alot weaker (physically) than Xabi was.Food for thought though, it would certainly be better than Stevie-Lucas as a double pivot!
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you on the Lovern and Markovic points. Lovren and Markovic have a similarity between them which is they give the ball away consistently. I watched Lovren over the last few games and he attempts these long ball passes that hardly reach there intended target. He should leave that to Gerrard. I hope Sakho can sure things up as he has better distribution for me even though his style is abit forced at times. Marcovic literally has no ideas and does nothing with ball apart from lose it. I hope these guys improve very soon.
ReplyDeleteFrom this video this guy looks very one footed. I think Coutinho looks technically better and also has European experience being at a few European clubs before joining the mighty reds. I'm all for signing potential but Liverpool have that in spades in the first team now and academy. I think LFC need proven talent at the moment.
ReplyDeleteHe'd need to make the Brazil squad to get a work permit.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to pick somebody that is injured ;)
ReplyDeleteMy oh my, the Reus/Liverpool rumours actually won't go away. Liverpool surely must be interested if they've kept persisting like this? Don't be a party pooper and comment some boring sh** like, 'unfortunately, a pipe dream'. Just don't.
ReplyDeleteGreat articles lately...
ReplyDeleteIf only it were as simple as playing time required to turn a good player into a great one but it's not. The difficulty with playing young developing players is that in a results driven business like football the short term risks are too high where single mistakes can cost games and ultimately titles or CL position.
ReplyDeleteutd owe 700 million :-)
ReplyDeleteThe press DO just make up stories and to suit their own agenda and/or sell newspapers.
ReplyDeleteThey also buy "sexed up" stories from freelance journalists and then give them the necessary twist to suit their readership.
There is no award for punter of the year it was just a rumour started by JK :-)
ReplyDeleteLove how you are writing off Markovic already, get behind the lad.
ReplyDeleteLets get it right Suso hardly lit up la Liga when on loan last year, he is injury prone and there have been question marks about his attitude towards training. He is not picked for a reason, move on.
ReplyDeleteGoogled punter, got several results and still don`t get it?
ReplyDeletemarkovic has a lot more pace .Suso would of getting game time but he was INJURED.Brendan brought him back after his succesfull loan spell in which he learned to keep the ball more often .Rodgers planned to ease back in to fastee pace of premier league.All this is normal behavior so stop siding with papers who only want to tarnish lfc.
ReplyDeleteThe "Lady" who "does for me" says it means customer.
ReplyDeletecheers mate. JK will be mad at us if he sees this...
ReplyDeleteSeems we've no development plan for Suso which is a shame. Also hearing that Chelski want to get their filthy paws on Raheem!
ReplyDeleteSuso has gone for a groin operation and will be out for two months.
ReplyDeleteIrrespective, since when do 20 year old players call the shots? If he wants to leave then he must go. If he was at the level of Sterling then by all means fight tooth and nail to keep him but fact of the matter is he is nowhere near Sterling's level.
Bang goes my chances of the award....
ReplyDeleteI had a development plan for my dog but when it was clear he wasn't able to follow instructions the latter stages of the plan fell apart a bit. I am thinking of loaning him out for a bit.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly what they do
ReplyDeleteFrom interviews I've seen with the lad he ideally wants to stay at Liverpool but only if he is given more game time, which IMO is understandable. BR clearly sees something every day that we don't. I had really high hopes for him but I think its probably best for all parties to cut the losses in January and move on. One thing that bugs me is why we haven't nailed him to a new contract so we can get top dollar for him instead he will likely leave for peanuts.
ReplyDeleteHe was only this week quoted as saying he'd love to stay if the club wants him to.
ReplyDeleteNailing their hands to the floor until they sign is not allowed any more. Health and Safety gone mad. I blame the EU
ReplyDeleteHmmmm not convinced on that one, too lightweight for me and probably not got the discipline to play the role. Nice idea but can't see it happening. Agreed Coutinho is struggling at the moment but there is genius in there still.
ReplyDeleteAgree with all that
ReplyDeleteDamn it...pesky EU ;)
ReplyDeleteOn another note Toure playing at CB against Real Madrid...there goes my dreams of a massive night!!!
ReplyDeleteSuso & Markovic are completely different players - Marco is more of a dribbler and has pace whilst Suso is more of a play maker in the Silva mould
ReplyDeleteI am sorry, but what chances did he blow?
ReplyDeleteSuso is a player who I have been a huge fan of. People say that we are selling him because he is not at the level of Sterling. The difference is Sterling had so many chances. When he underperformed in a loss against Hull, the whole fanbase wanted him sold but now he is the benchmark for us selling players. Suso deserves a chance especially when so many players are injured. How bad can a substitute appearence be..
ReplyDeleteHe is not going to sign a new contract unless he is guaranteed 1st team football. It is called the player trying to call the shots.
ReplyDeleteIf other teams were so eager to sign him then he would have left in the last transfer window. There were no takers.
Haha
ReplyDeleteI'm not writing him off. I'm questioning the point of signing him before we give the players we already have a chance. A real chance.
ReplyDeleteWell maybe he can run into Cristina, that would be ok too..
ReplyDeleteI think Rodgers approach to the game is great and he is a very good man manager but when it comes to judging players I would go as far as saying that I seem to know more about them than he does. Rodgers also thought Borini is a good player. He also thought Joe Allen is a good player. He also though Luis Alberto is a good player. He also though Iago Aspas is a good player. He also though Sakho is a good player. And so on...
ReplyDeleteWell a story even came out:
ReplyDeletehttp://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2014/10/8/6945945/suso-let-me-leave-milan-four-month-old-june-quotes-porto
Anyway, he's out till December, so there's no chance to be given. But frankly, even if he were fit, I think based on the WBA performance it would be very difficult to get in ahead of Coutinho, Markovic, and also especially if they push Gerard up time to time.
I liked how we looked once Balotelli came in, we were playing more passing, and at time you could see Mario poised to run off the shoulders of defenders (I think there might have been a couple of times where GLen or Sterling should have threaded the through pass to him, but they didn't see it.) That's credit to him, he didn't sulk, came in and worked hard, both on the defence and was ready to run. I think we will start to pick up the pace from here.
IMO we should have signed him on to a longer term contract before he went out on loan last year then we wouldn't be in this position. I still think we could have clawed back about 5M for him.
ReplyDeleteThe longer Allen is out the higher his stock rises at the moment. I personally struggle to see what he contributes other than pressing and keeping the ball by playing simple passes but it seems we need that.
ReplyDeleteBe in what position? Signing him on a long term deal at what wages and what demands? He wanted regular football last season and knew he was not going to get it and is why he went on loan.
ReplyDeleteWhat makes the situation this season any different to last season? Like I said, other clubs had the chance to snap him up in the last window but he is still with the club. That says it all really.
For all the people that say Suso`s to lightweight then we should get rid of Coutinho, Markovic, and Allen. Suso has as much skill has Coutinho and Coutinho`s not the quickest either. I think by selling Suso would be one of Rodger`s biggest mistakes, play the lad he deserves a chance as much has the other 3 i`ve mentioned.
ReplyDeleteSuso did everything possible in the limited time he got in preseason and league cup to impress. What more can he do?
ReplyDeleteRicky Ponting fans would know the meaning of punter.
ReplyDeleteI'm not so sure we've given him enough time though! He's always looked lively when given the chance. He's also been on loan in Spain & did fairly well. At this point we need to make a decision.
ReplyDeleteExactly the same? That's not true is it?
ReplyDeleteNit everyone agrees with your ideas about signings but if they did do you think he wouldn't notice the qualities in a player already at the club? Signings are different as a manager he would not be able to scout them a lot and would have to make decisions from the games he sees, stats and advice but a player in front of you is different. He saw it in Steeling when many many didn't, he saw Flano come in to his own and gave him a place in the team. He played Shelvey in a few games and even played Suso. As far as I am aware he has not let anyone leave that he had much of a choice about who we would have been better off keeping. So I'd Suso goes he may just not have proved himself.
ReplyDeleteIt's about seventy to eighty percent of our game so yeah it is important.
ReplyDeleteTraining everyday?
ReplyDeleteSuso to me will be what Pogba was to some United supporters, a big mistake for Rodgers to let him go mark my words.
ReplyDeleteWho Suso or Stuart's dog?
ReplyDeleteHe blew it? Really?
ReplyDeleteI agree he is only Soso
ReplyDeleteStuart's dog might just gt the nod, due having more bite & generally being more furrocious!
ReplyDeleteHaha definitely not as toothless as our attack
ReplyDeleteHe didn't convince the manager. How would you put it?
ReplyDeleteHe won't play. He's injured.
ReplyDeleteWe never hear Jordan Ibe make any demands on a first team place, or Andre Wisdom. These players display the character needed, put in the hard work and listen to what BR wants them to do to improve. They go out on loan and they behave impeccably as rich young men in another city and in a dressing room with some players who will never play at a club the size of Liverpool. They do not display arrogance except on the pitch and they have both been praised by their temporary managers for their mentality as much as for their ability. Suso used his time in Spain to go out late a few times and miss training, for which he was fined by Almeria.
ReplyDeleteHe needs to prove to BR that he's serious. If this situation had arisen with a better player, the vultures would be circling, as it stands only a poor AC Milan are apparently interested.