30 Dec 2014

Photo Proof: Forgotten €6m LFC misfit trains with Balotelli. Shock return vs. Leicester?

Liverpool are currently in the midst of a heavy schedule of Christmas games, and Brendan Rodgers will need to utilise the whole squad to ensure the team is in the best possible shape to pick up much needed points. Rodgers freshened things up against Swansea, and reaped the rewards, but what about the next two games? Is Suso - LFC's proverbial 'forgotten man' - about to come back into the reckoning?

Judging by today's training photos, it appears that the Spaniard is over his recent injury troubles and is once again vying for a place in the match-day squad:

 photo ScreenShot2014-12-30at140036_zps230db5bf.png

Suso - hailed by John Aldridge as 'magnficent', and 'a joy to watch' - has made only one appearance this season, and despite scoring against Middlesbrough, Rodgers dumped him on the bench for the next game against Everton, and he hasn't been seen since.

€6m-rated Suso 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.

Alas, Rodgers doesn't seem to rate Suso, which is probably why he's constantly linked with a move away:

* SEP: Sky Sports Italia claimed that Liverpool have agreed to sell Suso to AC Milan next summer, and that he'll sign a 4-year deal.

* DEC: Reports claim that BR will now let Suso leave 'on the cheap' in January, to avoid the possibility of losing him on free next summer.

* DEC: Suso's Agent tells reporters: "If there's an interested team they have to get in touch with the Reds and find an agreement with them. We don't reject any possibility and it would be a pleasure to play with Milan"

Is Rodgers ever going to give Suso a chance to establish himself? I doubt it, and with Lallana, Coutinho, Sterling, and Markovic in the squad, his chances of regular first-team football remain slim.

Ultimately, if Suso leaves for free, it will make a mockery of the supposed strategy of buying youngster for peanuts, and selling them on later at a profit.

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73 comments:

  1. Still feel massive disbelief that the kid has not been given a proper chance. A huge talent and he will be one loss that bites us on the butt in the years ahead when he succeeds elsewhere.

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  2. I will be so angry if Rodgers sells suso, I can deal with our transfer failings but if he sells that kid then I'll lose all faith in him, what a talent he could be, but maybe Rodgers sees something we don't, maybe his attitude isn't right orator he doesn't work hard enough. One thing is for sure though like Jamie said he could save us millions in the future as he has outstanding potential!

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  3. Even Aspas got more chances than him. Poor lad.

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  4. let suso leave for free and sign berahino for 25 mill........what is rodgers playing at

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  5. Great player to watch, but does he have the grit and determination to play in the Premiership? Maybe we'll never find out. Pity.

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  6. It's hard to get into a team when other players in your position are training/playing better than you. Can't see any other reason why he hasn't had the pitch time everyone seems to think is his right...

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  7. In a diamond midgield-
    On the sides- Hendo. Lallana, Couts, Lazar
    Tip of the diamond- Gerrard, Sterling, Lallana, Couts
    4231 LEAVES only 3 places in attacking mid and there are at least 5 players before him in the pecking order.
    Current formation leaves him to fight for one of only two places.
    With his injury, all midfielders picking up form he is FA and Carling cup player being used as a sub in Europe and -some- EPL games. I hope he stays, but don't think he will accept so small amount of time on pitch. And at the moment and with these circumstances, he can't expect more...

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  8. Sorry did I fall asleep and wake up a month later? Have those things happened?

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  9. Its just because BR wasn't the one who brought Suso in, he believe in those shids he brings.

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  10. Yes like Skrtel, Gerrard, Henderson and Sterling. Oh wait.

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  11. go back to sleep!

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  12. Suso is not and is probably never going to be good enough for Liverpool or any top club. He just didn't kick on after a promising development, like thousands of other young professionals, in football and in all walks of life. Just move on and get excited about Kent, Ibe and Ojo instead. If Suso surprises us and can pull through, all the better, but his performances for Almeria last season were not of a high enough standard to justify a first team role for Liverpool.

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  13. Unlike others I don't seem to have seen enough to have been convinced by Suspect (despite seeing every minute he played) I remember him looking really good against United but then playing against Everton and starting well but absolutely disappearing once he got clattered. I would have loved to have seen more of him to be sure one way or another but I won't be howling if he does leave. I am led to believe he has been offered a new contract but he wants assurances in game time. If he is unwilling to force his way in from training (like Sterling) then I don't know what to make of him.

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  14. Or we can both deal in actuality rather than rumour.

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  15. hes just not kicked on ....he would have to dislodge at a minimum either sterling,lallana tino or marko .....and thats without even counting the 4 cf on our books and gerrard and any future cf signings he just wont get the game time ,Rodgers has to go with the line up that beat Swansea and you would assume when fit sturridge will get in the team ......we need to get rid and free up money for more pressing matters

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  16. Very injured?
    Kidding, I know...

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  17. for me he just doesnt have the pace and slows things down and in allen and gerrad we have two players who can already do that

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  18. Apparently a shid is: "a length of firewood four feet long", in case anyone else was wondering.

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  19. when has sheihk or gees or whatever dealt in reality

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  20. Oh, Aspas. Remember Aspas? Remember his corner?

    Oh... Aspas.

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  21. Yes thank you. I didn't know melwood had an aga but nice of Bren to bring the fuel.

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  22. Never gonna crack the madness? All the same?

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  23. No not the same at all. The gooser spells better but has much more hatred for Liverpool players and any English or British players. Best avoided IMO

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  24. Suso can now play in thoose two number 10 positions looks perfect for him

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  25. Yeah fair enough this season, not deemed good enough last season hence the loan. 12/13 season 20 apps no goals, no assists, only 8 chances created. Sterling created 37 chances that season from a similar amount of games and Coutinho created 20 from only 13 games. Undoubtably he did better at Almeria in a slower paced league, but going forward for LFC I don't think he's going to improve to the extent that he'll dislodge Sterling, Coutinho or Lallana.

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  26. He needs to get a good run in of games.


    Now BR, do not restore Gerrard on Thursday...leave him on the bench.

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  27. I ***wish*** there was some 1-3 player rotation each game (esp. during winning situations) so that Players like Suso can come in and show their stuff for 10 min at least! Sad to see people not given extended time for proving their worth.
    *** = Just my 2 cents-end of the year Mother Theresa request....

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  28. Johnson, Enrique, Lucas...

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  29. Suso will be sold because like any player in the squad with the exception of Gerrard, IF you have an opinion which differs from Mr Rogers you'll be marginalised, not picked oo sold...see Agger for Lovern ...Reina for Mingolet.

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  30. Hell will freeze over first ....Rogers is scared of Gerrard position in the club

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  31. This has been covered already. What about Skrtel, Hendo, Enrique, Johnson, Lucas and Sterling? I believe that nullifies your point

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  32. Now I do feel i have to stick up for Rodgers a bit here. When he first came to us he gave Suso a lot of time on the pitch due to injured senior squad players like Downing. Suso even got an improved contract before Sterling did. Suso the made a couple of stupid remarks on social media and I feel he never responded to his punishment in the way that he was expected to. I still think he was wasted by the club though. As was Texeira

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  33. What did he say in his tweets?

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  34. Well there was the one where he called Enrique gay and I believe there was one where he complained about having to go back to the reserves after he had a run in the first team. In fairness I had sympathy for him in both cases because I understood and PC has got so out of hand the past decades but that is the world we live in sadly.

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  35. Here, here Jay Jay, I feel exactly the same way and may I add, all the current attacking mids on the pitch have technical ability, speed and now all of them press hard.
    When I see dusk I see technique but not necessarily an Abu dance of speed, intensity or the want to press ie. losing that shakle of invisibility during a game/cos instead you Get into the frame by putting yourself there...

    Maybe that's why Brendan is allowing his development slowly; so suso can accept or not what is required of him for our system of play...

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  36. Hey gilstrap I just replied saying same without reading your reply only just below....!

    Not my style to steal someone else's thunder......apologies...

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  37. Danny Sturridges Physio6:33 pm, December 30, 2014

    how is he forgotten ????


    He has been injured for months or are you blaming the injury on Rodgers too ???

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  38. No time for you to be posting, get back to work

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  39. Need to bring in song or schnideirlin and a striker like benzema, Jackson Martinez or probably El sharwary

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  40. He is young enough. He has, I think, what it takes to become a viable option on the bench for a title chalenging Liverpool.

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  41. Opinion which differs see Agger,Reina

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  42. can we have an exact date on daniel's return ?

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  43. He called Enrique gay because he had his teeth bleached and I think there was a tweet about being back with the reserves after winning a title with the Spain U21. I hate how ridiculous it is that the PC brigade have such an influence on football and life in general these days but sadly that's the world we live in. People make a lot of fuss about someone using the word gay or posting a supermario tweet but entire families live on the streets in Spain and no one gives a rats arse.

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  44. Go easy on him he works harder than most of us .......

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  45. dont worry ill happily steal someelses thunder

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  46. is that in an alternate universe

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  47. So true. There are far bigger fish to fry but I do understand it in theory.

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  48. Sterling escapes punishment

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  49. i thought shid was spelt with a t

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  50. I am not gee whatver
    My posts have more accuracy

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  51. No GeeShagtee does not operate on my level
    no offence

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  52. I think you're being a bit optimistic.

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  53. and he cant make a starting 11 like id ddo

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  54. Agger admitted he couldn't carry on in EPL and Reina had been trying to leave for a couple of seasons.
    Doesn't really add up to a difference of opinion IMO

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  55. thanks; I had no idea................

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  56. If you line up the players we have signed under the IMOSTER many are not fit to wear the shirt. This kid is class and should be given some playing time, on the other hand he was not one of Rodgers signings, and everyone knows this arrogant manager knows best. I will never trust him, just let Suso remain at this club, and rid us once and for all of this so called manager.

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  57. No one owes Suso playing time, he has to work hard and prove his quality. You don't make good players by just throwing them on the pitch for a few games and hoping they do well. If he's good enough he'll show it in training and Rodgers will give him a run. That's how Sterling got in the team and it will be the same for everyone. If Suso doesn't get game time it's because he's failed to show his quality (in terms of skills or attitude) on the training ground.

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  58. Joel Matt Murdock Hwa1:56 am, December 31, 2014

    He reminds me of Coutinho of Inter Milan who was not given a proper chance and faith to flourish. Really disappointed with BR because I believe BR will give change to these potential youngsters, but it seems he has his favorites, which a shame, because we could have a Golden Generation or BR's Fledgings as we have so many talents graduating from our Academy....shaking my head with disebelief...

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  59. A fair point but Buck has his very clear favourites and due to Suso not being one of them, the club may well lose out on a mercurial and quite uniquely talented player flourishing at Anfield. What annoys me even more is that Buck does not likely have a future at Anfield after May 2015 and his masterful handling of Suso and his contract situation will further impact our club detrimentally.

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  60. The Sheikh has clearly been keeping tabs on Suso at Melwood and has personally evaluated his recent return from injury. It's good to know that Suso is in such top form. Looking forward to seeing him play.

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  61. I find it odd the way folks seem to be viewing Suso as a potential starter for Liverpool. Everyone is happy to accept that Mario Balotelli, a guy who has played for Man City, Milan and the Italian national team doesn't natively have the qualities required to play for Liverpool. He doesn't press so well, he doesn't have a lot of intensity, he's a bit slow, a bit ponderous at times. No one has any trouble seeing that in Mario, a guy who is unquestionably talented and has had periods of time where he has been described as "unplayable". They are willing to admit that maybe Mario isn't a great fit for Liverpool and is a bit of a failed experiment. But as soon as we talk about Suso, even though he's still a developing player who has very limited experience at the top level of football, fans are willing to simply assume that he has those qualities and that Rodgers is just being an idiot. It makes very little sense to me. What makes complete sense to me is what you've said - that Suso has technical quality but just doesn't have a natural level of intensity and focus that we need in order for team tactics to be effective. It's a very likely and easy to understand explanation and it's something we can verify for ourselves simply by watching him play in recent games for Malaga or Liverpool.

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  62. Thank you. You said it perfectly.

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  63. BR can't win here. If Suso plays and contributes little then everyone will be asking why lallana / coutinho or sterling (all sublime players) have been dropped. I'm pretty sure BR knows more about Suso's qualities than any of us. This is the guy that's brought us the best footy we've played in 20 years! DS back soon, Balo is out (thank god) and the performances are coming back. Suso will get his chance when he's earned it. Get behind your manager and your team.

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  64. Suso is most technically gifted youngster in our squad..He has great positional awareness and Footballing knowledge above many players in the squad.but for some reason BR doesn't rate him highly after all i'd say under right guidance he can be like "David Silva" kind of player..Really gutted to see he's yet to fulfill his potential but he would one day ..

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  65. Why does the article fail to mention that Suso has been injured for almost 3 months? Had he not picked up the injury then he may have been knocking on the door each week and a new contract becomes an easier decision. Instead LFC find themselves between a rock and a hard place. How do you value a player who is yet to make the step up. The potential is there but still not realised.

    The question is not do LFC want to keep him, it's whether or not Suso wants to stay and fight for a place. As good as he can be he's still got to be better than the others for that to happen.

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  66. Why is he labelled a misfit?

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  67. you say this is a site for critical realism but that is a blatant lie.Anyone who points iut this is banned.You cant say rodgers does not fancy suso when 80% of supporters know he is just back from injury.You then go go saying based on this the whole youth system is a joke.You cant keep misleading people with false information.I also notice that after every time we play great football and you have nothing to be critical about you write about suso or alberto .Every top club in the world takes a gambke on youth but yiu make out that lfc are wrecklessly spending money .Susu ibe illori alberto and a few others will alk play top flight football and we will make profits on all.. this makes me questions your motives.i understand that controversial statements get mire responses but i get the feeling that there is an underlying hatred of lfc ..maybe some proof that you are indeed a true red would settle the argument

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  68. More technically gifted than Coutinho? I'd disagree

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  69. Suso was given a chance, 20 games, no goals, no assists, only 8 chances created. Sterling and Coutinho both significantly outperformed Suso that season, hence Suso going out on loan the following season.

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