12 Feb 2015

Out-of-Order? Carra spreads spurious gossip about 'fantastic' £20m-star; tells LFC to 'sign' £10m-striker

Last week, Liverpool legend John Aldridge urged his old club to sign Burnley star Danny Ings, and with the Reds reportedly set to move for the 22-year old this summer, Jamie Carragher has joined the striker's growing list of admirers.

In as recent column for the Liverpool Daily Post Aldo insisted that signing £10m-rated Ings is a 'no-brainer', and explained why the Reds should bring the striker to Anfield:

"Ings has got great potential, and I’d rather see us spend on [him] than on, say, Iago Aspas. Ings wouldn’t be regarded as much of a gamble. He knows where the goal is and he will improve".

Liverpool are also linked with £20m-rated West Brom goalscorer Saido Berahino, but Carra insists that Ings is a better fit for the Reds. He told Sky Sports:

"I think Berahino has got a bit more class, a slightly better player, but I'd try and sign Ings. The way Berahino comes across, you think will there be...an attitude problem"

In my view, Carra is out of order here. There is absolutely no concrete evidence to suggest that Berahino has an 'attitude problem'. In fact, it's the complete opposite, with every boss he's worked under raving about him. Indeed, in January, Tony Pulis enthused:

"He [Berahino] is scoring goals and is a pleasure to work with. I’ve had a chat with him and he’s been smashing. We’d like to keep him"

After West Brom's 2-0 victory last night over Swansea, West Brom skipper Darren Fletcher praise Berahino's attitude on the pitch. He told reporters:

"[He was] fantastic. The work rate, desire and quality was great. Saido had a really tough shift, he had to drop into midfield and then had to get forward but he did it and never moaned once.

This is Daniel Sturridge all over again. Sturridge has been constantly dogged by false, unsubstantiated accusations of being 'arrogant' and/or having a 'attitude' problem, and the same thing is happening with Berahino.

Once again, the media - unfortunately led by the likes of Carra - is manufacturing a risibly false narrative about another alleged 'attitude problem', and it's totally unwarranted.

Additionally, Carra's logic doesn't make sense: Liverpool should reject a *better* striker simply because there's a tenuous, unbacked rumour about an alleged attitude problem, which - in reality - has no foundation in fact?

It's nonsense, and given Sky Sports' gigantic worldwide audience, Carra should be more responsible about what he says in public. Rumours spread like wildfire in football, and when professional footballers peddle tabloid gossip, it legitimises the 'story', and that can be damaging.

I'm not thrilled about the prospect of signing Berahino or Ings, but if Rodgers end up choosing between to two, I hope his decision is not based on spurious tabloid rumours.

Author:


92 comments:

  1. If it is "Daniel Sturridge all over again" is it not also Raheem Sterling (nee Stirling) and his contract negotiations all over again?


    I do not understand why some press stories are accepted as having a basis in fact and others are not. The only difference being the person who is the subject of the criticism

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  2. I was dead against signing Ings but after seeing his goal last night I've changed my mind, his movement to get away from the centre back and the diving header finish was excellent. If we can get him for a decent price he could be a good buy.

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  3. I must admit I wasn't against signing but wasn't sure it wasn't just a case of replacing Lambert for an equally average player who wouldn't be up to level required for LFC, but having watched him a few times since the story broke...I'm with you and will happily retract my reservations...Looks a very good player indeed!!

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  4. I have not seen the Gerrard no smoke without fire quote in fact I have seem quotes attributed to him urging FSG to sort out Raheem's contract


    Either way I don't see what business it is of Gerrard's. I doubt too whether he is actively engaged in Raheem's contract negotiations. So whilst he might might have some insight he might also just be repeating dressing room gossip.

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  5. Learned couple of new words today in school. sarcasm being one of them.. Never mind, I don't know how to use it apparerently...

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  6. There was no clever irony or sarcasm in the post, just being rude and offensive..Did teacher teach you that also!?

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  7. Sorry mate, just said I apparerently don't know how to use it. And number of *** don't match with rude words anyway. Not saying it was clever, but it wasn't rude for sure, certanly not intended...

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  8. Is this what they call a ' No News Day ' in the media industry.

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  9. You fickle f**** **** ********* *******!!! if that doesn't imply rudeness I'm not sure what does!?

    Apology accepted...BTW if you had left out that bit then full marks to teacher as would have been both sarcastic and humorous :)

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  10. Ok.
    Disagree though on leaving out the ***

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  11. I am sure some are reliable ut they are well outnumbered.

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  12. But what about the issue of the angle with the agents. I thought the main hold-up was which agents would be compensated (and how much) because Sterling switched agents at some point.

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  13. I said IMPLY rudeness and when the 1st letter also starts with an F!?
    Maybe teacher can have IMPLY as word of the day tomorrow!?
    ...and yes that was correct use or sarcasm...put that one towards your home work...It's on me son :)

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  14. 100% in the minority, no arguments about that.

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  15. It takes two to tango. Why is one side more at fault than the other ? It is after all a process of negotiation

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  16. Implying rudness as part of sarcasm.
    Son, haha...

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  17. I hope we sign neither.

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  18. You should accept and surrender your queen when check mated...Rudeness implied or intended has nothing to do with Sarcasm!

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  19. Totally agree. Liverpool are about to get a load more cash when the new TV deal kicks in, so why shouldn't Sterling expect more than we're used to young players getting? I don't think it wil be long before the premier league has its first £0.5m / week player....

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  20. Implying rudeness doesn't exclude sarcasm.

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  21. Sarcasm, wit and irony are a sign of intelligence. Rudeness is the opposite

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  22. Following your logic intellegent people don't use f words? How about stand up comedians for example? And the part of my original sarcasm post was about those using f words here when they disagree. You didn't get it(maybe it is down to me, doesn't matter), but the point is that your check mate on sarcasm and f words make no sense. Anyway, adio...

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  23. Oops my error...I get it now, me bad...that's funny! Oops my error again...No it's not! laters?...maybe after school tomorrow?

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  24. We are not going to win trophies with players like Ings or Berahino. Sad thing is that Ings is probably the best we can do at this point.

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  25. We'll win trophies without them, this year...

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  26. If memory serves me correct, you said we would win the league at the start of the season?

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  27. Mate, I am not keeping my hopes up. This season has been a major disappointment for me looking at the financial outlay and how the season has turned out.


    I am more interested to know what FSG's plans are for the end of the season.

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  28. Open top bus tour hopefully

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  29. yeah he's underrated

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  30. What you just wrote, in my opinion, represents what is wrong with today's fans. We are here to hope to win all the matches, regardless of everything. Untill out of the competition we hope we can win it, that is how Istanbul happens..

    And to answer your question- At the start of every season I say that I am hoping and that we have a shot at it.

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  31. Well the first half of our season was ruined whether you want to disagree or not.


    I do not want the start of next season to be ruined again but if a new manager comes in then he will have to be afforded the same time as Rodgers.

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  32. For winning what?

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  33. 6832 comments about Liverpool from you, and you ask that? I just do not understand you...

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  34. Mate I was Rodgers biggest fan. Everybody knows that.


    Leopards does not change their spots. Houliier never changed, Rafa never changed and Rodgers is not going to change. What is the bet that if he had to stay on next season that he returns to his boring slow build up possession based football which saw us have our worst start to an EPL season for over half a century.


    The fact that it took him half a season to change back to the way we played last season suggest that he will never learn.

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  35. Jaimie, I seriously do not understand how the my reply to Orme went for moderation?

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  36. It's not just about the winning.......;-)


    The fair play league is up for grabs though, To say nothing of CL qualification.the FA cup and the Europa cup

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  37. I saw you were typing for some time, that had to hurt.. It happens all the time.. Don't worry, I'll read it...

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  38. The world filter that has been set up is quite a strange one.

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  39. Mate, how long have you been a Pool fan?

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  40. What does that matter?

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  41. Well then why bring up the amount of comments I have made?

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  42. Yet, wankel rotary engine is not filtered. Go figure...

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  43. It is my mate has changed the filter on one

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  44. Wanker rotary engine

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  45. As he said, what does it matter? But, 15 years, more- I don't know...

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  46. How long were you a Liverpool fan?

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  47. That's my point... it sounds like Sterling & LFC are in agreement. The hold up of the deal is over which agent gets paid.

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  48. Yes sorry I forgot it' takes three to tango. The club, the player and the agent

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  49. How long? Ha ha I see what you did there :-)


    My sister married a scouser and is how I was introduced to this club.

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  50. Have you forgiven her yet?

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  51. So why does it matter how long am I a Liverpool fan?

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  52. In this case... agent$

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  53. That's just bollocks.

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  54. Nivea Men and Liverpool what next -hair products?

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  55. Emre wrestles with a lion not a hair out of place looks suggestively at the camera smiles and says 'Matic, pussy'

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  56. @Loganlfc #1 that wasn't me and #2 how does the length of time I've been an LFC fan have any relation to how many comments you've made? There is absolutely no point whatsoever...

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  57. The fact that he did change things suggest he does learn. Barring a couple of rubbish months at the start of this season, we've had two years of top football under Rodgers and given the age, pace and dynamism of our squad I'm expecting many more to come.

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  58. Just saw news, if you may call it that, saying Emre is in 11 best looking Liverpool players ever... hah..

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  59. I think saying Carra is "spreading spurious gossip" is a bit of an exaggeration. He compliments Berahino's ability, then I don't see him saying Berahino DOES have an attitude problem, just that it's questionable whether he does or not, which I think is probably fair enough. With Danny Ings there doesn't appear to be any such problems and he'll be a hell of a lot cheaper.

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  60. Razor number 1 of course : )

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  61. Yes I was adding to your point having up voted it to signify agreement ;-)

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  62. Where did Flanagan come?f

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  63. Prove me wrong. The first half of the season we were the worst team to watch in the league.

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  64. Mate, go back to the first half of his debut season and compare it to the way we played in the first half of this season. It is a mirror image. We were sh!te on both occasions.

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  65. What does it matter when I believe that the manager we currently have is not the right man to take this club forward?

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  66. its easy with sterling either pay him or sell him...........what tickles me is all the soppy sentiment about loyalty....there is no loyalty in football its a business and should be treated as such ...what bothers liverpool is they may not get the mega fee the envisgaed for him in 4 years when they try to sell him to the highest bidder

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  67. I think you should constantly edit this comment to update the number of comments that he makes so that it is always 100% accurate.

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  68. a free ride around liverpool on an open top bus raffle

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  69. The guy was a nutter. They are no longer together but I still have the scarf he gave me all those years ago.

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  70. its not ,rodgers is pigheaded and will cut his nose to spite his face ..heres a fact most on this forum where saying
    1) ditch balo from a lone striker
    2) drop lovren
    3) move gerrard from dm
    4) bring chan into the team
    5) play hendo in the middle
    6) play lucas as dm

    and a host of other things way before rodgers did them and was hailed a genius....the prem has been awful this year and we should be 2nd or 3rd at a canter

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  71. And then they can be sat with a smile on their face knowing that they spent almost £120m of LFC's money and are at that moment thinking how much more is going to be pissed down the drain...

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  72. Oh hold on, Rodgers should be exempt! How dare you ;-o

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  73. he shouldnt need to learn as he already had the formula ....this is how rogers solves things ..
    1) uses tactics that dont work
    2) finds tactics that do work
    3) goes back to tactics that dont work
    4) then goes back again to tactics that do work


    its pure einstein

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  74. If Sterling does not sign that new contract then LFC will not get a massive pay day.

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  75. And will return to tactics that do not work because of his delusional philosophy.

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  76. Yes but Raheem will have also to struggle on with only £30K a week for a year or two

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  77. Madrid like that number. Easy pickings.

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  78. liverpool will sell asap if thats the case

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  79. what rodgers usually does when things are going well is try to integrate his favourites into the team while at the same time oust the ones he doesn't like regardless of performance

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  80. Yes true but it can be win/win. Liverpool sign him to a longer contract with or without a buy out clause to protect their position and Raheem gets a pay rise.


    But if either side decide to move on in the future they still can providing someone stumps the transfer fee

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  81. I guess you're suggesting Allen and Johnson are his favourites. Things are working now, why aren't they playing?

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  82. Word on the street is that once Berahino heard about the spurious gossip being spewed about him, he hasn't been able to practice and he's doubtful to play this weekend.

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