2 Feb 2015

57% Price Crash: Liverpool determined to sign Prem 'warrior' today for bargain £6.5m fee

Prior to signing Dejan Lovren, Liverpool were heavily linked with a move or West Ham defender Winston Reid, and the speculation has continued to build over the last few months. On Thursday, Brendan Rodgers claimed that the Reds are unlikely to sign any new players before the transfer deadline, but new reports today claim that LFC are planning an eleventh-hour bid for Reid, who is out of contract in the summer.

According to The Mirror today:

* Liverpool will make an official bid for Reid before the transfer window closes.

* West Ham want £6-£7m, but Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers 'can meet that demand', and will offer £6.5m

This follows a Daily Express report in October, which claimed that:

* Reid is 'confident' of joining Liverpool, and has his 'heart set' on the move.
* He rejected offers from Arsenal and Man United because he wants to join LFC.

In October, the Reid's reported price tag was £15m, so if the Reds snap him up for £6.5m, that'll represent a 57% discount.

Some info about Reid:

* Current contract expires in 2015.
* Captain of the New Zealand national team.
* Won West Ham's 'Player of the Year' award in 2013.
* 129 appearances for West Ham.
* Averages 28 appearances per season.
* 7 goals 5 assists.

When asked recently about Reid's future, Hammers boss Sam Allardyce confirmed that the club is in 'ongoing negotiations' with the New Zealander over a new contract, but also conceded that he could leave:

"If somebody makes a big offer then obviously the chairman decides, but for me he’s staying. The chairman decides whether the money is big enough, but for me he stays and I think that the way the club has improved, I think he will stay."

Ex-Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp rates Reid, and at the end of last season, he named the defender as one of his players of the season. He told the Daily Mail:

"Winston Reid...has been excellent alongside James Collins. Reid is a warrior defender who can look ungainly but rarely makes mistakes"

'Ungainly'? Thanks but no thanks. Liverpool already have an ungainly central defender in Mamadou Sakho, and one is more than enough. There's also the added risk of small-club mentality syndrome, which has already affected Lallana, Lambert, and (arguably) Lovren this season.

If Rodgers is to buy another central defender, it should (IMO) go on a proven, world-class player, with international/European experience, and the requisite big-club mentality. Reid is not the answer in any way, shape, or form. He is a solid Premier League defender, but he doesn't have the European experience required to dominate at Anfield.

To be honest, though, do Liverpool really need Reid right now? The defence has exponentially improved over the last six weeks, so it's not an urgent priority. Additionally, if Reid comes in, the club will have SIX players vying for spots in central defence (Skrtel, Sakho, Can, Toure, Lovren, Reid), and that will create unhealthy competition.

In my view, if Rodgers is set on signing Reid, the better option is to wait until the summer and get him for free, then move on Toure and/or Lovren to free up space in the squad.


Author:


53 comments:

  1. I'm really at a loss to explain but, can someone please tell me our defensive unit has undoubtedlًy improved to such unprecented heights because of:
    1. New players ( obviously Sakho and Can)
    or
    2. New formation setting
    Special thanks!

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  2. Where is illori?

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  3. At Bordeaux but I watched him today and he just looks sloww and not great at his positioning. He may be good on the ball but not that great without it...

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  4. Reid would be a pointless transfer. I mean, yes Toure is getting old and Can is a middie, but like you said we are bloated at CB. We might be in need of some solidity at the back, but we need to sell before we can buy. Plus Reid's free in the summer, which would make the 6.5M a waste.


    Not to mention his play at the weekend was less than inspiring. What happens if we encounter an attack better than our own?

    At this point, I highly doubt we'll make any move (not that that's a bad thing) but I will admit I'm liking the sound of an Illarramendi transfer... perhaps as competition to Lucas with Can moving to box2box with Hendo after his CB duties are finished? Or maybe even keep Can at CB permanently?

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  5. save your money BR, don't waste it, because u will need it at summer transfer market........

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  6. I really can't understand why LFC would want Reid. I don't think he represents an upgrade on anything we already have. I can see him replacing Toure though as he really isn't likely to play much but not a regular starter.
    Some of the players we have been linked with are very disappointing and I think would take us backwards rather than help us push for top 4 (or better). I was delighted when Delph signed a new contract at Villa and hope milner opts to stay at City or move abroad. Anything but DON'T come to LFC. Some of the players are mid-table (at best) in their level and ability. With our main rivals buying quality, we will struggle to even qualify for europe let alone CL!!
    Ideally I think we need a Goalkeeper. Mignolet may have improved but he still has no competition or adequate backup if injured. I also think we need a Striker or maybe a No.10 even though Sturridge may have returned. There is still the potential of a LOT of games between now and we can reinforce again and I can't see Sturridge playing every minute between now and then. Sterling maybe doing a good job in that role and Ibe could well take over from Sterlings old role in time but we have still struggled for goals. Coutinho is a good provider but he isn't exactly prolific.

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  7. Yes, too many vying for limited positions can become heart-breaking rather than inspirational. A fine line between the two and agreed that we have too many central defenders already and their doing well of late, anyway. Save the 6.5million, and forget about the incredible discount percentage. Often we impulse buy because of the huge saving and then may as well leave the commodity in the box. Seems that in many cases, we need the bargain more than the product.

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  8. He seems more slow in terms of tempo rather than lacking pace. He broke Ronaldo's sprint record, so he's certainly not slow in that respect.

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  9. Well I wasn't overly impressed and really can't see him making it at LFC. If you have BTSport, they show the Ligue 1 matches so you can see him at Bodeaux as well as Origi at Lille,

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  10. Well he doesn't look quick over the ground either and certainly not quick in his mind, awareness or positioning...

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  11. Disappointing to hear. Word was he was really quick

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  12. So if he really wants to join Liverpool and is free in the summer why splash out 6mill now. Doesn't seem much of a bargain - although compared with Lovren and Balotelli. OK I take it back Great move Brendan

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  13. We don't need a CB,we need a quality keeper and a DAMN GOOD RB if emre can is gonna be playing in midfield to replace henderson or a DM.

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  14. This seems like a nothing story. Reid has some contract negotiations to deal with in the summer and I'd expect this is just his agent dredging up old news to try and convince everyone that Liverpool are interested. Liverpool simply don't need a central defender in this window. Toure will come back from Africa with some good form and regular playing time under his belt and with Can and Sakho playing well in their respective positions I just don't see a spot in the squad for another defender. Perhaps with 3 CBs there is temptation to think we'd need more cover in case of injuries but then how many backups do you need in your squad? Right now Toure and Lovren can't even get a look-in, it makes no sense to add another name to that list.

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  15. Jaimie If you want to stimulate dedate ,It would be nice if you could name some proven , world class players that are willing to move to Liverpool ?

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  16. A number 10, ?? to fight Stevie, Coutinho, Lallana for the shirt, are you sure. ??

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  17. You are asking Jaimie for the impossible.

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  18. Hummels loves Liverpool and BVB is rockbottom in the league.

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  19. Now that's a different story.

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  20. Since Sturridge is back, Sterling will also play No.10 more frequently now.

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  21. First up: avoiding relegation.

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  22. We all love Hummels, too, but I'm tired of seeing BVB lose their best players. Would like to see them and Klopp succeed again.

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  23. I hope Toure gets a contract extension, very dependable backup.

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  24. No thanks. We don't need another CB, like you say we already have a fair few on the books. And we have a number of youngsters who I'd rather see given more of a chance if anyone is going to get one.

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  25. Is ungainly the important bit or the "rarely makes a mistake" our ungainly Sakho is arguably our best defender and with 100% tackle and passing succes in the last game I would say that his ungainliness is far less important than his actual ability which as shown in the world cup as well as for us is sky high.

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  26. He has had loads of injuries. Perhaps he is slow now. Or at least lost sone of thay pace that made him stick out.

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  27. Totally agree, Jay Jay. For all Sakho's 'ungainliness' he's actually got excellent ball, so much for so that he fancies himself for a trick every now and then. I have no problem with that sort of confidence - unless Skrtel tries to copy him.

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  28. Ah man I replied to you but my comment is under moderation - not sure what I've said wrong. Anyway I was just agreeing with you.

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  29. The definition of a (£6.5m) 'bargain':

    Something at an irresistible price, that you don't really need...

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  30. B Rodgers does not need to bring in any defenders this transfer window but he should do his utmost best to bring in :


    Marc-Andre Ter Stegen(22) Of Barcelona on loan or for £10-£14M GK


    L Bender(25) Of Bayer Leverkusen or A Illarramendi(24) Of Real Madrid for £15-£22M DM


    P Aubamayeng(25) Of B Dortmund or L Adriano(27) Of Shakhtar Donesk for £5-£17M FD


    Those three players should be brought to club by the end of the day.

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  31. Well Stevie will be leaving so maybe get someone in now that can lean from him before he does leave. Coutinho isn't a consistent finisher and Lallana isn't that great.
    A number 10 that can finish would give more options than we have. as they could play alongside Sturridge and stop us having to play Balotelli, Borini and/or Lambert

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  32. Nah, he does not.
    But we have been linked with him and he is better than J Allen(24), B Rodgers should go all out and bring L Bender(25) to the club instead.


    If B Rodgers could bring in M Andre Ter Stegen(22) Of Barcelona , L Bender(25) Of B Leverkusen and P Aubamayeng(25) Of B Dortmund to club by end of day.


    Then the key positions we need more class, quality competition for places and cover for would be sorted:


    GK: Mignolet(26) needs to be kept on his toes at all times


    DM: L Leiva(27) has done amazingly well but lacks energy, legs, mobility, pace and speed and in some games gets easily exposed against mobile quick nimble attacking players


    FD: D Sturridge(25) needs some class quality competition and cover for his position and he will never ever get that from: R Lambert(32), F Borini(23) Or M Balotelli(24)

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  33. Does Illaramendi impress you?

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  34. We will not sign anyone today

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  35. Words of Andre Wisdom12:42 pm, February 02, 2015

    West ham are not a small club.

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  36. May help to go on Illaramendis form at Sociedad prior to joining Madrid still he is not the athletic destroyer type many are craving nor is he the next Xabi.

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  37. we did not try to bring in any1 in 31 days what makes you think we will in the 11th hour were here just for the fun of the silly season well that's what i'm here for ;)

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  38. Couts will get better in assisting with a real goalscorer in front of him and 'released' Sterling too. Sterling can play there, Lalana, and Markovic.
    If we can get Reus, than yes, but don't really need number 10...

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  39. He let his future team mate so he welcomes him better.. Kidding, hope he is not coming....

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  40. Obviously these websites fail to listen to the Liverpool manager who stated that there will be NO players coming in

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  41. Considering what Sterling did to Reid, I'm surprised Reid isn't frightened of anything lfc. Sterling turned Reid's legs into knots!

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  42. If Sterling and/or Sturridge are pulled out wide, you don't see Coutinho, Markovic, Hendo or Lallana busting a gut to get in the box.

    Yes you will, that is my point...

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  43. A striker that can play the number 10 role would be ideal. Suarez played this quite effectively at times and to a degree so does Sterling but we don't have many players capable of scoring from outside the box or get into the box to support the striker(s). If Sterling and/or Sturridge are pulled out wide, you don't see Coutinho, Markovic, Hendo or Lallana busting a gut to get in the box. We end up having to play the ball backwards and allow the opposition to get back into shape.

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  44. So Jaimie quietly changes his mind about Lovren when you checked up until last week he was arguing that Lovren is better than Sakho and that Sakho should be sold to accommodate Lovren.
    Even when the entire forum disagreed with you.
    Well done, you got there in the end but quietly tucked away in the last sentence of your article.

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  45. How many games did you see of Hendo playing in his position(a bit further up the pitch) with no Steven on it? Just a few, and he looked dangerous and very good each time.
    Lallana had few in form matches and was brilliant in those- just remember he played 40+ games last season, than Brazil, than new club and two injuries.
    Couts is so magnificent in assisting that he almost doesn't need scoring if he has Daniel in front of him, and he will improve on that too I am sure. We didn't play 3 matches in a row with our best formation and best players so far- puzzle is about to be set the way it is supposed to be set, trust me..
    Regarding 10 +. probably two..

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  46. And you never do see that and that's my point! Not one of those are good in the air so crossing the ball is pointless too.
    How many of them will get 10+ goals in a season - we will be lucky if we get 10 goals from all of them combined!
    With Gerrard leaving we are losing a lot of goals

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  47. You're either dreaming or high if you think Liverpool are in a position to sign a world-class defender right now.

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  48. hahah Jk is the master of double talk and always leaves a caveat to give him some wiggle room

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  49. Rogers has stated a number of times that we will not be signing anyone. Reid? Is that the best you can come up with?

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  50. L Bender(25) Of Bayer Leverkusen Or M Schneiderlin(25) Of Southampton should be brought to the club this summer for £16-£21M


    Both are twice the player A Illaramendi(24) is and are better DM than L Leiva(27).

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