With the arrival of Javier Manquillo, Alberto Moreno, and Emre Can, Liverpool's full-back positions are no longer an urgent transfer priority, but with Glen Johnson confirming this week that he's in talks with unnamed clubs about a summer transfer, the Reds are once again being linked with a move for 'world-class' Barcelona star Dani Alves.
According to reports in Spain:
* Johnson is being 'released' to make room for Alves.
* Arsenal and Man United are also in the running.
* Liverpool could offer Alvest £120k-a-week.
In October, Barca officially confirmed Alves' exit with the following statement:
"We are delighted that Dani is here, and with the performance he has provided for the club. Both sides have reached an agreement though that his contract will end in 2015"
Soon after, Alves himself confirmed his Nou Camp exit:
“Next year I'm moving to England. I'm going to play at the home of football. This will be my last season at Barcelona.”
Liverpool have been linked with Alves many times in the past, and Rafa Benitez tried to sign the Brazilian back in 2008. In a 2012 interview with Sports Illustrated, Benitez explained:
"Daniel Alves was our first option on the right side. The problem that we had was that I had to decide to bring Alves as a winger when he was an offensive full-back"
The irony here is that if Liverpool had signed Alves back in 2008, then Johnson - the player Alves may possibly replace - may never have been signed in the first place.
So, Alves is definitely coming to England, which means Liverpool will almost certainly have a chance to compete for his signature. His agent, Dinorah Santana has also confirmed this week that deal with an unnamed club is close to being completed. He told reporters:
"We are close to signing with another club, we are in advanced conversations."
Could the club possible be Liverpool? In my view, it's doubtful. The Reds are in good form right now, but if Chelsea or Arsenal come calling then the bright lights of London will probably be a deciding factor. Additionally, for the elite of the European game, Anfield is not a prestige destination, and it's unlikely that Alves will go from Barcelona to Liverpool.
Unless, of course, LFC offer him an obscene amount of money, in which case, he'll sign without hesitation.
Is Alves a significant *defensive* upgrade on Johnson, though? Offensively, he's a definite upgrade, but I don't see the wisdom in replacing a 30-year old defender on a massive salary for another expensive, older defender who'll probably demand an even bigger chunk of change.
Author: Jaimie K
According to reports in Spain:
* Johnson is being 'released' to make room for Alves.
* Arsenal and Man United are also in the running.
* Liverpool could offer Alvest £120k-a-week.
In October, Barca officially confirmed Alves' exit with the following statement:
"We are delighted that Dani is here, and with the performance he has provided for the club. Both sides have reached an agreement though that his contract will end in 2015"
Soon after, Alves himself confirmed his Nou Camp exit:
“Next year I'm moving to England. I'm going to play at the home of football. This will be my last season at Barcelona.”
Liverpool have been linked with Alves many times in the past, and Rafa Benitez tried to sign the Brazilian back in 2008. In a 2012 interview with Sports Illustrated, Benitez explained:
"Daniel Alves was our first option on the right side. The problem that we had was that I had to decide to bring Alves as a winger when he was an offensive full-back"
The irony here is that if Liverpool had signed Alves back in 2008, then Johnson - the player Alves may possibly replace - may never have been signed in the first place.
So, Alves is definitely coming to England, which means Liverpool will almost certainly have a chance to compete for his signature. His agent, Dinorah Santana has also confirmed this week that deal with an unnamed club is close to being completed. He told reporters:
"We are close to signing with another club, we are in advanced conversations."
Could the club possible be Liverpool? In my view, it's doubtful. The Reds are in good form right now, but if Chelsea or Arsenal come calling then the bright lights of London will probably be a deciding factor. Additionally, for the elite of the European game, Anfield is not a prestige destination, and it's unlikely that Alves will go from Barcelona to Liverpool.
Unless, of course, LFC offer him an obscene amount of money, in which case, he'll sign without hesitation.
Is Alves a significant *defensive* upgrade on Johnson, though? Offensively, he's a definite upgrade, but I don't see the wisdom in replacing a 30-year old defender on a massive salary for another expensive, older defender who'll probably demand an even bigger chunk of change.
Author: Jaimie K
What we'd ideally do in this situation is actually ask Toure what he meant. Taking a single quote out of context of an interview with no clarification quite obviously doesn't make sense. Sports interviews are generally quite banal and players are not always known for their eloquence. What he says literally doesn't make sense so there has to be some scope for interpreting it more generally.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Alves is the answer, I expect Liverpool are not trying to sign him. I'd be happy to be surprised but seriously, he's about to turn 32 years old. What would we sign him to? A 3 year contract?
ReplyDeleteHenderson is a dud and Can is clearly way more talented than him. End of story!Hendo scored one howler the other day in his entire career at Anfield and now feels he can demand more cash on is contract.If anyone is overrated , it's Hendo. Period!
ReplyDeleteAnd it wouldn't be like a journalist to use underhand tactics to make a story seem more interesting than it is? Haha it's standard bloody practise - remove a word here Add a word there.
ReplyDeleteDoes this mean no Di Maria and spitter for our game?
ReplyDeleteThe answer is the club has to end up top four consistently and show it can offer CL football. It has spent too long out of the CL to be an attraction and this season's showing was very poor. To get back among the big boys, a top four this season and then get out of the group stages of the CL next season is the minimum
ReplyDeleteBoth of them still need time to gel up! They not doin so well in partnership
ReplyDeleteThis deal has Man City written all over it. An aging player, still wanting to earn loads? Hmmm where could he possibly go.
ReplyDeletei hope its not liverpool... Alves looks past it and his best years are behind him... rather spend the time developing Manquilo, Flannagan, or the other youngsters we got breaking through...
ReplyDeleteHenderson is a dud, really? What a bullsh1t comment.we would be absolutely screwed without henderson in midfield this season.away from goals and assists his pressing and work rate have been brilliant. And what would you know about his contact negotiations?Fans like you we don't need!!!
ReplyDeleteOverrated much! Work rate is admirable but he should know his place. Squad player , like Allen , at best.Openly said he's not happy with what we offered.Fans like you, don't know! And what gives you the right to speak for LFC and what type of fans we need? He is a dud and it's my opinion and yes I'm a fan. Have been so for more than 20 yrs.Don't agree??? Too bad!
ReplyDeleteStill so stupid I see...
ReplyDeleteDon't worry about T-Bone,. He's an ignorant a$$
ReplyDeleteYeah, Porkie's Mom knows best I suppose.Good luck with that!
ReplyDeleteGood luck?? I don't need your luck. It hasn't helped me since 1990.
ReplyDeleteI voted for Henderson as currently I believe he is the better player. By the looks of him Can has a very high ceiling though. Having said that whatever I say or do doesn't make a blind bit of difference what happens with Can. Like you I believe these players don't care about me so I am not enabling anyone. Trivilaising? Yes. Have been very critical of Skrtel and Johnson (Johnson more so on recent times). These are two of the fights payed players at the club. It's almost as if overhyped and fans "enabling" is less of a factor than greedy and influential agents, how much peers get paid and the players importance to the club are more important than overhype. You see Sterling ad the proof, but I hear Chris Bascombe, who has infinitely more inside knowledge of the club than you or I, says it is his agent more than the down to earth Sterling himself. This just in, twenty year old is easily influenced. Sorry Jaimie we disagree.
ReplyDeleteThen nothing will dude. Maybe a PK on the forehead might jog something in there.
ReplyDeleteGo ahead. Even though a PK never helped you!
ReplyDeleteI guess some are just passed the point of no return.
ReplyDeleteNo Bob, Toure is working his way through the phone boom telling everyone who will listen.
ReplyDeleteNo better player? Kolo sometimes behave like a mad man on pitch.. Some people don't talk sense in the public and that's desame with footballers . I remember big Sam open his big mouth to say Carrol is worth 70m? Kolo may have got experience ,but this one is out of order. Can won't even make citeh" or Chelsea xi
ReplyDeleteAre you suggesting Hendo will make City or Chelsea XI? Coz that'll be laughable.
ReplyDeleteA spark of healthy competition?
ReplyDeleteAre you suggesting that Henderson is a worse player than Milner or Willian?
ReplyDeleteYip. You should know!!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely. Without a shadow of doubt.Heck , even Ramirez on the bench will do a better job.
ReplyDeleteYup, I've encountered plenty like yourself.
ReplyDeleteSays the man, who bent over for Roy Hodgson!
ReplyDeleteThen you are either an opposition fan who doesn't watch Liverpool enough, just a troll or haven't got enough of a starting point for me to educate you. Either way I can't be bothered.
ReplyDeleteLame! Didn't they call Roy by the name of Porkie? Bwahaha, you're so pathetic with your comebacks.Need some lessons mate?
ReplyDeleteDon't know why they moderating my response when all I said was your comebacks are lame. Do you need lessons?
ReplyDeleteIn other news ... Liverpool apparently put in a bid to sign Pedro in the summer and are still interested. Now THERE is a player we'd all be interested in seeing in the Premier League. Bye bye Mario, hello hello Pedro.
ReplyDeleteLOL. You need more than moderating to get you back on track!!
ReplyDeleteThat's the best post I've ever seen on the subject brilliant a world class post imo ;-)
ReplyDeleteWith his current form, i have no doubt he will make it #Chelsey as AMF. Febrigas is overrated though, he disappears against the big guns and most of his assist came from set piece
ReplyDeleteAMF??? Wow! He's squandered countless goal scoring opportunities for us this season.His ability going forward is questionable at best. He scores one good strike and now you suggest AMF.Even on current form, he will never replace the likes of Oscar,Willian, Fabregas or Hazard at Chelsea.Sorry mate but Hendo isn't of the same grade.Boy tries though but no. He doesn't cut it.
ReplyDeletesource?
ReplyDeleteI actually believe Can is better than Henderson but he is not English that why people do not want to see this truth
ReplyDeleteWe missed the boat with Daniel Alves back when Benitez was manager.Giving a player on decline and not far off retirement huge money now, would remind me of the deals Big Sam used to do for Bolton.Think Ivan Campo, Djorkaeff and Fernando Hierro.
ReplyDeleteIf Liverpool keep knocking on superstar doors, eventually we'll get a top level difference maker.We shouldn't be so desperate that we look at over the hill marquee names with their best years behind them, looking for their last big contract.
Yeah, but if you go by this reasoning above.....the bright lights of London, Anfield not an attractive destination etc, then Pedro will not sign. I don't subscribe to that theory.
ReplyDeleteWe are playing attractive football at moment and obviously if we qualify for champs league that will help. Unfortunately,in order to secure the big stars I think the main stumbling block is our wage structure...have to pay top dollar for the best and that would upset the apple cart with existing players wrangling for higher wages.
I personally think if we make champs league again, with the bt money, the purse strings will be loosened. I think FSG what to see a sustained period of success before upping it, hopefully with the squad we have this will happen
There're lots of World Class players out there, but nobody seems's interested in playing for BR and not Liverpool.
ReplyDeleteInfatuation - 'King' of the hair styles maybe ......
ReplyDeleteShows potential but a long way to go yet to prove worthy of the captain's arm band
Yep, simple. I've argued the same thing many times before. JK's theory didn't stop City from attracting top talent. Their wages was supplemented by a big vision, but we have a big vision too.
ReplyDeleteBig payers get the big players.
I think these guys agents will take care of that regardless JK. They're the ones in a players ear saying hey I can get you more someplace else.
ReplyDeleteRidiculous rumour. Replace a 30 year old with a veteran who'll be 32 at the start of next season and 33 by the end of it! Wonder what he'd be like with an English winter in his bones?
ReplyDeleteGenuine question...do MU or City fall foul of this, " bright lights of London" issue?
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard that he openly said he's not happy with contract..well I have been a fan for 30 years now and in my opinion anyone who would call henderson a dud knows nothing. Nobody is saying he the best cm in the world but he's a good player who is extremely important to this team at the moment. And I'm sure lfc really want fans like you slating their players..
ReplyDeleteThis strikes me as a pointless comparison. Who's better, Gerrard or Lampard..? For the record, you're wrong about Can - he's awesome. Physical, confident and raises those around him. Henderson is coming into his own and has been massive for us. His red card against City last season could've cost us the ultimate prize, that's how important he's been. What this article should really be about, is the tantalising prospect of having Can and Hendo playing alongside each other in the middle of the pitch on a regular basis - and if we can give this a fantastical twist by imagining William Carvalho sat behind them.... that's a title winning midfield right there!
ReplyDeleteSo you base your opinion on what others think?Hendo is an overrated player in my opinion as a LFC supporter. Couldn't care less what anyone else thinks or wants.
ReplyDeleteDoes it mean I don't like him as a LFC player? NO! I appreciate his workrate and his desire to perform and I'm sure he's a great guy.
That however does not have an affect on his ability as a player which I believe is exaggerated by most.I don't believe he's that important to the team and is easily replaceable. Simple as that guy.
Every fan has their own opinion. I have a mind of my own and don't need to follow the general consensus just to fit in.
Just like last season when me and a few others backed Sakho on this site (and got slated for it), I'll say the same thing here….Can is going to be one of the most important players for us if in the next decade if we can tie him down long term. While I like how he gets up the field and seemingly brushes off opponents, the real class in his play is his football intellect. His positioning is fantastic and watch how many times that helps him nullify an attack by intercepting the ball, getting a clever block in, or forcing an attacker into making a mistake is where his real class shows. For his age, it's quite remarkable how smart the defensive part of his game is and that also lends itself to his passing. I say that because he's one of the few defensive players who manages to find a teammate when making defensive clearances which I think is a very underrated stat. I obviously could be wrong, and there were a lot of people who thought Sakho was a waste of money, but you can always tell good players from the intangibles in their game and Can definitely has got it. Onwards and Upwards!
ReplyDeleteI prefer a young German footballer over a young English one any day. Right Jaimie :)
ReplyDeleteI am pleased with his performances but I also feel that he is doing nothing exceptional. I am surprised by the hype surrounding him. He has a good physique and good-looking, so maybe that's why fans want him to become a cult hero xD. After losing Suarez and Stevie for next season, it is obvious that we fans will be looking for new heroes to emerge. Henderson is someone we can depend on. He is rarely injured and gives everything to the team. Emre Can is a good player with great potential, but let's not make him feel he is way better than his current level.
ReplyDeletePreach brother
ReplyDeleteWell I had an even better one up my sleeve but now you've told me my last one was already world class I've lost all motivation to continue. Expect my posts to take a downward trend from here thanks to your over-hype. Cheers stu ;-)
ReplyDeleteI don't know about this one, we do need experience in the team. Alves is clearly an upgrade on GJ. A 2 year deal may suit both parties like Kolo. I think we need a mix of young and experience.
ReplyDeleteI.E. Sagna & Lampard
ReplyDeleteNo. Toure is not saying that Can has been more effective than Henderson. He is saying that Can is a better player than Henderson.
ReplyDeleteConsidering their respective first seasons at this club, he is obviously correct. In terms of technical skill, he is also obviously correct. Whether Can will make the most of that proficiency and make as big or bigger an impact on Liverpool than Henderson currently is, we obviously can't know that. But in terms of raw football ability, it's a technical knock out in Can's favour. He is a fabulously skilful player, and I say this having watched him since he was a kid (as opposed to now...?) at Bayern.
Outstanding.
ReplyDeleteYou can still aim for 'outstanding'.
ReplyDeleteGreat post.
ReplyDeleteSo you think he's a dud but you like him as a Liverpool player???what are you on about? And how do i base my opinion on what others think?
ReplyDeletePedro, yes. Definitely. That's a long-term rumour that just bl**dy well has to come true. And I'd keep Balo.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Tbone on this issue, and I'm sure Hendo would, too.
ReplyDeleteI hope we don't go this route. He's old. He's a hot head. He has experience in a fine league, but I'm not sure he can handle the physicality of the PL week
ReplyDeleteWe are more likely to sign Montoya or Danilo. With Flanaghan returning at some point and Manquillo on the books and a back three functioning quite well is there any need of a another full back?
ReplyDeleteIncredible.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see Dani Alves at Anfield, even if it was just for a cameo season. Always been a huge fan. Oozes class and has one of the best first touches I've seen.
ReplyDeleteQPR... That policy hasn't worked so well for them...
ReplyDeleteIt came out of some magazine it Spain I think. Could be total nonsense. Check the newsnow feed from around when I originally posted.
ReplyDeletelook 3-4 years a head, can't you see what will our squad now become?
ReplyDeleteprefer danilo than him.........
ReplyDeleteno point to compare him with our own player, if we can have both great player on the pitch at the same team, wouldn't it be great?
ReplyDeleteWill BR be given 3-4 years without CL ?
ReplyDeleteLook what happened at the being of the year .
Can is undoubtedly the best player Liverpool has right now.
ReplyDeleteThe lad has got skills,pace,strength, sound demeanor and years in his arsenal.
I have not seen a more confident player in Liverpool line-up from quite some time(obviously apart from Suarez :D).
I can vouch that he'll be a club legend if only the club can hold onto this lad !
IMO LFC must buy a quality full back in summer and shift Can to more forward position . DM would suit him. But I certainly believe this guy can flourish in CM role too because he's got strength, pace, creativity and vision. On top of that he rarely loose possession.
ReplyDeleteHe can become Yaya of Liverpool !
I mean is the squad, not the manager...........
ReplyDeleteHendo's better than Milner, perhaps, but Willian is on another planet.
ReplyDeleteYeah, a bona fide great fullback.
ReplyDelete