2 Jun 2015

Confirmed: 'Incredible €27m Liverpool target with 40 goals/assists will 'leave'. Replace Sterling?

Liverpool are once again being linked with a move for Dynamo Kiev star Andrey Yarmolenko, and in a potential boost for the Reds, the 25-year old attacker has confirmed this week that he is definitely moving on this summer.

Speaking to Ukrainian website ProFootball, Yarmolenko mused:

"Right now is the perfect time to change clubs. The president knows that I want to leave, I have repeatedly spoken about this".

Liverpool transfer timeline:

Aug 2013: Ukrainian newspaper Gazeta claimed that Liverpool were 'close' to signing Yarmolenko.

Aug 2013: Another report claimed that Liverpool submitted a €23m bid for the Ukraine international, but a deal could not be concluded.

Jun 2014: Liverpool considered making a summer bid for the attacker, with Kiev reportedly dropping their asking price to £15m.

Mar 2015: The Liverpool Echo claimed that Liverpool were planning a £19.5m (€27m) move for Yarmolenko.

In September 2013, Tor-Kristian Karlson - A Norwegian Scout, and Former CEO of Monaco - warned LFC to steer clear of Yarmolenko. He explained:

"I certainly wouldn't [spend] £20M on Yarmolenko. He's a decent player, but not worth anywhere near that [and] he wouldn't improve the Liverpool squad"

Ukraine legend Andriy Shevchenko certainly doesn't agree with Karlson's assessment, and in a recent interview, he told Yahoo Sport:

"Yarmolenko is a great player, talented and quick. Even though he doesn’t play in my position up front, he still manages to score plenty of goals. He could reach the highest level like I did"

Yarmolenko - recently praised praised by Everton boss Roberto Martinez for his 'incredible' finishing - is not a 'marquee' name, but he has many positive attributes:

* 95 goals/64 assists (159 G/A total) in 260 games for Kiev.

* Goal/assist every 1.6 games, which is a fantastic record.

* This season: 19 goals/21 assists (40 G/A total) in 42 apps.

* Basically 1 goal/assist every single game.

* 18 goals in 46 games for the Ukraine national team.

40 goals/assists in 42 games is superb, and it's no flash in the pan; as his figures attest, Yarmolenko has a sustained history of consistently making a specific, measurable impact for Kiev, and he also has the physical attributes to be a success in the Premier League.

The lamentable capitulation at Stoke highlighted the physical weakness at the heart of the team, and players like Yarmolenko will bring some much needed steel and strength to the squad.



Five seconds after Yarmolenko publicly confirmed he wants to move on, Liverpool should've been on the phone to Dynamo Kiev to submit an official offer. Alas, given LFC's sluggish performance in the transfer market, I doubt this news is even on Ayre et al's radar yet.

For me, it's simple: Yarmolenko is avaailable, and Liverpool should be moving heaven and earth to sign him. Like any transfer, there's a risk of failure, but spending money on proven players who match the criteria above is always a better idea that splurging big bucks on young, comparatively) untested players (i.e. Markovic etc).

Forget the likes of Ings and James Friggin' Milner - Yarmolenko is (IMO) the type of player Liverpool should be targeting:

* Experienced and strong.

* Proven match-winner/game-changer.

* Coming into his prime years.

* Clear upgrade on players already at the club.

* Consistently good goals/assists output.

* Most important: Bar a concussion (after a clash of heads) back in 2013, Yarmolenko has never been injured. He is solid as a rock, just like Luis Suarez.

I'd swap Sterling for this guy in a heartbeat. Yarmolenko is bigger, stronger, more experienced, more prolific, and at 6'2, he won't be pushed off the ball easily.

Is Yarmolenko capable of bettering Sterling's stunning record of 7 league goals all season? Obviously, yes, and his history proves that.

Basically, it's a no-brainer: sell The Mercenary to the highest bidder and use part of the cash for this transfer.


Author:


93 comments:

  1. Pieter Engelbrecht4:11 pm, June 02, 2015

    i like i like

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  2. I've always wanted liverpool to sign him.

    Like you said he's strong and he's cabable of delivering.

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  3. Straight swap for the fantastic star Markovic.

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  4. Super player. Athletic, strong and within our means. Pretty amazing to me that nobody has snapped him up already.


    On an unrelated but happy note, it appears the Milner deal is edging closer to completion. I await the forthcoming exultant Liverpool-Kop article with baited breath :-)

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  5. James Milner is a very good signing

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  6. Would that be Friggin Milner by chance?

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  7. Hehe I say swap Sterling for him. Let's see how Raheem feels about moving to the Ukraine :-)

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  8. ohhh yes the team that smashed us 6-1...you might be right there.

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  9. This guy will retire at dynamo and the headlines will still read he is signing with us, can't we find someone else?

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  10. These rumors are everywhere... We're either getting Walcott, Ings, Milner, and Benteke, or Yarmolenko, Vietto, Kovacic, and J. Martinez. I know which batch I want... :D


    Yarmo 20M, Vietto 15M, Kovacic 15M, and Martinez 25M. That's 75M. Sell Sterling for 30M+, and that's more than manageable. Especially considering the rest of the squad should make up at least 20-25M.

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  11. Some players prefer to have their middle name on the jersey so maybe Milner could have 'Friggin' on the back of his shirt :)

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  12. There is something about Leeds players that remind me of Liverpool players. I know the Harry Kewell move didnt come off and we were lucky to pull out of the Bowyer deal but I think Milner is tailor made for Liverpool, so much that I wouldn't be surprised if he is made Captain.

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  13. If he's as good as his name suggests he'll be a big hit with the ladies.

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  14. Rodgers wouldn't want this guy to be honest. He will rather pay burnley 25M in order to get ings (players of his capacity )

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  15. Yarmolenko was on our radar since a couple of years ago, he was not signed then, I doubt LFC will buy him now.

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  16. He'd be Rahim Hryvnia there

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  17. Here being Stirling, maybe Hernia?

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  18. Now Ayre... time to show your tremendous low balling skills once again!

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  19. Also, if he confirmed he is definitely leaving, it means he has already agreed to join some other club and it also means we were probably never in the running for the player!

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  20. Just hearing that the "crunch talks" and "end of season" review have concluded. And there is no need to change the manager.

    Extremely disillusioned!!

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  21. I usually never agree with Logan but I agree on this one, Rodgers is the best manager for FSG operating system/

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  22. Yeah, its not going to happen is it. Could be the most uninspiring summer in years

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  23. Fantastic player. I would like to see us tap into the Belgium, Dutch and Ukranian leagues a bit more as there is some quality talent there who would just be happy to be playing for Liverpool.

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  24. probably not the proper place but......
    SEPP BLATTER RESIGNS!!!!!!

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  25. Replace Ian Ayre.

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  26. He is too good for us. He will be offered champions league football.

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  27. So soon? I thought they were to be held tomorrow.

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  28. Seems like JK will never forgo the slightest chance in taking a potshot at Raheem Sterling. Anyway, talking about Raheem Sterling, the superstar wannabe of LFC, here's a piece of stunning news I read in soccernet: Raheem Sterling for Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs! If this is for real, then we are just a couple of players away from being an all-English team, a truly remarkable achievement for LFC! The significance of this milestone far outweigh the results on pitch, in every single sense. Man, if this the real deal, I must faithfully exclaim with some kinda orgasmic pleasure to not sound blasphemous or heretical! WOW!!!

    YNWA!!!

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  29. No such as thing as an improper place for that news!

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  30. Good. I shall shout it excitedly at the funeral I'm attending later today.

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  31. FBI gettin too close me thinks

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  32. It would bring smiles to some faces in the crowd on an otherwise saddening day!

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  33. I must admit I thought he was flying in today for talks tomorrow but reports are coming out saying "BR staying Logan changing name" read all abaht it .......

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  34. OOO how bout a transfer committe... It can have not you, orme, bob, logan, nevergon... oh wait, that's done already?

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  35. Such pressure to come up with a name. Open to suggestions, all.

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  36. A song for Logan...


    I Fought the Law and the Law won.

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  37. LOGAAAAAAN!!! LOOOOOGAAAAAAAAAAN!!!

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  38. Skysports? We now that they are 100% reliable. Cough cough. And then everyone else just reports the same thing parrot fashion.


    Tony Barrett would have said something by now. He hasn't :-)

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  39. Looks a very good player.hope we go for him.also hope milner joins.would improve the midfield no end and would allow Joe Allen to move on to league one where he belongs..

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  40. Warrrrrrrriors... Come out and play!

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  41. Your child? C'mon..


    Nothing just calling you that for the last time in a while...

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  42. Actually new name is:


    I Fought Bob Law and Bob Law Won!

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  43. Grasping at square straws in round holes? :)

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  44. Confirmed by the Echo

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  45. Of course. I am taking over from Brendan.

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  46. Don't underestimate just how low his ball skills can go!

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  47. "Positive" meeting?

    Reports on Sky Sports that Brendan Rodgers has held a "positive" meeting with LFC chairman Tom Werner and FSG executive Mike Gordon.

    We're checking the story out now. Hopefully have more news shortly...

    Neil Jones Liverpool Echo...

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  48. That will be his Disqus quote :-)

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  49. Trying to avoid the mod:


    http://www.liverpoolecho dot co.uk/sport/football/confirmed-brendan-rodgers-stay-liverpool-9378954

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  50. Trying to avoid the mod:

    http://www.liverpoolecho dot co do uk/sport/football/confirmed-brendan-rodgers-stay-liverpool-9378954

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  51. You actually have until the beginning of the season.

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  52. Oh c'mon, once it s official you can start, we need something to pull us through the window..

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  53. Who did they get into contact with outside Anfield? After Skysports reported the story first. Inside info I guess...

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  54. You have a champion girlfriend, what are you complaining about..

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  55. At least I have one.

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  56. That's the spirit!

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  57. Not sure... but it's a pretty strong word to use in "confirmed".


    If they weren't sure, my guess is that they'd be much more vague about it such as "leaning"

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  58. Ok, she just got out of the bath and is pulling me away while typing this message. I have to go now

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  59. B-Rod is being sodomized at thisisanfield.com

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  60. and we are doomed

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  61. At least put a period at the end of your sentence before you sign off, you savage!

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  62. Yes, darn good player which means we won't get him. Brendan just wants high priced average Prem players or high priced youngsters abroad. Positive talks? Just means BR groveled and agreed to stick to whatever BS plan FSG proposed. If there is no change to the structure -even if BR stays - then I'm done supporting FSG. Sure they don't care, but they will if/when Brenden oversees another terrible transfer season and opens with 4 losses. Disgusted.

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  63. He's marquee enough for me.


    He and Konoplyanka on either side of a top striker and we'd have one of the meanest front threes in the league.

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  64. I'm sure they'll pad the mattress in his cell.

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  65. You need to come back and add a full stop to this sentence.

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  66. Yes he is a damn good player, so why would he want to join a club that has only finished in the top 4 of their league 4 times in 10 years?


    Why should he want to join a club that has only won one major trophy in the last 10 years and that was 10 years ago?


    Also how is this FSG's fault?


    Please tell me which owners in the last 30 years have done a better job then FSG?


    Of course FSG are in it for the money, which owners aren't?


    However for the first time in 7 years we actually made money, okay, it was a tiny amount however it is the first step to being self sufficient.


    They have also started work on the stadium which has been needed doing for the past 15 years or so.


    Rome wasn't built in a day.


    You can not turn around over 25 years of mis-management in a couple of years,


    By all mean criticise BR, he deserves it and sure FSG might not be perfect, no owners are, however they are the best we have had in over 25 years and I am more then prepared to give them time before I start wanting them out.

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  67. Yah sure now go make her tea

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  68. Really good ball control but I don't see him that much space at the 18 in the PL. Still worth a bid though.

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  69. Finally words of a person who understands the project.

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  70. Not a done deal I hope....We need better transfers in and the coach is huge draw in the absence of CL football....

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  71. Always liked Case Dismissed...
    How 'bout Brendonsbiggestfan?

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  72. I can't say I've seen too much of him actually play, but his figures are impressive and the few times I have seen him play, he's looked good and (something I enjoy) will to take responsibility on the pitch.

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  73. Every dog has its day. Even ugly ones.

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  74. To me this is an absolutely no-brainer, look at those stats, really good.


    I would get him and Konoplyanka. But knowing Liverpool we'll probably get Scott Sinclair or Nathan Dyer or something.

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  75. Will certainly surpass Sterling's "blistering" record. Sh sh before the tototonhams place a bid for him

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  76. We have learnt from history not to expect much from Ayre. I have seen how optimism changes quite swiftly to frustration and then to nightmares...the list is endless really

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  77. ha ha ha...so FSG may fire you in Jan...and re-hire Brendan
    They love BR but damn me, I dont know why. Oh, its because he, like them, is clueless

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  78. Our scouts do not know of any hotels there so they do not go there to scout for players

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  79. The Three wingers who should be brought to the club this summer on Free Transfers to compete with IBE this summer are as follows:
    1: K Bellarabi Of Bayer Leverkusen contract running out this summer RW
    2: Y Konoplyanaka Of Dnipro contract running out this summer LW
    3: A Ayew Of Marseille Contract running out this summer
    These 3 wingers are all available on Free transfer this summer, why not bring all these three wingers to club this summer whilst shipping out L Alberto, L Markovic and Selling R Sterling for no less than £50m
    And instead of Spending £15-£18M on Yarmolenko Of D Kiev or Cheryshev Of Real Madrid
    The three wingers above all offer more class, creativity, goals, mobility, pace and speed to attack and would all be on wages between £40-£60,000 a week.
    Where as spending £15-£17M on Yarmolenko Or Cheryshev plus having to give them big contract between £60,000-£80,000 would follow

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  80. Would be "BrendansBiggestFanOnlyWhenWeFinishedSecond"

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  81. I actually thought at the time that he did a good job overall last summer.


    I thought incorrectly obviously.

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  82. He has disappointed Soooo many times before. I dont know, maybe its not him but the "system" or the "phiolosophy" but consistently bidding5-10 million bucks short of what a player is known to be worth, waiting ages till spuds or other teams come in with the valuation demanded by the team, has been a major crippling point for IA. One hopes that one day IA will get it right. After all, it can only get better right? Especially now with the news that BR is staying, its useless for fans like me to keep on complaining but to just support our manager and management, but Im disappointed beyond words.

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  83. I think we've been incredibly limited by our wage structure limitations. It's easy to go out and offer 50m to a team and 250k per week.


    It's much tougher to get a high quality player for 15m and 75k per week.

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