30 Jul 2015

Anfield Exit: Liverpool 'confirm' transfer for 'versatile' Prem powerhouse. 4-year contract signed only two months ago. Game over?

In May, Liverpool handed Andre Wisdom a new 'long-term contract', and after signing the new deal, the 22-year old made it clear that he wanted to fight for his place in the team next season. Well, that 'aint happening now, as Brendan Rodgers has basically decided that Wisdom is not good enough to be a first-team regular.

Speaking to LFC.com after sealing his new deal, Wisdom insisted that signing the contract 'was an easy decision to make', and vowed to 'challenge for a place' in the first team. He added:

"The club are in my heart. This is one of the world's biggest football clubs and it's an honour to be a part of it. now I want to work hard and try to compete for places again."

On Wednesday, Liverpool released the following statement:

"Liverpool FC can confirm that defender Andre Wisdom has completed a season-long loan switch to fellow Barclays Premier League outfit Norwich City".

In my view, this is a massive slap in the face for Wisdom, and it's effectively the beginning of the end for his Liverpool career:

* Wisdom is 22 - if he can't break into the team now, it's unlikely that he'll ever make the grade.

* With Jon Flanagan a long-term injury doubt, Nathaniel Clyne the only viable right-back option in the squad, yet despite the need for more options in that position, Rodgers has still decided to send Wisdom on loan.

* Clearly, Liverpool's decision to hand the versatile defender a new deal is merely a ploy to ensure the club gets a decent transfer fee at some point in the future.

From his comments, it sounds like Wisdom genuinely believed he'd be given a chance at Anfield this season, so privately, he's probably very disappointed.

Is Rodgers right to send out on loan again, though (and basically put him in the shop window). Based on his loan spell at West Brom, it appears to be a prudent decision. A few points:

* Prior to Alan Irvine's sacking, Wisdom old made 23 starts for the Baggies.

* When Tony Pulis took over, he basically exorcised the defender from the squad.

* After January 31st 2015, Wisdom made only TWO substitute appearances for the club, and spent 13 out of 15 games as an unused substitute. There's must've been a reason for that. Consider the following stats:


West Brom With Wisdom

* Failed to win 17 out of 23 games (74%)
* 10 defeats (43%)
* 33 goals conceded (1.4 per game)
* 8 clean sheets (35% of games)

WITHOUT Wisdom

* Failed to win 8 out of 15 games (53%)
* 5 defeats (33%)
* 16 goals conceded (1.1 per game)
* 8 clean sheets (53% of games)

Clearly, Pulis was not convinced by Wisdom's defensive ability, and as you can see, West Brom's defensive stats quickly improved without him in the team.

As such, it's fair to say that Pulis got it right, which makes it easier to understand Rodgers' decision to farm Wisdom out on loan again.

Game over, or is there still a chance Wisdom will make it at Anfield?

Author: Jaimie K


0 Comments:

Post a Comment