10 Jul 2015

Dream Transfer: Liverpool want 'amazing' £35m attacker who's 'like Gerrard' to replace The Mercenary at Anfield

In October 2014, Liverpool co-owner John Henry sparked a raging frenzy of fan-speculation with a cryptic tweet about long-time Reds target Marco Reus. Nothing came of the club's alleged interested, and although it remains unlikely that Reus will end up at Anfield LFC, new reports this week suggest that the German is back on LFC's transfer wish-list.

Liverpool were last linked with Reus during the January transfer window, and if there's anything more inevitable than Brendan Rodgers' rampaging sycophancy, it's that every top player under the sun will be linked with Liverpool at some point during the transfer window.

Reus - hailed by ex-Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp as 'amazing' - is no exception, and according to a report in The Telegraph today:

* Reus is 'lined up' for a transfer to Anfield.

* Brendan Rodgers sees the coveted attacker as a 'replacement' for Raheem Sterling.

In February, Reus renewed his contract with Dortmund, and at the time, he told Kicker magazine:

"I renewed because Borussia is the club for me. Dortmund is my town, my family lives here and I have all my friends here. There is life beyond football and that's why I decided to stay"

How refreshing. Reus signed his new deal whilst Dortmund languished in 16th place in the league, which shows his genuine loyalty to the club.

At the time, Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke praised Reus's loyalty, and compared the 25-year old to Steven Gerrard. He told the club's official website:

"That Marco has opted for BVB amid a sporting crisis shows he truly identifies with the club and that makes us very proud. He can define an era just like Steven Gerrard at Liverpool"

Reus's heart is clearly with Dortmund, so he's unlikely to suddenly abandon his principles, family and friends to jump ship only a few months later, especially after rejecting a move to Barcelona.


Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher is a fan of £35m-rated Reus, and when asked last season about the possibility of the German coming to Anfield, he enthused:

“I’d love LFC to sign Reus. [He's] a great player, and would be one of the best players in the Premier League.”

Many fans will agree with Carra, but it's probably a good thing that Liverpool can't sign Reus. Like Sturridge, Khedira, Wilshere, Walcott et al, Reus is a perpetual sicknote, and he's constantly on the sidelines suffering from niggling injuries:

* 20 separate injuries in the last four seasons (259 days on the sidelines)

* 2013-14: SEVEN injuries during the season (Muscle problems/pulls, and torn ankle ligaments).

* 2014-15: SIX injuries in one season (Again, mainly muscle problems and ankle issues)

Seriously:


With that kind of injury history, Reus probably wouldn't last five minutes in the overly physical Premier League, and there's no point spending big bucks on a player who'll spend most of his time on the bench.

Great player, but in my view, it's an armour-piercing, poison-tipped bullet dodged.

Author: Jaimie K


44 comments:

  1. Pie in the sky stuff alright I'd say, but could you imagine a front two of lacazzete/Reus and Sturridge With firmino in behind at the top of a diamond? THAT'S the kind of frontline that wins you trophies. With Henderson Coutinho Milner/Can in behind it's a perfect blend of industry and guile. I hope we really do go after a marquee forward. It's pretty much all we're missing at this stage... Although a better keeper would be nice I'd be happy to give migs another chance.

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  2. A new keeper is essential for a top 5 challenge imo but we won't get one just as I doubt we'll get Reus or Lacazette though I'd love to be wrong ;-)

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  3. if the club bought Reus (£40M) and Benteke (£30M), plus getting £50m of that nmoney back from City, we would be set for a title tilt. we we will have one of the most prolific and deadliest starting 11. if we bought these 2 players to end our summer, we could look like this


    -----------------------------------------Mingolet
    clyne------------------skrtel------------------sakho------------moreno
    ----------------------------milner-------------hendo
    -----Coutinho-----------------------Firmino---------------RReus
    ------------------------------------------Benteke

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  4. I think LFC have a bit of a hard on when it comes to injury prone players...

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  5. Personally I think Firmino and Ibe are the the most natural Sterling replacements. We also have Markovic and Lallana too that can offer something different in that role. I personally think LFC's priority ought to be Lacazette. Of all the signings, he would be the Marquee and most natural fit to the clubs ethos as well as the philosophies of Rodgers and O'Discoll.
    Since Suarez left we have needed a quality striker and one that is synonymous with everything LFC stand for in terms of playstyle etc and Lacazette certainly looks like that player. A similar age to Torres and Suarez was when they joined LFC - proving EPL experience was unneccesary and would slot straight into the system and style without compromising or having to change our playstyle to accommodate them.
    Any other signings after Lacazette would be a bonus bit the Priority should be him
    I wouldn't mind seeing Reus although I do think his fitness record would be a concern. Personally I would prefer to see a DM (Illarramendi) and maybe Kovacic as replacements to Lucas and Allen.
    Lets just get Lacazette in first and re-evaluate after that...

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  6. Well that won't be very prolific with Benteke in the squad!!! Poor pass completion, most offsides in the EPL last year too - our attacks will constantly break down. Reus, Firmino and Coutinho are ball players not crossers so Benteke will struggle - he doesn't work backwards and chase the ball/defenders down either - even Balotelli made more tackles and works harder!
    All 3 of the AM's in that team are best in the centre, Coutinho and Reus are not known for pace so no-one to get to the line and get crosses in to make use of the one asset Benteke does have - Aerial presence! Everyone knows the only way to get goalsfrom him is to put loads of crosses in - something LFC don't do as we play football!

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  7. Isn't Reus 26? Birthday is 31-05-89.

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  8. Definitely the semblance of a great squad there and if Mr Ayre managed to really pull us an absolute, Laca and Reus shaped 'rabbit from a hat' then I expect Jamie will throw caution to the wind and not even bother waiting until the end of the season, to lay on this free bar he's promised us all.

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  9. Balotelli wasn't in the Cup final either so he's at least as good in that respect as well.

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  10. Reus, Illaramendi and Lacazette all linked in one week. Benteke and nothing else it is then

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  11. Timo Horn would be perfect for us. He's available for about 5m, only 20yrs old and would provide immense competition for Mignolet.

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  12. Skrtel and Lovren are a right footed and a left footed CB. Same goes for Ilori and Sakho. And you forget that most of the 50 million, which may be less, for Sterling has already been spent on Firmino, Clyne and Ings. So I'm not sure where you think those 60 million are going to come from..

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  13. If BR doesn't get a DM he deserves to be slapped then sacked. Not convinced about Illaramendi either, too slow & not dominant enough.

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  14. That really is absolutely bang on! It is very well written and completely in sinc with my thoughts....which is obviously correct

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  15. I watch german football and it's just as physical as english football, so i really don't see your point about that. I agree with you that this transfer won't happen maybe if we had of got klopp as manager it might have happened. But sure we can dream can't we.

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  16. Whatever money we have should be spent on Carvalho as our #1 target, and the if we can afford to buy Lacazette.

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  17. Agree on GK, but alas that is unlikely as priorities should be:

    #1 DM
    #2 Striker
    #3 Sterling replacement

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  18. I would swap DM with striker in terms of priority but other than that I agree

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  19. GK should be one to prioritize after signing a marquee striker imo.
    I was really really surprised Rodgers want to go into new season with mignolet #1., l'm a big fan of Brendan but he (really) not helping himself...., many were saying Gerrard slip cost us the title but i disagreed. He (mignolet) errors is the 'major' reason.,he was also the reason we didn't make CL 32..(which could have earned us more money ).
    Ludogrets away he looked like he was joking (in goal)

    When you look at other top4 teams(including spurs) they have world class no1 and quality no2 .
    I don't know why it's different here really, Top GK can single handly won you match.. Nobody at lfc seem to recognize that

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  20. Carvalho was the name I had in mind, but I'd even accept Wanyama. Anyone with a dominant physical, ball playing style.

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  21. Delph has gone to City. I think he's underrated.

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  22. Dont get it you reckon Illaremendis rubbish but Delphs under rated please keep the comedy to a minimum.

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  23. Illaramendi, Leccazzette, Reus, Abdennour ....................... off loading over hyped English mercenary - are we sure that Rogers 'll be our Manager or he is behind the transfers?


    Even if I consider speculations these are so "Non BR" type names that raises the doubt. BR hardly has any pulling power outside UK & he also doesn't back himself to Manage players from big clubs/National teams; most of his purchases/targets are either young or players he has some connection in past.


    If Reus joins LFC - I am almost certain, in near future Klopp 'll join LFC in some capacity, if not 1st team Manager. There is absolutely no other reason for one of world best attackers to join a non CL team under a nobody Manager, when he has the option to be in starting XI for almost every top clubs fighting for 3 trophies each year - Real, Barca, CFC, MCity, PSG, Juve..... not to mention Bayern.

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  24. Is that a question or a fact? :)

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  25. You're a couple of months late on the Rodgers bashing, try to be positive now, you might like it

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  26. Striker(s) needed first and foremost. DM is a need but Can and Lucas and maybe Miler could patch that together if desperate. Without a strike or two who is accomplished, clinical and tireless we will be crap,like last year

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  27. Lacazette first and foremost. Forget Reus since he is so brittle.....

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  28. Edwin Smeulders7:26 am, July 11, 2015

    bang on....my thoughts too....ps.and LFC....ACCEPT MAN CITY`S FINAL OFFER ,GET RID OFF STERLING

    ....THAT MONEY WILL PAY FOR LACAZETTE...DEFO UPGRADE,HE KNOWS WHERE THE ONION BAG IS !!!!!!

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  29. Not saying Illaramendi is rubbish. I actually think he's the better all round footballer. I'm purely talking about who's more accustomed to doing the dirty work of breaking up play in the premiership. Just my opinion.

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  30. To be honest I don't think we need to replace sterling. Perhaps we already have with Firmino . We have plenty of players now already who can play behind the striker(s). Lallana who hasn't really had much playing time to settle in and could easily improve for us , Milner, Firmino , Coutinho ,Ibe, Henderson , markovic who had to play an unsuited wing back roll a lot when he played last season .thats 6 players to fill 3 positions . Although theirs always room for improvement I think if we sell sterling it's much more important to replace him with a top striker especially as last creating chances wasn't so much the problem,scoring goals was . Maybe we need a holding mid also as most of our deep lying mids aren't that great defensively .

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  31. Illaramendi is a different kind of mid and is a def mid i was always big on the athletic dm but this guy is a fine reader of the play and a has great vision i think he would be perfect.

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  32. Agreed......Lacazette first, Illarramendi second

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  33. Ashish Shrestha9:21 am, July 11, 2015

    Cannnnn, Lucas are both great Dms. You can see how Lucas was the best player on the pitch against Chelsea(his he can break down attacks) and Can was great for Germany u21 in the Cm/cdm role

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  34. Yep, I see your point. He's a cross between Alonso & Mascherano.

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  35. Lucas is getting on now, he's best attribute is positional play & reading the game. But he gets caught out with pace, we need some one who is more athletic.

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  36. emmanuelsonzico9:45 am, July 11, 2015

    Perfect line up

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  37. It's two things. The first is question (admittedly one where I know the answer), the second is a fact.

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  38. Haha, do I like your answer? Yes I do

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  39. Reus don't have pace are you sure lad?

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  40. I am afraid LFC will not move anywhere with the Lallana, Marko, Hendo, Allens the mid of the last season. It won't work. If we don't strengthen the mid we will misuse the Firminos (RF) ings etc. Another ball player on the centre to twin with RF and provide the supply lines to the front will see the best in any striker - prolific or ordinary. Up until we sort out our supply lines even with Suarez back in the team the best we can get is only the top 4 but not the top1.
    LFC should focus on signing a great midfielder and a superb striker but if resources are limited, then get a mid ball player, the strikers will knock our door. Without a good center and proven supply the top strikers will give all sorts ot reason for not joining LFC, one of which is wanting to stay in London.

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  41. Compared to Sterling, Ibe, Firmino then yes very sure. He's got quick feet and good on the ball. Quick acceleration to go round players but I think the 3 I mentioned are quicker.

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  42. We can't replace our whole team so we have to look at it with a bit of realism of cause and since we've already bought in Milner and Firmino who should be decent enough I personally think the next position we need to look at for a top player purchase is a top striker . We created chances last season and we had plenty of ball pocession but our strikers just didn't put the ball in the back of the net enough and I seriously doubt Ings and Origi will be the answer . Striker next and then if we can I'd bring in a holding mid .thd truth is we're going to struggle to get into a top 4 anyway

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  43. I don't think any of the current top 4 will relinquish their spots that easily. Man City is strengthening their center and giving away people like Milner whom we are building our hopes on- that says a lot about our title ambitions. We need to admit last years signings has brought LFC 3 or 4 years backwards and the earlier we correct the situation the better. Its a difficult reality. That's not to say that a top striker is one of our priorities.

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