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Manquillo Lovren Stewart Moreno
Can Lallana
Balotelli
Origi Lambert Markovic
Who has been your personal favourite of the summer signings so far? Crazy Mario? Can the tank? Silky Adam Lallana? Will Brendan strengthen even further, as the final few days of the window commence? These are all questions which will be answered in the very near future, there is no doubting that.
With the flurry of new signings already entering the club this summer, Brendan will be looking to conclude a couple of deals on the opposite side of the table as well. Selling a professional for the right price is never an easy task. The asking price, including the usual player's sky high wage demands never seem to be matched straight away. There is no doubting Liverpool's need to let loose some of these individuals, and in this blog I will be giving a list of the unlucky few who may part ways with this wonderful club in the next couple of days.
Defence
Glen Johnson (Sell)
The amount of praise the right back has been receiving from the fans of late is immeasurable. All jokes aside, Johnson is not the player he once was, say two or three years ago. That quick fire pace of his, added by his constant goal threat attacking wise have appeared to vanish in thick air, out of nowhere. What exactly has gone wrong for the once ever so reliable 30 year old? I cast my mind back to a couple of seasons, where Johnson was being hailed as one of Liverpool's most influential players. His constant bombardment of that right flank and his fantastic link up play with ex red Suarez was unstoppable on many an occasion in the past. Now, though, his ongoing lacklustre performances and dismal defensive displays have concluded to at least 95 % of Liverpool fans shouting in disarray for the right back to be sold imminently. Although a recent on-line petition created to sell Johnson, by an angry supporter is a dumb way of getting ones view out there, in my opinion, I do have to slightly agree with some fans out there. The England international brings some much needed experience to this youthful looking squad, yes, but his current performances seem to worsen as every match day passes. It is a massive pity too, as Johnno has been, on many occasions, one of Liverpool's most creative of players, yet this is a mere opinion of mine.
Who could replace the 30 year old at right back? Here are the options :
Javier Manquillo - ( 20 years old )
Jon Flanagan - ( 21 years old )
Kolo Toure ( 33 years old )
Who could replace the 30 year old at right back? Here are the options :
Javier Manquillo - ( 20 years old )
Jon Flanagan - ( 21 years old )
Kolo Toure ( 33 years old )
Daniel Agger (Sell)
Rewind to the summer of 2012. Daniel Agger is the subject of a 30 million pound offer from Manchester City. The wages put on the table are sky high, much like the price itself. There was no thinking about it, not a hint of regret from the Great Dane. Just a simple 'NO'. Agger was no doubt the reds' best defender back then, and the quick dismissal from the centre back got us reds fans jumping with joy and relief. Next up, it was Barcelona's turn. A similar offer thrown out, from a somewhat bigger club this time round, and with the same response to match it up. NO. Let us not forget the reds had no Champions League football to offer Agger back then, added to it by our 'slightly above' mid tables finishes to show for. With that being said, we can all admit to one thing, Daniel Agger has been Mr. Liverpool through and through, ever since his arrival in 2006. From his 'YNWA' knuckle tattoo, to his constant 'never say die' attitude shown on the pitch, the 29 year old has shown great amounts of loyalty, even when huge offers came flooding through the doors.
Following the recent big money incomings of Dejan Lovren and Mamadou Sakho (to name a few), the Dane has found it extremely difficult to break into Rodgers' first team plans. The centre back is on the lookout for a new club, and has even admitted to breaking out into tears in front of the boss, something that saddens me deeply. I feel, if the right offer does come in, that the Dane should move on from this club, especially with the reds current options. The move will end a ten and a half year stint at the club for the 29 year old, who will no doubt remain in the club's hearts for a very long time.
Sebastian Coates (Loan)
I felt extremely optimistic back in 2011, when a young Sebastian Coates was brought in by ex boss Kenny Dalglish. The 23 year old had recently been awarded the 2011 Copa America young player of the tournament, and in the Uruguayan came, following in the footsteps of his fellow countryman Luis Suarez. Bar an unbelievable acrobatic effort against QPR, Seba Coates has had a terrible time in the red of Liverpool thus far. And if the Uruguayan found it an uphill battle to get a game last season, the upcoming campaign may prove to be a near impossibility for the tall centre back. I have always rated Coates, personally. I may be one of the very few reds fans who does, but in my opinion, the 23 year old does still have a future under Brendan. That is why I am calling for the Uruguayan to be loaned out for a season or two. Experience is something Seba is in dire need of, and may relish amongst the first team exploits of a lower league club. Poyet's Sunderland look the favourites to land him at the moment, but a move is definitely on the cards, as I cannot see Coates breaking in and amongst the current crop of central defenders at the club at the moment. Let us hope the boss opts for a loan move, instead of a permanent one.
Jack Robinson (Sell)
Following recent revelations, I had to edit this section later on in the blog. I had not expected young Robbo would be one of the casualties of an exit from the club. A loan out of Liverpool for another season was an almost guarantee, but recent paper talk has linked the left back with a permanent move to London, with QPR being the talked about destination. The youngster is reportedly 95 % of the way there, with a supposed deal already agree between both parties. After looking at our current options in defence, and the amount of depth Rodgers has brought in to the club, I am not surprised any more. The 20 year old scouser has found it extremely hard to break into the first team, and when he has managed to, not really proving to make much of an impact, in my opinion.
Here are the left backs who I think, personally, all stand ahead of Robinson in the reds pecking order ;
Alberto Moreno - ( 22 years old ) Jon Flanagan - ( 21 years old)
Jose Enrique - ( 28 years old ) Brad Smith - ( 20 years old )
Kolo Toure (Sell)
On to the final of the defensive contingent now, and a fans favourite in Kolo Toure. From his constant 'happy go lucky' personality, straight through to his personal affection for Liverpool FC (after just a season at the club), one cannot hate the man that is Kolo Toure. The 33 year old arrived exactly a year ago, and enjoyed a near-perfect start to his reds career, giving us fans all the reasons to be cheerful after the Ivorian's free transfer from Manchester City. A loss of place in the starting line up for Kolo proved to be the lad's downfall, and the centre back has not quite been the same since. Leaving a couple of crazy own goals aside, Toure's defensive capabilities have been questioned on many occasions since his arrival, and most of us have called for the immediate exit of the 33 year old. Following Rodgers' strong transfer window, with new signing Dejan Lovren already proving a bright spark in the central of defence, Toure knows his chances are going to very limited this season. Rodgers has six current internationals to pick from in the centre back area alone, and the Ivorian is definitely on the wrong end of the list, in my opinion.
The 33 year old has since quashed all rumours linking him with an exit, stating his passion and desire to stay and fight for his place. To this, I surprisingly agree to. Even without the man on the team sheet, the amount of experience he brings to the current crop of stars is pivotal for any title chasing team. Kolo has won leagues himself, and Rodgers will look at someone like him to nurture some of our defensive youngsters.
Midfield
Lucas Leiva (Sell)
Now, before the negative comments start flooding in from the readers, let me admit to something : Yes. I did write a blog about a month back, where I stated my desire to keep the Brazilian at Liverpool, and why we do still need his experience in the team. Since then though, a move away has been looking ever so likely, as the 27 year old failed to make the squad last Monday. Lucas has been one of the Premier League's most underrated of players for a number of years now, and the amount of graft he pulls out at times is incredible. I personally do not know where the reds would be without Lucas Leiva sometimes. With Liverpool currently on the look out for a defensive midfielder to bring in with three days to go, added to that the recent firing form of Joe Allen at the moment, Lucas' days at Anfield look numbered. Selling the Brazilian would definitely be the way forward for Rodgers, as I do not see any point in loaning out a 27 year old, even if the loan deal would include a view to buy in the near future. Rafa Benitez's Napoli side look the most likely of destinations for Lucas, who will no doubt be missed sorely by the reds faithful. He has entertained us with ongoing support for the club whilst on the sidelines recently, and then of course, there is his famous chant, which I, amongst many, will miss singing on a match day.
Attack
Fabio Borini (Sell)
Fabio, the ever so unlucky Italian. Borini was one of Brendan's first ever signings for the club back in 2012. The price = 15 million pounds. One of the very few 'poor' signings from Rodgers in his three year reign thus far. The Italian forward just hasn't made it click in a red shirt, simple. Unfortunate injuries during pivotal times in the season may have hindered the fact, yes, but even when fully fit and on the pitch, Borini never really made Anfield shine with his talent. The 23 year old's loan spell at Sunderland last season showed massive heaps of promise, but is yet to be given a chance this campaign. The Italian has his heart set out on staying at Anfield, and has vowed to fight for his place yet again, but with the club's current attacking enforcements, the Italian's departure looks imminent. Buying Mario Balotelli for 16 million, and selling Fabio for a million or two less is an unbelievable bit of business done, as our new Italian forward gets ready to replace another one at Anfield.
Oussama Assaidi (Sell)
One of the biggest conclusions we can give regarding Assaidi's short time at Liverpool so far is this : "YouTube can make any footballer look like Lionel Messi." Many a Liverpool fan were in high hopes following the capture of the Moroccan for 6.5 million from the Eredivisie. The winger kicked off his Liverpool career relatively positively, providing us with cause for optimism. Brendan brought up a good point when talking about the 26 year old, where he spoke about the player's good ability on the ball, in contrast to his somewhat lack of it off the ball, which included some of his strength and power capabilities. QPR are the most recent of clubs to be in talks with the Moroccan, with a move to Stoke petering away seemingly of late. One could state their case for the 26 year old, and how he has yet to be given a clear-cut chance by Rodgers.
Much like Borini, Assaidi enjoyed a positive loan spell away from the club at Stoke last season, most notable for stealing the show and grabbing a late winner against Mourinho's Chelsea at the Britannia. I still believe that Assaidi lacks the overall ability to perform at a club like Liverpool, week in, week out. Will the winger be given another shot at Anfield, or will Rodgers seek an immediate exit strategy for the 26 year old?
Jordon Ibe (Loan)
One of the few 'loaned out' players I have included on the list, but do not worry, I am definitely not going to be putting young Ibe's name and the word 'transfer' in the same sentence any time soon. Jordon Ibe is a prime example of what Liverpool pride themselves on fondly, and that is youth, with their outstanding youth academy boasting some amazing talent at the current moment. Roll back a couple of years, and 80 % of reds fans would state, surprisingly obvious enough, that the 18 year old will break into Rodgers' first team before his midfield compatriot Raheem Sterling. Now, that outcome may have turned out with a slight contrast, yet one thing is definite, Jordon Ibe will be in Brendan's plans. Whether it is next season, or in four years time, Liverpool are not planning on selling the teen any time soon.
This upcoming campaign, in my opinion, would be a season too soon for the youngster, and that is why he will relish with a loan spell out of the club. Brendan needs to give Ibe some much needed experience in a first team set up, something which will prove to be a near impossible task to do at Liverpool this season, as the strikers keep flooding through the doors at Melwood. I do not think young Ibe is too far off from following in young Raheem's footsteps in Merseyside, and when the 18 year old returns next summer, he will no doubt be ready and raring to go and fight for his place amongst the team's big guns.
If one looks at our summer 2014 spending, net wise, the amount actually taken out on incomings is quite staggering : 25 million pounds. Brendan and his staff have relished with the cash brought in for the Luis Suarez sake, and has spent very well indeed. Luis Suarez was a brilliant, game changing icon at the football club, yes, but I do believe we are a better team without the troublesome forward. Brendan will look to conclude one or two more deals as the race for the close of the window intensifies. There will undoubtedly be more outgoings than incomings in the next few days. Liverpool's squad is a large one at the moment, and the clearance of a couple of big wage bills is a necessity for the club.
Are Liverpool going to put the Luis Suarez saga behind them and look to the future ahead? Will our new signings gel in immediately under Rodgers' firm hands? These are all questions which will be answered in the upcoming few months. Till then, we enjoy the season that is. We enjoy the current downfall of arch rivals Manchester United, and we enjoy Liverpool's eagerly anticipated return to the Champions League, as the group stages draw ever so closer.
Above all, we enjoy Liverpool's man of the moment, our new number 45, Mario Balotelli. The enigma that is the 24 year old Italian star. SAS I hear you say? Fear not, that is in the past. For now, on to a new forming partnership : BOSS !
This upcoming campaign, in my opinion, would be a season too soon for the youngster, and that is why he will relish with a loan spell out of the club. Brendan needs to give Ibe some much needed experience in a first team set up, something which will prove to be a near impossible task to do at Liverpool this season, as the strikers keep flooding through the doors at Melwood. I do not think young Ibe is too far off from following in young Raheem's footsteps in Merseyside, and when the 18 year old returns next summer, he will no doubt be ready and raring to go and fight for his place amongst the team's big guns.
If one looks at our summer 2014 spending, net wise, the amount actually taken out on incomings is quite staggering : 25 million pounds. Brendan and his staff have relished with the cash brought in for the Luis Suarez sake, and has spent very well indeed. Luis Suarez was a brilliant, game changing icon at the football club, yes, but I do believe we are a better team without the troublesome forward. Brendan will look to conclude one or two more deals as the race for the close of the window intensifies. There will undoubtedly be more outgoings than incomings in the next few days. Liverpool's squad is a large one at the moment, and the clearance of a couple of big wage bills is a necessity for the club.
Are Liverpool going to put the Luis Suarez saga behind them and look to the future ahead? Will our new signings gel in immediately under Rodgers' firm hands? These are all questions which will be answered in the upcoming few months. Till then, we enjoy the season that is. We enjoy the current downfall of arch rivals Manchester United, and we enjoy Liverpool's eagerly anticipated return to the Champions League, as the group stages draw ever so closer.
Above all, we enjoy Liverpool's man of the moment, our new number 45, Mario Balotelli. The enigma that is the 24 year old Italian star. SAS I hear you say? Fear not, that is in the past. For now, on to a new forming partnership : BOSS !
YNWA
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