19 Jun 2013 14:41:52
Heard we have signed Herbie Kane from Bristol City, beating host of premiership clubs for his signature.
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Only 14 and he's going into Liverpools under 18's. people say he is the next gerrard
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Believe it when I see it far too early to say anything.
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I know its childish, but I lik the OP's name lol
John Wigan
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'The next Gerrard', jeez, give the kid a break.
Perhaps calling the kid the next John Welsh is a better route for him to the first team?
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The one we were after was Jacob Maddox from bristol city but unfortunately he chose Chelsea instead. Shame as he has lots of potential and maybe a star for the future.
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Never heard of him, as above has stated. will beleive it when I see it
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Been playing for Bristol City, s under 18 team. very very highly rated and a number of clubs want him.
robbie
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I wish players wouldn't get tags like next Gerrard, as it seems to be a death sentence to your career nowadays and puts so much pressure on someone so young!
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19 Jun 2013 09:17:47
Ed02 I seen that you just said about being concerned about the quality of players we are bringing in like Atsu. What's your opinion on Liverpools transfer so far and how do you think we will do next season?
I know you don't like opinionated questions really but pretty please just want to know if you think we could get top 4 as well. Thanks :)
London red {Ed002's Note - My concern is that the money being discussed for the likes of Alberto and Mkhitaryan is on the high side, although I would take nothing away from Mkhitaryan as a player. Talking to folks who know much more than I about the Iberian game -they are very surprised that Rodgers is looking at players like Alberto and Atsu just from a "quality" perspective - an Spanish ex-EPL player described them as "Fulham-type players" in an email to me. They are decent players but are they a real improvement? Toure will bring experience and you can see why it has been done - but at a price. A couple of centre backs are needed - Ilori plus one. The feeling from those in the know is that Aspas will turn out to be a very shrewd buy.}
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Atsu is very poor and there are better options available. He is all pace and nothing else and we have sterling who is just as quick and has skill and an end product too. BR avoid Atsu; he is no improvement.
Puzzled Red
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The 'quality' argument is a valid one in my opinion. Atsu and Alberto look like decent young players who of course have potential. But we need players who already have the quality to go straight into the side. Mkhitaryan would look like a great signing if pulled off but won't be enough to get into top 4 in my opinion. We need proven quality to push us forward. However it's great to see business getting done early. YNWA
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Great insight Ed.
Just hope Schalke reduce their asking price for Papa as he is the CB I am most sold on.
Just don't get it how can they demand 18-20 million for him after the injury hit season while the had accepted an offer of around 16 million from Zenit before. {Ed002's Note - Manchester City, Dortmund and Chelsea were surprised how high the asking price was - which given his injury problems made them nervous. Chelsea are now looking elsewhere and Dortmund signed Sokratis from Werder Bremen. Maybe Liverpool should not have walked away from Alderweireld because of his price so easily.}
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I completely agree ed! Atsu and Alberto are no better than Suso and Sterling.
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I agree. I don't see Alberto and Atsu as an improvement on Suso or Sterling.
Ed002, do you think we are seeing a flurry of activity at LFC keeping in mind the FFP?
I think this will be LFC's major transfer window for a while yet, unless we become self sufficient, which could be over 2-3 seasons.
The real AG {Ed002's Note - It will be nothing to do with FFP.}
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Ed, totalling agree with you but we also need to add to our squad depth as well as quality. I can't see Shelvey as any better than Alberto and that seems a swap for him
Astu is seen as a replacement for Downing, who is also a 'Fulham' player, who is on big wages.
Agree with you ED but for 5m and 3m respectively then their values can't go down any more? {Ed002's Note - So you agree that he is adding nothing?}
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Gosh,
That doesn't give me much hope but is this a case of Rogers preferred targets or is he working with the money he has? {Ed002's Note - They are clearly targets.}
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I have to agree with Ed 002. Henrikh had a great last season but spending 20m+ seems excessive when you consider the likes of thiago, strootman and isco can be bought for a similar price. As for Alberto, paying 8m for a la liga reserve player is far too high, granted I have not seen him play but it is concerning. On one hand it is exciting seeing so many players bring linked but then again we could have as many as 6/7 new squad players with some of them going straight into the first team. I just hope BR knows what he is doing.
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I'm not concerned with Mkhitaryan as he is a quality player, but I do have concerns as to what his role would be in the team. Assuming we continue Rodgers' preferred formation, and assuming that Coutinho is classed as a 'forward' in a front 3, where does Heno play? He doesn't suit playing wide in a front 3, so he'll play midfield. Lucas, Gerrard, Allen, Henderson. 2 of those won't play. You can assume one is Henderson, despite his form this past season. Who else gets dropped? Stevie? Not likely! Lucas? The only defensive midfielder we have. Allen? Teachers pet? Strength in depth is one thing, but certain players aren't going to accept being bit-part players at a club
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Atsu will be a squad player and take Assaidi's place. He is a better player than Assaidi and will add more to the squad. I don't see the big issue?
In regards to Alberto, he is 20 years old and very highly rated in Spain. He can play up front or AM/L/R. People who know Barcelona's B team very well have stated that Alberto would get into any team in La Liga other than Barcelona and both Madrid teams. I assume he will be more involved in the first 11 than Atsu.
I don't see what the major issue is? Last season we lacked squad depth, these two players will help with that this season. It's as simple as that.
Atsu is an upgrade on Assaidi. Alberto is an upgrade on Sterling/Suso. Who will both more than likely go out on loan.
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I agree totally with this trail of thought but we must remember it is what Rodgers does with these players. It is not what they are but what they can be that we invest in as a club and turning promise into quality is why we employed Rodgers in the first place. Purchases like this is the only way to close the gap on those above that can go out and buy the finished product everytime. Some of these buys won't work but many will
TSB {Ed002's Note - Sometimes it is perhaps better not to buy just for the sake of it. At least it will give the excuse of "we're in transition" again if needed.}
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Well atsu got to be an improvement downing, wages wise any way.
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I can't even begin to believe that half the people commenting have even seen these boys in action enough to comment.
I for one haven't and no amount of looking at youtube highlights will change that miopic view. You don't get the full 90 minutes of highlights, how they run off the ball, tracking back, making space, channel runs that they don't receive etc.
P. S Sterling is NOT that pacey, stop overslling him there please fans! He got caught a numerous amount of times by the full backs, no where near lennon or walcott in pace, or Bales acceleration for that matter.
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Well I think it's great business! Getting rid of downing, reina, skrtel, carroll and carra wages and bringing in young players on low wages is very good busines from fsg. The only players for the first team will be mignolet, toure and mhitaryan. Alberto and atsu are back up. We need to send suso, sterling, Robinson etc to get games just like Chelsea did with sturridge and arsenal did with wilshere it makes them better stronger players! We are building a very young hungry side and need to believe in rodgers!
Frosty ynwa
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19 Jun 2013 12:01:11
"Spanish ex-EPL player"
Anyone got any idea?
I'll throw Gaizka Mendieta's name into the hat!
An Dun Red
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Frosty
Hit the nail on the head. I agree with you this is all about building a strong, young and hungry squad within the new FIFA Fair Play rules.
We need a bit of luck next year. (ie goalposts) and if Suarez stays we look very good (I won't hold my breath on Suarez though, but you never know)
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Ed I believe that Alberto and Astu show more potential than Shelvey and Downing, on lower wages and for low transfer fees.
Over and above that if we keep Shelvey and Downing then we will have more squad depth?
Clearly our scouting department have seen these players more than you or I would have so we must respect their decision in any case.
In terms of signings, given that we aren't a champions league side, what do people expect? The players you want won't ever come to us YET. So we have to find the up and comings, its a very good policy. It worked with Sturridge and Coutinho, why can't it work for Astu and Alberto?
One final point, I have heard that Alberto is a great player, coming from Guillem Balague and jason pettigrove, respected spanish football journalists {Ed002's Note - Much is expected of Luis Alberto but he has only played a handful of first class games - and none in the past year.}
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Atsu is a winger who is obviously better suited to playing full back, just as Bale was a full back that was obviously better suited to being a winger.
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I do not see enough of either player to fully judge although Atsu I am more concerned about. However, as someone else said we do have quite a thin squad I think and we need people that can be good backup.
While neither player may be world class they both have elements of their game that could change things. Skill and with Atsu very fast wingers and both young. I remember Walcott was all pace and no delivery and I think that has changed and he can win matches.
I do agree eds that we already have some good young players but I do think we probably need more young talent with maybe 2-3 more significant buys-Mick, and Pop for example
Gareth
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Some no name above me has just said Sterling isn't very quick. Words fail me.
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I'm not sure Atsu will be a starter though because if we are playing a 4-3-3 I reckon it will be Coutinho-Sturridge-Aspas. He's got pace to burn and if the fee of 3-5m being thrown around is true, it may not be a bad backup. Alberto I wouldn't worry about. For now he is not what we need but for the future he is a good prospect. Toure as we all know is backup (but an expensive one in terms of wages).
My worry is if we do sell Suarez will we see an improvement in quality coming in? I hope so because apart from Mkhitaryan and Aspas there hasn't really been anything to get excited about. Cheers.
ROI.
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For me the players comming in will bring a lot more than Downing henderson and jonjo. as for suarez my views on him are clear. he can stay or go, the club comes first.
R2tB
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Also, two transfer windows ago we were buying all the English ''talent'' for inflated prices. So either way LFC can't win with their transfer policies! I get the impression that because the readers haven't seen these players play then they assume they aren't very good, I would highlight Coutinho in that as he was questionned.
I have a feeling that people are looking at the fee's not the quality.
And I feel that Astu and, in particular, Alberto, fit into BR system more than Shelvey and Downing ever would. If we are going down the route of BR style then these are the young players he wants.
We said at the beginning that this was an important window for BR. So far he has delivered IMO.
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Downing would be a squad player next year and is on approx 60k.
Replacing him with a player (Atsu) who say is going to be on 20k will save 2M on wage bill.
Downing should command 5-10M transfer fee, let's say 7M. Atsu is reportedly 3M. So with wages and transfer fee that will be 6M profit. Obviously there will be loyalty bonus, contract pay-off and agent fees. that will knock it down further. So say that's another 4M on transfer budget - might be important for getting Papa etc.
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Best, unbiased, hibest and informed reply to a question I've heard.
Garth Sydney
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Surely if Liverpool's scouting team has scouted these players in detail they will be better placed than Ed002's contacts to judge their level of quality / potential. But thanks for sharing Ed002, we shall wait to see how they progress with great interest.
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Ed02 is spot on. We should be concerned about BRs targets which are mediocre at the best. I hope Suarez does not leave otherwise his money will be squandered to fuel his philosophy. I hope we do not become Swansea of Merseyside.
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Eds, In your opinion why are we overpaying for targets? {Ed002's Note - That is something we cannot answer.}
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I have to agree with ROI's post above, that despite us bringing in some young talented players, players such as Alberto and Atsu that whilst being young are certainly not currently able to walk right into the first team and with Suarez presumably leaving, the signings of Iago Aspas and Henrikh Mkhitaryan as talented as both appear to be is not a huge improvement on what we already have. Rumours were that initially when Suarez's departure wasn't as expected that we were being linked (maybe inaccurately) to players such as Eriksen so it appears that was a position we were looking to strengthen regardless of Suarez leaving. This would suggest that Aspas is a direct replacement for Suarez if this was to be the case.
In my personal opinion, despite my backing of Rodgers completely I have to say that I think that even with the potential signings of Mkhitaryan and Aspas, coupled with squad players such as Alberto and Atsu, we don't look particularly improved from last season due to Suarez leaving. With possible departures such as Downing and Assaidi too the squad won't have improved much either. Personally I would love to see us sign another wide player to Atsu, Ed mentioned players such as Ince and Tello both of whom I believe to be much better value for money and offer a different attacking dimension and would certainly be more effective than purely a pacy super-sub. However if this is to save up for two solid defenders, maybe Ilori and Papadopoulos then I can see the logic. Hope to hear your opinions.
Cheers Ed.
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One final point, I have already made three.
If we weren't buying anybody then we would be complaining about that. We always knew the remit was to buy young players with a good resale value. that's exactly what they have done.
Draw your mind back to two years ago, when we paid 6mil for Adam, 20mil for henderson and 20mil for downing. We have now, or getting astu, alberto, mk and aspas for less than that combined fee. I know what I would rather, but hind sight is wonderful
Only time will tell.
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Woah, overpaying for targets? Only time will judge that.
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19 Jun 2013 14:25:16
they are both young and not really proven so they can't really be "fulham style players"
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Maybe what you say about atsu and alberto is true but i'm not going to say anything bad about any new signings until I see them playing after sturridge who I thought was an awful buy when we signed him. Really hope these two proove people wrong as well
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They can't be any worse than Downing and Henderson who both cost a hell of a lot more money
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I agree about atsu ed002, not what we require at all especially with players like affelay becoming available. The jury is still out for me regarding Alberto, may turn out to be a gem but could easily become another pacheco. Micky has potential to be a very good signing, but still not overwhelmed with him, let me explain, when we bought coutinho I was creaming myself. BUT, as I have said previously, I will support whoever we bring in and hope they turn out to be surprise signings ala sturridge.
The key for me in this window is whether we buy a QUALITY CB to partner both Toure and Agger and eventually become our dominant CB ala Hypia. We will never progress until we sort this area out. Personally I would give whatever shalke want for Papa, I see him becoming a rock for us if we can sort out his niggling injury problems.
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Fulham type players as back up for our squad. Ok.
Doesn't mean they aren't premiership squad standard;
Edwin van de sar
Brede Hangeland
Clint Dempsey
Danny Murphy
Steed Malbranque
Steve Finnan
Ray Houghton
SpudRed
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I'm with Ed on this. It worries me that we are buying expensive squad players rather than 1st team players. Manchester United over the years have not gone out and spent ?Ǭ£40m on 5 or 6 players they have spent it on 2 quality players that will improve their 1st team. I think this is where we keep making mistakes
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Emperor's new clothes all over again.
The people who claim "these are exciting times" are the exact same ones who'd have been saying "give Tom and George a break".
This Summer looks like its going to kill LFC : (
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I remember at the young ages Carlos Tevez and mascherano bench warmed for west ham. Guess what! They were west ham types of players at there young age. But then . .
Red murph
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Utter nonsense about W Ham.
Tevez was their World Cup star. Masch was a pivotal player too. Masch wasnt played due to registration rule breaks.
|Both were universally accepted as fantastic players, but could potentially incur the wrath of the FA.
What we're seeing signed up is mid or even lower end table players. What we're seeing leave are top top players.
It is Tom Hicks ALL OVER AGAIN!
How can you be so blind!!
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19 Jun 2013 00:48:32
Hey Eds
Just reading through the BBC Gossip column and it's saying we're close to agreeing a deal with Atsu? Any truth, think he'd be a good addition but it gives us a very young attack which isn't always a good thing. Also, with Aspas and Toure done and Mkhitaryan, Alberto & Mignolet looking on the verge do you see any more senior signings this summer? {Ed002's Note - It seems that Liverpool are pressing ahead to seek a deal for Atsu. Everton, Spurs and Toulouse have previously enquired as to his availability and Porto were wanting a new deal. I would not be so concerned about the age of the players coming in, but perhaps the quality of the likes of Atsu.}
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I posted something similar about atsu recently. I have not seen much of him but I do wonder how good he is? Can anyone give me a better understanding as I realyy have only seen him in about 3-4 games
Gareth
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Ed do u think atsu needs more time to improve I would have thought he would be a squad replacement for assaidi for a season thanks {Ed002's Note - I would say he runs very quickly - sometimes forgetting the ball. Perhaps a replacement.}
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Do you not rate Atsu Ed.
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Ed do you not rate atsu then -samred {Ed002's Note - I would have thought he is not an improvement over players the club has in the reserves or the academy.}
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Ed are you saying we should be concerned about the quality of the players we are going for? Don't know much about any of the young lads we're linked with to be honest. Sorry if I've misread what you've said.
Tcp {Ed002's Note - If Liverpool were to buy Atsu I would think there might be a few youngsters concluding their chances of getting an opportunity at Liverpool are slim.}
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So your saying you don't really rate the lad ed? And do you think this is and alternative to ince?
Cheers {Ed002's Note - We will see - but probably.}
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Sorry ED002 but I think I will trust BR and his scouting network as to whether the signings are quality. In the know you maybe but a premier league manager you are not.
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Cheers ed appricate all your doing {Ed002's Note - You are welcome.}
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I suppose it could be classed as a lower risk signing, due to the price tag, but if he isn't an improvement not much point, unless BR thinks he can improve him, then sell on when the youngsters are ready? Thanks for your views ED, even if they are not what we may want to here about the quality!, but your views are always appreciated!
John Wigan
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Is he really that awful Ed002, to make u comment that he wouldn't even be an improvement from any of the players from the academy? {Ed002's Note - That is not what I wrote. RTFW.}
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Atsu is awful as we'll soon find out.
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I agree with 002, we have young players already that are as good and just need game time, kick in the teeth for them I would imagine cheers ant
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