Archive | May, 2014

Pedro Would Be A Massive Signing For Reds

24 May

Pedro Would Be A Massive Signing For Reds

 

Liverpool are set to make an offer for Barcelona winger Pedro as Brendan Rodgers aims to bolster his squad ahead of next season’s Champions League campaign. Rodgers has spoken of his desire to complete some transfers before next month’s World Cup but he may have to wait until after the competition if he is to sign Pedro because he is in Spain’s preliminary 30-man squad.

 

Rodgers has been alerted to Pedro’s availability after newly-appointed Barcelona manager Luis Enrique suggested at a recent press conference that there could be wholesale changes at the club regarding the players who are on the periphery of the team, and Pedro falls into this category.

 

Enrique said:

 

“We will reinforce the team in the best way possible, to be as competitive as possible. There is a market there – teams ask a lot of money for players. You must manage it all. We will reinforce, maybe in all lines of the team, to have the best players for the club and for me.”

 

Pedro’s future at Barcelona looks uncertain with Enrique’s arrival and Liverpool could look an attractive prospect for the 26-year-old winger, especially with the Reds in next season’s Champions League.

 

It would be a major coup for Liverpool and Rodgers if they were to strike a deal for Pedro because he is a very talented player and the type of attacking players that Rodgers likes.

 

He will be difficult to get but maybe with the constant rumours regarding Daniel Agger’s future maybe a deal can be done.

Good News For Liverpool If Gerrard Quits England

20 May

Good News For Liverpool If Gerrard Quits England

 

It is believed England captain Steven Gerrard is set to retire from international football after this summer’s World Cup. The Liverpool captain leads Roy Hodgson’s squad into the tournament and recognises that to play on for the next two years – having just extended his contract to 2016 – he won’t be able to continue at international level.

 

The World Cup would be a tremendous way to finish his international career and Gerrard realises that to prolong his career something will have to be sacrificed and it must be international football.

 

The Liverpool captain might have been able to prolong his international career a little longer if like last season, his club weren’t involved in European competition, but Liverpool’s involvement means extra games and with father time is catching up on Gerrard and he can’t do what he did 10 years ago.

 

Brendan Rodgers has been instrumental in giving Gerrard a new lease of life by creating a new role in the team for him in a deeper midfield role which sees him influence games in a sort of ‘quarterback’ role with his brilliant range of passes.

 

Rodgers sees Gerrard’s new role in the team as a position that can see him prolong his career and if he does retire from international duty then it will be great news for Liverpool because their captain still has a lot to offer and that Premiership title to win.

Liverpool’s Owners Must Back Rodgers

8 May

Liverpool’s Owners Must Back Rodgers

 

Liverpool’s amazing season has saw them challenge for this season’s Premiership title, but whatever happens in the closing stages of the season, the Reds must build on their success and add to their squad in the summer.

 

Premiership rivals Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs will all improve their squads and next season will pose a formidable challenge for Liverpool to stay at the top of the Premiership and also compete in the Champions League.

 

Brendan Rodgers deserves great credit for improving his team, considering he hasn’t made any major signings since he signed Daniel Sturridge and Coutinho.

 

Liverpool have missed out on a few transfer targets in the last couple of transfer windows for one reason or another but this summer they need to get their targets and the owners need to back Rodgers financially if he is to get the players he needs to improve his team even more.

 

Champions League qualification should give Liverpool an advantage to attract more talent to the club but money talks and the owners need to show their commitment to their manager by giving him the funds to buy players.

 

Expectations will be raised next season too, rather than the hope supporters started this season with and that can add a different kind of pressure to the team. But the future is looking a lot brighter than it did a year ago and everybody is excited about where the club is going under the leadership of Brendan Rodgers.

Henderson Has Been A Big Loss

1 May

Henderson Has Been A Big Loss

 

It’s amazing to think that not so long ago Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson was deemed not good enough and a waste of money but the turnaround in the England international’s fortunes has been as amazing as the change of opinion of the Liverpool supporters.

 

Henderson’s value to Liverpool’s midfield has been highlighted by his absence in the last two games as Brendan Rodgers selected Lucas as his replacement. The Brazilian played in a right-sided midfield role in a 4-4-2 diamond formation, but he couldn’t offer what Henderson can.

 

That particular midfield role requires pace, energy, creativity and an end product which Henderson provides, but Lucas couldn’t and this made Liverpool’s midfield less effective, especially in Sunday’s loss to Chelsea.

 

While Henderson’s career has blossomed, Lucas’ has suffered a setback, both players have had tough starts to their Anfield careers before impressing the Kop but Lucas has had some bad injuries that have curtailed his progress and now he looks a yard slower than he used to and although he’s primarily used as a defensive midfielder, the Brazilian may struggle to feature in Liverpool’s midfield with Gerrard playing a deeper midfield role.

 

Henderson will miss the Crystal Palace game on Monday night but I’m sure he’ll return to start against Newcastle in the final game of the season in place of Lucas.