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Agger Set To Leave Liverpool

29 Jul

Agger Set To Leave Liverpool

 

Liverpool’s signing of Southampton defender Dejan Lovren could spell the end of Daniel Agger’s career at Anfield. The Lovren announcement coincided with several Agger stories relating to the Dane leaving the Reds.

 

Agger did not appear at the team’s training session ahead of Sunday’s friendly in Chicago, and rumour has it that he’d sustained an injury resulting in him being sent home to recuperate at Melwood.

 

The news of Agger leaving Liverpool’s tour of America has triggered speculation that Barcelona are about to raid the Reds for the second time this summer, this time for Agger as they seek to strengthen their defence.

 

It is believed that the Catalan giants are ready to bid £12 million for the Reds’ defender as they hope to bring one more defender to the club after signing Valencia’s Jeremy Mathieu.

 

Barcelona’s sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta is also a huge fan of the Denmark international and believes he has the abilities to succeed at the Camp Nou.

 

Agger has constantly been linked with a move away from Anfield after struggling to feature in Liverpool’s defence last season and Lovren’s arrival could result in the Dane finally leaving.

 

I hope Agger stays at Anfield but I think his days are numbered.

 

Don’t Listen To The Bookies

18 Jul

Don’t Listen To The Bookies

 

Brendan Rodgers believes his side will still be in the title mix despite losing Luis Suarez to Barcelona in a deal worth around £70 million.

 

The Reds confirmed on Friday that they had reached an agreement for the sale of the controversial Uruguayan, after accepting an offer for the striker.

 

Rodgers has already taken steps to deal with life after the departure of the PFA and FWA Player of the Year by splashing out on Southampton duo Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert, Bayern Leverkusen midfielder Emre Can and Benfica winger Lazar Markovic to bring them to Anfield.

 

The Reds started their pre-season fixtures with a 2-1 defeat to Brondby in Denmark as Rodgers played a lot of his youngsters with many of his experienced players still on holiday through their participation in this summer’s World Cup.

 

After the game Rodgers spoke about Suarez by explaining:

 

“The sale of Suarez does not lessen our ambition. We thank Luis for his contribution here but we move on, looking for the right players. We’ll go and do our best. Our best last year nearly won us the title.”

 

Rodgers seems full of confidence ahead of the new season despite losing Suarez but I see the bookmakers don’t agree with the Liverpool manager’s optimism as they rate them as much as 10/1 to win the Premiership with Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal all ahead of them in the betting.

 

I’m quite surprised they can make Manchester United third favourites for the title after finishing seventh last season, maybe they think they can do a Liverpool this season.

 

I think I’ll be taking a punt on Liverpool’s generous odds.

Life Without Suarez

12 Jul

Liverpool are coming to terms with losing their world class striker Luis Suarez after a deal was finally completed with Barcelona.  Brendan Rodgers believes his team will cope without the  Uruguayan but to lose such a brilliant player will be tough and it will be interesting to see if anybody can step  up to the plate and provide the goals. Liverpool worked wonders to keep Suarez at the club after last year’s biting ban with Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic and last summer’s transfer speculation that the striker was trying to manufacture a move away from Anfield. But although Suarez has been magnificent for Liverpool he has brought much bad publicity on the club with numerous misdeamanours and his latest one on the World stage make it possibly the best time for both Liverpool and the player to part. Liverpool have negotiated a decent amount of money for Suarez and the player has got his wish of making a move to Spain. So both parties should be reasonably happy, although opinion will always be divided between supporters. One thing is for sure no player is bigger than the club and Liverpool will have new heroes.

Lallana Signing Is A Clever Move By Reds

2 Jul

Lallana Signing Is A Clever Move By Reds

 

Liverpool finally sealed a deal with Southampton for their captain Adam Lallana after lengthy negotiations between the two clubs. It looked like the Anfield club were not going to be held to ransom in regards to Southampton’s valuation of their playmaker but this week’s news that the England international will finally pulling on a Red shirt is exciting for the supporters.

 

Lallana follows his Southampton team-mate Rickie Lambert to Anfield, who signed earlier this summer and both players see the move to Anfield as their ‘dream’ move.

 

Lallana will give Brendan Rodgers plenty of attacking options and is a creative player that will fit right into the way the Liverpool manager likes his team to play.

 

The Reds’ new signing can play just behind the striker and also in wide positions and I can see him even play in a central role in midfield because he is so talented and versatile.

 

Lallana has a good work ethic and is very much a team player but he has that individual brilliance that can beat a defender too. He always shows for the ball and is always looking to make things happen in the attacking third and he is a player that Liverpool supporters will appreciate.

 

Lallana has made the move at the right time in his career with his experience at Southampton and England and the price-tag and the move to a club like Liverpool won’t phase him and the move is an exciting one for both club and player, and there could be more new arrivals soon at Anfield.

 

 

Revenge Is Sweet For Suarez

23 Jun

Revenge Is Sweet For Suarez

 

Liverpool’s Luis Suarez scored both goals as Uruguay defeated England 2-1 in Sao Paulo. The striker’s goals leaves England on the brink of World Cup elimination but Suarez admitted that his two goals were sweet revenge for all the criticism he has received in the Premier League.

 

Suarez has been banned for racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra and for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic during a controversial career in England.

 

The Liverpool striker was a major doubt for the game after having an operation on his knee and he was playing his first game since receiving the operation.

 

Suarez couldn’t hide his delight by saying :

 

‘I dreamt this. I’m enjoying this moment, because of all I suffered, the criticism I received. So, there you go.

 

Before the game too many people in England laughed about my attitude over the last few years. This is a very good time for me. I want to see what they think now.’

 

Suarez was desperate to play against England, and he has been waiting a long time for revenge, and how he made them pay, with two clinical finishes to leave England’s World Cup dreams in tatters.

 

The Uruguayan’s comments show the hurt that he’s felt because of the criticism and the harsh treatment from the FA’s punishment and he has waited a long time to exact revenge and he is enjoying his moment of triumph.

Liverpool Set To Sign Can

5 Jun

Liverpool Set To Sign Can

 

Reports suggest that Liverpool are set to sign Emre Can from Bayern Leverkusen after activating a £9.75 million release clause in his contract. Brendan Rodgers has been chasing the Germany Under-21 international for a while and has been over to personally check on the player’s progress.

 

The 20-year-old is an energetic box-to-box player and Rodgers believes he would be a valuable addition to his squad. Inter Milan were also keen on Can but he prefers a move to the Premiership.

 

Liverpool are hoping to seal a deal with the player this week as Rodgers continues to improve his squad for another assault on the Premier League title.

 

The player’s agent also instigated the loan deal in 2012 for Nuri Sahin, so he is no stranger to working with Liverpool.

 

Can is described as one of the most versatile young players in the Bundesliga and after having spent most of his career in the youth set-up at Bayern Munich, the player was tipped for the top from an early age.

 

After moving to Leverkusen, Can’s career has flourished and his versatility sees him play in either an attacking or defending central midfield role and also deployed as a centre-back and a left-back.

 

Can has represented Germany at every level from Under 15 to Under 21 level and he has drawn comparison to Bastian Schweinsteiger.

 

Rodgers has certainly done his homework on Can and if he is as good as the great Bayern Munich midfielder then Liverpool will be making a brilliant signing.

Mascherano Would Be Perfect For Liverpool

3 Jun

Mascherano Would Be Perfect For Liverpool

 

Liverpool target Javier Mascherano could have his future decided imminently with his agent due to meet Barcelona bosses. The former Red hinted after Barca’s failed La Liga tilt that he could quit the Nou Camp and this news has interested his former club as well as Napoli, where Rafa Benitez, his former Liverpool boss, is now in charge.

 

According to reports from Italy, the Argentina international’s agent Walter Tamer is in Barcelona and due to meet with new manager Luis Enrique and sporting director Andoni Zubizerreta.

 

Reports suggest that Barca are thought to be ready to offer Mascherano, who turns 30 this weekend, a one-year extension.

 

But if this offer doesn’t satisfy the former West Ham player then it could open the door for Napoli and Liverpool.

 

Barcelona have wasted one of the game’s best defensive midfielders by playing him in the centre of defence for a number of years and at only 30 years of age he still has a number of good years left in him.

 

Although Mascherano left Liverpool in disappointing fashion I’m sure he would be welcomed back at Anfield by the supporters after he has stated on a number of occasions his feelings for the club.

 

A new defensive midfielder is high on Brendan Rodgers’ list and Mascherano would be the perfect man to protect Liverpool’s vulnerable defence and he would be the perfect foil for Gerrard in the centre of midfield.

 

The thought of Mascherano and Gerrard reunited in Liverpool’s midfield is an exciting though. Can it happen ?

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.