Red Half Of Mersey

Milan Jovanovic is one who may definitely be on his way out. Recent reports have been that the player doesn't want to leave, seeking a 2.5million pounds compensation to terminate his contract.  It seems his reluctance in leaving is due to his large pay, rumoured to be around 90000 a week. if he does not leave, there is the possibility of another "suspect" player at Anfield or another season.


I will not judge him from his performance during Hodson's era. The good players were average then, and the average players were as a result  atrocious. He seemed like a rabbit in the headlights at times, and injury meant he couldn't prove himself under the King.
All that said - I'm not sure what he has to offer, considering we have the money to spend.

Joe Cole. LOL What a story. From causing rifts in the England camp, to being likened to Lionel Messi by our fantastic captain. Anfield was buzzing when he came. (Then again Anfield is always buzzing with every new player - we love our own like that).


Injuries, inconsistency, clumsy, lost - that sums up the lad's Anfield adventure so far. It hasn't been a good experience for both club and player. He may yet be given one more chance to prove himself, but if a good offer comes, we may cut our losses and reduce the wage bill.

Poulsen was a player brought to replace Mascherano, and early signs were there that he wasn't suited to the team structure at that time. He seems to want to stay and fight, even if it means benching.


I'm not sure how much he is paid, but he seems a level head, one who can nurture the youngsters, and who knows, once we start dominating possession with the new pass and move, who knows what role he can play.
That said - decent offer - ship him out. Seeing as we are rebuilding, he is too old to see as one for the future.
Up until today - I can never understand why Hodgson let Aquilani go on loan, bringing in Poulsen and Meireles. Its another one with why Hodgson got the job over Kenny in the first place......Oh well...

Dani Pacheco. The reserves darling till the arrival of Sterling and Suso. A young lad who has played really well for his national under 19 team.


He is a player who likes receiving the ball and dictating play, another who can be suited to the new style. This is one player i wouldnt want to leave. it would be intereting to watch a cup game with a midfield including Lucas, Spearing, Jonjo, with Pacheco as a second striker.
There has been rumour of him going on loan again - and he has expressed his desire to return to Norwich on loan. I hope he stays, gets about 15 to 20 games, including cup games, to prove himself and fight for a place. I honestly think the lad could be fantastic under Kenny.

David Ngog is another player who has been linked away.  Word is Sunderland are interested and we in talks with the lankly forward. With figures of around 5million, it wouldnt be bad business, considering he was bought for a mere 1.5million.  And that would open up a space for a new arrival : a new buy or a graduate from the reserves. That cannot be bad can it.


Now i know most are not big fans of Ngog, but I for one wouldnt be mad at having him stay another season.  One thing that has been evident, is how much players improve under The King and Steve Clarke.  His chances would be limited though, with Suarez, Carrol and Kuyt preferred up front, but with injuries likely, you never know.
I'd say ship him out, provided there is a replacement.be it a new buy, a graduate, or Dani Pacheco.

Speculation it is - for now. We wait official word from the club. One thing for sure is : The future is bright. Bring back the glory days.


We Are Liverpool.

YNWA

There haven't been much else, but speculation with an interesting saga involving Manchester United and Phil Jones (which both sides refused to comment on). The saga however does paint a picture of things to come : John W Henry and his cronies mean business and will not tolerate any nonsense from anyone. And they're clearly scared up the road : investing heavily in positions which weren't mandatory just to fend off competition form the Reds.  Fergie is clearly rattled. (MUST READ)

That aside, there has been rather disturbing if not questionable speculation on Raul Meireles' future, with a few clubs being linked, and possible cash involving swap transfers. This looks to be another result of twitter ITK's (In The Knows) who have made this transfer season interesting and certainly lively with unnecessary squabbles and fights between fellow Reds.


If there's any truth to this rumour, my point of view is it could be as a result of the reds failing to move Aquilani. Meireles replaced Aquilani, and they are arguably the same type of player. However I find it hard to believe Kenny will move the man he spoke so highly of since he took over, and who showed versatility and game intelligence after the Reds found their fluidity in the new "pass and move" style of interchanging positions. Aquilani however is a player who would be suited to the new "pass and move" style the Reds have been working on : Ive never doubted his ability, premier league or not - its his injury record.  That said - Meireles is no ox himself. The King did say were he to come back he would be like a new signing, so we can never say never.


Which brings me to another player who has been linked away - Maxi Rodriguez.  Word is he has an agreement to join his old club Newell Old Boys, since he wouldn't be happy with playing a bit part role next season. Aside from his wages, I do not see a reason why we should let him go, unless he really wants to leave not wanting to fight for his position.


When Maxi arrived, many had high hopes for him, haven't obviously understood his position.  Maxi plays as a second striker or a wide attacker, NOT A WINGER.

This has been evident since Kenny's arrival, and with the interchanging of positions between Suarez, Maxi, Meireles and Kuyt. He has never been a winger where people expected him to be one.  That resulted in him being stuck off position giving one good performance and 3 bad ones. But his consistency was seen since Kenny arrived and the team was structured in a system that suits his type of play.

That said - there are better and younger out there - but i wouldn't mind having him as tried and tested while the new boys settle and maybe move him on in January or next summer.

In other news, a ridiculous "3rd kit" has been revealed by the ITK's. If that's anything close to the real thing...Well DAMN! But I'll be getting one still. :)


Whatever happens : In Kenny We Trust. If Fergie's response to our recent activity isn't enough to make you notice Kenny is the real deal, then sit on the sidelines, mouth shut - and watch while we rise like a phoenix from the ashes..


We Are Liverpool.

YNWA

We have made our first signing : Jordan Henderson from Sunderland for a few rumoured to be anything between 15 and 20million. Some reports are saying around 16.5million cash, while some a running with 13 million and Ngog (valued at 7million) going the other way.  Too much? A bargain?

From my point of view - this is a coup. Considering the talent, age and nationality.

It's a common fact that good English players are expensive.  This is evident from the prices paid for the likes of Carrick, Rooney, Darren Bent, James Milner, Gareth Barry, Carroll etc..
So potentially 20million for Jordan Henderson is a decent price.

Looking at the way the lad plays, there have been so many "discussions" about his position. Remember Joe Cole of WestHam who was fantastic playing wide for Chelsea and England?

Its easy to draw comparisons, but the same success cannot be guaranteed - this was mentioned to try and explain a point.

The point being -  Henderson is a versatile player, who we have seen feature in central midfield and out wide for Sunderland.

There has been talk of too many central midfielders at Liverpool, but that's only because folk fail to see the "big picture". One wouldn't term Iniesta a "winger", but he is plays out wide for Bracelona and does it with such class and excellence, I personally feel he is as important as Xavi and Messi.

Henderson ain't no Iniesta I can hear y'all mention - but what is to stop him from being "the English Iniesta".


He seems to have the same fighting spirit as shown by how he got on with things when he wasn't playing too well and the fans were having a go at him.  he has a good first touch (be it not YET brilliant), can cross the ball, good off the ball movement, bursting runs into the opposition penalty area, always on the attack (be it when attacking or defending)..and is only 20years old.
With King Kenny and Steve Clarke in charge of playing matters, this kid could be the next English star - can see him alongside Jack wilshere in the middle of the English team. His tenacity and constant closing down is exactly the type of player needed at Liverpool considering we are switching back to "The Liverpool Way", of pass and move, and pressing from the top.

There are obviously a few videos going around of some of his skills and more "colourful" antics, which one can view from a simple google search - but that does not necessarily show his range of play.

Wait till MilanKakaBaros and ElAlonso start compiling match videos and you can see the way he plays (just like how folk eventually started realising how brilliant Lucas Leiva is).


I've read criticism of Henderson signing based on the game he played for England against France. A 20 year old. No-one said anything when Rooney, Lampard etc where looking right muppets at the World Cup and instead chose to Blame Fabio Capello.  And its the same folk who have criticised Lucas Leiva before - saying he was not good enough - but is now an integral part of the future for both club and country - and that "country' is Brazil.

Patience is key. I do not expect henderson to make over 25 appearances in total for Liverpool next season - unless there is injuries to the likes of Gerrard, Meireles, Lucas, and even Spearing maybe just above him right now. But be rest assured - the future's bright - and this lad could be the next best thing - taking over from Captain fantastic. He has it all.

The world at his feet, learning the trade from King Kenny and Steven Gerrard, at one of the best football establishments in the world. Failure is not an option.

Jordan Henderson - Welcome to Anfield.

You'll Never Walk Alone.

In other football related matters :)