Liverpool FC Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

Karmafaerie · 26-07-2008 03:01PM

copacetic wrote: »

agree with this, Keane didn't get better on his own, Berbatov came along and when played together they both came off very well out of it.

Couldn't disagree more with that to be honest.
Keane has come to form over the last few seasons cause he's coming into his prime.
He was 25-26 when Berba arived.
and he had finally settled at a club.
Don't forge, Keane has won Tottenhams player of the season two times in the last three years.
The first, was before Berba arrived!

Berba arrival didn't improve Keane.
Dimitar was just lucky enough to arrive when Keane was reaching his prime, and that made Berba look better.

Keane is the player that Spurs will miss the most IMO.

scruff321 · 26-07-2008 05:05PM

i hope keane comes to liverpool im a big fan of him,bt the way everonne is speculating that its a done deal??

mike65 · 26-07-2008 05:10PM

Cos he is due his medical on Monday. and PP stopped taking bets on him joining a while back!

Mike.

Chardee MacDennis · 26-07-2008 05:10PM

eZe^ wrote: »

First of all, Torres came as a 23 year old striker. He was always going to become a better player who will continue to grow and grow in stature. Keane is a 28 year old, how much more progress do you really expect him to make?

Cisse was 23 when he joined us, nothing is ever guaranteed in football - Keane could out score Torres for the next few seasons, you just never know....

mike65 wrote: »

Cos he is due his medical on Monday.

Mike.

according to who Mike? coz he was due to have a medical last monday, then wednesday and now this monday....

Mr Alan · 26-07-2008 05:10PM

Alonso to Fenerbache for around 20m euro?

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/07/26/xabi-alonso-is-a-target-for-fenerbahce-115875-20672091/

gixerfixer · 26-07-2008 05:23PM

Seems like an unlikely destination.Hope it's a nothing story but there's no smoke without fire etc...:(

mike65 · 26-07-2008 05:26PM

BastardPrince I'm going on insider info which was told to me via about 4 different parties so it could be botox but I really do think that he'll be unveiled at Melwood where the whole squad (including Alonso hopefully!) is going to be training early next week (edit they are training today as well, no rest!)

I guess the Fener link is down to the Aragones presence and little else myself.

Mike.

Karmafaerie · 26-07-2008 05:46PM

BastardPrince wrote: »

according to who Mike? coz he was due to have a medical last monday, then wednesday and now this monday....

While yes it was initially reported the Friday before last that he was due for a medical last Monday, shortly afterwards, Tottenham released the ridiculous statement implying that Liverpool had tapped up Robbie.

While no actual reason for the delay has been given, I'd imagine that Liverpool would have had to wait untill they knew what Tottenham were talking about before continuing.

As for a medical on Wednesday. I think you're confusing the fact that it was reported on Wednesday that the medical was imminent.
He was pulled from the Spurs squad in Spain on Wednesday, and flew back to England.
There was never an insider saying the medical itself was on Wed.

By all accounts Robbie is in Liverpool right now, and is either having the medical over the weekend, or on Monday, and either way, should be announced on Monday.

Fingers crossed.:p

estebancambias · 26-07-2008 05:54PM

karmafaerie can I just say that detailed post about Keane on the last page was amazing, and so to was the equally brilliant response from eze.

Fair play.

MementoMori · 26-07-2008 06:03PM

Alonso to Fenerbache thing seems like paper talk imo.

Anyone else a bit worried about the left-side?

Given Kewell, Riise are gone and with Leto more than likely to go I think it's getting more urgent that we sign a left-sided attacker.

Our options there aren't very deep.

Don't think there is anyone ready to make the step up from the reserves and I really don't want to see Dossena/Insua played on the left side of midfield with any regularity.

Just thinking about though it I wonder if Ngog might be an option. Seems pacy enough. Any one know if he's left-legged by any chance?

Might also see Keane out that direction I suppose.

Would like to see an out and out left sided player i.e. a player who's first choice position is a left-winger as opposed to people who can fit in there.

MementoMori · 26-07-2008 06:15PM

A lot of the reports about Keane seem to be quoting a price of £18m possibly rising to a maximum of £20m, if we win the CL or PL, which strikes me as a very decent price.

Assuming the following prices our net spend so far aint exactly massive.

Out: Kewell (0) , Riise (4) , LeTallec (1) , Crouch (11) ,Guthrie (2.5) , Carson (3.25) => Total Cash In £21.75m

In: Degen (0) , Dossena (6.8) , Cavalieri (3) , Ngog (1.5) , Keane (18) => Total Cash Out £29.3m

Net Spend so far £7.55m

Itandje - no word on where he'll end up - all gone quite with Gala at the £2m mark
Pennant - rumours of a possible Blackburn bid around the £6m
Voronin - don't know about the rumoured German talks at the £3m mark
Benayoun - unlikely to go in my opinion given his versatility
Xabi - doubt he's going to move on now
Finnan - wonder if he might end up at Villa if the Barry deal doesnt happen. Villa clearly need at least one RB if not two.

The only one of those I definately don't expect to see at Anfield next season is Itandje. The rest I'd say are more likely to stay than go.

Karmafaerie · 26-07-2008 06:42PM

estebancambias wrote: »

karmafaerie can I just say that detailed post about Keane on the last page was amazing, and so to was the equally brilliant response from eze.

Fair play.

Cheers man.

Just so excited by the prospect of Keane and Torres together!:D

zing · 26-07-2008 10:49PM

If the deal for Keane is as close as some reckon then there's a good chance the club would look to finalise it before Tues lunch time. We play in Spain on Wed evening (on SS1 btw) which most likely mean the squad (with Parry & co. tagging along) would fly out sometime on Tues and would effectively be gone for 48 hours. Not necessarily expecting Keane to travel or be unveiled before they travel but just don't expect much business to be done during those 48 hours.

Also those reporting medicals for Keane during the week weren't neccessarily that far off the mark. They may have been told about a medical but just not given the players name and assumed they were for Keane rather than Ngog.

therecklessone · 26-07-2008 10:56PM

Karmafaerie wrote: »

He was pulled from the Spurs squad in Spain on Wednesday, and flew back to England.

He was never named in the squad, but sat on the bench Wednesday evening all the same.

rosboy · 27-07-2008 09:06AM

Some of todays media stories:

Liverpool are ready to abandon their chase of Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry and will spend their money on Tottenham's Robbie Keane instead. (News of the World) Link

The sale of Keane to Liverpool will allow Tottenham to chase David Villa, who is valued at £25m. (Sunday Telegraph)link

Liverpool's owners failed in their latest attempt to show they have the finances to pay for the club's new £400m Stanley Park Stadium. (News of the World) link

STEVE FINNAN’S Liverpool career may be saved following an injury to new right- back Phillip Degen. Swiss ace Degen, 25, who joined earlier this month, is suffering from a groin strain which may need an op.
link

Rafa Benitez reckons silence is golden when it comes to Liverpool’s bid to lift the Premier League for the first time. (Sunday Express) link

Stewart Downing has warned Middlesbrough he may have to look for a move away from the Riverside Stadium, if the club cannot fulfil his ambition of playing in the Champions League (Sunday Express, Setanta) link link

Owen warns Newcastle he is ready to walk out on a free (The Guardian) link

No mention of Liverpool at all in that one, but we can dream. Attacking options of Torres, Keane, Gerrard, Babel and Owen wouldn't be bad:)

PiE · 27-07-2008 09:21AM

Eh, no thanks.

mike65 · 27-07-2008 09:28AM

I'd take Owen back in a flash for free!

(admitedly he'd probably want 100k a week)

Mike.

rosboy · 27-07-2008 09:38AM

mike65 wrote: »

I'd take Owen back in a flash for free! (admitedly he'd probably want 100k a week)

Mike.

He's on 105k a week at Newcastle. If he were to move here on a Bosman, that would surely go up.

Dont be at yourself · 27-07-2008 09:45AM

Wouldn't take Owen back. Apart from anything else, he's a shadow of the player he was when he left.

mike65 · 27-07-2008 09:47AM

Dunno if you watched the latter Newcastle games of last season, he was very effective as the withdrawn striker.
I should add I'm not expecting him to be at Anfield next season for a second.

Mike.

rosboy · 27-07-2008 10:04AM

He scored 10 goals in 19 games at the end of last season. Thats not a bad return.

Like Mike, I don't really see him coming back. I wouldn't be shocked if he did though. Remember, after the capture of Torres last summer mentioned that Owen was one of the players considered for the new striker position.

Now, that consideration could have been a matter of "What about bringing Owen back? No he's past it". I doubt he was ever a serious contender to be our sole striker considering his previous form. However if his form & fitness picked up, and he was available on a Bosman, Rafa may consider a move....or not. I just posted the link because of the Liverpool Legend that Owen is.

Dont be at yourself · 27-07-2008 10:10AM

I don't think Owen can ever be considered a Liverpool legend, but that argument's been had a thousand times.

Owen is a player on the decline. He did well under Keegan when he got a good run in the side, but there will always be question marks over his fitness and his form. He's a player who needs to be constantly playing to maintain form, and I doubt he'd get that opportunity at Liverpool.

In the withdrawn striker role, I'd rank him below Keane, Babel, Gerrard and Kuyt.

Rafa was supposedly in for him when he signed for Newcastle too, so it's possible he still rates him...

gixerfixer · 27-07-2008 10:17AM

Wouldnt like to see him in a Liverpool jersey again.Had his chance with us and turned his back on Rafa.Wouldnt say he is "past it" as many have,but not the player he once was.Anyways even if he was the best player in the world at present id still say no to having him back.Liverpool legend? dont make me laugh:)

Thanx 4 The Fish · 27-07-2008 10:21AM

I would not like to chase Owen, would rather have pacheco or Memeth come through, young lads who are not after a big payday.

Boggles · 27-07-2008 10:24AM

Liverpool Legend or not.

Owen has a consistent 2:1 match to goal ratio throughout is career. Strikers like that are rare, even with all his injury problems, more often or not he guarantees goals.

It would be silly not to want a player like that at a football club.

Remember the hardest part of football is still scoring goals.

copacetic · 27-07-2008 10:31AM

whats his playing to injured ratio though?

his record at newcastle is scored 20 in 44 apps? but thats over 3 years.
So he has played in about 1 out of 3 games in 3 years. thats not going to
get any better as he gets older. taking on someone so injury prone at high
wages would be a mistake imo.

gixerfixer · 27-07-2008 10:42AM

The reason Owen is at Newcastle is because he is not the player he once was.Simple as that.If he was still the player he once was he would be playing for one of the big four.Think he would be worth a punt for someone on a free but no manager in their right mind would pay him wages over 100k a week.Anyway Owen's first loyalty is to the English national team and there is no way he would join say Chelsea or Liverpool and play second fiddle to Torres or Drogba as it would make it less likely he would be one of Englands two front men.

Boggles · 27-07-2008 10:58AM

gixerfixer wrote: »

The reason Owen is at Newcastle is because he is not the player he once was.Simple as that.If he was still the player he once was he would be playing for one of the big four.Think he would be worth a punt for someone on a free but no manager in their right mind would pay him wages over 100k a week.Anyway Owen's first loyalty is to the English national team and there is no way he would join say Chelsea or Liverpool and play second fiddle to Torres or Drogba as it would make it less likely he would be one of Englands two front men.

Playing for Newcastle does not devalue a player, they did have Shearer for 10 years.

Owen has been incredibly unlucky with injuries. If and it is a huge if, he can stay fit this season I can see him getting 20-25 goals.

He has shorter odds than Keane to be top scorer next season.

Mr Alan · 27-07-2008 11:04AM

Boggles wrote: »

He has shorter odds than Keane to be top scorer next season.

who scored more between them last year? and the year before?

and who has shorter odds to miss at least half the season through injury?

morning boggles

zAbbo · 27-07-2008 11:07AM

We're not in for Owen, this is a non-story.

He will not be making a return to Anfield, he has his chance but fcuked us over when we could have got him for the same 8m we let him walk for. All he had to do was state a preference for Liverpool and Real would have done a deal.

He didn't, Newcastle bid 17m (When Real were looking 16m...) - Owen got twitchy because he needed to play for any club in England to ensure he made the WC06 squad, which he did and then suffered a nasty knee injury at that tournament as well.

With his priorities, wage, injuries, and everything else - he would not be welcome back in Anfield. In all his time at Liverpool he never got more than 19 league goals, which Torress has just done, and Robbie Keane has come close to that, but with a much better all round game.

Please no-more Owen return nonsense, a massive step backwards to the squad that Rafa has put together.

Liverpool FC Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

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