Liverpool FC Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

Karmafaerie · 19-08-2008 11:53AM

LIVERPOOL are ready to turn their attentions to Albert Riera as hopes of bringing the Gareth Barry saga to a successful conclusion fade.

The Espanyol winger has been on Rafa Benitez’s radar for some time and is under consideration to fill the Reds’ troublesome left wing spot along with Middlesbrough’s Stewart Downing.

Liverpool scouts watched Riera on several occasions last season and the 26-year-old is thought to have improved a great deal since he spent a year on loan at Man City two seasons ago.

Riera has already made it clear that he would relish a move to Anfield if Liverpool were to make a concrete offer for his services and a bid could now be imminent with the Reds’ move for Barry all but dead.

The Liverpool board refuse to meet Aston Villa’s £18m asking price for the England man, believing it to be far in excess of what the player is worth.

Benitez is now coming to terms with the fact that, unless Villa decide to reduce the fee for Barry, he is unlikely to be able to land one of his top targets for his ongoing team rebuilding programme and is ready to consider alternatives.

The Reds boss was desperate to land Barry because he can provide cover at left midfield and left back as well as operating in his usual central midfield role.

With Liverpool’s early season performances showing that they are in urgent need of a player who can provide genuine width, Riera is now coming under the spotlight.

Benitez’s squad has been replenished with the return of Ryan Babel from the Olympics after his Holland side was knocked out of the football tournament by Argentina at the weekend.

And either Javier Mascherano or Lucas Leiva will be the next to return with Argentina meeting Brazil in today’s semi-final in Beijing.

Benitez is delighted that he will soon have a full squad to choose from for the first time this season but he insists he doesn’t mind whether he gets Mascherano or Lucas back first.

He said: “I am really pleased for the players because they have done really well but I am also really pleased for us because Argentina are playing against Brazil so that means we will get one of them back.

“One of the players will be in the final and one of them will come back to Liverpool so I will be happy for the one who plays in the final and happy for the one who returns to us.”
Meanwhile, Steve Finnan has admitted he feels like he has been left “in limbo” after he was frozen out of the first team picture at Anfield.

Finnan has been told he is free to find another club but a lack of firm offers means he is currently on the sidelines with Liverpool.

“Limbo sounds about right, yes,” said the 32-year-old right back.

“I haven’t got a clue (what the future holds) to be honest. I haven’t played many games recently so I honestly can’t say.

“There is a big squad there and everyone is fighting for their place and I just have to train well and take the chance if I get it.”

tonybarrett@liverpoolecho.co.uk

He was sh*te with City, but amazing once back in Spain.

pesireland · 19-08-2008 12:00PM

PHB wrote: »

Robben's injury problems make Kewell look fit.

IMAO

, still at least when he plays he is good

leninbenjamin · 19-08-2008 12:02PM

Karmafaerie wrote: »

He was sh*te with City, but amazing once back in Spain.

he's a gamble imo. I would would take his spell at City as a sign he'll struggle in the prem, as he wasn't exactly a novice when he went there. Given the lack of alternatives though, could be worth a shot if the price is right.

ibh · 19-08-2008 12:11PM

leninbenjamin wrote: »

he's a gamble imo. I would would take his spell at City as a sign he'll struggle in the prem, as he wasn't exactly a novice when he went there. Given the lack of alternatives though, could be worth a shot if the price is right.

The only way we should be taking him is on a season's loan with a buy option after a year. Paying any sort of decent sum for a 26year old, who did sh1t the last time he was in the league, is a joke.

What figure are we talking for him? 6 / 7 million??

zing · 19-08-2008 12:14PM

Looks like Xabi indeed does want to leave

The relationship between Benitez and Alonso has deteriorated, to the point where the pair had a bust up in the build up to the Champions League qualifier against Standard Liege.

Having previously been settled at Anfield, Alonso is now adamant he has to leave after learning that his manager no longer values him as highly as he once did.

And why Xabi is valued at 16m....

The situation is complicated still further by the fact that the deal which brought Alonso to Anfield saw Liverpool guarantee his former club Real Sociedad 6m euros if he was sold for 16m euros or less.

Anything above that and a 20% sell on clause kicks in, making it almost impossible for Liverpool to sell Alonso for 16m euros or less and still claim to have done good business.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2008/08/19/barry-and-alonso-100252-21558682/

pesireland · 19-08-2008 12:17PM

ibh wrote: »

The only way we should be taking him is on a season's loan with a buy option after a year. Paying any sort of decent sum for a 26year old, who did sh1t the last time he was in the league, is a joke.

What figure are we talking for him? 6 / 7 million??

I'd agree with that ibh, loan with a view to signing would be the best option imo.

pesireland · 19-08-2008 12:18PM

zing wrote: »

Looks like Xabi indeed does want to leave

And why Xabi is valued at 16m....

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2008/08/19/barry-and-alonso-100252-21558682/

Gutted

zing · 19-08-2008 12:22PM

TB has been busier than usual today

Gillet had been involved int he deal to bring in Barry and is pissed with Rafa for his public comments over it. No one knows what Hicks is thinking (I'll assume he does think). Neither would put their names to the statement the club put out as they don't want to be seen to not be backing Rafa (ermm - actions speak louder than words, etc..) - thus leaving Parry as the fall guy.
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2008/08/19/the-owners-100252-21558685/

monkey9 · 19-08-2008 12:34PM

What a **** situation if it's true. The yanks won't back him in buying Barry cos he's overpriced, even though apparently the money is there. Overpriced or not, who are they to say what value Barry will bring to the team. It's up to Rafa to decide. But instead he has to go for Riera???? Barry is a proven Premiership player who can play in a number of positions, Riera is a major risk who has already flopped in the Prem.
Rafa's being given the proverbial lamp here again.

raven136 · 19-08-2008 12:39PM

anyone else very worried that rafa migt just say f##k it and walk away?

i asked for a table they gave me a lampshade...its all so familiar

mike65 · 19-08-2008 12:40PM

I was watching the post Sunderland match interview with Alonso (and Torres), he sure didn't give the impression is was unhappy with his answers or demeanor.

http://www.viddler.com/explore/lfcreds/videos/5/

Mike.

zAbbo · 19-08-2008 12:47PM

Whatever about Barry being worth 18m before, now he's not if he can't play CL until the 2nd round.

There are so many stories in this soap opera, with the sale of the club also bubbling under the transfer saga's

It's a real shame about Leto, and to a lesser extent Mark Gonzalez who looked immense at the tail end of last season.

Riera could be a smart buy, but we're hitting desperation with the window closing in 2 weeks.

leninbenjamin · 19-08-2008 12:53PM

ibh wrote: »

What figure are we talking for him? 6 / 7 million??

I read that there was a 9.5 million bid + Leto turned down already...

that was at the height of sh*te talk season though.

missingtime · 19-08-2008 01:00PM

If anyone was contemplating Milner...he's going no where aparently

http://www.goal.com/en/articolo.aspx?contenutoid=820984

DeadSkin · 19-08-2008 01:06PM

raven136 wrote: »

anyone else very worried that rafa migt just say f##k it and walk away?

i asked for a table they gave me a lampshade...its all so familiar

Yep. I posted somethin' similiar about 20 pages back.
When does too much sh!t become too much???

ibh · 19-08-2008 01:16PM

leninbenjamin wrote: »

I read that there was a 9.5 million bid + Leto turned down already...

that was at the height of sh*te talk season though.

Bullshit really when you put it into perspective that he's an average enough player at best. Would rather offer Madrid a decent price for Royston Drenthe. Although then he's similar in age and stlye to Babel.

Chardee MacDennis · 19-08-2008 01:18PM

well Rafa made Ballague retract what he wrote about Rafa thinking of leaving, and he has reaffirmed his commitment to the club but I can't imagine he'll be here next year if the clubs problems don't get sorted by then.

gixerfixer · 19-08-2008 01:24PM

Rafa will be here for a very long time IMO.Word is his kid is well settled in school and he loves the city and the people.Liverpool is a challange to him and he is determined to win the title.

raven136 · 19-08-2008 01:26PM

gixerfixer wrote: »

Rafa will be here for a very long time IMO.Word is his kid is well settled in school and he loves the city and the people.Liverpool is a challange to him and he is determined to win the title.

publicly undermined last season and now the owners are questioning his judgement about players.How long would any manager put up with that

mru · 19-08-2008 01:53PM

the well publicised reason why rafa left valencia was due to lack of control and failure from the board to move quickly on new signings - i'm afraid it's starting to sound all too familiar.

if he leaves, who would replace him? we got a more balanced side than we've had in years. a world class spine to our team, with some decent reserves who can fill in. i hope he doesn't leave...

monkey9 · 19-08-2008 01:55PM

mru wrote: »

the well publicised reason why rafa left valencia was due to lack of control and failure from the board to move quickly on new signings - i'm afraid it's starting to sound all too familiar. if he leaves, who would replace him? we got a more balanced side than we've had in years. a world class spine to our team, with some decent reserves who can fill in. i hope he doesn't leave...

Knowing those yankie doodle twats, they'll probably bring in Dr Phil

Karmafaerie · 19-08-2008 01:56PM

Riera made the Primera League team of the season last year, yet he's an average player!

Astounding!:rolleyes:

He had a bad season on loan at City, in a bad City team.
City still wanted him but couldn't afford him.
He went back to Spain.

Had a really good season with Espanyol, follwed be a great one.

He was 23-24 with City, and players can change a lot in 2 years.

Playing at the Costa del Mersey, with a Spanish manager, Spanish staff, and Spanish team-mates would make a hell of a difference.

I'm not saying he'll be great, but with track record of one of the best wingers in Spain over the last two years, he's not average.

mru · 19-08-2008 01:57PM

monkey9 wrote: »

Knowing those yankie doodle twats, they'll probably bring in Dr Phil

"defend them there set pieces, um-kay?"

missingtime · 19-08-2008 01:57PM

mru wrote: »

i hope he doesn't leave...

Me too. It would be unfair on him to be forced out in this way.

I'm finally begining to see what he is trying to accomplish and it must be incredibly insulting to have people above you dismiss your opinions on a subject that you know inside out.

DeadSkin · 19-08-2008 01:58PM

mru wrote: »

if he leaves, who would replace him?

Lets not go there

mru · 19-08-2008 01:58PM

missingtime wrote: »

Me too. It would be unfair for him to be forced out in this way.

I'm finally begining to see what he is trying to accomplish and it must be incredibly insulting to have people above you dismiss your opinions on a subject that you know inside out.

That must be the most frustrating thing. As Brian Clough said time and time again, the board rarely knows anything about football. Rafa has experienced this once, and now is being similiarly edged out again. Must be a killer.

monkey9 · 19-08-2008 02:03PM

Karmafaerie wrote: »

Riera made the Primera League team of the season last year, yet he's an average player!

Astounding!:rolleyes:

He had a bad seson on loan at City, in a bad City team.
City still wanted him but couldn't afford him.
He went back to Spain.

Had a really goo dseason with Espanyol, follwed be a great one.

He was 23-24 with City, and players can change a lot in 2 years.

Playing at the Costa del Mersey, with a Spanish manager, Spanish staff, and Spanish team-mates would make a hell of a difference.

I'm not saying he'll be great, but with track record of one of the best wingers in Spain over the last two years, he's not average.

Fair enough. But i suppose the point is, if he wants Barry and money can be raised through sales yet the yanks won't sign off on it but'll let him get Riera, then that's acting the bo!!ox.
It's showing no faith in Benitez and almost sounds like they're listening to someone else's advise instead of one the best managers in Europe.

pesireland · 19-08-2008 02:03PM

DeadSkin wrote: »

Lets not go there

OMG i imagine the uproar if rafa was to walk out, its not worth even thinking about

Mr Alan · 19-08-2008 02:03PM

mru wrote: »

As Brian Clough said time and time again, the board rarely knows anything about football.

Are you trying to get me banned?!?!?!?!;)

Look, this situation is not ideal, no doubt about it, but it is not that unusual for a manager to be told by his board that the fee wanted for a player is too much.....same happened to Shankly nearly every summer with him always threatening to walk-he won some, he lost some. no doubt it happened to Paisley,Fagan,Dalglish....I hate our american custodians as much as the next man, but they didnt invent this, its always been in football.

even the famous quote someone has as their sig on this site about owners only being there to sign cheques......why do you think Shankly said that? he wasnt commentating on the way his transfer dealings work, he was stating how he wished they worked!

ibh · 19-08-2008 02:05PM

Karmafaerie wrote: »

Riera made the Primera League team of the season last year, yet he's an average player!

Astounding!:rolleyes:

He had a bad season on loan at City, in a bad City team.
City still wanted him but couldn't afford him.
He went back to Spain.

Had a really goo dseason with Espanyol, follwed be a great one.

He was 23-24 with City, and players can change a lot in 2 years.

Playing at the Costa del Mersey, with a Spanish manager, Spanish staff, and Spanish team-mates would make a hell of a difference.

I'm not saying he'll be great, but with track record of one of the best wingers in Spain over the last two years, he's not average.

Players can change a lot in 2 years, but it's not as if he was only a kid when he was loaned to City. I have seen him on tv the odd time with Espanyol and i don't think he's great and i don't think he's suited to EPL.
Plus he's been around a while and only had 2 decent seasons in Spain. Obviously he's a bit better than he showed at city (International recognition) but very different style to Primera Liga.

Mind you if it was between him Downing and Milner i'd take him easily.
Just don't think he's what we need. I think if we were getting him on the cheap then if would be a bit more favourable but not at £9-11m.

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