Benitez's Transfer Record, Hit or Miss?

[Delima]

Benitez's Transfer Record, Hit or Miss?

 

If anyone is looking for the reason behind Liverpool’s disappointing season so far, they should look at Spain rather than Merseyside. There they will see Daniel Alves enjoying a fantastic season on the right hand side of Seville FC, immediately realising why Rafael Benitez was so eager to take the Brazilian to Anfield.

 

That transfer never came off, largely because Seville constantly upped the asking price eventually exasperating Benitez and pushing him out of Liverpool’s reach.

 

Instead, they turned to Jermaine Pennant, a cheaper option yet one which so far has let Benitez down: he has failed to play with the consistency or quality that is needed by a side to challenge for the title.

 

It is futile to speculate what would have been if they had managed to sign Alves instead of Pennant. Yet one possible benefit of the rumoured take-over by Dubai International Consortium is that Liverpool will never have to live with such doubts again.

 

For, whilst Liverpool still won’t be able to pay stupid money, it is unlikely that Benitez would be deprived of any player he feels is necessary to improve his squad.

 

Benitez’s Transfers

To his credit, chairman David Moores has always tried to back Benitez up with adequate transfer funds. How the Spanish manager has opted to use those funds hasn’t pleased everyone – notably the former director Noel White who expressed the opinion that a number of mediocre players had been brought in – an examination of each transfer reveals that there have been more successes than failures, even if plenty are still in the balance.

 

Daniel Agger

 

After just a couple of appearances in the second half of the season last there were those eager to write him off. Yet this season the Danish defender has come into his own, being perhaps the most impressive player so far. A definite hit.

 

Xabi Alonso

 

The composed central midfielder is already an Anfield legend if nothing because of the goals from within his own half. Few players can live with his composure and passing rage and despite a poor season so far, the class is there for everyone. A hit.

 

Paul Anderson

 

The great hope from last year’s youth cup winning side, Anderson was signed from Hull for a fee of around £1 million, he has struggled this season to make an impact. Given his age, he is a maybe.

 

Godwin Antwi

 

Massively built Ghanaian central defender who has already won the Youth cup, he might find it hard to press for the first team. maybe

 

Antonio Barragan

 

A highly rated young right-back who, ironically, was snapped up from Seville’s reserve side, Barragan failed to settle in England and decided to return home to Deportivo La Coruna last summer. Liverpool still made a profit of £500,000 on his transfer, making this a hit.

 

Craig Bellamy

 

Another player who probably wouldn’t be at Anfield if it weren’t for the relative lack of funds, his start hasn’t been the best although he is now showing signs of settling in. The talent is there but he needs to show it consistently. For now, he is simply a maybe.

 

Scott Carson

 

Young keeper snapped up from Leeds for a mere £750,000, he has already made it into the England squad despite the lack of first team experience. Enjoyed an excellent period on loan at Sheffield Wednesday last season and is doing fine at Charlton this year. Whether he manages to oust Reina as number one at Liverpool remains to be seen yet, even if he doesn’t, his valuation has risen dramatically since joining, which makes him a hit.

 

Peter Crouch

 

In his first season in charge, Benitez realised that he needed a tall centre forward if he was to succeed in English football. Crouch was his choice, a controversial one which resulted in severe criticism. Despite a shaky start, Crouch has now settle in well and has cemented his place as an England regular. Hit.

 

Nabil El Zahr

 

Moroccon forward who was snapped up from St. Etienne during the summer, he has already impressed for the reserves and surprisingly made his first team debut against Portsmouth. It is fair to say that it wasn’t the best of introductions to senior football as he struggled to get a touch, yet it is still too early to judge him. Maybe.

 

Robbie Fowler

 

Last season’s surprise move for Fowler ensured that Liverpool had adequate cover up front whilst boosting the manager’s reputation by bringing in a club legend. Again it is doubtful whether Fowler would have been brought it if more funds were available yet he has done reasonably well and, considering that he came for free, Fowler is a hit.

 

Luis Garcia

 

Often frustrating, Garcia is a typical flair player with the skill to do amazing things. Has a knack for scoring brilliant goals and can play anywhere across midfield and even as a forward. Benitez insisted on signing him in his first summer, and although not widely appreciated, Garcia hasn’t disappointed. Hit.

 

Mark Gonzales

 

Speedy Chilean winger for whom Liverpool tried over a year to get the work permit, he had a fantastic six months on loan at Real Sociedad last season during which he was credited for virtually single handedly saving the club from relegation. Much was expected of him as a result, yet he has struggled to adapt to English football. A maybe.

 

Jack Hobbs

 

Highly rated central defender signed from Lincoln yet who was largely used in midfield for the reserves, a ploy intended to improve his passing abilities. Hobbs played a prominent role in the side that won the FA Youth Cup last season and was expected to make the step up this term. A couple of disastrous showings in pre-season friendlies have however set him back, although his season has been hampered by injury. He is still highly though of, yet it is hard to mark him out as anything other than a maybe.

 

Besjan Idrizaj

 

Austrian U21 international striker, Idrizaj has struggled to impose himself in reserve team football and it is extremely hard to see him making the grade. A miss.

 

Josemi

 

One of Benitez’s first signings, he started brightly but soon got found out as a mediocre player. A series of injuries didn’t help but the truth was that Josemi wasn’t good enough. A miss.

 

Jan Kromkamp

 

Dutch international right-back who was signed as part of the deal which took Josemi to Villareal, Kromkamp was a useful enough player and a good deputy for Steve Finnan. Homesickness, however, apparently got the better of him and he decided to go back to Holland with PSV. The fact that Liverpool got a good half-season out of him as well as making a profit means that this must go down as a hit although a qualified one.

 

Dirk Kuyt

 

The biggest transfer of last summer for Liverpool, Kuyt is a hard working forward with a talent for scoring. Has immediately adapted to life at Anfield yet it is still to early to decide whether the transfer fee is justified, meaning that for now it is best to mark him out as a maybe.

 

David Martin

 

Young keeper signed from MK Dons, he is currently third choice and has largely been restricted to reserve team duty. It is too early to tell whether he will make it, so it’s better to mark this one as a maybe.

 

Fernando Morientes

 

Probably Benitez’s biggest miss. Signed for £6 million from Real Madrid, Morientes was considered a class act who had done well everywhere he’d played. Sadly, he failed to settle in English football and at the end became a liability rather than the asset he should have been.

 

Antonio Nunez

 

A makeweight in the Michael Owen transfer, Nunez was desperately unlucky to suffer injury in his first training session. Life was decidedly uphill from then on and, despite being a trier, Nunez was never good enough. Miss.

 

Gabriel Paletta

 

Young Argentine defender who is built like a unit and who relished going into tackles hard, Paletta is a promising player yet one who still needs to develop. Early signs are promising, yet he is still is a maybe.

 

Mauricio Pellegrino

 

Signed on a free from Benitez’s old club Valencia, where Pellegrino had been a mainstay of the defence, his lack of pace quickly got exposed in English football and the Argentine endured a torrid six months before being released. Another miss.

 

Jermaine Pennant

 

Much was expected from Pennant and, although he has occasionally show his skill, so far he has been largely disappointing. And that is being kind. As with all other players brought in this summer, it is too early to judge whether he will be a success so it is fair to mark him out as a maybe, although on recent evidence he’s rapidly heading for the miss section.

 

Pepe Reina

 

Because of his looks, there is a tendency to forget just how young Reina is for a goalkeeper. At 24 he has all the time to mature and improve on his weaknesses, yet even as it stands he is a formidable keeper. Criticised at the start of the season for a couple of mistakes, he still deserves to be considered a hit.

 

Miki Roque

 

A young Spanish central defender who was spotted at Lleida and who has been something of a revelation since joining. Handed his debut against Galatasaray, there is still a long way to go for him yet it is hard not to consider him a hit.

 

Mohammed Sissoko

 

Snapped from under the noses of neighbours Everton, Sissoko has been a revelation in central midfield and is bound to get better. If the £5.6 million they spent to get him from Valencia initially looked inflated, now it is definitely considered a bargain. Hit.

 

 

Impressive list of transfer I have to say.

 

Transfer Involving Established Players

Xabi Alonso - £11 million - Hit

Mohammad Sissoko - £6 million - Hit

Pepe Reina - £6 million - Hit

Daniel Agger - £6 million - Hit

Craig Bellamy - £6 million - Potentially Hit

Peter Crouch - £7 million - Hit

Dirk Kuyt - £9 million - Hit

Jan Kromkamp - Free - Hit

Robbie Fowler - Free - Hit

Bolo Zenden - Free - Hit

 

Mark Gonzalez - £4.5 million - Miss, so far.

Jermaine Pennant - £8 million - Miss, so far.

Fernando Morientes - £ 6 million - Miss

Josemi - £2 million - Miss

Mauricio Pellegrino - Free - Miss

Antonio Nunez - Free - Miss

 

Transfer Involving Relatively Unknown Youngsters

Scott Carson - Massive Hit

Miki Roque

Gabriel Paletta

David Martin

Besjan Idrizaj

Jack Hobbs

Paul Anderson

Godwin Antwi

 

I admire Benitez's transfer policy. He too makes mistakes (no one is excempted), but no one can fault him for buying Morientes at £6 million. Pellegrino is free, nunez is free, and Josemi cost a meagre £2m. His biggest mistake could be Jermaine Pennant, yet he is still young, decent and has the potential. Gonzales hasn't done anything of note so far, yet he has every ingredient to be a success here.

 

Glenn Roeder, could you please do the same to Newcastle United? I certainly think that you have the potential, but you are over-cautious and can be too stubborn for your (or our club's) own good. Also, please address the positions in need, instead of buying someone we do not need.

 

Oba Martins - £10 millions - Hit.

Antonio Sibierski - Free - Hit

Pavel Srníček - Free - Unused

Olivier Bernard - Miss

Duff - £5 million + Huge Signing On Fee - Miss

[Dave]

Maybe.

[Dokko]

I think Reina is dodgy and is clearly a miss.

 

Anything in the air and across him and he flaps worse than James in his time at the club. He keeps clean sheets when the defense plays well, not him.

 

Zenden is shite, and mainly injured, another miss.

 

Agger is ok, but £6m? Hmm, not yet.

 

Fowler is a fat waster. Miss.

 

Kromkamp was shite, and lost them important games

 

Bellamy a  miss, court cases and missed opportunities, just waiting for the injuries now.

 

So no, not that good at all.

 

 

[Superior Acuña]

Benitez's Transfer Record, Hit or Miss?

 

If anyone is looking for the reason behind Liverpool’s disappointing season so far, they should look at Spain rather than Merseyside. There they will see Daniel Alves enjoying a fantastic season on the right hand side of Seville FC, immediately realising why Rafael Benitez was so eager to take the Brazilian to Anfield.

 

That transfer never came off, largely because Seville constantly upped the asking price eventually exasperating Benitez and pushing him out of Liverpool’s reach.

 

Instead, they turned to Jermaine Pennant, a cheaper option yet one which so far has let Benitez down: he has failed to play with the consistency or quality that is needed by a side to challenge for the title.

 

It is futile to speculate what would have been if they had managed to sign Alves instead of Pennant. Yet one possible benefit of the rumoured take-over by Dubai International Consortium is that Liverpool will never have to live with such doubts again.

 

For, whilst Liverpool still won’t be able to pay stupid money, it is unlikely that Benitez would be deprived of any player he feels is necessary to improve his squad.

 

Benitez’s Transfers

To his credit, chairman David Moores has always tried to back Benitez up with adequate transfer funds. How the Spanish manager has opted to use those funds hasn’t pleased everyone – notably the former director Noel White who expressed the opinion that a number of mediocre players had been brought in – an examination of each transfer reveals that there have been more successes than failures, even if plenty are still in the balance.

 

Daniel Agger

 

After just a couple of appearances in the second half of the season last there were those eager to write him off. Yet this season the Danish defender has come into his own, being perhaps the most impressive player so far. A definite hit.

 

Xabi Alonso

 

The composed central midfielder is already an Anfield legend if nothing because of the goals from within his own half. Few players can live with his composure and passing rage and despite a poor season so far, the class is there for everyone. A hit.

 

Paul Anderson

 

The great hope from last year’s youth cup winning side, Anderson was signed from Hull for a fee of around £1 million, he has struggled this season to make an impact. Given his age, he is a maybe.

 

Godwin Antwi

 

Massively built Ghanaian central defender who has already won the Youth cup, he might find it hard to press for the first team. maybe

 

Antonio Barragan

 

A highly rated young right-back who, ironically, was snapped up from Seville’s reserve side, Barragan failed to settle in England and decided to return home to Deportivo La Coruna last summer. Liverpool still made a profit of £500,000 on his transfer, making this a hit.

 

Craig Bellamy

 

Another player who probably wouldn’t be at Anfield if it weren’t for the relative lack of funds, his start hasn’t been the best although he is now showing signs of settling in. The talent is there but he needs to show it consistently. For now, he is simply a maybe.

 

Scott Carson

 

Young keeper snapped up from Leeds for a mere £750,000, he has already made it into the England squad despite the lack of first team experience. Enjoyed an excellent period on loan at Sheffield Wednesday last season and is doing fine at Charlton this year. Whether he manages to oust Reina as number one at Liverpool remains to be seen yet, even if he doesn’t, his valuation has risen dramatically since joining, which makes him a hit.

 

Peter Crouch

 

In his first season in charge, Benitez realised that he needed a tall centre forward if he was to succeed in English football. Crouch was his choice, a controversial one which resulted in severe criticism. Despite a shaky start, Crouch has now settle in well and has cemented his place as an England regular. Hit.

 

Nabil El Zahr

 

Moroccon forward who was snapped up from St. Etienne during the summer, he has already impressed for the reserves and surprisingly made his first team debut against Portsmouth. It is fair to say that it wasn’t the best of introductions to senior football as he struggled to get a touch, yet it is still too early to judge him. Maybe.

 

Robbie Fowler

 

Last season’s surprise move for Fowler ensured that Liverpool had adequate cover up front whilst boosting the manager’s reputation by bringing in a club legend. Again it is doubtful whether Fowler would have been brought it if more funds were available yet he has done reasonably well and, considering that he came for free, Fowler is a hit.

 

Luis Garcia

 

Often frustrating, Garcia is a typical flair player with the skill to do amazing things. Has a knack for scoring brilliant goals and can play anywhere across midfield and even as a forward. Benitez insisted on signing him in his first summer, and although not widely appreciated, Garcia hasn’t disappointed. Hit.

 

Mark Gonzales

 

Speedy Chilean winger for whom Liverpool tried over a year to get the work permit, he had a fantastic six months on loan at Real Sociedad last season during which he was credited for virtually single handedly saving the club from relegation. Much was expected of him as a result, yet he has struggled to adapt to English football. A maybe.

 

Jack Hobbs

 

Highly rated central defender signed from Lincoln yet who was largely used in midfield for the reserves, a ploy intended to improve his passing abilities. Hobbs played a prominent role in the side that won the FA Youth Cup last season and was expected to make the step up this term. A couple of disastrous showings in pre-season friendlies have however set him back, although his season has been hampered by injury. He is still highly though of, yet it is hard to mark him out as anything other than a maybe.

 

Besjan Idrizaj

 

Austrian U21 international striker, Idrizaj has struggled to impose himself in reserve team football and it is extremely hard to see him making the grade. A miss.

 

Josemi

 

One of Benitez’s first signings, he started brightly but soon got found out as a mediocre player. A series of injuries didn’t help but the truth was that Josemi wasn’t good enough. A miss.

 

Jan Kromkamp

 

Dutch international right-back who was signed as part of the deal which took Josemi to Villareal, Kromkamp was a useful enough player and a good deputy for Steve Finnan. Homesickness, however, apparently got the better of him and he decided to go back to Holland with PSV. The fact that Liverpool got a good half-season out of him as well as making a profit means that this must go down as a hit although a qualified one.

 

Dirk Kuyt

 

The biggest transfer of last summer for Liverpool, Kuyt is a hard working forward with a talent for scoring. Has immediately adapted to life at Anfield yet it is still to early to decide whether the transfer fee is justified, meaning that for now it is best to mark him out as a maybe.

 

David Martin

 

Young keeper signed from MK Dons, he is currently third choice and has largely been restricted to reserve team duty. It is too early to tell whether he will make it, so it’s better to mark this one as a maybe.

 

Fernando Morientes

 

Probably Benitez’s biggest miss. Signed for £6 million from Real Madrid, Morientes was considered a class act who had done well everywhere he’d played. Sadly, he failed to settle in English football and at the end became a liability rather than the asset he should have been.

 

Antonio Nunez

 

A makeweight in the Michael Owen transfer, Nunez was desperately unlucky to suffer injury in his first training session. Life was decidedly uphill from then on and, despite being a trier, Nunez was never good enough. Miss.

 

Gabriel Paletta

 

Young Argentine defender who is built like a unit and who relished going into tackles hard, Paletta is a promising player yet one who still needs to develop. Early signs are promising, yet he is still is a maybe.

 

Mauricio Pellegrino

 

Signed on a free from Benitez’s old club Valencia, where Pellegrino had been a mainstay of the defence, his lack of pace quickly got exposed in English football and the Argentine endured a torrid six months before being released. Another miss.

 

Jermaine Pennant

 

Much was expected from Pennant and, although he has occasionally show his skill, so far he has been largely disappointing. And that is being kind. As with all other players brought in this summer, it is too early to judge whether he will be a success so it is fair to mark him out as a maybe, although on recent evidence he’s rapidly heading for the miss section.

 

Pepe Reina

 

Because of his looks, there is a tendency to forget just how young Reina is for a goalkeeper. At 24 he has all the time to mature and improve on his weaknesses, yet even as it stands he is a formidable keeper. Criticised at the start of the season for a couple of mistakes, he still deserves to be considered a hit.

 

Miki Roque

 

A young Spanish central defender who was spotted at Lleida and who has been something of a revelation since joining. Handed his debut against Galatasaray, there is still a long way to go for him yet it is hard not to consider him a hit.

 

Mohammed Sissoko

 

Snapped from under the noses of neighbours Everton, Sissoko has been a revelation in central midfield and is bound to get better. If the £5.6 million they spent to get him from Valencia initially looked inflated, now it is definitely considered a bargain. Hit.

 

 

Impressive list of transfer I have to say.

 

Transfer Involving Established Players

Xabi Alonso - £11 million - Hit

Mohammad Sissoko - £6 million - Hit

Pepe Reina - £6 million - Hit

Daniel Agger - £6 million - Hit

Craig Bellamy - £6 million - Potentially Hit

Peter Crouch - £7 million - Hit

Dirk Kuyt - £9 million - Hit

Jan Kromkamp - Free - Hit

Robbie Fowler - Free - Hit

Bolo Zenden - Free - Hit

 

Mark Gonzalez - £4.5 million - Miss, so far.

Jermaine Pennant - £8 million - Miss, so far.

Fernando Morientes - £ 6 million - Miss

Josemi - £2 million - Miss

Mauricio Pellegrino - Free - Miss

Antonio Nunez - Free - Miss

 

Transfer Involving Relatively Unknown Youngsters

Scott Carson - Massive Hit

Miki Roque

Gabriel Paletta

David Martin

Besjan Idrizaj

Jack Hobbs

Paul Anderson

Godwin Antwi

 

I admire Benitez's transfer policy. He too makes mistakes (no one is excempted), but no one can fault him for buying Morientes at £6 million. Pellegrino is free, nunez is free, and Josemi cost a meagre £2m. His biggest mistake could be Jermaine Pennant, yet he is still young, decent and has the potential. Gonzales hasn't done anything of note so far, yet he has every ingredient to be a success here.

 

Glenn Roeder, could you please do the same to Newcastle United? I certainly think that you have the potential, but you are over-cautious and can be too stubborn for your (or our club's) own good. Also, please address the positions in need, instead of buying someone we do not need.

 

Oba Martins - £10 millions - Hit.

Antonio Sibierski - Free - Hit

Pavel Srníček - Free - Unused

Olivier Bernard - Miss

Duff - £5 million + Huge Signing On Fee - Miss

 

That's pretty unbalanced.  Duff's a miss, and he's played how many games?  Whereas  bellamy's a 'potential hit' and the mockery that was krompkamp and sold 4 months later is a 'hit.

[Nobby]

 

Pepe Reina - £6 million - Hit

 

have to disagree there, he is not one of the best premiership keepers

[Guest Rushian]

 

Pepe Reina - £6 million - Hit

 

have to disagree there, he is not one of the best premiership keepers

 

He's streets ahead of Given as a keeper.

 

As for Gonzalez - he's a kid who only cost 1.5m. Needs time to settle and has been unlucky with injuries sine arriving. Pennant cost 6.5m. Agger has been our best defender this season - he'll be a mainstay for years to come.

[Syrette]

 

Pepe Reina - £6 million - Hit

 

have to disagree there, he is not one of the best premiership keepers

 

He's streets ahead of Given as a keeper.

 

 

Streets ahead?

 

Fair enough if you think he is better, but even if he is (something I disagree with), he's not that much better.

[Guest Rafa]

Liverpool can buy back Barragan in a year and a half if they want, so either way, it's a bit previous to say he's gone for good

 

The only major let down of the big money buys so far is Morientes, ironically the one player most thought would succeed. 

 

Pennant will probably follow him into that categoary Thats me at my knee jerk best, which is kinda unusual, cos normally I am pretty damn patient with players, but he really is testing my patience already!

 

Bellamy I have plenty of time for, he's gonna be fine!

 

I think most teams are going to be in fair shape is 75% of their big(ish) trasfers work out. And that is the case here so far.

 

By the way Delima  (and whoever wrote the article!) players like Idrisaj and Martins where signed on freebies to strengthen our very poor reserve set up at the time. I doubt there is much expectation from anyone that they will make it here long term.

 

Toon's Taylor - Kromkamp barely played for us, cant think how he lost us games! We sold him for £2 mill, not really a bad transfer. Reina is excellent, one dodgy spell doesnt chaneg that, all young keepers have 'em, its how they battle back that counts. Agger is class already, worth every penny, especially when you look at other defenders prices!

[Offshore]

 

Pepe Reina - £6 million - Hit

 

have to disagree there, he is not one of the best premiership keepers

 

He's streets ahead of Given as a keeper.

 

As for Gonzalez - he's a kid who only cost 1.5m. Needs time to settle and has been unlucky with injuries sine arriving. Pennant cost 6.5m. Agger has been our best defender this season - he'll be a mainstay for years to come.

 

the ONLY thing Reina is definately better than Given at is saving penalties, and i'll give him long kicks downfield for free as i've yet to see any decent keeper worse than Given at that yet

[Delima]

By the way Delima  (and whoever wrote the article!) players like Idrisaj and Martins where signed on freebies to strengthen our very poor reserve set up at the time. I doubt there is much expectation from anyone that they will make it here long term.

 

1 thing I really like about Benitez on his youth policy is that, while he can't revamp the academy overnight, he keeps buying excellent young players (at their level) with pedigree. How I wish we could do the same here in Newcastle. Bobby Robson used to do that, but no one else since.

 

PS Tim Krul is an exception.

[Guest Rafa]

 

 

1 thing I really like about Benitez on his youth policy is that, while he can't revamp the academy overnight, he keeps buying excellent young players (at their level) with pedigree. How I wish we could do the same here in Newcastle. Bobby Robson used to do that, but no one else since.

 

PS Tim Krul is an exception.

 

Rafa has no say in Liverpool's Academy. It's ran as a seperate thing (and ran badly in many people's eyes!), and there is nothing he can do about it. Which is one reason why so many young players have come into our reserve set up. Actually, you could probably say that the ex scout and reserve coach Paco Herrera had as much say, if not more in the signing of some of 'em.  I'd be surprised if any go on to great things tbh. I'm talking here about the likes of Martins, Idrizaj, Anderson...

 

Our most recent signing though is Emiliano Insua, there may be a bit more about him, I like a good Argie defender

 

The likes of Paletta and Gonzalez are a bit different, as they have cost fees, and are part of the first team set up, whereas the others aren't really.

[Dr Spectrum]

Individual signings aside I think Benitez could have done better in the transfer market. He obviously spent far too much on Pennant - And some of his other big signings - whilst good players in their own right, aren't title winning calibre. I think they could probably have been more ambitious on bigger signings rather than hedging their bets on so many middle of the road players. I know they need to maintain a squad but they have a decent youth setup to compensate to some degree. I think they would be a lot higher up the league if they bought someone special instead of god knows how much on Pennant and Bellamy this summer.

[Ally]

Individual signings aside I think Benitez could have done better in the transfer market. He obviously spent far too much on Pennant - And some of his other big signings - whilst good players in their own right, aren't title winning calibre. I think they could probably have been more ambitious on bigger signings rather than hedging their bets on so many middle of the road players. I know they need to maintain a squad but they have a decent youth setup to compensate to some degree. I think they would be a lot higher up the league if they bought someone special instead of god knows how much on Pennant and Bellamy this summer.

 

Agree there. I rate Bellamy, but they aren't the kind of players that will see them overtake/get up there with Chelsea. Its probably enough to get away from the likes of Spurs, but not the better teams.

[Guest Rafa]

Individual signings aside I think Benitez could have done better in the transfer market. He obviously spent far too much on Pennant - And some of his other big signings - whilst good players in their own right, aren't title winning calibre. I think they could probably have been more ambitious on bigger signings rather than hedging their bets on so many middle of the road players. I know they need to maintain a squad but they have a decent youth setup to compensate to some degree. I think they would be a lot higher up the league if they bought someone special instead of god knows how much on Pennant and Bellamy this summer.

 

thing is though, its so easy to say that, but not easy to bring into practise. Like this summer - we needed 2 strikers, that was a definite. SO, it left us with little dosh for everything else the team needed. Benitez wanted Alves (who is class), but he'd have cost double what Pennant cost, and he simply didnt have the money - it really is that simple sometimes I'm afraid!  It;s so easy to say he needs to be more ambitious, whats he to do? It costs. And when you also need so many other players, you have to juggle the money. We ain't all got it easy like Chelsea you know

 

This summer he could have bought Kuyt and Alves. And I tell you what - all hell would have broke loose, the fans would have been stamping their little feet cos he'd have left us short on forwards. So he did what he had to do, not buy Alves, and buy Bellamy and Pennant,

 

And the likes of Alonso, Agger, Kuyt, Reina, Sissoko - are of the calibre. What Liverpool desperatly need is a couple plaeyrs who can change a game in an instant, players with a bit of magic, but they also happen to be the most costly.  Bellamy I have no problem with, at 6 mill he was a good player to grab as the 2nd striker we needed. 

 

 

[Martin Lol]

Individual signings aside I think Benitez could have done better in the transfer market. He obviously spent far too much on Pennant - And some of his other big signings - whilst good players in their own right, aren't title winning calibre. I think they could probably have been more ambitious on bigger signings rather than hedging their bets on so many middle of the road players. I know they need to maintain a squad but they have a decent youth setup to compensate to some degree. I think they would be a lot higher up the league if they bought someone special instead of god knows how much on Pennant and Bellamy this summer.

 

Agreed too much money went on Pennant, but the rest look like reasonable deals.  Admittedly there are some that have been given an opportunity to be a success rather than expecting them to be a success, but the transfer fees reflect that.  If they were all sold, there would be few that wouldn't return their initial outlay, so I would say his overall record is pretty good.  As for Reina, I would have thought he would be ranked as good as Given, not better or worse, £6m would be a fair price for him.  I personally still would prefer Given in my team if I had to choose one or the other.

[Guest Rafa]

I like Given, he's a good goalie, but I prefer sweeper keepers, which Reina is more of.

 

Mind you, both Given and Reina are significantly better goalies than that fat lump Paul Robinson

[Dokko]

Liverpool can buy back Barragan in a year and a half if they want, so either way, it's a bit previous to say he's gone for good

 

The only major let down of the big money buys so far is Morientes, ironically the one player most thought would succeed. 

 

Pennant will probably follow him into that categoary Thats me at my knee jerk best, which is kinda unusual, cos normally I am pretty damn patient with players, but he really is testing my patience already!

 

Bellamy I have plenty of time for, he's gonna be fine!

 

I think most teams are going to be in fair shape is 75% of their big(ish) trasfers work out. And that is the case here so far.

 

By the way Delima  (and whoever wrote the article!) players like Idrisaj and Martins where signed on freebies to strengthen our very poor reserve set up at the time. I doubt there is much expectation from anyone that they will make it here long term.

 

Toon's Taylor - Kromkamp barely played for us, cant think how he lost us games! We sold him for £2 mill, not really a bad transfer. Reina is excellent, one dodgy spell doesnt chaneg that, all young keepers have 'em, its how they battle back that counts. Agger is class already, worth every penny, especially when you look at other defenders prices!

 

Was it not him who gave away a dodgy freekick for Rio Ferdinand to score making you lose against your biggest rival?

 

If not i apologise, if so my point stands.

 

Reina isn't going through a dodgy spell, he IS dodgy in the air. He's actually pathetic on a scale which is embarrassing, which is a shame as he's as strong as the best in the EPL in most other areas.

 

Agger looks good, but then so would i alongside Hyppia who quite frankly has lost it.

 

 

[Delima]

Well, Liverpool could not afford to pay £30 million for Schevchenko, could they?

 

Instead of spending 30 millions on a really top class player who could still be a miss, Benitez opted to spend 30 millions on several very good players. The squad depth is strengthen, the risk of flop is affordable, and yet the team still acquire very good players who have the calibre to chalenge for title.

 

Actually, forward is the only department where Benitez has not bought a trully top class player (Bellamy, Crouch, Fowler). Strikers are the most expensive creatures on earth. Actually they bought Morientes, but he flopped. However, Benitez also bought Kuyt, a player with very good reputation who has done very well in Liverpool so faar.

 

Would you say that Saha is the kind of players who help his team overtake Chelsea? In fact Saha scored a great goal in the recent Chelsea Man U game.

 

It is hard to fight Chelsea. And the worst thing one could do is to fight Chelsea with money. Soviet Union collapsed in the unsustainable arm race with the west. I thought Benitez is doing really well in the transfer market with the budget he has. Liverpool have just been off form, perhaps due to a low key Gerrard, perhaps due to Benitez's rotation policy, perhaps due to injuries, perhaps due to Benitez's selection of player.

 

It would be harsh to blame his signings (Pennant aside) for Liverpool poor season thus far.

[Guest Rafa]

I would say 'poor league season', we ain't doing so bad you know otherwise

 

Gerrard admitted himself the senior players had let him down, and he was right. And it wasn't the new signings - it was the senior ones. Gerrard, Carragher, Hyypia, Alonso, Risse - ALL had really poor starts to the season. They need to get out of the blocks quicker.

 

Its easy to blame new players. But apart from Pennant, I don't have any issue with the others tbh. Bellamy is getting going now, and sometimes playesr need a few games. It's the senior players who have been here years that let us down the start of the season.

[Cajun]

Reina has a bit of the Bramble gene for me only not affected as much, ie one minute he is fantastic the next he has a shocker!

 

As someone said, a bit of the David James about him. Given has his faults but he still consistantly performs to a very high standard and I have 110% confidence in him every game which I couldn't say i would with Reina if I was a pool fan.

 

Streets ahead is just a stupid comment! Its like me saying Parker is streets ahead of Gerrard FFS!

[Guest Rafa]

Reina has had one dodgy spell (which was as much to do with the poor defending in front of him from players who should know better!), I dont know what people are thinking of He's had 8 clean sheets in his last 9 games or summet now, and making key saves all along the way, and is looking just as he did last year. He's a superb young goalie. Only Cech and Van Der Sar would give him a run for his money in this league. Given is good, but you wont find a flock of Liverpool fans wanting him here. 

 

Anyway, time for me to go now, speak to you good folks soon  bluecool.gif

[Dr Spectrum]

Individual signings aside I think Benitez could have done better in the transfer market. He obviously spent far too much on Pennant - And some of his other big signings - whilst good players in their own right, aren't title winning calibre. I think they could probably have been more ambitious on bigger signings rather than hedging their bets on so many middle of the road players. I know they need to maintain a squad but they have a decent youth setup to compensate to some degree. I think they would be a lot higher up the league if they bought someone special instead of god knows how much on Pennant and Bellamy this summer.

 

thing is though, its so easy to say that, but not easy to bring into practise. Like this summer - we needed 2 strikers, that was a definite. SO, it left us with little dosh for everything else the team needed. Benitez wanted Alves (who is class), but he'd have cost double what Pennant cost, and he simply didnt have the money - it really is that simple sometimes I'm afraid!  It;s so easy to say he needs to be more ambitious, whats he to do? It costs. And when you also need so many other players, you have to juggle the money. We ain't all got it easy like Chelsea you know

 

This summer he could have bought Kuyt and Alves. And I tell you what - all hell would have broke loose, the fans would have been stamping their little feet cos he'd have left us short on forwards. So he did what he had to do, not buy Alves, and buy Bellamy and Pennant,

 

And the likes of Alonso, Agger, Kuyt, Reina, Sissoko - are of the calibre. What Liverpool desperatly need is a couple plaeyrs who can change a game in an instant, players with a bit of magic, but they also happen to be the most costly.  Bellamy I have no problem with, at 6 mill he was a good player to grab as the 2nd striker we needed. 

 

 

 

It's not easy, no. But he is a good manager - Who knows a lot more about who is out there than me - I think he could have managed better. 

 

Looking at the 3 big summer signings:

Kuyt = £10m

Bellamy = £6m

Pennant = £7m

 

£23m available - He's spent it on one player who is hardly going to get off the bench unless there is an injury crisis (Like at the moment, granted) as well as two forwards when you already have a decent one. Why not go for someone who could make a real difference - I presume Alves (Don't know much about him) for £12m or so, then you have £11m for the two forwards that you apparently needed. You could have still signed Bellamy - Would it have been that bad to have been left with Alves and another forward of similar calibre and someone who cost a similar fee instead of Kuyt and Pennant? Or Alves and a better forward (Perhaps Kuyt) and someone very much in the backup category, and play Crouch. When you have that much money to spend (Which is a LOT for everyone bar Chelsea) there is a lot of room to maneuver, I don't think he has done as well as he could. Too much squad building, not enough 11 improving.

 

 

[Delima]

Reina has a bit of the Bramble gene for me only not affected as much, ie one minute he is fantastic the next he has a shocker!

 

As someone said, a bit of the David James about him. Given has his faults but he still consistantly performs to a very high standard and I have 110% confidence in him every game which I couldn't say i would with Reina if I was a pool fan.

 

Streets ahead is just a stupid comment! Its like me saying Parker is streets ahead of Gerrard FFS!

 

I don't think Reina is better than given, just like I don't think Dudek is better than Harper. Had a stupid arguement with some pool fans a while ago on the merits of Dudek and Harper  bluedead.gif bluedead.gif bluedead.gif

 

However as much as I think Given is better, you can't deny that Reina is a very good/excellent keeper too. He has a few dodgy moments but they are far and between (like Harper's mistake against Alonso), unlike those of Calamity James, Poor Robinson, Dudek, Barthez and Howard (minus Everton year and Man U 1st year).

 

It, however, would be interesting to see what Benitez would do if Carson (yet another smashing purchase) continues his developement.

[Syrette]

Reina has had one dodgy spell (which was as much to do with the poor defending in front of him from players who should know better!), I dont know what people are thinking of He's had 8 clean sheets in his last 9 games or summet now, and making key saves all along the way, and is looking just as he did last year. He's a superb young goalie. Only Cech and Van Der Sar would give him a run for his money in this league. Given is good, but you wont find a flock of Liverpool fans wanting him here.

 

Anyway, time for me to go now, speak to you good folks soon bluecool.gif

 

You've got a good defence in front of him. We haven't. Simple.

[Parky]

If they don't make the CL this year, then Benny will be out on his ear.