Maxi Rodriguez has been the epitome of inconsistency since his arrival at Anfield in January 2010.
It seems as though Maxi’s form coincides with the way in which the team perform. When Liverpool are playing well, the Argentinean impresses, however, on the other hand, when the Reds are struggling, Maxi is an anonymous figure on the pitch.
He has undoubtedly performed at a higher level this season than the last six months of last season and has given us some memorable moments in the meantime, not least his last minute winner at Bolton. However, despite that, Maxi has still to hit the form we know he is capable of performing at, often frustrating Reds fans along the way with his generally lackadaisical wing play.
Nobody can complain at the fact that just over 14 months ago Liverpool didn’t pay a penny for the services of a player who has been capped 41 times by his country and had previously made well in excess of 200 appearances in Spain’s top division for both Espanyol and Atletico Madrid. Nevertheless, Rodriguez earns a pretty hefty weekly wage and you can only help but feel that if he is not pulling his weight in a Liverpool shirt, the board would be more than happy to get him off the bulky wage bill.
Maxi has the necessary experience required to handle the tough demands of Premier League football, however, it remains to be seen whether the Argentinean has the ability and fitness to keep up with the speed and power of top flight English football.
INTRODUCING THE WINDOWS PHONE 7!
Opinions are mixed on the midfielder. With most fans, feelings are a bit hit and miss; some love him and think he merits a place in the Liverpool team, whereas some would rather see him warm the bench until he is shown the door in the summer.
For me, he is worth his place in the squad. He would be an effective substitute in tight games in which we are struggling to create chances. If, as expected in the summer, Dalglish delves into the transfer market for a quality winger or two, I can see Maxi having a battle on his hands to get any game time under his belt at Anfield but if he takes his chance when they come he could provide the type of competition that may drive us onto success.
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He’s no worse than Cole and a hundred times better than Poulson.
Agreed Bill, deffo keep Maxi and ship Cole and Poulsen out – awful, awful players. I never agreed with the cole transfer in the first place – sell him for £5m and pay someone to take Poulsen off our hands.
While we’re at it, tell Konchesky to do one innall.
…. and get Aquilani back in and give him a season to prove himself
I agree, but all three can do no worse than young Pacheco, who I feel can do better than all three combined! Love the King, but as a club embassador last year and his involvement with the youth teams last year, I really don’t understand his decision in not playing Pacheco even for a bit, yet he uses the light weight Jonjo who’s probably not even as good as Bruna or Morgan for goodness sake. Sell Maxi and his pals Cole, Poulsen, Aqauilani, Jovanovic, Insua, Skrtel, Ngog and Konchesky and play some of the youngsters in those positions! Less of a wage bill and would give more effort! Add Adam, Izzaquire, Park Chu Young, Brunt/Young to the mix and we’ll be 100000% better for the run next season
Sorry but time’s up for this fella. Maxi is 30 and is just past his prime. I don’t doubt his skills and ability but it just seems as if he’s no longer going to be able to cope with the physical demands of the Premier League. He is a smart player who passes well and is good in possession but as a winger he has no pace, no guile and no penetration. The fact that he no longer has the ability, speed and fitness to keep up with the physicality of English football is showing. A few years ago I would take him but at 30 he’s past his best and it’s better for him to go in the summer. The Spanish or Italian leagues where the pace is slower would suit him more. I like him as a player and I have no doubts as to his quality but he’s not the kind of player that can move the club forward largely because of the fact that he’s past it.
I don’t even want to see him warming the bench as he is just taking away opportunities for us to develop younger players that may actually have a future at a successful LFC. The guy is not inconsistent – he is consistently rubbish! All he does is hang around the penalty box waiting to take pot shots, while offering absolutely no width or creativity to the team. Players of his age/experience and on his wages should be leading the team forwards, not just being carried along as mere passengers!
I’d much rather see Pacheco and Suso getting his game time, so that they can get used to Premiership football in advance of being squad players behind a top class forward line next year
Maxi came at the wrong time if we’d have got him 4 years earlier he would have been good. His signing was simply the reality we were in, the anti-Rafa fans always slate him without realising or ignoring he was a FREE! He and Soto are the legacy of those 2 muppets who used to control us, and for everyone’s sake it’s best if he left with our thanks and good wishes to accomadate the new blood (be that signings or Pacheco) we definately need.