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Rodgers must master art of persuasion for these top targets

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WHEN you aren’t in the Champions League, signing Champions League quality players is difficult.

Luis Suarez aside, Liverpool have failed to accomplish this feat since Rafa Benitez left the club and now this challenge is Brendan Rodgers’ responsibility.

Two players who currently play for Champions League clubs have been repeatedly linked with Liverpool and while neither is the finished article, both players have qualities that Liverpool are in desperate need of. They are of course, Daniel Sturridge and Theo Walcott, and right now they are probably the best options that Liverpool have in the forthcoming January transfer window. The potential addition of the pair of England forwards seems possible and is exciting, but can Brendan Rodgers get them to Anfield?

Walcott has had as many downs as ups at Arsenal over the past 6 years and frustratingly for the Gunners, remains a work in progress. Sturridge meanwhile, has found his opportunities to be limited during his entire time at Chelsea, barring a brief fruitful spell under Andre Villas-Boas. So should Liverpool really be looking to shell out upwards of £25m on the two England internationals? Undoubtedly, yes.

The main flaw in the current squad at Anfield is plainly obvious to even the casual football observer: Liverpool lack goals. There is no doubting that Walcott and Sturridge can offer a solution in this respect. Both have got decent returns for their clubs when given a run in their respective club sides and both offer a greater goal return than the likes of the inexperienced Suso and Raheem Sterling who have played in attacking roles for the Reds this season.

When you throw in the fact that both Walcott and Sturridge seem attainable targets for the Reds, neither will require a ‘settling in period’ to the Premier League, that they each are yet to enter their prime years as footballers and therefore both offer decent ‘sell on value’ unlike Stewart Downing or Andy Carroll, it seems fairly open and shut as to whether Liverpool should look to push the boat out for them. However, there is one main obstacle that stands in the way of Brendan Rodgers outside of potential wage demands and transfer fees: both players prefer to play in the position currently occupied by Luis Suarez.

Walcott and Sturridge have made no secret of their desire to play as central strikers for their London based sides and have grown frustrated at their lack of opportunities to lead the line for their teams. Without wanting to sound harsh, the notion of shifting Suarez out to a wider position to accommodate Sturridge or Walcott is simply not going to happen should they join the ranks at Anfield.
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Suarez is the leading goalscorer in the Premier League right now and is playing the best football in his time in England. Why would Rodgers want to risk anything where the Uruguayan is concerned? He could play wide in a front three of course, but his manager’s recent comments indicate that he is more concerned with increasing his side’s goal output from other positions on the field, namely the wide forward berths. If Suarez ain’t broke, don’t switch him.

Assuming that Liverpool’s reported interest in the English pair is genuine (it certainly seems to be), then it would seem that Rodgers must find a way of convincing the two young forwards that they can both flourish at Anfield, even if they are not guaranteed to play centrally every game. Walcott and Sturridge can both occupy any of the three forward positions that Rodgers uses in his preferred 4-3-3 system and while neither player is world class (right now, at least), adding them to a group of forward players that already includes Luis Suarez, Fabio Borini, and Raheem Sterling would be an exciting proposition.

Flexibility would be at Rodgers disposal and the depth that that group would have on paper is extremely enticing. The manager would essentially have five international players who can all play centrally or wide to good effect, and even rotate during games. It would be a collection of forwards that, on paper, would outdo any that Liverpool have had since Gerard Houllier had Fowler, Heskey, Owen and Litmanen in his ranks.

If Rodgers is able to convince Sturridge and Walcott that they will be afforded to start games or rotate in games, in a central position often enough to satisfy them and make it clear that as wide forwards they would both be invaluable, then Liverpool could have two excellent additions this January, that would potentially add the much needed knock out power to the side in the form of goals. Sturridge scored a lot of goals from a wide right position under Villas-Boas and Walcott this season has netted ten times, mainly from a similar position for Arsenal. If they had been flanking Luis Suarez this season instead of players like Sterling, Enrique and Suso, Liverpool would probably be a lot higher up the table.

Front players these days have to be flexible and able to occupy various positions on the field (ask Luis Suarez who often plays in a wide position for his country despite his incredible talent and reputation as a central forward) and if Brendan Rodgers can persuade Walcott and Sturridge to embrace their versatility and snap them up this January then Liverpool’s lack of goals may be a thing of the past.

If Liverpool are serious about getting back into the Champions League as soon as possible then they must act this January. Two obvious and attainable targets are out there waiting to be snapped up. It is imperative that Liverpool strike immediately.
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39 comments

  • David says:

    I’ve seen quite a bit of Sturridge and Walcott and am yet be to convinced they’re as good as the English make them out to be.
    I don’t understand our pursuit of these two overpriced prima-donnas.
    And I have serious reservations about our poor judgment in the transfer market.

    • Ozred says:

      Your right. We should buy Rooney aguero and van persy. We can pay for them with monopoly money.

      • David says:

        Remind us again how much ‘monopoly’ money we blew during our last orgy on english ‘talent’ under Kenny?
        How did that turn out for you? Or have you conveniently forgotten?

        Bottom line is we can get better value elsewhere.
        Swansea took our 15m for Joe Allen and went shopping in Spain.
        Michu (2m), Pablo Hernandez (5.5m), KI (5m), Chico Flores (2m).

        All those players have improved their team and Michu is currently joint top scorer!!
        How can that be?

        Swansea play a very similar style to us, and they managed to find maximum value for their money.

        I suggest you look at the table and ask yourself why so many teams sit above us…

        • godzilla says:

          so many teams are above us for either 1 of these 2 reasons ( or both )

          1 . they have decent manager , we dont
          2 . they have spent more money , therefore have better players

        • Ozred says:

          Not one of the players you’ve mentioned would start for us. Im shattered about the waste under Kenny as we all are. But all we can do is look forward. It seems odd that most in here want to sell more than buy. We are already very light on in depth so have very little scope to sell further. I’d like to see more quality come in as well but Walcott and sturridge are far better buys than the plunkers Swansea have brought in.

          1. We have to be able to afford them.
          2, they have to want to come here.
          3, they have to be class.

        • shRED says:

          spot on on there David, Europe’s where talent is at. British players are always overpriced. Swansea did some top business, i still can’t believe the money they paid for michu and hernandez, they ooze quality
          if they were british i could only imagine the price tag. If joe allen was from germany or spain he would probably cost less than 4 million.
          i wonder what his pass rate is now, 15 million was such a waste on him

        • Bernie says:

          I would have any of those swans in a straight swap for Joe Allen – Swansea really did well out of us

          LAUGHING ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK

      • Chan says:

        These 2 players are British and from experience, they tend to be overated and overpriced both by the players themselves and some managers or ex-managers. If reports are true (and i believe they are) Sturiddge demanded 80k/week and guaranteed central position. Well can he guarantee goals then? If he does not score enough, can the club have his wages back? Get my point?

        Swansea with Michu and Newcastle with Ba and Cisse are just some examples where real talent can be acquired with reasonable cost.

        Do we want a KD Mark 2? If not, look beyond the players passport and do not repeat the mistakes of KD. This man cavaliers approach with the clubs money had set us back for years, do we want more of this?

  • David says:

    ‘£25m on the two England internationals? Undoubtedly, yes.’ LOL

    Chelsea don’t believe Sturridge is good enough, so why are we buying their rejects again?
    Didn’t we learn our Joe Cole lesson?

    Walcott wants huge wages, yet I doubt his goal return will warrant that outlay… so how is that a good deal for us?

    If we spend 25m on those two, plus their high wage demands, someone needs to seriously be fired, (again)…. surly we cant be that stupid in the transfer market again.

    • Ozred says:

      Goal return??? He’d be in the top 3 for eng clubs for time on ground per goal… Can’t believe were complaining about Walcott as a target. It’s all Rogers fault

    • Chan says:

      Yes David, there must be a reason that both these clubs steadfastly refuse to play them in that position. If they are so good, why there are not playing there already?

  • Elias says:

    English players dont give a consistent form so we need players from abroad eg bafetemi gomis ,traore and goal scoring midfielder benat for english prayers we have to raise them our selves and not buy them for 10 million more

  • Jack The Lad says:

    I wouldn’t mind Sturridge if we got him for 8 mil but Walcott doesn’t offer much barring his pace.

  • Jake says:

    Sturridge and Walcott are both good strikers that will undoubtedly improve Liverpool’s performance.
    If Liverpool want to reach the top four then it is what Rodgers should focus in January.

  • Sammy says:

    if we can get Walcott YES ,
    Sturridge is not good enough and he loves himself , not a good character
    I dont think we will get any top players however – without a decent manager in place

    • Chan says:

      Yes, i always said, get the right manager, the players would come. Right now that is not the case with LFC.

  • David says:

    Hang on, I’m curious here. Don’t we already have two England internationals on our books?

    Joe Cole and Stewart Downing, already here on big dollars? Why aren’t we using them?
    Oh thats right… not good enough !!!

    So, we’re replacing 2 substandard English forwards with… 2 newer English forwards, and suddenly our problem will be fixed ??
    Makes perfect sense… LOL

    If you truly understood the nature of our problem, you wouldn’t be advocating more English players. That IS the problem.

    The sad fact is most are not good enough, irrespective of the hype.

    • Chan says:

      Yes, think about it, SD is a reject for us and featured in the England squad. No wonder England had not acheive anything for years, and now we want more of these substandard players? Apart from Rooney, Johnson and Gerrard who else is good enough?

  • makx says:

    Sturridge nd walcott my a**! Y dnt we go 4 spanish players, they r gud nd they come cheap. I dnt know why we keep buying english players 4 large amount nd they dnt play anytin. Go to spain or germany nd bring players. YNWA

    • CStars says:

      I could see the benefit of Walcott coming to stretch the play and continue developing at a passing side as an undoubted first team player but he wants to play as striker. He’s best as a forward and should look to the output and impact of Ribery, Ronaldo and Robben instead of believing he’s a striker.

      Lots of financially viable and better options in La Liga, Bundesliga and Eredivisie. Let’s see what happens.

  • David Tyrer says:

    I totally agree Dave. We haven’t had a manage with the same ‘pull’ as Rafa since, well…. Rafa. That, essentially, is what I wanted him back so much.

    A major coup is required from FSG and Rodgers in January to re-affirm faith and we can kick on from there, hopefully.

    • SAM CHARLES says:

      if not we are finished as so called top club in this country, its high time we recruited well and went for better quality players and now, leave the talk at the door fsg and mtr ayrejust get on with it

  • simon says:

    Walcott would be a great signing , but he wont come
    Sturridge would come ( if we paid him lots) , but he is not good enough

    • TaintlessRed says:

      I agree, if Walcott is merely holding out for a higher wage at Arsenal, little chance he’ll come. If he truly wants to play only as a central striker, then even less chance he’ll come as he’s never gonna displace Luis. I just hope his support of Liverpool, which he’s gone on record a number of times as saying, gives us a little bit of a chance of getting him. He’s still got improving to do but is much better than our alternatives. Sturridge is a good finisher but too selfish for my liking and doesn’t play with his head up.

  • wesker says:

    That fool Rodgers should concentrate on persuading Sterling to sign , instead of pushing him away by insulting him

    • CStars says:

      He didn’t insult him Wesker. Look at the context. I think Rodgers is doing what he can but you’re right, Sterling is a higher priority than either of these two.

      He’s a more intelligent player and tracks back better than either Sturridge or Walcott.

  • babyface says:

    Rodgers is handling the whole Sterling affair disastrously , i dont think Sterling will sign with Rodgers in charge
    Come to think of it , what hasnt Rodgers handled disastrously since his appointment ?

    • Ozred says:

      Yea. He shOuld be shot for putting the trust into a 17 yo to play every week and provide him with the opportunity tO play consistently. Even though sterling has repaid the faith with 1 goal… Shocking Rogers…

  • Suarez the game he’s playing for Liverpool i never saw any Epl strikers doing that of penetrating inside the box dribbling defenders over defenders it’s becoming a bit more complicated and difficult for him to score goals even for Messi his task is to got at least one opponents infront of him as he had already done that even Rvp,Ba,Rooney scored like this Rodger have to bring players who can contribute in his game and so on

  • SAM CHARLES says:

    Enough is enough.

    For how much longer are we going to keep Joe Cole, Downing.

    I can handle these stupid loan deals of players for whihc we no are just average and are not going to make it! they can at the very most drag on until the summer.

    But we have to start selling – giving these crap players away and quick smart.

    Id like to see and the club needs the wages gone and of the books for these two players – COLE & DOWNING.

    Id sell WILSON in jan as well.

    Id even rid of DOWNING just in order to get rid of COLE, he is a problem for me, his wages are far to high, and he is sh*** and his kegs are gone, but no club is going to even pay him 50% of what he is on now!!! thats the problem, so i would make him a free and release him and then if we have to pay him of with some of the DOWNING money.

    Hit two birds with stone, all right it will mean we have lost much money on the downing sale, but again who in there right mind will pay over 8 mill for that crap player, no one!

    At the best we sell downing for 8.5 mill and use that to pay cole of with around 5 mill left over.

    Then the wage bill can then give that to better players that we are bringing in, it makes for good business in the long run.

    summer sell and get out-
    spearing, doni gk, carroll, sahin – give back to that fucking club in madrid – hate real madrid so bad

    7 out and then we needs in jan and in the summer a total of 5 new better quality players, no more shite coming in please?

  • SAM CHARLES says:

    OUT-

    DOWNING
    COLE
    DONI GK
    WILSON
    CARROLL
    SPEARING
    SAHIN – BACK TO REAL MADRID NOT GOOD ENOUGH!

    DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY THAT ABOVE LIST REGARDS WAGES WE COUL SAVE ON AND THEN GIVE THOSE WAGES TO REAL BETTER QUALITY PLAYERS!!!

    THAT LIST ABOVE IS COSTING US MORE THEN £410,000 A WEEK NOW THAT IS JUST CRAZY WAGES, ID RATHER GIVE THAT TO A CAVANI, DO YOU SEE HOW BAD WE ARE BEING RUN AS A CLUB?????

    • Ozred says:

      With a mind like that I’m surprised they haven’t offerred you the gig… Move on another 7 blokes from an already shallow squad and replace with one guy who has never performed in the pl…

    • Bernie says:

      I agree Sam – good call .
      More Quality please less rubbish like Allen Borini and Assaidi – 28m worth of crap , We could have 1 top top player for 28m

  • SAM CHARLES says:

    REINA
    JOHNSON SKRTEL AGGER ENRIQUE

    ALONSO LUCUS GERRARD

    C,ERIKSEN

    SUAREZ CAVANI

    • simon says:

      Good team that but ….. come on ,the state we are in Cavani + Eriksson wouldn’t think about joining us

      We need to sell Allen too – he is the worst most negative player i have ever seen in a reds shirt , Also get rid of Downing Sahin Borini Cole Doni and Assaidi

  • big B says:

    B. Rogers knowledge of the transfer mkt is nothing to write home about, he needs to sort it out.his network of scouts seems limited.

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