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Liverpool’s Current Handling Of Coates Is ‘Forren’ To Me

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THE internet was awash with news that an unknown (at least to 99.9% of us) Norwegian centre-half was due to arrive on Merseyside for a week-long trial with Liverpool on Monday.

It struck me as amusing as much as anything that, despite all the rumours of this and that player arriving in January, Liverpool were still able to sneak nobodies in under the radar. But despite my amusement, I was still intrigued.

After a little bit more information filtered through, I have to say, I was slightly confused.

Here was Vegard Forren, a 24 year old Norwegian, with over 100 appearances in his homeland and 5 caps for his country, and Liverpool were offering him a trial. Aren’t trials usually reserved for clubs to get a closer look at a young kid, who they may not be able to scout extensively, because of a lack of football at those young ages?

As a big fan of Seb Coates my first thoughts were with him. Namely, what was to become of him? With news recently that Rodgers was looking at offering Carragher a new contract, all implications were that Coates would be the odd man out.

These fears seemed to prove true, as the plan was to loan Coates out. Which made me wonder: what the bloody hell is the point in that?

I mean, here is a 22 year old Uruguayan centre-back, with twice as many caps for a much stronger nation and over 20 appearances for Liverpool over the past 18 months. Therefore, does it really make sense to loan him out and then ‘splash out’ £4 million on somebody simply to replace him as our 4th choice centre-back? Not in the slightest.
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It now appears that Forren has decided that the idea of a trial at Liverpool is a bit beneath him anyway and has now opted to travel to Southampton. To use that popular British press turn of phrase – they have ‘gazumped’ us, as the prospect of a permanent deal and more regular first-team games have swayed him, which may well turn out better for the club long-term.

The reason for this are two-fold. 1) If a 24 year old international requires a trial then the club can’t be convinced of his quality which means that 2) either our scouting network didn’t do their job properly, or just aren’t very good. So Southampton may well have saved us a bit of wasted money and even more embarrassment in the transfer market.

Either way, I’d much rather keep the money, thank you very much. That £4 million could be much better off being put toward a player with either first-team prospects, or the prospect of being a first-teamer in a year or two, not somebody who will simply pad out a squad that already has 4 top-quality centre-backs (not to mention Kelly and Wisdom, who are also natural CB’s). I mean, of all the positions at Liverpool Football Club, the only one that doesn’t need strengthening (at least for me) is central defence.

In the meantime, despite Carragher’s undoubted service and legend status at the club, I would suggest bumping Coates up to 3rd choice centre-back. Because the prospect of losing such an elegant, talented – not to mention tall – defender is one which I find hard to stomach, particularly when Jamie is coming toward the last 12-18 months of his playing career. And if this means giving the Uruguayan more game time, then so be it.
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I'm a 32 year old Liverpool fan, living in the heart of the City Centre. I've supported the club since the day I was born and have been writing articles for L4L for over 3 years, writing close over 350 articles in that time. My favorite player of the past generation is Sami Hyypia.

I am the current editor for L4L, with my day job being in R&D for the NHS.

25 comments

  • Chips says:

    Totally agree with you. IMO our D Link needs a very strong somebody that’s where our problems still show. You can have a strong defense but if Defensive midfield gets bullied by opponents then the defence is exposed. They are unlikely to be able to defend for 90 mins without making mistakes.

    • Chan says:

      I totally agrees with the author and it does not make sense for us to move for a CB with us having Coates.

      Then again does any of BR actions seems to make sense or reek of intelligence?

      There was an article here not too long ago singing praises of BR spposedly for his “great man management” and his ability to “turn around” players like Downing and Enrique. Anyone who watches the Manure game would be quick to noticed that Downing is back to his usual incompetent self after some decent but not great games. Enrique is injured, end of story.

      Coates is a talent, plays for Uruguay the South American Champs and yet BR sees fit to loan him out and THEN comtemplates dishing out 4 mill of the CLUB’s money for a replacement.

      BR is a disaster for LFC and yet there are a few of us who thinks he is the best thing that happens to us since the great Shanks.

      Along with KD, BR must be FSG greatest blunder of all time. A compliant yet hugely incompetent manager.

      • simon says:

        its good to see you back on here Chan . Your points are always well made from a knowledgeable perspective . I agree nearly fully with all your thoughts expect KD , you are always unfair and disrespectful about him .
        I dont believe the transfer fees were his fault , and even IF everything was his fault , he deserves forgiveness for all he has done for LFC both on and off the pitch

  • Brad says:

    We didn’t get “gazumped” on Forren. Soton made an offer and Rodgers told Molde to take it, we aren’t likely to sign him. His agent was shopping him around and we agreed to have a look-nothing sinister there.

    Agree we should keep Coates but a loan move for games is a good idea. You don’t really rotate your center backs and Coates needs games. If one of Agger and Skrtel gets injured then Coates gets gametime.

    • Towson Tom says:

      Agree with what you say but having only seen the clips Forren looks like he has the potential to be a very good defensive midfield player. He reads the game well and can pass the ball well a bit like Adam only much much better.

    • Chan says:

      Brad, we don’t buy it, if we have no intention to sign him, why waste time looking at him? What kind of message are we sending to players like Coates?

  • stevieG says:

    I expect Coates to go, and Rodgers will probably sign his old mate Ashley Williams in the summer, who Rodgers described as ‘one of the best footballing centre backs in the world ‘ . sheer nonsense

    Will someone get rid of this abomination of a manager, before he makes us worse than he already has

    • Towson Tom says:

      Totally agree, Joe Allen isn’t good enough for the P.L. and how lucky were we to miss out on the two that went to Spurs!

  • andy says:

    Rodgers is already saying that he wants to get games for Coates which means a loan, however, he also said he can’t weaken the squad which means he wants someone in first I assume. But never likely to pay 4.5m for this bloke.

  • He should use Coates as a central midfielder where we seriously lack a physical presence, other clubs are doing it now, Feillani, Y Toure, Diame etc. Coates is good on the ball and his scissor kick goal last season proves that he has real ability, he can pass & tackle. If he is sold its yet another wasted talent, another wasted career. Lets face it he deserves a chance as neither Lucas or Allen are making any difference in that role.

  • simon says:

    Wanting to take a 24 yearold experienced international on trial is insulting and cheap bad management .

    Doesnt Rodgers have scouts ? Why didnt he go watch the guy if he was interested in him ??????

    We dont need defenders anyway , we need to replace Allen and another striker . What is this management playing at ? incompetent

    • Chan says:

      Just like their boss, our scouts are just as incompetent. I mean BR can’t have intelligent people around, it makes him looks bad.

  • Greg says:

    another case of poor management and rodgers attempting to waste more of our money on players we dont need

  • Big Will says:

    I am a norwegian L1pool fan. I have seen this guy growing from a nobody into one of the absolutly best defenders in Norwegian league over the past 2 years. He is now the most preferred partner with Hangeland (Fullams captain)in the Norwegian national team and a very strong player. He has not yet become the player that can compare to Agger, but he has a lot of qualities, and if hes rapid development continues he deffently could be able to replace someone like Skrtel in a coupple of years. He Is also a very strong header of the ball and will bring 3-5 goals from corners a season to the table as well.

    • TaintlessRed says:

      Thanks for the insight Will. Appreciate it. Personally I feel Coates should be our 3rd choice centre half (although Carra has played well when given the chance). I saw all Sebs games in Copa America and he was immense, both in the air and on the ground. Given Skrtle’s penchant for mistakes, I believe giving Sen the odd game in the Premier League is a good idea. If he had played as part of a back 3 against Stoke we might be got something from the game – but Rodgers simply is unable to get his team selection right.

    • Jimmy Areabi (Editor) says:

      Thanks for your insight Big Will, it’s great to get a view from someone native to the player in question.

    • Chan says:

      You migh be right Big Will but we ALREADY have a very good CB in Coates and defense is not our weak link now.

      Forren could could be very good but these days 4 mill seems a lot of money to FSG who can’t pay 6 mill for a proven striker and BR intends to shell out that amount for a bench warmer.

      Point is this is not what we need right now Will and as usual BR is an Idiot not to realise this.

  • victor says:

    i so love wat u guys hav said. I tink is high tym BR seat and mak a rethink on som of his decisions or even pray and God wud help him. We wud regret it jst as we re doin over Tom Ince if we allow coates go. D guy is too gud to b missd in d nearest future, am so surprised too carra being high in d pecking order dan coates. Remember, BR b4 u mak a mistak, we hav d FA cup, Europa and d league to still play, so, d services of coates wud b highly needed. Tink abt it and ship allen bak to werever as has been don to sahin cos he is no use to us

  • frank says:

    Why we lost to MU was because BR DID NOT THINK STRAIGHT. jOE Allen WAS RUBBISH. DS should have been given first choice instead of RS ( Who , by the way is only good in getting free kicks because of his falling down so easily ).
    COME ON, give COATES MORE PLAYING TIME — HE IS WORLD CLASS AT ONLY 22 YEARS OLD !!!

  • fotheringham says:

    Coates should stay . Rodgers should go

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