BRENDAN Rodgers oversaw a number of transfers in his first window as Liverpool manager, with most dividing the opinion of supporters. Let’s assess how they did in their debut seasons.
Joe Allen
Rodgers’ most coveted transfer was the signature of diminutive Welsh midfielder Joe Allen. Hailed as one of Swansea’s best players in their debut season, the Welshman was added to the squad with the task of demonstrating to others how the theories could be converted into excellence on the pitch. He also represented an ally in the dressing room for the new manager.
Allen began his Anfield career in reasonable fashion being picked as one of the Reds best players in the opening games. This was all the more impressive given the calibre of opposition in the early showdowns this season.
While deputizing for Lucas in the holding role, Allen performed ably but not exceptionally and caused problems for the opposition by harassing players on the ball and remaining calm in possession.
Sadly, this did not prove to be a lasting spell of form. Allen’s displays went from promising bright performances to matches where he struggled to impose himself on the opposing team. Thereafter, his form dropped to levels that were completely unacceptable and at times fans were left wondering how he managed to keep any place in the team at all. His passing became wayward and he rarely threatened in advanced positions.
However, it was revealed later in the season that Allen had been carrying a shoulder injury since November, which was around the time his displays became stagnant. The injury was to rule him out for the end of the campaign which, to make matters worse for the Welshman, was the best period of football the Reds played all season.
While he endured a difficult year, Allen did manage to have moments and games where he performed at a level that is acceptable for a Liverpool player and he did score a couple of goals. He also showed bravery and desire by playing through most of a gruelling season with a shoulder injury. Hopefully, he will not face the same problem next time out and with age on his side there is still plenty of time for him to develop.
Ultimately, Allen was not the metronome dictating the tempo LFC’S were expecting and he certainly did not live up to the “Welsh Xavi” accolade bestowed on him while at Swansea, unless of course you substitute the word ‘Welsh’ for an expletive.
While he amassed 37 games in a red shirt, he didn’t display enough quality overall to suggest that he will definitely prove to be a success. However, Allen can look towards Henderson as an example to emulate next season, after the England Under 21 captain proved that young players can improve after a tough debut campaign.
Fabio Borini
Fabio Borini was another player that Rodgers knew from his previous work. Having seen him at Chelsea and using him to great effect at Swansea in the Championship, Rodgers saw fit to bolster the Reds attacking options with the young Italian.
Borini did not live up to his billing as a player ‘who would excite the fans’ and certainly did live up to the name ‘Fabio Boring’. Indeed after only a handful of games he started to incur the wrath of many fans. Perhaps that was because, as a £11m signing from Roma, too much was expected of the forward too quickly. Fans had read that Borini managed 10 goals for the Giallorossi and hoped he would deliver the same at L4.
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However, like Joe Allen, the Italian had his debut season disrupted by injury and being forced to play in a wide position in a front three rather than his preferred role in the centre, he suffered at times. However, his work rate and passion was a positive even if there were no stand out performance from the young striker.
There are certainly some positive aspects to Borini’s play, he makes intelligent runs quite frequently and if more players spot those next season he may prove more effective. He also has quite a lot of game intelligence, being aware of where he should be tactically and knowing when to get forward or when to defend. His goal against Newcastle was taken very well, albeit punishing an already deflated magpies team.
On the negative side, he ducked out of a number of tackles, though he appeared to rectify that over the course of the season, and he certainly didn’t have any example to point to as proof that he deserves a place in the Liverpool first team.
It would not be fair to pass a verdict on the player on the basis of his Liverpool career to date due to his injury plagued season. The jury is out as to whether he will prove a worthy signing in the end. Again, time is on his side but with Liverpool looking at a number of attacking options for next season, Borini will have his work cut out to gain a place in the team.
Oussama Assaidi
Assaidi was bought at a cheap price after a spectacular season at Herenveen where he managed 10 goals in 29 games. At Liverpool he didn’t even manage to play in half that number in his debut season.
As such there is little to comment on in relation to Assaidi who endured a season on the sidelines. In the Europa League he had moments of class but he was given little chance to showcase his talents on a long-term basis.
Overall, it looks like Assaidi may well have a brief stay at Anfield and the rumours that Brendan Rodgers did not want the Moroccan winger appear to be well founded given the lack of playing time afforded to the player.
Nuri Sahin
The Real Madrid man and former player of the year in Germany was my tip to be a Kop hit this season. That prediction did not bear fruition as Sahin didn’t even manage to stay for the duration of his loan period.
He seemed fairly settled to begin with without ever truly demonstrating the attributes that made him so well respected in Germany and a much sought after prospect. However, he did provide some memorable moments with couple of goals against West Brom in the Carling Cup.
Barely 3 days later, the Turkish midfielder looked to have discovered his talents as he helped himself to a goal and turned provider with two assists in the 5-2 victory over Norwich. That was to prove a false dawn for the number 4 however, as his role became more limited in Brendan Rodgers plans.
After half a season and 12 games of football, Sahin’s Liverpool career ended with a quick bashing of heads between representatives at Real Madrid, Liverpool and Dortmund to gift the midfielder a return to the club where he made his reputation.
What looked like a coup at the end of the transfer window, ended up being a fairly mundane signing by the time Sahin departed L4. Brendan Rodgers felt the wrath of the Turk after Sahin moved back to Dortmund accusing the Liverpool manager of stifling his career by playing him out of position.
So the signings of summer 2012 didn’t register on the scale of great debut seasons and with one player already gone and another potentially in the wilderness, it’s fair to say that the business done in Brendan Rodgers’ first transfer window in charge was poor.
We’ll be hoping that this trick isn’t repeated this year and that Rodgers conjures up some signings who we’ll be singing the praises of this time next year. And perhaps with hard work and some better fortune, Allen and Borini will manage to reignite their careers with a Liver bird on their chest.
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joe allen flopped, borini has an injury record, cant say of assaidi cos he wasnt given the chance.
Absolutely awful . Worst summer ever for transfers. The only quality player we brought in was Sahin , and Rodgers mis-used him. We must do better this summer
Borini and Allen are going to come good. First seasons playing in a new team, and for one of them in a new league coming from an Italian league where the play very slow and very much more tactical. Injuries have not helped them, but both have showed signs of potential. I do think the money spent on Allen could have bought us a better more complete player, that is bigger and stronger not sure if that sort of player is around that we can attract in our current situation being without CL football for 4 years and not threatening to qualify to date. Hopefully Brenda could change that coming season.
Borini only played 1 seasonin italy. His last 7 years were in England , so poor excuse and he looked rubbish even before he got injured
Borini’s 7 years in England were in the reserves and in the championship, big difference when compared to the Premier League. 1 season in a slow paced league can have an affect on the players mental approach to the game which can take time to come up to speed. Yes I must say he wasn’t that good before he got injured, but did still make some intelligent runs without being found or given the ball by team-mates. It was his first season in the PL, he still can and I think will come good. He is no Drogba, but Dastardly Didi, was awful at times in his first season having played 41 games for about 16 goals; it takes time for some players to settle. I think Borini, once he has put some muscle on his bone, which he himself has admitted that he need to gain physical strength. He may never be as good as Drogba but if he comes half as good we would have a decent player. The potential is their, and if he comes good, many fans like you wont mid saying we always knew he would come good.
Injuries ? Come on . Quit makin excuses . They weren’t good enough
Allen is one of the worst players I’ve seen play for pool. Too weak , lightweight and negative…its no surprise that we improvedso much when the wimp was injured. He is like his manager…a small club player
Borini ? There is some potential there…but he can’t be given many more chances without producing
Assaidi is not good enough…not a premier league player at all
You’re some dope! Allen was excellent in the earlier games before he got injured. He then played in Lucas’ position which is not his natural position. He played through an injury for most of the season because Liverpool were short in midfield. He’s only 23 and even Didi Hamman and many other players in the game can see his ability. You’re just another one of the modern day ‘supporters’ who ignore all reason and spouts all the blind knee jerk rubbish.
Ha ha ha ha . Get a clue you clown . Allen was never excellent …unless you call passing 5 yards sideways excellent.
And playing in Lucas position ? Guess what ? That’s where he played for Swansea. And injury ? Your having a laugh. The little wimp had ‘some discomfort’ not injured. Check the facts before writing rubbish
Spot on
Assaidi looked better than Borini did, imo.Then again I also believe Carrol is a better option than Borini.
Complete waste of money. A shambles, a novice manager and non-football fans in charge like FSG so what do you expect. An absolute shower!
It was the summer of madness !
Big mistake sacking Kenny and replacing him with inept Rodgers
And then 30 plus million wasted on players that are not Liverpool standard
Rodgers spends 30 million on three young players who have potential and you lambast him. Kenny spends 35million on one huge flop, not to mention his other multi million pound flops and you defend him!!??
That reeks of stupidity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dalglish is never a manager and never was!
Lol, Check his Cv as A manager, is it becoming clear now? Where do so called fans like you come from?.
Allen isn’t the best player i’ve seen play for lfc but he’s far from the worst.
Poulson, cole, spearing,traore, carroll ?
Give him another season as a bit part player and see if he improves, we gave spearing and henderson a chance afterall
Allen might not technically be the worst . But I’ve never seen a player have such a negative effect on a team
When he played , we passed sideways ans backwards. Our attacks were slow and we were really boring
Difficult to choose between last summer and2002 as our worst ever. 2002 we wasted all our budget on dross : diouf diao cheyrou and some other no mark = 22m
2012 – all 4 signInge were an utter waste too – 35m .
There is no hope for Allen Borini or assaidi , none of them are any good . Why oh why didn’t he use Sahin ? Shocking management
Allen is notgood enough,borini can still prove his worth, assaidi lack quality to play for a club like liverpool.
None of them are Liverpool quality , It’s no wonder we had such a poor season , at least now the transfer committee is in charge as BR cannot be trusted .
Difficult to say anything good about last summer. Rodgers then Allen , AssadI , Borini and sahin, none of them are good enough. Disaster of a transfer window ,this year must do better
Out of all them Sahin actually did the best , so why was he got rid of and the other 3 dopes kept. Sahin 3 goals 2 assists. The other 3 dopes had 3 goals 0 assist between the three of them. ??? Does Brenda have a clue ? No
35 million totally wasted plus whatever we paid for Rodgers wasted too. Nightmare summer
Allen is the biggest water of money ever. At least we got some performances and money back for Carroll . Allen offers nothing
It was a wasted summer. Hopefully , with a transfer comitee we won’t allow Rogers Rodger LFC with more of his transfers. Allen? Ask laudrup who was shocked we paid that much!
Anyway, lets hope we do better this year. If luis goes, we can’t afford to waste more money in championship players. Got enough as it is. Allen, asaidi, downing (I’m looking at you) .