I am not totally surprised that Liverpool are being linked with Aston Villa’s Stephen Warnock. A talented left back, the 29 year old is perhaps the only player to come through the Reds youth ranks over the last decade that has gone on to perform at the highest level in the Premier Leagye. Some Liverpool fans regretted Rafa Benitez’s decision to sell him to Blackburn Rovers back in 2007, but at the time we already had two class left backs in John Arne Riise and Fabio Aurelio. Only two years later though, with the departure of Riise to Roma, the signing of flop Andrea Dossena and the injury problems of Aurelio, we would have surely taken him back after his successful spell at Blackburn Rovers.
He signed for Aston Villa in the 2009 transfer window though and his first six months at the club were probably the most successful in his career. He made his debut against Birmingham City in a new look defence alongside Richard Dunne and James Collins, and helped his new Villa side to a 1-0 win away at St Andrews. He became a regular fixture at left back, with Nicky Shorey becoming his back-up, and he scored his first goal for Villa against his old club Blackburn Rovers in the the second leg of the League Cup semi final which ended in a 6-4 victory to the Birmingham club. His form got him into the reckoning for a squad place for last year’s World Cup, and he got the nod ahead of Leighton Baines in the final 23 man squad by Fabio Capello.
Last summer was certainly a career high for the defender then, but currently he is going through one of the lowest periods in his career. After former Reds boss Gerard Houllier’s arrival as Villa manager, things began to turn sour. While Warnock was at Liverpool, Houllier loaned the player out to Bradford and Coventry but he never played the youngster in a first team match. At Villa, he continued to start under Houllier until the 4-0 thrashing by Manchester City at the end of December.
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miles better than konchesky
You can have him for free as far as I’m concerned. He’s got a problem with his attitude and is prone to retaliation. He’s cost Villa more than a few goals in his time. Good riddance. He is better than Konchesky. Chris Powell is better than both of tyhem and he’s retired!
You can have him !Been terrible for us this Season although was good when he 1st came He Dives in too often leaving his Centre Backs exposed – gives Free Kicks away all around the area
Koncheskey… Warnock. Hmm…
Koncheskey… Warnock.
Can’t stop laughing at that one.
Miles better? Really? Warnock is truly shocking. You will struggle to find a villan who rates him as even average. He has cost us goal after goal, to the extent that I would not be exaggerating when I say he has probably been to blame for 75% of goals conceded this season. Is it any surprise that since he’s been dropped we’ve been much tighter at the back. Can’t pass, dives in (or falls over), no vision – you’re welcome to him.
Warnock now suffers as many injury problems as Aurelio,should never been allowed to leave in the first place.
we’ll hv to make do with him maybe in the short term, till the end of the season..
but we hv to get a quality left back in the summer..
Stan – Have you actually seen this ill disciplined overpaid injury prone bad tackling bloke play recently ? Could improve if he could pass to a Player wearing the same Colored shirt ! He’s got to be responsible for MOST of the Goals / Freekicks we have conceeded this Season we are so so so much better without him – a complete LIABILITY
Chris Powell ? Rather have Baden Powell !
ha ha i agree with neil! Decisions, decisions! Id rather play an irrate woman who hates football at left back. Im sure theres plenty of those! That should put off the opposition’s right winger! Taiwo would be a good start! Strong and quick. Hammer shot.
can’t say i agree with most of the villa fans on here he was one of our best players last season in a defence that played with confidence his frailties have been shown up this year cos everyone of our defenders have been crap at one stage or another, he’s had a falling out with houllier, over what i don’t know, and that’s pretty much finished him at the club shame cos i liked him.
Warnock is a good short term option for Liverpool considering we’ve only got Konchesky who’s obviously not good enough and the injury prone Aurelio. It would be great if we can sign him on loan until the end of the season and we get a quality left back in the summer.
on loan, fine. To purchase – no. Would much rather give another chance to our youngster Insua