After Raul Meireles had to go off ill in the second half against Wigan last Saturday, my first thought was that it would be the ideal opportunity for a certain young Spaniard to play in his favoured position behind the striker. After all, three of the obstacles that have prevented Dani Pacheco from playing in attacking midfield (Steven Gerrard, Raul Meireles and Joe Cole) were all sidelined with injuries, and with the lack of creative talent on the pitch, the match seemed made for Pacheco to come on and help inspire the team going forward.
It wasn’t to be however. Liverpool striker David Ngog came on for Meireles instead of Pacheco and then when Dirk Kuyt was replaced, the out of favour Milan Jovanovic was picked instead of the young Spaniard. There is no doubt that people rate the player at Anfield, after all he only signed a contract extension at the start of the season, but it seems that successive managers are not prepared to risk the player either as a sub or from the start in matches.
Some have raised the question as to whether Pacheco is in fact good enough to play for the Reds. The Spaniard turned 20 last month, and with Jack Wilshere excelling against Barcelona last night at the age of 19, it raises the issue of whether the coaches at Liverpool believe he has what it takes to succeed in the Premier League. The fact that he hasn’t been given a regular run in the team as of yet (unlike Wilshere) means we cannot make swift judgements about the player, as he hasn’t really been given the chance to shine.
So far Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has shown faith in youth players. He has consistently used Martin Kelly at right back, and before injury ruled him out for the season, Jonjo Shelvey was consistently used as a substitute by King Kenny. With five players, including 16 year old Raheem Sterling, being picked in the Europa League squad for tonight’s match with Sparta Prague, there is no doubting that the manager is looking towards the Reds young guns to break through, but in Pacheco’s case, the wait for the breakthrough has seemingly gone on too long.
Continue Reading on Page 2 . . .
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“but it seems that successive managers are not prepared to risk the player either as a sub or from the start in matches.”
Could be they are watching what goes on in training eh
he must not be good enough if all these managers wont play him
i hope so but we have so many good strikers or wingers
sterling ince ngoo saric and pacheco
where can we fit them in
Just because a player isn’t being picked doesn’t mean that he isn’t good enough – it just means that the managers don’t want to take the risk, or don’t trust him to do a job.
In the same way that Maxi and Kuyt continuing to be picked every game, regardless of how poorly they perform, it obviously isn’t just about the individuals talent…
You know that the link to page 2 doesnt work right?
I hope he gets a chance tonight.
As far as Pacheco is concerned I do not think that LFC has all that faith in him. He is passed over time after time and I would think he is about to leave the club to get a game. This would be a pity as he could develop into our Nemesis with another club..
I choose to believe in King Kenny . He is the guy who can bring LFC to a bright future .. if he decides not to play a player , even though the player , in my opinion is good , then I will support him .. If King Kenny thinks Pacheco doesn’t deserve to be on the pitch .. then let it be . I love LFC as a club not a player . I wont slate KK only because he didn’t play Pacheco . He knows better than me
It is about time Pacheco got a run i cannot see with the Prague game why he could not have had a run.
He won’t stay if he does not get game time and who could blame him?
The rumours of who is coming tells me there will be less chances to play next season unless he can prove himself this year.