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Why I believe this Serbian was never really given a chance

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I have to say that I was disappointed to hear Milan Jovanovic’s revelation that he felt joining Liverpool was a mistake. In normal circumstances I would be happy to see the back of any player displaying that kind of attitude, but in the case of Milan Jovanovic I can’t help but feel a bit sympathetic towards him. When he was first linked to us I must admit to not knowing too much about him, but after a bit of research plus watching him at the World Cup I was glad to have a player of this type on board and held high expectations for the man nicknamed ‘The Serbian Snake’.

It is fair to say that things haven’t gone to plan for the former Standard Liege hitman since his move to Anfield, and it is now inevitable that he will be allowed to leave in the summer. I’m not saying that we’re losing a great player here but simply that I don’t think anyone can say Jovanovic has been given a fair chance to succeed at Liverpool. It’s funny because on paper he seems to have exactly what we’ve desperately needed for much of the season, especially during the Roy Hodgson days.

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Milan Jovanovic is a very direct forward with good pace and decent dribbling skills which is effectively what we have needed a lot more of in our play for months. Kenny Dalglish seems to be close to rectifying our sometimes over casual style of play but I still find it odd that Jovanovic hasn’t had much of a look in since Hodgson was let go. If anything, I expected Kenny Dalglish to utilise Jovanovic a lot more than his predecessor did. One thing I liked about Jova was that he always seemed to have that element of surprise. Being the unknown player from the Belgian league made him dangerous in a way and I was hopeful that he would eventually become the ace up Liverpool’s sleeve.

I’m guessing that with Jovanovic it may simply be one of those cases where us on the outside aren’t aware of how much a player is possibly struggling behind the closed doors of the football club. Regardless of his attributes, it seems that Milan Jovanovic is just not cut out to be a star at Liverpool, but I do wish him well with his future endeavours and I fully expect him to be back on top of his game for his next club. From our perspective however, let’s just hope that his departure doesn’t eventually come back to haunt us.

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7 comments

  • l says:

    it’s a shame that kenny didn’t give him a run out, but at this stage its likely the club knows it will sell jova and its probably more economical to give the young lads like jonjo a run around.

  • South African Red says:

    I agree. I also enjoyed his attitude when he played. I think he showed on the field that he wanted to play. He fought for the ball and I thought his strength on the ball was particularly impressive. He shrugged players off that were trying to tackle him a few times when I was watching him.
    He definitely does not come across as a sulk and I think he was just being realistic when he said it hadn’t panned out for him at Liverpool.
    He came on a free so if we can get 4 mill for him that would be good business. I’m just wondering why they didn;t sell him to Mclaren as he was reportedly offering 6 mill for him in January?

  • Martinmarx says:

    Totally agree with this article. As far as attitude and mentality goes he’s exactly what this club’s lacked for so long. Also think he’s had a few good games. Remember when he came on against Sunderland at home where we looked lacklustre (as per usual) only to help us play well and almost see us come back from behind to win it.

    He’s been played in second rate sides all season. In a way he could’ve been for us what Rufete was for Rafa’s Valencia a decade ago.

    In that respect I’m sad to see him go and feel he wasn’t treated fairly by the club.

  • Eric says:

    Milan Jovanovic is quality player as he proved during last summer’s World Cup and during his time with Standard Liege. His goalscoring record in Belgium speaks for itself and I’m very surprised that he has not played one single match for Liverpool in his preferred and most effective role up front.
    He was playing on the left for Serbia during the World Cup and even managed to score the winner against Germany. His pace and strength also makes him a decent winger and I’m sure he’s a much better option on the left than the likes of Maxi and Cole. He can at least run at defenders and whip in some crosses from the left, something which no Liverpool player can do.
    Roy also opted to snub Jovanovic in order to play Ngog up front with Torres. Surely a proven Serbian international goalscorer Jovanovic could no worse than the weak and ineffective Ngog up front? What’s worse, Roy did not even once think about playing him up front, preferring to use the rubbish Ngog.
    I’m surprised that Jovanovic has not been given a proper chance given his record in Belgium and his performances at the World Cup as has so far played only 10 times in the league, numerous times as a substitute. He has, however, delivered in cup games where he has scored twice in 8 games. Recently, however, Jovanovic has not even been named on the bench despite the team’s injury problems which I find rather strange. Kenny should now give him a proper chance and a run of games on the left to see how he fares but I can’t see the manager doing that. Kenny should try to play him on the left to get him to deliver crosses to Carroll. With no other natural wide player, Jovanovic should be given a chance out wide to whip in crosses. If he does leave at the end of the season having played only 10 league games then it would be a pity and it’s very sad how he hasn’t been treated fairly.

  • alfred wynne says:

    I compleatly agree with all of these
    comments the lad should have been
    given more chances to proove himself

  • flokqiLFC says:

    he was useless during hodgson era, especially on group stage of Europa League, he doesn’t deserve to wear e red shirt, we have bunch of talents better than this fuking snake, so we don’t need him, and LFC won’t miss him

  • Frozen says:

    To me blaming Jova 4 been plain abt his unhappines at anfield is not acceptable. We’ve had players in d person of el nino proclaimin their love 4 d club bt in d end we found out they were all lies. Put urself in his shoes bro. That aside,unlike Meireles it’s like Jova didn’t blend straight into d team as xpectd uslly 4 an EPL novice even wit dat we could still fish out d qualities in Jova each time he’s on d pitch. I mean d pace,strength etc I bliv if Jova was given enough chances as Joe Cole was given,he wud have come good by now bt the BITTER TRUTH is Jova is not an ENGLISH MAN. My opinion anyway. I wisg him luck ar he steps out of anfield.if realy he’s leavin

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