The reasoning behind this change of heart is the emphasis being placed on offering higher wages to young, hungry and if at all possible, British players. At 28 years of age, Meireles is currently at odds with the wage bill at Anfield and the expected hike in wages, while once a formality, now looks uncertain and Liverpool are open to offers – they’ll surely make a profit on Hodgson’s only sound purchase while at the club and he won’t be short of takers.
The uncertainty continues when analysing the potential formation that Dalglish may go for next season. Liverpool are certain to pair Carroll and Suarez together up top which leaves four other spots available in midfield should he go for a 4-4-2. Meirelles has a tendency to drift in and out of games and is certainly far too lightweight to play in central midfield in a four-man midfield. His experiment on the right of midfield delivered mixed results at best and with the pursuit of a left winger right near the top of the transfer agenda with concerns to re-strengthening over this summer’s transfer window and his options look limited.
Should Liverpool continue to pursue with the high-paced, interchangeable 4-5-1 formation that worked so well last season, with Suarez working off the top of the front man, then Meirelles could potentially play a role. But with Gerrard, Henderson, Aquiline (should he stay), Dirk Kuyt and whoever else may arrive and it becomes clear that while a desirable player, Meireles is certainly expendable.
Liverpool will look to tie up deals for both Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing this week and this could push Meireles further towards the exit door. Christian Poulsen and Joe Cole look likely to leave and so does Jonjo Shelvey, perhaps involved in a loan deal the other way to Blackpool in any potential Adam move. You would have to question the wisdom in letting a player of Meireles’s quality leave when the squad’s strength in depth is certainly questionable, but you can at least see the rationale behind it.
Meireles has no definable position and that is the major drawback and rather poetically, the major plus point behind keeping him. He is technically excellent and can be a match-winner on his day, but he is also equally and often as guilty at gifting away possession in dangerous areas and going missing for large swathes of a match.
Too much was made of Meireles’s first season in England – he was excellent in patches, but was disappointing as often as he was brilliant. If Liverpool can move him on for a significant profit; an unhappy 28 year-old on a long-term deal, then perhaps it would be best for all concerned.
Every club wants to keep their best players. Meireles is one of the most technically gifted players currently plying their trade in the Premier League, but you do have to question the wisdom on splashing out £80k upwards a week on an inconsistent 28 year-old – it is simply at odds with everything FSG are not only preaching but practicing too.
He is certainly an excellent creative midfielder, but whether he has a significant role to play in the future for the club is doubtful – and while on the face of it, it may reek of illogical, short-term thinking, there is certainly more method to the madness with concerns to the club’s long-term planning and their vision for the future than initially meets the eye.
The article was written by James McManus for FootballFancast.com. Make sure to check out the latest news, blogs and podcasts at FFC – ed.
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“”Meirelles has held up his end of the bargain, but FSG (Fenway Sports Group) appear to have reneged on their end of the deal””
FSG didn’t sign him, so they have not reneged on their end of the deal!!! As new owners they are going to reconsider ALL old deals made by the previous owners and they will make decisions they feel are best for the club.
I like Meireles, but will trust the club to make the right decisions …
RR
Were FSG in charge when Meireles was bought? I don’t think they were. If there was anything in Raul’s contract to that effect I am sure FSG would honour it (as they have with Kyriakos) However Raul is an excellent player and should be kept. I think his form improved not just because of Kenny’s passing game but more because the emphasis shifted to a more attacking game. I think Maxi benefited from the same. Of course Suarez had a lot to do with it as well. the main thing right now is to try to maintain our strength in depth.
He should stay with LFC. Quality and experienced player.
YNWA
Pure speculative regurgitated article; let’s await King Kenny’s next white rabbit out of the hat. Perhaps KK wants both Meireles and Adam. What FSG are trying to do is to get the ineffective / useless big earners off the books. LFC must have been considered a ‘soft-touch easy street’…. Cole £90k per wk, Poulsen £60k per week and unbelieveably Ngog @ £50k per week!!!!! Not the lads fault but totally incomprehensible and no wonder they’re in no hurry to leave; would you be?! In the KK’s day they were paid a good wage BUT could double their wages with ‘Win Bonuses’. Stating the obvious if there is an incentive to win then you’re likely to put a bit a bit more effort in I believe. Anyway keep the faith and believe in THE King…..YNWA
Aquilani is the name not Aquiline. Henderson has no chance of starting ahead of Meireles. Adam scored most of his goals from dead balls. Lets see him try to take one ahead of Gerrard or Suarez. We have a solid team what we lack is depth and a true winger. King Kenny is obviously aware of this and is proceeding accordingly. The author of article obviously has no facts to back up the gibberish. Let the King speak then you can write.