LIVERPOOL FC forwards Andy Carroll and Dani Pacheco have not travelled with the rest of the squad to face FC Gomel tonight, in what will be Brendan Rodgers’ first competitive fixture as manager.
The move not to include the forwards in the party for the Europa League third round qualifier will cast doubt on their futures at the club, whilst equally disappointing many fans.
Whilst Carroll was initially included in the named squad to travel to Belarus, he did not travel with the rest of the party who departed Merseyside on Wednesday morning. The club’s official line is that Carroll was left out to avoid aggravating a groin strain which was picked up during Saturday’s friendly against Tottenham in Baltimore, and that he could feature in the return leg at Anfield next week.
However that begs the question as to why he was initially included in the squad, and in the wake of alleged further interest from club’s such as West Ham, Newcastle and now Tottenham Hotspur (surprise, surprise), this latest twist casts further shadows on the number 9’s Anfield future.
It is worth noting however that even if Carroll had featured tonight, he would not have been cup-tied for European competition.
The Reds travelled to take on FC Gomel with the bare minimum in terms of players and staff in what is seen as an awkward trip, however it was still a blow for young Dani Pacheco who is disappointed by this latest set-back over not being included in the squad; especially as Liverpool are still missing Suarez, and Bellamy (and now Carroll) from the frontline , as well as recently departed attackers Kuyt and Maxi.
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It begs the question we asked on this very site last night, over his stop-start Anfield career: what’s next for Pacheco?
The 21-year olds frustrations were evident as he stated on his Twitter account:
“Unfortunately I’m not involved for the match on Thursday. I will keep working. Always. One day it will come.”
Fellow Spanish starlet Suso has also been left behind on Merseyside, however there was joy for some youngsters as Adam Morgan and Raheem Sterling were included. They join notable senior players Lucas Leiva – returning from injury – and new signing Fabio Borini who could make his competitive debut.
Liverpool’s 2012/13 season begins tonight at 7pm.
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Rogers is a bloody idiot, all he does is buy players he know’s, doesn’t look like he has any ideas about any other players out there, only prepared to play his tika taka soccer with no other backup plan, for bloody hell we are not Barcelona, as is evident the plans to get rid of Carroll. Don’t get me wrong I am not really a fan of Carroll but he has been improving so why not give him a chance for another season at least. Why didn’t Dani and Suso get selected for the game tonight and why has Streling been give a chance.Sterling is a star but currently I would pick Suso and Dani over him.What is Rogers plan to make us top four team again or make us a slightly upgraded version of Swansea. Currently Rogers talks the talk but can he walk the walk imo I don’t think so, I truly hope he proves me. wrong
We can only criticize once the results are out to see if BR had made the wrong or right decisions in times to come.
Personally, I think you’re the idiot.
Brendan Rodgers has done everything right so far and has conducted himself fantastically well. I think perhaps the Carroll situation could have been handled better (but maybe it is a ploy to future him up and prove himself… And Carroll has had problems with enjoying the life style a little too much in the past).
What’s wrong with buying players you know? Surely, if BR wants to implement a proven formula (which, all things considered got him the LFC job) and he is certain these players will aid that, why gamble on an unknown who they have only second hand advice and scouting reports?
Less than£10m for Borini and less than£15m for Allen. Shrewd business, undoubtedly. £20mfor Downing, £35m for Carroll and £16m for Henderson… Not good value. I don’t see what you’re point is. If the Dempsey & Ramirez rumours are true as well… Not only proves the point but shows we’d be in good shape going forward with a new passing , pressing and possession philosophy.
Patience mate, give BR at least a season (deserves 2 I think) and you will see a marked improvement. Players love him, media love him, he’s intelligent, has clear beliefs in his way of football and I’m sure he’ll succeed.
YNWA
The point is that the players he knows and would be considered great at Swansea, are not players that would be considered great at Liverpool. There is a reason we still finished above them last year, even in our worst league campaign in a generation.
I have to hold onto faith that Rodgers’ will deliver success to Anfield, but so far I can’t say that I am too impressed with his eye for talent (e.g. Adam, Cole, Spearing & Flanagan featuring so heavily with Downing looking set to be a starter again also, while Aquilani, Suso & Pacheco seem to be left on the outside looking in, yet again)
I am nt happy dat BR left dani and carrol at home carol is steel a good player, but pls let gv BR some time.
Brendan is saying all the right things , but if you’re going to change a philosophy and structure of a club it’s going to take time. The changes Benitez made to our youth teams are just bearing fruit now- suso/sterling/Ibe/Sinclair/Morgan/jack Dunn… Secondly, IMO 4-3-3 is only going to work if the 3 forwards are quick, technically proficient, skilful, confidence to express themselves, great movement and a high work rate to get the ball back and press the opposition. I don’t know anything about Borini, but Suarez is definitely these things. Carroll doesnt fit this system and would be an expensive sub. The midfield 3 also need technical ability, skill and a high work rate, but they also need to be aware of their positioning and comfortable on the ball. So, for me our attack needs improving and midfield needs 1 or 2 first team ready players. We don’t know how long Lucas will take to get back to firm and if Stevie will stay injury free. Adam/downing/spearing/Carroll are definitely not good enough for this system and won’t get us up the league table. Hopefully I’m wrong because I want Brendan to be the saviour of lfc and get us back to performing well in the league. League is priority. Use suso/sterling/Morgan in the cups to get them experience .
to be fair i don’t like brenden rodgers.. for me he is a fool . letting good players go and buy second best. dont see lfc finish in top four .. if he’s priority was to finish top 4.he would have bring players like ramirez ramirez
Personally,I believe his selection for this game is not the best…..I mean leaving out Suso&Pacheco. I just hope he left them out so that he can play them in d second leg……and that guy called Sama….I believe he’s got something great in him. That’s my own personal opinion anyway……Finally, I believe Carroll is a very lucky guy for someone to have played that bad in a season and still have some premiership clubs still running after him…..it’s a miracle,really
Liverpool is for players who are ready to fight on the pitch not just talking on the media, ask alonso,gerrard himself players like kuyt . They give their full energy to this club and benitez showed no mercy to underperfomers so br do the same to win not to satisfy a player
I understand BR needs time to prove himself.
But the problem is he does not seem to know what he should do… neglecting quality players like Aquilani, Suso & Pacheco; overspend on players like Allen (15m?) and Borini (10m?); and targeting average players (Moses, Vargas, DeVries, Scott Sinclair) whereas Arenal and Spur targets Cazorla, Nuri, Moutinho…etc.
Personally, I think KK got it wrong with Downing, Henderson and Carrol, but I don’t think BR is better from what he has done so far and the people we are linked with…
I am disgusted how Pacheco has been treated by this club. I hope he just goes because he deserves to be treated better than this. Any fool can see he offers more than cole henderson and spearing added together, probably on 1/10th of the wages too. Jeez my 5 year old brother can see how much talent he has,,,,,,,,,makes me sad really
I’m a bit lost for words over some of the nonsense that is being written here…….most of the this even before we have kicked a competitive ball in anger.
What’s the point in comparing us to Arsenal in terms of the players we can attract, they are in the champions league and we are not…they are the facts.
We have one of Europes brightest young managers and he will be fantastic for us if we give him the time……Let’s give the guy a chance before we start writing him off hey?
We should not forget the fact that Liverpool fc is bigger team than Swansea.I don’t see any future for Borini in Liverpool fc. Rodgers should be very carefully in his decision taking. I Pray Liverpool would not finish in desame place where Swansea Finished last Season.