Liverpool FC

[TheBlueBalla]

The thing is the damage has already been done with Cisse, such that I wonder if he doesnt want to just take the hint and pack his bags. I guess it depends on the language coming out of the club statements. Its pretty strange that Benitez, like Mourinho, is beloved by his team to no end, and the fans have comeplete faith in their ability, and yet their transfer policies seem just at certain times.

 

[AberdeenFC]

for **** sake. people who just players by how good they are on champ man should take a nice and stab themselves in the heart RIGHT NOW.

there are way to many of you in the soccer forum!!!

 

[Lean]

The thing is the damage has already been done with Cisse, such that I wonder if he doesnt want to just take the hint and pack his bags. I guess it depends on the language coming out of the club statements. Its pretty strange that Benitez, like Mourinho, is beloved by his team to no end, and the fans have comeplete faith in their ability, and yet their transfer policies seem just at certain times.

Guess we need to have faith in a coach who brought a CL trophy back to the club after countless year in his first season. But yea, the transfers have been poor lately.

 

[Virgo]

Liverpool in Portugal trying to lure Benfica to sell Simao

 

[TheBlueBalla]

Guess we need to have faith in a coach who brought a CL trophy back to the club after countless year in his first season. But yea, the transfers have been poor lately.

There are people who get alot of flak on all Chelsae forums for questioning even the decisions Mourinho has made with personell, but I am one of them myself. I have no doubts that the man is a tactical mastermind, and that his track record is one of the most impressive in recent history (Benitez's achievements in my mind, stand almost shoulder to shoulder). But some of the things he does with the buying and selling of players I just cant wrap my head around. I guess when you have so much money at your disposal, though, you can afford the odd 10 million pound slip up.

 

[The Kop Kid]

for **** sake. people who just players by how good they are on champ man should take a nice and stab themselves in the heart RIGHT NOW.

there are way to many of you in the soccer forum!!!

I think that Rafa is one also. We're going after Bonera.

 

[SB9Dragon]

Bonera to Liverpool? Now that I'd like to see.

 

[Punkt]

Simão is in Liverpool to make the medical tests

 

[Haukur Gudnason]

Could ya shed some light on the lad Simao for us? Ta

Bonera...really hoping we land him, quality defender in the Cannavaro mould ya say? Please make it happen, err...and it'll no doubt please the FM fanboys too

 

[Virgo]

20 goal a season midfielder, carried Benfica on his back for years, and if the president sells him for less than 20m€ he's going down, because we payed Barça 14m€ and he's the most important player of the team by far.

 

[Punkt]

Simão is an excellent winger that could play both left and right sides. he scored 15/20 goals per season like Virgo said, and he is an outstanding set-pieces taker. he is the captain of Benfica and the best player.

 

[Nakamura]

Punkt and Virgo already described Simão, but let me also express my view on him. He's a very quick winger, with excellent short dribbling, crossing and long range shot (not very powerful, but very accurate). He's a deadly free kick taker.

His only problem is that he tend to not perform as well in the big matches and he's not a very strong player mentally. Anyway, if he succesfully adapts to England, he'll certainly be an amazing player for you.

 

[Haukur Gudnason]

Watched some of his goals via his website...cracking lil player, seems more than capable of popping out on both wings and his record for assists and goals through freekicks is smashing as it is, Lord knows how much we need someone who can beat a man and whip in a good cross, Morientes will come good, hopefully. Excellent as far as reports go, I'm really looking forward to seeing him in action, and will think up a song for him

Thanks fellas

 

[Haukur Gudnason]

The truth behind Owen switch
Aug 31 2005
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo


MICHAEL OWEN sat in his north Wales mansion desperately waiting for the Anfield cavalry to arrive yesterday.

Sadly for him, and thousands of Liverpool supporters desperate to see his return, the Reds were already in the process of retreating from the pursuit of his signature.

Instead, their former striker was dragged, kicking and screaming towards a clause-ridden Newcastle contract.

This was not supposed to be the final scene of the summer's most captivating transfer saga.

Even as Newcastle chairman Freddie Shepherd announced Owen's imminent arrival, the Geordies risked serious embarrassment.

With the St James' Park medical team due to arrive at his north Wales home to complete the formalities, Owen was still waiting for the call from the Anfield hierarchy.

When it came around 11am yesterday morning, the conversation between Owen and Rick Parry confirmed his fears. Liverpool had neither the cash, nor the will, to spend more than £12m to buy him back.

Real Madrid said that wasn't enough while Newcastle's £16m offer was on the table. For Liverpool to sign Owen, he had to publicly reject their offer and reiterate he'd only go to Anfield.

Sending an SOS to Anfield was fine, but without a white flag, surrendering any intention to join Newcastle, it was hopeless.

Sadly, this was a concession Owen felt he couldn't take without a definite assurance his ambition to join Liverpool would be realised.

Liverpool are stunned Owen opted for the Newcastle option given his doubts about the move.

They feel had he held his nerve and flatly rejected a switch North East, Madrid's stance may have softened over the next 24 hours.

When faced with a similar situation a week ago, Milan Baros publicly rebuffed any interest from Lyon and joined Aston Villa for a smaller fee.

Fernando Morientes took the same stance last January when in the wake of Liverpool interest, Newcastle offered more.

Liverpool wanted Owen to repeat Baros and Morientes' tactics. If the Geordies thought they were chasing a lost cause, they'd have to withdraw their bid.

The Reds could then continue negotiations with the Spanish giants in a stronger position. For Liverpool to sign Owen, it had to be a one horse race.

For Owen, the risk was too great. Time was running out. He was told by Madrid there was no prospect of a deal with Liverpool and if he didn't go to Newcastle, he'd be on the sidelines until January.

The shadow of the World Cup loomed large. It seems international ambition overrides a burning desire to return to Anfield and the next six months couldn't be sacrificed.

Owen was determined to maintain contact with Newcastle as a back-up option, but by courting their attention he created a fundamental flaw in Rafael Benitez's plan to get him.

After some horrendous advice, he was even pictured meeting Newcastle officials. Hardly the actions of a man trying to send a signal to Real Madrid he didn't fancy moving to St James' Park..

As Owen strolled around a Northumberland estate on Monday night, he was inadvertently knifing his and Liverpool ' s ambitions through the heart.

Having been set a morning deadline to make his decision, he returned to north Wales resigned to moving to Newcastle.

On Tuesday morning, he was having second thoughts and made a series of frantic phone calls to Anfield officials. Unlike the recent Steven Gerrard case, however, there was nothing Liverpool could do to reassure Owen a u-turn would definitely put him back in a red shirt.

They wanted him to reject Newcastle, but this would only trigger the beginning of more negotiating with Madrid.

Benitez's policy throughout the transfer was based partly on brinkmanship, bluff, and also a test of Owen's much publicised desperation to come home.

The Liverpool boss wasn't convinced by the private messages delivered via friends or journalists.

He demanded a statement from Owen, although when it arrived it hardly dripped with enthusiasm.

Owen's advisors elected to show their client as all things to all men, tellingly citing World Cup ambition above any fervent desire to join Liverpool.

Newcastle's £16m was then instantly made public, deflecting attention from Owen's understated 'come and get me plea' to his former employers.

Madrid refused to negotiate with Liverpool unless they matched Newcastle's offer. The loan deal Liverpool wanted was now out of the question.

As long as Owen rejected Newcastle, the Reds were in the driving seat.

Benitez and Parry met Owen on Monday. There was no clause in a Liverpool contract. Personal terms were not an issue. Difficult negotiations with Madrid were.

Owen was told to reject Newcastle. Instead, he and his advisor Tony Stephens headed north.

For all the sense of deflation at losing a player of Owen's calibre to Newcastle, few will argue the Reds should have matched such a ridiculous offer.

Indeed, the only winners in this saga are Madrid. They've earned 100 per cent profit on a player who wouldn't have played for them this year.

Liverpool have shown their status as European champions hasn't given them the financial muscle to outbid lowly Premiership rivals.

Owen has joined a club against his judgment, despite admitting a week ago he wouldn't do so.

As for Newcastle, they've agreed a strange contract which isn't exactly what it says on the label.

In a year's time, Owen can leave St James' Park for a fee somewhere in the region of what Liverpool were prepared to pay.

The Geordies are laughing now, but they might be celebrating the most expensive loan deal in football history.

 

[Lean]

There are people who get alot of flak on all Chelsae forums for questioning even the decisions Mourinho has made with personell, but I am one of them myself. I have no doubts that the man is a tactical mastermind, and that his track record is one of the most impressive in recent history (Benitez's achievements in my mind, stand almost shoulder to shoulder). But some of the things he does with the buying and selling of players I just cant wrap my head around. I guess when you have so much money at your disposal, though, you can afford the odd 10 million pound slip up.

Yeah, but like i said, i dont agree with some of the transfer policies. In another note, i would love Simão at Anfield.

 

[AberdeenFC]

stephen warnock is in the england squad!!

what the fúck!! liverpool > england

simao... a poor mans cristiano ronaldo? is he not the guy that started in portugal 2004 but ended up losin his place in the team to ronaldo? never been that impressed with him BUT i dont see much portugese football so im not the man to comment! havent heard anything about him being linked here either.

 

[Virgo]

nah Simao is the portuguese Steven Gerrard, best player in the league but piss poor for country. Completely different type of winger than C. Ronaldo really, Simao is more of a playmaker.

Latest reports are that he will stay with Liverpool failing in a 18m€ bid for him

 

[Haukur Gudnason]

Yeh though now it seems Benfica has blocked the transfer. Goodbye Transfer Window!

 

[Joe Star]

Well at least Cisse wont get offloaded now . Morientes & Crouch as our strikers.......i dont even wanna thinkA about it

 

[Lean]

nah Simao is the portuguese Steven Gerrard, best player in the league but piss poor for country. Completely different type of winger than C. Ronaldo really, Simao is more of a playmaker.

Latest reports are that he will stay with Liverpool failing in a 18m€ bid for him

Well, he being good for Liverpool would do. Shame though, we couldnt get him. Still, there's always January for ya.