Liverpool chasing AWESOME right-back option for the future: He’s starting XI quality!
by offsidetrap on February 16th, 2009 172 words | 25 commentsRafa Benitez has tried to work his magic in the past to bring in a worthy right-back for Liverpool’s starting XI; but so far things haven’t worked out as he’d planned. Instead of picking a player with little Premier League experience this summer, Benitez could be primed to snap this right-back that could be priced to sell. He’d be well worth the £9m transfer fee!
Portsmouth’s Glen Johnson has been on Benitez’s list for some time now. Pompey and Liverpool were extremely close to closing the signing during the January window — but things seemed to fall apart at the last second.
Now word is, is that the two sides will come together during the summer to finalise a move that would see Johnson make the switch to Anfield. I’m sure Liverpool supporters wouldn’t mind seeing an attacking right-back with a nose for the goal. His performance against Manchester City over the weekend would be a welcomed sight on Merseyside.
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Kudgi - February 16th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
Bring him in is wat i say!!!
Rock of Anfield - February 16th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
SIGN HIM IN!!!
Johnson is not only a quality right back, he’s english and will help with the new 6-5 rule soon. The only obstacle could be the price. Hicks & Gillet are not prepared to give us enough cash for quality players. I would like to see Real Madrid’s Gago. He is young, a regular for Real & Argentina and is a good holding midfielder who could leave for a small price.
I would also like to see a loan move for 34 (i think) year old free-kick wizard Juninho. I wouldn’t buy him cos’ he dosen’t have long left in his career but could serve good for a season or so. I might trade Ryan Babel. His season has had it’s up’s and downs. He has not had enough games this season and could become very unhappy just like Daniel Agger.
Reina
Johnson Carra Agger Aurelio
Gago Alonso
Lennon Gerrard Riera
Torres Benzema
Or Maybe Santiago Munez (from Goal!)
R.J. - February 16th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Two positions desperately need stengthening. Left back and right back. Arbeloa, Deggen, Aurelio and Dossena are hardly a formidable quartet. All four of them go bombing forward wrecklessly leaving big holes down the channels which is where alot of our goals have been conceded.
When Arbeloa was injured and Carra filled in at RB and Insua played LB we suddenly looked a class act. ie Bolton 3-0, Newcastle 1-5. We all had genuine belief that we could do it. Back come Arbeloa (Benitez’ little mate) and Aurelio and it all starts going horribly wrong.
I think even Rafa has realised this by opting for a back 3 at Portsmouth.
Sorry, I’m ranting!!!
Glen Johnson, young, experienced, scores the odd goal, but most importantly doesn’t neglect his defensive duties. Verdict, Yes please!!
DOWNUNDER - February 16th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
Yes….I have been impressed with GJ in the few occasions I saw Portsmouth played. He is sensitive to opportunities that allows him move forward and tracks back fast to fulfill his defensive duties. I think he would be a valued addition to the squad that could put some positive pressure on Aberloa to keep his performances up. That said, I am unsure about the 9 million being thrown around. That seems excessive for someone who is not even in the England international squad yet. Around 5-7 million, more likely.
Why Juninho? Just because he can bent a freekick? Liverpool already have Gerrard, Alonso, Aurelio who can do that stuff. I think Diego of Werder Bremen would be better value though more expensive. What Liverpool needs is someone who is in the Zola, Berkamp mold. Or even better, how about Henri? Sure, he is will be 32 and may lose a yard or two but class is permanent! Look at what Sheringham and Berkamp did for Man U and Arsenal even their so-called twilight years of the 30 plus!
DOWNUNDER - February 16th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
Ah….speaking of the age issue, what about Gary Mac? He was 35 pulling on the Liverpool jersey. I suspect very few would disagree with me that he has done a superbly tremendous job. So class is permanent. I say go for Henri. Imagine such a line up:
Reina
Aberloa/Johnson Skirtel/Hyppia Carra/Agger Insua/Aurelio
Mascherano/ please get a replacement for Lucas
Gerrard Alonso
Henri/Kuyt Riera/Babel
Torres
wayen - February 16th, 2009 at 10:58 pm
reply to rock on anfield.
your line up is of a 452 formation,
correct me if im wrong thts one player too many.
Redheaven - February 16th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
Rock of Anfield. I doubt very much that Gago would be a cheap option, as you mentioned – he is a regular for Argentina and Real.
Juninho as creative and accomplished at set pieces doesn’t fit into Rafa’s ethos of workers e.g. Kuyt, Torres, Mascherano…..
Johnson would be a good purchase, attacking and scores the occasional goal, and is an England international who seems to have earned Capello’s faith, Hopefully Portsmouth will do business for £8-10 million.
I would also fancy a move for Walcott (if rumours of contract expiring are to be believed).
el nino - February 17th, 2009 at 2:26 am
hes just signed a new 4 year deal in january u muppet… he wont leave unless portsmouth go down
zeid - February 17th, 2009 at 3:08 am
well ,well.degan????? arbeloa??????? sell them……..benayoun go out,lucas,dossena adios…..goal keeper,gj,skirtl.agger,aurellio………. alonso,mashareno,lenonn,gerard,riera,torres,babel,sub.gk,carager,insua,plessis,kuyt,m fielder(rossina)torino.pole from dortmund,striker,chellini(juve)ngog. jao mutinio(porto…………thx ynwa
Redheaven - February 17th, 2009 at 3:10 am
The contract situation is like any other in football. Yes he did sign a new deal- this does not rule out a future transfer. All things likely the contract was offered and signed to maintain market value for the player. Portsmouth have proven to be a selling club this season and I’m sure summer will be the same.
DOWNUNDER - February 17th, 2009 at 4:01 am
If contract means what it supposed to for all these mega rich footballers, then you wouldn’t even see Ronaldo turned his head the moment R.Madrid whistled. You won’t get Michael Owen kissing his Liverpool badge only to run as fast as he could to R Madrid. I am sure you can come up with more examples.
Every player has a price when they are under contract. If the owning club wants to sell and the player wants to go with the buying club prepared to meet all the terms, there goes your so called contract! Portsmouth may need to cash and so likely to do business.
I think Insua will be pushing hard for first choice next season. Aurelio proves to be a reliable player. I say sell Dossena. Lucas probably needs to go too. Sell Agger. He is starting to piss me off. Start hunting for the next Hyppia or Carragher as replacements. Perhaps one of the younger ones can step up.At the same time concentrate on brining Henri or Diego to Anfield.
Chandan - February 17th, 2009 at 5:00 am
I’d never know why people hate Benayoun!!! The lad performs well everytime he plays; provides so many assists and scores an odd goal or two too. He brings that creativity in and around the box. And morever, he has only cost us 5MP for God’s sake.
So, tell me why you hate him and want him out? Just because he’s an Insraeli? You racist muppet. Grow up.
Chandan - February 17th, 2009 at 5:01 am
Re: @Zeid
I’d never know why some people here hate Benayoun!!! The lad performs well everytime he plays; provides so many assists and scores an odd goal or two too. He brings that creativity in and around the box. And morever, he has only cost us 5MP for God’s sake.
So, tell me why you hate him and want him out? Just because he’s an Israeli? You racist muppet. Grow up.
Scoot - February 17th, 2009 at 5:22 am
is it just me or Rock of Anfield has 12 men in his starting line up. =)
either way, go Reds!! YNWA!!
wengleon - February 17th, 2009 at 6:08 am
well, in my opinion, liverpool have a great right-back, which is arbeloa. i seriously dont know what’s wrong with out defence, we have great defenders, but we still concede stupid goals.
mark - February 17th, 2009 at 6:56 am
arbeloa is fine, aurelio is improving, degen i haven’t seen, insua looks a great prospect, dossena was shocking until the game against pompey were he at least looked worth half of the fee for him. besides if pompey stay up i doubt johnson will move, i think the rb and lb’ s we have at the moment are set for a couple of years. that is of course if rafa stays- if not everything could change.
kermit - February 17th, 2009 at 8:49 am
mmmmm he is a good option, insua def pushing the starting line up at left back next yar but i still expect doseena to come strong at left back
jo - February 17th, 2009 at 9:42 am
agree with downunder bring henry!!barcelona wants to sell him!!rafa is a spaniard then i think that he can trade with barça to get henry just let babel on loan to barcelona
Rock of Anfield - February 17th, 2009 at 9:55 am
DOWNUNDER – I understand with what you mean. Juninho may be past his best and we may have Alonso, Stevie G and Mascherano but i think Juninho would be good on the wing in our 4-2-3-1 formation that Rafa plays. If Herny wants to leave and Barca want to stay, I say go get him! He may be 32 but is a tremendous striker and would be a great partner for Torres.
Redheaven – February 16th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
Rock of Anfield. I doubt very much that Gago would be a cheap option, as you mentioned – he is a regular for Argentina and Real.
Gago is a good holding midfielder and was a regular for his team , but with Ramos, he is not getting games because of Lassana Diarra. He will want to leave because Real don’t look like they’re gonna win anything with Barcelona 10 points clear at the top of La Liga.
I did have 12 players by accident so here is the proper one:
Reina
Johnson Carra Agger Insua
Gago Alonso
Juninho Gerrard Riera
Torres
DOWNUNDER - February 17th, 2009 at 10:58 am
Great to dream ahead but I think all Red fans should be more worried above all if Rafa is going to get his contract extended. With things kept being played out through the papers, it doesn’t look good at all for the Reds.
karot - February 17th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Great team huhhh!! What i can predict is the REDs already av world class manager + striker + midfielder + defender + goal keeper + subsitutes. Dude, RAFA is very goods compare to fergie. If any of you dont believe, pls check his achievement at his first 5 years at man U. RAFA is the perfect manager been choosed to put liverpool back on title predator. I can see rafa is going to change the way liverpool perform start from the academy. He bring lots of quality foreign player which will impact to the local player. I believe ferg know it & afraid man U will fall down & lpool goes up soon. just like what fergie do before. the most important is board should support manager until the very end. what happen now is they are afraid to condemn f*&**.
This are my selected team for liverpool >
goal keeper – Reina
Defender – Glenn Johnson, carra, agger & insua
Midfield – lennon/kuyt, alonso/macherano, gerard, riera/babel
stiker – torres & villa
this is perfect team at my view.
bigrafa - February 17th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
In a idealistic world yes but we have decent options defensively I worry futher up the feild.
apple dave - February 17th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
good buy
this line up-
adler
johnson carragher skrtel/ agger insua
masceranho lucas
kuyt gerrard downing
torres
sell reina as he wants to go, also sell alonso as real madrid are interested and we could get alot for him.
p.s. no dissing Lucas as he’s way better than Gerrard was when he was his age
Dom - February 18th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
Lemme just put this out there to end all chitter chatter…
Reina doesnt want to leave.
Downing and Lennon would be rubbish investments.
Villa is too scared to play english football so he will hide in spain.
Henry would be a great buy, as would Eto’o.
Johnson would be a great buy.
Benayoun is an amazing player as he plays so well everytime he puts on the jersey.
El zhar is a great lookin prospect as is insua.
At least spell skrtel’s name correctly…
Rafa is def the way forward…
Juninho already played for middleborough and didnt do too well. However if your talkin about the new and improved younger version… i still say no!
mark - February 19th, 2009 at 11:19 am
dom i agree with you 100 percent