The Liverpool Offside - All Posts

Shakhtar: No Liverpool Offer For Mkhitaryan

2013-06-19T20:06:44Z

Speculation about a move for Henrikh Mkhitaryan has built to such a level that I have found myself capable of writing his name at high speed without checking it. The level of certainty that Liverpool were about to recruit the free-scoring midfielder has only been reinforced by the comparatively brisk and efficient way the club has done its business thus far.

However, this evening there comes a not-unexpected hitch in the hitherto smooth progress, with Shakhtar Donetsk chief executive, Sergei Palkin, claiming that the club are reluctant to sell Mkhitaryan, having lost too many big stars already.

Speaking to the Russian newspaper Izvestia, and quoted here via The Daily Mail, Palkin spelt out the club's position with regard to any move away for Mkhitaryan, whether the destination be Liverpool or elsewhere.

"As you know there have been too many conversations about Henrikh Mkhitaryan," Palkin insisted. "But the situation has been strongly and artificially inflated. I can say that we have had no communication from any member of Liverpool. Henrikh is an important player in our team. Shakhtar want to keep him but we are willing to listen and consider all proposals for his transfer. We have already parted with Willian and Fernandinnho but the club will not just sell players. Soon we will also strengthen ourselves with quality players, designed to replace those who have left."

I see nothing particularly unusual or alarming in Palkin's position. If anything, he seems to be encouraging a last minute bidding war with other clubs, lest everyone think the move to Liverpool was a fait accompli. This may have the desired effect and drive the players price higher but with a fee likely for Luis Suarez and fifteen million pounds today banked from the sale of Andy Carroll, the club can likely budge a little in order to get their man.

Reports: Liverpool Trying to Finalize a Deal for Christian Atsu

2013-06-19T16:30:03Z

The rumors around potential summer transfers for Liverpool started in earnest the moment the final whistle blew to end Jamie Carragher's sendoff and the Premier League season; we didn't have to wait long for Luis Suarez exit talk to ramp up, and a number of inbound targets identified--remember Kyriakos Papadopoulos?--appeared to have some level of momentum behind them. One name that floated into the collective consciousness and then right back out was Christian Atsu, the Porto and Ghana winger who's now reportedly very close to making a £3m move to Liverpool.

We first talked about the potential for a move before May was out, as links to the player emerged along with the first rumblings around Luis Alberto. Discussion surrounding the fate of the Sevilla youngster has remained at the forefront, while Atsu seemed a tenuous link at best. With a number of other attacking targets linked to the club, there didn't appear to be a need for a player who'd spent the season in and out of his Porto side and failed to tally much in the way of attacking numbers.

That assumption was rubbished yesterday, as a number of outlets reported Liverpool's interest had actually led to something close to concrete, and that a deal was in (or very near) the closing stages. If true, it would make Atsu the third or fourth signing on the cusp of being confirmed, with Alberto, Iago Aspas, Simon Mignolet, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan somewhere in space and hopefully joining soon.

I don't know much more about Atsu than I did when we first discussed him, though LTB has been sharing some insight in the comments section from the original post (link above) as well as a post from yesterday, while also speculating that Atsu could serve as cover at left-back if needed. I have no idea if this is true, and all vitriol/disagreement should be directed his way. I'll take the praise, thanks.

A lack of knowledge doesn't mean we should avoid having an opinion (it's the foundation upon which the internet was built, you know), and I don't really understand the need if he's just a winger. He's essentially brought in for the same fee as Oussama Assaidi with little to prove he's going to bring more to the side than the rarely-used Moroccan. If he can cover at left-back that's swell, but my concern is that he's less of a challenge for a starting birth than Jose Enrique needs and still doesn't fill the need for an adaptable, proven fullback that can integrate into the side with little fuss should Enrique get injured or suffer another dip in form.

But we don't need to worry about any of that now, because video:

Video by MrBoyWunder

Andy Carroll Completes West Ham Move

2013-06-19T13:51:22Z

Last night provided the appetizer, and today the long-expected entree, with Andy Carroll officially unveiled by West Ham and wished the best of luck(!) by Liverpool ahead of his permanent move to London. After the way last summer unfolded--with new manager Brendan Rodgers actively shopping a player he either didn't favor or didn't see fitting--a loan ended up as the best temporary solution, and a permanent move this summer was always on the cards, even for those of us that held out some sort of foolish, misguided hope that he'd have a chance to come good in a Liverpool shirt.

That won't end up happening, and for the player's part it's a move that makes a world of sense and one about which he's seemingly excited (via the West Ham link above):

"It's fantastic for me to be here. I really enjoyed last season, and that shows in me coming back and making it permanent. The fans, the lads and the Club itself has been great to me, and what I wanted to do was come back here and play football.

"Since the end of the season I've had a lot of time to think, I've missed it and that's why I'm back. Getting promoted the season before last, then finishing where we did - we did great, and it can only get better for us. The way the Club's being run, obviously getting the new stadium and everything like that, it's only going up."

It's a deal that will see Liverpool recoup upwards of £15m, with a bundle of add-ons and at least a few million more pounds available for the club depending on the stipulations present in the contract. That's not ideal given the amount of money the club spent to bring him in back in January of 2011, but it's a significant sum of money, one which many would have taken in a heartbeat for a player that never found his footing at Liverpool.

Best of luck to Andy Carroll at West Ham, and let's hope both he and Liverpool move on from this in positive directions.

Liverpool's New Season Fixtures Released

2013-06-19T10:12:35Z

"Hope is the thing with feathers,

That perches in the soul

And sings the tune without the words

And never stops at all"

Emily Dickinson, Hope is the thing with feathers

Even a celebrated gloom merchant like Emily Dickinson can be hopeful every so often, so if, as a fan, you can't allow a shard of hope to penetrate your gloomy and world-weary soul on the morning that the new campaign's fixtures are released, then football is not the passion for you, dear reader. On this day, each year everything is possible, irrespective of what is probable. The wildest flights of fancy are indulged in and must be tolerated, for the future has not yet happened. Hope is alive, at least until the cruel vicissitudes of life tear it apart.

With such positivity in mind let us peruse some of the more fascinating match-ups thrown out completely at random by the Premier League's fixture computer. Before we do so, may I add one caveat that often gets lost in the heady enthusiasm of the day. These fixtures are only set in stone in as far as the Television Gods deem them to be, so before you go booking your special birthday/anniversary/divorce celebration, bear in mind that Sky may decide that your chosen point of celebratory focus needs to be moved to a more profitable slot. Damn it, I apologise -- there'll be no more cynicism from me in this article.

Certain issues prevent me from furnishing you with a full programme of Liverpool's games, but should you wish to view the complete list of fixtures, as it currently stands, the official website has obliged and if you would prefer a more comprehensive, week-by-week for the entire division, the same site also has that, for your viewing pleasure.

Liverpool begin their campaign with a visit from Stoke City. This season, under tiki-taka enthusiast, Mark Hughes, they will, of course, be a completely different prospect from the lumbering, agricultural giants of yore. No, those days disappeared with baseball-cap sporting, naked brawler, Tony Pulis. Expect a cornucopia of artistry instead. The Reds also visit Aston Villa and play the second round of the Capital One Cup before finishing the month with a home match against Manchester United, already a HUGE game in the head of this particular scribbler.

Many amateur mathematicians and punters will be eyeing September with a view to some Liverpool victories, as away fixtures to Swansea City and Sunderland bookend a month that also features a home match with Southampton and the third round of the Capital One Cup, should LFC still be involved. Already, the lack of European games is notable, with only eight games in eight weeks.

October may have only three matches for Liverpool to concern themselves with. Celebrity jokester and banter enthusiast, Ian Holloway, will take his Crystal Palace side to Anfield on the fifth and a fortnight later Liverpool visit The Mike Ashley Super Sports Direct Bowl to face Joe Kinnear's potty-mouth and Alan Pardew's latest beard. The month concludes with a home tie against West Bromwich Albion and a chance to enjoy Steve Clarke's hobo-chic.

The penultimate month of 2013 sees home matches against Arsenal, Everton and new boys Hull as well as a trip to Fulham . The stand-out there is the derby and my travel arrangements are already made. We can only hope that Everton respect the FSG "values" and leave the purple pyro at home. Roberto Martinez will have enough on his plate.

The madness that is December is really striking when one views the list, as there are SIX matches wedged into the four weeks. It'll almost be as if Liverpool are competing in one of Europe's premier competitions! Norwich, West Ham United (complete with newly signed Big Lug, Andy Carroll) and newbies Cardiff City (with added Craig Bellamy) will all visit L4, whilst the Reds travel to Tottenham Hotspur on the fourteenth before a pair of hugely demanding trips to Manchester City and then Chelsea over the course of three days. Nice one, FA.

Having played every club once at that stage, we should have a very clear idea of where Liverpool football club is headed as the new year begins. With only the two cup competitions to muddy the waters, it is fair to say the the Premier League is the be-all and end-all for Brendan Rodgers this season. Another campaign of notable progress and a credible tilt at Champions League football will give him breathing space for continued development. Should that seem unlikely at the half-way point, I would genuinely fear for his position.

Sky's meddling only really comes into its own at this point and to focus too much on the dates is folly but the second half of the campaign has a few notable moments in the offing as January concludes with the derby at Goodison and February has the home game against Arsene Wenger's men. A double over the bluenoses and a six point haul from our two games against the Gunners would please me immensely.

March sees us travel to Old Trafford to face renowned "winner" David Moyes' United. In my mind this will be a pivotal moment in which the baton of power is passed back to Liverpool who begin the climb back to "their f*****g perch" as the Mancs begin their slow decline -- see? HOPE!!!

Home matches with Manchester City and Chelsea make April a notable month and should the season still be alive, those two games will assume massive importance. The season concludes with only two games in May, Newcastle United's visit to Anfield being the final match of the campaign.

So then, at this point all things are possible and it's not at all foolish to make rash predictions about points totals based on assumptions about potential results. In many ways it's the purest time of the year for a football fan. The heart is full and has not yet been razed by bitter experience and disappointment. This could be our year.

Liverpool Considering Wisdom Loan

2013-06-19T05:00:03Z

With all the excitement and nausea surrounding the players Liverpool are quickly reinforcing the squad with during this pre-transfer window window, the club have been noticeably more quiet when it comes to moves away from Merseyside. No departures, permanent or otherwise, have been confirmed yet despite the speculation that surrounds several players, but Andre Wisdom looks set to be the first as he is allegedly on his way to west London for the next year.

Evidently not burned by the mishandled transfer deal that prevented Clint Dempsey from pulling on a red shirt last season, Fulham have apparently made inquiries about taking Wisdom on a season long loan that would see the young right back earn more first team action.

With the considerable volume of young talent Liverpool are bringing in, what to do with the even younger members of the squad has been routinely debated. Consensus seems to be EVERYONE ON LOAN, at least for those who need more experience than what the reserve team can offer, and if Rodgers can sort out a loan spell for Wisdom that will help benefit him and the club in the long run, then it will be another nice piece of transfer work.

Rodgers' willingness to loan a player who made a positive showing during his debut season means he's relying heavily on Martin Kelly and Jon Flanagan to understudy Glen Johnson in the event of injury or early round cup matches. Kelly's ability to apprentice in that role is mildly questionable, both due to continued fitness concerns and the possibility of Rodgers shifting the player to the centre of the defense going forward. Flanagan featured once in Europa League last season before disappearing off the face of the earth, so his role in Rodgers' plans seems more than a little murky.

The best thing about loans is that they can be recalled should a crisis arise and with an experienced right back not being on the gaffer's summer shopping list, any chance the club has to provide its young players with more substantial development opportunities is a chance to be taken.

Andy Carroll Passes West Ham Medical

2013-06-18T21:39:06Z

The long goodbye for Andy Carroll will soon be over--we've known this since the weekend, when we first learned that a resolution was expected to be just days away, and yesterday rumors swirled about a medical pending the striker's return from holiday. Earlier in the day we heard from David Gold, West Ham joint-chairperson, that the medical was pushed back until tomorrow, but late tonight the Twitter-friendly owner has announced that the medical managed to get finished today, leaving a signature or two as the only barrier between the deal getting done.

A few minutes ago Gold tweeted the news, along with his joy at the process nearly being finalized:

We managed to bring Andy's medical forward to this evening and I am delighted to informed you that he has passed with flying colours.
— David Gold (@DavidGoldWHU) June 18, 2013

I'd expect that there will be some sort of announcement from Liverpool wishing him luck over the coming days, and all the pomp West Ham can afford will be rolled out for a player who's now become a record signing at his second consecutive club. Hopefully supporters and the media afford him a bit more leniency with that label, and that the club's enthusiasm to have him is followed by a long and successful career.

As we rehashed before, interests on the Liverpool end of things turns to how this money is reinvested, as there's not yet been any concrete movement (at least publicly) for any of the targets we've heard about over the past few weeks. This deal was discussed as one upon which a number of deals could hinge, and now that it's nearly over, it's up to Liverpool to reinvest.

Read More: Carroll Set for West Ham Medical

Fabio Borini Scores in Loss to Spain in Euro U21 Final

2013-06-18T18:27:55Z

Italy 2: Immobile 10', Borini 79'
Spain 4: Alcantara 6', 31', (pen.) 38', Isco (pen.) 66'

A final that, outside of the opening ten minutes, went about as expected, with Spain dominating en route to a 4-2 victory and their second straight Euro U21 final. After exchanging goals in the opening ten minutes, the reigning champions took the match over, scoring twice more in the half--once on a penalty that never should have been to seal Thiago's hat-trick--and eased to another piece of silverware for a nation that's as dominant throughout every level as there's been in world football.

Fabio Borini logged a full ninety for the Italians and scored a delightful goal in the 79th minute, hitting Lorenzo Insigne's layoff on the first touch into the far corner. By that point the match was too far gone, with Spain stifling any momentum from there, but it was a nice way to round off a solid tournament for Borini--three starts, two goals, one of which won the semi-final against Netherlands.

Congratulations to Spain, who are worth watching at a few other levels in the coming days and weeks; the senior squad are favored to win the Confederations Cup, and the U20s--who have Suso in the squad--will open play in the World Cup against the US in Turkey on Friday.

Sevilla "Not Satisfied Yet" With Luis Alberto Offer

2013-06-18T17:17:23Z

On Saturday it appeared as though Liverpool would soon be set to confirm a transfer for young Sevilla forward Luis Alberto, who had spent last season on loan with Barcelona's B squad in the Spanish Second Division and attracted interest throughout the continent with a promising campaign. Today, though, we learn that reports over the weekend were a bit premature, and while Liverpool remain in pole position to secure Alberto's signature, it's going to take a bit more from the club financially to complete the deal.

Comments from Sevilla sporting director Monchi shed light on negotiations, which are ongoing but still not quite wrapped up:

"If there has been interest from Liverpool, we are not going to deny that. The numbers suggest that (Alberto) is leaving. The player has received an important offer, but at the moment he is a Sevilla player. The first offer the club has is very good, but we are not satisfied yet."

So it's essentially a matter of money at this point, whether it's up front or through bonuses and incentives, and it will be interesting to see how the club handle the deal from this point on. They have shown themselves to be increasingly bullish over the past few transfer windows; days of Damien Comolli kicking the door in with briefcases full of cash are long gone, and while there will be a few that Liverpool we either have to pay or go--Henrikh Mkhitaryan being the prime example this summer--the club aren't going to spend frivolously or be taken advantage of.

For a side that's looking to reassert themselves as a league and European power that's a difficult balance to strike, and the hope is that those in charge find a way to negotiate deals that don't leave the club without large sums of money and/or the type of talent that's going to push them forward. Luis Alberto seems a good enough example of this difficulty--promising but not yet proven, with an asking price that's going to be slightly higher than they would prefer.