Morgan Scores, Myths About Meireles, and Other Thursday Notes

By: Ed | June 23rd, 2011

lick We’re in the midst of a difficult stretch around these parts, and around any parts involving Liverpool. There’s no actual news to counter the steadily-flowing river of bullshit—aside from the youth international competitions we’ve used as methadone, there’s few fixes to be had. I suppose we can look to the opening of the transfer window on July 1st as some sort of false dawn for all the pants-tightening Mata news your little heart can handle, although I think we all know that in reality, July 1st is just another day to end up drunk and alone.

But if the alternative is getting mounted and licked by Blanka’s father, Carlos Tevez, I’d gladly stomach a few half-drunken evenings of disappointment and anger. Liverpool had a bout of tickling and ear-flicking in their training sessions earlier in the year (and who among us hasn’t?), and from the looks of it, things are progressing quite naturally as Argentina prepares for Copa America to kick off next Friday.

So to recap—drunk and alone, or getting licked by Carlos Tevez. Your choice.

* The U17s are on their way in Mexico, with four of the six groups having played two of their group stage matches. We’ve obviously been focusing on England, whose Liverpool contingent have made an impact in the win over Rwanda and yesterday’s draw with Canada. Adam Morgan, Raheem Sterling, and Matty Regan all started and completed the full 90, with Morgan flicking on a free-kick in the 46th minute to give England the lead. Canada drew level minutes later, only for England to retake the lead in the 77th minute through Blair Turgott. England’s chance to go even on points with Uruguay was dashed in the 86th, though, when Canadian goalkeeper Quillian Roberts scored from his own half to give the Canadians their second.

Brad Smith and Tyrell Bedford didn’t feature, but the former picked up a knock in the opener and was a doubt in the build-up. Jack Dunn made an appearance in the final ten minutes, giving England four Liverpool youngsters on the pitch at the final whistle. Had Smith come out of the Rwanda match unscathed, we’d likely have seen Liverpool academy members composing nearly half of England’s lineup, which is impressive no matter what level it’s at. And, given the opposite directions being traveled by Liverpool’s academy and England’s national team setup, that’s a good thing.

* Another day, another dumbshit article about how Raul Meireles was good but you know he wasn’t really that good because he didn’t play centrally that much and couldn’t get a game and hi my name is David Maddock I’m not quite sure what the fuck I’m talking about:

And perhaps surprisingly, that clear out could begin with Raul Meireles, who was the only one of last summer’s signings to make a real impact at Anfield. The Portugal international midfielder was voted fans’ player of the year after a promising debut in the Premier League, but he failed to hold down a place in central midfield for the Reds.

Instead he was often used wide of midfield, and with Downing and perhaps another winger on their way to Liverpool, his options would be further limited, as would his chances in the centre with the capture of Jordan Henderson and Adam.

Perhaps you’re thinking this is just another instance of history being rewritten (you’d be right), or perhaps you’re thinking this is dead nuts accurate (you’d be wrong), or perhaps you’re wondering why everyone’s saying “perhaps” so much. There’s no answer for that, other than that it sounds polished when what you’re actually writing is as unpolished as it comes.

As we’ve said before, trying to argue that Raul Meireles should leave because he couldn’t get a game in central midfield is just plain wrong, and working to strengthen that argument by pointing out that other people might show up at some point is flimsy at best. If Meireles is, by some act of the devil, actually sold, it won’t be because he played out wide from time to time, or that he wasn’t good enough to play in front of Jay Spearing. Meireles was a mainstay in the starting eleven and had an impact regardless of where he was placed, and his stint wide was less about being “pushed out” of central midfield and more about providing cover in an area in which Liverpool were sorely lacking. So stuff the argument that he wasn’t good enough or couldn’t get a game—if he’s sold, it’s because Jesus hates me.

* Lastly, we all know that Joey Barton spends most of his free time trotting the globe committing felonies for the thrill of it, but there’s also small chunks of time when the stars align perfectly and he makes something resembling sense. His opinions on the state of English football are typically accurate, and we’re left to hope that he’s accurate in his assessment of how Andy Carroll will fare at Liverpool:

“It’s always difficult when you go to a new football club and you’re not fully fit. He had a niggling injury when they signed him. He’ll be looking to get pre-season under his belt and look to kick on and show Liverpool what an asset they’ve acquired.

“He’s a great lad and we were all gutted to see him leave Newcastle but it was a no-brainer, really. He had to go and test himself at a fantastic football club with great tradition. I stay in touch and we’re all wishing him well but not when he plays against us!”

Combined with the great comments from Yann yesterday, that first bit is particularly salient; if you’re too lazy to click the link, Yann managed to have a chat with Dr. Peter Brukner, who shared the insight that “Andy Carroll’s football environment was less than fully professional in terms of preparation and that the Anfield methods came as a rude shock. This suggests that with a full preseason Carroll will be better placed than previously to tackle a full campaign head on.”

Kindly ignore that this means Yann has now had more contact with anyone associated with Liverpool than Noel and I put together (unless Noel’s holding out on me), and focus on the encouraging part that Andy Carroll will soon be a robot programmed to score goals and win headers. Also ignore Carroll’s six-week drinking binge if we’re to believe that last sentence.

That’s Thursday wrapped up, then, and a reminder that you can catch us on Twitter if you’re looking for updates that are slightly more invigorating than a Martin Samuel rubdown. And, for those who haven’t been around, we’re still taking submissions for our summer guest posting series. You can send what you’ve got or direct any questions to liverpooloffside@hotmail.com; we’re running posts on the weekends, and had two really good submissions already from Joel and Tony. Please do get in touch if you’re interested.

If you’re not interested in a guest post, though, you can spend your time teaching your pet gorilla how to break dance:

Some Related Liverpool Posts:

Category: International Duty, Miscellaneous, Premier League, Team News, Transfer News

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KC

http://www.kopsource.com/inter...
What the frappin a??? I was quite happy for an Aquaman return but if he's the reason Raul has to leave I will rampage around in anger. And I thought that we were out of the sell players to balance books stage/fund other players. Don't do a Rafa and sell one of our best players to fund others. We only have to look at Xabi who was sold and the team suffered as a result. He's 29 this year and only looks better each year. Raul still has a good few years in him and I'm sure if he plays for Liverpool he'll only be more and more valuable. I'm not comparing the two players but Liverpool without Raul was horrible in the last 2 games of the season and way better than alot of the midfielders (from England) that we are rumoured to be linked with...

I finally understand why everyone hates the transfer period. I feel like hibernating.
cheekyfellow

Remember, the main source is the Daily Mail...'nuff said.
lfc80uk

Will be extremely pissed if Meireles is sold to be replaced by the mercurial, Hollywood passing, Scottish international that plys his trade for a certain Blackpool based team....
Mike

Yes, what he said.
Eshan KoKiloo

Practically speaking Meireles should stay. His first season in the EPL was good. He scored in all the important matches, everton chelsea etc. His goal scoring spree kinda helped us stay afloat in the beginning of the new Kenny era.

It just doesnt make any sense in selling him. He was played on the wings cz LFC dint have players in that position, the same way Glen Johnson played at left back.I dont want Adam, he is far less superior to Meireles.
If Meireles goes then tell me how is LFC different that teams like Madrid or Chelsea cz only these teams sell the players who play good for them and then get fucked in that position.
JUventus

liverpool and juventus rocks!
Ryan

the hairy manchests got Ashley Young! booooooo
mardia

I know, rationally, that the Raul Meireles rumors are most likely bullshit, and it would take an immense lapse in judgment (that we have yet to see from anyone at the club these days) for LFC to let him go. And yet, every time one of these wretched rumors pop up again, I immediately want to hiss and make a sign to ward off evil. But it does help to have people lay out, once again, that it would be utter stupidity to let Meireles go.
Nic

Great update Ed - considering there's nothing of substance to talk about at the moment.

I'm as gutted as anyone with the rumours that Raul could [perhaps] be on his way, i don't disagree that he played a major part in our attacking play last season and that it's just plain dumb to say that he got stuck wide right because Spearo is a better CM player than he is.

But, not that i'm saying it's going to happen, this does sound a lot like the philosophy of FSG we'd heard about, buying young players with greater resale value. Raul doesn't fit into that but rather a 28 year-old who's a player that we could recoup most of his transfer fee back if not make a profit before he starts to massively reduce in value over the next couple of seasons.

Put it this way, if it's the choice between a classy, attack minded LW or a classy, all-rounder CM being played as a RM, who would you take!?

Maybe both :o)
KC

I think the difference in this situation is that Raul is probably 10 to 15 million times better than any of the names that we've been linked with to fund their transfer of. For me at least, I would probably tear something apart if Raul is used to fund Downing or Adam or any over-priced English player. Its not like they're much younger. Downing is 26 and Adam is 25 and Raul is really world-class. If it was someone like Mata or Aguero or anyone of those players that we only dream about getting, I would be really really upset but I wouldn't be angry because it would be understandable because they are young and they're really really really good.
Nic

KC, Yes i'd agree that if it was for Downing or Adam, neither of which i really rate as better than Raul, i'd be gutted! Particularly as the amounts of money being quoted for Downing & Adam are in excess of what we paid for Raul who's a much better all round player.

However, if it was Mata, Cordoza or Sanchez, who are all younger and i would say better creative players than Raul then because of the depth we have in the CM area and the fact that over the next 2-3 years Raul's value as a player will only decrease whereas these players could potentially increase in value, i'd [not necessarily happily] swap Raul for a specialized winger.

In makes business sense and unfortunately or fortunately for us FSG will probably look at things this way.
prad

I'm glad July is approaching quick because all the ludicrous rumours linking us to every 'homegrown' player under 25 are beginning to get to me.
Gdv06

I know that this is an LFC Blog, so I guess it doesn't surprise me too much that it wasn't mentioned, but is anyone else worried about the fact that Chelsea just signed Villas-Boas? I'm glad we have King Kenny back, but in the back of my heart, I always had hoped that we would go after Villas-Boas at somepoint in the next 3 years. The fact that he's headed to North London to become the next reincarnation of Mourinho, and he's only 33, certainly scares me--especially with as much cash as Abramovich has to throw around. His record for Porto was just silly.
DJ-Chutfield

Honestly, I'm not worried at all. Carlo Ancelotti is just about the most decorated manager in the modern era. If Abramovich saw it fit to bully and shackle HIS hands behind his back (forcing Torres into his team, sacking him for a brilliant resurgence that saw them nearly retain the title and just a season after the club's first double EVER) then I see no reason why he'd show mercy to a younger, more inexperienced manager who's only months older than most of the senior players. Chelsea's revolving door isn't getting jammed anytime soon.
Suarez from the car park...

hey, if it stops Man Ure getting any more titles while we get our title assault squad built, I'm all for it.
KK/SC will outclass him. He's had one season in the Portuguese league, not quite the same as brushing aside the differing challenges of the EPL.
Ed

I wouldn't say I'm scared, but I share a little in the part about having hope that down the road he'd be available. Like others mention, though, he's going to have to calm a lot of waters to make things work, and that might not always be in his control.
mardia

I'm actually weirdly not all that worried--yes, Villas-Boas has a great record, but it's in a league that makes La Liga look competitive, as others have described it. Furthermore, I weirdly have confidence in the ability of Chelsea's basic dysfunctional nature (seriously, Abramovich, just--WHAT) to continue to bite them in the ass. Call me an optimist.
matt

agreed. i was nervous at first but your last point about abramovich is spot on. the instability in his brain truly keeps the whole organization unstable. villas-boas is a great soccer mind but he's also young and, supposedly, a good guy. mourinho's ego let him go toe to toe with roman when it counted and i think in this case abramovich is gonna ruin his big investment. as for andy's drinking binge, it's nice to finally have someone who can drink fergie under the table. not an easy feat
mardia

I just keep coming back to the fact that Chelsea have just hired a manager that has absolutely ZERO experience in the Champions' League, and given that's the trophy Abramovich is obsessed with, I don't know how that can end well. Plus again--Abramovich in general is going to do a decent enough job of sabotaging his team.
Dirk Kuyt Industries

Ed, great takedown of Maddock. It stuns me to think there are actually people (fans!) that would put Adam in midfield over Meireles.

The most disturbing rumor I've seen thus far is that we want to sell RM to fund the buyouts of Konchesky, Cole, Jovanovic, et al. I've been largely unfazed by the idiocy thus far, but if there is even one gluon of truth to that...
Suarez from the car park...

what's a gluon? Is it like a Klingon that doesn't stick itself?
cheekyfellow

Great post. Not sure how you did that with hardly anything new at all. Or maybe I just really liked the dancing gorilla.
Russell

I'm pretty sure Yann is now In The Know.