Gerrard In Training, Meireles Goes Rambling, and Other Friday Notes

By: Noel | September 8th, 2011

You made it through the international break, not to mention a mad end to the summer transfer window. Congratulations. To celebrate, let’s hop right back into one of the touchiest subjects of the last two weeks…

*Over the weekend, Raul Meireles insisted he wasn’t a Judas but said that he’d explain in more detail later. Now he’s gone and done just that, and for something he’s had a week to sort over in his head it doesn’t make for an especially convincing argument:

When I was in Porto, I knew that I wanted to go and the club wanted to sell me, and I only had to wait for the right choice.

I made the right choice last year to come to England and to come to Liverpool and this year was different because I knew that I didn’t want to leave Liverpool.

I felt that the new owners didn’t want to sell me, but when I knew that Chelsea and Andre wanted me, it convinced me.

Right, so he says that Liverpool didn’t want to sell him. And also that he didn’t want to leave. But that he had to leave when Chelsea came calling. And that’s why it means he isn’t a traitor.

If that doesn’t start running circles in your head until it begins to feel as though it’s about to explode, it gets worse:

It was strange, because I knew of the interest of Chelsea, and the interest of the coach, and it was a pleasure to come to this club but it was strange because it was on the last day.

So Liverpool didn’t want to sell him and he didn’t want to go and the whole mess really didn’t start moving until the window was almost closed. Raul, buddy, usually when people say they aren’t traitors and will explain at a later date, you expect epic stories of being screwed over and driven out. And not so much stories about being in a place you like with people who don’t want you to leave but then deciding to bolt in the middle of the night like you decided you needed a pack of smokes and then just didn’t come back. But maybe something’s being lost in translation between English and Hipster:

I know that Chelsea is a great club, one of the best clubs in the world, and it [was] not too difficult to convince me to come.

I don’t even know what to say: It’s hard to work up a good head of indignant when faced with such an unrelenting wall of stupid. Maybe it’s meant as a postmodern deconstruction of the struggle facing the modern athlete. It certainly doesn’t do much to justify his transfer request and subsequent move.

* Moving on to happier news that lets you look at pretty pictures instead of trying to make sense of nonsense, the official site has photos of the squad training in preparation for Saturday’s match at Stoke. The happy part, then, would be that you’ll get your first look at new signings Sebastian Coates and Craig Bellamy training. You’ll also get an injury update that hasn’t been reported anywhere else on the site: Glen Johnson and Steven Gerrard (and his groin) are back in training. Which is, you know, kind of a big deal.

* In case you missed it, Rafa Benitez’ website had its official launch yesterday, and while it still has a fair number of yet to be fleshed out sections hinting at multimedia coverage of topics from Istanbul to training methods, there’s a fair bit of backdated content waiting to eat up your free time this Friday. You’ve got Benitez breaking down last season’s Champions League final between Barcelona and Manchester United; guest articles from the likes of Paco de Miguel, Rafa’s old physical trainer at Valencia and Liverpool, who goes into great depth explaining stamina training for football; and a look into the differences between La Liga and the Premier League that will make stats geeks and anyone who’s a fan of charts and graphs happy:

The number of passes per game is similar for the last 2 seasons in both leagues, although slightly higher in the Spanish league. There is not a significant difference.

More long passes in the Premier League, more in the opposition half and also more in the final third, but with less accuracy. This may be due to the fact that in the Premier League many of these passes came from the goalkeeper. Similarly, more crosses in the Premier League over the last 2 seasons.

The wealth of statistics on passing, sprint speed, tackles, cards, and all the rest do suggest that the Premier League is as many would suspect faster and more physical—and that teams there rely on more long balls—while La Liga is more technical. Still, it’s a great deal of fun getting around to confirming what you always thought you knew.

Ed will be along later with the Stoke preview, but in the meantime, let’s stick with Chelsea, Rafa, and happy pretty pictures….

Some Related Liverpool Posts:

Category: Miscellaneous, Premier League, Team News

« Daniel Agger and the Injury Free Internationals Recap | Home | Match Preview: Liverpool v. Stoke City, 09.10.11 »

TheTurnAroundKing

On Rafa, i was watching the Kenny pre matcher on Sky
Sports News last night, i love the way he takes no shit from the hacks. They
rounded off the report by saying something like 'if Liverpool beat stoke and
spurs it will confirm their fans suspicions that this is the best Liverpool
team in 20 years'. Now i'm over the moon we're moving in the right direction
and investing in the squad, but we're not champion’s league final and record
points tally's in the league standard just yet. It's like the media want to erase
everything Rafa achieved. For the life of me i don't understand why? Because
he's Spanish?! Anyway, let’s hope we nail Stoke tomorrow and keep the momentum
going.
On Rafa, i was watching the Kenny pre matcher on Sky
Sports News last night, i love the way he takes no shit from the hacks. They
rounded off the report by saying something like 'if Liverpool beat stoke and
spurs it will confirm their fans suspicions that this is the best Liverpool
team in 20 years'. Now i'm over the moon we're moving in the right direction
and investing in the squad, but we're not champion’s league final and record
points tally's in the league standard just yet. It's like the media want to erase
everything Rafa achieved. For the life of me i don't understand why? Because
he's Spanish?! Anyway, let’s hope we nail Stoke tomorrow and keep the momentum
going.
TheTurnAroundKing

I'm so serious about this i said it twice, i'll slow down the drinking now...
Latortillablanca

whoever decides to give rafa a checkbook for once in his career will be a very happy owner.
JPR

Said it twice and replied to yourself. Put that shit away before you cause some real brain damage.
poorscouserbobby

wow.
Noel

But the brain damage is how you tell it's working.
Antonio

Raul is never bigger than Torres, so it should not require much attention now and later. Both are gone and reunited in the other same club. I also don't want to talk much about Rafa.
We should be talking about Bellamy, even if we have to talk about golf club, because now he is back with us. I have a strong feeling Bellamy will do more good than harm.
Talking about Adam, yes I remember someone said his corner kick already worth 10 million, so I believe we have him with a good bargain. I don't think he is that fanatistic but just enable to fit into the team.
Now we actually got 2 more new players even the transfer was already close, G Johnson & Steven G, isn't it sound great?
JPR

We picked up Suarez and Carroll with the Torres $, which has worked out really well. And we have the $12 million pounds from Raul which is not bad and we can use in January as we assess things then. And Rauls $ will help with the FFP rules (suggestions?). I'm guessing that the penalties UEFA use in the first two monitoring periods (2013/14 and 2014/15) will be of the milder variety (not disqualification from competitions) as these rules kick in.

I originally thought Bellamy might cause some disharmony in the team. But, as I have watched some of his interviews I am starting to think he may just do the business for us. He seems to be saying (and meaning) all the right things. His admiration for Liverpool and respect for KK appear to be genuine. And if he has a good bit of his old raw pace left it should fit well into the possession/move/ball on carpet/high tempo game KK is creating in the team. And KK seems to be excited to have him and mentioned that Bellamy has retired his golf game.

So, I am starting to feel very optimistic about him.
Seanster

I think what Meireles is saying is quite clear actually. Just say Liverpool was Rauls girlfriend or ex girlfriend now. He's saying:

"I left that other bird last year happily because I wanted a bird with bigger baps, which is you, and I've had a bloody good year playing with said large fun bags and love you dearly. I've now done a runner with another bird who you hate on the eve of our mates wedding, leaving you no time to get another date.

However, I've not been unfaithful because the other birds dad is loaded and I'm willing to sacrafice your lovely babalons for extra dough. So essentially I have the moral high ground and am the victim in all of this. So speak of me lovingly and hug me when our paths cross again."

"P.S. That Spanish lad is worse cause he shoved his balls in the rich birds face, I merely allowed mine to dangle through a hole in my sailor suit, it was she who then moved in for the kill. See, I'm the victim and accept your apology."

So lets give Raul a bit of time and space to get over us, poor mite.
redtrev73

I'm really into these analogies Seanster...can we then, by extension of this logic, say that xabi left after finding his ample-chested lady draped across Gareth Barry? And that masch simply found a better looking lass? Is it also fair to say that cole got dumped and is on the rebound with a French tart?!
Seanster

Aye, and poor old Ngog, dumped then set up with an ugly mate with a history of GBH.
JPR

Seanster, thanks for putting the Raul transfer into perspective for me. Have to say I was a touch upset when the news broke. Being somewhat of a baps man myself, I would always spring for the bigger baps, especially since I would have already played with the 1st bird's smaller bags. And, like you said, it's not like he shoved his balls in the rich birds face.
Seanster

Glad I could help. I would, however, in Rauls shoes Given more than a year with my new big bapped beauty rather than jumping for a few quid and a pair of obviously fake plastic ones paid for by daddy. No matter how curious I was to have a go on those manufactured cans.

Further to defend Raul though, I once worked in a restaurant and one of the waitresses got a boob job and came into the restaurant with a few soups on board as all the staff were closing up. A cracking girl, she pulled up her top and showed us her new jugs, just like they were a new watch or something. Anyway, didn't she then offer anyone who wanted to touch em to go ahead. All the girls had a go but only one of about six of us lads threw the hand. Irish embarrassment and pretend gentlemanliness and that kind of thing got in the way.

Anyway that incident was 15 years ago and I'm married a good while now to a bird with nice normal jugs. Although not a day goes by when I don't regret not copping a grab at those new fakey bad boys the waitress had. That said I wouldn't have dangled my balls out a hole in my jocks to get there.
JPR

I can see it's a good thing you're married now. And yes, let's keep the balls in the jocks.
brother jon

let's keep the (uninvited) shoving to a minimum? yes- that's old fashioned, route 1. but making your balls readily available encourages others to play them smartly. it's how you get a head these days.
JPR

Yes. And it's a good thing yours truly was not at Seanster's said waitress coming out party. I'd still have my ladle wrapped around those soup cans.
Nic

Just read this from David Prentice over at the Echo:

'Adam currently lies 11th in the overall Premier League table – and in terms of midfielders, only Ashley Young, David Silva and Anderson have proved more productive this season.
The Scot has scored one goal, created two more, hit the target with 62.5% of all his shots and has won 83.3% of all the tackles he has entered in to this season, as well as making three clearances.
He has also covered more distance than any other Liverpool player in each of his three games. Against Bolton, Adam covered an incredible 13,515m – almost eight-and-a-half miles – including a massive 7042m in the first-half alone!'Is it safe to say round here...yet...that i'm starting to like Adam!? :)
Latortillablanca

dying to see how him, gerrard and suarez all firing looks like...
CheekyFellow

Come on Lucas, pick up the slack! Every partner he has is a record setter in the distance column.

Only joking, by the way.
brother jon

who knew raul meireles is portuguese for nigel tuffnel? http://youtu.be/ll7rWiY5obI
brenton

Meireles was already a Judas for leaving one club and joining another. I think he actually did that a couple times before in his career.

You know who else did? Your entire squad.* Reina, Henderson, Carroll, Suarez, they all left one club to join yours. So did every player for Arsenal, Chelsea, ManU, and so on. Players change teams, sometimes for little reason. Sometimes they leave for money, sometimes weather, sometimes they don't like a trainer, and so on. Can we please stop pretending that players are entirely beholden to the club that pays them wages for a year or two, sometimes more, like any other employee?

*minus maybe Carragher and some 19-year-old that's only getting playing time because of injuries.
Ed

Viewing players as employees isn't any fun.
brenton

It really isn't.
Noel

Also, it was Meireles who used the term Judas and said he'd explain why he wasn't one while there was a tendency for many to give him the benefit of the doubt once the initial annoyance had passed: Liverpool didn't want him, something had soured behind the scenes, he was moving for playing time, etc., etc.

Then his explanation was a steaming mess that made him look like more of a Judas (again, his word) when it wasn't being just ridiculously nonsensical like a five year old's finger painting.

So Brenton is rather taking me to task for things I didn't say.
brenton

I imagine he was reacting to accusations from some supporters, though that's just a guess.

I agree, he dealt with it poorly. But then, these are footballers we're talking about. Have you read Rooney's autobiography? The man (with help from a writer, I might add) can barely string together a coherent sentence.
CheekyFellow

Or he remembered the shirt burning and all the children screaming after Torres left.

Oh well, I hope he has the same dumbfounded look on his face that Torres had last year when we scored on Chelsea.
kenny

Well well well, where do I start? Ok, those players left to further enhance their careers, going from a smaller club/league to play for a bigger team to play bigger games and make a bigger name for themselves, it wasnt about money, but coming to make a name for yourself and show your top class. Suarez wasnt the biggest name until he came to Liverpool. Henderson and Carroll both young kids with talent taking it to the next level to show they can play along and keep up with the best. Raul same thing, hangin' out in Porto and we snapped him up and showed his worth. He thanked the club and pledged allegiance, yet left. Liverpool is top of the table material, he knows it. But why play for a top of the table club when you can player for another down the road, but with more money. Thats the difference, Reina, Suarez, Carroll, Henderson, the lot of em are here for the passion of the game, bringing a team they believe in to win. To show they are Liverpool, they dont care about wages they pledge allegiance to winning. Not money
brenton

We're fresh off losing Nasri to City for more money after Wenger developed him into a top player. We also think we're a top club, a final destination in an upwards trajectory.

Maybe Meireles didn't like the city. Maybe he didn't like the weather. I can think of a dozen things about London that are more attractive than Liverpool. Though, really, it was probably about the potential to win silverware.
JPR

Brenton, one thing I am fairly certain of. As long as Stan Kroenke and your Board are in charge of things at Arsenal, the Arsenal will always be a selling club. Fabregas, Nasri, Toure Clichy. No need to give me th specific details of the circumstances surrounding the previous guys, I've already read 20 articles and various blogs (including yours over at the Arsenal). The point I'm making is a general point, when Wenger develops one of your players into world class, he's gone. The board will NEVER do what is needed to retain them. It is the philosophy of your board that will not change. And FFP is not going to change or affect this. And your board will never bring in a player with a big transfer fee. The Fabregas money just goes in the bank and will never go to bring in similar or near similar quality.

Not so sure this is the case with us. The vibe around the club is really positive and most of the guys are thrilled to be playing for us. Especially with KK's return, new owners and possibly a new stadium. And when we develop a guy into world class or great, I'm not so sure we are going to lose them. Suarez, Reina, Gerrard.

I know, I know, the circumstances surrounding each player (and perceived quality) are very specific and could be debated at length. But, I'm just trying to point out the differing philosophies between our owners and management group. I can see ours accomplishing great things. I'm not so sure I see that with you guys.

And what I would say about Wenger, is that he has accomplished what he has in spite of the obstacles created by your board/owner. I mean the quality in the style of play which we all appreciate. I'm not talking about silverware. I know there has not been any in awhile.
brenton

Until this summer, many of us thought the same, that other than Cesc, we were attracting big players, that the players we developed into world-class talent (Nasri, Sagna, RvP, Theo) wouldn't leave. Now it's all a bit up in the air.
JPR

Your player for me is TV5 and of course, RVP.

The Barca's, Real's, United's and maybe even City now have the money and real expectation of challenging for trophies. I know your revenues are bigger than City now, but they are willing to spend it, Arsenal are not. And, I, for one, am expecting City's revenues to eclipse Arsenals with the big deals their owners are able to put together, TV revenue from league finish and a deep run in CL.

So, Liverpool and Arsenal are at a slight disadvantage in keeping the superstars, financially, and will have to do it slightly differently. There are so many exciting and positive things happening with us at the moment that I hope we'll find a way to keep the best players and be competitive, "maybe" at the level of competing for trophies. I know we'll be able to be competitive and play attractive and committed footbal with KK at the helm.
brenton

When you say "top of the table", do you mean you actually think Liverpool could win the league? Or do you just mean, perhaps, top tier, etc?

Players pledge allegiance, kiss badges, sign contract extensions, and in a few years leave for something bigger, better, or brighter. We can't expect random footballers to love our clubs as much as we do.
Ed

The audacity of a Liverpool supporter thinking Liverpool could win the league, or even challenge for it! For shame!
brenton

As much as I'd like to believe Arsenal could also win the league, I think we're only fooling ourselves if we hold on to that belief at this point.
Ed

Right, but if we're reducing being a supporter to complete objectivism, we're sucking all the fun out of an experience that otherwise affords an opportunity for ridiculousness and romance.
brenton

The Cesc and Nasri dealings have left me a dried-up cynical husk of a man.
DJ-Chutfield

This is not meant to be a jab, I've always liked Arsenal; they may even be my second team. But replacing Ces/Nasri with Arteta/Benayoun... who are you tryin to fool? The gulf in class between your old midfield and new is just incomprehensible.

All Arsenal is battling for this season is fourth place, if you're lucky. This might be Tottenham's year to finally finish above you. Mertesacker signing came one season late. Again, not a backhanded slap, I really do feel for you. I hope you don't have to fall as low as 18th place as we did to have a turnaround. I'm rootin' for ya! But you've got to move some serious cash come January. And again come May.
brenton

Switch that to Gervinho/Arteta replacing Nasri/Cesc and it doesn't look so bad. No one was going to replace Cesc. He's one of the best midfielders in the world. We'll grow our own soon enough, though.
JPR

I see you've been talking to Arsene Wenger.
brenton

Pretty sure all those statements are correct.
JPR

Well I'm not comparing it to the Frenchman saying "Arsenal would never get rid of Cesc and Nasri this season because that would show the world that the Arsenal are a small club". Not arguing tooooo much. Just sounds a lot like Arsene speak.

But, I'm suggesting that Joel Griffiths and his CAPS LOCK key may disagree.
kenny

There is a difference from moving on, and being a judas
kenny

Sorry, that has made me upset. Raul could have also gone to Italy, different weather, better depending on who you are, different language culture etc... No he stayed in the same country, moved to a place with the same everything! Except for one thing... London had more money. And they are rivals. We hate them along with Manpoo. He knew that, but he doesnt care too much about that, it shouldnt matter with a bigger paycheck. It kills off the excitement saying its just "whatever"
paul

You can hardly compare Chelsea living to L4! Raul could only go where the club offering him a job is located. There was only one club doing so, and at the last minute again. It happened to be managed by someone he's very keen on working with, and have far more money than FSG. Add to that he now has a chance to play in the CL in the season leading up to a rather large international tournament, you'd have to be daft to think he wouldn't want to improve his position. He must also have wondered about game time with our flood of midfielders, something all players will be concerned about if they want to represent their country in the summer.

Few PL players will go to Italy. Where have you been? Italy is near broke and about to lose their 4th CL spot. Even Aqua is still on loan because no one can afford him.

I wonder about all these haters. Have they never changed employers? If not, they must work in the civil service and be a "lifer" (brown trousers optional but encouraged).
Nic

Totally agree with @37b333287b9456084db73d9b74856cc5:disqus...sorry @brentonwalters:disqus!

Seems we're going to be talking about this Raul 'Judas' Merieles topic for a while yet!

Just to clear up:

Judas [n]: a person treacherous enough to betray a friend; traitor.

On the club's pre-season tour of China, when asked if he would still be a Liverpool player this coming season, he replied: "Of course."Read More http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk...

Out of the 'traitor's/judas' mouth so to speak!? :)

I guess we could just call him a 'big fat liar' but judas just has a better ring to it!
CheekyFellow

What's with the witch craft? We can tag people?
brother jon

sneaky lead there brenton. but then pfffft.
p.s.-the straw man league meets every other neversday.
DJ-Chutfield

I think Torres burned out my contempt-for-Judas transfers. I made no secret of my preference for Meireles over Adam and Spearing, but there's just too much positivity going round right now. Who gives a shit if ONE quality player decided to jump ship? Plenty more where that came from!

We're in a strong position, have a much deeper squad than ever before in recent memory and, after we regain CL football, be able to attract top names again. Meireles, be damned! Aquilani was the one I really wanted to hold onto, but not even the most cynical of fans would label him a Judas... the club was actually more the Judas in that little saga, IMHO. But yeah, I just really truly do not care about Raul leaving. Sure, I'll crack a smile if his career nose-dives and corkscrews to the ground in true Torres stylee. But I just do not care.

Anybody with me on this?
mardia

I completely agree. After Torres, Meireles feels like a blip, after the initial shock was over. I just can't bring myself to be that worked up about him leaving, or the reasons for him leaving. The one reassuring thing is that the club didn't "push him out" as certain media outlets were insinuating/stating. He saw the opportunity for a bigger paycheck and the chance to play in the CL, and he took it. Simple as that. *shrug*

The club's doing well, we've still got a deep squad, we've got owners that are willing to spend to improve the club, and we've got Dalglish ready to tell the press to piss off when needed. (Which, let's face it, can be often.)
KC

I totally agree. So what if he left. Its not like getting angry and enraged over it is going to either bring him back or curse him to oblivion. Rather we should use that same energy and channel it into support for everyone else :D Was Meireles and Torres good players? No they are both great players. But they aren't the only great players in this world and when players like that leave, I have confidence in the people at LFC to bring in other great players.
CheekyFellow

But he said he wasn't a Judas!

Makes Torres look like a saint.