More Anfield Banter: Paul Anderson impresses, Dudek signs with Real, It’s Javi time, Jorge Fucile, & New keeper coach

By: Brian | July 15th, 2007

* Paul Anderson scored a brace in his loan debut with Swansea City as they faced Swedish club Ostersund in a preseason friendly yesterday. It’s good to see the kids getting off to a good start. With all the talk of our big signings, we have had Besian Idrizaj’s hat trick along with Lee Peltier and Ray Putterill netting so far. Adam Hammill also got a mention for his debut with Southampton, but failed to score for George Burley’s side.

* Well, it looks as if Jerzy Dudek’s move to Real Madrid is all but done. All he has to do is pass his medical, which could be an issue since he finished his Liverpool career injured. I wish him all the luck in the world.

* Unless you’ve been living in a cave for the past month, you know that Javier Mascherano and his Argentinian teammates are set to battle Brazil in the Copa final later today. Javi has been adamant about dismissing his team’s ‘favorite’ tag, knowing how sporadic the Brazilians can be and also how they can pull it together to beat anyone at anytime. Rafa has already sent his best wishes to our World Class midfielder and if he can add another goal and his team lift the copa, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him named as player of the tourney, though I have a feeling that if they do win, Riquelme will be the sentimental favorite.

* Speaking of Copa, one player has stood out among the rest, at least to me. He’s young, obviously talented, and fits our need at left and right back, so why aren’t we going after Uruguayan Jorge Fucile? The 22-year-old showed that he has the toughness to make it in the EPL and has some amazing on-the-ball skills. I’m not sure how anyone else rates him, but I also don’t know how much FC Porto would want for him or if they would even consider selling him. Just my two cents, anyone else have an assessment?

* Finally, Pepe’s mentor, Jose Ochotorena, has packed his bags and headed back to Valencia, leaving his understudy, Xavi Valero, to mind the net-minders. With Reina there to help out, we should be able to get Martin Hansen in line, as it already looks as if David Martin is a fine prospect and little needs to be said about Scott Carson, England’s best.