The Liverpool discussion thread 2006/2007

Voronin arrives at Melwood today!

COTR wrote: Robbie Fowler has backed Fernando Torres to be a big hit in English football ...

And Fowler is sure the striker has the quality required to turn Liverpool into genuine title contenders.

....

"I am a Liverpool fan and I hope he brings the championship to us.

"Since I have been playing, we've never won that and, as I said before, I am a fan, so I want Liverpool to win everything.

Robbie = class act and a genuine Liverpool man.

Who was it that was saying the majority of atletico fans would be happy to see the back of torres

was it tweeds ??????

Rafa said he's going to sign some wingers next

Benajew is on his way!!

COTR wrote:Who was it that was saying the majority of atletico fans would be happy to see the back of torres

was it tweeds ??????

Didn't Frank say that as well?

COTR wrote:Who was it that was saying the majority of atletico fans would be happy to see the back of torres

was it tweeds ??????

I think most Atlético fans aren't too bothered about the sale.. the signings they have made and are making more than makes it up for selling Torres.

The fans are divided. Some were calling him a "pesetero" which means he is only interested in the money. Others were saying he`s right to leave seeing as he needs to grow and he cant do that at Aleti. Others were pissed cos the club seems to selling everything, possibly even the stadium !

Apparently Torres took a pay cut to join Liverpool, so I can't see why the Atletico fans are saying that.

90k pounds a week (may just be paper talk) is a pay cut?

Cesc wrote:Apparently Torres took a pay cut to join Liverpool, so I can't see why the Atletico fans are saying that.

I don't think that's true mate, news here is that he will be earning 7.7m euros a season at Pool, he wasn't earning anything near that at Patetico.

kas wrote:90k pounds a week (may just be paper talk) is a pay cut?

Benitez said he turned down more lucrative offers from Atletico and other clubs to join Liverpool. Things like this are what Benitez looks for in players.

Ziltoid wrote:

kas wrote:90k pounds a week (may just be paper talk) is a pay cut?

Benitez said he turned down more lucrative offers from Atletico and other clubs to join Liverpool. Things like this are what Benitez looks for in players.

Yes, as does any other manager

But I'm not too sure about the "more lucrative offers". There's no way Atletico would have *once again* increased the wages they were paying him, and who would offer more than his buyout clause of 40 million, which you paid in full?

Though there was definitely a choice from Torres to join Liverpool.

kas wrote:90k pounds a week (may just be paper talk) is a pay cut?

Rafa said that he took a pay cut to go to Liverpool.

Good press conference, good humour showed by Benitez as always, looks like we wont be stopping there as far as signings are concerned and I am really excited about the new season and the future of the club now, we are moving in the right direction and everything is in place.

In his first interview in English football, Fernando Torres talks to Liverpoolfc.tv about signing for the Reds, goals targets and his famous You'll Never Walk Alone captain's armband.

You've just put pen to paper Fernando, how does it feel?

I am very, very happy. This was the biggest decision of my footballing life but I've come to a winning club. This is a club of champions - one of the biggest there is. I now want to play my part in that and be a champion too and help the club progress.

How much do you know about Liverpool Football Club?

Obviously growing up in Spain you are aware of all the big clubs there, but you also keep an eye on Europe, and Liverpool always catches the eye. It always did for me. I had older brothers who'd tell me about the likes of Keegan and Rush, but the first players I remember seeing as a fan are players like Robbie Fowler. My main memory is seeing Liverpool's incredible record in Europe, and I certainly followed that closely.

When did you first hear of Liverpool's interest in you?

It was just a couple of weeks ago, it's all happened very quickly. I was aware of offers from other clubs but as soon as I knew Liverpool were interested I said to Atletico: "Look, please listen to this offer." There were many clubs being banded around. Offers go directly to Atletico, so I wouldn't necessarily know about them, but as soon as I heard about Liverpool, I told them that Anfield was the only place I was interested in.

Why did Liverpool stand out for you?

I'm aware of the history and how special this club is. The tragedies that have happened have made the bond between the fans and the club so strong. Liverpool just ticks all the boxes for me. There's team spirit and a desire to win instilled by Rafa, and then there's my new teammates like Pepe and Xabi. They, as well as Luis, have always spoken very positively about life here in Liverpool. I didn't speak to them directly before signing because it all happened so quickly. I've been getting planes here, there and everywhere. My other half has spoken to Pepe's other half though. She said: "We're here for you. Let us know if there is anything you need."

Tell me about the captain's armband you displayed during a game against Real Sociedad last season, with You'll Never Walk Alone written on the inside?

There is a group of my mates, about five or six of us, and we've all grown up supporting Liverpool. Because they are all so committed to Liverpool, they've had We'll Never Walk Alone tattooed on their arms. It's changed slightly because it's a symbol of our friendship as well as our support for the club. Obviously I couldn't have that tattooed on my arm playing for Atletico, but they gave me this armband as a present for my last birthday.

Why have you decided to leave Atletico now?

The time is right because Liverpool have come in for me.

Was it a difficult decision to make?

You have certain chances in life. You can't afford to miss them because they only come around once. I've been with Atletico since I was 10, I've grown up as a person and a player there. But we haven't been getting the opportunities to play in Europe and I think I now need to take that step up.

How big a factor was Rafa Benitez in your decision to come to Merseyside?

The first time I spoke to him, I was convinced. Just to know Rafa has confidence in me and trusts me is massive. I feel honoured because Liverpool are such a big club, they could have signed anyone. I am very pleased they have chosen me!

What do you know about the fans here in Liverpool, and how much are you looking forward to playing in front of the Kop?

I've spoken to many people about it and watched many DVDs, but you can't possibly know what it feels like to play at Anfield until you have experienced it. I am dying to play in front of the Kop.

Have you set yourself a goals target for your first season?

Not really, but I suppose the first target is to beat what I got in Spain. My average there was 15.

Finally, what message would you like to send to Liverpool fans?

I just want to say thank-you, because from today, day one, people have been trying to meet me at Melwood. I've also seen some at the airport. They all seem to be behind me, so I want to say thank-you very much.

_______________________________

Seems like a top bloke.

Tell me about the captain's armband you displayed during a game against Real Sociedad last season, with You'll Never Walk Alone written on the inside?

There is a group of my mates, about five or six of us, and we've all grown up supporting Liverpool. Because they are all so committed to Liverpool, they've had We'll Never Walk Alone tattooed on their arms. It's changed slightly because it's a symbol of our friendship as well as our support for the club. Obviously I couldn't have that tattooed on my arm playing for Atletico, but they gave me this armband as a present for my last birthday.




this one will really really cut nutwing deep

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has admitted Craig Bellamy could be leaving the club.

Bellamy's future has been the subject of speculation for some time with a number of clubs believed to keen on signing the Welsh international.

The former Newcastle striker struggled to hold down a place in Benitez's side last season and the arrival of Fernando Torres has pushed Bellamy further down the pecking order at Anfield.

Benitez admitted a number of clubs have expressed an interest in Bellamy, but he insists Peter Crouch will be going nowhere.

Asked if Bellamy will be leaving, Benitez said: "Possibly. We have some clubs asking about him and it's a possibility.

"The only thing I can say is that Crouch will be staying with us. I have said to Crouch that he must fight for his position and he will stay with us."

Benitez also played down rumours linking him with a move for Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze.

The Spaniard says he is looking at bringing in wide players rather than defenders.

"Really we are working with wingers," added Benitez. "People can talk about a lot of things and a lot of names but we're working on wingers."

_______________________

Happy times.

So then.

These are the players that will definately start most games next season:

Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Agger
Gerrard
Alonso
Mascherano
Kuyt
Torres

that's what I assume, unless we get in someone like Alves then Finnan will be first choice right back.

That means that there is still a question mark about the left hand side of things, Aurellio looks likely to be first choice left back but Benitez may bring in heinze to challenge him (although I do not want him), left midfield also looks like Kewell to be first choice with Riise challenging him, well that's what it looks like at the moment but Benitez said he is after a winger, I think if a winger such as Malouda or Simao came in this week or next week then it could mean the end for Riise, as I don't think Kewell will be sold

Luis wrote:So then.

These are the players that will definately start most games next season:

Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Agger
Gerrard
Alonso
Mascherano
Kuyt
Torres

that's what I assume, unless we get in someone like Alves then Finnan will be first choice right back.

That means that there is still a question mark about the left hand side of things, Aurellio looks likely to be first choice left back but Benitez may bring in heinze to challenge him (although I do not want him), left midfield also looks like Kewell to be first choice with Riise challenging him, well that's what it looks like at the moment but Benitez said he is after a winger, I think if a winger such as Malouda or Simao came in this week or next week then it could mean the end for Riise, as I don't think Kewell will be sold

I look forward to watching Liverpool next season, i might find myself celebrating a Torres goal for the first time

Is he gonna play as a lone striker or with Kuyt?

With Kuyt I assume

Luis wrote:With Kuyt I assume

Don't you think they are a bit similar

Not really, Torres is much quicker for a start, and he creates chances for himself, Kuyt is strong, he's a decent finisher although not the best but I think Kuyt needs people to feed him and I do not think Kuyt would unlock a defence by himself while I think Torres could, Kuyt is the better header of the ball, but I think Torres shows more awareness

I would have Torres as the second striker, with Kuyt or someone else further upfront, playing Torres as the number 9 alone in his first season in England will be a bit risky

It's just a number

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premiership/liverpool/article2028699.ece

says that we are in for Quaresma now. that would be bloody awesome but dunno if it holds any truth.

YNWA wrote:http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premiership/liverpool/article2028699.ece

says that we are in for Quaresma now. that would be bloody awesome but dunno if it holds any truth.

Yeah, saw that on the Beeb gossip thing. I hope it's true, but I doubt it.

Oooh Quaresma was just on SSN. "Could this player be Rafas next target?" They said.

I hope so

Him, Simao and Mancini look the 3 possible candidates for now, would take any one of them to be honest, all top class IMO

Quaresma is awesome and would be a great signing for Pool. He wont work that hard, but he will entertain and dazzle the Anfield faithful.