The majority of Liverpool supporters have welcomed the news of Rickie Lambert’s imminent arrival with perspective and balance, able to see how much sense it makes for Liverpool. As always though, there are some who have found reason to criticise the move.
Social media, love it or hate it, has given a voice to those who think the world of football transfers is a simple process and one where clubs simply go out and players who they want, like shopping at your local Tesco.
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve read how Liverpool “should just sign [Loic] Remy instead” in relation to the Lambert deal. One suggestion on twitter was that Samuel Eto’o would be better as he’d score more goals and was available on a free.
Just quickly, lets get that Eto’o one out the way by pointing out that Lambert scored four more than Eto’o last season in the Premier League. A rather flawed ‘argument’.
As is the suggestion that Liverpool should simply go out and sign Remy instead.
For starters, why would Remy, a player who has just been a regular starter and goalscorer for a Premier League side, sign for a club knowing full well he’d be back up to two of the best forwards not only in the league but also Europe? He wouldn’t. Not unless he was a mercenary. In which case why would want someone at the club just to pick a pay cheque?
Rodgers’ squad is all about attitude, togetherness, mentality and unity.
Throw in the reported wages of Remy and you get another quite clear reason why such a move makes very little sense. Why would Liverpool pay a player higher wages than half the starting XI, to simply play back up to Suarez and Sturridge.
These are all rhetorical questions by the way, ones which anyone with an iota of perspective needn’t even think about.
What’s most baffling is that some are seemingly griping about signing a player who is 32. “He’s too old, we should be signing someone younger” they spew from their keyboards.
Yes, because Liverpool are clearly lacking young players.
Quite clearly too, Lambert fits in with the style of play at Liverpool, having played in a similar system with Southampton for the last two seasons.
But at the same time, he offers a different dimension that will improve the squad. He’s able to hold up play and bring others around him into play.
Struggling to break a team down, have Lambert with Suarez and Sturridge buzzing around him, plus Sterling, Coutinho and likely Lallana.
Needing to hold on to a lead, have Lambert hold up play up front expertly.
Why would Remy, a player of a similar ilk to what we already have in the squad, be a better option? He wouldn’t.
Signing Lambert is a smart move, one that makes complete sense for Liverpool. A player who will give 100% despite being behind Suarez and Sturridge – unlike others we’ve witnessed this season.
Oh, and for the record, Remy signed just one Premier League goal more than Lambert last season, but one less in all competitions.
We’re signing a player who has scored 28 Premier League goals in the last two seasons, for £4.5m, who suits our style of play and will be an excellent addition to the squad.
The majority of Liverpool supporters have welcomed the news of Rickie Lambert’s imminent arrival with perspective and balance, able to see how much sense it makes for Liverpool. As always though, there are some who have found reason to criticise the move.
Social media, love it or hate it, has given a voice to those who think the world of football transfers is a simple process and one where clubs simply go out and players who they want, like shopping at your local Tesco.
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve read how Liverpool “should just sign [Loic] Remy instead” in relation to the Lambert deal. One suggestion on twitter was that Samuel Eto’o would be better as he’d score more goals and was available on a free.
Just quickly, lets get that Eto’o one out the way by pointing out that Lambert scored four more than Eto’o last season in the Premier League. A rather flawed ‘argument’.
As is the suggestion that Liverpool should simply go out and sign Remy instead.
For starters, why would Remy, a player who has just been a regular starter and goalscorer for a Premier League side, sign for a club knowing full well he’d be back up to two of the best forwards not only in the league but also Europe? He wouldn’t. Not unless he was a mercenary. In which case why would want someone at the club just to pick a pay cheque?
Rodgers’ squad is all about attitude, togetherness, mentality and unity.
Throw in the reported wages of Remy and you get another quite clear reason why such a move makes very little sense. Why would Liverpool pay a player higher wages than half the starting XI, to simply play back up to Suarez and Sturridge.
These are all rhetorical questions by the way, ones which anyone with an iota of perspective needn’t even think about.
What’s most baffling is that some are seemingly griping about signing a player who is 32. “He’s too old, we should be signing someone younger” they spew from their keyboards.
Yes, because Liverpool are clearly lacking young players.
Quite clearly too, Lambert fits in with the style of play at Liverpool, having played in a similar system with Southampton for the last two seasons.
But at the same time, he offers a different dimension that will improve the squad. He’s able to hold up play and bring others around him into play.
Struggling to break a team down, have Lambert with Suarez and Sturridge buzzing around him, plus Sterling, Coutinho and likely Lallana.
Needing to hold on to a lead, have Lambert hold up play up front expertly.
Why would Remy, a player of a similar ilk to what we already have in the squad, be a better option? He wouldn’t.
Signing Lambert is a smart move, one that makes complete sense for Liverpool. A player who will give 100% despite being behind Suarez and Sturridge – unlike others we’ve witnessed this season.
Oh, and for the record, Remy signed just one Premier League goal more than Lambert last season, but one less in all competitions.
We’re signing a player who has scored 28 Premier League goals in the last two seasons, for £4.5m, who suits our style of play and will be an excellent addition to the squad.
Southampton striker Rickie Lambert will undergo his medical at Liverpool on Saturday after the two clubs agreed a fee for the England international.
The Press Association report that Liverpool’s second bid was accepted on Friday morning.
Numerous reports claim the fee is in the region of £4 million, not the £9 million fee that was reported by Sky Sports on Thursday evening.
Lambert will sign a two-year deal with the option of another year, and the move should be finalised this weekend, before he heads off to Miami for England’s pre-World Cup training camp.
Liverpool are signing an experienced player with a proven Premier League goalscoring record who has played a system similar to how Brendan Rodgers‘ side play for the past two years.
In both his seasons in the Premier League, Lambert has hit double figures. He will offer an excellent backup to Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge.
The low fee also means that money will remain to strengthen other, arguably more pressing, areas of the squad.
PA Sport also report that Liverpool are continuing negotiations for Spanish left-back Alberto Moreno, with Sevilla now reported to want Luis Alberto on loan as part of the deal.
“Lambert looks like being the first through the door at Anfield in what is expected to be a busy summer as they look to strengthen ahead of a return to the Champions League” writes PA.
They end by saying interest in Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm has cooled, and that Liverpool are no longer considering the Dutchman as a viable target.
Southampton striker Rickie Lambert will undergo his medical at Liverpool on Saturday after the two clubs agreed a fee for the England international.
The Press Association report that Liverpool’s second bid was accepted on Friday morning.
Numerous reports claim the fee is in the region of £4 million, not the £9 million fee that was reported by Sky Sports on Thursday evening.
Lambert will sign a two-year deal with the option of another year, and the move should be finalised this weekend, before he heads off to Miami for England’s pre-World Cup training camp.
Liverpool are signing an experienced player with a proven Premier League goalscoring record who has played a system similar to how Brendan Rodgers‘ side play for the past two years.
In both his seasons in the Premier League, Lambert has hit double figures. He will offer an excellent backup to Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge.
The low fee also means that money will remain to strengthen other, arguably more pressing, areas of the squad.
PA Sport also report that Liverpool are continuing negotiations for Spanish left-back Alberto Moreno, with Sevilla now reported to want Luis Alberto on loan as part of the deal.
“Lambert looks like being the first through the door at Anfield in what is expected to be a busy summer as they look to strengthen ahead of a return to the Champions League” writes PA.
They end by saying interest in Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm has cooled, and that Liverpool are no longer considering the Dutchman as a viable target.
Liverpool’s reported bid for Southampton and England striker Rickie Lambert has come as a surprise and somewhat divided opinion as to whether the 32-year-old is a good signing. George Brown outlines why he believes he will be a good fit at Anfield.
Despite the abundance of talent on the pitch at Anfield, there is an obvious and distinct lack of options off it. The big scouser will probably be limited in his game time, however, Lambert knows he will not be first – or even second choice striker were he to join Liverpool – though he would be happy in this knowledge.
The local lad is a known supporter of the club which plays into Liverpool’s hands greatly, any fan on the planet would take being third choice, behind the two most prolific strikers in the country. The commitment Lambert would show is exactly what Rodgers is looking for, and for a player of such technical ability and physical presence it seems an easy choice, which brings me onto my next point.
Ability
Ricky Lambert is a very good player. His reading of the game, touch, ability to play a killer ball and link up play are a massive part of the success he has enjoyed while at Southampton. 13 goals and 10 assists in 37 games show how influential Lambert was last season, he also only missed one game, not bad for a player now labelled by some Liverpool fans as being “too old”.
Arguably the biggest advantage of signing Lambert is that he offers a different option, some variation. When Iago Aspas came on against Chelsea, would we have preferred that to be Lambert? Lambert possesses the physical stature of a centre-half, yet has the composure to get goals, which would give Liverpool a massive advantage in breaking down teams set up like Chelsea.
That game set a precedent as both Palace and Newcastle settled on a back five in the following matches, inviting pressure, conceding possession, and playing on the break, which worked in stifling Liverpool’s attack for large parts of each game.
If the swashbuckling and all out attacking style continues for Liverpool, more and more teams will adopt Chelsea’s tactics. And so a solution must be sought, enter Ricky Lambert. A domineering presence in the air and quick with his feet, Lambert could give Liverpool the option to play slightly more direct; with Lambert able to hold up play and his knock downs to Suarez or Sturridge would create a whole new set of problems for the opposition.
Set pieces will again be a vital tool in Liverpool’s armoury, just consider the potential of Lambert attacking a Gerrard dead ball and you will understand Brendan Rodgers‘ thinking. Lambert too can take a quality free-kick, and his penalty record isn’t bad either!
Value
A relatively low fee, reported as £4 million plus add ons by most media, for a proven Premier League goal scorer with enough ability to fit into a Brendan Rodgers team, seems like a good deal. Aside from ability, Lambert knows the club, the fans, the history, he doesn’t need any time to settle or adjust, he will be achieving a lifelong dream in playing for the reds and enjoying every second. I for one would love to see it happen.
George Brown
Liverpool’s reported bid for Southampton and England striker Rickie Lambert has come as a surprise and somewhat divided opinion as to whether the 32-year-old is a good signing. George Brown outlines why he believes he will be a good fit at Anfield.
Despite the abundance of talent on the pitch at Anfield, there is an obvious and distinct lack of options off it. The big scouser will probably be limited in his game time, however, Lambert knows he will not be first – or even second choice striker were he to join Liverpool – though he would be happy in this knowledge.
The local lad is a known supporter of the club which plays into Liverpool’s hands greatly, any fan on the planet would take being third choice, behind the two most prolific strikers in the country. The commitment Lambert would show is exactly what Rodgers is looking for, and for a player of such technical ability and physical presence it seems an easy choice, which brings me onto my next point.
Ability
Ricky Lambert is a very good player. His reading of the game, touch, ability to play a killer ball and link up play are a massive part of the success he has enjoyed while at Southampton. 13 goals and 10 assists in 37 games show how influential Lambert was last season, he also only missed one game, not bad for a player now labelled by some Liverpool fans as being “too old”.
Arguably the biggest advantage of signing Lambert is that he offers a different option, some variation. When Iago Aspas came on against Chelsea, would we have preferred that to be Lambert? Lambert possesses the physical stature of a centre-half, yet has the composure to get goals, which would give Liverpool a massive advantage in breaking down teams set up like Chelsea.
That game set a precedent as both Palace and Newcastle settled on a back five in the following matches, inviting pressure, conceding possession, and playing on the break, which worked in stifling Liverpool’s attack for large parts of each game.
If the swashbuckling and all out attacking style continues for Liverpool, more and more teams will adopt Chelsea’s tactics. And so a solution must be sought, enter Ricky Lambert. A domineering presence in the air and quick with his feet, Lambert could give Liverpool the option to play slightly more direct; with Lambert able to hold up play and his knock downs to Suarez or Sturridge would create a whole new set of problems for the opposition.
Set pieces will again be a vital tool in Liverpool’s armoury, just consider the potential of Lambert attacking a Gerrard dead ball and you will understand Brendan Rodgers‘ thinking. Lambert too can take a quality free-kick, and his penalty record isn’t bad either!
Value
A relatively low fee, reported as £4 million plus add ons by most media, for a proven Premier League goal scorer with enough ability to fit into a Brendan Rodgers team, seems like a good deal. Aside from ability, Lambert knows the club, the fans, the history, he doesn’t need any time to settle or adjust, he will be achieving a lifelong dream in playing for the reds and enjoying every second. I for one would love to see it happen.
George Brown
Today marks the 30th anniversary of the clubs historic fourth European Cup victory against Roma in Rome. Jeff Goulding pays tribute to the man who made us Kings of Europe.
The one great advantage that age gives you is more time to reflect and re-evaluate the views you held in youth. As a sixteen/seventeen year old kid watching Joe Fagan’s Liverpool I was, in football terms a spoilt brat, fed on a diet of unrelenting success; and an era where a victory parade in May was taken for granted. When you are fed on caviare all your life you become very fussy.
I didn’t adore Fagan the way I did Shankly or Paisley. I used to moan that he didn’t seem to play Paul Walsh enough for my liking. I failed to acknowledge the monumental job he took on in replacing his midfield general (Graham Souness left the club in ’84 for Sampdoria). Nor did I see the signing of Jan Molby as the stroke of genius it was. What an idiot I was back then.
To be fair there were some dodgy signings too. Kevin McDonald and “Fatty Robbo” (Paul Robinson) hardly set the world alight. He did sign John Walk and Gary Gillespie who went on to have great records at the club. However, the purchase of Wayne Harrison from Oldham ensured that his record in the market went from the sublime to the ridiculous.
Writing this embarrasses me, and it should. I have spent most of this decade bemoaning the culture of the modern football fans who see success as a birthright. Hindsight has shown me I was really no different. What the hell was I thinking?
Joe Fagan is a man who gave everything he had for the club he joined as a coach in 1958. Along with Shankly and Paisley he nurtured the players we went on to idolise. There would have been no Hunt, Callaghan, Keegan or Smith if there had been no Fagan. To be honest if that was his only contribution to the club, it would have been enough; by a mile.
There was more though, so much more. When Bob Paisley stepped aside in ’84 it was Joe Fagan the board turned to. He repaid them and us with an unprecedented trophy treble. Let’s allow that to sink in for a moment; in his first season in charge he led the club to a League title, League Cup and European Cup. Utterly incredible.
There are those who argue that it was somehow easy to win things back then. Liverpool were so dominant. Those same people never apply this logic to Ferguson’s successes over the years. The fact is though, it isn’t true. English football was very strong back then.
The playing field was far more level than it is now. Teams like Forest and Villa had won Europe’s top prize. In ’85 Everton went on to win the league by 13 points. This is the backdrop to Joe’s success. A new manager following a legend, who happened to be the most successful manager in English football history. It’s like Moyes following Fergy by winning a treble. Remarkable.
Then came his final season in charge, ’84-85. We finished 2nd to our biggest rivals Everton, but we still reached another European Cup final. Sadly this was to prove an unfitting end to an incredible career. The Heysal Stadium disaster was a terrible tragedy on both a human and footballing level. It broke Joe Fagan, and he couldn’t carry on after seeing such a terrible loss of life.
When I hear talk about footballing dynasty’s, I struggle to think of any that parrallel the one we had at Liverpool from the late 1950′s to the ’80′s. An unbroken chain of success. Men not so much steeped in the traditions of a football club, but men who created and shaped those very traditions.
It was Joe, for example who created the boot room. It was him who had the players change at Anfield and travel by coach to Melwood and back. This promoted camaraderie and allowed the players to cool off before their post training bath. He was bad cop in the Paisley era and a champion as manager.
Thankfully I am no longer the spoilt supporter I was in ’84. I will never forget the monumental contribution Joe Fagan made to the history of our club.
Thanks Joe. Rest in Peace.
I am a proud Scouser, who has been following the Reds and living the dream for over forty years. I write fiction and non fiction, and I am working on my first novel.
Today marks the 30th anniversary of the clubs historic fourth European Cup victory against Roma in Rome. Jeff Goulding pays tribute to the man who made us Kings of Europe.
The one great advantage that age gives you is more time to reflect and re-evaluate the views you held in youth. As a sixteen/seventeen year old kid watching Joe Fagan’s Liverpool I was, in football terms a spoilt brat, fed on a diet of unrelenting success; and an era where a victory parade in May was taken for granted. When you are fed on caviare all your life you become very fussy.
I didn’t adore Fagan the way I did Shankly or Paisley. I used to moan that he didn’t seem to play Paul Walsh enough for my liking. I failed to acknowledge the monumental job he took on in replacing his midfield general (Graham Souness left the club in ’84 for Sampdoria). Nor did I see the signing of Jan Molby as the stroke of genius it was. What an idiot I was back then.
To be fair there were some dodgy signings too. Kevin McDonald and “Fatty Robbo” (Paul Robinson) hardly set the world alight. He did sign John Walk and Gary Gillespie who went on to have great records at the club. However, the purchase of Wayne Harrison from Oldham ensured that his record in the market went from the sublime to the ridiculous.
Writing this embarrasses me, and it should. I have spent most of this decade bemoaning the culture of the modern football fans who see success as a birthright. Hindsight has shown me I was really no different. What the hell was I thinking?
Joe Fagan is a man who gave everything he had for the club he joined as a coach in 1958. Along with Shankly and Paisley he nurtured the players we went on to idolise. There would have been no Hunt, Callaghan, Keegan or Smith if there had been no Fagan. To be honest if that was his only contribution to the club, it would have been enough; by a mile.
There was more though, so much more. When Bob Paisley stepped aside in ’84 it was Joe Fagan the board turned to. He repaid them and us with an unprecedented trophy treble. Let’s allow that to sink in for a moment; in his first season in charge he led the club to a League title, League Cup and European Cup. Utterly incredible.
There are those who argue that it was somehow easy to win things back then. Liverpool were so dominant. Those same people never apply this logic to Ferguson’s successes over the years. The fact is though, it isn’t true. English football was very strong back then.
The playing field was far more level than it is now. Teams like Forest and Villa had won Europe’s top prize. In ’85 Everton went on to win the league by 13 points. This is the backdrop to Joe’s success. A new manager following a legend, who happened to be the most successful manager in English football history. It’s like Moyes following Fergy by winning a treble. Remarkable.
Then came his final season in charge, ’84-85. We finished 2nd to our biggest rivals Everton, but we still reached another European Cup final. Sadly this was to prove an unfitting end to an incredible career. The Heysal Stadium disaster was a terrible tragedy on both a human and footballing level. It broke Joe Fagan, and he couldn’t carry on after seeing such a terrible loss of life.
When I hear talk about footballing dynasty’s, I struggle to think of any that parrallel the one we had at Liverpool from the late 1950′s to the ’80′s. An unbroken chain of success. Men not so much steeped in the traditions of a football club, but men who created and shaped those very traditions.
It was Joe, for example who created the boot room. It was him who had the players change at Anfield and travel by coach to Melwood and back. This promoted camaraderie and allowed the players to cool off before their post training bath. He was bad cop in the Paisley era and a champion as manager.
Thankfully I am no longer the spoilt supporter I was in ’84. I will never forget the monumental contribution Joe Fagan made to the history of our club.
Thanks Joe. Rest in Peace.
I am a proud Scouser, who has been following the Reds and living the dream for over forty years. I write fiction and non fiction, and I am working on my first novel.
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