Losing out not end of world
Aug 31 2005
why no signingsI think the problem lies with the board? Simao Sabrosa comes all the way for a medical and then....nothing. The going rate is the going rate for whatever...
By Tommy Smith, Liverpool Echo
I WOULD have liked to see Michael Owen return to Anfield - but I think he came rather expensive at £16m.
Liverpool were not prepared to spend more than what they received in the deal which took him to Real Madrid - the valuation with Antonio Nunez coming here was around £11m - even though they knew the England striker would get them goals.
I think Newcastle were so desperate to sign a proven goalscorer that even if the Reds had been prepared to offer more, Graeme Souness would have increased his bid to £20m.
The former Anfield skipper was desperate to boost his team's scoring options after an opening to the season which has left them near the bottom of the Premiership without a goal in four games - and Owen was an obvious target.
He is a decent striker, there's no doubt, but I don't think it's the end of the world now he will be wearing the black and white stripes rather than all red.
I want to see what Peter Crouch has to offer with a decent run in the side. We have not seen much of him since his arrival, but the tall striker has looked useful, and when he is injury-free could be a huge buttet.
uninspiring signingsVery sensible view. I am far from convinced that Benitez is the right man for Pool, I doubt his ability to inspire the club and was amazed by his inaction in the first half...
There's Cisse, too, who, purely out of anger with speculation about his future, it seemed, scored twice in the Super Cup. I would like him to get as angry every game!
Fernando Morientes needs a kick up the backside because we are still waiting to see the real (no pun intended) side of the Spanish star. I think he would have played better in partnership with Owen rather than Cisse, but we will see what Rafa Benitez has in mind when all his options are available.
Last season, I was one to criticise his approach to the FA Cup game in which the Reds suffered an embarrbutting defeat. But the Reds boss ended up winning the European Cup, and has now added the Super Cup, so who's to question him?
Liverpool are not a club like Leeds who would go out and break the bank to bring a player in. They had their valuation of Owen and stuck to it.
But it certainly isn't Doomsday time because we haven't signed him.
No fear over Chelsea
CHELSEA'S appearance in Liverpool's Champions League group certainly doesn't worry me - we have to beat them sometime!
Jose Mourinho's side looked scared in that second leg of last season's semi-final, with the Anfield fans playing their part, and I don't think they will relish their Euro visit this season.
Simao pbuttes medical:SSN.COMPortugal international Simao Sabrosa has pbutted a medical as he closes on a move to Liverpool. The Benfica winger is expected to join the European champions prior to...
Everybody seems to think that the Londoners are going to walk the league again this season, but that's stupid. Teams, I think, are getting wise to Chelsea and are marking Duff and Robben much further up the field rather than allow them to cause havoc near the byline.
The Reds have a better squad than last season, too, so Rafa Benitez's men should go into the games with every confidence.
And remember, the Reds have won the European Cup and Super Cup compared to Chelsea's league trophy and Carling Cup.
I know which two I would sooner have.
* WALES beware!
I think England will trounce them in the World Cup qualifier.
Sven's men were horrendous against Denmark in the 4-1 defeat, and I think they have a point to prove.
The side has plenty of clbutt and, with a fit Steven Gerrard, they should win comfortably.
