Football Special Report: Liverpool’s expenditure plans, transfers and signings during the summers, deal with QSL’s Huang, player controversies (Part 5)
Anyhow, till the transfer is complete, Hodgson will have to do with what he has and his prudency is certainly paying off with signing of Joe Cole and Serbian Milan Jovanovic along with new comer from Denmark Christian Poulsen. In addition, the stay of Steven Gerrad and Fernando Torres with Reds will help the club a lot.
Limited funds mean that Hodgson will attempt the best possible deal he can and Mascherano does realize that and hopes that all goes well for the Liverpool club, so that his signing can take place as soon as possible, with his craving for a new challenge growing by the second.
While talking to media after the 1-0 win of Argentina over Ireland he stated, “The only thing I want to say is I don't have nothing against the Liverpool supporters, the Liverpool people. My problem is not to play for Liverpool. I'm very proud to play for Liverpool. It's another thing”.
He continued, “I said to him (new Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson) that maybe for my life I prefer to change the country, not to change the club, that is the fact”.
He added, “Sometimes you can see all the things that the papers or the press say, but at the end the only thing I can say is thank you to everyone in Liverpool because they supported me all the time, from the beginning until now”.
The replacement Liverpool has for Mascherano is the Danish player Christian Poulsen. All depends on him in the defensive midfield and it is hoped that he will deliver as expected. Mascherano has made 93 appearances for Liverpool, in which he has scored 5 times, for Argentina, on the other hand he has 61 caps and has scored 2 times. Mascherano came to Liverpool from West ham United, where he had just 5 caps.
This is not the first time Poulsen was demanded by Hodgson. He has admired him since the time he met him in Copenhagen. At Fulham, he again tried to lay his hands on him but failed. Poulsen has amazing defensive capabilities along with ability to produce acute long passes that can assist Fernando Torres in scoring counter attacking goals. Poulsen had 49 appearances at Juventus and 62 at Sevilla.
Another new comer who will have a vital role to play at Anfield this season will be the Serbian Milan Jovanovic. He is among the “total footballing” breed and can play at any position as a forward. His capabilities as a winger and an attacking midfielder are commendable. He has scored 52 goals in 116 appearances for Standard Liege. For Serbia, he has 10 goals in 30 matches.
Joe Cole will also be the person that will have to prove that he is great at delivering showdown at the wings. Liverpool will have two options, either to play him at the wings or have him as a striker. He can play at both positions as he can finish with finesse and has jaw dropping dribbling skills. Gerrard has even compared his skills to the skills of the footballing prodigy Lionel Messi. Cole is the production of West Ham United from where he was transferred to Chelsea. There he has scored 28 goals in 183 bouts.
In the attack, Fernando Torres will be the key to Liverpool’s victory. Though he is fragile and can be injured easily, nevertheless the man is a one man army. He alone can split defences and produce stunners at the back of the net. He will be among the top 3 players for Liverpool’s success this season. El Nino started his career form Atletico Madrid and has compiled 82 goals in 214 fixtures. For Liverpool, he has 79 appearances in which he has acquired 56 goals. For Spain, he has played 80 matches and netted 24 goals.
Glen Johnson and vice Captain Jamie Carragher will prove to be vital in the defence department. Defence is what took Liverpool down last season with unfortunate draws and poor losses against mediocre teams. If these two legends prove to be the impregnable wall, then Liverpool has a strong chance of being successful this season.
Last but least, is the Liverpool captain, Steven Gerrard, who has relived the club’s slogan “You’ll Never Walk Alone”. While his captaincy has never been in question and neither has his performance been, it will be up to him to be the beacon of light for his team again, so that they can rejuvenate and live up to their glory.
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