Meireles wants silverware
Portuguese midfielder Raul Meireles has revealed that he joined Liverpool in order to win trophies.
Meireles signed for Liverpool from Porto just before the close of the summer transfer window. The £11.5 million play maker says his only aim is to be successful at his new club.
The 27-year-old says he fell in love with Liverpool during the 2007 season when Porto lost 4-1 to Liverpool at Anfield in the Champions League. Having made his debut last weekend against Birmingham, Meireles
seems intent on making a real impact in English football.
Meireles has all the quality needed to make Liverpool a more successful team. However, the club will struggle this season because of the standard of other teams in England.
Adds to the team
Meireles can be attractive in attack and gritty in defence and this gives Liverpool a player they can use in a variety of ways. The Portuguese's versatility means he can play anywhere in the Liverpool
midfield.
The club has signed a player that has publicly admitted his affection and admiration for the club. It seems Meireles jumped at the chance to play for Liverpool regardless of the need to move to England
and learn a new culture.
Liverpool has missed a player that is very comfortable on the ball in recent seasons. Meireles can be a calming influence in the midfield and he has far better ball control than Javier Mascherano who has
just left the club for Barcelona.
Meireles said: "I played at Anfield with Porto and I lost 4-1, but I remember the supporters were great. Everybody
in Portugal says the Liverpool fans are the best. I feel very good (to have played at Birmingham), but I was not happy at the end because it wasn't a victory. But
the Premier League is fantastic."
A long wait
Meireles may be forced into a long wait for a trophy at Liverpool because the club is still behind the main contenders for silverware in England. Chelsea, Manchester United
and Manchester City all have stronger squads that are capable of competing in more than one competition.
It seems Roy Hodgson is still settling in as the club's new manager. The results have been inconsistent so far this season and Liverpool is already chasing the rest of
the Premier League pack.
The club needs to play almost perfectly for the rest of the season if silverware is to be a possibility. The bigger and better sides do not drop as many points as the weaker
teams and Liverpool needs to be in a position to pounce if this does happen.
The Portuguese added: "I want to win (trophies) because in Porto I won a lot
and I have many titles. But I want to win titles at Liverpool and we have a chance because we have the players.
When I knew the coach wanted me, I could only say yes because Liverpool are a big club and I am excited to play here."
Betting advice
Liverpool is a huge outsider for the Premier League title. Only Liverpool fans and romantic betters will back the side to shift Chelsea or Manchester United from the balance
of power in English football.
The better option is to back the team with each game. Meireles is a very good player in the midfield areas of the pitch. He has scored some wonderful goals in his career
and is well worth a bet to score at any time in any game.
If you want to back Liverpool to lift a trophy this season then the best option is one of the domestic cup competitions. The FA Cup or the League Cup is well within the
club's grasp.
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