Liverpool Agree Suarez Fee: Will He Succeed?

This evening, Liverpool have confirmed they have agreed a fee with Ajax to sign one of, in not the most converted strikers in Europe; Uruguayan international Luis Suarez. The fee is believed to be €26.5 million (that’s £22.8million). He is due for a medical tomorrow, and still needs to agree personal terms before the signing is completed.

So what have Liverpool brought?

Liverpool have spent big, and strengthened their faltering frontline. The lack of form (and injuries) hindering Fernando Torres this season is that which has aided in Liverpool’s struggles this season.



Suarez made his name in Holland, joining FC Groningen from Uruguayan side Nacional in 2006. There he would spend his first season in Europe, and impressed immediately. After just one season with Groningen, he made an £6million transfer to Dutch giants Ajax. His time with the Amsterdam club is where he showed his most impressive form, and clinical goal scoring ability.

His record at the time of leaving the club is an astonishing 81 goals in 108 appearances.

He gained notoriety on the world stage, while influence was his instrumental in Uruguay’s World Cup campaign, where they reached the Semi-Final. He was however sent off in the Quarter-Finals after a deliberate handball in extra time against Ghana.

Suarez is a technically astute individual with a great first touch. He combines his acceleration with flair and tricks to allow him to frighten defences, and trick opponents. His vision, creative ability, passing ability and decisiveness help him unlock defences.


Will he make it? How does he compare to other exports?

When you think of players who have came over from the Eredivise, Suarez fantastic goalscoring record is similar to many who have come before.

Here’s a few who didn’t do so well leaving Holland:

Mateja Kezman

Club: PSV to Chelsea, 2004-2005

Transfer Fee: £5.3 million

Performance: He scored 4 goals in 25 appearances for Chelsea,

Success: He never made it in the Premiership; he went on to have unsuccessful spells in Spain; with Athletico Madrid, Turkey; with Fenerbache, France; with Paris Saint-Germain, and in Russia; with Zenit St. Petersburg. He now plays in relative obscurity in the Hong Kong first division, with a team called South China.


Klass-Jan Huntelaar

Club: Ajax to Real Madrid, 2009

Transfer Fee: €27 million

Performance: He scored 8 times in 20 appearances, and was shipped out after just 6 months

Success: His goalscoring record in Holland before joining Real Madrid was 135 goals in 193 games. He didn’t have the best of time in Madrid, despite scoring goals, he just wasn’t the right sort of player the club wanted. He had a semi-successful spell with AC Milan, before joining Schalke in Germany where he is now playing.


Afonso Alves

Club: Heerenveen to Middlesbrough, 2008-09

Transfer Fee: £12.7 million

Performance: He scored just 10 goals in 42 appearances.

Success: The barrel-chested Brazilian won individual accolades and plaudits for his performances in Holland. During his time at Heerenveen he scored 45 goals in 39 appearances, so Middlesbrough thought they had a steal on their hands. However that wasn’t the case, he only lasted one season, managing 10 goals in 42 appearances, in which Middlesbrough were subsequently relegated and Alves (who was on big wages) was shipped off to Qatar. He is now settled in Qatar and scoring goals for fun.


Players who did do well:

Ruud Van Nistelrooy

Club: PSV to Manchester United, 2001-06

Transfer Fee: £19 million

Performance: 95 goals in 150 appearances, worth every penny

Success: Before joining Manchester United, he hit 62 goals in 67 appearances for PSV, which earned him a move to one of the biggest clubs in the world. He became a Manchester United legend, and was undoubtedly one of the deadliest penalty box strikers to ever grace the Premiership. He won the Premiership title, FA Cup and League Cup during his spell in England. He moved on to Real Madrid in 2005, where he was just as successful, and now plays in Germany with Hamburg. He is still scoring shed loads of goals.


Robin van Persie

Club: Feyenoord to Arsenal, 2004

Transfer Fee: £2.75 million

Performance: An astute purchase by Arsene Wenger, he has scored 54 goals in 143 games.

Success: A career blighted by injury; however the Dutchman’s ability is never in doubt. Unbelievable technique, first touch and accuracy, he is now in his prime, and ready to take Arsenal back to the top.


Dirk Kuyt

Club: Feyenoord to Liverpool, 2006

Transfer Fee: £10 million

Performance: 40 goals in 160 appearances

Success: Kuyt came to England, as a deadly striker, with a record in Holland of 152 goals in 261 games. When he joined Liverpool, he was converted into a right midfielder by then manager Rafael Benitez, and has become a cult figure with the Anfield faithful.


So can Suarez follow suit? In a word, yes. He is a battler, with a huge passion for football, but more importantly he has the ability which makes him more adaptable to the Premiership.

Where will he fit it?

This is what all Liverpool fans will want to know; is he a replacement for Torres? Or will he play alongside the Spaniard? I believe Torres will stay at Liverpool, until the summer at least.

Recently Liverpool has found themselves performing a lot better with Kenny Dalglish’s 4-2-3-1 formation.

The current formation see’s Cristian Poulsen sitting in the holding midfield role, while Lucas adds the ball winning option, and he also operates more defensively. This means Lucas and Poulsen protect Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel at centre back, which allows for the full backs to push on, high up the pitch.

Gerrard is subsequently given more freedom, and plays the attacking midfield role supporting Torres wherever possible, while Kuyt offers width on the right. Suarez will slot onto the left wing role, as an advanced forward, taking the place of Maxi Rodriguez.


Liverpool fans will be buoyed by this signing, and it’s another bonus for the Premiership to have another class talent play on these shores. He should kick start Liverpool’s Premier League campaign, and allow them to finally move on from a terrible 2009.

How do you think Suarez will fare? Leave your comment below

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January - Who Should Liverpool Buy?

Next up, we will look at one of the favourites for this season's Europa League, and the team now battling to reach the fourth Champions League spot. Last years Premiership runners up, have had a relatively poor season in comparison to last year, will need to get off to a good start in 2010 to salvage there season.

Let's look at their best 11:

Reina

Johnson Carragher Agger Insua

Mascherano Aquilani

Kuyt Gerrard Benayoun

Torres

Liverpool have probably the best goalkeeper in the Premiership so no need for improvement there.

In Defence, Martin Skrtel has taken 1 step forward and 2 steps back since his world class performances last season, while Jamie Carragher seems to be either out of form or no longer able to cut it in the big matches anymore, with Daniel Agger looking shakey, but being Liverpools best defender this season. So a smart buy would be to buy a centre back, but the real question is; are there funds available? For me Liverpool can improve in all area's of the defence, as Insua is a good young talent, and the injury prone Aurelio isn't the best left back in the world, a player like Aston Villa's Stephen Warnock, Chivu from Inter Milan or Maynor Figueroa from Wigan would offer a more solid option and an assured purchase. At right back Vice Captain, Jamie Carragher cannot "fill in" whenever Glen Johnson gets injured, so despite Liverpool owning one of the top three right backs in the Premeirship, he currently injured having sustained a knee injury that will keep him out untill March. Therefore the only real cover Liverpool have is the inexperienced youngster Stephen Darby, who will probably have to show his worth in the next month, unless a Benitez can bring in a player on loan, with Manchester City's Nedum Onuoha the latest to be linked.

In midfield, Liverpool have plenty of options; Lucas, Mascherano and Aquilani all need to earn there money, step up their performances, and add competition and dominance to that midfield area. This would allow for Captain Steven Gerrard the freedom he requires in order to showcase his brilliance from last season. Plus Aquilani NEEDS a run in the team, it's pathetic the way Benitez is trying to ease him into the Premiership, when youth players such as Jay Spearing have had more playing time this campaign. Should Benitez manage to sign Van Der Vaart on loan from Real Madrid than he would no doubt improve an quality to the middle of the park. Finally since Liverpool are in the market for loans, the immenent arrival of Maxi Rodriguez is a smart move, either on a 6 month loan deal or £1.8million signing, would be slot it on the right and allow Dirk Kuyt to be used as a striker if needed.

Up front Liverpool have one of the deadliest forwards in Europe in Fernando Torres, and for me one of the best young strikers in the Premiership, the highly underrated and just as promising David N'gog. The addition of ex Man Utd legend Ruud Van Nistlerooy would no doubt add quality and would be a perfect addition.

Budget: Unknown. It seems with the signing of Sotirios Kyrgiakos, shows that all the money from Xabi Alonso went to Alberto Aquilani.

In: Ryan Shawcross, Manuel Figuaroa, Stephan Warnock, Maxi Rodriguez, Centre back, Rafael Van Der Vaart (loan), Ruud Van Nistlerooy (loan)

Out: Voronin to Dinamo Moscow (£1.8million), Babel to either Birmingham or Ajax, Lucas

Who do you think Liverpool should buy?? Comment below

What Striker Would You Buy?

Arsene Wenger, and club captain, Cesc Fabregas have made it evidently clear that the North London need to invest in a striker to replace the injured Robin Van Persie. From the list below, you decide who the Gunners should invest in, however bare in mind Arsenal preferably needs a player who is not Champions League cup-tied, can quickly adapt to the Premiership and finally a proven goal scorer.



Let’s take a look at the current options:

Carlos Vela – the Mexican, just today signed a new contract with the club, has made some excellent performances in the Carling Cup, but has failed to make any real impact in the Premiership.

Eduardo Da Silva – when he joined the club, he was seen as a world class finisher and formed a formidable partnership with Emmanuel Adebayor up front. However since that injury he picked up against Birmingham, he hasn’t been the same. Missing easy chances against Wolves, Everton and Tottenham, shows he still needs time to get back to playing in the best league in the world.

Nicklas Bendtner – has come on leaps and bound under Wenger and has finally hit some form compared to last season. He has been injured lately and when he comes back, he will be an option; however he does not have the goal scoring record to replace Van Persie at this moment in time, but the best man for the job within the club.

Same names keep popping up:

Marouane Chamakh – the tall, quick striker was seemingly a certainty to join Arsenal in the summer, but the move never materialised. With Bordeaux flying high in the Champions League and Lique 1, it is unlikely they will allow for a sale, however the Moroccan international’s contract is up in the 2010, and they may look to cash in, however Wenger would look to a free transfer being a good bit of business, only if he is needed. He doesn't have the best goal scoring record compared to the other options available, with just 50 goals in 204 appearances.



Edin Dzeko – one of the most in demand strikers in Europe, and has been linked with all the big clubs, including AC Milan, Real Madrid and Manchester United. He is a both footed, tall, pacey striker, with excellent shooting technique and a goal scoring record of 40 goals in 74 games, for VFB Wolfsburg, with 26 goals in 32 league games in the 2008/09 season. The big stumbling block is of course the interest from the other big clubs, with Milan and Manchester United seemingly favourites to land the striker, however the recent talk of financial difficulties at both clubs could somewhat impact the clubs spending power in an upcoming bidding war.

Ryan Babel – the Liverpool winger was heavily linked with Arsenal before his big money move to Liverpool, which came with a £13million price tag. The Dutch international has never really lived up to the hype and due the him already making his decision to join the Liverpool, poor scoring record (9 goals in 61 appearances) and raw talent, Wenger is unlikely to make the purchase. Also cup tied.

Ruud Van Nistlerooy – Wenger has dismissed reports linking Arsenal to the Real Madrid and former Man United hit man, however Wenger has made surprise decision in the past, i.e. Silvestre and Lassana Diarra.

The expensive option:

David Villa – would be an excellent option, but the Spanish international has already expressed his desire to play for either Barcelona or Real Madrid. Would command a transfer fee of up to £40million.

Sergio “Kun” Aguero – another expensive player who would have huge wage demands as well as a record breaking transfer fee would be needed in order to attain the transfer.



Premiership based players:

Carlton Cole – the West Ham striker and England international has been excellent this season. He has scored 7 goals in 13 games already this season and has look first-rate in a poor team. Despite his good form, his goal scoring record in England, is only has scored 40 goals in 183 games. He currently injured at the moment until January, but he is a powerful striker who knows how the score and has finally started finding his feet within the Premiership, having proved himself against the big clubs, and now looks capable of making that step up. Finally he isn’t Champions League cup tied.

Louis Saha – the Everton forward has been in excellent form this season; scoring 11 goals in 18 games in all competition. However the fact he has missed many games in his career through injury, and is 31 years old will not sit favourably with Wenger.

Outsiders:

Gervinho – the 22 year old Lille striker has been linked with Arsenal and Tottenham in the past, and scored an excellent goal in a 4-3 win over Lyon this weekend, video below. He is a fast and strong left winger, who can play upfront and who has been in impressive form this season, scoring 7 goals in 16 appearances. The Cote d’Ivoire international has only recently signed with Lillie so a winter move is unlikely.

Gervinho plays for Lille, in the red kit, shirt number 27:

Adriano – the Emperor has returned to form and been in excellent form for Flamengo this season, scoring 19 goals in 30 appearances, and helping them capture the Brazilian Serie A. but the Brazilian has had all sorts of personal and public problems in the past, that have blighted his career, despite having World Class talent. The only real reason he has been linked with the Gunners is due to his availability on a free transfer as well as him not being cup-tied. however their is a reason he returned to Brazil and that was to get away from the distractions in Europe and concentrate on him doing what he does best. an unlikely option in my opinion.