Liverpool FC Forum

[god_bless_john_houlding]

Liverpool today signed Ben Robinson from Stockport, anybody know anything about him other than the fact he is a keeper and we bought him from Sotckport?

[maypaxvobiscum]

14 yr old i think

[maypaxvobiscum]

STOCKPORT boss Jim Gannon has hit out at Liverpool for their dealings with three of County's young players.

Gannon was unhappy with the way the Premiership side acted after taking midfielders Greg Tansey and Ryan Crowther to an international tournament in Milan and claims Liverpool poached 14-year-old goalkeeper Ben Robinson from County's youth system.

Despite a deal being agreed with Liverpool for Tansey and Crowther before the trip to Italy, Gannon now expects both players to start the new season as Stockport players.

He explained: "We were approached by Liverpool who said they'd like to take Greg and Ryan on trial with a view to take them to an international tournament in Milan.

Given that it was the end of the season and a fantastic opportunity for the two boys, not just to see what Liverpool was all about but to experience an international tournament, we agreed.

"Liverpool wanted to agree a deal for both players before they went away and said if the two players did really well they'd kick the deal into place.

"We'd agreed a fee for both players, not unreasonable fees but in line with the fact that both players were 18 and ready to be professionals, in fact were professionals.

Negotiated

"Liverpool accepted the two figures and both boys went to Italy, enjoyed themselves and played really well

"Subsequently Frank McParland, who we had negotitaed with mainly, has left Liverpool and I was just a little disappointed with certain comments of some other members of the Liverpool staff to our players and the way things were left. We asked for an explanation and that hasn't been forthcoming.

"Tansey and Crowther can go on to have good careers here, if not in the Premiership, one day. They're delighted with the progress they've made and are happy to stay here. They're well-grounded lads and maybe it will be a blessing in disguise."

Gannon is looking for compensation from Liverpool after they took Robinson to Anfield without County's knowledge.

"The whole Tansey and Crowther situation has been given a difficult twist with the news that Liverpool have attracted one of our players to their club in an unprofessional manner and against Premier League rules," he added.

"Ben Robinson is a talented youngster who had been offered a new contract.

"He's the sixth player to be poached like this in my time here. It's just disappointing some clubs can't ask us upfront rather than sign youngsters without our knowledge."

No-one from Liverpool was available for comment.