Liverpool FC Forum

[A.B.]

From Talk LFC

Costa Rican winger Christian Bolanos' trial at Anfield has been highly impressive. Those are the sounds coming out of Melwood where the 21-year-old had been training with the squad this week.

Bolanos was tested behind close doors and none of the staff have said much about the player although Rafa Benitez claimed on Thursday that he had had little chance to see him play.

“We haven't had much chance to see him in training but I have liked his attitude. We decided to try him after seeing him play well in Japan. But we are in no hurry to decide yet.”, said the manager.

The player came to the attention of the Spaniard during the FIFA World Cup finals in Japan. In spite of losing their semi-final match against the European Champions 3-0, he still came third for the player of the tournament award.

Deportivo Saprissa manager Jeaustin Campos came to Anfield with Bolanos which means that negotiations could start before the player flies back on Monday. Campos is also the director of football of the Concacaf champions so he is authorized to start discussing terms for a deal.

A big questionmark remains whether the player can get a work permit. Liverpool will have become more cautious after the signing of Mark Gonzales was delayed indefinitely because the Chile international can not get a work permit. Costa Rica are ranked 21st in the world by FIFA so that is not an issue but it remains to be seen if he has played enough matches for his country.

Bolanos will be at the FA Cup match against Luton today and will fly back to Costa Rica on Monday. Possibly with an offer from Liverpool in his hand luggage.

It will be interesting to see whether we decide to buy him or not.

[Reinas No.1 Fan]

Hope fully he would be really good, Imagine If we had unearthed an absolute Gem and we get him cheap.

Then the WCC wont have been a complete waste.

[shanks]

it is allways risky with unknow players

[A.B.]

That has been case for ages and always will be. It's not that BIG of a risk because he would cost us half-a-million pounds.

[Dundalk]

We will wait and see how it pans out but it would be great to find a gem so cheap

[hawkmoon269]

Anyone remember how he played in the WCC?

[red_indian]

i watched the game against saprissa and this guy stood out, not just in their side but generally. he played most of the game left wing but i think his favoured foot is his right and he switched wings later on and seemed equally as comfortable on left or right. also seemed versatile enough to be used as a full back, midfielder or wing back. not going to claim he is the finished article or anything, after all playing in the costa rican league that would be tough, esp vs the premiership but for say < 1 million he could be worth taking a shot on to see what happens...
he scored in the match saprissa played before they played us at the WCC and he scored the only goal - think he controlled a long ball with his left foot and then hit it from the edge of the box with his right in to the bottom corner - thats more than we've seen kewell do for 18 months! (not that i have a problem with harry as before today he seemed to be getting his game in order again)

[red37]

i watched part of the first game he scored in. looked decent.
for that money it'd be daft NOT to try him 

cant remember too much about him in our match with sarprissa tho.

[LiverpoolMadman]

I think Rafa will sign him ..... very cheap ($300,000).

[tubby]

I think £500K is the figure.

[Paul C]

I didn't know costa Rica were rated that high in the world rankings

[Kukilon]

I didn't know costa Rica were rated that high in the world rankings

They play against easy teams most of the times especially in the world cup qualifying rounds so their ranking is kinda messed up.

[Leonmc0708]

I understand he "impressed greatly" during his trial, and his transfer will be discussed following one or two other enquiries.

[A.B.]

That's correct, and I've heard that if we were to buy him it would cost around 500,000 pounds, maybe less.

[Lando_Griffin]

Snap him up, I say.

Even if he has to have 2 years adjustment time, £500k is a drop in the ocean to LFC.