Liverpool FC Forum

[A.B.]

but he needs to stick in 25 goals a year.

I suggest you do some research on Fernando Morientes.

Morientes is not a 20 goals a year striker, let alone 25 goals. The most goals he ever scored in his career was 19 which tells you that he's not the type of striker you think he is.

He doesn't score a lot of goals but he scores important goals. Morientes mostly creates more chances for others than he does score goals, thats what he's all about. But lately he hasn't been able to do what he does best.

If he doesn't sort himself out until January then we at that time should consider selling him, until that he should be given the time to prove himself.

[lakes10]

all i know is that wee need a player that can stick 20 goals in a year, if he can not do that why did we ever buy him.

[azriahmad]

Morrientes has been a world class player for a very large part of his career at Madrid and on loan with Monaco.

I am perplexed as to why he has been struggling so much for us. If we went along the arguement that he came to us in January unfit due to a very distinct lack of activity in competitive games and that he was still in "adapting" mode, what do we say of him now that he has been with us for sometime?

Baffling, utterly baffling. It would be very sad to simply write off a great player like him at only 29.

[azriahmad]

Michael Owen, anyone?

The big stumbling block is why on earth should we give Real Madrid a profit by taking him back? Also, there is a glaring need to reinforce the often pedestrian central back. Carra desperately need a new and quicker partner, not sure if Whitbred is ready to play in the pressure cooker environment of the competitive EPL.

[7_Kewell]

next season is going to be a big year for a lot of our players, Morientes included.  I can see 4 or 5 players having to make the grade, otherwise they will be out come next summer.  Morientes, Crouch, Cisse all have to prove their worth this season.

[andy_g]

there's no doubting that morientes is an exceptional player, the worry though is that its increasingly looking like he is not too good at adapting his game. he's trying to play exactly the same way as he did in the spanish and french leagues and as we've sen so often this style of play will very rarely work in the premiership.

many top players have been able to change their game to suit our league - e.g. henry and pires - but nando doesn't seem to be able to do that. he just looks more and more baffled that he can't get anything to click by playing the only way he knows how.

if we're going to get anything like what we need with him he's going to need to put in some very hard work on the training ground to adapt his style of play. otherwise sooner rather than later we're all going to have to cut our losses.

[Woollyback]

To me he just looks a bit lazy (or unfit?) I'm not yet convinced that he can cut the mustard for us but I'm eager to see how he gets on this coming season if Zenden can deliver quality crosses on a regular basis, something we've been missing for years in my opinion

If he can't adapt given decent service then maybe he's gotta go, but he will need more time to prove it as he has yet to form a bond with Cisse & Crouch. It would be naiive to think that those 3 will gel immediately, so for a while we may be heavily reliant upon goals from midfield - cue Stevie and Garcia

[The Canadian Red Army]

In tribal football today, their was an article on that liverpool might be looking at offers for morientes. After 6 months, I dont think he has really had the time to adapt. If he doesnt fix the problem in another 6-12 then look at offers. I still think he has the tools to become a great striker in England. I dont think having this article showing up, does alot of the mans confidence either. I think that is what he is lacking, he is still in a new country, and in a new game. The game will come with confidence. I think he just needs more time.

[Owzat]

Morientes has been showing signs for a while now, he may have missed a few good chances but he's getting in the positions and starting to score goals as well.

[crazyhorse]

Morientes is a class act - and class acts do not become poor players overnight.

He is never going to score 30 a season, neither will Crouch or Cisse but he has got vision and skill.

Give him time - he will come good . Pity he is not playing up front with a proven clinical goalscorer like Owen.

[JBG]

Morientes has looked far fitter and sharper lately. Against Betis his work rate was very good and he showed some sublime touches.

Class will always rise to the top. If Morientes keeps fit he'll grab a goal or two soon and he'll really get going. The main thing for him is keeping fit. I think he is beginning to adapt to the English game.

[A.B.]

He didn't play today did he?

[JBG]

He didn't play today did he?

Came on as a late sub AB.

[Sabre]

IMHO, there are players that in pre season and after injuries, they take their best form later than others. Morientes is one of those, and he's getting his best form right now, IMHO. His best is yet to be seen, and I think we will.

[JBG]

Its frustrating that Morientes seemed to be coming into a bit of form when he got struck down by this latest injury.

Hopefully he'll get back to where he left off and fingers crossed, stay injury free.