Liverpool FC Forum

[JBG]

Seriously guys, if we had a proper striker we would have a football team to take on allcomers.

Very true.

[stmichael]

I think they'll be a major scramble for Dirk Kuyt between a few English clubs in the summer. Kuyt is perfect for this league. I wouldnt say he is lightning fast but is not slow by any means and can also play wide right. Infact you'd think he's a typical Rafa kind of player in that he works very hard and can play in more then 1 position.

We were definitely sniffing around but prices quoted went from £4m to £8m to £10m to £12m. I think Spurs had a £10m bid rejected and the club made him captain as a sweetener so he stuck with them for another season. If two strikers make way during the summer there'd definitely be room for him.

[anfieldadorer]

Liverpool - Striker rumours continue EXCLUSIVE
03 Feb 2006 11:51


Liverpool striker Fernando Morientes could return to Spain in the summer, according to leading Spanish journalist Ivan Modia.

The Spanish international has recently emerged as a summer transfer target for Espanyol, but Modia beileves they are not the only club interested.

'It could happen in the summer,' Modia exclusively told clubcall.

'The thing with Espanyol now is they are going to have the President elections.

'A candidate has promised two superstars for the team if he wins and one of those is Fernando Morientes.

'I don't think Morientes will go to Espanyol. The main problem for him is that he doesn't look happy on the pitch and I can see him coming back to Spain in the summer.

'He could go to any other club in Spain other than Barcelona and Real Madrid.

'Valencia could sign a new striker and there are lots of teams that would be interested in him. He is still highly rated in Spain.'

from here

[Sabre]

Thanks for the info, but I'm sceptical. It's curious how some unknown Spanish journalist have reputation out here. For what is worth what I've heard from Morientes mouth in Spanish, it's all praise for Liverpool, and praise for the game there. I just won't believe a journalist that has the "impression" that he's not happy on the pitch.

To know that he could play in every club of Spain but the big two ones, doesn't require to be a "leading" journalist.

[Lando_Griffin]

I don't really know what to make of this situation.
Mori obviously had the ability. He has had plenty of time to settle. He has Rafa's backing.

He doesn't have goals.

Now I would suggest that a move back to Spain would be ideal for both parties, assuming the fee was acceptable.
I can't see Nando adapting at all, and he looks as far off the pace now as he did in his first game for us, Vs ManUsh*ted.

But I can't see Rafa selling him, TBH. He is a favourite, and I think Beni may have a clouded judgement on this one.
Maybe it's because he's a fellow Countryman. Maybe it's Nando's reputation.
I don't know. What I DO know is this: Despite his illustrious past, Fernando Morientes is no longer good enough for LFC.

[dward]

I know it's been said many times, but Morientes is pretty much a waste. OK, he's scored a few goals, but 6 million?

Before we could of said he wasn't getting enough service, but now he's had so many chances wasted in front of goal.

If it was up to me I would ship him off to Spain and use the extra cash to get a younger, better striker.

The thing is though, does Rafa like him too much to let him go?

He's always seemed to be his favourite.

[adamnbarrett]

Leave him alone, he scored, he scored

[Judge]

Its absolutely bizarre that morientes, like our other strikers, go ages without a goal, then wham bang, we get 15 in three games. Not all scored by strikers i may add. Nonetheless, its like weve got a second wind, and i feel that will stand us in good stead for the run in.

YNWA

[laza]

Great to see him getting a couple in recent times , got a lot of time for Nando and thought it was a class act that he instantly acknowledged Garcia part in the goal.
While he has under performed this season some of the slagging is getting into the OTT stage and i certainly love to see him come good

[Judge]

Great to see him getting a couple in recent times , got a lot of time for Nando and thought it was a class act that he instantly acknowledged Garcia part in the goal.
While he has under performed this season some of the slagging is getting into the OTT stage and i certainly love to see him come good

i'd like to know why his goal celebration is somewhat muted ??

[Liverpool 4 EVA]

Great to see him getting a couple in recent times , got a lot of time for Nando and thought it was a class act that he instantly acknowledged Garcia part in the goal.
While he has under performed this season some of the slagging is getting into the OTT stage and i certainly love to see him come good

Well said, agree whole heartedly.

[JC_81]

The thing is though, does Rafa like him too much to let him go?

He's always seemed to be his favourite.

It's a good point.  If we had almost any other manager and we'd spent 6 million on a previously world class striker only 18 months ago then I'd say he'd maybe be given a bit longer to prove himself.

But not Benitez.  He knows what he's doing and it's probably as much a mystery to him as it is to all of us why Morientes just hasn't done it for Liverpool.  I think Benitez has played him a lot recently to try and give the lad all the chances he can to get it right before the end of the season.  But despite a couple of goals, clearly Morientes hasn't shown enough.

Just like with Nunez and Pellegrino, Benitez won't be afraid to admit one of his signings hasn't worked out.  I'll be surprised if he's a Liverpool player next season, and if he is he'll be well down the pecking order as we're sure to buy at least one forward in the summer.