Liverpool FC Forum

[Ace Ventura]

i think a lot of people are under the misconception that morientes came here as a prolific goalscorer. he didn't. ok he had a sensational CL season for monaco and his goalscoring record for spain is exceptional, but he's never really been that prolific. infact he's always been more of a sheringham type player who plays a bit deeper from a main striker.

the talent is there. the goal against villa a couple of weeks back was class. the lob against boro earlier in the season was class. the header against fulham last season was class. the problem is we just haven't seen it consistently enough and i think it may now be too late, despite the fact that i thought he did quite well when he came on on saturday.

But other than the odd class goal, he doesnt offer anything.

I can see that he works hard, and i wouldnt fault the way he chases lost causes, but he doesnt even get himself in the right areas oftne enough, he has looked for too long like he has totally lost his confidence and he has been a passenger.

I would not be happy if we started the first game of next season with Nando in the side. And tbh if we need a goal in a game he is not someone i would think based on his last 2 years with us that could change the game.

Sabre if the lad is in the team at the start of the season he will get my full support, but i would be really disappointed with Rafa for not changing things in our weakest position from this season.

If we want to push on we need a threat from the strikers and we havent had that at all for the majority of this season.

[account deleted by request]

A good  point Mr Ventura who honestly thought when Morientes came on against West Ham....great.... now we'll see some goals? ? or who thought great... Morientes will change the game? ? I know I didn't ! best I hoped for was what we got....that he might help set one up for someone. To achieve what we have this season without any real threat upfront was amazing. If we can get a real goal machine the epl is ours.

[48-1119859832]

A neat turn forty yards out from goal, rather than an actual goal threat - is not what I want from a striker. In most games Morientes has played for us, he simply hasn't been a goal threat.

Finally someone's who has hit the nail perfectally on it's head. Morientes isn't a consistent enough goal threat, I shant disgaree with that because quiet frankly you cannot, not even me. His goals to games ratio acknowledges your point and that's one thing that I have commented on in the past.

If Morientes could score more goals than not one person here would mind. But what makes me so angry and offensive towards ppl when discussing Morientes is the fact that I get the opinion most (not all) but most Liverpool fans seem to think he's a 20 goals a season striker. And that's because he had over-achieving season at Monaco; which he was a instrumental part of their good season.

And if you look at Morientes' game play despite his lack of goals and according to some his lack of pace (which I don't see a problem) and his weak physical presence - which is a problem but one that he's improving on all the time.

He offers us a lot, and he's never been a Nistelrooy or an Owen around goal, he's a target man and perhaps he is no good for Liverpool and perhaps he is no good for English football but I won't give up on him until he's sold by Rafa and if that makes me a "joke" or a "Morientes fan, not a Liverpool fan" or a "©rap fan who talks (s)*i*e and doesn't know anything about football" then so be it.

[stmichael]

All in all, the decision of purchasing Morientes seems confusing now after his dare I say failure but at that time it was a bargain deal. I think that Benitez saw Morientes as a "safe option". Experienced European top scorer, good training ground/changing room influence, personal aquaintance of Rafa and with all our strikers out in the cold (Baros and Cisse were both injured and not rated by Rafa) Morientes had everything set up to be the new Anfield hero. Unfortunately for us his class has only been "permanent" once every 5 to 10 games.

I understand some fans' sentiment that we should keep him in case he might turn good again, I appreciate their loyalty but it's time for a reality check and for us to cut our losses now.

[48-1119859832]

I understand some fans' sentiment that we should keep him in case he might turn good again, I appreciate their loyalty but it's time for a reality check and for us to cut our losses now.

Perhaps you're right and it looks like Moro can't hack it here but I'm not giving up on him just yet and you know if we sign Bent & Defoe or Bellamy, Bent & Bellamy or Bellamy and Defoe than fair enough, I would happily see Morientes off to another club, along with Cisse. And thank Morientes for wasting some of his "peak" time with us. But I don't see the point in getting rid of someone like Morientes unless you have someone who can be more effective in front of goal than him.

If we sign some like Bosko Balaban to replace Morientes, I for one won't be happy. 

[Ace Ventura]

I understand some fans' sentiment that we should keep him in case he might turn good again, I appreciate their loyalty but it's time for a reality check and for us to cut our losses now.

Perhaps you're right and it looks like Moro can't hack it here but I'm not giving up on him just yet and you know if we sign Bent & Defoe or Bellamy, Bent & Bellamy or Bellamy and Defoe than fair enough, I would happily see Morientes off to another club, along with Cisse. And thank Morientes for wasting some of his "peak" time with us. But I don't see the point in getting rid of someone like Morientes unless you have someone who can be more effective in front of goal than him.

If we sign some like Bosko Balaban to replace Morientes, I for one won't be happy. 

Have you re-read over this thread mate cos yesterday you were coming out with allsorts of mad stuff like, if Morientes was English he would be better than Rooney and Owen ?
The point your making about not selling him unless someone is coming in is a valid one, but lets be honest if someone isnt coming in then Rafa would not be able to spot what the world and his wife have this season our strikers have not been good enough....with a proven goalscorer we would possibly be champions.

[Cool Hand Luke]

I’m not totally surprised that Morientes was left out of the Spain squad, but the fact that they only have 3 out and out strikers is strange. I thought he would go but am not shocked he hasn’t, his had a cr@p season and has been dropped.

I said from the start that I doubted he would be successful here, but gave him my full support, even campaigned for him to be given a first team place at the begging of the season in order for him to be judged properly.

He got that place and my suspicions were confirmed, he just isn’t suited to the English game, it is that simple. He always tries and is motivated, and he is good player but just doesn’t fit in well in the English game.

No shame in Rafa getting it wrong, as long as he now cuts his losses now, I’m sure someone in Spain will buy him, he is still quality and I’m sure he would do very well if he went back.

[RedWolf35]

Oasis 

Are they not a band from Manchester 

I have a lot of respect for what Morienties has achieved in his career but he is not a premiership player

FACT

Its far too rough for him

Maybe if we gave him a helmet and shoulder pads he'd put himself about a bit more!!!

Most pointless argument I have seen on here to be honest

[tubby]

Oasis 

Are they not a band from Manchester 

I have a lot of respect for what Morienties has achieved in his career but he is not a premiership player

FACT

Its far too rough for him

Maybe if we gave him a helmet and shoulder pads he'd put himself about a bit more!!!

Most pointless argument I have seen on here to be honest

Funnily enough i read somewhere on here that Noel Gallagher wanted us to win the FA Cup on the weekend as he has quite a few friends in Liverpool 

[48-1119859832]

Have you re-read over this thread mate cos yesterday you were coming out with allsorts of mad stuff like, if Morientes was English he would be better than Rooney and Owen ?
The point your making about not selling him unless someone is coming in is a valid one, but lets be honest if someone isnt coming in then Rafa would not be able to spot what the world and his wife have this season our strikers have not been good enough....with a proven goalscorer we would possibly be champions.

I have skimmed through some of what I said yesterday and I agree it was utter nonsense. But then again so is thinking Morientes is prolific when he's not. 

[Ciggy]

This probably confirms he's off, last week he said he was going to stay and fight for his place, maybe Rafa has told him otherwise.
Be a bit sad for him to go but he hasnt shown anything of his former self. 

Morientes awaits chop as Benitez hunts for strikers
By Andy Hunter
Published: 17 May 2006

Fernando Morientes last night revealed that he has been unable to settle at Liverpool and expects to be sold when Rafael Benitez strengthens his FA Cup-winning squad this summer.

The 30-year-old has been a major disappointment at Anfield, where he scored only nine goals last season and was relegated to the substitutes' bench behind the equally unwanted Djibril Cissé for Saturday's showpiece in Cardiff. Morientes's disillusionment was compounded on Monday when he was omitted from Luis Aragones's Spain squad for the World Cup.

"I've been at Liverpool for a year and a half and with injuries and other things I've never felt right. I'll have to speak to the manager to see if he wants me but I can't stay if I don't play. I left Madrid because I didn't feel useful."

Darren Bent, Jermain Defoe and Craig Bellamy are all under consideration by the Liverpool manager, though he will not pay excessive amounts for those players. As for Morientes, he now finds himself in a similar position to Cissé in that Benitez would like to use them to raise transfer funds providing a club willing to match their wage demands steps forward.

On his absence from the Spanish World Cup squad Morientes, who is interesting several clubs in La Liga including Espanyol, added: "If I'd played more, if I'd scored 15 or 20 more goals, I'd have been able to expect something better but I haven't played well. My playing style was my guarantee but the terrible year I've had has put paid to that."

http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/liverpool/article485424.ece

[66-1112520797]

This probably confirms he's off, last week he said he was going to stay and fight for his place, maybe Rafa has told him otherwise.
Be a bit sad for him to go but he hasnt shown anything of his former self. 

Morientes awaits chop as Benitez hunts for strikers
By Andy Hunter
Published: 17 May 2006

Fernando Morientes last night revealed that he has been unable to settle at Liverpool and expects to be sold when Rafael Benitez strengthens his FA Cup-winning squad this summer.

The 30-year-old has been a major disappointment at Anfield, where he scored only nine goals last season and was relegated to the substitutes' bench behind the equally unwanted Djibril Cissé for Saturday's showpiece in Cardiff. Morientes's disillusionment was compounded on Monday when he was omitted from Luis Aragones's Spain squad for the World Cup.

"I've been at Liverpool for a year and a half and with injuries and other things I've never felt right. I'll have to speak to the manager to see if he wants me but I can't stay if I don't play. I left Madrid because I didn't feel useful."

Darren Bent, Jermain Defoe and Craig Bellamy are all under consideration by the Liverpool manager, though he will not pay excessive amounts for those players. As for Morientes, he now finds himself in a similar position to Cissé in that Benitez would like to use them to raise transfer funds providing a club willing to match their wage demands steps forward.

On his absence from the Spanish World Cup squad Morientes, who is interesting several clubs in La Liga including Espanyol, added: "If I'd played more, if I'd scored 15 or 20 more goals, I'd have been able to expect something better but I haven't played well. My playing style was my guarantee but the terrible year I've had has put paid to that."

http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/liverpool/article485424.ece

Well at least he's acknowledged the fact he hasnt performed and now it seems inevitable (?) he's on his way.

[Ace Ventura]

Have you re-read over this thread mate cos yesterday you were coming out with allsorts of mad stuff like, if Morientes was English he would be better than Rooney and Owen ?
The point your making about not selling him unless someone is coming in is a valid one, but lets be honest if someone isnt coming in then Rafa would not be able to spot what the world and his wife have this season our strikers have not been good enough....with a proven goalscorer we would possibly be champions.

I have skimmed through some of what I said yesterday and I agree it was utter nonsense. But then again so is thinking Morientes is prolific when he's not. 

Tbh mate i have skimmed over the thread again, and cant find anywhere were anyone says Morientes is a prolific striker, if he wasnt scoring but was creating chances for others and generally being a handful (Like Crouch has) then plenty of fans would of been happier.
The fact is, he has not really done either, and a new club and challenge will be the best thing for both parties.

I do feel sorry for him with the world cup, but the simple fact imo is that he hasnt performed and players in poor form generally dont get picked for the biggest football tournament in the world based on past performances or sentiments.

[Paul C]

From Sky Sports:

Spanish striker Fernando Morientes has cast doubt over his Liverpool future.

The former Real Madrid man is still coming to terms with his omission from Spain's World Cup squad and he could be set for a double blow.

Morientes feels Reds chief Rafa Benitez is looking to bring in a new striker and this would in all probability force him further down the pecking order.

The 30-year-old claims he has no intention of accepting a bit-part role and would seek an exit from Anfield if he failed to secure regular playing time.

"People are saying that Liverpool are going to sign forwards and Benitez doesn't count on me any more, but if I don't play I can't stay," the Spaniard told the Daily Mail.

"I've been at Liverpool a year and a half and, with injuries and other things, I have never felt right.

"I will have to speak with the manager and see if he wants me."

Robbie Fowler is one of the players battling with Morientes for a space in the side and he has expressed delight after finally penning his new deal.

Fowler has breathed new life into his career since returning to Liverpool and Benitez has handed him a new deal.

The former England international missed the FA Cup final win over West Ham, having played for Manchester City earlier in the competition, but he is still thrilled with how his season has gone.

"Obviously I was a bit disappointed to be cup-tied for the competition but to be honest being offered a new Liverpool contract was my cup final," said Fowler.

"I'm looking forward to next season already and can't wait to get started. I think it could be another great one for the club."

[The Ace1983]

And on a comepletly unrelated topic, Spurs have just signed Berbatov, another striker. Well, actually it could be comepletely unrelated, but with Nando moaning, I can't see him staying, and Spurs now have a surpluss of strikers...