Liverpool FC Forum

Thingy wrote:What do people think is the opposite? The worst signings by the top 4? Or the worst cos there wont be 20 odd. Voronin has to be up there. Malouda wasnt what I thought he could be either.

bigmick wrote:Well Torres is obviously top of the list, and I honestly think that if any Manc, Chelsea or Arsenal fans were on here they'd accept that as well. He's top not just in achievement but even allowing for his price tag, value for money as well. What makes it incredibly frustrating that we never managed to get ourselves involved in the title race at any stage is that not only did we sign the best striker in the League, we signed the best holding midfielder as well. For that, Masherano takes the second place, and Rafa by virtue of the fact he signed them both deserves a big pat on the back.

I think Anderson is going to be a big player for Man Utd and as such will be value at what they paid, as such he comes in fourth. Third though for me is Nani who I think is going to be a real match-winning footballer given time and has done enough already to get third in my book. I have seen odd comparisons with his signing and that of Benayoun which is in my opinion anyway strange in the extreme.

Sagna look like he's just about the best right full-back in the league at the moment and typically for his manager, was an outstanding value purchase at 6 million. He gets fifth for me, but probably only because as yet Annelka hasn't really figured for Chelsea. Should Drogba do the expected and de-camp to wherever Mourinho is next season, Annela will look like an unbelieveably good buy at the price when he is near the top of the scoring charts next campaign.

Hi praise for Nani, mate.  I'll admit I've not seen him play all that much but when I have watched him he's struck me as a bit of a show pony.  Anderson looks like a real find for the Mancs, though.  Bugger. 

Bad Bob wrote:

Thingy wrote:What do people think is the opposite? The worst signings by the top 4? Or the worst cos there wont be 20 odd. Voronin has to be up there. Malouda wasnt what I thought he could be either.

Pizarro for Chelsea is on that list for certain.

Thingy wrote:Santa Cruz would be up there on the best signings if he was in a top for club. 20 goals for a few million quid? Cant argue with that.

andy_g wrote:sagna is already excellent but his hair does my head in

A little insight into Andy's rigorous evaluation process. 

andy_g wrote:

don't get me wrong, bob. i'm all for originality and not following the herd but even for me there's a limit.

you must have done your nut with Djibril Cisse!!!

bigmick wrote:I wouldn't argue with the show pony bit either Bob to be honest, but mixed in with it are moments of real quality. His goal against us for instance was a fantastic finish, and one of the reasons why I find comparisons with Benayoun a bit like comparing Kuyt and Torres. Benayoun would probably have more chance of doing the back flip which Nani did afterwards (ie not very much really) than he would of scoring that goal. I have vague memories of a searing hit from distance earlier in the season as well in an important game, but for the life of me I can't remember who it was against. In actual fact he reminds me a little bit of Ronaldo in his first couple of seasons, though obviously I sincerely hope he doesn't turn out ot be as good as his fellow countryman.

Anderson is the more obvious (and in truth probably more sensible choice, but I do like to be different ) and will undoubtedly make it over here. I've just a hunch that he may have some growing up to do and that it might be possible to get him sent off from time to time, but other than that he looks like a top player in the making.

I agree, Mick, that his goal against us was quality.  I've not seen much else in the way of end product from him but, I confess, I can barely stomach watching the Mancs when they play us so I've hardly cleared my schedule to park it in front of the box whenever they're playing anyone else.   From what I have seen, he looks to have that whiff of magic that top players possess but it will remain to be seen if the application is there for him as well.  I shudder to think what will happen, though, if he follows his countryman and graduates from show pony to genuine star.  For now, I'd put him in that 2nd category of signings I mentioned above: possesses great potential but has not yet made a significant mark on the league in the manner that Torres or even Mascherano, Sagna or Tevez have.