Liverpool FC Forum

[Benny The Noon]

He can pass when given time but doesn't look dynamic enough and certainly appears the perfect example of lightweight

[RED BEERGOGGLES]

I thought our football became a lot more progressive when he was introduced ,I think he has the makings of a classy player.

[damjan193]

He can pass when given time but doesn't look dynamic enough and certainly appears the perfect example of lightweight

True, but he's perfect for games where the opposition sits back and we have full control.

Heck, even when we're under pressure we could use a passer like him. I remember when we played United we couldn't string two passes together. When Alberto was introduced in the final minutes, we started seeing a bit of the ball ourselves.

His passing is simple and smart. I love that kind of players. He's a bit like Allen I guess only Alberto is a bit better at going forward.

[maguskwt]

Can't see it... What role is he suppose to play anyway? AM CM or DM... Doesn't seem like he excels at any...

[woof woof !]

Don't think the lads had the chance to establish himself in ANY position so far, I think when he's been used Rodgers has generally employed him at left mid.

A reminder of what was being said when we signed him

Mirror online

When Luis Alberto signed on for the loan move to Barcelona B, the idea was to get regular football with the conclusion of returning to Sevilla, his parent club, a better player. While he got the regular football, and he’s certainly a better player, the problem for his parent club is that he’s done so well that he now won’t be returning to Sevilla.

It’s been a whirlwind season for the 20-year-old, and his current situation finds himself far removed from the one he was in in Andalucia. He was frustrated at a lack of first team opportunities, coming off the back of several contract disputes and stuck with a general lack of progression as a player.

This was a surprise given at one point he was the star of Sevilla’s cantera, seen as one of the most exciting prospects since Jesus Navas. Luis Alberto too, emerged as a winger, albeit from the left side.

NEWS: Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers compares new signing Luis Alberto to Philippe Coutinho

As time went on there he showed his fine creative abilities, and although he isn’t the quickest of players he made up for it with his technical ability, movement and physical strength. With the player lacking motivation with Sevilla’s ‘B’ team however, and those opportunities with the first team difficult to come by, it became apparent a new environment would be better. Barcelona it would be, and there he’s blossomed as many in those early days at Sevilla hoped he would.

Liverpool first started watching the player in October, with their senior scouting team tracking him closely at Miniestadi where Barcelona B plays their home games and even catching a few of their away trips. The Anfield club were of course waiting on Barça’s actions in regards to their option on the deal before securing the transfer of Alberto.

The youngster went on to fire in 11 goals and weigh in with 15 assists, offering up both sides of his game. The versatility was apparent too, working in attacking midfield, wide, second striker and False 9 roles for the team. The position of False 9 was one he was particularly impressive in, and the player admitted recently he too was very fond of the role.

Taking up the position meant Luis Alberto didn’t need that speed he lacked, just the intelligent movement and power he’d often shown before. His ability to time his runs, ghost in between defenders and adept control on the ball proved vital in front of goal. He packs a real punch in his shots and over time gradually found better accuracy in them too, bringing his goal scoring tally up across the course of the season.

Luis Alberto’s associating with fellow teammates was another feature of his game too, as he possessed vision and awareness of those around moving around him. His link-up with the highly rated Gerard Deulofeu proved particular enjoyable too as the pair bounced off each other with their complementary attributes.

In terms of negatives aspects his game in general does need plenty of polishing, as we’re talking about a player yet to feature at the highest level in Spain. The series of Spanish imports to La Liga have all experienced La Liga before finding success on these shores, even if it was at a lower placed team like Michu at Rayo Vallecano.

Liverpool, as previously mentioned, have kept track of the player for sometime though and will have identified the areas he needs improving in. There are few of them, and the ability and confidence of the player will go far when navigating such concerns.

€8m is a lot of money for a relatively untested - at the top level – youngster, but what he does possess for that fee is massive potential. Comparisons with Dani Pacheco are expected, but Luis Alberto is a much more advanced work-in-progress upon arriving at Liverpool.

Working with the right coaches, methods and patience there is no doubting the potential can be fulfilled.

I like what little we've seen of him so far. Looking at the video below there's deffo a "player" in there waiting to break out, would like to see him given more opportunity.

[kartiek]

Was really please with his contribution against Newcastle. I think he can become a very good player - he seems to have good confidence too. His only worrying attribute is his lack of pace IMO.

[woof woof !]

Was really please with his contribution against Newcastle. I think he can become a very good player - he seems to have good confidence too. His only worrying attribute is his lack of pace IMO.

Take your point Kartiek but not every player has to be able qualify for an olympic sprint event   

Depending on his role a players composure and ability to see and make a pass are just as valuable as pace.

[Benny The Noon]

Think he will go on loan to somewhere like Albacete and end up leaving for about £2.5mil.

[Kenny Kan]

Was really please with his contribution against Newcastle. I think he can become a very good player - he seems to have good confidence too. His only worrying attribute is his lack of pace IMO.

Have to admit, from what I've seen of him, I'm not convinced.

[woof woof !]

Think he will go on loan to somewhere like Albacete and end up leaving for about £2.5mil.

Christ ! I hope not, especially after Rodgers was coming out with stuff like this

from Mirror online

Luis Alberto has been likened to Philippe Coutinho by Brendan Rodgers.

Alberto completed his £6m switch to Liverpool from Sevilla over the weekend and Rodgers is excited about the 20-year-old attacker.

The Liverpool boss says the Spaniard reminds him of Coutinho, who has been a huge hit since his arrival from Inter Milan in January.

"Luis has the correct footballing profile and mentality to be a Liverpool player," said Rodgers.

"I look forward to working with him to develop his talent and he joins a group of young exciting players at our club.

"He's another Coutinho-type. We brought in young Philippe Coutinho in January when he was 20 years of age, but he had good experience and, more importantly, fitted the profile of what we're trying to do here and what we're trying to build.

"Young Luis is exactly the same - a talented, very highly-rated young player when he was at Sevilla, but obviously spent last season at Barcelona B.

"He's a big talent and one for now that can play. He's got competitive games behind him and is one we see progressing over the next few years.

"Importantly, he knows the type of game and model we're trying to implement."

After comments like that if we are not going to hang on to, develop and use those young players then our whole transfer policy has to be questioned .

[Benny The Noon]

Same with Aspas Woof - can't see them fitting in and playing in the prem to any sort of decent level.

I know lightweight is a cliche that gets assigned to smaller players but think its perfect for these two - think neither have the physical strength to compete in the prem. Technical players are great but they also need to be able to handle themselves and dig in - especially during the winter months. Can't see it happening with either player.

[jacdaniel]

The problem for every young Liverpool player at the moment is the lack of games we are involved in.
We have no European competition.
Out of the Carling Cup early. 

Now the FA Cup is our only chance of winning a trophy.  Will the young players get a chance seeing that its our only hope of silverware?

Were does that leave Sterling, Alberto, Llori etc in terms of progression?  We either send them on loan or leave them on the bench getting 15 mins here or there when we can. 

Alberto looks a good player but whether he'll ever get the chances here I don't know.

[kartiek]

Think he will go on loan to somewhere like Albacete and end up leaving for about £2.5mil.

Well, I feel differently about this kid. I think he can really become coutinho-good. Regardless of what he shown so far and how he turns out, your damning verdict after seeing this kid play and play well about 2 times is shocking as well as just highly unmerited.

[kartiek]

The problem for every young Liverpool player at the moment is the lack of games we are involved in.
We have no European competition.
Out of the Carling Cup early. 

Now the FA Cup is our only chance of winning a trophy.  Will the young players get a chance seeing that its our only hope of silverware?

Were does that leave Sterling, Alberto, Llori etc in terms of progression?  We either send them on loan or leave them on the bench getting 15 mins here or there when we can. 

Alberto looks a good player but whether he'll ever get the chances here I don't know.

Good point

[woof woof !]

Same with Aspas Woof - can't see them fitting in and playing in the prem to any sort of decent level.

I know lightweight is a cliche that gets assigned to smaller players but think its perfect for these two - think neither have the physical strength to compete in the prem. Technical players are great but they also need to be able to handle themselves and dig in - especially during the winter months. Can't see it happening with either player.

If anyone fits the profile described above it's surely Coutinho ? Only 5'7" and looks like a strong gust of wind would blow him over, or Raheem Sterling who is also of the same stature however we've all seen there's much more too them than their physique initially suggests.


As for their physical strength I don't know how "strong" either Alberto or Aspas actually are but would suggest none of us in here do.

Alberto is half an inch short of 6ft, so I'm at a loss as to why you consider him a "small" player and on what little I've seen it doesn't appear that he has a problem handling himself.

I have seen Aspas (at 5'9")  getting brushed off the ball but equally I've seen him holding off players (much bigger than himself), I'm not a "fan" of Aspas and would like to see him moved on but that's purely because I don't think he's good enough, not because he's supposedly "lightweight"

I disagree with your premise

can't see them fitting in and playing in the prem to any sort of decent level.

I'm not sure what you define as "decent level" I do think they're both capable of performing in the premiership, although admittedly both may ultimately prove to be not good enough for a club with our ambitions.