Liverpool FC Forum

by **The_Rock** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 10:27 am

Redrider wrote:I did say any of the group of players, not all of them and Pongolle would be the last resort of the five.
But if we were to buy both Anelka and Morientes, we also have Baros, Cisse and Kewell when they are fit !!
however, it is probably doubtful that we would be bold enough to go for both.

Pongolle is a future star. Have been very impressed with him in the last couple of matches. Will not sell him at all. If we sell him now, we can prob get 5 million pounds at the most. In a few years time, he will be worth more than thrice that.

by **The_Rock** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 10:34 am

http://www.walkonlfc.com/news/jan05/nicolas_anelka.htm

NEWS
7.1.05 Benitez hints at Anelka interest

Liverpool will target an English-based striker to revive their bid for a place in the Champions League if the bid to bring Real Madrid's Fernando Morientes to Anfield collapses.

Manager Rafael Benitez has described Manchester City striker Nicolas Anelka as "a very good player" which suggests the club could bid for the Frenchman.

City boss Kevin Keegan admitted this week that a "massive" bid for Anelka could tempt the club to sell the former France international.

The forward had a successful loan stint at Liverpool in the 2001/02 season, when Gerard Houllier's side finished second in the Premiership, and captain Steven Gerrard recently admitted the striker would be a welcome addition.

Although Morientes appears to remain Benitez's prime target, Madrid are stalling on a deal, reportedly holding out for £7million, far exceeding Liverpool's valuation.

By selecting Morientes to face Real Sociedad this week, new boss Wanderley Luxemburgo hinted that the Spain star could still have a future at the Bernabeu.

Benitez said in the Daily Mail that Liverpool would not pay over the odds for Morientes.

"Real have talked about a certain amount of money, but we have our own clear idea of a price and will proceed on those lines," he said.

"There are other options we are considering. The main one is in England because that kind of player knows what we are doing and how we want to play.

"All I can say about Nicolas Anelka is that he is a very good player.

"I don't want to say more than that."

While fifth-placed Liverpool are steadily making up ground on neighbours Everton, down to fourth and possibly the most vulnerable of the teams currently occupying Champions League slots, they have major injury problems up front, with Djibril Cisse ruled out until next season and Milan Baros struggling for fitness.

by **The_Rock** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 10:41 am

Liverpool confirm Anelka interest

Keegan plays down Anelka absence
Manchester City striker Nicolas Anelka has emerged as Liverpool's most likely transfer target if they fail to capture Real Madrid's Fernando Morientes.
Reds boss Rafael Benitez is still confident Morientes will sign, saying: "The player wants to come and we have a clear idea of the price we will pay.

But he added: "Just in case, we are watching other players. We are talking with agents and we have some names.

"We know all about Anelka and he is a good player."

City boss Kevin Keegan said this week he had not been approached about the French striker, but admitted a "massive" bid could tempt the club to sell.
another one in bbc.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/4153955.stm

City - who are £62m in debt - are believed to still owe Paris St Germain £5m of the £13m fee they paid for Anelka in the summer of 2002.

Nicolas Anelka career stats

The 25-year-old spent five months on loan at Anfield at the end of the 2001-02 season before joining City.

by **The_Rock** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 11:05 am

here's his stats. 36 goals in 86 league matches for mancity is not a bad strike rate...

here's the summary :

1)Mancity - 44 goals in 100 matches
2)Liverpool - 5 goals in 22 matches
3)PSG - 20 goals in 53 matches
4)Real Madrid - 7 goals in 32 matches
5)Arsenal - 23 goals in 90 matches
6)France - 5 goals in 26 matches

Analysis :
- his goal average is very good at man city (he is not even hit prime too).

- his goal average was good at PSG (Fall out with coach).

- his goal average was average at arsenal (but if you take into account he was 20 yrs old, it is pretty awsome)

-his goal average was poor at liverpool at real madrid. In Real Madrid, he was expected to be the chief striker. And he was only 20 yrs old. And with the lifestyle the players there go thru, it was no doubt he suffered without anyone shielding him. Over here, he came as an unfit player. It took him some time to get back into the groove. And on-loan players don't really give it their all do they .....

Closing arguments :
Anelka is 26 this year. He is beginning to score goals frequently. With the midfield we boast (or will be boasting once rafa gets his fav players here), anelka will score goals for fun.

- He played for france well when he was really young. Many of his apps were as subs. So 5 goals in 26 matches looks ok.

disclaimer :

This is only my opinion. No flames need

Stats.

Nicolas Anelka

Date of birth: 14 Mar 79
Nationality: French
Position: Striker
Height: 1.84m
Weight: 77.00kg

Career statistics

1)Manchester City - May 02 / Present

Gls Apps
League * 36 86
FA Cup 4 5
L Cup 0 4
European/Others 4 5

2)Liverpool - Dec 01 / May 02
On loan

Gls Apps

League * 4 20
FA Cup 1 2
L Cup 0 0
European/Others 0 0

3)PSG - Jul 00 / May 02

Gls Apps
League * 12 39
European/Others 8 14

4)Real Madrid Club de Futbol - Aug 99 / Jul 00

Gls Apps
League * 2 18
European/Others 5 14

5)Arsenal - Mar 97 / Aug 99

Gls Apps
League * 23 65
FA Cup 3 14
League Cup 0 3
European/Others 2 8

France - Oct 98 / May 02

Gls Apps
International 5 26

by **Paul C** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 11:56 am

This was on Sky Sports this mornin:

Fernando Morientes could finally be on the verge of joining Liverpool with Real Madrid reportedly agreeing to a deal of around £7 million for the striker, along with goalkeeper Cesar.

Liverpool have reportedly upped their bid for Spanish international striker Morientes to around £6.5 million, and Real have finally agreed to allow him to leave.

New Real coach Wanderley Luxemburgo had dismissed the chance of Morientes moving to Anfield, but it now seems as though they have accepted his departure as they cannot guarantee him regular first team action.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez has now also turned his attention to Real's reserve goalkeeper Cesar, and he will be involved in the deal totalling around £7 million.

Cesar is unable to get near to the starting XI at El Santiago Bernabeu with Iker Casillas settled as the club's number one.

With Cesar's contract expiring at the end of the season, Real are ready to let him move to Anfield for a small fee.

Benitez had said that he wanted an experience keeper to add to his squad with Chris Kirkland set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Cesar will now be joining Morientes on the trip to Merseyside as he finally seals his protracted move to Liverpool.

A number of other sides had thought to be on the trail of Morientes, with Newcastle and Monaco interested, but the Spaniard had set his heart on joining Benitez at Anfield.

Although new coach Luxemburgo had not wanted Morientes to leave, he was unable to offer him regular football and Real have finally decided that they will allow him to leave.

by **The_Rock** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 12:20 pm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/4153955.stm

Keegan opens exit door for Anelka

Oldham v Man City
Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan has admitted he is now ready to sell unhappy striker Nicolas Anelka.
The 25-year-old star refused to take a fitness test on a back injury before the 1-1 draw at Arsenal.

Keegan said: "I don't think there is any doubt that if anyone comes in with a really serious bid for Nicolas we would sell him."

Fenerbahce and Liverpool have been linked, and Keegan said: "I'd use the money to strengthen the team."

The Turks are believed to be ready to pay £7m for Anelka, although Liverpool's interest depends on whether they can land top target Fernando Morientes from Real Madrid.

Nicolas Anelka career stats

Anelka spent five months on loan at Liverpool at the end of the 2001-02 season before completing a £13m move to City from Paris St Germain.

Keegan, who confirmed Anelka would also miss the FA Cup third round tie at Oldham, said: "Everybody knows we still have £5m to pay on Nicolas, so you would have to add quite a bit more on to that figure for us to sell.

"We would have to replace Nicolas if he were sold. Otherwise he will stay and get paid for doing what he is meant to do for us and see out his contract."

Keegan's decision may have been hastened by the City manager's revelation that Anelka declined to even take a fitness test on his back problem before the Highbury game on Tuesday.

He said: "He didn't feel he could make a fitness test. I was a bit disappointed. But if he says his back is hurting, I have to respect that.

"Now he is not fit for our match against Oldham. There's nothing to say about him from a football point of view.

"We need everybody fit right now and I put players out against Arsenal who were not 100%. But Nicolas wasn't one of them."

by **The_Rock** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 2:04 pm

same story here.

http://www.liverpool-mad.co.uk/news....=197979

by **Redrider** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 7:50 pm

The_Rock wrote:
Redrider wrote:I did say any of the group of players, not all of them and Pongolle would be the last resort of the five.
But if we were to buy both Anelka and Morientes, we also have Baros, Cisse and Kewell when they are fit !!
however, it is probably doubtful that we would be bold enough to go for both.

Pongolle is a future star. Have been very impressed with him in the last couple of matches. Will not sell him at all. If we sell him now, we can prob get 5 million pounds at the most. In a few years time, he will be worth more than thrice that.

Good point Rock, better than money in the bank ?
I will put you forward at the next AGM, to take over from 'my mate' Parry !!

by **Redrider** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 7:53 pm

Paul C wrote:This was on Sky Sports this mornin:

Fernando Morientes could finally be on the verge of joining Liverpool with Real Madrid reportedly agreeing to a deal of around £7 million for the striker, along with goalkeeper Cesar.

Bl%dy Ell, Another two Spaniards, I am going to open a Tapas Bar in Liverpool and make me a fortune !! :alien:

by **anfieldadorer** » Sun Jan 09, 2005 5:15 am

similar story here:

Keegan admits he will sell Anelka

By James Carroll
Date: 8/1/2005

Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan has admitted that he will listen to offers for French striker Nicolas Anelka during the January transfer window.

It would appear that Anelka is actively looking to leave the City of Manchester Stadium after refusing to take a fitness test before City's match with Arsenal on Tuesday night.

Anelka claimed that he had a back injury and has also been ruled out of today's FA Cup tie with Oldham. Some speculate that this is a deliberate ploy in order to prevent him becoming cup-tied for any potential English buyers.

"I don't think there is any doubt that if anyone comes in with a really serious bid for Nicolas we would sell him," Keegan confirmed. "I'd use the money to strengthen the team."

"Everybody knows we still have £5m to pay on Nicolas, so you would have to add quite a bit more on to that figure for us to sell."

"We would have to replace Nicolas if he were sold. Otherwise he will stay and get paid for doing what he is meant to do for us and see out his contract."

"He didn't feel he could make a fitness test. I was a bit disappointed. But if he says his back is hurting, I have to respect that."

"Now he is not fit for our match against Oldham. There's nothing to say about him from a football point of view."

"We need everybody fit right now and I put players out against Arsenal who were not 100%. But Nicolas wasn't one of them."

Liverpool are thought to be favourites to sign Anelka, although it has emerged today that Turkish club Fenerbahce are set to make a bid for the French forward.

by **A.B.** » Sun Jan 09, 2005 6:27 am

I'm getting unpatient with these transfer speculations, I hope its confirmed on LFC.tv soon

by **The_Rock** » Sun Jan 09, 2005 6:41 am

don't think we will see anelka at anfield if morientas signs....i could be wrong though. The same thing can happen as when dudek & kirkland were signed in a difference of a day.

by **A.B.** » Sun Jan 09, 2005 7:01 am

I think we'll sign both Anelka and Morientes. One striker imo is not good enough, the season is still long and considering that we have bad luck we need two good strikers.

by **112-1077774096** » Mon Jan 10, 2005 7:31 am

"will it be mushrooms, fried onion rings, you'll have to wait and see, we hope its chips its chips"

by **Paul C** » Mon Jan 10, 2005 9:25 am

lol, how did the rest of it go?

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