Liverpool FC Forum

by **matt_evans2006** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 1:04 pm

Is duff left wing. apologies

by **red37** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 1:10 pm

rafa's comments on pennant...

RAFA BACKING PENNANT TO BE ANFIELD HIT
Paul Eaton 27 July 2006

Rafael Benitez today insisted new signing Jermaine Pennant will put his chequered past behind him and be a success at Anfield following his transfer from Birmingham.
The Liverpool boss admits signing the right sided midfielder represents something of a risk, but he's confident in the 23 year old's determination to forget his early career troubles and concentrate on contributing to his new club's future success.

"Of course there is some risk in the deal, but there is risk in every transfer," said Benitez.

"It doesn't matter who you sign, you must wait and see if it's successful.

"Jermaine is a player we've liked for some time. He makes a lot of assists, is a good crosser and has a lot of pace. He's the kind of right winger we've been looking for.

"He also has the advantage of being used to the English style, which means he'll have no problem adjusting.

"We know it's similar to Craig Bellamy because this is Jermaine's last opportunity to show he is a good player at a really big club.

"When you sign a player that's been at a big club before but had problems, you know he will think more about the consequences of everything he does, and that's a positive thing.

"These players know more about the importance of doing the right things. It's a big motivation for them to hear people say they're more mature, are different and have the quality to play for a top club.

"It's easier to sign a player who everyone knows is good and has never had any problems, but I believe when a player changes, shows he is more mature and proves to everyone he has the quality and the ability to end any problems, that makes him an even better player and person.

"Jermaine wants to show everyone he can be a contender at a big club again and the most important thing for me is we are signing players with a lot of quality who we feel have learnt a lot from their experience.

"At Liverpool, we have an atmosphere in the dressing room and throughout the club which will help players like Jermaine and Craig.

"They understand what's expected when you sign for Liverpool, so we're sure there will be no problems."

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with each word from our gaffers lips, i get more and more optimistic about the future. long may it continue.

by **Kukilon** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 1:13 pm

I'd rather have Bellamy over Trez but it's mostly because I don't think Trez would work very well in the EPL and he is older. We need players that can develop into better players and stay at the top for a few years and not someone that have just passed his prime and will just start going down hill after this. Trez would also demand a much higher wage than Bellamy.

Back to Pennant. How can some of you guys not want him. He is a young pure high class right winger and is proven in the EPL. Duff is a great player but he is a left winger and he has been having problems with injuries and at the same time he is hardly young anymore. We would never have gotten him for the price that Newcastle bought him for.

by **red37** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 1:19 pm

pennants comments on liverpool fc...

I'll make most of this opportunity, vows new boy Jul 27 2006

Liverpool Echo

IF Liverpool fans have any doubts about new signing Jermaine Pennant's commitment to Anfield, they need only listen to his memories of the club's Champions League triumph in Istanbul to be convinced.

Pennant completed a £6.7million move from Birmingham last night when he signed a four-year deal to finally solve boss Rafael Benitez's year-long search for a right-sided midfielder.

It has become a standing joke at Anfield that every new signing always profess to being boyhood fans of the club.

But Pennant looks the real McCoy on that front and he recalls a night of delirium when he was on holiday in Mauritius.

He said: "I watched it along with a load of other Liverpool fans on the big screen in my hotel," said Pennant.

"When we went 3-0 down I just went back to my room feeling really disappointed. A bit later I put the match on again and saw it was 3-3. I couldn't believe it and started jumping all over the bed."

Pennant is now set to join up with his new team-mates in their Swiss training camp, and the 23-year-old added: "I've only had a quick conversation with the manager on the telephone but I'll be meeting up with him in Switzer-land later and I'm sure we'll talk a lot more.

"I always wanted to come to Liverpool. This is the only club I would have wanted to sign for.

"I'm more than confident my best will come at this club because I am playing alongside top-quality players who will only help me develop my game.

"Obviously the captain (Steven Gerrard) is there as the central point of the team and there are quality players all around him. I'm looking forward to making the most of this opportunity."
**********************************************

good lad JP. :nod

and the best of luck in achieving your 'dream'

by **Big Niall** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 1:39 pm

Pennant is NOT top class but hopefully he can do a job. We paid way too much - about £3m would be right. Arsene Wenger got rid of him as he was not good enough for them and that was only a year ago (I think). Wenger rarely gets rid of players that he later regrets.

by **dawson99** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 1:45 pm

Wenger got rid of pennant because of his off the pitch activities, it wasnt about the talent. Pennant can do a job with the right maturity and he is getting that now.

Im more worried about bellamy right now, theres a lot of hush talk about shot out knees and all that but its probably just rumours to un nerve us

by **anfieldadorer** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 2:22 pm

i dare to say that his behaviour was NOT related to morality, but was about responsibility and probably "only" a matter of maturity, which WILL change along his age. he'll come good i firmly believe.

by **crazyhorse** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 2:49 pm

I think we have signed a player who over the next 5 years will be at his peak.

At 6 million we may well have a bargain a few years down the road, if his attitude and committment improve.

by **flipmode** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 3:30 pm

Pennant = Number 16, taken over from the Kaiser!!! He has a lot to live upto

by **Ace Ventura** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 4:13 pm

dawson99 wrote:Wenger got rid of pennant because of his off the pitch activities, it wasnt about the talent. Pennant can do a job with the right maturity and he is getting that now.

Im more worried about bellamy right now, theres a lot of hush talk about shot out knees and all that but its probably just rumours to un nerve us

Dawson i would imagine that Bellamy would have passed a very stringent medical before he signed so any rumours you have heard will be just that mate.

by **Ace Ventura** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 4:16 pm

matt_evans2006 wrote:Is duff left wing. apologies

Dont mean to sound like a p!ss taking c@nt or anything.....BUT, if you dont even know what position Damien Duff (been playing in the premiership for about 10 years) plays then it doesnt convince me of your ability to question the managers transfer dealings.

by **Kukilon** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 5:16 pm

Just ask any Arsenal fans and they will tell you that Pennant was ditched because of his off the pitch behaviour and not for his skills.

by **El Nino_#9** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 5:19 pm

Kukilon wrote:Just ask any Arsenal fans and they will tell you that Pennant was ditched because of his off the pitch behaviour and not for his skills.

i just asked an arsenal fan beside me, and he agrees with your statement. :nod

by **Kev Huyton 2006** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 11:38 pm

The thing is, forget the hype , and see what this guy actually does for the team, will he crack under pressure!?

by **Kev Huyton 2006** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 11:43 pm

"You can say the price is the price, but you also have to

consider the market, and we cannot pay a fee over the market price," said Benitez.

"Some clubs may pay more than the player is worth, but we can't do that at Liverpool. We can't pay over the market price.

"I am not the kind of manager who will pay £20m if the value is only £10million." Benitez eventually lost patience with Sevilla, who refused to budge on the £12m they wanted for Alves.

this to me suggests although Benitez is shrewd dealer, this may cost us the league, in terms of holding back for quality!

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