Liverpool FC Forum

The comparison with Xabi Alonso is stupid. Xabi is a DM and if you look at his stats you should look at how many tackles he's made, passes he's completed, ground covered etc. For a 30m rated winger playing in the Russian and Ukrainian league you'd expect a double figure of goals and/or assists. If it weren't so late in the transfer window, I would have been strongly against signing him, but at this point I guess we should just go for him, have faith in the management and hope that we're not signing another overrated player.

damjan193 » Thu Aug 15, 2013 1:11 pm wrote:The comparison with Xabi Alonso is stupid. Xabi is a DM and if you look at his stats you should look at how many tackles he's made, passes he's completed, ground covered etc. For a 30m rated winger playing in the Russian and Ukrainian league you'd expect a double figure of goals and/or assists. If it weren't so late in the transfer window, I would have been strongly against signing him, but at this point I guess we should just go for him, have faith in the management and hope that we're not signing another overrated player.

I hope you don't think I was having a go at Xabi. I regard him as one of the best midfield and worst managed players we have ever had. I was simply making the point that stats don't tell the full story. Perhaps Xabi was a bad example.

If the newkit-skeptic-par-excellence (Benny) thinks Willian is a good choice, there must be something to the lad.

Willian is a very good player. He can play either side of a front 3 and also behind the main striker. He doesn't score too many but will create for others. Another one who isn't one of the biggest guys around but if he is attainable, he would no doubt improve us

This Willian link is sooooo farked up it's not funny. A marquee signing in a position we don't need one. In case anyone has forgotten, we cannot defend set pieces; our defence is shaky; and in front of a new keeper who will be under pressure in his first full season at LFC.
THAT'S what we need to sort out.
Jesus wept, Rodgers, sort your priorities out.
One more thing: I can watch CL highlights on tv too. I can make an assumption about Willian too on that basis. I can google for stats on his goals as well. Just like Prof Benny claims to "know" from studying European football.
Wake up, people. Nobody here watches the Russian league week in week out.

I think the issue I have with Willian is his price. He is not worth the £25- £30m being mentioned IMO. That is a lot of money. When he was at Shakhtar, both Chelsea and Spurs were put off the £20m+ price Shakhtar were asking and I can see why. His a good player but for that kind of money for an attacking player you would expect to see more in terms of goals/assists. If his not able to do that in the Ukrainian or Russian leagues, I would have serious doubts to whether he would do it over here. Again, I may be wrong but just calling it how I see it.  Strange one. I feel he can improve us but it has to be at the right price

bunglemark2 » Thu Aug 15, 2013 7:29 pm wrote:This Willian link is sooooo farked up it's not funny. A marquee signing in a position we don't need one. In case anyone has forgotten, we cannot defend set pieces; our defence is shaky; and in front of a new keeper who will be under pressure in his first full season at LFC.
THAT'S what we need to sort out.
Jesus wept, Rodgers, sort your priorities out.
One more thing: I can watch CL highlights on tv too. I can make an assumption about Willian too on that basis. I can google for stats on his goals as well. Just like Prof Benny claims to "know" from studying European football.
Wake up, people. Nobody here watches the Russian league week in week out.

Did you know that ESPN last season televised the Russian League with most of their games being played on a Friday Evening and some in the afternoon

But most of the time Willian actually played in the Ukrainian Prem League. But you could watch him every Wed in the CL ( as each game is now broadcasted ) .

Just a few facts for you to consider so next time you will think twice before blurting out nonsense

So Willian has done an interview with ESPN Brazil..these are some of the quotes translated (supposedly):

"Now I'm hoping, of course, in the coming days to receive an offer from a club like Liverpool."

"Liverpool, it sure is a great club. I am hopeful and peaceful hoping for the best."

"I love the Premier League, much like the style of English football, and certainly if it happens will be good for me."

"I know there have been some conversations, but do not know about the values, my manager hasn't told me."

That sounds very hopeful indeed - crossing fingers that this happens.

Not sure if big jan is still in the know but listening to 5 times pod cast from yesterday before and he reckons we are defo going to bid for willian and that we will bring in a marquee signing before the window closes.

Liverpool FC step up their pursuit of Brazil winger Willian
da Silva Willian

By James Pearce  |  15 Aug 2013 22:36

Liverpool FC have stepped up their pursuit of Willian with the £30million-rated Brazilian winger admitting his interest in a move to Anfield.

The ECHO understands the Reds have opened negotiations with Anzhi Makhachkala over a fee following their initial enquiry earlier this week.

Anfield officials have been encouraged by the Russian outfit's willingness to do business and the player's desire to head for the Premier League.


“I'm hoping in the coming days to receive an offer from a club like Liverpool. It sure is a great club,” Willian said.

“I'm hopeful and very calm. Of course England is a league that many dream of playing in and I'm no different. My agent has had conversations with some clubs.

“I love the Premier League and the style of English football, and certainly if it happens it will be good for me. I'll grow professionally.”

Boss Brendan Rodgers has cash to spend after a summer when the club's transfer dealings have so far yielded a profit of around £5million.

Anzhi are keen to sell as billionaire owner Suleyman Kerimov looks to cut costs but they want to recoup the £30million they paid Shakhtar Donetsk for Willian back in January.

That hasn't deterred the Reds with owners Fenway Sports Group willing to finance a deal which would make the 25-year-old the second most expensive player in the club's history.

However, Willian would need to accept a reduction in the £100,000 per week salary he currently commands in the Republic of Dagestan.

Manchester City had a bid of around £34million for Willian rejected last month but that was before Kerimov decided to slash the wage bill and embark on a clearout of the club's prized assets.


The Brazil international, who has also attracted interest from Chelsea and Tottenham, has been told he can leave Anzhi but not at a knockdown price.

“He (Kerimov) doesn't want to let anyone go for free but he made it clear that if good bids arrive - something at least close to what he paid for the players - he would certainly help us go,” added Willian, who has been withdrawn from the Anzhi squad for tomorrow's game against Zenit.

“I've seen news of some clubs interested and my expectation is certainly great. It may happen tomorrow or on August 31.”

As the Reds look to agree a fee with Anzhi, their swoop for Granada's Guilherme Siqueira has been thrown into doubt.

Liverpool were confident of wrapping up a deal for the left-back this week but talks have now stalled after the asking price more than trebled.

The Reds, who had initially been told that Sigueira would be available for around £3.5million, were willing to pay £5.5million in order to secure his services.

However, Granada are now demanding £12million amidst claims that Real Madrid have entered the race for his signature.

If a compromise can't be quickly sorted then Liverpool will renew their interest in Valencia left-back Aly Cissokho.

The France international claimed last week that he had agreed personal terms with the Reds but admitted there was no deal in place between the clubs.

A previous round of talks had broken down because Liverpool wanted a year-long loan with the option to buy next summer but Valencia insisted on a permanent transfer with the cash up front.

Having let Jack Robinson join Blackpool on a season-long loan, Rodgers needs an established left-back to provide competition for Jose Enrique.

Doeboy » Thu Aug 15, 2013 8:00 pm wrote:I think the issue I have with Willian is his price. He is not worth the £25- £30m being mentioned IMO. That is a lot of money. When he was at Shakhtar, both Chelsea and Spurs were put off the £20m+ price Shakhtar were asking and I can see why. His a good player but for that kind of money for an attacking player you would expect to see more in terms of goals/assists. If his not able to do that in the Ukrainian or Russian leagues, I would have serious doubts to whether he would do it over here. Again, I may be wrong but just calling it how I see it.  Strange one. I feel he can improve us but it has to be at the right price

This is my opinion as well. I've only seen Willian play in the CL and although he played a few great games I think he got overrated because of those games. If he didn't preform in the CL as he did, his price would have been at least 10mill lower. Should have rather spent those money on Mkhtaryan and buy him from Shakhtar and all the third parties that own him (which was the whole problem if I remember well).

Mkhtaryan wasnt interested in us because we werent in CL - I'm not sure if we even made a bid or had one accepted

Benny The Noon » Thu Aug 15, 2013 10:56 pm wrote:Mkhtaryan wasnt interested in us because we werent in CL - I'm not sure if we even made a bid or had one accepted

He was our main target, I'm sure we had a chat with him even before the transfer window opened. We could't sign him because he is owned by a third party as well, and he would have cost too much if we payed everyone that owned him. But if we are able to spend 30mill on a single player, then we should have spent it on Mkhtaryan rather than on Willian.

I'm gonna be bummed if the Sigueira deal breaks down. Thought that one was happening for sure, and he looks pretty good.

Be happy with the Willian one of he really wants to come here. Now that we've sold Downing, we could use a replacement out wide of his ability. He may not have the best stats, but his skill is second-to-none, and he'd definitely give defenders something else to talk about.