Liverpool FC Forum

[Paul C]

Seems to be a lot of speculation about us getting him today in the media, apparently the rumours are quite strong too as if the deal is very close 

[bunglemark2]

Is this bloke any good ? It's a loan deal anyway, isn't it ?

[Ola Mr Benitez]

from the daily post

Liverpool FC considering Maxi Rodriguez loan deal
Jan 1 2010 by Dominic King, Daily Post

LIVERPOOL are considering a move to bring Atletico Madrid midfielder Maxi Rodriguez to Anfield on a six-month loan.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez is determined to strength his squad for the second half of the campaign and is particularly keen to bolster his options on the flanks.

Rodriguez – an Argentine international who is a close friend of Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano – has ticks in all the right boxes, as signing him would not eat into Benitez’s budget but would give the manager an injection of quality.

Born in Santa Fe, Rodriguez

celebrates his 29th birthday tomorrow and has been an Atletico Madrid player since 2005. He has previously played for Espanyol.

Fast, direct and an excellent crosser of the ball, Rodriguez has found opportunities limited at the Mestalla in recent months and is desperate to play regular first-team football, particularly with this being a World Cup year.

He has been linked with a return to his homeland, with Boca Juniors being mentioned as a possible destination, but reports in Spain have confirmed “a Merseyside club” are close to doing a deal for Rodriguez, who will become a free agent in June.

Liverpool were keeping tight-lipped about the deal but Benitez has admitted bringing in new faces during the window is a priority.

“We are working hard and trying to do our jobs, and we’ll see if we can do something,” he said.

“We are looking in the market but it’s not easy to find good players available because the majority of them are playing in top sides. But we are trying to find solutions if we can.

“We have some good players who people are interested in because they’re not playing too many games, but we have to manage carefully.”

Benitez, meanwhile, has promised to field a strong starting line-up against Reading tomorrow, as Liverpool begin their FA Cup campaign at the Madjeski Stadium.

With one of his best days as manager coming in the 2006 final against West Ham, Benitez is determined to experience the feeling of winning the old pot again and is desperate to lead the Reds out at Wembley.

Given the Champions League, Carling Cup and Premier League have already slipped from Liverpool’s grasp, Benitez has no intentions of jeopardising another route to silverware.

“It’s always been important but you know that when you’re out of the Champions League, the people think about silverware and the FA Cup is very, very important for us,” said Benitez.

Defender Glen Johnson has been ruled out for at least a month with a knee injury.

The right-back sustained a tear of the medial ligament in his right knee during Tuesday’s 1-0 victory at Aston Villa.

No definite timescale will be put on Johnson’s return until he visits another specialist.

[boodiddy1]

A quality player. One i bigged up a few months back. was captain at atletico last year. Very accomplished player ,on loan at this current time would be a great signing. Can play left or right. But would love him on the right instead of kuyt. Maxi sees a pass early like gerrard, aquaman and torres. Lets get him. C'mon rafa

[Keris]

from the daily post

Fast, direct and an excellent crosser of the ball

I would welcome this type of winger.
We tend to overpass in the attacking 3rd of the field.

[Toffeehater]

He was their captain and was a quality player used to be undroppable from the team , and with madrid struggling and them willing to let him go on loan he's surplus requirements it seems. Loan deal would be a good option to see if he can adapt

[The Good Yank]

Rodriguez has found opportunities limited at the Mestalla in recent months

No wonder he's not been playing much, he's been at the wrong stadium.   

[LFC2007]

He's a good player, scored a brilliant goal against us at Anfield in the UCL as I remember. He is basically the opposite of what Kuyt is - a fluid footballer.

If we could get him for a nominal fee then it's exactly the type of business we need to be doing.

Him plus a proper striker and we're onto something.

[Cool Hand Luke]

Sounds like Atletico Madrid may be willing to release him for free in January rather than pay him until the summer. If I remember correctly he played on the right wing for Argentina so Kuyt may have some stiff competition?  I remember his impressing in the 2006 world cup, looked a real quality player. Looking at his record he has contributed well in terms of goals everywhere he has played. We could do a lot worse.

[Richj]

Would love it if we can get him, Has looked class every time I have seen him play.

[bunglemark2]

Sounds like Atletico Madrid may be willing to release him for free in January rather than pay him until the summer. If I remember correctly he played on the right wing for Argentina so Kuyt may have some stiff competition?  I remember his impressing in the 2006 world cup, looked a real quality player. Looking at his record he has contributed well in terms of goals everywhere he has played. We could do a lot worse.

I think you know as well as I do, that if Rafa signed him, there's no way in hell he'd drop Kuyt in favour of him.....Kuyt is - for some reason unknown to logical thinking - untouchable in Rafa's mind

[tubby]

Is this bloke any good ? It's a loan deal anyway, isn't it ?

You forgotten this goal already? 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVVSOGLyAcU

[Raj_Xedos]

Is this bloke any good ? It's a loan deal anyway, isn't it ?

You forgotten this goal already? 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVVSOGLyAcU

ha ha..what a hit son...

anyone see mash's reaction!?

[Red H]

"la fiera" would seem to be ideal, let's hope we get him

[Madmax]

/his been a great player with atletico and still good enough.. Why is he surplus to requirments?