The papers are still awash with stories linking Joe Allen to Liverpool. This seems like a deal that is likely to happen, given Brendan Rodgers’ links to Swansea City and the persistent press publicity on the matter. The Great Britain Olympic team had their pants pulled down by Brazil in Friday’s friendly and the midfield was largely bypassed by a blur of coltish Brazilian brilliance.
But what Allen did, he did well. You can see that he has a really good first touch. Another of his strengths is his footballing brain. Once or twice, in really tight situations, he showed the vision and composure to release excellent forward passes. Dare I say that he looked a little like Stevie G tearing around the park in his early days.
For our money, Clint Dempsey and Fabio Borini are as good as in the first team already. With the signing of Allen, Rodgers may feel that he has done enough shopping for this window. Some fans may feel underwhelmed by the signings but Rodgers obviously believes that they will make the grade and they may turn out to be prudent but priceless additions.
But The People reports that Liverpool are interested in the latest talent to come off the ostensibly endless production line at Barcelona. Gerard Deulofeu has made waves in the Barcelona B team with 9 goals in 35 games. But we think that this story may just be idle speculation to keep fans reading during the fallow club football months of summer….
As for potential departures, Craig Bellamy continues to be linked with QPR, who are on a crazy recruitment drive now that they have survived relegation. At 33 he still has something to offer the game, but injuries blighted his most recent cameo at Liverpool and, while still popular, The Kop didn’t see the best of him last season. So the aggy but mercurial Welshman could well be put out to pasture in West London.
Martin Skrtel has been linked with Napoli and Manchester City amongst others but, in the absence of another evident partnership at the back, Rodgers will surely look to keep the Agger-Skrtel axis intact – at least until he can get another top defender in.
As always, we will keep you abreast of developments as they happen.
Yussufu
Jul 24, 2012 at 12:04 pm
Rodgers must sign demsy,j. allen,
Richy Gray
Jul 24, 2012 at 2:46 pm
I’m excited by the prospect of Borini, but Clint Dempsey? Really!? Thout Liverpool had binned there Fulham contacts when Roy Hodgson was kicked out! Can’t see him bringing anything new to the table…unless he brings another American white rap album to make us laff o_O
Robert James
Jul 24, 2012 at 7:30 pm
I hope Joe Allen goes to a big club not the scumy vermin of great britain Liverpool!! Swansea Till I Die
John James
Jul 24, 2012 at 10:15 pm
Your need a slap from a real Swansea fan who talks sence.