Liverpool FC Official Thread

Ok, let me clarify. He's been abysmal, particularly last season for Milan. At 24 he's still got time to fulfil his excellent potential. Will he do that at Liverpool under Rodgers? Maybe. Personally I think Liverpool are signing him because they've exhausted their search for a striker and they're just going to have to settle for him. Less than 3 weeks ago Rodgers ruled out signing him

Rodgers wrote:I can categorically tell you Mario Balotelli will not be at Liverpool.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/aug/03/liverpool-not-sign-milan-mario-balotelli-brendan-rodgers

Since then you haven't been linked with him at all and instead but linked with numerous other targets that have all failed to come to fruition. Seems pretty clear that when Rodgers said that in early August he was under the illusion that Liverpool could do better. Now that you've failed to attract any big name strikers you're just going to have begrudgingly take him as a last resort.

Seems a bit like a signing to appease the fans.

Glen Miller wrote:Seems a bit like a signing to appease the fans.

Seems more like a gamble to me. If he can live up to his potential he can be the world class striker that fills the void of Suarez. If he doesn't, he can be a distraction that turns the team into a circus.

I love Balotelli, the only reason I wasn't sorry to see him go is because I was getting sick of reading negative stuff about City on the back pages every single day.

I agree with that as well.

Keyser Söze wrote:Ok, let me clarify. He's been abysmal, particularly last season for Milan. At 24 he's still got time to fulfil his excellent potential. Will he do that at Liverpool under Rodgers? Maybe. Personally I think Liverpool are signing him because they've exhausted their search for a striker and they're just going to have to settle for him. Less than 3 weeks ago Rodgers ruled out signing him

Rodgers wrote:I can categorically tell you Mario Balotelli will not be at Liverpool.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/aug/03/liverpool-not-sign-milan-mario-balotelli-brendan-rodgers

Since then you haven't been linked with him at all and instead but linked with numerous other targets that have all failed to come to fruition. Seems pretty clear that when Rodgers said that in early August he was under the illusion that Liverpool could do better. Now that you've failed to attract any big name strikers you're just going to have begrudgingly take him as a last resort.  

Or he was just doing a Mourinho.

Will be able to tell when he's questioned about it in his next press conference. If a smug smile emerges, or a wink, that'll say it all.

Scott_LFC wrote:

Keyser Söze wrote:Ok, let me clarify. He's been abysmal, particularly last season for Milan. At 24 he's still got time to fulfil his excellent potential. Will he do that at Liverpool under Rodgers? Maybe. Personally I think Liverpool are signing him because they've exhausted their search for a striker and they're just going to have to settle for him. Less than 3 weeks ago Rodgers ruled out signing him



http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/aug/03/liverpool-not-sign-milan-mario-balotelli-brendan-rodgers

Since then you haven't been linked with him at all and instead but linked with numerous other targets that have all failed to come to fruition. Seems pretty clear that when Rodgers said that in early August he was under the illusion that Liverpool could do better. Now that you've failed to attract any big name strikers you're just going to have begrudgingly take him as a last resort.  

Or he was just doing a Mourinho.

Will be able to tell when he's questioned about it in his next press conference. If a smug smile emerges, or a wink, that'll say it all.

What? He said that Balotelli comment with a straight face 3 weeks ago. Anything he says now will be him trying to cover his ass    He's not exactly going to say "Yeah, we failed in the pursuit of a number of targets during the last three weeks so I've just decided to settle on a player I didn't want at all three weeks ago"

When has Mourinho denied wanting to sign a player, shopped around for 3 weeks, trying to sign multiple targets to no avail and then signed said player and acted like it was his plan all along?

Give it up, Keyser. You stink of jealousy right now.

Excellent trolling by you Scott. I'll bite anyway.

What have I got to be jealous about? Milan admitted we turned down signing him after his awful WC. Balotelli then issued a "come and get me plea" by desperately photographing himself next to an Arsenal badge. He's much better than Giroud but I'd rather hold out hope we sign a another strike on deadline day than sign him now.

You just keep reassuring yourself on how this has been a great transfer window. Helps elevate the insecurities you have now that Suarez has left and after missing out on Sanchez.

Keep trying, Keyser. You seem to care an awful lot about this transfer.

Didn't Wenger say he's not after another striker, after the signing of Sanchez?

Edit: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/arsenal-no-plans-sign-another-3889788

Wenger wrote:Up front we don't need any more, maybe I will still bring in one centre-back. I will bring in a goalkeeper for sure and we are still out there to strengthen our squad.

He was just doing a Mourinho. He said it with a smug smile and a wink.

Thought so.

Scott_LFC wrote:Or he was just doing a Mourinho.

Will be able to tell when he's questioned about it in his next press conference. If a smug smile emerges, or a wink, that'll say it all.

   

Arsenal fans rushing in here soon after the news breaks

Love it.

Unlike when you went into hiding after we signed Sanchez.

As soon as I heard the news I jumped out of bed put the laptop on and came into this thread.

Keyser Söze wrote:Unlike when you went into hiding after we signed Sanchez.

Hiding? I've consistently posted here for a good few months now.

Theo Filippo wrote:As soon as I heard the news I jumped out of bed put the laptop on and came into this thread.

We know.

Well yeah, I just said it..

Also Keyser is right you went quiet for a few days after we signed him.

What constitutes as quiet? 1 day of no posts, or something? That happens frequently. If I didn't post for a day or two after Sanchez signed, it would merely have been a coincidence, rather than going into hiding.

As if I would go into hiding , I'm one of the more outspoken members of the forum and don't shy away from anything

You're the one who went into hiding after we leapfrogged you in the League. Your excuse was you didn't care about football anymore Riiight. Back now, though?

Balotelli is such a huge risk for any club to take, it could turn out to be great or it could be a massive mistake that puts Rodgers under a lot of scrutiny and possibly leads to his demise at Liverpool. If Liverpool think they can afford the high stakes then why not? But the damage that could be caused by this far outweighs any success it could bring. 

He's been living off his potential for a good 5 years now, but how much longer can it carry him? Like Zzonked said, if he lives up to his potential he can be world class, but he's 24 now and people have been saying that for a long time and nothing has really come of it. Yes, he has talent but he also has never seemed to settled and he's not consistent, add to that his terrible discipline and his acquired personality and it's a bit of a car crash. 

It'll be interesting to see how this works out.

Keyser Söze wrote:Ok, let me clarify. He's been abysmal, particularly last season for Milan. At 24 he's still got time to fulfil his excellent potential. Will he do that at Liverpool under Rodgers? Maybe. Personally I think Liverpool are signing him because they've exhausted their search for a striker and they're just going to have to settle for him. Less than 3 weeks ago Rodgers ruled out signing him

Rodgers wrote:I can categorically tell you Mario Balotelli will not be at Liverpool.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/aug/03/liverpool-not-sign-milan-mario-balotelli-brendan-rodgers

Since then you haven't been linked with him at all and instead but linked with numerous other targets that have all failed to come to fruition. Seems pretty clear that when Rodgers said that in early August he was under the illusion that Liverpool could do better. Now that you've failed to attract any big name strikers you're just going to have begrudgingly take him as a last resort.  

Dry your tears mate.

Scott_LFC wrote:What constitutes as quiet? 1 day of no posts, or something? That happens frequently. If I didn't post for a day or two after Sanchez signed, it would merely have been a coincidence, rather than going into hiding.

As if I would go into hiding , I'm one of the more outspoken members of the forum and don't shy away from anything

You're the one who went into hiding after we leapfrogged you in the League. Your excuse was you didn't care about football anymore Riiight. Back now, though?

The same criteria that you used for RR when you said that he went quiet after Man United's loss to Swansea. 

Incorrect, I instead negotiated a £1000 bet with you, worked out well.  

I think the only time I've consistently watched football over the last year is when the world cup was on, other than that I've still not seen much.

The Zlatan wrote:Balotelli is such a huge risk for any club to take, it could turn out to be great or it could be a massive mistake that puts Rodgers under a lot of scrutiny and possibly leads to his demise at Liverpool. If Liverpool think they can afford the high stakes then why not? But the damage that could be caused by this far outweighs any success it could bring. 

He's been living off his potential for a good 5 years now, but how much longer can it carry him? Like Zzonked said, if he lives up to his potential he can be world class, but he's 24 now and people have been saying that for a long time and nothing has really come of it. Yes, he has talent but he also has never seemed to settled and he's not consistent, add to that his terrible discipline and his acquired personality and it's a bit of a car crash. 

It'll be interesting to see how this works out.

Hyperbole, much?

Worse comes to worse, we can sell him on for close to what we paid for him.

I've got no doubts about this, the YNWA spirit has been waiting for him all his life. Wouldn't be surprised if he breaks down in tears the first time he hears the Kop sing his name. Our squad hasn't looked this good, not for decades.

Theo Filippo wrote:

Scott_LFC wrote:What constitutes as quiet? 1 day of no posts, or something? That happens frequently. If I didn't post for a day or two after Sanchez signed, it would merely have been a coincidence, rather than going into hiding.

As if I would go into hiding , I'm one of the more outspoken members of the forum and don't shy away from anything

You're the one who went into hiding after we leapfrogged you in the League. Your excuse was you didn't care about football anymore Riiight. Back now, though?

The same criteria that you used for RR when you said that he went quiet after Man United's loss to Swansea. 

Incorrect, I instead negotiated a £1000 bet with you, worked out well.  

I think the only time I've consistently watched football over the last year is when the world cup was on, other than that I've still not seen much.

I was on the wind up with RR, whereas you and Keyser think I genuinely went into hiding.

The fact you didn't pay up is still pathetic. The fact you won't at least give me my £25 back is even more pathetic.

Anyway, you jealous Arsenal fans can get to fuck

Super Mario, baby.

Scott_LFC wrote:

Theo Filippo wrote:
The same criteria that you used for RR when you said that he went quiet after Man United's loss to Swansea. 

Incorrect, I instead negotiated a £1000 bet with you, worked out well.  

I think the only time I've consistently watched football over the last year is when the world cup was on, other than that I've still not seen much.

I was on the wind up with RR, whereas you and Keyser think I genuinely went into hiding.

The fact you didn't pay up is still pathetic. The fact you won't at least give me my £25 back is even more pathetic.

How convenient.

Agreed, agreed.

Don't know what they're worried about, fourth is still well within reach with the state of Man U and Spurs.

Balotelli has emptied his locker at Milanello, and is now saying goodbye to his soon-to-be former team-mates. #AddioBalotelli

— AC Milan News (@Milanello) August 21, 2014

Hope we get the full details on his journey to the promised land.

Eternal Witcher wrote:Don't know what they're worried about, fourth is still well within reach with the state of Man U and Spurs.

I think they're feeling a bit uneasy, as they struggled against Besiktas and could potentially not even be in the CL this season.

MILAN - Mario Balotelli drove out of Milanello at 13.30 after saying good-bye to his team-mates and the club's press staff.

Go on!