Liverpool’s Corner: 2010-11 Transfer Round-up

A change in management is almost always accompanied by an influx and exodus of players; even when the club in question is going through one of the worst financial slumps in its history. The day Liverpool replaced Rafael Benitez with Roy Hodgson as the manager, the only certain thing about the club’s uncertain future was that Roy would discard the players he considered dead wood and bring in his own favourites to construct his own team and develop his own style of play. And the gaffer has gone about quietly stamping his own authority on the squad line-up.

Liverpool haven’t been very active in the transfer season for the past few seasons, apart from a couple of marquee signings. But with their best players giving the management one more chance to establish the club’s credentials as a serious threat to the domestic as well as European titles, the overhauling of the squad was expected.

All these factors accounted for a busy transfer period for the Reds. Although a closer look does reveal that even this has been done on a shoestring budget. Here are the latest and final transfers related to Liverpool (The Reds’ earlier transfer activities– Here.)

ARRIVALS:

1. Raul Meireles (From FC Porto)

The 27 year-old Portuguese midfielder, who many deem to be one of the finest all-round midfielders in Europe, agreed to pen down a four year contract which cost Liverpool 14 million Euros. Unlike many of his new teammates, Meireles has got used to winning trophies during his stay at FC Porto where he has collected four Portuguese League Championships, three Portuguese Cups and three Supercups. Comparisons are inevitable and many are assuming that he would successfully fill the role left by Xabi Alonso and bring a much needed cutting edge in the Reds’ midfield. One of the star performers of the Portuguese World Cup campaign, he scored one of the most crucial goals in their play off tie against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Liverpool would be hoping he’ll be there to bail them out in what is surely a very tough and trying campaign ahead.

2. Christian Poulsen (From Juventus)

The acquisition of the Danish International, in the words of Hodgson, was one of the easiest decisions for him. Poulsen, who has played previously under Hodgson at FC Copenhagen, has also plied his trade in Bundesliga (Schalke 04), La Liga (Sevilla) and Serie A (Juventus). Regarded as a No-Nonsense defensive midfielder with a good passing ability, he’ll be looking to fill the void left by Javier Mascherano. An ever-present player in the Danish International line- up, he notched up 882 out of a possible 900 minutes in their World Cup qualifying campaign and was part of the UEFA Cup and Spanish Cup winning Sevilla side of 2006-07. He has signed a three-year deal with the club for £4.5 million.

3. Paul Konchesky (From Fulham)

Liverpool fans will remember Konchesky as the West Ham player who scored that incredibe fluke goal against their team in the 2006 FA Cup Final which required a comeback of Gerrard proportions. Roy Hodgson held him in high regard at his reign at Fulham and his pursuit of the 29 year-old left back was not unexpected. After letting go of Emiliano Insua, with only Fabio Aurelio and an out of position Daniel Agger to cover the left back position, Konchesky’s signing will bring solidity to the defence as a whole. With a knack of scoring spectacular goals, he will definitely contribute a lot more in attack than his predecessors and his understanding of Hodgon’s tactics could play a vital role in the way Liverpool play in future. He has signed a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

4. Brad Jones (From Middlesborough)

The 6ft 3in Australian goalkeeper has been brought in for £2.3 million on a three-year contract from Middlesborough. He will be the new second choice goalkeeper after Diego Cavalieri was sold to Cesena for an undisclosed fee. Brad qualifies as a “home grown” player having played with the Middlesborough youth set-up since he was 17 and his finest season saw him go on a historic 2005-06 UEFA Cup journey which culminated with Middlesborough beaten by Sevilla in the final. The fact that he grew up supporting Liverpool and that he produced a famous save by keeping out a Van Nistelrooy penalty which proved detrimental to Manchester United’s title charge will only further endear him to the club and its supporters.

DEPARTURES:

1. Javier Mascherano (To Barcelona)

These two words will never ring out to the tune of “Seven Nation Army” at Anfield again. The rock in Liverpool’s midfield for the past few seasons has left the club for FC Barcelona for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the range of €21 million. He remains one of the best defensive midfielders of his time and his departure will leave a big hole in the team’s midfield. Mascherano was one of the few players who could give Gerrard and Carragher a stiff competition in terms of his commitment to the game and the Argentine Captain’s dedication to his job and heart on the sleeve displays made him a fan favourite and one of the first names to be put down on the team roster. Too bad his family couldn’t adjust to the English lifestyle; he and Liverpool were a perfect match.

Players out on loan

1. Alberto Aquilani (To Juventus)

Alberto Aquilani’s signing was probably the start of Benitez’s downfall. Brought for a fee that ranged upto £20m including add-ons, the Italian couldn’t do justice to his price tag during his short and injury ridden season at Anfield. He has been loaned out to Juventus for one year, with a buy out clause of 16 million Euros.

2. Emiliano Insua (To Galatasaray)

The 21-year Argentine left back was in heavy talks with Fiorentina and deal nearly went through. But with Fiorentina not ready to meet his wage demands and Hodgson clearly not finding him a part of his new setup, Insua was loaned out to Turkish Giants Galatasaray for one year with an option to transfer next season.

3. Phillip Degen (To Stuttgart)

The Swiss international Right back has been loaned out to VFB Stuttgart till the end of this season after he was deemed surplus to the requirements by Hodgson.

Liverpool Transfer Summary