With the January 2011 transfer window now confined to the history books we can look back and see how it benefited Liverpool Football Club.
When the January transfer window opened I’m sure we all hoped a certain Spanish striker would remain at our club, as it happened the aforementioned injury prone Spanish striker chose to leave Liverpool, and join a smaller club in west London.
Paul Konchesky joined Nottingham Forest on loan, and I doubt he’ll play for Liverpool again, even though he tried his best, he wasn’t up to the Liverpool mark.
Ryan Babel was sold to Hoffenheim in Germany for £7 million, he never really settled in Liverpool, and I don’t think we saw his true potential, which is a real shame.
Also loaned out were youngsters: Nathan Eccleston (Charlton Athletic), Stephen Darby (Notts County), David Amoo (MK Dons).
Fernando Torres was sold to Chelsea for £50 million, quite a price for an injury prone striker.
On the plus side we have taken Coventry City youngster, Conor Thomas on loan with an option to buy once the loan has expired, Conor is thought to be a hot prospect for the future, so keep an eye on this one.
Luiz Suarez came in from Ajax Amsterdam for just under £23 million, he’s best known to neutrals for his hot temper, ear bite, and goal stopping handball against Ghana in the 2010 World Cup quarter-final, he also brings a scoring record of 35 goals in 33 games for Ajax last season, not a bad return for any striker. Suarez will wear the famous No. 7 shirt at Liverpool.
Andy Carroll arrived right at the close of the transfer window to join Liverpool for £35 million pounds from Newcastle United. Reports say that Carroll didn’t want to leave Newcastle, Andy Carroll said “I didn’t want to leave. I’m gutted that I wasn’t wanted at my home team after everything I have done and the progress I have made. I didn’t want to leave at all. Make sure they know I didn’t want to leave. The players, staff and fans were fantastic.” Andy Carroll will wear the No. 9 shirt at Liverpool.
Looking forward, I think we can all feel very happy with the work the club have done in the transfer window, the only downside I can see is that we didn’t get Charlie Adam from Blackpool, he would have been a major asset to our midfield, although with Raul Meireles hitting good form recently, he almost feels like a new transfer! Let’s hope Carroll and Suarez can hit the ground running, and keep out of trouble too! Liverpool now have two very good natural strikers, it’s been a few years since we’ve been able to say that!
It’s very pleasing to see John Henry and Tom Werner backing Kenny Dalglish so confidently in the transfer market, I can see Kenny staying on as manager for the long term now, which is fantastic news. For the first time in many years I feel we can look forward to Liverpool having a really bright future, we need to finish as high as possible this season, then strengthen the team in the summer for next season’s campaign.
Liverpool face Stoke City on Wednesday, and a small club in west London called Chelsea, on Sunday.
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