Reports have suggested that this week Liverpool will open up negotiations with Blackpool over their midfield talisman Charlie Adam, who enjoyed a remarkable season in the Premier League, attracting many potential suitors. Liverpool are widely expected to continue their January transfer market approach by spending big, but is the former Rangers man actually needed on Merseyside?
Well, why wouldn’t a big side want Adam’s 12 goals and 9 assists? Imagine the statistics the Blackpool man could achieve next season with the likes of Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard around him. But perhaps the reason the Scot has done so well is because he was one of, if not the, main attacking outlet at Blackpool; on Merseyside he would be in amongst several world class players in the final third. Would Adam thrive or get lost in amongst some of football’s biggest names?
Tactically Adam is an ideal signing for any manager to have, centre midfield, attacking midfielder or even a deep lying striker, but who would he replace? Kenny Dalglish appears to already be onto a winning formation, so too much transfer activity could hinder his rebuilding process. If Adam were to join though, I simply cannot see who he would replace. Lucas’ performances have improved greatly this season, and he is the only defensive minded midfielder in the starting line up, so sacrificing the Brazilian would be foolish.
Steven Gerrard is obviously the first name on the team sheet (even if his influence has dropped in the last couple of seasons) and then you have Raul Meireles and the returning Alberto Aquilani to consider. The main issue I would have in signing Adam is the impact it would have on Jonjo Shelvey and Jay Spearing, both youngsters who have enjoyed breakthrough seasons and are key in what ‘King Kenny’ is trying to achieve at Liverpool, but signing another centre midfielder would no doubt force the two Englishman out on loan or reduce them to merely a few league cup appearances. Oh, and there is of course a certain Jordan Henderson to consider.
The one thing Adam would add to Liverpool’s play is his ability from set pieces. Liverpool have always relied on Steven Gerrard for his free kicks, but when the Englishman isn’t available Liverpool lack that threat from free kicks and corners. Fabio Aurelio clearly demonstrates superb technique from short free kicks too, but since Liverpool are pursuing a new left back and with the Brazilian, now in the twilight of his career, already fighting for a place at full back with the ever-improving Martin Kelly and England international Glen Johnson, he will presumably have to settle for a place on the bench for much of next season. The Scotland international has a delightful left foot, that delivered some of the best corners last season as well as scoring a couple of contenders for Goal of the Season from set pieces.
Adam’s sweet left foot surely isn’t worth £10 million though? Because in this writer’s humble opinion, that’s the only attribute Liverpool will be gaining in signing the guy who didn’t even get Blackpool’s player of the season award for the 2010/11 campaign.
Written by Daniel Blazer for FootballFancast.com.
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all i have too say sign charlie adam we would have a great squad and a bit compotion in midfield please sign adam
hi i am 10 years of age and alll i have to say is please sign charlie adam hes a brilliant player a bit og compitition in midfield make them fight 4 there place
yes we need to build a squad of class players so we can win lots of cups and league titles
Does anyone no what the f**k is going on with these signings- just watching Henderson- he is gash!! And for 16million I can’t help but think there is better forign alternatives. We are being linked with nzogbia, Adam, downing- surely a club of our stature should be chasing the best players, big name signings not the players that look good in there small teams!
Judge Jordan on his performances in the Prem which were good enough to get an international call up, the lads very good.
Don’t judge on the U21 as the entire team’s been woeful.
we need to sign juan mata
Liverpool’s problem is not the team….on the worst of seasons Liverpool managed to beat Chelsea and Man U. The problem Liverpool have is the quality in the squad which makes consistency possible. Probably Charlie Adam would be a great addition to the squad. I remember a few years back when people weren’t seeing the transfer of Carrick to Man U a good deal…especially for the sum they paid for him…I guess all those people were wrong considering the long-term benefits. I can’t tell whether or not Charlie Adam will join liverpool or not….I’m sure there are many targets connected and very few of those are known by the press. For sure, if they wanted him strongly, they would have got him in January considering they’ve paid good money for others. That’s proof enough that there are other options being considered.
I’ll say let’s forget about Charlie Adam if we’re been held to ransom. Leave him to the suckers who’ll pay for him. We want dedicated players who will commit with their heart & soul for LFC. And also, we are not short of midfielders !! Spend the money on Enriques or other wingers/defenders/strikers, which we are more in need of.
The only reason Charlie Adam didn’t get Blackpool’s player of the year is because he handed in a transfer request half way through the season.
Can I remind you that Charlie ran the game against a midfield including Gerrard against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.
More than good enough.
We have to look at this long term. Gerrard is now in his 30’s. The lad can no longer run box-box like he used to. Plus he his getting a few more injuries. He will never play forever. We need someone to fill the boots. Adams will never replace Gerrard but he can grow in stature and lead LFC in the future. He is only 25 had a great season in the EPL. So he alreay knows the pace of the game. He will adapt quick It wouldn’t surprise me if KK put Stevie G in a more defensive midfield role like he used to be and allow Adams, Lucas and Meirels and Hendo to run free. It would look a lot stronger plus those players are younger. Nothing against Stevie G but we have to look ahead now. I think Adams would be a good signing providing we only pay no more than £9-10M for him. I still believe the left side is a major priority this transfer especially now we got Carroll leading the line.
People need to remember that first of all only a moron would judge Henderson based on his England performance as if we went on the senior squads showing none of the current squad would get into ANY Premiership team! Second of all WE ARE NOT IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE!! Everyone wants foreign superstars but the one’s that we would be aiming for would be too young to know anything of our pride and history! Adam, Downing and the like are probably about right (for now). When we are in the Champions League next season THEN we’ll start attracting snoogy doogy and whoever!!!