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Why Liverpool just can’t afford to lose this man:

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Raul Meireles arrived at Liverpool late in the summer 2010, just in time to catch the start of the new season.  After a few ‘pedestrian’ performances early on, he quickly picked up and, by the time Kenny stepped into the Roy Hodgson-sized void, he had hit a particularly strong vain of form and racking up goals and assists seemingly for fun.  It was his ability to control matches; dictate a game’s tempo but to also show attacking qualities that most would associate with the clubs’ captain.

Having rounded out a successful first season by being named the PFA Fans Player of the Year, it is particularly disappointing to hear rumblings of a widening divide between the player and club in the past week or so.

If rumours are to be believed, Meireles took a fairly sizeable pay-cut, such was his desire to star in the Premier League, with the agreement that, should he have a strong first season, he would be rewarded with a larger contract.  Apparently – and again, this has not been officially verified – this promise has not been honoured.

Talk all week has been of how Meireles will likely be moved on in order to make room for – and to no doubt help fund – moves for Stewart Downing and, more likely, Charlie Adam.  Without wanting to cast aspersions on either player or their respective abilities, they are simply not in the same class as the Portuguese man and the prospect of losing him either because the club (the board, Comolli, Kenny himself?) reneged on contract promises or simply because he is a saleable asset does not sit well with me at all.

Quite simply, last season, it was he and Lucas that kept our side afloat at times; the pair of them gave the team a balance of tenacity and flair that the rest of the squad seemed to be lacking, until we brought in two expensive additions in January.

Should Raul move on from Liverpool, it will be a sad day.  It will also hark back to a time not so long ago – under both Houllier and Benitez – when players considered surplus were treated simply as ‘assets’ to raise funds or sell shirts, depending on their status at the club.  We have always prided ourselves on being a club with class and, despite having been dragged through the mud in the past couple of years, it felt like we’d manage to retain our reputation, if not completely.

Should these rumours prove true though, it’ll be a sad day to see our great club breaking promises to a player that has performed above expectations, simply to make a fast buck and fund further additions to the squad that probably going to be less capable than the man they replace.

Written by David Tyrer for Live4Liverpool.com. Follow us on twitter @live4Liverpool or like us on Facebook

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  • Moocher says:

    Whilst there are some parts to Raul’s game that are good, I do not believe we should hold on to him. Get what we can for him now as he is 28 & will only lose his value. We can replace him with better. We also need to move the dead wood from the team this summer but that will prove a much harder task.

  • Kent says:

    Charlie Adam is just as good as meireles and is 3years younger and is British ! What bit doesn’t make sense ?? Adam’s delivery is far superior something we will be looking for with Andy Carroll in the side ! I also think his passing is as good if not better than meireles ! Im confused why u don’t understand the owners new policy (which has been outlined) about buying young to benefit from a good sell on fee if sold in the future ! At 29 and costing 11mil meireles is now at the perfect time to sell instead of offering an Improved contract that doesn’t make sense to anyone. That said I do like him as a player but I can’t see where he will fit in we are looking to bring more left footed players into the side specifically. Adam and downing fit that criteria. So get over it. Just coz you’ve just bought the new 3rd kit with meireles on the back ! Lol

    • THE FOX says:

      With Aquaman on his way back and Adam by all accounts a done deal, its clear that someones going to have to make way this summer at Anfield. My point was that it should be Lucas rather than Raul. I suggest we keep Raul despite him being the ancient age of 28!!! Look it I’m all for youth but lets not make the same mistake as arsenal and fill our first 11 wit a team of U-25, theres a balence to bw struck between youth and experience.

      Lets sell Lucas while his stock is high, god knows some Liverpool fans have convinced themselfs hes a quality player, and with the young Brazilian wearing the emperors new clothes at the moment, Im sure we could expect to get as much for him if not more in the markets this summer.

      Raul has already demonstrared in his FIRST season that he represents value for the transfer fee we paid for him. And please tell me what is wrong with paying 12 mil for a class player who has just entered the peak of his career, if this was a US election , I’d be shouting 4 more year.. 4 more years !!

      Lucas hasn’t a hope of being half the Player Raul is, If I had to choose one it would have to be our Portuguese friend. He has made me smile more in 3 months than Lucas has in 3 years !! His goal against chelsea !!! I would have given 12mil that day alone to stick it to torees and chelsea and so would any of ye that day.. remember how FUCKING SWEAT that was !! highlight of the season right there .. Ye have short memories all of ye Meireles nay sayers !!

      Lest ye forget..

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOR7M3tDUDE&feature=related ..

      Thanks Raul.. YNWA

  • THE FOX says:

    Agree with you 100 per cent on Raul.. but on Lucas .. sorry now but His name and flair do not belong in the same sentence, perhaps that was aimed at raul and the tenacity part aimed at lucas but even still I wouldn’t call him tenacious, spirited is about the best thing I could say about him. que the lucas fan club to his defense.

    Im not having a go at the lad personally, and I wish his fan club would understand that ITS NOT PERSONAL , Its an opinion !! Some of them act like you ‘ve slagged off their mother !! To me he’s not good enough for LFC and if anyone should be making way it should be him.. I d be gutted to see Raul leave such was his impression in his 1st season at the club, he simply oozzes class and I’d be glad to see the back of lucas who has made me groan, wince and challenge my hairline more than any player in recent history.

  • Towson Tom says:

    Could’nt agree more.

  • Lfc4life says:

    That’s right let’s start messing with the parts of the team that work perfectly!
    It’s will be a sickening sight to see Raul leave like this and a massive joke on us!

    As for Lucas he’s one of the best players in the world in his position now like him or not!

    And the stats love him!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Not just a destoyer now but also a distributor.

    EPL TOP TACKLER: LuCAS!!!!

  • Joe says:

    Guys Raul is amazing, he has class, he makes me smile, all what u said is true but you can never compare him to lucas, lucas is a different kind of player, he is a deffensive midfielder . He does all the dirty work, winning balls, closing down the spaces. He is really underrated because he is not in a position to score goals and so doesnt gain that popularity. If u want to compare midfielders I say compare Charlie, Aquilani and Raul. Players in the same position. Plus look at barca and how many ready midfielders they have. If last season taught us anything its that we desprately need depth in our squad

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