Players morale

[Brian78]

Having read the latest story out of Anfield that Dirk Kuyt was to be sold to Hamburg to help finance the Barry deal has left me wondering how is it effecting the players morale?

So far Xabi Alonso Steve Finnan and now Dirk Kuyt have all been used as pawns in the barry deal with others like Pennant and Voronin  have also been linked with sales to help fund the deal. Alonso looks certain to stay as does Kuyty with finnan likeley to refuse a move also but how do they really feel now. Ok they can dig in to prove a point and start off great but if the going gets tough will it come back to haunt us that we tried to offload these players. Granted pre season has gone very well so far but I thought Xabi didnt look very happy when he scored against Valerenga and did Kuyt throw his shirt to the crowd because he thought he was off?

Players arent pieces of meat im sure these lads are not too impressed with being used as bargaining tools and I for one hope that they react by having the season of there lives   

[_Dimitri_]

I think the players know when it's true that they will be sold and when not, so they don't make a big deal out of it when the papers say that they will be sold to buy someone else.

[clint_call01]

with all this media talking their morale will reduce for sure, by how much I don't know. brain you forget benayoun too.

[Magillionare]

Im sure that they dont pay attention to it. If they were pawns in the Barry deal, they'd be gone already IMO

[JD]

Uncertainty does not help gel a team which is one of the important parts of a pre-season.

Where the hell is Rick Parry anyway?

This saga has dragged on long enough.  Xabi Alonso out one minute, Dirk Kuyt out the next minute.  I actually can't wait for that transfer window to shut.

[7-King Kenny-7]

Where the hell is Rick Parry anyway?

probably sucking up to gillette and hicks so he can keep his job

[Magillionare]

probably sucking up to gillette and hicks so he can keep his job

Rick "ooo george no wonder youre names gillette your the best a club can get"

The worst thing is... I can see it

[bartman49]

They must be aware of speculation but hasn't every club got to deal with the same issue's and seeing Rafa today put a lid on these story's like he did shows he is stamping on any rumors before they have a chance of gaining momentum...

[LFC Viking]

I actually can't wait for that transfer window to shut.

I second that.
I was looking forward to it around March-April because I was looking forward to new players but I really can't wait for it to end.
The Barry deal has just been a nightmare!

[redkenny]

It is a good point. It can't help a players morale not knowing how their future might pan out.

Personally though I believe both Alonso and Kuyt are positive enough to ride the storm - they don't seem like selfish players. That goes for Finnan too. And I'd say there seems a good team spirit amongst the lads these days after last seasons off-field farce. Hopefully that's brought more togetherness.

I suppose it's part and parcel of having owners who make so many promises and fail to keep to them, that makes things like this happen.

As within our football triumphs lately, things are never usually plain and simple. It seems our transfer activity has caught that rollercoaster bug. I'm optimistic things will turn out for the best though. Our players, manager and all us just have to ride the storm.

[dunlop liddell shankly]

Every club has these transer bollocks every year. "will he go, will he stay"

Personally I don't think it will affect the players. I'm pretty sure the press had Riise, Carson, Guthrie and Crouch's transfers as extra bread for the Barry deal. We've made our intrests in Gareth Barry very very clear, so any transfer action resultin in the player leavin Anfield will just rise the speculation that we are lookin to fund the Barry transfer. Whover plays against Liege shouldn't be any doubt where their immidiate future (aka this season) lies. They'll know Benitez wouldn't cup tie you if he was plannin on sellin you. A bit like Owen when he left, if Xabi or Kuyt or any other big name player is left out (unless injured like Gerrard) it'll rise the speculation in the press again and that's when it may hit them hard.

[Court LFC]

It is a good point. It can't help a players morale not knowing how their future might pan out.

Personally though I believe both Alonso and Kuyt are positive enough to ride the storm - they don't seem like selfish players. That goes for Finnan too. And I'd say there seems a good team spirit amongst the lads these days after last seasons off-field farce. Hopefully that's brought more togetherness.

I suppose it's part and parcel of having owners who make so many promises and fail to keep to them, that makes things like this happen.

As within our football triumphs lately, things are never usually plain and simple. It seems our transfer activity has caught that rollercoaster bug. I'm optimistic things will turn out for the best though. Our players, manager and all us just have to ride the storm.

Spot on Kenneth. 

I'd also say it all depends on when the next spat between our owners will happen?  Surely not after a victorious Champions League Quater Final, surely not!

Must add that Rafa must not be a bit unprofessional with some of our bigger names it could unsettle a small minority of players due to not knowing what could be around the corner as of their futures.  I know Rafa was struggling for a bit of cash.  But I'm surprised Xabi has come out of this storm nicely insted of sticking two fingers up at Rafa and driving out of the Shankley Gates one last time.

Still no word from Steve Finnan.  Fingers crossed that he still wants to stay.  It would kill me to be used as bait to bring Gareth Barry to the club.

[lil cisse]

Of all our players recently I felt the most sorry for crouch because of the way he was treated but of the players left here its Alonso due to the whole juventus saga. The thing that made it worse for me was that every fan I spoke to (not on here) agreed he should be sold in favour of barry and imagine reading in the paper everyday that your manager wants to sell you to buy someone who isnt as good as you. That must crush you. It really at one point was made out that we would sell him to anyone, whoever had the money could take him. I dont know if thats really how it was but it must have been painful to hear that.

I wanted to be a football player and hearing something like that would tear me apart, I think all of it depends on the player personally. One thing that does worry me is how different Xabi looks now compared to before, after his goal in the valerenga game the first thing I noticed was the lack of happiness in his face, he just looked kind of fed up and I really hope he gets some serious reassurance from somewhere within the club. Another thing that worried me was reading rafa saying today that he has held talks with Yossi and Dirk about them being part of his plans but that just makes me think what about Xabi, why has he not been reassured that he is part of rafa's plans.

With Yossi and Kuyt I think the two of them deep down already knew that rafa wanted them to remain at the club and had no intention of selling them. It is different for a few other players aswell, e.g. Pennant, Voronin, Finnan. Pennant although he seems the loud life and soul of the party type I do think it would have hit him hard hearing that he could be sold, I think he really does want to be here. Its hard to say about Finnan but I do think he wants to stay here and most probably end his career at liverpool.

Voronin must feel bad, I think he knows he hasnt been good enough hence his, I will try to be better in my second season comments. No matter what I dont think he deserves to be boo'd or anything of that sort and if he goes I wish him luck with his new club.

I dont know who would be the person to reassure the players now, we all know rafa is a very stubborn and at times ruthless man as gerrard has stated a few times, it was a drastic change from the constant shoulder to lean on that seemed to be provided by Houllier. It seemed as though before he betrayed us and left, Pako was the man to reassure the players but I could see Sammy Lee doing it now, he seems the type that is laid back and likes to have a laugh but he knows when to be serious. Whatever happens I hope the players in question have someone to turn to if they feel that they need some added confidence and reassurance that we do want them at the club, its never nice to feel unwanted and as a footballer it can seriously affect your career, lets hope our players all feel confident and want to remain at the club.

[solodee]

When I read about the Kuyt possible sale and also Benayun, the prospect of buying Barry became so unattractive; Much as I really want him to come to LFC, I dont like the way some of our players have been made to look like they're surplus to requirement.

I feel for Alonso, Benanyun, Finnan & Pennant (Especially), Their morale must have hit an all-time low. But its all part of the game.

[el nino9]

I think Sammy will help with morale and is the link to the players of course. Players have come and have gone this summer with a few more to change over no doubts. As for the players left out, yes they would understandably be upset but I don't think any of the players could have been any lower than last season. Watching the board squabbles with our beloved Rafa upset all of us.

I hope that we don't have a repeat of last year and I think the board have taken a step in the right direction with the starting of the new stadium and maybe a finance plan for Gareth Barry. I just hope they are not getting the club in the Sh*te big time, because we already know they have taken the Transfer equivalent of David Ngog last year to pay for their expenses and so they can massage supersize meals into their faces.

This year will be the turning of a new leaf I hope, and the players will rise to the challange. We know, Rafa knows and the players know what we must do this year and how close we really are. This could be a year to remember.

[brezipool]

Rafa backed Kuyt & Yossi today, the only players that have some uncertainty is Pennant & Voronin, and I don't think many of us will be unhappy to see them leave, morale is high, the young guys have just won 3 trophy's they are breaking into teh 1st team, we have bought 4 good players who are settling nicely, we have 3 players doing well at the olympics, we have no serious injuries (touch wood) the spaniards just won Euro 2008, with Torres scoring the winner, we have had a very good pre-season..

I think morale is very high. will be even higher, if we get past the qualifiers for champions league & beat sunderland on day 1.

[Richobaz]

Morale should be very high.  The players whom may not be feeling too happy - who cares, they're not good enough anyway!!!!

[EddieC]

Morale should be very high.  The players whom may not be feeling too happy - who cares, they're not good enough anyway!!!!

So you don't feel Brian has a point about the players that have had question marks over their futures all summer?

[Richobaz]

So you don't feel Brian has a point about the players that have had question marks over their futures all summer?

Those players should have question marks over them.  That's part of the footy world now, and they all know the score.  They're also being paid a huge amount of money...so morale shouldn't be that bad - let's be honest!

Dirk - bought as a forward.  No longer a forward and not a good right winger 
Pennant - Hasn't lived up the potential
Alonso - Had a good 1st season, hasn't performed to those standards
Voronin - Just not good enough for us.

What Liverpool and Rafa haven't done is sold these earlier.  I don't know the reasons why he hasn't sold them...and that is the problem.

We now have a huge squad - GUESS WHAT...ROTATION will be a fecking issue again next season.  Then Morale will drop!!!!!!

[crouchinho]

Those players should have question marks over them.  That's part of the footy world now, and they all know the score.  They're also being paid a huge amount of money...so morale shouldn't be that bad - let's be honest!

Dirk - bought as a forward.  No longer a forward and not a good right winger 
Pennant - Hasn't lived up the potential
Alonso - Had a good 1st season, hasn't performed to those standards
Voronin - Just not good enough for us.

What Liverpool and Rafa haven't done is sold these earlier.  I don't know the reasons why he hasn't sold them...and that is the problem.

We now have a huge squad - GUESS WHAT...ROTATION will be a fecking issue again next season.  Then Morale will drop!!!!!!

Firstly, a pay check doesnt buy you morale. People have feelings and some things cant be bought.

Secondly, Kuyt is not even used as a forward anymore. He is first choice on the right of the front 3 for his national side while he is up against an abundance of talent. His cross may be poor but he is the difference in most mtches and Nando was said how much he values having Kuyt in the team.

Thirdly, Xabi hasnt been used as he knows how to play. He is the one missnig out in our side because we dont have a position that plays to his strengths but it does for everyone else. That will change this season with a more advanced role.

Fourthly, Pennant was always a long shot but has proved to be a much better player than most thought he would be. He has big hype as a kid from Arsenal but didnt live up to it and that has stuck with him his whole career. If you look past that, he was best player in the CL final in Athens, proved to be more than handy against the lesser sides which is when he plays all the time and hasnt really put a foot wrong when he has stepped on to the pitch, great back up for us IMO.

Fifth, Rafa hasnt sold Xabi because Juve didnt meet our expectations. He wont be sold for peanuts for the sake of it. Dirk is no way leaving, Rafa knows his value for us. Pennant and Voro will leave soon. Maybe interest didnt develop untill recently?

We have always had a huge squad, now it consists of successful young men who want to force their way into the biggest club in the world while before we had Diouf, Traore, Diao and Le Tallec running around who were useless.

I think morale is aboe average, it will reach almost 100% should we get a winning and dominant start to the season and if we can manage a win over Scum and Everton in the first few rounds then by George are we a shot of getting close to no.19.

[Richobaz]

Firstly, a pay check doesnt buy you morale. People have feelings and some things cant be bought.

Secondly, Kuyt is not even used as a forward anymore. He is first choice on the right of the front 3 for his national side while he is up against an abundance of talent. His cross may be poor but he is the difference in most mtches and Nando was said how much he values having Kuyt in the team.

Thirdly, Xabi hasnt been used as he knows how to play. He is the one missnig out in our side because we dont have a position that plays to his strengths but it does for everyone else. That will change this season with a more advanced role.

Fourthly, Pennant was always a long shot but has proved to be a much better player than most thought he would be. He has big hype as a kid from Arsenal but didnt live up to it and that has stuck with him his whole career. If you look past that, he was best player in the CL final in Athens, proved to be more than handy against the lesser sides which is when he plays all the time and hasnt really put a foot wrong when he has stepped on to the pitch, great back up for us IMO.

Fifth, Rafa hasnt sold Xabi because Juve didnt meet our expectations. He wont be sold for peanuts for the sake of it. Dirk is no way leaving, Rafa knows his value for us. Pennant and Voro will leave soon. Maybe interest didnt develop untill recently?

We have always had a huge squad, now it consists of successful young men who want to force their way into the biggest club in the world while before we had Diouf, Traore, Diao and Le Tallec running around who were useless.

I think morale is aboe average, it will reach almost 100% should we get a winning and dominant start to the season and if we can manage a win over Scum and Everton in the first few rounds then by George are we a shot of getting close to no.19.

Don't want to get in argument with you - but I never agree with a thing you write on here.  EVER.

Dirk and Pennant are not good enough for first choice selection of a Prem Winning Team - END OF.

If they want to be on the bench, then they can stick around.  Get paid a huge amount of money for doing so.

Alonso - hasn't performed for us.  Especially last season....hence why RAFA has doubted him...hence why he's looked to sell him.  What's wrong with that...the performances do not lie.

Crounchino - I actually think you may be Donrafa - watch more football!

[crouchinho]

Don't want to get in argument with you - but I never agree with a thing you write on here.  EVER.

Dirk and Pennant are not good enough for first choice selection of a Prem Winning Team - END OF.

If they want to be on the bench, then they can stick around.  Get paid a huge amount of money for doing so.

Alonso - hasn't performed for us.  Especially last season....hence why RAFA has doubted him...hence why he's looked to sell him.  What's wrong with that...the performances do not lie.

Crounchino - I actually think you may be Donrafa - watch more football!

If you were a cabinet maker asked to build a house, how would you perform? NOT GOOD! Xabi has an attacking game, he isnt one to sit back and just wait to tackle. That is Masch. He likes to go forward, use his passing, vision and shooting to create and score goals. He cant do that last season. Add to that his injuries.

This season he can play his game in the 4-4-2. Where he played in his first season. You can doubt him all you like but YOUR the one who needs to watch more football and see what he can provide us with.

I dont give one iota of attention to your comment of not agreeing with me, I dont care. Think what you like but because you dont agree, doesnt mean I am wrong.

As for being Donrafa, your personal battle with him reflects nothing on me. You can act as childish as you like but dont drag me into your battles you childish buffoon.

[Richobaz]

If you were a cabinet maker asked to build a house, how would you perform? NOT GOOD! Xabi has an attacking game, he isnt one to sit back and just wait to tackle. That is Masch. He likes to go forward, use his passing, vision and shooting to create and score goals. He cant do that last season. Add to that his injuries.

This season he can play his game in the 4-4-2. Where he played in his first season. You can doubt him all you like but YOUR the one who needs to watch more football and see what he can provide us with.

I dont give one iota of attention to your comment of not agreeing with me, I dont care. Think what you like but because you dont agree, doesnt mean I am wrong.

As for being Donrafa, your personal battle with him reflects nothing on me. You can act as childish as you like but dont drag me into your battles you childish buffoon.

I want us to win the league - and I couldnt' care whom we upset (players) in doing so.

[crouchinho]

I want us to win the league - and I couldnt' care whom we upset (players) in doing so.

Then you my friend go against what I believe is support. Just because they dont fit into our system does not mean you have the right to say he is not a very good player. He is a commited lad who gives his all in a position he has played a handful times and NEVER before this season where he was shifted into.

YNWA is what we are known for, it is what we breathe, it is what makes Liverpool what it is today and has made us he biggest and best club throughout the land. You Richo do not fit in with the culture of this club if you do not care about their well being, especially while they are in a red shirt.

[Richobaz]

Then you my friend go against what I believe is support. Just because they dont fit into our system does not mean you have the right to say he is not a very good player. He is a commited lad who gives his all in a position he has played a handful times and NEVER before this season where he was shifted into.

YNWA is what we are known for, it is what we breathe, it is what makes Liverpool what it is today and has made us he biggest and best club throughout the land. You Richo do not fit in with the culture of this club if you do not care about their well being, especially while they are in a red shirt.

You're vomit talking mate - culture, YNWA!!!!

Football is a business now mate - totally different ball game...the sooner you realise that the better.  No time for being nice.  WIN is a all that matters...and I think the signing of Barry and Keane proves we are going in the right direction.

[crouchinho]

You're vomit talking mate - culture, YNWA!!!!

Football is a business now mate - totally different ball game...the sooner you realise that the better.  No time for being nice.  WIN is a all that matters...and I think the signing of Barry and Keane proves we are going in the right direction.

Now now Richo, dont stoop down to the level where you just throw petty insults.

Football is business for the businessmen, football is passion for the players and money for little. We dont play football, we bloody support. NOW FUCKING SUPPORT! Dont try and act is if football is solely based around money, while it plays a big part in football today it is not what the fans stand for. We are the ones who in turn put money in their pockets, we give them the life they desire and we are the ones who sand in rain, hail or shine to watch our club play.

Your a low, low man. When goings get tough, throw insults is your motto. I'm glad your not involved in trying to lift these players' spirits because the club as we know it would lose that spark that makes us so special.

[Richobaz]

Who's not supporting!  Read the messages - you just seem to write and write and go on an on and on...and never listen.

I'm saying - MORALE SHOULD BE HIGH.  They play for Liverpool, like it or lump it! 

Players who are not good enough, get rid.  Departure talk is inevitable - that's part and parcel of Football.

And we do actually support a Business...called Liverpool FC.

[crouchinho]

Who's not supporting!  Read the messages - you just seem to write and write and go on an on and on...and never listen.

I'm saying - MORALE SHOULD BE HIGH.  They play for Liverpool, like it or lump it! 

Players who are not good enough, get rid.  Departure talk is inevitable - that's part and parcel of Football.

And we do actually support a Business...called Liverpool FC.

Now it seems you dont listen to yourself. Departure talk is inevitable, one thing we seem to agree on but the way you go about it is demeaning to those who pull on the red shirt.

Dont be influenced by those who see slagging players 'fashionable and funny'. Xabi is a Euro winner, Voronin is  very smart player who can be very handy at times when his feet do what his mind says and Pennant cops unwarranted criticism while he doesnt put a foot out of line in any match.

Both Voro and Pennant are decent players who can be back up, Xabi - well he is just world class.

Liverpool is a business, every club is, but the way we are run is nothing like a business. If we were then we would all love the Yanks for their attitude towards our fine club. They are business men and support 'soccer' not football showing their understanding of our game, they call us a franchise for f**k sake.

Morale should be high, and it is reasonably high for understandable reasons but this level of morale is not enough to win the league. We are still in our friendlies and an average level of morale is very expected but it will rise as we hit our straps across the park. Thats football. We will have that fire in our belly and that passion by the bucket full in that first league game.

[dunlop liddell shankly]

I don't know what style Xabi played for Socidad but since he's came here he's never been a real attacking central midfielder. He's always been in and around the centre circle, without ever stretchin the defence of the opposition.

First season he sat back while Stevie bombed forward. Second season he sat back while Momo ran and ran and ran and ran all over the pitch. Third season started with Xabi sittin back until Masch was signed and that's where his dip in form started as far as I'm concerned. I think Xabi likes to be THE holdin midfielder. Where he dictates what goes on but with Masch bein the world's best defensive midfielder it takes somethin away from Xabi's game. Masch isn't gonna get forward at great lenghts and I don't think Xabi is that great at gettin forward either, especially with his lack of pace which means he wouldn't be able to track back and defend, pick the ball up and start another attack. That for me just isn't in Xabi's game. He's not a box to box midfielder and his strenght is sittin deep sprayin the ball here, there and everywhere with superb precission. But we can't afford Xabi to sit deep with Masch because it means we've only got 4 attackin players on the pitch (e.g. Nando, Stevie, Keane, Babel) This isn't a slate on Xabi, I just don't think he plays at his best with Masch in the same side and because Stevie and Masch are first choice for the central pair then Benitez has been lookin to off load Xabi. Probably for Xabi and Liverpool's benifit.

Kuyt, I really wish we would sell him. I've never been his biggest fan, probably one his biggest critics, his basic skills are nowhere near good enough for a professional footballer. I saw him in the 2006 World Cup when we linked with him and honestly thought what the f**k are we doin goin after him. I just didn't see anythin in him. His first season though was decent. Scored enough goals to warrant a second season and was beginnin to show some justification of the 10 million price tag. Last year up until the Inter game at Anfield he was a waste of time. Before people say he was on the right wing, he wasn't up until that Inter game. That Inter was in mid Feburary, the season starts in August, that's 6 months of not bein good enough. Without soundin cold hearted his dad's death is really a good enough excuse because we all lose family members, it's part of life unfortunately. But it was down to Kuyt why we got so far in Europe, he was a constant threat in the Champions League knockout stages. This year's Euros was somethin different though he was Holland's player of the tournament. Hopefully he can bring that to Liverpool this year and prove last year was just a one off.

Pennant on the other hand I have always backed. I've always felt he give us somethin different down the right wing. He was an improvement on Antonio Nunez and Djibril Cisse who'd be playin there before hand. He hasn't quite stayed consistant enough, injuries, rotation and just lack of form all combine to that like any player. But he'd be one I'd keep because he certainly is a very good squad player. I'd rather see Pennant come on than Park, Kalou or Eboue. If can refind the form he showed between January and May 07 then I'd be happy to see him start on the right wing. Good player shouldn't be sold.

Yossi is a bit like Kuyt with me. I don't rate him, yet in pre season and his goal tally last year speak volumes and say he's worth a place in our squad. He reminds me of Luis Garica, will come up with the goods but his actual passin and all round game requires a bit of a work. If he can sort his simple passin out and keep possesion of the ball much better than he did last year I'd have no problem personnaly with him in the squad.

Voronin, should be sold, he just isn't gonna cut it in England. He may very well be one of these who needs a year to settle in but I don't think we can afford to take the chance. We should be cashin in on the player.

[Richobaz]

Now it seems you dont listen to yourself. Departure talk is inevitable, one thing we seem to agree on but the way you go about it is demeaning to those who pull on the red shirt.

Dont be influenced by those who see slagging players 'fashionable and funny'. Xabi is a Euro winner, Voronin is  very smart player who can be very handy at times when his feet do what his mind says and Pennant cops unwarranted criticism while he doesnt put a foot out of line in any match.

Both Voro and Pennant are decent players who can be back up, Xabi - well he is just world class.

Liverpool is a business, every club is, but the way we are run is nothing like a business. If we were then we would all love the Yanks for their attitude towards our fine club. They are business men and support 'soccer' not football showing their understanding of our game, they call us a franchise for F**k sake.

Morale should be high, and it is reasonably high for understandable reasons but this level of morale is not enough to win the league. We are still in our friendlies and an average level of morale is very expected but it will rise as we hit our straps across the park. Thats football. We will have that fire in our belly and that passion by the bucket full in that first league game.

Find it hard to work out your point?

So in your eyes...we shouldn't sell anyone and buy in loads of players?  What's your point?

We are not run like a business, we would love the Yanks...why would we?

Confused mate!