Alves was a Parry special iirc, refusing to pay the extra million or two, Simao was on the plane (on deadline day) but the fans found out and started protesting - that canned that. There is a much talked about story that Silva was lined up for 18mill only for the money to be pulled by the cancers, cue Rafa storming out of Melwood absolutely fuming. Rafa made mistakes, his biggest was the whole Alonso affair but he also bought him in the first place. I thought Riera did well, it transpired that he was an idiot but he played well, offered good balance and was an attacking threat, plus his goal re the mancs was an absolute peach.