jimmylibel

It was Dean Whitehead I think. Of the bottom four teams I'd take the following players. Sunderland - No one Birmingham - Pennant Portsmouth - Gary O'Neill WBA - Gera Wouldn't expect any of them to be anything more than squad players mind.

Knew they had to pick up those strange ideas somewhere, it all makes sense now!!!

He was far from crap but equally he wasn't at his best in that position. I always thought he was best at left back... until Rafa moved him into the centre. I think one thing to bear in mind is that he basically took over at right back from Babbel who was arguably the best right back in the world during his only proper season with us... so anyone would find that a hard gap to fill.

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Ok this isn't the one with the Parry quotes but you get the idea - I think it's fair enough for a forum to get exciting about a player based on this article though! Liverpool swoop Martin Palmer Sunday March 19, 2000 The Observer Liverpool are planning to steal a march on their Premiership rivals today by completing the signing of football's latest teenage superstar. Andres D'Alessandro, 18, attracted interest from a host of clubs in England, Italy and Spain after starring for Argentina's under-21s against England at Fulham last month. Tottenham, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Leeds all made inquiries - but Liverpool have two men in Buenos Aires and are confident of signing him today. They have agreed a £3.5 million fee with his club, River Plate, and will talk personal terms tonight. While the others dithered, Gerard Houllier decided to move immediately for D'Alessandro, who is keen to play in the Premiership. Liverpool officials have already been in contact with D'Alessandro's agent and River Plate. The deal would take Houllier's spending to £14.5 million in the past two weeks, after the capture of Emile Heskey from Leicester. Chief scout Alec Miller and chief executive Rick Parry flew out to Buenos Aires on Friday to watch the midfielder - who has been dubbed 'the new Maradona' by the sports press in Argentina - for River Plate against Independiente today. They're hoping to bring the player back to Merseyside within a fortnight. A Liverpool source revealed: 'A deal was almost done last weekend but it was decided to watch him in a domestic game. He is very impressive.' His arrival would place further question marks over the Anfield career of Jamie Redknapp, who might tempt Arsenal or Tottenham. D'Alessandro's arrival will underline England's growing status in the world game. It has been unusual for Latin talent to move directly to England rather than Italy or Spain. The Feyenoord coach, Leo Beenhakker, one of European football's most respected figures, last week predicted English football would be at the forefront of the game over the next decade because of its commercial success. Link

I seem to remember an article in the Observer I think it was which quoted Parry as saying they hoped to sign the deal over the weekend - actually posted it on this site at some point within the last year following a similar debate but it took me half an hour to find it and it's Friday evening so...

Well that and the fact that Parry was quoted as saying we were expecting to sign him over the Easter weekend a few years back... always bewildering how weak speculation like that creates hysteria on the boards

Only getting to see the top half of the screen for it... is there another link for the ad?

Link Graeme Souness has admitted he has arrived at Newcastle to take on his 'dream job'. The Scot was lured to St James' Park from Blackburn last week and was presented to the media on Monday, although he took charge of his first training session the previous day. Souness, who has signed a two-year rolling deal, is looking to bring silverware to Tyneside and he feels the club are close to achieving something great. "I feel I've come to a club with so much in place to make it successful," he told Sky Sports News. "I'm inheriting a fabulous situation, I'm so excited I can't tell you. "This is a dream job for me. I've worked at big clubs before and this is up there with any club you care to mention." Souness witnessed his new side take care of Blackburn at the weekend and he feels that performance is the benchmark for the remainder of the campaign. "That's the benchmark," he stressed. "I won't accept them slipping below that. "If you've got quality and you give 100 percent then you've got a great chance of success." Souness is likely to stamp his own mark on the club but he feels there is strength in depth among the playing staff. "I think if you look at the group of players here, there are some top class performers and the next step is to win something," he added. "I know what we have to do and what the fans want and that is to win something. "Looking at the team on Saturday - the way they play is the way I want to." There is a good blend of youth and experience in the Newcastle dressing room and Souness is looking for the old heads to lend support to the youngsters. "My belief in football is quite simple," he said. "I learned far more from the senior players there - not only about football but also how to live my life. "I was beaten up - not physically but verbally - by those senior professionals for a few months and the senior players have a big responsibility. "There has been a lot of talk about the so-called brat pack but I don't see it like that. "There are some lads here that just need a bit of guidance. I am disciplined in my life and I expect them to be disciplined. "All they need is a wee bit of education. It's about me pointing them in the right direction and the senior pros teaching the young lads. "I'll expect players like Alan Shearer to play their part in that."

Wasn't Souness originally only on a 12 month deal with an optional extension of another 12 months?

I know what you're getting at but it would be even easier to say nothing.

Surprised he's said that - we may be looking at different targets now possibly.

Yeah cos it's not worth talking about transfer speculation regarding a top class striker that could be coming to Anfield in the summer. We should save that kind of talk for a Liverpool forum or something

I was with you on this until Banders came to your defence... I now realise it was daft question.

Turns out I was wrong... he signed for 5 years. Link Liverpool have announced the signings of Spanish duo Xabi Alonso from Real Sociedad and Luis Garcia from Barcelona. Both players signed in at Anfield today after successfully completing medicals. They have each signed a five year contract. Neither player will be involved against Manchester City tomorrow or against AK Graz on Tuesday. Garcia has been allocated squad number 10 at Anfield while Alonso will wear the number 14 shirt.

Originally signed for four years as well didn't he? It's new contract this summer or sell him then.

Would love to see Lyon win it for Gerard, would be made up for him. After them it would have to be Barca. Really don't want Arsenal to win it, I want Henry gone and I don't want them getting the cash windfall that comes with a CL win. And think about it, how horrible would it be to hear another English club being described as "The European Champions" every week.

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I thought they'd get Branded to do it.