Both Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger have been linked with moves away from Liverpool over the past fortnight.
The Premier League season kicks off two weeks today, and Liverpool will head into their opening game away at West Brom keen to field their first-choice partnership.
Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel two of the league’s best defenders, and for the club to lose either would be a big blow.
Manchester City plus Spanish pair Real Madrid and Barcelona have all been linked with moves, with City’s financial clout and chances of offering a Premier League title winner’s medal key to enticing the players on board.
A big money bid may suit Liverpool, especially for Agger, who has endured several injury problems – 17 in four years to be precise – and if they could get £30 million for him then it would be a good deal in terms of monetary value.
Given the short space of time until the season starts, and lack of time to sign a suitable replacement, it’s easy to argue allowing either Agger or Skrtel to leave makes little sense.
Deals for players including Clint Dempsey and Joe Allen are taking a long time to negotiate (Allen’s complicated by his Olympic involvement) – But for Liverpool to close a sale, identify a replacement and secure his signature within a fortnight is highly unlikely.
Of course the deadline is not the 18th, it is at the end of the month, and Jamie Carragher is a more than experienced replacement at centre-back, but a first choice this campaign? Ideally not.
Sebastian Coates too has it all to prove, and fans will have their misgivings about throwing him into action on a regular basis based on what they have seen so far – scissors kick against QPR aside.
But with almost a whole month to do a deal, early fixtures aside, if there is a will, the club can find a way – and there are pro’s and con’s on both sides if the right bid comes in.
What Brendan Rodgers has to do is keep on top of the situation. It was further complicated of course by Agger being left out of the club’s Europa League match on Thursday night.
The manager claims it was purely an injury based decision, not because he wanted to prevent the player becoming cup-tied and then miss the chance to sell him for a high price.
We saw last season Samir Nasri left out of Arsenal’s Champions League qualifiers so he could sign for Manchester City, despite Arsene Wenger’s protestations.
Fans are not naive and will continue to have their doubts. Martin Skrtel did play, and you imagine the chances of him exiting are now realistically over.
One player who did also not play was Andy Carroll – Meaning if he left to sing back with Newcastle, he would be free to play in their Europa League campaign.
Clearly Carroll is not a part of Rodgers’ plans for next season, unless he can’t find any takers. The question is, is Agger?
Does Rodgers want him but is having his hand forced? Or simply keeping his options open?
What do you make of the defender’s omission – Do you take the injury excuse at face value?
image: © kong niffe
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