Anybody thinking that Liverpool will be spending big in this summer’s transfer window will have to think again. The signing of Milan Jovanovic from Standard Liège may be a worrying sign of how the summer is set to pan out for Liverpool, and an insight in to the group of players Benitez will be looking at.
Jovanovic is out of contract in the summer and has agreed to join the reds after being reassured that he will be given the chance to impress, despite the presence of Fernando Torres. The Serbian international has scored 12 goals in 23 games so far this season and had also been linked with Milan, Juventus and Valencia.
Of course, the fact that Liverpool have signed yet another unknown player will be food for thought for the Anfield faithful. However, not only will he provide back-up for Torres, but he could also prove to be a worthy strike partner. Jovanovic has had a good strike rate in his past 3 seasons. Ok, he may have been playing in the Belgian league, hardly one of Europe’s elite, but at 6ft tall, he will undoubtedly prove a menace in the Premier League as well. In fact, with his height and ability in the air, he could be a target for Torres to play off.
The worry for Liverpool would be that the club are already showing that they cannot compete with the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea or Manchester City in the transfer market. Even Alex McLeish at Birmingham will have more financial power than Rafa Benitez this summer. If, as they claim, Liverpool wish to challenge for the title, it is not free transfer’s and bargain buys that they should be looking for. Their latest signing will hardly create optimism at Anfield like say, David Silva or Juan Mata might do.
Optimistic fans will see this as a step forward. David N’gog has had a number of opportunities but still lacks the quality to lead the line on his own. Benitez has shown a reluctance to look into the academy despite the big reputation of Daniel Pacheco, which suggests that Jovanovic will be given a substantial amount of playing time. Fans hoping for a title challenge next season may have to think otherwise. Unfortunately for Liverpool, they will need more than a few bargain signings to avoid yet another season of high hopes and disappointment.
Jovanovic is out of contract in the summer and has agreed to join the reds after being reassured that he will be given the chance to impress, despite the presence of Fernando Torres. The Serbian international has scored 12 goals in 23 games so far this season and had also been linked with Milan, Juventus and Valencia.
Of course, the fact that Liverpool have signed yet another unknown player will be food for thought for the Anfield faithful. However, not only will he provide back-up for Torres, but he could also prove to be a worthy strike partner. Jovanovic has had a good strike rate in his past 3 seasons. Ok, he may have been playing in the Belgian league, hardly one of Europe’s elite, but at 6ft tall, he will undoubtedly prove a menace in the Premier League as well. In fact, with his height and ability in the air, he could be a target for Torres to play off.
The worry for Liverpool would be that the club are already showing that they cannot compete with the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea or Manchester City in the transfer market. Even Alex McLeish at Birmingham will have more financial power than Rafa Benitez this summer. If, as they claim, Liverpool wish to challenge for the title, it is not free transfer’s and bargain buys that they should be looking for. Their latest signing will hardly create optimism at Anfield like say, David Silva or Juan Mata might do.
Optimistic fans will see this as a step forward. David N’gog has had a number of opportunities but still lacks the quality to lead the line on his own. Benitez has shown a reluctance to look into the academy despite the big reputation of Daniel Pacheco, which suggests that Jovanovic will be given a substantial amount of playing time. Fans hoping for a title challenge next season may have to think otherwise. Unfortunately for Liverpool, they will need more than a few bargain signings to avoid yet another season of high hopes and disappointment.
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