[Official] Gotcha! Liverpool sign Maxi Rodriguez
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Maxi Rodriguez signs for Liverpool: We'll get the best out of winger!
One of Rafa Benitez’s first acts as Gerard Houllier’s successor was to attempt to find a solution to Liverpool’s lack of quality on the flanks. Nearly six years later, he is still trying.
Maxi Rodriguez is the latest to be hand-picked for the task of recreating the halcyon days of wing wizardry at Anfield, when Ian Callaghan tore down the right and Peter Thompson jinked his way down the left, and it is to be hoped he fares better than his predecessors.
From Antonio Nunez to Albert Riera, Benitez’s judgment has been found wanting, almost without exception.
Rodriguez arrived at Anfield yesterday to complete a £1.5million deal and Liverpool boss Benitez insists he has got it right this time.
Making waves: Maxi Rodriguez is introduced to fans before last night's match at Anfield
‘We were looking for players with character and a good mentality,’ said Benitez. ‘He can play in three positions — on the right, left or as a second striker — and is someone with a very positive mentality.
‘He knows Javier Mascherano and Fernando Torres and he can provide a lift for some players. I think he will adapt to English football because he is a clever player and takes up good positions on the pitch.’
However, the fee seems bizarrely small for an established Argentina international who was once the jewel in Atletico Madrid’s crown and who lit up the last World Cup with one of the goals of the tournament, scoring a sensational volleyed winner in extra time against Mexico in the last 16.
But the past few years have seen the landscape shift significantly for 29-year-old Maxi — the press and fans never use his surname in Spain or Argentina — to the point where Madrid were more than happy to take whatever they could for him before his contract expired at the end of the season.
New signing: Rodriguez
The problems started shortly after Germany 2006 when he suffered cruciate ligament damage to his left ankle during an Argentina friendly with Spain which put him out for six months. He was never the same player again.
He once dominated games from the middle of the park and tore through defences with the sort of vision and execution which had sealed him his blue-riband move to Atletico from Espanyol.
Lately, he has struggled to keep up with the pace of games and failed to pull his weight. That didn’t stop him being adored by the Atletico fans or being made captain after Torres’ departure in 2007.
However, an act of petulance last March cost him both.
After being substituted following a poor performance against Barcelona, Maxi flew into a rage, throwing his captain’s armband to the ground in disgust. The fans never forgave him, nor did his manager Abel Resino, who fined him and stripped him of the captaincy.
The situation quickly became unsalvagable. Resino used Maxi less and less and the fans called for him to be sold. They appear to have got their way.
Rodriguez: set to join Liverpool
But Liverpool supporters should not despair, thinking they have signed a has-been with a terrible temper. Maxi can play anywhere across the midfield and is a seriously
talented footballer. -
OFFICIAL: Liverpool Sign Maxi Rodriguez From Atletico Madrid
The Reds have finally secured the midfielder.
Maxi Rodriguez, Atletico de Madrid (MARCA)Liverpool have completed the signing of Atletico Madrid midfielder Maxi Rodriguez on a free transfer, the club has confirmed on their official website.
The 29-year-old Argentine winger has signed a three-and-a-half year contract at the club after completing a medical on Merseyside today, and the move will be confirmed subject to international clearance.
Rodriguez, who was at Anfield to watch the Reds' FA Cup Third Round replay with Reading on Wednesday night, will wear the number 17 shirt at Anfield, and could be available to make his debut against Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium this weekend.
The move will please Reds boss Rafa Benitez, as the Spaniard looks to strengthen his squad following a stuttering start to the season.
Rodriguez, who can play on either wing or through the middle, will add competition to the right-wing position usually occupied by Dirk Kuyt, and is known to enjoy a strong relationship with both Javier Mascherano - his international captain with Argentina - and Fernando Torres - an ex-teammate at Atleti.
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I cannot wait to see how Ah Ben waste this player like he wasted Babel.
Maxi must be scared shit now he see how his team is so strong at its home ground.
Can he still opt out ?
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mr rafael needs a wracking session from criag bellamy, seriously
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what is the board doing allowing rafael to sign so many such players.
there will be a major clear out of players if and when a new manager is appointed.
things will only get worst before it gets better at liverpool.
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Has he been officially unveiled already?
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Originally posted by SomebodyInSG:
Has he been officially unveiled already?
He watched liverpool get dumped out by reading in the spectators. Hows that for 1st impression -
The management board is more interested in milking more money out of Liverpool.
They dun really care who is managing the club.
If Ah Ben dun get his players, he will start playing his mind game for the fans to turn against the owners.
So, the owners dun want any trouble at the moment as they want to offload the club soon.
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Liverpool major issue is rafael, not the owners