Raul Meireles

[RichC]

I'm just speculating, but I'd guess that Meireles was seen as surplus to requirements and a player we could get a decent fee for to balance our summer spending. He got miffed, but as Chelsea dragged their feet hoping to get Modric, the deal got the green light late in the day and we said he can go if he hands in a transfer request. Still miffed - and tied in with us going back on a pay rise - he duly obliged and off he went.

Perhaps that's why I feel no resentment towards him, or it could be because I wasn't bothered if he went when it all came out in the early stages of the transfer window.

I'd say that's the most likely series of events.

feel the same as you about him really, he did well for us at points last season in a very bad side and he wasn't going to get the game time he wanted here.

[Muddled]

It seems an odd thing to agree to, surely if this was agreed it would have been written into his contract? It's also foolish of him (or his agent) to agree to a word of mouth deal with owners who were looking to sell, even if the owners hadn't sold up would you trust the word of Hicks or Gillette

Yeah, that's odd in itself. You'd want some assurances that despite a sale, the club would have to honour - at least - a certain percentage.

[Exiled_red]

I'm just speculating, but I'd guess that Meireles was seen as surplus to requirements and a player we could get a decent fee for to balance our summer spending. He got miffed, but as Chelsea dragged their feet hoping to get Modric, the deal got the green light late in the day and we said he can go if he hands in a transfer request. Still miffed - and tied in with us going back on a pay rise - he duly obliged and off he went.

Perhaps that's why I feel no resentment towards him, or it could be because I wasn't bothered if he went when it all came out in the early stages of the transfer window.

That sums up my view on it too.

As for what I feel about him now: meh

[McDermotX]

I'm just speculating, but I'd guess that Meireles was seen as surplus to requirements and a player we could get a decent fee for to balance our summer spending. He got miffed, but as Chelsea dragged their feet hoping to get Modric, the deal got the green light late in the day and we said he can go if he hands in a transfer request. Still miffed - and tied in with us going back on a pay rise - he duly obliged and off he went.

Perhaps that's why I feel no resentment towards him, or it could be because I wasn't bothered if he went when it all came out in the early stages of the transfer window.

[Vermilion]

He looks a right idiot now.

[lickedlollipop]

ok, i don't like his mohawk hair now -.-

[Mostar]

I think there is probably an element of truth in what Meireles says to be honest.

If that is true than Comolli must be lying as he said completely opposite of what Raul said.

One of them is dishonest and personally DC looks more reliable source in this case.

[chadrtc]

I thought it wasn't about money Raul, make up your mind son.

[peekay]

Director of football Damien Comolli has countered accusations from Raul Meireles that Liverpool asked him to hand in a transfer request.

Meireles joined Premier League rivals Chelsea in the final minutes of the transfer deadline day last month in a reported £12million move, a switch that angered many Reds supporters.

The 28-year-old Portugal international last week insisted he never wanted to leave Liverpool but admitted he jumped at the chance to go to Stamford Bridge when it became clear he would be sold.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Meireles then accused Liverpool of a broken promise and claimed he was forced to submit a transfer request once they had decided to sell him to Chelsea.

Putting across Liverpool's side, Comolli said on the club's official website in response to questions sent in by supporters: "I think Raul said it himself with what I've seen recently in the press.

"Basically, he came to see me and said 'I want to leave, I want to play for another club'.

"Our intention was not to sell him but we were put in a corner a little bit when he put in a transfer request and said he wanted to go and that he didn't want to play for Liverpool anymore.

"I think the owners and Kenny (Dalglish) have said it, and we all have the same view. When someone doesn't want to be here it's difficult to say 'you are going to stay'.

"We've been through that process in January with Fernando Torres and this felt like the same situation. We've done it, we think it was the right thing to do for the club, because it's very, very difficult to have somebody here who doesn't want to be here.

"The job of the manager in the Premier League is already difficult having to manage 25 players and only having 11 to start on a match day, so you have to deal with all the others.

"On top of that if you have someone who is adamant they don't want to be here and wants to play for someone else, we took the view it's better if he goes and we get the best possible deal for the club. In the end I think we did well."

[Mostar]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYT75Cy9kBY"]Chelsea Raul Meireles on his hair - YouTube[/ame]

[BillobShaisley]

If that is true than Comolli must be lying as he said completely opposite of what Raul said.

One of them is dishonest and personally DC looks more reliable source in this case.

I didn't see any contradictions, they were both very political answers with what was not said as important as what was said.

[Neil Young]

I didn't see any contradictions, they were both very political answers with what was not said as important as what was said.

I totally agree.

There's a single very consistent story there, if you look in the gaps.