Liverpool agree Arbeloa transfer

[Craig_H]

At the moment with our club's financial situation, I don't think that's true at all dude. Maybe Chelsea et al can afford to behave like that, but can we? Write off a few mill here, another few there, it all adds up.

It's not writing it off though, it's trading it for a season's worth of a very good, consistent and versatile player. Re the finances, i think things are calmer on that front after the agreed sale of one of the franchises.

To my mind, there's one major factor in this which is the catalyst to so many people agreeing with the decision: Rafa made it.

[Norbs]

Plenty of point in it. The main one being that he's a fantastic member of the squad who consistently puts in solid performances.

Why is there no point keeping him?

Presumably because Johnson is now here to play in virtually every game and Arbeloa's too good to be benched every week.

Maybe it's a decent agreement between Rafa and him, both know the score and it's fair to let the player go.

[Craig_H]

Presumably because Johnson is now here to play in virtually every game and Arbeloa's too good to be benched every week.

Maybe it's a decent agreement between Rafa and him, both know the score and it's fair to let the player go.

Arbeloa can play LB, where we have the injury prone Aurelio, the inexperienced Insua and the woeful Dossena. Not to mention CB if necessary, where we've just lost Hyypia.

[red g]

It's not writing it off though, it's trading it for a season's worth of a very good, consistent and versatile player. Re the finances, i think things are calmer on that front after the agreed sale of one of the franchises.

To my mind, there's one major factor in this which is the catalyst to so many people agreeing with the decision: Rafa made it.

craig you have pointed out many times with Alonso and the world cup being so close we can expect good performances from Alonso. Conversely Arbeloa is on a world cup year and is faced with potentially playing **** all next season and hence making a very unhappy squad player who misses out on the world cup........you heartless ******* !!

[MrMichael]

To my mind, there's one major factor in this which is the catalyst to so many people agreeing with the decision: Rafa made it.

Nah, I don't think so myself. Rafa was quite clear that he'd offered Arby a new contract but he obviously wasn't signing.... and really, Spanish player who wants to go home and play for biggest club in his country, that's really not a massive surprise. Seems like most people to me are just fatalistic about it having accepted he was leaving. Just football. Would have kept him and would rather have got more money if not, but what can you do, and hey, we signed Johnson so.....

That's what it seems like to me.

[red g]

Arbeloa can play LB, where we have the injury prone Aurelio, the inexperienced Insua and the woeful Dossena. Not to mention CB if necessary, where we've just lost Hyypia.

would do his WC chance the world of good......ifs and buts.

He isnt first choice anyhting next season. We all know how good insua will be next season AFII predicted it years ago the guy is world class

think you are just trying to win a losing arguement here

[JohnDoe]

On another note, I just talked to a manc. Told me losing Arbeloa is a big blow for us, he kept Messi quiet on his debut etc. etc., but just a few months ago when I told him Arbeloa was better than Brown and O'Shea, he said he was ****e

[Norbs]

Arbeloa can play LB, where we have the injury prone Aurelio, the inexperienced Insua and the woeful Dossena. Not to mention CB if necessary, where we've just lost Hyypia.

Methinks Insua is about to have a massive season for us

I get your point though, it's sad to see a quality player go.

[rudedog]

Fairly simple mate - at the highest level of football, £3.5m is chicken feed. Not a huge amount of value whatsoever.

Contrary to what you say, i consider it virtually pocket money. I think one season of Arbeloa is easily more valuable to us.

As for low priority - well i think Arbeloa's better defensively than GJ and time will tell as to whether we miss him.

maybe but we seem to be doing some serious haggling with Madrid for a similar amount over Alonso.

[Will]

He'll play left back. Only has Marcelo as competition and he's ****.

Gabriel Heinze will get the nod i reckon. He certainly wont take the place of Sergio Ramos. £3.5mill is a **** figure ( i kno he only has 1 year left on his deal) but even for a Spanish international full back and a versatie one at that id of expected around £5mill. He winged about tax rises winged about money now he will be a bench warmer.

[Neil Young]

I dont think it's quite as black and white as that.

That's pretty rich.

My argument exactly is it's not black and white but that holding a player to a contract when it could f*ck up his career might not be worth the marginal benefit of having him available as back-up, especially given we have two other specialist right backs in addition to Johnson, plus Carragher if the need arises.

It's not a straightforward decision but you asked why we were selling him and I've given you plenty of reasons.

[JohnDoe]

Gabriel Heinze will get the nod i reckon.

They're desperate to get rid of him.

[Guest]

Oh the authoritative Craig_H, he strikes again.

[red g]

Oh the authoritative Craig_H, he strikes again.

nope that was syd who was arguing.....

[Neil Young]

They're desperate to get rid of him.

Sauce?