Jovanovic Signs- Confirmed

[SimonNo7]

I'm sure this has already been posted but:

Rafa waiting on Jovanovic deal
Transfer of Serbia international yet to be finalised

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has stated that a deal to sign Standard Liege forward Milan Jovanovic has yet to be finalised.

The Serbia international, out of contract in the summer, announced on Wednesday that the two parties had reached an agreement and all he had to do was complete a medical.

Benitez, though, is a little more cautious regarding any possible transfer and insists an announcement will only be made at the appropriate time.

"There are a lot of rumours in the press but we are working and we will say something if we finalise things," said the Liverpool boss.

"At this moment we are talking with people and we are working."

[Craig_H]

End of the day Real Madrid and AC Milan have been trying to sign him, so he can't be that bad. I can't recall Europes' top teams trying to pip us to the signings of Degan and Voronin, so I would presume this guy is of a higher quality. Plus as 'ere'ere says above, have a read of some of Tomovich's comments in the other thread, he watches Jovanovic every week and has given a decent insight into what we can expect.

I remember Biscan was apparently being courted by Barcelona before we signed him.

I wish we'd let Parry try and negotiate that one, he'd have arsed about and Barca would've stepped in

[Norbs]

and sadly out of that list liverpool are the only ones not to have won there own domestic league anytime in the last 10 years

We are, but that's a reflection on how difficult our league is, not necessarily on where we feature in the bigger scheme of things in Europe (which is what I was trying to say to Carheex) Spain's similar, Barca & Real have won the league 16 times in the last 20 years.

Going on from what I said yesterday, I'd go further and say that the Prem's top 6 could walk 80% of the leagues in Europe.

[lickedlollipop]

i dunno why some of you bother age of jovanovic. just for comparison; you ever heard about slovenian national striker Milivoje Novakovic? his international club career started in iirc 6th austrian league and now he plays for Köln in Bundesliga, and he was captain there, but because he choose his national football team (), he lost his armband. and yes, he was 27 old when he debuted for Slovenia. An he's already one of the best strikers for our country.

[Craig_H]

None of us have heard of him.

[Mattshark]

Dunno what all the excitement's about. Smacks of no money and desperation to me. This is the future for our club, and the only people who are actually trying to change anything (SOS) are being treated with derision by most on here. Free transfers are what we're now relying on FFS. When is everyone gonna wake up? This is a joke. He's 28 and plays for the mighty Standard Leige. Where's he been for the last 10 years?

What you mean the small minded thickos who tried to get us into administration? Those people?

[Exiled_red]

Dunno what all the excitement's about. Smacks of no money and desperation to me. This is the future for our club, and the only people who are actually trying to change anything (SOS) are being treated with derision by most on here. Free transfers are what we're now relying on FFS. When is everyone gonna wake up? This is a joke. He's 28 and plays for the mighty Standard Leige. Where's he been for the last 10 years?

No one knows what the financial situation is, the ownership and SOS is a sperate issue. If there is a player available and the manager deems him good enough it shouldn't matter if he's on a free or how much he costs. We've made some very good signings on free transfers (Babbel & McAllister) or for bargin fees.

[Vermilion]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=740093&sec=england&root=england&campaign=rss&source=soccernet&cc=5739

PREMIER LEAGUE FOCUS

Jovanovic deal a sign of the times

Milan looms large in Liverpool's recent past. There was the unforgettable, immortal triumph against AC in Istanbul in 2005 and the rather less fondly remembered rematch in Athens two years later. In 2008, a typically clinical display of high-class finishing from Fernando Torres defeated Internazionale in the San Siro.

Now Milan will play a part in the future: not in the Champions League, given Liverpool's early elimination, nor indeed with any connection to Italy. But Milan Jovanovic will join from Standard Liege in the summer. Trading one Milan for another can feel like downsizing: the Serbian striker has said he is moving to one of the world's top ten clubs; Liverpool could only face one of the other nine - Juventus, Rafa Benitez's supposed suitors - in the Europa League.

But it is a sign of the times. Jovanovic's appeal may lie in his excellent scoring record in Belgium, but his availability on a free transfer when his contract expires at Standard is probably the determining factor. He may not be the new David Silva or David Villa, but he comes rather cheaper than many of Benitez's previous targets.

The search for a snip is not confined to Anfield, as the widespread pursuit of Bordeaux forward Marouane Chamakh, also on a Bosman, seems to indicate. It is, however, particularly relevant for Benitez. Jovanovic will join Maxi Rodriguez, recruited last month at a similar lack of cost, on Merseyside. Selling Andriy Voronin, Andrea Dossena and Nikolay Mihaylov brought the club a January profit of over £7 million; last year's, courtesy of Robbie Keane, was £12 million while the Liverpool manager broke even in the summer. It is tempting to ask, once again, where the money has gone, but the new realities have required Benitez to adapt.

Having to make do is a constant theme. Jovanovic and Rodriguez come with a pedigree as regulars for Serbia and Argentina respectively; few with better CVs can be acquired without a hefty investment but that does not necessarily make either the ideal addition. The latter is already 29, the former will be by the time he arrives; they are not long-term solutions as much as the men who were on offer.

The same description applies to the last signing to command a fee. Sotirios Kyrgiakos was the stop-gap centre back, brought in because Benitez could not afford his preferred alternatives. Despite his derby dismissal against Everton, his last five appearances have provided the Greek with an unexpected renaissance in his Liverpool career.

At the heart of a defence that only conceded one goal in that time - as many as Kyrgiakos scored on his own - a man who had appeared a liability against Fulham and Lyon came to have sufficient impact that he was preferred to Martin Skrtel against Everton. Short of pace and seemingly clumsy, there is no pretence that the ungainly 30-year-old possesses the class of Daniel Agger or the longevity of Jamie Carragher, but he proved a doughty battler, especially against physical opponents. In short, he has served a purpose.

His reappearance was a reminder that needs must, which could be Liverpool's unofficial motto nowadays. It may also indicate a change of approach from Benitez. The Spaniard has been criticised for effectively exiling players he did not want. That is not an option now. Ryan Babel, who attracted bids in January, is back in the reckoning and almost equalised against Arsenal. Philipp Degen, another who appeared surplus to requirements, surprised with his effectiveness against Tottenham. He was another signed on a free transfer.

There is proof of the perils of delving into football's bargain basement at Anfield. In a summer when they spent £50 million, Voronin was another Bosman and his abject displays suggested Liverpool still didn't get value for money. But beggars can't be choosers and as long as Tom Hicks and George Gillett remain in situ and without additional investment, Benitez is in a form of penury.

So signing Jovanovic, like Rodriguez before him, makes sense. Remembering Kyrgiakos and Degen does, too. Targets have been downgraded, in the transfer market as they were on the pitch. Top four, not the title, is the aim; the champagne football has to give way to a diet fit for a more workmanlike team. Minus Fernando Torres, Yossi Benayoun and Glen Johnson, albeit temporarily, and minus the world-class reinforcements that a bigger budget could have brought, the style of play has had to be customised to suit the players available.

Aspirations to being the most enterprising attacking side in the land, as Liverpool were for the final two or three months of last season, have been suspended, to win any way they can, aided by defensive frugality, a high work ethic and Dirk Kuyt's invaluable services as a scrapper. Making do is becoming the done thing at Anfield now.

[wavydavy]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns...cernet&cc=5739

PREMIER LEAGUE FOCUS

Jovanovic deal a sign of the times

Milan looms large in Liverpool's recent past. There was the unforgettable, immortal triumph against AC in Istanbul in 2005 and the rather less fondly remembered rematch in Athens two years later. In 2008, a typically clinical display of high-class finishing from Fernando Torres defeated Internazionale in the San Siro.

Now Milan will play a part in the future: not in the Champions League, given Liverpool's early elimination, nor indeed with any connection to Italy. But Milan Jovanovic will join from Standard Liege in the summer. Trading one Milan for another can feel like downsizing: the Serbian striker has said he is moving to one of the world's top ten clubs; Liverpool could only face one of the other nine - Juventus, Rafa Benitez's supposed suitors - in the Europa League.

But it is a sign of the times. Jovanovic's appeal may lie in his excellent scoring record in Belgium, but his availability on a free transfer when his contract expires at Standard is probably the determining factor. He may not be the new David Silva or David Villa, but he comes rather cheaper than many of Benitez's previous targets.

The search for a snip is not confined to Anfield, as the widespread pursuit of Bordeaux forward Marouane Chamakh, also on a Bosman, seems to indicate. It is, however, particularly relevant for Benitez. Jovanovic will join Maxi Rodriguez, recruited last month at a similar lack of cost, on Merseyside. Selling Andriy Voronin, Andrea Dossena and Nikolay Mihaylov brought the club a January profit of over £7 million; last year's, courtesy of Robbie Keane, was £12 million while the Liverpool manager broke even in the summer. It is tempting to ask, once again, where the money has gone, but the new realities have required Benitez to adapt.

Having to make do is a constant theme. Jovanovic and Rodriguez come with a pedigree as regulars for Serbia and Argentina respectively; few with better CVs can be acquired without a hefty investment but that does not necessarily make either the ideal addition. The latter is already 29, the former will be by the time he arrives; they are not long-term solutions as much as the men who were on offer.

The same description applies to the last signing to command a fee. Sotirios Kyrgiakos was the stop-gap centre back, brought in because Benitez could not afford his preferred alternatives. Despite his derby dismissal against Everton, his last five appearances have provided the Greek with an unexpected renaissance in his Liverpool career.

At the heart of a defence that only conceded one goal in that time - as many as Kyrgiakos scored on his own - a man who had appeared a liability against Fulham and Lyon came to have sufficient impact that he was preferred to Martin Skrtel against Everton. Short of pace and seemingly clumsy, there is no pretence that the ungainly 30-year-old possesses the class of Daniel Agger or the longevity of Jamie Carragher, but he proved a doughty battler, especially against physical opponents. In short, he has served a purpose.

His reappearance was a reminder that needs must, which could be Liverpool's unofficial motto nowadays. It may also indicate a change of approach from Benitez. The Spaniard has been criticised for effectively exiling players he did not want. That is not an option now. Ryan Babel, who attracted bids in January, is back in the reckoning and almost equalised against Arsenal. Philipp Degen, another who appeared surplus to requirements, surprised with his effectiveness against Tottenham. He was another signed on a free transfer.

There is proof of the perils of delving into football's bargain basement at Anfield. In a summer when they spent £50 million, Voronin was another Bosman and his abject displays suggested Liverpool still didn't get value for money. But beggars can't be choosers and as long as Tom Hicks and George Gillett remain in situ and without additional investment, Benitez is in a form of penury.

So signing Jovanovic, like Rodriguez before him, makes sense. Remembering Kyrgiakos and Degen does, too. Targets have been downgraded, in the transfer market as they were on the pitch. Top four, not the title, is the aim; the champagne football has to give way to a diet fit for a more workmanlike team. Minus Fernando Torres, Yossi Benayoun and Glen Johnson, albeit temporarily, and minus the world-class reinforcements that a bigger budget could have brought, the style of play has had to be customised to suit the players available.

Aspirations to being the most enterprising attacking side in the land, as Liverpool were for the final two or three months of last season, have been suspended, to win any way they can, aided by defensive frugality, a high work ethic and Dirk Kuyt's invaluable services as a scrapper. Making do is becoming the done thing at Anfield now.

A least someone seems to agree with me.

[The Birdman]

A least someone seems to agree with me.

Not getting excited about the signing of a player on a free transfer is one thing, signing someone on a free to bolster the squad which will then (maybe, hopefully) allow Rafa to spend his megre budget elsewhere is something entirely different.
People have to accept that we aren't going to become a Man City or Chelsea and don't have the nothing but good luck to be a Man Utd where they were able to develop their existing ground to increase revenue.
Arsenal couldn't redevelop Highbury, Chelsea can't do anything with Stamford Bridge and we can't do anything with Anfield, only the ****ing Manc's had a stadium they could develop.

However life as a Liverpool fan lives on, I'm bringing my 9 year old boy to his first game on Thursday and Torres or not, free signings or David Villa for £50 million he is so made up that and excited that the rest doesn't really matter.

We cut our cloth with Parry and Moores, way before the atrocious sale to the Yanks but by allowing us to fall so far behind off the field.
We're paying the price for approx 20 years of mis management off the field and we'll have to accept it for quite a while longer yet.

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

came in drunk last night and though it said Jovetic, woke up today made up and now back down to earth

[wavydavy]

Not getting excited about the signing of a player on a free transfer is one thing, signing someone on a free to bolster the squad which will then (maybe, hopefully) allow Rafa to spend his megre budget elsewhere is something entirely different.
People have to accept that we aren't going to become a Man City or Chelsea and don't have the nothing but good luck to be a Man Utd where they were able to develop their existing ground to increase revenue.
Arsenal couldn't redevelop Highbury, Chelsea can't do anything with Stamford Bridge and we can't do anything with Anfield, only the ****ing Manc's had a stadium they could develop.

However life as a Liverpool fan lives on, I'm bringing my 9 year old boy to his first game on Thursday and Torres or not, free signings or David Villa for £50 million he is so made up that and excited that the rest doesn't really matter.

We cut our cloth with Parry and Moores, way before the atrocious sale to the Yanks but by allowing us to fall so far behind off the field.
We're paying the price for approx 20 years of mis management off the field and we'll have to accept it for quite a while longer yet.

I think we're paying the price for having owners who use any profit made to make interest payments on the loans aquired so they could buy the club. M&P were a pair of dickheads no doubt but we always had a budget to spend every Summer. From here on in its sell to buy by the look of it. Still, I hope you and your lad have a great night.

[SK]

Dunno what all the excitement's about. Smacks of no money and desperation to me. This is the future for our club, and the only people who are actually trying to change anything (SOS) are being treated with derision by most on here. Free transfers are what we're now relying on FFS. When is everyone gonna wake up? This is a joke. He's 28 and plays for the mighty Standard Leige. Where's he been for the last 10 years?

some players bloom late in their career, and being 28 means he's entered his prime. if bringing someone like jovanović in to cover for torres or play alongside him, means rafa can spend whatever's left of the transfer funds on someone else, i think it's good buisness, and something we should appreciate. we're never going to spend ridiculous sums of money on players, and whatever state the finances are, this a a good deal imo.

[SK]

None of us have heard of him.

you'll know soon enough

even jonathan wilson mentioned his story a while back in one of his articles if i remember correctly

it doesn't matter who he is, but i think its worth pointing out that players come from different back grounds, and some don't have it easy in their careers. they have to start at the lower leagues and then move up with their own hard work, and if they're lucky might play for a top club late in their career for one or two seasons.

to dismiss someone purely because of their age is ridiculous imo. there's always a stroy behind every player

[Kenneth]

A least someone seems to agree with me.

I don't support the owners and I don't like the fact that we are scraping together funds for the wages of free transfers. But I don't subscribe to the idea of supporting SOS and their methods because they are 'doing something' rather than nothing.

You are making the mistake of seeing it as polarised decision of either supporting the owners or supporting SOS. If you're not with SOS, you're against them and what they believe. You are George Bush.