Welcome to Liverpool Luis Alberto

[SB]

He has signed but the mods are keeping control of the welcome thread until they give it the rubber stamp.

In principle the deal is already in place as it was announced by the official site and the agent issues will be resolved soon.

It's in everybody's interest (including desputing agents) that the deal is finalized sooner rather than later.

Ok but it's not signed & in theory anything can still happen so I'm not counting it as a done deal till he's holding up the shirt at Anfiels with BR

[little dave hedgehog]

i believe it's signed it's just not ratified.

[McDermotX]

Toure is not signed yet, apart from a sort of pre-contract agreement, before sealing it next month.

Dunno what Ayre is up to. Sack him, and Rodgers.

[SB]

i believe it's signed it's just not ratified.

I hope your all right but until I see Aspas unveiled as a LFC player officially, it's only 2 signings

[SB]

Toure is not signed yet, apart from a sort of pre-contract agreement, before sealing it next month.

Dunno what Ayre is up to. Sack him, and Rodgers.

Yeah but pre contracts are binding so .....

[McDermotX]

Yeah but pre contracts are binding so .....

Well, we'd assume so, but without knowing the details, there may be some way of breaking an agreement with some penalty.

Either way, we should probably sack Ayre, put Rodgers in stocks and get Van Gaal in until he's signed on the 1st July.
You know ? Just to be safe.

[SB]

Well, we'd assume so, but without knowing the details, there may be some way of breaking an agreement with some penalty.

Either way, we should probably sack Ayre, put Rodgers in stocks and get Van Gaal in until he's signed on the 1st July.
You know ? Just to be safe.

I thought Arn hacked your account but you said Van Gaal & not Rafa

[Shaggy]

http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/why-luis-alberto-will-excite-lfc-fans

Barcelona-based football writer for Goal.com, Ben Hayward, gives us the lowdown on what Liverpool fans can expect from new signing Luis Alberto...

What are your thoughts on Liverpool signing Luis Alberto?

Definitely a good signing. At just 20, Luis Alberto is one for the future but also looks ready to step up to top-flight football now. Frustrated by a lack of opportunities at Sevilla, he blossomed at Barcelona B on loan last season and is keen to show what he can do in the first team at a big club. Liverpool should be the ideal stage.

Barca reportedly had an option to buy him - why didn't they take him?

Many Barcelona fans are upset that the club did not activate an option to buy him, but I think they realised he would want first-team football sooner rather than later and with Neymar coming in, Messi omnipresent, Pedro, Alexis Sanchez, Cristian Tello all staying and Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas sometimes occupying forward positions too, there is overbooking in the front three at Camp Nou. Barca may also bring in another striker this summer as David Villa departs, so opportunities would have been scarce for Luis Alberto.

What are his key attributes?

He has excellent technical ability and can beat players with his trickery, even though he is not the quickest. He also boasts superb vision, great tactical awareness and creativity, as well as a very powerful shot with his right foot. He scored 11 goals for Barca B in 2012-13, including several spectacular efforts from outside the area, and racked up an impressive 18 assists. His heading can probably be improved, though.

Where do you see him slotting into our side?

He can slot in across the front line or even as an attacking midfielder. At Barcelona he was happiest in the 'false nine' role, while he started his career as a left forward - even though he is right-footed. He looks comfortable in any of those positions, but may be suited to a slightly deeper role behind a main striker in the Premier League.

Do you think he'll be able to adapt to the Premier League?

He should do very well. He has the stature to cope with a more physical game, although he will need to bulk up somewhat and improve his strength for the Premier League. His vision and technical ability will serve him well and should suit the style of play Brendan Rodgers is so keen on. With the right coaching and adaptation, he can be an excellent signing. His versatility is also a huge plus.

If you had to compare him to another player?

I suppose he is a little like Juan Mata in that he has excellent technical abilities and is very creative, with a good eye for goal as well. He is more direct than the Chelsea player, though. At Barcelona, he linked up brilliantly with another young Spain star, promising winger Gerard Deulofeu.

Should supporters be excited?

Definitely, although he is still young and will need time to adapt.

Follow Ben on Twitter @bghayward.

[RichC]

A comparison with Mata! If he can deliver anything like him we'll have picked up an absolute bargain.

[SB]

A comparison with Mata! If he can deliver anything like him we'll have picked up an absolute bargain.

Oh oh. Expectations just increased cause of that comparison.

[baitman]

we'd be much better to say hes the new charlie adam, and then just enjoy his elevation to football god as he excels his expected standard.

[SB]

we'd be much better to say hes the new charlie adam, and then just enjoy his elevation to football god as he excels his expected standard.

That's what I'm talking about. we didn't expect much from Coutinho & wow what a surprise.

[RichC]

For me if he manages some good cameos throughout his first season I'll be pretty pleased.

As it stands we have Sterling, Downing, Coutinho, Suarez, Sturridge, Suso, Aspas and Ibe and of course him vying for starting sports next season.

[MrMichael]

For me if he manages some good cameos throughout his first season I'll be pretty pleased.

As it stands we have Sterling, Downing, Coutinho, Suarez, Sturridge, Suso, Aspas and Ibe and of course him vying for starting sports next season.

And Borini

[Mostar]

A comparison with Mata If he can deliver anything like him we'll have picked up an absolute bargain.

To me he has some similarity with Kaka as well.