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- Dubai 04:27 05:45 12:20 15:47 18:49 20:07
England's Andy Carroll, left, fights for the ball with Italy's Angelo Ogbonna, right, during an international friendly test match between the national soccer teams of Italy and England at the Stade de Suisse stadium, in Bern, Switzerland, Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012. (AP)
The bad results notwithstanding, the Liverpool revolution continues to chug along – at least in terms of signing new players.
The latest on the radar of the Merseyside club is Torino defender Angelo Ogbonna, rated at £16million.
The move for a defender will raise doubts about the future of Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger, both of whom have not had the best of starts to the season.
Both Skrtel and Agger have been responsible for some lax defending that saw Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool off to its worst start and worst home start to a season in forever.
There is the naive view that both Skrtel and Agger have pledged their careers to Liverpool. Should Liverpool not finish in the top 10, both could be gone.
Of all the players he has brought in, a new defender may be the smartest move yet for Rodgers.
The British press, quoting Italian reports, claimed that Reds scouts watched the 24-year old face on Sunday and are making advanced moves to sign the Italy international.
Manchester United and Everton are also said to be interested in Ogbonna
This means that while Rodgers could "cash in" on Skrtel or Agger, both wanted by big clubs, he needs to be careful of not being in an Andy Carroll situation again - selling before buying.
Ogbonna is the kind of attacking-minded defender who will fit in perfectly with Rodgers’ tiki-taka revolution at Anfield.
Meanwhile, if the Kop is looking for a vote of confidence, it has come from Joe Cole – and is more a plea for the fans, than picture of hope.
Cole, 30, who returned to action after two months as a sub in Sunday’s goalless draw with Stoke, said: “I’ve seen the team developing and I’ve seen a lot of improvement, but revolutions don’t happen in days and weeks.
“The fans here are great and they understand what’s happening.
“They are very educated — they know what we’re trying to do and how we’re trying to build the play and implement a style.
“They know it’s just a case of being patient.”
On the Kop, they want to know: How long more?
Goal-scoring defender
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