Playing style Known for his toughness and resilience, Dempsey played two games with a broken jaw in 2004 before the team trainer diagnosed it, and upon his return, he played through the pain of a sprained ankle. Despite usually playing in wide positions, he frequently scores close-range goals and has scored repeatedly with diving headers in crowded situations. His tenacity in midfield combined with his audacious dribbling skills frequently results in opponents fouling him, and Dempsey has gained a reputation for fierce play. This has on several occasions lapsed into violent conduct. He was suspended by the New England Revolution for two weeks in March 2006 for a fist fight with teammate Joe Franchino during a practice game[4] and was twice suspended by MLS during the 2006 season for violent conduct against opponents, including an elbow that broke the jaw of national teammate Jimmy Conrad. In a similar incident with Fulham in 2007, Dempsey accidentally broke the cheekbone of Chelsea defender John Terry in an aerial challenge but was not penalized.[80] A further similar incident, in December 2011, took place in a match against Manchester United, with Dempsey accidentally elbowing opponent Phil Jones in the side of the head and causing a suspected broken cheekbone. Again no action was taken by the referee.[81] Dempsey is a versatile attacking midfielder, normally playing on the left or right for Fulham and the United States, at times shooting the ball from long distances and even scoring at club level. However, he has also proven to be more of a threat the closer to goal he gets. His goals against Egypt and Spain in the Confederations Cup came almost immediately after being moved to forward by a substitution from Bob Bradley. He has taken out Terry and a Manc. LFC legend before he signs
The mad thing is I got criticised for saying how much I wanted Siggy at Anfield as a good young goal scoring midfielder because he was "unproven and a risk at the wages" etc and here's a fella who scores goals for fun with a whole load of top flight experience. He has good touch, good passing and link up play and can score with his head and both feet. When I criticise the owners for not moving quickly or being ambitious enough with the new stadium I here..."Ah but we need to be much more financially savvy before considering a new stadium"...well wouldn't Dempsey increase our market potential over the pond? Is he too old with his best years behind him? Maybe but didn't people say the same about Gary Mac or Karl Heinze Riedle? We can build a young squad but we will still need experienced heads amongst them. Personally I'd be quite happy to see Dempsey at Anfield as long as he wasn't the only signing.
He is 29, seeing as his game is not based upon blistering speed, it should not be a problem. These are professional athletes, 29 (unless we are having a conversation with the mancs, about Ferdinand or Vidic, then 29 is over the hill, past it, finished) is nothing, still near his peak.
[video=youtube;tZR48Cnn9FU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZR48Cnn9FU[/video] The boy knows where the onion bag is, no questioning that
"This thread has been up for a couple of hours and there's been plenty of decent debate. You've had your say and I accept you wouldn't be "excited" by either Dempsey or Borini. Personally I know sod all about Borini but I'd be happy with Dempsey as we lacked goals last year and if there's one thing he would bring its the potential of goals. Happy?" I'd be happy with Dempsey too, same with Borini. As they've got a good record of finding the back of the net, something most of our signings from 2010 onwards haven't had barring Suarez (+ possibly Carroll) . But they aren't exciting in the slightest. Babel, Suarez, Torres & Morientes were exciting signings. I expect Dempsey will be met with the same sort of indifference Crouch, Pennant, Downing & Zenden received. Borini will fare slightly better because he's foreign and mysterious but people won't be rushing to buy LFC shirts with either on the back.
Except, some managers just seem to sign the best of who is available, but with Rodgers, you detect the feeling that he has seen something in the player he likes, a something that will fit in with his philosophies and believes. Because of this, any player who he signs, excites me. Much better pick up the players for £8 million who over-perform, than the players for £35 million, who are perceived to under perform, based on the fact they can't live up to there price tag.
I hear what your saying about Dempsey but I've seen him play for Fulham and the US and I find him very average and the last thing I want is an average striker. The same kind of arguments were forwarded a while ago in favour of us buying Bent and I don't want him either! Perhaps I've been spoilt over the years but I want a player that gets me out of my seat when he's in the box like God, Rushie, Tosh, Keegan, and Hunt (and I have to admit even Owen). For me Carroll has the potential to be that.
You may well be right mate although I reckon plenty of fans in the US will be out to get Dempsey on a shirt I agree with you that "if" these were the two we signed this week (pure speculation obviously) then its hardly on a par with the Messi or Silva type signings and "exciting" may not have been the wisest phrase to have used but if its improving the squad then I won't complain too much (for once).
Fair enough Dave, but it is almost a given that he will play 4-2-3-1 and the 3 players who play in front of the midfield two, will need to chip in goals, and be able to work there bollox off too win the ball back high up the field, whilst being comfortable in possession. All the players we have been linked with fit this mould. In this system, the star player is not as necessary as the team player, the brave player, the player with the winning attitude. This is what I like most about Rodgers, he has a clear plan.
To be fair Dave I'd be devastated if we were after Bent carroll I agree has that potential but its still very much potential. How many really good goal scorig midfielders are there in the Prem? A few over the last few years and Dempsey is one of the few. Every signing is a risk but know what...if a player like him gets snapped up by Moyes (for example) and spends the next two seasons banging in goals we all sit here moaning about why we never pick up the bargains. Obviously none of us will be particularly arsed if we don't sign him but I certainly won't be complaining if we do Oh and yes we have been spoiled over the years mate.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...n-loan-if-he-fails-to-establish-himself.html# All the fingers pointing too Borini.
To be fair, while Dempsey scores boatloads for us (USA,) he doesn't seem to work that hard for country. I would argue he gives much more effort for his club than country. For fulham, he worked hat to win balls as well as scoring. He was better tenfold for fulham than Liverpool. Not that I need him at Liverpool, but I wouldn't complain either. On the subject of Carroll, he was injured at the start of the season, and he started getting his form towards the end of the season. Having watched Newcastle every week, I know that he has a much better touch than most people ten to think, not to mention the cannon he can unleash from his left Peg. I think once he gets more playing time and you see his true skill when he's on form. Just hope it's for us permanently, which to be fair, I don't see him going anywhere soon.
if we have faith in carroll by picking him he'll get 20 goals.. if we put him on the bench and half trust him he'll do nothing but a few impact performances and we'll be wondering what if. suarez needs to play right side channel where he's world class. not up top on his own.... all his best work for uraguay is with forlan up top for him
