Liverpool Football Club have today completed the signing of Spanish forward Luis Alberto from Sevilla, subject to international clearance. The 20-year-old, who can play anywhere across the attacking line, has penned a long-term contract after passing a medical at Melwood. please log in to view this image He spent the 2012-13 campaign on loan at Barcelona B, where he notched an impressive 11 goals - and was devastating with his creativity, providing 17 assists in 38 appearances. Reds boss Brendan Rodgers said: "We are all delighted that Luis has decided to join Liverpool. "He has the correct footballing profile and mentality to be a Liverpool player. "I look forward to working with him to develop his talent and he joins a group of young exciting players at our club." The Spaniard has represented his country at three different age levels. He has turned out for the U18s, U19s and made his U21s bow against Belgium in February. Usually in these photos the players either wear the shirt or hold the shirt. He done both.... The tattoo's will help him fit in.
Although Carra has retired, it's good to see him remain passionate, wearing his old kit and shouting orders at the new young blood.
please log in to view this image Luis is enjoying this... please log in to view this image The grey shirt looks so much nicer than the away shirt... please log in to view this image I though his name was Luis Alberto please log in to view this image Now he can help win us a 6th. please log in to view this image
Looks like he will be vying with Borini for the second striker role. If Suarez goes then Sturridge will be first choice I would imagine. If Suarez stays it could be very competitive for a forward role.
I think Borini will play left forward. Ayre on Luis Alberto. They dont actually drop any hint on where he will play. Ayre keeps saying 'the position'. Luis just says he will play any where with freedom. He could compete will Coutinho or play on the left with Coutinho on the right. I suspect he may sit on the bench a lot at first.
He looks like he's got a bit of height too him as well... which can be useful. Lets see what he does in preseason cos none of us can really say what he'll be like until he performs (or not) Mingolet, Albert, Aspas, Toure, Mkhitaryan..... thats probably 5 of the six we heard that we were after, so far only carroll out and carra retired so right now things might look a bit deeper and secure but i fancy the 6 out is true too. CB next? Or will it be the two young guys out of portugal? Will we actually bid for mkhitaryan
Here is a possible hint in here. FCBarcelona.com (Barca's official club website): "Luis Alberto has a goalscoring instinct and reads the game to perfection, making him a very effective provider of assists. Alberto can also play in any of the more advanced positions, especially as a 'false centre forward'." In Rodgers first press conference he was asked about Spains system at the Euro's with Fabrigas as a false forward. Rodgers said he was a big fan of the system and wants to bring it to English football. He touched on this system with Suarez last season.
On the position thing. I am of the opinion that 4-2-3-1 suits this squad best now. Coutinho should play centrally IMO, his passing is amazing. then if you've got aspas, alberto, borini and sterling fighting for the two wider areas thats competition without even talking about downing thankfully and up top at this point suarez and sturridge are there. Mkhitaryan is then going to put them on the bench I think a back line signing must be next....
Alberto is left footed I think, and judging from You Tube likes to rifle a shot in with his left foot. That could see him on the right. I think we have several options now and lots of rotation potential. Most likely looking to me: ------------Coutinho------------ ----Aspas----------Henderson ------------Sturridge------------ False 9/ super pass and move game: ---------------Allen------------ ---Sturridge-------Coutinho- ----------Luis Alberto--------- More direct: ---Aspas--Coutinho--Borini-- ------------Sturridge------------ Width and pace: ---Sterling---------------Downing--- ---------Sturidge--Aspas------------- (Apologease for mentioning Downing, please dont cry). I have left out Mkit and Atsu as they are still only rumours. If Suarez stays he walks in to every team. On the right or left in team 1, False 9 or wide in team 2, behind Sturridge in team 3 and instead of Aspas in team 4.
Hopefully but I will hold my judgement. It looks positive though. Definitely improvement to the squad over all.
Looks a good player with lots of potential. Really hoping he has the mental strength to convert that into becoming a major talent. The guy thinks he can become the next Spanish Star in the Prem, I like that attitude
I like the quote "I came to the club because of the manager," explained Alberto. "I came here because of the style of football he plays." Now I know he's not a superstar that Rodgers has attracted but we did have questions about Rodgers being able to attract players to the club but it seems the way he plays (and probably the fact he can speak Spanish) allows him to sell the club to the players a lot easier.
Rodgers is a good sales man. He believes in his philosophies, likes to talk and like his charm (though he is very chessey with it).
Have to admit I'm not entirely excited by this signing. Happy to be proved wrong though. Well, that's a lie. It's more the price tag that's concerning me. 6.8m doesn't seem too much in football, but it is. I would of much rather the money be saved and contributed to signing a player like Mkhitaryan, or some one of a similar calibre, even if it means using the money for wages. I feel as if we're in a position now where to go foward we need players with top flight experience. With that said, while he's here I'll get behind the lad and I hope he turns out to be a cracking player. He did look very sharp in the video's I saw, pre-season will be a good test for the lad. Welcome
