Brendan Rodgers has reiterated the long-term planning and belief in Liverpool midfielder Luis Alberto, encouraging the young Spaniard to keep working in order to gain a chance. please log in to view this image The versatile No.6 was the first player to finalise a switch to the Reds last summer, with the manager swooping to seal a deal for the talented youngster from La Liga outfit Sevilla. Fans were afforded a maiden opportunity to watch the 21-year-old up close when he made his debut against Notts County in a League Cup encounter at Anfield last August. Within weeks, Alberto had struck an outstanding hat-trick for the club's U21s on home soil, although the relentless form of the first team has limited his senior appearances to 12 this season. The manager reflected: "It's probably been a difficult season for Luis because he hasn't had many opportunities to make an impact. But he needs to keep working. "He's still a very young player and he does have quality. It shows you the level of where we are at. It was a signing for the long term - that was the idea. "He's a young player who has come in and sampled life at a big club and made a contribution. He will stay with the group for the rest of the season and then we will review his development come the summer." Alberto has not been included in a first-team matchday squad since Liverpool dismantled Arsenal 5-1 in L4 on February 8, watching from the sidelines as Rodgers' charges have won eight straight matches. The boss' meritocratic approach to training and squad selection has seen the likes of Joao Carlos Teixeira make the step up recently - with new opportunities available on a weekly basis. "I look at training and assess it every day," the Northern Irishman continued. "Luis is working hard but we've had young players coming in and making an impact like Joao, who has been exceptional. "I'm always looking at the dynamic of the squad and it changes from week to week depending on the game."
hhhhhmmmmmm i don't know what it sounds like. was there a question about the player directed to rodgers or did rodgers bring it up or what? I think he is what he is and we'll see... in the end more players will arrive this summer so we'll see how it washes out. I can say 100% that aspas was a complete waste of time so its up to this kid to either improve dramaitically or go on loan and at least justify his fee.
agree, does sound like he will be going on loan. where though? hopefully prem, but who would want or need him, saints, swans?
i think he'd go back to spain frankly. ilori did and it seems to be rodgers would rather have them play ball than play hoof ball.
is Llori the one who brendan said doesn't have prem experience? was a bit odd sending him abroad if was him, assume it will be the same for Alberto, what will he get out of playing in a dif league to the one he is, apart from match time? prem is a dif kettle of fish compared to abroad, how many foreign players have turned round and said its harder than they thought, sending them abroad wont help.
From the little pieces that I've seen of him, I was impressed by his visual presence on the ball. Unlike Coutinho who is all movement and action, Alberto has a slower more thoughtful rhythm about his play. He's not a direct replacement for Coutinho and his style may be difficult to fit in our present system but he could flower into a very intelligent player. So perhaps playing a season on loan would be good for him. Trouble is he's part of a high quality squad and he will need that environment elsewhere.
I think we need to learn our lesson from the likes of Aspas, Alberto and Ilori. £22million for all 3 and none have played a role this season. We can't afford to spend that again this summer on those types of players, even if they are for the future.
Not gonna be a problem if we win the Prem as we'll be able to attract a higher calibre. Aspas was a gamble that just hasn't come off, he doesn't look very skilful and he's also very slight and small which is not an ideal build for this league. Even our little players in first XI have some strength and muscle on them. Think Alberto has definite potential, but not sure if his future lies with us. He just needs to find out his position and develop from there. A loan so he actually gets game time will help as he gets close to zero currently.
I can understand Alberto and Ilori as project players, but if we are spending that much money, they need to be playing and performing. Aspas is 27 and so cannot be for the future, he is inexcusable.
Fully agree though I believe that Ilori and Alberto can turn it around and be good players for us. Ilori has allegedly looked very good at Granada and Alberto, like Dave mentioned looked tidy on the ball and could be a decent option in the future. Proven quality in the summer please
I really like Brendan's dynamic approach by rewarding the players that are doing well in training and making tweaks when necessary, rather than picking the same old players. I wish the same would happen with us.....
It's the quality bit that's going to be the problem. What I don't want to see are any ready-made marquee type signings. This squad will improve so we need players who are capable of both settling and playing at the same or higher level. It's the usual hens teeth.
Do remember that Aspas was a very good player in Spain last season. It has not worked out, sometimes it doesn't, but it wasn't a shot in the dark. Alberto has not had a look in this season as he is, as said before, a considered player, rather than the gung ho we have been seeing so far. I can imagine he would be useful next season when we have 4 comps to play in. European games often require a slightly more reserved, considered approach.
Alberto will probs go out on loan next year. Both and Ilori have great potential. Aspas, I think you're gone mate.
Not really a bode of confidence, have to agree with the loan although wish he would have gone on loan this year.
That was never an option. If you were BR and Coutinho kept running out of legs and had games were his confidence was low. Allen was injured or not ready to play. Then you'd need an Alberto around as well.
I understand why, just wish we had found a way to do it. Luckily ( fingers crossed) we will have loads of competitions to play in next year for the likes of Alberto ( if he stays and doesn't go on loan) to play. I think that kind of hurt those types of players not being in Europa or not that long in the COC.
"Luis is working hard but we've had young players coming in and making an impact like Joao, who has been exceptional." Well, that's a sly jab.
