What the hell has happened to him? back in FM2006 / FM 2007 He was a definite purchase, always a decent bet on the wings. I was hoping that Liverpool would pick him up for 2 or 3 years. then Liverpool finally bought him... and he was looking mediocre. A bit short for the premiership, lacking in any discernible neck.... and control skills, although reasonable, were not setting the world alight. That along with no massive pace - he was looking a typical Woy purchase rather than a Rafa buy.... average, unspectacular, could have his moments but generally flirting around the first 11 without establishing himself - could be summed up as a disappointment... rather like Joe Cole currently really. But suddenly - what the hell is going on? he's always up front, causing trouble, getting into great positions in the 6-yard box, and finishing like Lineker in his prime!
It used to be said by managers that overseas players needed a season to settle - it took Ronaldo two. Now there's even more expectation for them to deliver immediately. Some do, some take a while and some never do. Maxi seemed to have a good season early on but the whole Torres saga seemed to affect him, being old buddies. Talk about get over it. I wouldn't be surprised if Kenny and Comolli have erased his name from the 'possible exit' list this summer.
I think you're right about the "possible exit" list, I'm pretty sure that's spurring a lot of the current squad on. Now we've got new owners and Kenny who surely won't hesitate to let people go, the players feel like they're playing for more than Liverpool - they're playing for their careers now, especially Kuyt and Maxi who are both 30 and don't particularly fit into the FSG philosophy. I would have liked to think Joe Cole would do the same thing, but it looks like he just doesn't fit in with the team. The likes of Ngog, Jovanovic, Poulson, Konchesky and Cole all know they'll be leaving in the summer due to the fact they haven't been picked. It wouldn't surprise me if Spearing, Maxi, Johnson etc.. have all looked at them and decided they're going to fight for their place in the Liverpool squad.
I think it's got something to do with confidence. He wasn't getting an extended run in the side and Kenny gave him a chance and said 'Show me what you can do' and he's been immense. Let's hope he keeps it up.
I find it quite strange and the only solution I can think of,he like Dirk Kuyt is thriving off the movement of Suarez. Kenny has a knack of doing that.John Aldridge became a better player when Kenny signed Ray Houghton and John Barnes.Maybe its just some players compliment other players better.The Aldridge Beardsley partnership in my opinion was better than the Rush/Beardsley partnership,but Kenny brought Rush back so he felt he had to accomodate him and this meant Aldridge was out and eventually sold.
Maxi's stature and style means that in a team that plays direct, sometimes the game just passes him by. If he's involved in a passing team though, his skill and intelligence on the pitch is evident. Just looking at the positions he's taken up for his goals shows you he would never have been able to grab those goals if we were still playing long ball football, or all our attacks gave the final ball to that sulking Spanish lesbian. I think Maxi should be kept because for a start he didn't cost a transfer fee, and if you think about how much it would cost to sign a former Athletico captain (the theme of leaders that is beginning to run through our squad), Argentina regular for many years including the recent world cup, and a midfielder who is known to have an eye for goal (one of the most common criticisms of even a good midfielder is that they don't get enough goals) you would be looking at a good few million. Don't forget this is his first full season. He was on loan for the last 6 months of last season, we played dire for 6 months this season, and now- what a surprise- when he's given a chance in a team playing well he shows up with the goods. Also agree Suarez has made a huge difference to everyone. If you have players like Maxi who can get into dangerous positions (like Kuyt) then as Suarez causes mayhem around him the others just pick up chances.
All players will look and tbh play better in a team with confidence, Jonjo looked far better under Kenny than he did under Roy because the rest of the team sucked too and when that sort of thing is infectious as is confidence. Maxi was actually doing ok, as was Jonjo considering the entire team was flapping. I will say this though, if we have a player that looks to be of decent prospects he should be loaned out if he can't be accomodated in the first team so that he gets first team match football. NGog should have been loaned out 2 years ago Aquaman, is he to come back?, experienced player as he is he still benefits from being loaned out, thing about loans is, the team borrowing you wants you there to play a position and you have every chance of getting first team football week in week out. I think it is the perfect time for Aquaman to come back, he could have chosen to play for Finland or Italy Not muc of a choice, though my missus is Finnish and she wasn't impressed
