Maxi!

Dont know if i like him though because he doesnt have bags of pace

At the turn of the year, I would have been happy to listen to offers for Maxi because, like most of our players in the first half of last season, he was largely absent in games and not producing much when he did show up.



However, as we all know, he had a phenomenal end to the season - including a pair of hat-tricks, and I think many of us warmed to the idea that he could have a future at the new look Liverpool. But, as the BBC report correctly points out, I also feel he would only be a fringe player next season, so perhaps now is the right time to say thanks to him and move on with this younger looking Liverpool we're seeing built. I think it's fair to expect more transfer dealings this summer now his wages have been removed from the roster.

Anyhow, more about the player now, and I think it will be a shame to see him go. It was good to finally see what he can do in those victories against Birmingham and Fulham, and, in that sense, he showed us that he still has the potential to be a match winner, a reliable wide man who would chip in double figures in goals. Plus, on a more long term scale, his experience which could have helped some of the youngsters coming in and coming up from the Academy.

All I say is good luck for the future Maxi, cheers for contributing to the feel-good spirit of supporting our club right now. YNWA

I rate Maxi, he is the type of hard working, skillful squad player we need, but if this is true then hopefully it means that a top player like Mata is on his way. It would also make more sense to the Downing rumours.
Personally, if Maxi goes, I'd like to see Mata and Downing sign. If we only get one of them then I assume one of J.Cole or Jovanovic will be staying to have one last chance.

Maxi did have a good end to the season but that can't disguise his failings.

Yes he did make good runs but if he got in behind the defence did you ever expect him to pick out the right pass?

Yes he was good in a tight spot witht the ball but could he ever be relied on to make that incisive defence-splitting pass?

Yes he worked hard but how many times did he get pushed off the ball by someone stronger or bottle a header?

He was a decent player given he cost nothing but you'll never win the league with players of Maxi's quality. There's no point him staying on £90k a week.

He is by no means a top player. A reasonable squad player at best but is certainly someone we could easily and fairly cheaply upgrade on. If he wants to go he should be allowed to leave. Someone like Nzogbia would do a better job, would be on cheaper wages and is younger. Not the end of the world at all.

Very constructive there Robin Hoody, I won't get involved in petty arguments dismissing one's opinion as nonsense, as we are each entitled to it. However I will say that for a team to be competitive at the top end of the team you need to not only have a good first eleven but to have players who have the hunger and fight to come in and produce when called upon, due to injuries, bans and bad form and Maxi has shown he has those traits.

For those reasons, Maxi deserves respect from the fans and fans should understand what he brings to the team when called upon. That is all.

table*

It's about as constructive as this;

"It seems our fanbase think without stepovers and pace, you are not a good footballer. Hah. If only, you knew."

Think that's a little patronising at all?

At the end of the day he had 6 weeks of good form if that. I repeat that I have no problem with Maxi but if you take the two hattricks out he scored 5 goals in 44 games and even less assists.

There games under Rafa and Hodgson where he did not even look like a Championship player to be honest and he also does not ahve a position.

I would love to know when Maxi displayed those traits, or which games he came in due to injury, because 46 games in 18 months means he was a starter.

It's not about respect it's about quality and far far too many times he did not show any. For £90k a week I'd drive him to the airport just to get him of the wage bill.

That may be harsh but football is and at the end of the day he would not get into any of the top 6's teams other than ours. That's why we finished 6th.

Kalou is a good squad player. Krankjaer (sp) is a good squad player. Maxi is average and if you took out the games against Fulham and Birmingham I'd bet my last quid that you'd agree.

At the end of the day it's not about just respecting a player simply because he plays for LFC. There's no point keeping a player because he tries hard, or that he doesn't complain that he gets left on the bench. At 30 years old, he's not likely to improve and he's not shown enough in his time at Anfield that he warrants being kept on at £90k a week.

That doesn't mean his effort hasn't been appreciated or that I think he's a terrible player, but even as a squad player he's not good enough to get us back to the top of the league. You won't find many players who score 2 hattricks in a season but are Man of the Match in neither of them.

I can't stand this thinking that all players who wear the red shirt should be absolved of criticism for that reason.

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on this. It comes down to, i think he is a good squad player who has something to offer. You both, do not. Opinions differ.

However Hoody, we can go halfers on your last quid as I wouldn't take your last quit off you. You can go onto 606 and check my history were I have backed Maxi, throughout the season and in return he proved me right. That is a great feeling, to get behind a player of your club and him to come up with the goods. Try it.