Latest news with #DaveHendrick
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool Weigh Up Future-Proofing vs Short-Term Striker Fix
Liverpool Transfer Watch: Hendrick Weighs Up Mateta and Sesko as Reds Eye Next Step The latest episode of The Daily Red Podcast on Anfield Index delivered a characteristically frank assessment from Dave Hendrick on Liverpool's attacking options, notably focusing on Jean-Philippe Mateta and Benjamin Sesko. Hendrick methodically dismantled the hype, spotlighting stats, context and character to decipher who, if either, could be Liverpool's next forward. Mateta's Momentum or Mirage? 'Mateta is obviously a very good player and he's had a really good run,' Hendrick began, acknowledging the Crystal Palace striker's recent resurgence. Mateta, now 28, finished the 2023–24 season with 19 goals in 39 games, but Hendrick cautioned against reading too much into that stat line. Advertisement 'The arrival of [Oliver] Glasner, massively impactful. Absolutely massively impactful,' he said, contrasting it with Roy Hodgson's reign. 'For whatever reason, Roy Hodgson just stifles forward players… but when Glasner took over, he really took off.' Photo IMAGO However, the context is crucial. 'He doesn't score a single goal up until the 9th of December,' Hendrick pointed out, before rattling off a flurry of goals late in the campaign. 'So of his 19 goals, he'd scored six when Glasner took over… he gets a hat-trick against Aston Villa.' For Hendrick, Mateta's ceiling is already reached: 'He's 28 years of age… I still don't see us buying him to be our starting nine. I could see it as a backup.' The projected fee of £40–£50 million drew further scrutiny: 'That does seem like a lot. Especially with this ownership group.' Advertisement Sesko's Promise and Pitfalls Turning to RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko, Hendrick's tone shifted to cautious intrigue. 'Sesko intrigues me, but he terrifies me as well.' At just 22, the Slovenian has had a steady rise through Red Bull's talent machine, echoing Dominik Szoboszlai's path. 'Sesko's done similar… signed to Salzburg, loaned to Liefering… goes to Leipzig.' Hendrick praised his raw potential: 'He's 6'5, he's well built. He's an immense athlete… might have the best standing vertical jump in football.' He noted Sesko's finishing as streaky but impressive, adding, 'In each of the last two seasons, Sesko has overperformed his xG.' Photo: IMAGO Advertisement Despite that, Hendrick warned, 'He's very much a project… there's a lot to like about him, but you'd like to see a bit more consistency.' His league return of 13 goals in 33 games this past season is 'decent', but not 'win-now'. Futureproofing or Front-Loading? Hendrick drew a clear philosophical line between short-term fixes and long-term projects. 'I would be more in favour of a win-now striker because I would like to see us maximising the last few years of Mo and Virgil and Alisson.' Mateta, at 28, could be a pragmatic if underwhelming stopgap. Sesko, younger but unproven, demands patience. Photo IMAGO Advertisement Comparing him to Hugo Ekitiké, Hendrick noted, 'Sesko's conversion rate is a lot better. I like his game a little bit more… Ekitiké feels like he's got a higher bust potential.' He did, however, highlight Sesko's goal output: '210 games, 70 more games [than Ekitiké], 40 more goals.' Photo: IMAGO Liverpool's Transfer Direction Still Unclear While Mateta and Sesko dominate the rumour mill, Hendrick cast doubt over both. 'Neither of them seem like they're readymade,' he said. 'And I know Morgan Rogers isn't either, but Morgan Rogers is ready made to play in the division.' In closing, Hendrick's view of Liverpool's strategy was measured and realistic. 'There's nothing guaranteed with either of them,' he concluded. 'What we know is Sesko is more proven. He's also more proven at international level, 41 caps, 16 goals.' Advertisement Whether Liverpool go for experience in Mateta or gamble on youth in Sesko, Hendrick makes one thing clear: the Reds cannot afford to get this one wrong.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dave Hendrick outlines potential Premier League landing spots for Henderson
Jordan Henderson Faces Premier League Crossroads After Contract Termination Jordan Henderson's time abroad has come to an abrupt end, and the former Liverpool captain now finds himself in limbo, awaiting his next move. As reported on The Daily Red podcast by Dave Hendrick, Henderson has terminated his contract and is now the subject of Premier League interest, with Sunderland leading the pack. Hendrick's assessment of the situation was as direct as it was telling: 'Jordan Henderson has terminated his contract amid Premier League interest. Paul Joyce reporting the Premier League interest. I would imagine that Premier League interest comes from Sunderland, perhaps Burnley.' Limited Options in a Changed League The Premier League landscape Henderson left behind is not the one he returns to. Hendrick noted that upon leaving Liverpool, there were 'probably still six or eight clubs in the league that he could have played for'. Now, the market looks less inviting for the 34-year-old midfielder. Advertisement 'Very, very hard to really find a place for him at this point in his career,' Hendrick said, methodically listing the clubs he believes are unlikely to consider the former England international. 'He's not good enough for Arsenal, not good enough for Villa… he wouldn't get in the team at Brighton… Chelsea, not a hope. Not an absolute chance.' The list goes on, with dismissals of clubs such as Palace, West Ham, Wolves, Newcastle, and Spurs. Hendrick's analysis is clear: Henderson's Premier League future hinges not on prestige, but on practicality. 'He's going to want to play. He's not going to want to go and be a squad player.' That mindset narrows the field significantly. Sunderland Move Makes 'All the Sense' Among the few logical destinations, one club stands out. 'Sunderland definitely, I think, is the favourite in the clubhouse,' said Hendrick. It is a move steeped in sentiment, given Henderson's roots at the Wearside club. 'It's where he came through. It's where he's from. It makes a lot of sense.' Advertisement Burnley and Leeds United were also mentioned as possibilities, but Sunderland offers not just familiarity, but a potentially starring role. For a player clearly seeking playing time over bench duty, that could be decisive. Shift in Perception Since Liverpool Exit The gap between what Henderson was at Liverpool and how he is now perceived is stark. Once lauded for his leadership and tireless engine, his recent moves have drawn scepticism. The nature of Hendrick's remarks — at times blunt, always rooted in current form and squad fit — reflects a shift in the broader football conversation around Henderson. He is no longer evaluated as a former Liverpool captain and Champions League winner, but as a veteran midfielder attempting to remain relevant in a league that has evolved rapidly. 'He wouldn't get in the team at Forest… wouldn't get in the team at Spurs,' Hendrick reiterated, underlining the struggle to find a natural fit. Advertisement What Comes Next for Henderson? Henderson's next club will likely determine how the final chapter of his Premier League career is written. A return to Sunderland would be symbolic, yes, but also a real opportunity to finish his playing days with meaningful minutes on the pitch. For now, as Dave Hendrick observed, it's a waiting game: 'My guess is it's one of the newly promoted teams.' No matter where he ends up, his situation offers a striking reminder of how swiftly football moves on — and how even the most decorated figures must reprove their worth when the spotlight shifts.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool Target Strengthens Case for Role in Slot's Backline Plans
Guehi to Liverpool: Smart Business or Statement Signing? On the latest episode of The Daily Red Podcast from Anfield Index, Dave Hendrick dissected Liverpool's summer transfer strategy with his trademark blunt honesty. Speaking with clarity and precision, Hendrick devoted time to assessing every inch of the squad and made his feelings clear about one name likely on the verge of joining the Reds Marc Guehi. 'It does look like the likelihood is that Marky will be the central defender who arrives,' Hendrick stated. But this wasn't met with unquestioned applause. The veteran podcaster drew a line in the sand: 'That's a good signing if he's the third centre-back… whether it's a good signing if he's a starter or not is a different debate.' Advertisement For Liverpool, fresh off a title-winning campaign under Arne Slot, everything now points to building depth, not just star power. Hendrick pulled no punches: 'You're not finding a club in the Premier League with a better third centre-back than Marc Guehi.' Strength in Depth and Eyes on the Prize Liverpool's focus, according to Hendrick, is unmistakable, depth, quality and ruthless efficiency in the transfer market. 'There's going to be a lot of players sold, but there will be more players arriving,' he said. Guehi's role in that refresh? Crucial, but not central. Hendrick repeatedly emphasised his belief that Guehi should not walk into the first team. Photo: IMAGO Advertisement With van Dijk still 'the best centre-back in the world' and Ibrahima Konaté rated by Hendrick as 'the second-best centre-back in the Premier League', Guehi would be 'no arguments about it' the perfect third man. Joe Gomez, still in the mix, makes for a 'really good player to have in the squad' but has always battled 'injuries'. Guehi would therefore offer a reliable buffer. Photo: IMAGO What This Means for Liverpool's Ambition If there was any suggestion Liverpool might be winding down after lifting the title, Hendrick made it clear otherwise. 'The Reds are Premier League champions and acting like it this summer,' he said in his opening line. Advertisement Guehi isn't a glamorous name. He isn't a marquee arrival like Florian Wirtz, whom Hendrick described as 'a top 10 footballer in the world'. But the podcast paints a picture of a club executing a methodical, intelligent strategy. Guehi would be a solid cog in a machine that aims to keep rolling. Photo: IMAGO Slot's Liverpool aren't just buying for the bench. They're buying for control. With Guehi, 'you get great athleticism, a good age profile and a player ready to slot in when needed, but not necessarily be the man right away.' Guehi's Arrival: What Fans Should Expect Listeners to The Daily Red will be left with one clear conclusion: Guehi's move is likely. The podcast stops short of offering certainty, but the tone is decisive. It's a question of when, not if. Advertisement And if he does arrive, don't expect fanfare. Expect function. Expect cover. Expect quality. Dave Hendrick didn't shy away from praising the potential value: 'As the third centre-back, there can be no arguments about it.' This is Liverpool in 2025, lean, smart and ruthless in their planning. And Guehi, whether he likes it or not, looks destined to become part of it.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How Liverpool's Transfer Windows Have Evolved Over the Past Decade
Liverpool Transfers: Lessons from History and the Arne Slot Era Liverpool's transfer strategy is once again in the spotlight as the club looks to build upon Arne Slot's historic debut Premier League title. On the Daily Red podcast from Anfield Index, host Dave Hendrick provided a searing retrospective on Liverpool's transfer history, offering deep insight into the missteps of the past and the importance of getting recruitment right in the present. Transfer Decisions and Financial Planning Hendrick opened the show with a timely reminder: 'The Reds are Premier League champions.' He noted that Milos Kerkez has been confirmed as a new signing and explained that, 'the Kerkez deal, the Wirtz deal, the Mamardashvili deal and the Frimpong deal will all be on the 24/25 ledger.' He added that July 1st would mark the beginning of a new financial year, which could open the door for moves for players like Alexander Isak or Gonçalo Inácio. Advertisement Importantly, Hendrick framed these timings within the club's compliance with profit and sustainability rules. 'It's good for us to split it because it means that we don't have too much of a financial hit in one year.' He acknowledged that Liverpool have held back on certain deals such as Jarell Quansah's exit or potential moves involving Darwin Núñez and Luis Díaz, likely for similar accounting reasons. Past Mistakes and Transfer Tragedies Hendrick didn't hold back as he analysed the transfer failures of the past. Referring to Graeme Souness' reign, he said, 'the biggest mistake was probably selling Peter Beardsley… he was still one of the best players in the league four years after this.' He revisited the infamous summer of 2014 under Brendan Rodgers, describing it as 'an atrocity… borderline war crime.' Reflecting on the post-Suárez spending spree, Hendrick recalled, 'Brendan Rodgers spent 24 million pounds on Adam Lallana,' despite the club already having Philippe Coutinho. 'We had Mamadou Sakho… and Rodgers insisted we spend 20 million on Dejan 'the pebble' Lovren,' he added with scorn. Advertisement But the most scathing remark was reserved for one signing in particular: 'We signed Ricky [expletive] Lambert to replace Luis Suárez… people actually tried to pretend it was something that was going to work.' It was, according to Hendrick, 'the biggest catastrophe of that summer.' Slot's Approach and Future Strategy While Hendrick didn't directly critique Arne Slot's transfer activity, his breakdown made clear how much damage poor recruitment has caused in the past. The emphasis on strategic, financially timed acquisitions in the current window stands in stark contrast to the rash decisions of previous regimes. Liverpool's recent successes in the market under Michael Edwards and later Julian Ward appear to be the benchmark. As Hendrick observed, 'We've been really good in the transfer market for the majority of the last ten years.' With Arne Slot now leading the team and the club in a strong position both on the pitch and in the balance sheet, the lessons from history are more relevant than ever. Avoiding past pitfalls—like buying for the sake of it or caving to public pressure—is vital. And as Liverpool continues their rebuild, Hendrick's insight provides a compelling reminder: smart transfers win titles, but poor ones can cost you years.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool are About to Sign a ‘Generational Talent' as Arne Slot ‘Attacks the Window'
Florian Wirtz to Liverpool? Dave Hendrick Believes It's Transformational The Anfield Index podcast, hosted by Dave Hendrick, delivered what he described as an 'emergency broadcast' following dramatic developments in Liverpool's pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz. In a 20-minute episode full of breaking news and fervent analysis, Hendrick was unequivocal in his excitement, labelling the potential signing as nothing short of 'earthshaking.' Florian Wirtz: A Generational Talent According to Hendrick, 'we are on the brink of signing a generational talent, where we're on the brink of signing a transformative player.' The urgency in his tone echoed throughout the podcast. He compared the potential impact of Wirtz to signings like Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker, remarking, 'Florian Wirtz would be a transformational signing for this club.' Advertisement Wirtz, who turned 22 on 3rd May, starred for Bayer Leverkusen during their historic unbeaten Bundesliga-winning season. Hendrick was effusive in his praise, stating, 'He was the best player in a Leverkusen team that went undefeated and won the Bundesliga.' He also cited Wirtz's accolades including Bundesliga Player of the Season, his 29 caps for Germany, and his role in Germany's Under-21 European Championship-winning squad. Liverpool Moving Aggressively in the Market 'This is us being incredibly proactive, incredibly aggressive,' Hendrick said. 'We've won the title this season, and we're attacking this window.' He noted that deals for Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, and Giorgi Mamardashvili are either done or near completion, adding, 'We might get to June 1st when the transfer window opens and have four signings done.' The podcast highlighted the reported visit of Wirtz to the UK, previously assumed to be for Manchester City. 'He never met with Manchester City. He met with Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes and then was brought house hunting,' Hendrick disclosed. He emphasised Liverpool's role in the visit, noting, 'Liverpool flew him over. They didn't fly him over so he could go and visit Man City.' Photo: IMAGO Why Wirtz Fits Liverpool's New Era Wirtz isn't just about flair. Hendrick pointed to his numbers: '49 games with 18 goals last season, 45 with 16 this season… and he's not primarily a goal scorer, he's primarily a creator.' The combination of 16 goals and 15 assists this past season is, as Hendrick described, 'immense production.' Advertisement The podcast painted a tactical picture too. Hendrick suggested a partnership with Milos Kerkez on Liverpool's left: 'That pairing could be absolutely outrageous,' he said. He believes Wirtz would slot into a narrow left-sided role, mirroring his expected position at Bayern Munich had he joined them. Hendrick continued, 'There are very few players in the world as good as Florian Wirtz. Whether it's £120 million or maybe a little bit less that we have to pay, he is going to prove worth it.' What This Means for Liverpool and the Premier League 'This is the type of signing that sets us up to be very good in the post-Mo Salah era,' Hendrick remarked, hinting at Wirtz as a potential focal point of Liverpool's attack in the future. He even suggested Wirtz might allow Salah to 'play a little bit freer' and 'score more goals because he's getting fed the ball by the type of creator Mo hasn't played with since Phil Coutinho left.' Advertisement He concluded with optimism, 'Nobody else in the Premier League this summer is signing a better player than Florian Wirtz. Nobody.' As it stands, the deal is not yet official. Hendrick cautioned, 'We need to proceed with caution because the deal's not done. The fee is not agreed.' However, he also added, 'I feel like this one gets done.' Final Thoughts Liverpool fans are no strangers to transfer sagas, but this one feels different. Dave Hendrick's analysis is grounded in facts, bolstered by insider details, and fuelled by the promise of what Florian Wirtz could bring to Anfield under Premier League-winning manager Arne Slot. Should the move materialise, the signing of Florian Wirtz will not only signify intent but could usher in a new golden era for Liverpool Football Club.
