From the Guardian Rumor Mill: Now the rumour mill is well aware that we printed these words from Jari Litmanen yesterday, but as they are so touching, they are worth repeating. "I'd love to take Liverpool back to the top," said the mulleted genius who was unceremoniously booted out of Anfield. "What they need is a player like me. I can't understand why I had to leave. It causes me a lot of pain to watch them play these days. I had pictures of Liverpool on my walls at home as a little boy. It is still my favourite club."
I wish I knew the whole story there. It just doesn't make sense. He's so talented, so creative, so much fun to watch---why couldn't he hold down a place? I was pi$$ed when they let him go. I wish FSW still carried the Eredivisie so i could stil see him play.
I guess with Mellor and Baros coming up the ranks and Diouf coming in, they figured they had a surplus at forward and the oldest guy got the hook. Sad indeed.
I think the answer can be found in GH's love of Heskey - work rate. Great a player as he is (and he's one of my all-time favorites, so it's not lip service for me to say that) Jari wasn't one to hustle back and often seemed to tire out after about 60 minutes.
That's half the story, yeah. But let's face it - the Jari we got was not the player that made his name in that fabulous Ajax side. It is instructive to note that he does not hold down a place in the current Ajax side either (connection to his most recent comments? You be the judge ... ). Bottom line is that GH likes to play two strikers. There is no Kenny Dalglish in his formation. Even when he plays one striker, as for instance against City in the Cup recently, he flanks that player with TWO pacy outsiders. Jari didn't fit the system. I was one of those who questioned the logic of signing him if you weren't going to use him, but there you go. That's the way it is.
I don't, and never have, believed he is the future of LFC, but noone can deny that the few times he started or was subbed in, he produced and was great to watch. We could really use him right now while our younguns are getting used to life in this league.
I'll never forget when he came on for his debut ( I think it was his debut) and at the expense of a goal for himself, he tried to set up Fowler, who was in a real slump at the time.