[lfc-news] Mark Lawrenson column - Post

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Liverpool Daily Post, 16 Nov 2004
Better for Dudek to keep his mouth shut
By Mark Lawrenson, Daily Post

IF JERZY DUDEK has said he is thinking about leaving Liverpool because he
is not playing for the first team, then that is bad form.

The Pole has only been out of the team for a few weeks - after a start to
the season that wasn't exactly blemish-free. On top of that he has been
replaced by a goalkeeper who, although rich in promise, is always likely to
break down in matches or in training.

You'd have thought Dudek would have been wiser to bide his time and work
hard while waiting for his chance to get back in.

Instead he has spoken out in a matter which I'd expect to infuriate Rafael
Benitez.

If it was March or April and he was still not playing, then I'm sure
Benitez would agree with his need to play regular football to keep his
international place.

That is when Dudek should have gone to the manager to discuss his
situation, not now, and not in public.

It is only November, and to me he has made a very early shout to speak
about how dissatisfied he is. There's no point to it, because if anything,
the manager will only be more certain now that he is right to give Chris
Kirkland a chance.

For proof of how a player's fortunes can change in just a few weeks, just
look at Milan Baros. In the summer he was virtually through the door on his
way to Barcelona, but now he is Liverpool's attacking spearhead.

Obviously part of that change has come about through Djibril Cisse's
horrific injury, but Baros now has an opportunity to make the striking role
his own.

Funnily enough, playing on his own up front seems to suit him, because he
is never going to be playing 40-yard through balls when he could have a
shot instead.

That single-minded approach to go for goal has served him well in the
scoring stakes so far, but I am sure Benitez will be working hard to gt him
to lift his head a little bit more when he is in possession.

In January's transfer window, I believe Benitez will be looking for a
target man - possibly like Fernando Morientes - who will help Baros to feed
on flick-ons and knock-downs as he does for the Czech Republic.

However, despite his good display against Middlesbrough in midweek, I do
not believe Neil Mellor will be the answer to the club's striking dilemma.

As good a player as he is - certainly good enough to play for some
Premiership clubs - I do not believe he is of a high enough level for
Liverpool's ambitions.

That level is of a top class player who can hold his own in the Champions
League.

One man who is at that level already and could even progress from there is
Steven Gerrard, who I was delighted to see play for the reserves last night.

He's Mr Liverpool as everybody knows, and while it will take a few weeks
for him to recapture his pre-injury form, his return will be like signing a
new player.

The same could be said of Antonio Nunez who is also near to finally playing
for Liverpool. The right side has been a bit of a problem area so far for
Benitez, so to have a player who would list right midfield as his
first-choice position is a real boost.

At right-back, I know some people have been criticising Josemi lately, but
I think he will be all right.

I was at a football dinner the other week where I was talking to Sir Alex
Ferguson and he is a fan of the Spaniard.

That's because, in his words, "he's aggressive and likes a tackle". If he's
good enough for someone like the manager of Manchester United, I think he
will be good enough for Liverpool.


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