So Transfer Deadline Day (sic) happened again. Lots of players moved, as is the point of such an occasion, Liverpool bought back former player (and former Celt) Craig Bellamy, Celtic welcomed Badr El Kaddouri and again bade farewell to Shaun Maloney (good business but sad times), l'OM kept Valbuena, Lucho and Gignac...thankfully.
Oh, and Raul Meireles did a Torres. He had a great season last year, he wasn't in Dalglish's first team plans, that was obvious so he handed in a transfer request - though not at 10:30pm as some Liverpool fans misunderstood and had a very brief chuckle about. He made the correct decision in leaving Anfield for the sake of his career but the manner in which he went about it, the timing and the club he chose to join is both inexplicable and insulting. Why does a player that witnesses the method of a fellow Iberian's departure causing such uproar decide to follow that lead?
The Liverpool FC supporters will take to players who show heart and desire. Meireles offered these and received the adulation. He will not be applauded on his return but whatever his reasons for joining the West London side - and he will not be guaranteed more playing time than he would have received had he stayed - neither will he feel a warmth from their fans like that which he felt on Merseyside. We suspect he may be amply rewarded financially for his southward decamping but can it possibly replace a devoted public? I shan't leave you on that query. It can't.
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