Source: Daily_Mail
Roy Hodgson's Liverpool flops
[LNB]With Championship side Leicester snapping up Liverpool flop Paul Konchesky for ?1.5million, the house that Roy Hodgson built at Liverpool is already starting to crumble.[LNB]The full-back suffered a torrid time in his half-season at Merseyside and is the first one of Hodgson's Liverpool signings to be sold by Kenny Dalglish.[LNB]But he isn't set to be the last this summer as Sportsmail looks at the full-back's career with Liverpool, as well as four other Hodgson flops.[LNB] On his way: Paul Konchesky has joined Leicester[LNB]Joe Cole (Chelsea, free)Not only did it seem a no-brainer but it was a major coup for Hodgson when he managed to fend off a host of clubs to snap up Cole on a free transfer.[LNB]The attacking midfielder had started to fall down the Chelsea pecking order the previous season but was still influential in their league and cup double success.[LNB] Disappointment: Joe Cole in action on Liverpool's tour of China[LNB]But things started badly at Anfield and failed to pick up. He was sent-off before half-time on his league debut after a reckless lunge on Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny, and missed a penalty in a Europa League game against Trabzonspor four days later.[LNB]After the arrival of Dalglish, 29-year-old Cole struggled to hold a down a first-team place starting just nine times in the Premier League overall, scoring two goals.[LNB]The last game of the season aside, Cole came on as a sub for the final 10 minutes in the last seven matches and with Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam arriving at Anfield, his future looks bleak.[LNB]Raul Meireles (Porto, ?11.5million)Following the departures of want-away midfielder Javier Mascherano to Barcelona and Alberto Aquilani on loan to Juventus, Hodgson reacted with deadline day looming by signing the Portugal international.[LNB]He proved to be by far Hodsgon's most successful signing, ending the season as the Premier League's Fans Player of the Year. But it was under Dalglish that he excelled. He scored his first goal against local rivals Everton in his 22nd game before scoring another four times in his next five appearances - the pick of the bunch a stunning long-range volley against Wolves.[LNB] On his way? Raul Meireles scores against Wigan last season[LNB]But despite endearing himself to the Anfield faithful and playing a heavy first-team role, his future started to look uncertain last month when an agreement to talk about a new contract was not followed up.[LNB]Liverpool are now keen to sell the 28-year-old at a profit with Inter Milan expected to lead the chase.[LNB]Christian Poulsen (Juventus, ?4.5million)Keen to bolster his defensive midfield ranks, Hodgson swopped for Poulsen correctly anticipating the sale of Mascherano but incorrectly assuming the Dane could replace him.[LNB]In fact he never got close, his conservative playing style had more backward passes than an average rugby game and fans soon became frustrated with his uninspired play.[LNB] On target: Christian Poulsen scores against Guangdong Sunray Cave on Wednesday[LNB]His performances had become so bad by November that when he replaced Dirk Kuyt late on against Wigan he was booed by his own supporters - an act Hodgson declared left the player devastated.[LNB]The 31-year-old featured just one more time in the Premier League for Hodgson before Dalglish unexpectedly tried to revive his Anfield career in January by starting him in three league games - before finding the same faults.[LNB]His last match was the 1-0 Europa League defeat at Braga in March and he has been frozen out ever since. Almost certain to leave this summer.[LNB]Paul Konchesky (Fulham, ?3million) Disastrous spell: Paul Konchesky[LNB]Managers will always try and poach a few tried and trusted players from their previous employers but Konchesky was proof of how the philosophy can fall flat on its face.[LNB]The left-back was a first-team regular for Fulham's march towards the Europa League final in 2010 but was an unmitigated disaster in his time at Anfield.[LNB]He became injured after an otherwise solid debut against Birmingham but was quickly lambasted by fans after poor displays against bitter rivals Manchester United and Everton.[LNB]An already low reputation was made worse after his mother criticised supporters on a social network site for their treatment of the 30-year-old last December, and his Anfield career looked over.[LNB]He never played once under Dalglish, with the Scot more inclined to play a right-back out of position, and was shipped off to Nottingham Forest on loan for the last five months of the season after playing just 18 games.[LNB]Brad Jones (Middlesbrough, ?2.3million)Arguably Hodgson's most curious bit of business. Pepe Reina was always going to be No1 but the choice to splash out a couple of million on a back-up keeper from the Championship was never going to fall into the bargain of the season category.[LNB]In truth the arrival of Jones was more to satisfy the 'home-grown' rule that had been applied to Premier League squads, which he qualified for despite his Australian nationality.[LNB] He played just two games, making his debut in the shock penalty-shootout defeat to Northampton in the Carling Cup before keeping a clean sheet in a Europa League draw against Utrecht.[LNB]Dalglish packed him off on loan to Derby in March for the rest of the season but despite having very little chance to impress, his Anfield career looks over with Liverpool chasing Brazilian Alexander Doni to act as Reina's understudy.[LNB]P.S Dalglish's Roy-al approval?...Danny Wilson (Rangers, ?5million)It was never intended for Wilson to become an instant first-team regular after signing for an initial ?2million, but it's ironic that the signing Hodgson used least has the best chance of continuing his Liverpool career.[LNB]The Scot started just twice in Europa League matches under Hodgson and had to wait until February for his Premier League debut when he started in a 3-1 defeat at West Ham.[LNB] Heads up: Danny Wilson in action for Liverpool on Wednesday[LNB]Two months later, he was again on the losing side after featuring as a first-half sub for his only other league appearance in the 2-1 defeat at Hodgson's West Brom.[LNB]However Dalglish rates the 19-year-old as a hot prospect and will hope to send him out on loan to previous club Rangers to build his first team experience next season.[LNB] CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE FANTASY FOOTBALL GAMEDalglish welcomes Downing after beefing up British revolution with ?20m Villa wingerLiverpool land ?20m Downing as Villa line up ?9m N'Zogbia to replace England wingerAll the latest Liverpool news, features and opinion[LNB] [LNB]
