Liverpool Banter Archive January 23 2014

23 Jan 2014 23:40:52
Ed, do you think we will even make a signning before the window shuts? We need strenth in the midfeild

{Ed001's Note - I have not felt hopeful for a long time that anyone will join this window. My worry is that we will end up with a panic buy at the end of the window now, as all our main targets look out of reach right now.}

23 Jan 2014 23:30:15
Right first of all I'm gutted. I think we have missed a trick with salah. For me we should of paid the extra 2m because you don't want to look back at the end of the season if we miss out on 4th. Just think of that cl money and everything that comes with it over a a few million on a player that has proven quality and would no doubt improve the starting 11. We are in a great position with Man U struggling but buying proven quality(mata) and spuds in transition we need to kick on and for me we are never going to get a better chance! We have a thin squad without the injuries and need a strong dominate midfielder and a left winger to hopefully get 4th and hang on to Suarez if not the psgs and real mad rids will come calling. Anyway fingers crossed for players!

23 Jan 2014 23:12:36
A big week for Liverpool and a huge week for Ian Ayre after losing out on another PRIMARY target.

Is clear for everyone to see we need an athletic, dynamic DM and a quality left sided goal scoring talent, to relieve the pressure on SAS and allow Coutinho to play consistently in his best position, in the middle of the pitch.

Feel if we don't this will be the month we look back on which sealed Suarez's departure, and we'll be back in the pack between 6th and 8th again next season.

We have seen how hard it is to attract top quality when not in champs lge spots and have a great opportunity to gain 4th spot, pushing Man U further away as an attractive option for the best players around not just for next season but for the longer term.

We have real talent coming through the academy which leaves the longer term looking good but the door is wide open to make the present great again.

Come on Ayre, give us these players and reap the rewards!

Romulo the athletic/dynamic DM and Tom Ince the left sided player to relieve Coutinho?

23 Jan 2014 22:42:29
I think most of fans will get over missing out on him but what it's rather more annoying is, how long it takes LFC to complete a transfer. It's the same mkitharyan deal all over again. We couldn't agree a deal for a primary target in over 21days. That's embarrassing. What do we do on these deals.

23 Jan 2014 23:43:55
1) Both sides need to be in agreement with regards to a fee.
2) Both sides put their valuation on a player.
3) None of us is willing to pay more than our valuation whether it is for a car, a loaf of bread, or a football player.
4) The amount of money paid for players is scandalous. I earn £30,000 per annum. The fee for Mata would cover that salary for 1, 220 years.
5) Chelsea are offering more money than Liverpool. Salah will never be able to spend the extra money that he will receive from Chelsea although it will go a long way to pay for the cream to sooth the blisters on the bench that he will be sitting on.
6) We have our own 21 (and younger) year 0ld prospects - let's give them a chance.
DM2014

23 Jan 2014 22:07:32
It's not much, but I have been told that Liverpool will bid for a fullback within the next few days.

Red Rum

23 Jan 2014 21:59:08
Fellow LFC fans

I think we all need to calm down and take a breath.
I too have been caught up in the transfer windows and have been urging BR to go out and improve the squad.
But when you look at our squad, you'll realise we don't need that many players.
Yes we have a long list of injured players, but just because you have injuries you cannot justify going and buying more players and paying more wages.

Let's for example look at the left back position. Our first choice is Enrique (injured), followed by Cissokho (fit). Then we have Flanagan (injured) and Johnson (injured) who can both play there. Yes 3/4 are injured, but you cannot just go and spend spend spend on getting players in whilst these players are injured. What do you do when they are all fit?

Please remember where we are in terms of players and competing. BR said when he first came in that the priority was to build a good squad. He has done that. His next job was to improve the starting 11. This is where we are at now.

We are not a rich club, so have to be careful with our spending, especially as we are making a loss. Put it this way, would you go out and buy a TV for £350 if you thought it was valued at £200? The answer is no. This is exactly the position LFC are finish themselves in.

If you are a true Liverpool fan you should understand this and support the development and progression of the club. Would you prefer us to be competing or a club like Leeds who fall and struggle?

Your argument is ridiculous. Buy a 200 pound Tele for 350. You don't get it, if Basle have a figure on their players head we have to respect it. Should we sell Suarez if a low bid comes in to suit the other club? No. We are an abomination, we couldn't buy bread in a bakers if we tried.

Oh dear you missed the point entirely didn't you dear have a warm milk and calm down. Of course we wouldn't sell LS below his value that's the point Basle value him more highly than we do or shock horror he always wanted to go to chelsea!!?

Carlitoc, you need to read and understand what I've written. You've totally contradicted yourself in your response. Seems like you are arguing against yourself.

Er I think you missed the point. Read what you said you are implying we shoulddnt overspend. Which is right. However if a club have a valuation we have to meet or move on. It was the case for us with Luis, not haggle. We don't want to throw money about, but we should be able to compete with transfers of this magnitude.

{Ed002's Note - In order to negotiate a club will need to make an offer at least within the ballpark of the asking price. Coming up with a figure that is a third of what is being asked is going to be considered derisory and won't get a club to the negotiating table.}

23 Jan 2014 21:53:08
hi
it seems a lot of people got very hot under the collar about my comments about lfc not going for mata yesterday evening, the point I was trying to make was. look at it this way, to win the league these days you have to spend money, look at the teams above us. city, chelsea, arsenal. one of these is probably going to win the league, one of the obvious reasons why is because they spent astronomical amounts of money on players, i.e. arsenal 40 mill+ on ozil, and look where they are, top of the league! don't get me wrong i'm delighted with the way things are going with our club, but I just feel that in order to win big in todays football, you have to spend big.

thanks

Your spot on but for some reason peope think that's blasphemy and want to ride the moral high ground. Its no mystery, you need to compete for big signings if you want to win big things.

Cheers mate, someone finally agrees with me! its a fact. to win big things in modern day football you have to spend big like all the big squads

23 Jan 2014 21:29:34
I think that to date we have done really well to get ourselves into the position we're in now, still in with a fighting chance of a UCL spot. The problem is that Spurs and Utd have been really poor in the first half of the season, and can only get better. I thought that with one or two additions we could have really kicked on and maybe challenged Arsenal/Chelsea for 3rd. A couple of hours ago I wanted Ayre sacked and hated life. But when the mist clears, and the cold light of day sets in I suppose we've got to be honest and just accept that we aren't in the same league as City, Utd, Chelsea, and Arsenal anymore, and we're probably a way behind Spurs. And to their credit, FSG have given Brendan a lot of money to spend, most of which has been seemingly mis-spent. Borini, Illori, Alberto, Aspas, all cost a lot of money. They all have potential but aren't going to push us into the 4th spot this season. I think the anger is not that Salah has gone to Chelsea but more at the fact that we have missed an opportunity and wasted a chance to kick on by not getting our main target.

If we can get through the rest of the season without anymore injuries to our 1st team players and can keep up the standard of football we've played so far then we've still got a good chance, I just fear any injuries.

And if Salah plays at least it will mean one of Willian, Schurrle, Ramires, etc isn't.

Tommy Walsh

Aww ok then I feel much better now I've accepted City et al have money. :-|

23 Jan 2014 21:17:55
it's good to hear that lucas' injury isn't as bad as we first thought but it's gunna be a tough couple of weeks if we don't bring anyone in to fill the gap, think that position needs strengthening anyway so hopefully we can get someone before the everton game (wishfull thinking), still think Reges is a good call if we can get him cheap

23 Jan 2014 21:01:24
Arrgggh! This is so frustrating! I don't know whether Salah will be great or not, I don't know whether Wiilian will come good or not. Or Micky, or.

It's just humiliating missing out in such high profile ways. It's just not the Liverpool way and makes me so sad that this is where we now are in the world pecking order.

Ok, so let's try to move on from the doom and gloom and back our guys to do the business come May.

But the humiliation just hurts.

23 Jan 2014 20:49:43
I think Ill get in touch with Salah, see if I can use his newly rented apartment in town seeing as he won't be needing it.

Haha brilliant.

23 Jan 2014 20:43:32
This transfer window is the most important window for us in a long, long time. With 4th within reach, and the promised land of the Champions League and all the positives that come with it looking very achievable for the first time since 2009, now was the time to really improve. It is clear we are desperate for a LB and CM, and if we sign a good player in both positions I see no reason why we would miss out on a Champions League place, and keep hold of our best player come the Summer. However, instead we have done nothing, and if we don't sign the players clearly needed to fill the gaping holes in our squad the dream of Champions League football returning will remain exactly that, a dream.
FSG need to show their worth. "But they saved us!!" No longer cuts it. No real developments on the stadium is a really big concern, and it is really strange that they fail to see the massive importance of this window, and the drastic effects choosing to spend or not choosing to spend in this window will have on the future of the club.
However, it should also be pointed out that Rodgers has wasted a lot of money since joining, and I imagine it would be difficult to ask for money for a new midfielder when one he spent £15million on has spent most the season on the bench. Plus the £20million or close to it on Aspas, Alberto and Illori who have offered nothing so far.
The next week could have a massive say on the future of this football club, and I hope the men making the decisions get it right.

The current crop of players have managed to keep us largely in the top 4 all season, top at times, also we are currently fourth. So it's perfectly reasonable the current crop of players can also keep us there, especially with an arguably easier set of games than we have already played.
Get a grip man.

Problem is that the current crop of players are running out of steam and we have some bad injuries. We'll be lucky to finish 6th.

Lucas will be a few weeks as will Enrique. Johnson was playing awful anyway so not really a problem.
Our players are not running out of steam anymore than any other teams, what a ridiculous comment.

'Arguably easier set of games'. How's that work? Were just over half way though the season. P, ease don't pull the old 'they've got o come to our pkace' chestnut. That can be quashed in one road 'Villa'. We have to go to 'Tony Pullis', Cardiff, West Ham. All bus Peking type teams we struggle against. havea look at our last 5 at home, when we'll need to draw on the depth of our squad. Smithy's right, there are big concerns with FSG. They have shown their 'money-ball Card in the £7mill market and it doesn't work on the pitch, Borini, Aspas, Alberto, Sahin, Ilori, Yesil, Assiadi. You only need look at Borini and Aspas in isolation to see how this works. Borini didn't wok out at Anfield, shunted out to Sunderland, scores. Few, puts a shift in. Probably worth £7mill to Sunderland, although waste of time for us. Assiadi the same, probably now worth £5mill to Stoke. Books are balanced. Throw Sturridge the trio say valuation of £25mill, demonstrates a £15mill profit on assets. Alberto, Ilori and Cotinhiou, apply the same logic nd now doubt a marginal profit element there. The transfer policy is a mathematical model with operating in the 7-9mill market at a certain age profile designed to provide a degree of protection and reduce any financial exposure. Classic HEDGE FUND principles.

Mikey rubbish, a season is 38 games not 20. Use logic, likelihood we won't get top four.

We have had injuries all season - have we even fielded our best 11 for a string of games? Our squad has coped with injuries.

23 Jan 2014 19:14:23
Hi Eds. as always thanks for the work u guys do for all of us Reds!

I'm really concerned with the Salah situation, they do have to agree personal terms still, but Ian Ayre has shown he is not the guy we need to finalise deals.
When u look at the quality of players we have bought under Rodgers. I would identify 3 as very good players. but he rest like Joe Allen who cost 15mill that's a disgrace and albeit we have been in a bad place. both Henry and Werner have reiterated the funds are there to sign the right player. why we haven't done so in neither the summer window just gone nor the January window I don't know!
Jose Mourinho is so clever and right now we look like we will miss out on the top 4 not only because we haven't reinforced in this window. also because we haven't signed the right players in the summer.
My question to you Eds is what will happen if we Dnt get cl again for the 5th year running? Will Rodgers be relieved of his duties?

{Ed002's Note - The summer is a long way off and much will no doubt happen then. I would not want to speculate about the manager but we already know efforts are being made to better decide on which players should be targeted.}

U get what pay for when u pay big u limit the risk of it not working out we seem to be trying to buy players and improve them were as top teams buy the finished article

23 Jan 2014 22:47:40
You are right Red_, clever chap Mr Mourinho,
Brings in a player who 'could' turn out to be great value for money.
Sell's a proven top quality player to a team that he hopes beyond hope manage to grab a few points from City, Arsenal etc.
And best of all, 35/37 odd million is more than enough to take the entire squad (and their mum, s) to a slap up meal at Mrs Miggin, s Pie Shop!
win-win.

24 Jan 2014 11:16:05
Ed02, do you mean which players should be targeted for now (jan) or I think you mean generally in the future moving forward.

23 Jan 2014 20:26:53
Lots of debate recently about where to play Gerrard. With Johnson out for the foreseeable future how's about putting him at right back where he has played before (Champions League ring any bells)? Gerrard's instincts are to attack and he still has enough pace to get past the first defender not to mention a great final ball. It would also allow Coutinho to play in his preferred position just behind the front two and in front of a midfield of Allen, Sterling and Hendo. I think Kelly will take a while yet to get back to his best so Gerrard on the right and Flanno left would be my choice.

In the midst of all these depressing posts relating to Salah, congrats yours has topped all being the worst.

23 Jan 2014 20:16:15
What the hell is going on with you people? Why so much loss in faith in a team which was top of the league on Christmas after just a draw at home? The season has 38 games, shut the hell up and support! Just because we suddenly didn't get salah although we wanted him does not mean our season has gone to an*t and we should accept 7th. it's still the same players who got us to the top on Xmas and can get us to 4th at least by may! Now grow up or get the hell out!

See what your saying mate but from top top joint 4 in 3 weeks and all those teams in and around are buying players to strenghten there team .were missing our targets .think 7 th is realistic .

Tell `em! They act as if the season`s over because we didn`t get some oung player who would only compliment what we have and not make a big diff. If he wants to go to chelsea and toil tooth and nail for his place in the name of CL football then God bless him. We have the best player and the best strike force in the league. We have NO problem attacking teams. We have issues elsewhere and those need to be addressed ASAP.

Did you not watch the games against, hull, city, Chavs and villa?

Redohio, agree with you about strike force .but we've lost Lucas for two months, Johno out coutinho not playing well gerrard looks tired, crappy Allen just back from injury no agger flano just coming back .so if you can see the possitive from this please let me know .

{Ed002's Note - Redohio is taking a short break from the site whilst he sorts out his cut and paste issues.}

23 Jan 2014 20:09:35
eds do we have any interest in kevin groskrojtz from dortmund?

{Ed002's Note - I would not get you "groskrojtz" shirt made just yet.}

23 Jan 2014 17:31:16
Hi Ed2, with the plan this year being to break back into the CL and, with FSG doing some great work behind the scenes to grow the brand, stadium, sponsorship deals, revenue etc. are you able to share any insight into the longer term plan and timeline for LFC?

Clearly there is a need to balance the books and bring the club back into profitability before we can look to compete financially with some of the other top teams but, presumably, this is all part of a progressive long term plan.

I am trying to stay away from finances, current transfers etc. but am just interested if you have heard anything about the next stages?

I don't mind if you don't publish this if it is likely to start any abusive responses.

Thank you

Bryan

{Ed002's Note - A sustained top 3 or 4 position will keep the club in the CL which will bring in significantly more income which will put the club in a better long term position financially. That will be the first goal. Next will be the league title.}

Do you know how long the club expects this too take? It seems like the same model arsenal have gone for and it's taken years to be fighting for a league title spot and they are not garenteed to win it this year either.

{Ed002's Note - The CL target has been there since the day the owners arrived.}

Thank you Ed2, wishing you a god evening and weekend. Bryan

Ha owners will be waiting a while.

23 Jan 2014 19:44:54
Ruthless. I think your comments have just answered your points. Injuries or not, not playing means there not good enough.

passTOtonka

Fine mate,

we may as well play johnson, enrique, agger and lucas next game because it doesn't matter if they are injured. have them hopping around on crutches.

23 Jan 2014 18:47:51
ed's what do you think the chances are on Liverpool signing Shaqiri?

{Ed001's Note - between none and next to none. That is merely an opinion though, as I have no idea of his situation.}

23 Jan 2014 19:21:40
After January's farcical transfer. what must Suarez be thinking, agent book me a plane ticket I'm off no cover for key positions and no signing as our competitors strengthen their sides

Maybe you should buy yourself a one way ticket somewhere as well. Somewhere in Switzerland please. Lol

23 Jan 2014 19:20:15
I for one think FSG are doing a good job and the club is definitely good in the right direction! My only two small gripes is that we did not replace Jonjo because I feel that we were one short in the centre of the park, and I have doubts about Ian Ayre negotiating skills. Bar those, I think things are going well!

IA might need some schooling BUT he doesn`t do transfers on his own. Salah would only have complimented us as depth because we still have sterling and couts even Ibe is said to be ready. We have issues elsewhere that need adressing. Let`s stop wasting our time with some kid who`ll get far less game time there than here. It`s his bed, he will have to lie in it.

I didn't mention the Salah deal. I am talking in all the deals he has been involved in. I honestly don't think he is as good as he should be and I think as FSG gain more experience in this sport they will move to replace him.

23 Jan 2014 19:09:41
OOOKAAAY!
Rant done and dusted. Now, I hear on -don't knock them they know more that we do, most of the time- that it was Salah's choice and nothing to do with how fast they did the deal. And, I must have been naive thinking Salah's agent hadn't done the business while talking to Chelsea. Anyway, our transfer people need to get a grip and let's leave it at that.
Now that I'm feeling a lot better, we all know we need to shore up our defence. Sakho is back and BR has to decide who he partners with him as our two regular centerbacks. Flano is back so Kelly must grab the helm and stake his claim. No more pussy footing around, take your chance!
I still hope we get top4 because the alternative is disastrous. I know some will say, 'I will support the boys even in the conference'. yes, but here and now we are in a position to achieve while all others around us spend and spend.
You know, it actually will make it sweeter than ever if we achieve what we aim to using some of our fantastic youngsters. R.I.P. Brian Clough who always said ' if you're good enough, you're old enough'.
so let's not moan and mope and keep the faith. a win against Everton and all is rosy again.
Too much in love with LFC to slag our club! YNWA

I hear ya mate let's back our players and seal top4. :)

23 Jan 2014 18:56:21
Not too bothered about Salah because haven't seen enough of him but slightly bothered we keep on missing our targets. On the plus side my concern was that if we do sign another wide player he would take Sterling out of the side. Let's give the youth a chance to shine

23 Jan 2014 18:49:51
Spartak Moscow's Romulo is now being linked.

23 Jan 2014 18:45:31
Is Adam about or anyone else that can help is salahs stats even any good? As from what I can remember and my opinion hasn't changed he seems to lack end product I also didn't think we needed him either

Google "Mohamed Salah Transfermarkt".

You will find plenty of stats on him there mate.

Red Rum

He has one more goal and one more assist then Sterling in a much weaker league where his team tops the table. Is he a good prospect? Sure. Is he miles better than say Sterling? Nope.

23 Jan 2014 18:42:13
A lot of moaning about Salah as expected. Fair enough but I don't know who you think you support, there was interest in Salah from a few champions league clubs and they are in a far better financial situation to buy them. Liverpool can't compete cash wise with Chelsea, United or City but we have Suarez and Sturridge! Would love a winger (something we have struggled with for awhile) but we are far too soft at the back. Sahko coming back is great but we really need 2 fullbacks and a DM and that's where to invest if possible. Liverpool will fight harder to reach that 4th spot so its still well in our grasp! I don't wanna hear any of this "fair play to Chelsea cause they get business done" or "even Everton are putting a quality squad together" crap. Tbh I've watched the Salah highlight reel and he looks muck! Booting the ball ahead of himself and running like a spasticated chicken, we don't need him. I can smell champions league football lads and that's when we will strike in the market for top quality. Keep the faith
YNWA

23 Jan 2014 18:40:35
Aspas and Alberto btr start at the wkend I want to see what these boys have in the bag it's about time we see what Rodgers has seen in them! if they can't do it against lower league sides well I doubt they can against the big boys? Ed01 what do u think?

{Ed001's Note - actually I would prefer we put out a stronger side and showed them the respect they deserve.}

With everton on Tuesday we've not done well with 2 mstches ina row

Goes to show how poor these players are that you can't trust them to play Bournemouth!

{Ed001's Note - not really, it is more about giving the Bournemouth players and fans a chance to see our best players in action.}

No offense ed01 but we have a massive game on Tuesday and any club with a decent squad would rest a few key players for that game just 3 days later.
Unfortunately I realise that if we do rest our key players, we are likely to loose as our squad players are so so poor.
Hence I agree that we will likely play our best team and risk another injury.

{Ed001's Note - which key players need a rest? Suarez certainly doesn't, Sturridge doesn't. They are our only really key players.}

Anyway ed001, let's hope Salah makes his Chelsea debut this weekend in the cup.
Against Stoke!
Oh dear me, we'll see the Egyptian Messi alright - nestling up in row Z when Shawcross or someone welcomes him!
Lol.

With all due respect to Bournemouth Alberto and aspas are 1st team players I'd just like to see them play we can show them respect by beating them and beating them well!

What do we owe to Bournmouth ed?

I would argue sterling could do with a rest, mignolet too. I don't see any harm in resting Suarez either. Johnson could definitely have used it but he's injured now. Even Henderson and coutinho could use one. Their form had dipped a little in the last 2 games.

Yeah I would say rest sterling at least. Show them respect but not at the expense of risking injury or fatigue to a couple of players. If they wanna see the great lfc in all our glory then they can buy a ticket for the derby. Lol

I say, play the best 11 available and give them a good game so we can avoid any slip ups b4 the derby.

23 Jan 2014 18:39:48
Pivital time in FSG's ownership. They got badly burnt with Carroll and Downing and are very slow to spend now. Sad thing is if we don't get C League this year its going to be 3-5 more years of building to get there. Good holding midfielders can be got for £10m, who do we go after?. Think it's time to start going to the gulf states on summer tours we need a sheik to buy us.

We`ll be ok. However, I agree that we need a good DM if we can get him because injuries are killing us right now.

23 Jan 2014 18:28:21
If I'm honest and others are to most of us nvr heard of this Salah lad! if Chelsea got him good for them I'm not too fussed yes we need some reinforcements but if he's not right for the club we won't be held to ransom simple as! We got saurez on a new contract it's like a new signing too!
So don't be down we beat the bitters nxt wk salah wil be long forgotten
YNWA

23 Jan 2014 18:25:16
Evening eds. I really appreciate your hardwork with sifting through the countless points and questions. Thanks for your insights.

On this evenings transfer news, I am gutted we have passed up another player. I'm sure they have their reasons but I think everyone can see the squad is thin and a team aspiring for the CL needs depth. Can you find any justification for their lethargy? Because I'm struggling to.

A red very much in need of answers.

{Ed001's Note - it is not easy to find the players we want and that want to join us. Let alone that are playing for clubs willing to sell them.}

23 Jan 2014 18:20:04
I would hate to read the stupid "fsg haven't a clue", "why do we always miss out on transfers" rubbish if we weren't in a champions league spot at the moment. Havent we done well this season already! I'm apologising early to the eds on behalf of the realistic fans if salah goes to chelsea, the stupid comments will be relentless. Ps thanks for the effort eds, awesome work!

RuddocksForehead

Don`t worry, they`ll be here soon.

23 Jan 2014 18:16:07
Can I just say our squad without our first choice left back for most of the season, without Suarez for the first 5 games (in which we were unbeaten) without sturridge for 9 games, without gerrard for 5 games (which I believe helped us) we were top of the league after 18 games and now were still in forth with all the big boys to come to anfield, do you really think we can't do better in the second half without signing anybody?
Salah would have given the team a big boost all new signings spur you on a bit but who cares? If we were top of the league with two games to play would u say we're not gunna win the league? because we were top with two games to play at half the season! And the second half on paper should be easyer then the first with a majority of the big games at anfield.
Come on boys 5 games ago we were talking about winning the league and excited to get sturridge back, now just because we lost away to the two best teams in the league were gunna finish out of the top 4? Grow up the lot of you!

You're assuming we go through the entire second half of the season without having a single injury to a member of our frst team squad.

23 Jan 2014 18:05:46
How or where are we spending £1m a week more than we're bringing in

Everywhere? Let's look at 2011-2012 as an example, since the information is pretty public for that:

Turnover: 169M

Operating expenses (wages, cost of sale, etc.): 147M
Exceptional items (termination payments, etc.): 10M
Non-cash expenses (amortization of player transfer fees, depreciation, etc.): 46M
Interest paid: 4M

So, 147M+10M+46M+4M = 207M in expenses for 2011-2012.

Revenue from 2011-2012 = 169M - expenses of 207M = Roughly 38M pre-tax loss for the year.

I expect last year will be similar, although probably not quite as bad of a loss (maybe in the 25M range or thereabouts). Guess we'll see when the accounts come out.

{Ed002's Note - Actually 2011-2012 was not a full year but only 10 months when a loss of just over £40M was incurred - in line with the £50M loss in each of the previous two years.}

24 Jan 2014 11:14:19
Great catch, Ed02. Forgot they had changed the FY that year.

Side question if I may, though. Why is it LFC releases financial results like a year after the ending of the FY? Is this normal for football clubs? It just seems an unusually long time to compile some numbers.

{Ed002's Note - All businesses have 9 months to get the information to Companies House.}

23 Jan 2014 17:55:27
Eds is Sakho fit for Saturday?

{Ed001's Note - he should be.}

I wouldn't risk him for saturday. If Kelly, Skrtel, Toure & Cissokho can't handle Bournemouth then I don't know. BR should put Sama on the Bench.

my team

Jones, Kelly, Skrtel, Toure, Cissokho, Gerrard-CM, Henderson-CM, Alberto-LM, Moses-RM, Aspas-SS, Sturridge-ST.

bench; mignolet, sama, sakho, allen, coutinho, sterling, suarez.

23 Jan 2014 17:51:04
Not sure about anyone else on here, but I'm starting to worry about BR's situation- he's fashioned a team that plays exciting, attacking football from a weaker starting position and a lower budget than rivals and taken it to the cusp of the champs league.
He always sticks his neck out for FSG but must be wondering what else he has to do to get them to back him in the transfer market. There's been some hits and misses in the transfer market but no team can give up making transfers and hope to be successful. He must be extremely frustrated.
If another big club offered him a role with a budget to spend and promised not to p*ss around with transfer targets surely he'd be tempted- I reckon Spurs or ManYoo would swap him for their managers in a heart beat given a chance.

23 Jan 2014 18:52:27
Err what?

By my calculations and the reported fees for the guys we've bought/sold, we've spent about £95m on transfer fees and recouped £35m since Rodgers took over. Excluding agents fees etc. they've backed him to the tune of £60m in 2 years.

By comparison, Benitez's first 2 years (ie. under Moores, before those other 'owners' took over) saw him spend £45m and get back £25m in transfer fees. Whilst winning the Champions League, I might add.

What do you want FSG to do? Give Rodgers £100m to spend between now & the summer and eradicate any possibility of us passing FFP?

23 Jan 2014 18:57:13
Sorry, miscalculated, he's only been given £85m to spend on transfer fees. Clearly not enough.

For the life of me, Something Red, I can't figure out where people get the notion that BR hasn't had any money to spend. As you point out, he's had a very fair amount and I imagine it's the owners who are having the questions of the transfer committee as to what precisely they are up to.

23 Jan 2014 17:48:59
It seems like our biggest strength is also our downfall, as rodgers wants to play 2 up front, but has to sacrifice a centre mid to do so, only city have two strikers in the top 4, partly due to presences of yaya and fernandinho! If Suarez did leave in the summer, I wouldn't say it was the end of us, if we bought a quality winger with the money, with an attacking line of
Sturridge
(Someone) coutinho sterling

23 Jan 2014 17:26:50
Georgino wijnaldum anyone? Salah off to chelsea his loss is you ask me and if chelsea wanted a winger they could off had moses back.

They wouldn't play Moses, Mourinho has more sense.

That Moses is still stinking out our bench disturbs me greatly, isn't there a bench in west London he can sit on and waste a salary?Nigerian Stewart Downing, fact.

Mark, your so right and we could sign another player on loan if he leave in jan, him being there prevents another player coming in on loan.

23 Jan 2014 17:22:32
So here's a question guys, how many players we 'missed out on' and went elsewhere in the last 18 months have done the business for their new clubs?

I can really only think of Willian. Apparently even Mhkithrayan hasn't exactly been brilliant for Dortmund.

I'm honestly more worried about our defensive midfield prospects (I don't think there is anyone around we can bring in anyway) than about missing out on Salah.

23 Jan 2014 17:20:30
Eds is yarmalenko actually anygood because the one time I've seen him (against England) he was awful. I'd much prefer konoplayenka who was unbelievable in the same game.

{Ed001's Note - I don't know, I have not seen much of him, and nothing at all of him recently.}

23 Jan 2014 17:16:17
Eds. Just wondering if there is any talk of maybe moving on Ian Ayre?
I can't think for 1 min the owners are the reasons why we are constantly missing out on players, when in fact it due to him not being able to strike a deal.

{Ed001's Note - no, he isn't the only one involved in transfers.}

23 Jan 2014 16:58:38
Hi Eds,

First time posting.
Just a thought - as Liverpool missed out on Salah, should we be worried about a lack of squad depth, considering our injuries etc?

thanks

{Ed001's Note - that is always going to be a worry, but surely that is why you have an academy, to provide cover for injuries? It is how we find out whether they are good enough, usually.}

Sakho, Enrique, Agger, Flano all back soon with gerrard and allan back in time for lucas' injury. we would only have coates and lucas out after the first week in feb, with coates expected to be ready & resume training from middle-late feb.

23 jan 2014 17:41:07
my arab brothers, my russian cousins where are you??

we need your unearned oil money and your reckless spending. don't our history count for nothing? come, don't be shy. buy us next year, we will be cheap i promise you. no european football and fans ready to burst!

if fsg or liverpool can't even afford £11m, then my brethren, then in the famous words of richard iii,
'now is the winter of our discontent. '

so sad, mad and very man expletives i can not write for the risk of offending my fellow fans.

who knows, the transfer team might have an ace up their sleeves. let's hope no one else sees it!

Your post doesn't represent the thoughts of a lot of us fans. Personally, I am really pleased FSG are our owners and think they are doing a terrific and sensible job for the long term good of our club.

Wow just wow

With support like this .

Iranred in LONDON.

If you want a club run by billionaires, then why are you supporting Liverpool when you have what you want on your doorstep?

Red Rum

23 Jan 2014 17:34:51
If you were in mcdonalds you would be sitting behind Ayre for a long time until he decides what meal to get.

As long as he doesn't buy a load of whoppers in the end I'm not really bothered. ;)

23 Jan 2014 18:41:08
Pretty sure he'd be confused as feck when he gets asked if he wants fries with his fries

23 Jan 2014 17:32:16
You have to ask the question why do we have can extensive scouting network?
If we cannot afford them and other teams just jump in at last minute and gazump us.
We obviously do not have the money to compete, so the owners (and fans) will have to be patient and wait for the youngsters to come through.
The summer and Suarez will be a worry now

23 Jan 2014 17:04:45
After missing out on Salah, shouldn't we be focusing on a DM and a full back or two instead of a winger, considering the injuries?

Lucas might be back sooner than we thought.

23 Jan 2014 17:04:29
Hey fellow reds and ED's like most disappointed we missed out on salah but I would rather buy a defensive midfielder personally, one thing I would say is that the owners and the club in general have or might missed the boat on buying quality in this window because I think that if we had we were looking good for a champs league spot but we don't buy anyone it's going to be hard but not immpossible, were in this position with finances for buying over inflated prices on players then selling on the cheap that's why they're gone the other way and taking too much time to buy as we've not got much money as the ED's have stated regularly the owners are taking hits, on Manchester United case it's a desperation move because they know they weren't going to get into fourth but now they're going to buy a class player which is unfortunately for us but I still hope we buy quality not quantity cheers

23 Jan 2014 16:59:09
Top 4 will look something like this; Man City, Chelsea, Man United & Arsenal. Suarez will leave. Don't be surprised to see Sturridge & Coutinho leave with him. Don't take this as a gloom & doom post its just realistic to expect players of their calibre to want to be competing in the Champions League.

Why will the top 4 end up like that just because utd sign mata yea he's a brilliant player but utd need more in defence than attack when rooney an van persie are back in theyl score goals again but they will still let in alot. top 4 is in our hands we do are job doesn't matter what the rest do

I hate to say it, but I agree

Wow, what is up with this? We may not sign Salah and United may sign Mata. You're right what is wrong with our club, because Mata ( who has been poor when played most of the season) joining United has lots of bearing on whether Suarez stays and as if things could get any worse Chelsea have signed a new bench warmer, whatever will we do?

23 Jan 2014 16:58:56
Has the Sala situation really come as a shock to anyone?
Recent history shows we have a price for a player that we are willing to pay, and that's it.

Until CL football is secured that's how it's going to be, you have spend to get CL but we are doing so in the most frugal way.
Haha I didn't laugh.

23 Jan 2014 16:55:21
On hearing the news that Mohamed Salah had signed for Chelsea one excited fan said.
Eurosport are claiming we have signed Salah, seems a bit pointless to me if true. We need a striker FFs not another bench warmer.

Spready

They'll send him out on loan probably, that's something like 24 players out on loan.

Exactly, the likely situation is that he will hardly get any minutes and will be loaned out.

23 Jan 2014 18:57:06
Ed02 called him a bench warmer on the page two

23 Jan 2014 16:48:40
Ed001, do you genuinely see us getting into the Champions League with our present squad and without Jan reinforcements?

{Ed001's Note - I never thought we would be this close, to be honest.}

I think that due to our shortcomings we are going to fall very short.

Essentially we are relying on Suarez and Sturridge to bail us out. I fear that our midfield is too lightweight, Gerrard(legend that he is)is past it and on a very steep downward curve, Allen is too lightweight to be an defensive midfielder and to me a frivolous waste of £15-16m and unlike Hendo doesn't have the physique or that extra quality to succeed, Henderson is quality and I admire his work ethic but again not defensively minded.

Now we have lost Johnson to long term injury we are done for at right back, now we know why his performances haven't been as good as before.

The failure to land Salah also shows that we have no clout and the indecisiveness has cost us greatly.

That the mancs now have Mata just rubs salt in.

23 Jan 2014 17:40:56
I actually harboured hopes that we could still win the league before Lucas got injured, seeing as all the teams around us still have to come to Anfield. Considerably less confident now.

Given our ability to score goals, I think we should be in the top 4 without reinforcements if we can find a half decent way to plug the Lucas shaped hole in the team with the existing players. Only option I can think of putting Allen in there, but with either Gerrard or Hendo instructed to be more defensive to help him.

If we can't, I think we're looking at 6th.

Am I over-reacting?

23 Jan 2014 16:47:52
Ah well some you win some you lose. Hope he turns out to be a stinker.

23 Jan 2014 16:47:30
I really don't understand the owners don't they want Liverpool to progress I'm in the top 4 after many years and no transfers we have a squad full of injuries no LB, Glen is injured Lucas is injured how r we going to cope and fight for top 4 this was Liverpool big chance but I guess it's bye bye Champions league and bye bye Suraez.

What should we just buy a new player when somebody gets injured? Also we have signed plenty of players over the last few years.

23 Jan 2014 16:41:11
Would just like to say I am sick of people moaning on here. To be honest I would rather support Liverpool than moneybags like chelsea and city we have a giod manager and good players but the the thing is there is no pleasing some people we pay over the odds people moan we pay what ever the club want and people moan players coming back will be like new signings have faith and do what fans do and SUPPORT!!

Agreed.

I personally have no interest in the club getting into an auction with Chelsea for this guy.

Too many people moaning.

Reminds of the mass hysteria after we failed to buy Dempsey. Sad.

Our main challenge right now is to sort out the defence.

23 Jan 2014 16:39:50
Jus my opinion on the salah saga:
I like many other reds are dissapointed we have missed out on what looks like an exciting player. He seems tricky, direct & has an eye for a goal but is also unproven at sustained 'top level football' he had a few v.good games in europa league & champs league but hey diouf ripped france appart in the w.c. so we can't gurantee he would have made it.
All this is not my underling problem with the deal tho, I feel this isn't the first time we seemed to have shot ourself in the foot, we seem to publicy court these players i.e mkhitaryan, willain salah, seemed to be quoted a price then offer a lot lower fee. I understand it a game of brinkmanship & we want to get the best possible deal for the club but to let it happen on 3 or more occasions seems a bit pathetic. If it a player the manager wants then surely the club should back him? But hey that only my opinion & I know iam far from knowing any of the ins & outs of these deals as the eds have a lot more knowledge than I have but jus feeling a little frustrated tonight. :(

23 Jan 2014 16:54:17
But can you blindly criticize FSG, after Aspas, Alberto and Moses show?
Salah is another name, But its the position I am worried, I hope we have someone else lined up.
Confidence and belief is a must, But you need quality to win games.

Good Post. Spot on. In the PL at the moment there are a lot of clubs who have money and spend it. We seem to haggle over fees etc and then players go elsewhere. We have a fantastic opp this year to get to CL. But I fear the squad is not good enough (first team is). So if we get some injuries then we are farked.

People go on about spending money blah blah but signing Aspas, Alberto, Moses etc is not good enough. BR done well last year with DS/PC but he needs to be supported with the tools to do his job and I don't believe he is.

Spurs will improve and Utd will never be this bad again - also no CL - no suarez.

Before people get on whinging about supporting the club - I am but I think in the EPL owners need to invest to stay with other clubs and possibly get to CL

23 Jan 2014 16:39:18
Aren't those Chelski lot spoilsports.

23 Jan 2014 16:38:52
Once again we lose out to a rival over a transfer, bitterly disappointing - if this pattern continues we are going to have a long and difficult future.

If this pattern continues, we will have players playing for us who want to rather than just for money

We'll have players playing for us that couldn't get into or weren't bought by the big clubs.
You need to spend at this level to get CL football, we haven't a prayer without real reinforcements not the type of player that we HOPE will be a great in the future.
Shocking to let a big target like Salah drag on this long and then lose him last minute, truly shocking.

**** me squiresy that means we'll have no one in the squad, you are aware footballers are fairly money oriented(Dan Agger aside)

23 Jan 2014 16:34:10
Turning into a very very poor window for us.

Multiple players injured, multiple players under performing, interest in lots, signing none! Shambles. Even a loan or two would give us a little bit of a boost.

If we miss out on top 4 by a few points then people have to be held to account, I don't know who, but our transfer policy has to be reviewed!

This was the perfect season for us to make a push for the top 4, United and Spurs rebuilding, the opportunity was there and yet again we stumble around. We need people at the club who have worked for the top clubs before and know what it takes to stay there. No one at the club has that knowledge anymore, we haven't been there for so long.

Here's hoping for a thumping derby day win to raise my spirits!

YNWA

23 Jan 2014 16:32:59
We all know that LFC cannot compete with City, Chelsea etc for big money £20M + signings but its really dissappointing when we also miss out on targets like Salah who are in our price range but we take so long in negotiations that we let them slip through our grasp.Salah is a really exciting talent and would have been a major help in what is going to be a really difficult fight for top 4.

Our competitors are strengthening this month whilst we do nothing. I really fear that we are going to miss a great opportunity to get back in the CL and if we don't qualify this year it could be an awful long time before we get back in with the elite and every year out of the CL we slip further and further down the money list.

We are so close after a great first half of the season let's just hope we can get someone in who will help us over the finish line.

23 Jan 2014 16:59:58
NRed,

Awful lot of time, Yes, We might fail yet again in FFP and we would have to cut loose our named players.

23 Jan 2014 16:30:54
Outside of Sturridge and Philipe C, I'm really struggling to get my head around our transfer policy.

We spend money on
Borini - Not good enough in my opinion sent out on loan
Llori - out on loan.
Aspas - Not good enough
Alberto - Bench warmer
Cissokho - loaned- paying wages - not good enough
Moses - loaned paying wages - not good enough ( apparently Martinez turned him down )

If we are to move forward this second half of the season, first team players need to be considered. We've done so well so far this season bit the squad thinness is starting to show since the injury's.

Take Suarez out of the team and we will struggle and if we don't reach too 4 he'll be gone. This is the one season we really need CL football in order for is to keep out most prized asset.

If we don't reach CL, the club will be demanding our season ticket money early again, just before we sell Suarez.

Tbh Cissokho hasn't been that bad most people that say or think that are just repeating what they read on here.

I reserve judgement on Borini but for the money we we should have seen a bit from him.

Ilori and Alberto your right about & we should just cut our ties with Moses and try to bring in someone like Shaqiri on loan.

Again another post that I can't argue with. Our transfer dealings have been below par. Who are our scouts?! I mean you could still say the jury's out on both Allen and Sahko. Need consistency to be considered successes in my view. Hopefully they'll be pivotal in the second half of the season. I can't understand also if aspas and Alberto were signed at backup for 7 million then how can 11 million for Salah be too much for a first team starter?

I disagree Haych. Not sure if you go the games ( and that's by no means a critical comment if you don't ) and you watch Cissokho live, he is very poor I'm afraid. Whenever he receives the ball his first instinct is to stop and make a pass, either sideward or backwards and if he does venture forward it's like he's running down a blind ally. I sit behind the goal ( so get a good view when we attack the Kop ) and there are so many occasions when he is in acres of space but a team mate will not make the pass unless there are no options inside.

He may have been OK a few seasons ago but not now. Let's hope Flanno is back and fit for Tuesday night.

23 Jan 2014 16:27:41
Ahh so frustrating about Salah. 'A fee of around 11 million' say . Could we really not afford that for a player with huge potential? We have been 'negotiating' for 3 weeks, if we couldn't afford him then we needed to move one and get someone else. There was always going to be interest from elsewhere at that price. Ed001, is this down to Ian Ayre? It just seems like we are only able to sign players who nobody else is interested in.

{Ed001's Note - no, there is a lot involved, including a player who wasn't particularly keen on a move to us, as well as a worry regarding our transfer policy.}

Sorry Ed, are you saying there's an internal concern regarding the current transfer policy? If so, would you mind giving us more detail please? I, for one, am pretty happy with what we've done so far in BR's reign.

{Ed001's Note - it is partly a hangover from past windows, where we overspent, and partly from the ones under Rodgers, which has seen a lot of players bought, some have since had to go on loan, others are on the sidelines. There was dissatisfaction with the way negotiations were handled in previous windows too. These kind of things happen, you can't sign every player when your budget is limited, as you have to haggle to get the most out of your money.}

Its not a transfer policy, it's a joke. These guys think they are playing poker or connect four.

23 Jan 2014 17:00:09
well if its a case of the player not wanting to come to us its better we missed out and focus on players that do, I would love messi and suarez up front but it ain't going to happen so we all have to suck it up and move on all the doom and gloom on here just go off this site put up the league table and ask yourself would you have taken that at the start of the season a real chance of top 4 because I watched utd last night and they need a lot more than mata imo.theres a week to go maybe shaquari from bayern (spelling)could come in there is plenty of talent about just as good potential as salah.

23 Jan 2014 16:24:29
Let's face it, chaps - no one's coming in in Jan. Rodgers will just have to make do with the players he's got - after the Willian episode, it's plain to see his hands are tied

23 Jan 2014 16:22:43
This is Ian Ayre buying a top off the range prestige new car.

IA. "Hi I am Ian Ayre, I'd like to buy this top of the range prestige new car"

Car salesman. "Exellant choice sir, that will be £50,000 please."

IA. "Ill give you 15 shillings for it rising to 20 if it get's me laid this friday"

23 Jan 2014 16:19:25
dragging our heels in the transfer market yet again.kinda reminds me of the William saga in the summer.lets just hope salah is as bigger hit than William has been.but very disappointed to lose out over a couple of million. supposedly for a class player.when will we learn.

How do you know that is the case, were you involved with the negotiations?
Is it not possible that Basel and/or his agent dragged it out to see if someone like Chelsea would come in with more money?
Frustrating yes, but we do need some realism?

It's called AMBITION!Some clubs have it, some clubs don't. Some clubs sign internationals knowing they will bring success, other clubs sign mediocre average players who become a cause for disappointment.

23 Jan 2014 16:19:09
Liverpool can not let this slip regarding the m.salha deal
we so need this player we must better chelski offer .

23 Jan 2014 16:13:21
have to say il be disappointed and frustrated if we have missed out on salah, looks a great player.
but that's life, if you have the cash you get what you want basically. pity really, a good signing like hat would have give us a a little lift before the derby.

Well we have. Anyone ever considered Salah was holding the deal out because it wasn't his preferred destination? Not the end of the world.

Not saying he wasn't TjRed.

23 Jan 2014 16:11:59
Since Liverpool has appeared to miss out on yet another major target, do we have any serious interest in anyone in particular? Or are we resigned to the hope that a very small squad can hold on to fourth?!

Thank you for making me laugh, mate. I needed that so badly! Our transfer deals will soon become material for stand-ups! Funny some fans were talking about Pedro or Dexler, now that is a good joke!

23 Jan 2014 16:09:55
We need answers we never learned a thing from past windows. Just when you thought we were on the up!!

23 Jan 2014 16:09:16
Hi all

Obviously disappointing as it looks like we are set to miss out on Salah. You can never not have enough good players but we are not exactly short up top so I’d hope we can at least now try and reinforce the midfield. I count we have four to fill three places and barring Jordan, the rest spend a lot of time out injured between them so we are desperately short!

I’m not sure how the whole Ayre, transfer committee, owners thing works exactly but I can’t say I blame them and the owners for being prudent. (Although annoying as a fan when they drag out offers for weeks at a time. Yes I know we are not moneybags but pay the fee or walk away and stop wasting everyone’s time!) Wasted a lot of money with Kenny and although the fees have been less with Rodgers, he hasn’t exactly been successful in the market himself. Except for Sturridge and Coutinho, I cannot think of anyone who gets near the team regularly whom he has signed!?

Race for 4th is tight and home form will be crucial but if, and it’s a big IF, we can get a good midfielder or two then we have every chance.

Davey

What about Mignolet? Sakho? Toure? Cissokho? (not very good I know but he was acquired to add competition).

Lifelongred, have you been at the whiskey mate? We have been after Salah for weeks, and yes £1M for a team like Liverpool is like small change. Chelsea have agreed £11M and it's done. The rubbish BR has bought so far, sorry to say so but let's be truthful for once, excluding Sturridge (know class) and coutinho (a Rafa recommedation, yes) were the only good buys!
But if FSG don't back him up, then don't make statements about targets. You're happy where we are, good, if only they handed out trophies this week we'd be in CL next season. Teams are breathing down our necks and with our injuries we have NO CHANCE, remember, NO CHANCE, of maintaining our position. I'm just surprised you're happy with things as they are. WE ARE LIVERPOOL, what does that mean to you? 6th or 7th in the table, Suarez leaving or maybe even others. stay happy!

Iranredinlondon

First point, not been at the whiskey yet my kids are still up so will wait till they are settled before the jack d comes out.
The REPORTED interest from us has been around for a while agreed, the reports have also stated we have valued Salah at 8 million, now 8 from 11 is 3, so if 3 million is loose change to you I'm sure LFC will gladly take your contribution and football scouting knowledge to finalise a deal for Salah, .
I am very happy with my beloved LFC, after 20 years we have finally started to play how we always should have been, pass and move, the way I grew up watching us play with some of the best players around, now under BR we have been playing some out standing football and winning games we wouldn't have won in seasons past, we are playing with confidence and doing what good teams should winning when playing badly at times.
As for teams breathing down our necks this is the closest season from first to 7 in years, no one knows who will finish where, all I know is we have scored more goals than all teams bar man city we are above spurs Man U and Everton when was the last time we could say that?
FSG bought us from the brink of administration, yes administration, why because our previous owners bought players we couldn't afford we spent as much during Benitez reign than most of the European elite. And still didn't make real progress,
It sounds like you're one of the fans that wants us to fail so you can I told you so, if that's the case you really belong some where else, YNWA is meant to mean something, it's meant to mean stand by your team no matter what, support the owners managers and players all you can, for the first time in years we as supporters of LFC actually have something to shout about, saying we have no chance and we will finish 6 the or 7 the is great support.
If Suarez leaves down to our final position then good riddance, he won't be the first or last player to do so, and I'm pretty sure we will receive a pretty penny for him to buy replacements.
So yep I'm happy supporting the best team in the world.

23 Jan 2014 16:08:00
So reportly 11 million for Salah yeno this is whaylt bugs me that's a fair price

23 Jan 2014 16:06:11
Chelsea have agreed fee with FC Basle for Salah! Shock money comes before football! going to replace Mata, s seat on the bench, Another target lost, we just can't compete financially with these Billionaires, shame looked a great player.

23 Jan 2014 16:03:28
Salah is confirmed on the Chelsea website. Dammit

23 Jan 2014 15:57:27
quite simple really parry league administrator/acct ayres is a financier.the club needs a md/ceo who knows football.surely learn by mistakes don't follow them

23 Jan 2014 15:56:07
He clearly belives in himself enough to get his game

23 Jan 2014 15:53:19
Chelsea confirm they have an agreement for the signature of Salah.
Just been confirmed on tv too.
vrcomp
Y.N.W.A.

23 Jan 2014 15:49:34
Another target missed, and whoever does the transfer activities, please don't go sign another aspas, borini, alberto, moses .

23 Jan 2014 15:42:03
If we matched the fees for willian, Micky and salah and they pick different teams then fine we have tried, it's just that's all have been sounded out for weeks by Ayre and we haven't got to the talking stage as we won't pay. Aspas and Alberto will not get us top four willian and salah will.

23 Jan 2014 15:36:35
Talk sport are saying salah on his way to Chelsea for medical.
Why would you want to go sit on there bench.

23 Jan 2014 15:52:42
Did you had the same opinon on Willian?. Ask Torres, How many chance he had with Chelsea, and he still, If the player has potential, he would even break into a Madrid side.

23 Jan 2014 16:01:35
Because his club requested, and recieved, a far higher offer than Liverpool were prepared to pay. So there was no real choice for the player to make, other than stay in Switzerland.

Dave's dog

23 Jan 2014 15:18:08
Hi Eds,

With the long term injury to Johnston also with the lack of full back at the moment do you think the clubs priorities may change and look at this position now in the window?

{Ed001's Note - seriously? We have loads of right backs! That is why Wisdom went out on loan.}

Well that is what rogers said

23 Jan 2014 15:03:40
Matta has tried to sign for UTD but all thier pens are crap.

Noshbag

23 Jan 2014 15:00:42
Atleast it looks like G Johnson isn't playing for a while.

With Johnson and Lucas out, that will force Rodgers and FSG to re-look at other targets e.g. Micah Richards at RB.

23 Jan 2014 15:29:28
We don't need RB, KELLY would do a better job than most, We need a DM and LW, DM isn't happening, and the LW we were actually interested is off to Chlesea.

Flanno is a right back by trade so why on earth should we buy another one when he is back training?

23 Jan 2014 14:50:31
BR says Glen Johnson is out for an "indefinite" period of time due to injury. He's had a bad ankle and other issues.
Another period on the treatment table.
Thank heaven Flanno is back.
vrcomp
Y.N.W.A.

23 Jan 2014 15:05:12
No Offence, But that's the only way he would be dropped, and It would be great for Kelly to step in, We won't be leaking goals from RB. Let him take his time and come back, Kelly would be a readymade replacement.

23 Jan 2014 14:49:40
Bad news on glen Johnson obviously not the greatest season but have no one else better! Injuries are coming in thick and fast! Let's hope the club do something! Winger cm and full back.

23 Jan 2014 14:29:35
Juan Mata would be a statement of intent for Manchester United, Mohamed Salah could be lured by London and Arsenal will have to wait for Julian Draxler, reckons one of Europe's top football scouts.

23 Jan 2014 14:35:37
Spot on.
Yet we are right up there with most spend in past 2 years.

23 Jan 2014 14:59:59
Mata is a statement that Rooney, Kagawa and Fellaini are not wanted. Unless United can shoe horn 4 attacking midfielders/Number 10's into one formation. I would like Salah at Liverpool because we lack depth on the wimgs. Chelsea don't lack depth especially when you consider the guys they have on loan. Let them have him. Its better than him going to Arsenal or Newcastle where he will actually make a difference. If he chooses money over football, he's not what we need anyway. Chelse now have Hazard, Willian, Schurrle, De Bruyne, T.Hazard, Atsu, Moses and Marin on their books who play wide or can do. Does he really make them stronger? Its ridiculous. They need a striker and they blow circa £40m on a CDM and a winger. Our rivals are not spending wisely and its just funny to watch all their fans gettimg excited over players they don't need. Chelsea could arguably make a case for Matic if you consider Mikel and Essien to not be good enough. We need central midfielders and that is what we should focus on. Don't over pay for unproven kids from average leagues just to appease fickle fans.

YNWAdam

{Ed001's Note - for one, Fellaini is not seen as an attacking midfielder, nor does he want to be one. For two, De Bruyne just signed for Wolfsburg and Moses is not going to rival anyone for a place. Essien is surplus, Lampard is winding down his career and Mikel is woeful, they desperately needed a midfielder.}

23 Jan 2014 15:20:15
I know he is not considered there but its the only position he's ever played well in (for the last 12 months at Everton). I wasn't aware of De Bruyne but Chelsea are still over stocked for wide players. Hazard, Willian and Schurlle will keep Salah out of the first team as they are all currently better players. He will be fourth choice at best in my opinion. I personally like Essien although I haven't seen him play properly for at least 2 years. Matic is a great player and I'm not suggesting they didn't need him. Only that they needed a striker more. I would still say that Chelsea and United are not spending wisely. Unless Rooney is off, in which case Mata was required. But that still doesn't make them stronger as Rooney has been far better so far this season. I cannot believe how Kagawa is wasted though. He's probably as good as them both on form if they gave him a chance in his best position.

YNWAdam

{Ed001's Note - Schurle doesn't get a game now, he won't stop Salah playing. Salah is Jose's type of player, he will play regularly enough I am sure. What on earth makes you think Chelsea can't sign him and a striker? I am having difficulty following your logic on that one. Plus, if they can't sign a striker now, why should they not sign Salah because of that? They can afford both, so it is not a case of buying Salah stopping them from buying a striker.}

23 Jan 2014 15:24:20
I agree with ED01, apart from Willian and Hazzrd they actually don't have an Winger.schrulle isn't any winger for them.Moses is loaned, KDB has moved, Atsu would never come back. Marin would be leaving aswell.

23 Jan 2014 15:48:40
If they can afford a striker as well then I am mistaken. I'm not too interested in the finances and just assumed that the FFP rules would stop the clubs like Chelsea and City spending tonnes of cash. Although they have had good revenue according to recent statistics released. I still don't think Salah will get enough game time to have an effect on Chelseas season though, that's me logic. If I were Mourinho I would want to spend the £40m on a striker, they already have an unbelievable squad and I can only see Salah going in as another squad player. My point is to all the people panicking that our rivals are strengthening because I just don't think any team we are competing with has made a signing to improve there team yet. Mata and Salah are great players, but not necessarily what was required. Matic is a good signing, but just not what I would've prioritised.

YNWAdam

23 Jan 2014 16:18:12
YNWAdam.

waht do you think, how is chelsea paying the fees? from RA pocket?, If they ahvetn failed the FFP, that clearly means their Incomes are better than their expenses.
Infact its LIVERPOOL whose using the owners cash for transfers.

23 Jan 2014 14:05:12
The echo reporting that Chelsea are on the brink of signing Mohamed Salah.

I can't say i'm not disappointed as the guy looked a great player but still if true I wish him all the best at chelsea, hopefully he can manage to get himself game time. Should have wrapped up the deal earlier in the window

oneillred

Ive read the same thing just now.pretty reliable usually.

Very dissapointed. Which ever way you try and butter it up by saying he wants a pay day etc, its a big let down he was our main target. Hope we have some others up our sleeve!

23 Jan 2014 14:39:31
Admired. He is a good footballer from what I have seen and I too wish him good luck.

23 Jan 2014 13:59:00
and for what its worth darren lewis in the mirrior believes Liverpool will get salah ahead of chelsea.

Echo say he will go Chelsea.

23 Jan 2014 14:18:54
Salah's signing for chelsea mate, Liverpool unwilling to match the Chelsea offer of around 15m, Liverpool now looking at other targets apparently. That's the latest at this end, hope it's wrong info, but i'm certain it's not.

Dave's dog

23 Jan 2014 14:39:56
Another target?

23 Jan 2014 13:44:56
Eds you couldn't make it up, a man u fan dialled 999 after last nights game and asked to speak to Ferguson. I've always said that people with limited intelligence support man u

My wife worked in call handling for the police. trust me, this is almost logical compared to some of the weirdo calls taken daily.

The caller never mumbled something about ending 30 points above Liverpool did he?

23 Jan 2014 13:42:17
Now, I'm going to be perfectly honest here. If you don't like the honesty, then feel free to keep scrolling down the page so you can read another post like all the rest bashing the club, the owners, the management and the players.

I'm honestly disgusted at seeing all the vitriol being directed towards the board and the club about the transfer window.

You call yourself supporters, yet you only support when you get what you want. That sound familiar? Not much different to the chelsea fans who only support when the team got rich. Or the united fans who only support when they are winning. It seems to me that most of you only support when we are spedning a ton of money in the transfer windows.

We're 23 days in and we haven't secured a transfer yet. Boo hoo. Stop throwing your toys out of the pram like a bunch of spoilt toddlers and just support the club.

Yes you can be dissatisfied, yes you can be opinionated. But IDK where this attitude that you know how to run the club better than the owners has come from.

If any of you were trying to fix the issues at the club I doubt you'd want to spend 50 mil each window either. And who can blame the owners for wanting to make sure they get the right bang for their buck?

Please, Please just stop whining. You're ruining the site.

I've been wanting to say this for a long time now. I realise everyone has a right to there own opinion, but the constant whining and moaning is just boring now. Liverpool is a massive part of my life. But I support and enjoy them, not constantly bash them.

Spot on mate!

23 Jan 2014 12:55:02
If we want Salah and lose out to Chelsea, IF, then we really need to review our transfer policy and the procedure of getting players that other clubs might be interested in. IF we wanted and didn't get, then what is the point of wasting money sending Ayres out to negotiate when our pricing is so beatable by other clubs. this is all relative IF we lose out.
And fellow fans, please don't split hairs about not paying asking price and other nonsense. We must GET players we want and need before other clubs come and beat us to the player. we will soon become a club that finds players for other clubs.
IF, If, if.

If, If, If.

How's about IF you waited for Salah to at least sign for someone else before moaning? What exactly are you moaning about, we can't sign every player we're linked with.

Do you think we overpaid for players in the past? (Carroll, Downing, Henderson, etc) Well you probably complain about that too do ya? We're trying not to repeat those mistakes where we pay whatever other clubs want. Now it's a case of we pay what we think the player is worth or we move on, clubs will now realise this and will realise if they ask for too much we will walk away whereas in the past we would have folded and paid extra. In the long term this is beneficial for the club.

23 Jan 2014 12:04:36
The forbes list was released and again it shows how far behind the other top teams. This shows us that we are still lagging behind with the big sponsorships. A bigger anfield would also help. We need to focus on achieving the best sponsorship deals which will bring us in major revenues. We can't continue to be behind; chelsea, man city, spurs. What are the club doing to try and improve finances

We are not behind Spurs, see list and EPL

23 Jan 2014 13:34:20
Jok.
Seriously, So we are competing against Spurs?

23 Jan 2014 14:00:39
We need some success to bring big sponsors, note that even our current sponsors are not paying full amount as we are not in Champions league, Can't blame everything on owners or Ian, we have always wasted money, nothing has changed even Rodgers has done the same, If we could save our money instead of just spending for the sake of it, then we might could be in better place.

23 Jan 2014 11:41:17
We are 90% close to missing out on Salah.
Its so depressing, I watched this kid play at least 200 times since he was 17, and we will truly regret our dithering.

He has such confidence in himself he is in no doubt he would claim a starting place at chelsea.

He is 5 times the player Sterling is. I am quiet embarrassed by how we have used over 2 months to complete this deal and chelsea need 2-3 hours. I feel for BR. A club like Manc who is horrible compared to us, can sign Mata and we can't complete a deal for a player from Basel.
I know some will come and say well good we missed out, we don't need him bla bla BS. But when Salah is 24-25 he will be one of the world's best 5 players no shadow of a doubt about it.

No matter what you think, this is very embarrassing and puts our season in great risk.
Sterling is already looking tired.

Also the Lucas injury, don't be shocked to find out that the few weeks are close to 6 weeks. So when he is fit again we will have 8 PL games remaining.

Well I'm " delighted" with the transfer comitee,
They got us Diego Costa, Mkhitaryan, Papadopolos and Salah.
Oh wait, they got Aspas, Alberto and Ilori and never used them because it's very obvious BR didn't fancy them.If he did, he would have played them. Now those £25 million spent on those 3 players are the reason for our handling of Business now, I think this comitee is absolutely doing nothing. Toure & Sakho I know were personally requested by BR, but all the other targets were 3rd choice or even 4th choice.
Even Mignolet was 3rd on BRs list.
I think FSG should consider this comitee. Nothing good has come of it other than wasting time dithering and loosing out on Key targets.
Now we will get the Liberian Moses as Ed02 refers to or someone like him who will probably sit on the bench until the season ends and very doubtful with us in the top 4. We needed 2 players better than we already got, we won't get either by the looks of it. And we will have to settle for someone who will have close to 0 impact. That ain't right!

200 times when he was 17!? Woah that's a busy year!

23 Jan 2014 12:39:21
When did you become so bitter?
It's a January transfer window FFS. Stop expecting some magical guy to come in and fix all our problems.
I bet you £100 that If he joins, Salah will not be the difference between 4th or lower.
That responsibility will ultimately fall upon those already at the club!

He said since he was 17 so try and read the letters

23 Jan 2014 12:48:33
Chelsea need a striker and they are bidding a Winger, shows what actually they want. If salah coems to us and light the fire, we would beat them at anfield.

23 Jan 2014 12:52:18
Malak, I was polite yesterday. Give it a rest though will you? 90% is a made up figure and Salah has looked good in Egyptian and Swiss league football. There is absolutely no evidence to suggest he is better than Sterling (because in my opinion they are at a similar level) and Salah will never be in the top 5 players in the world. He is not the Egyptian Messi, more the Egyptian Lennon/Walcott. that's not a bad thing though as Lennon and Walcott are dangerous players. You are seriously over doing this lack of signings stuff. We are hardly short in attack anyway. I'll be more dissapointed if we fail to add a midfielder but even that won't mean our whole season is over. Seriously just chill out because nobody wants to read your knee jerk ****. Maybe Rossiter will get a chance, or Ibe? Or Pelosi, Dunn, Teixeira etc.

Rant over.

YNWAdam
YNWAdam

23 Jan 2014 13:13:07
Adam, I don't honestly care what you think.
Salah is sensational, and way ahead of sterling.
He had been brilliant whatever level.
Europa league, Champions league, and by far the best player in the national team, with players that have played in the PL and done very well.
Like Ghaly, Mohamady, Zaki. So the Egyptian lennon or walcott is nonsense as he is left footed as well. it has nothing to do with transfers,
More the fact he is a key target. And what I said are words directly coming from his father which has nothing to do with reports in the media!
Kneejerk? Behave yourself. I just know how good he is and will be. You can rant as much as you want, give it 2 years and you will eat humble pie when he is one of the worlds best players. We don't have a similar player to him at all at the whole club. Maybe wilson is close but he is 16 and half as fast.
I am done discussing because you won't get it. Stat master"

23 Jan 2014 13:19:26
I find incredibly infuriating to listen to individuals on this site talk like they know a player. I bet 90% a figure seemingly to be used well in individuals current posts didn't even know who salah was before this little silly saga. I agree completely with adam we are not short on pace or class up from its the midfield which is struggling. I honestly believe since we lost allen and lucas we are short on steel and rentention. i'd like to hear adams view on this as I believe its refreshing to hear genuine knowledge.
CENTRAL MIDFIELDER NEEDED.

Loads of people moaning at the moment. Loads of people moaned back in August.

We are progressing. We are so much better than under Hicks and Gillett. Can people not relax and let them work away.

Also Malak, have you completely forgotten about £18m on Sakho for centre back signed in August - this would have been instead of an injury prone Papadopolous.

Malak, Diego Costa & MK would both have been replacements for Suarez. Can you tell me who we sold him to and who he has been banging goals in for non-stop? Oh yes you're missing the point again we didn't sell him and he's doing fantastic for us.

Waah waah waah, get over it.

23 Jan 2014 13:38:57
YNWAdam,

But its still an adition, we are short of players at most position, CM / LW / LB / DM, and getting one inside would give us an extra option upfront.
If Liverpool were 12 points clear of our rivals, then I wouldn't have been worried, We are level on points with two clubs and 6 points above UTD, who would have RVP, and Rooney to come in.

23 Jan 2014 13:40:29
I care about this club more than anyone here can imagine. If we finish let's say 5th. There is no chance of Suarez staying and you bet next season will be a transitional season because were probably spending the Suarez money on 5 new players who will need time to settle etc.
Now signing a winger and a DM will not guarantee anything but it sure will increase our chances alot. I don't see why I'm bitter, I have spent very good money for 20+ years supporting this club and I feel we are not doing what is best to make the best of our chances to finish in the top 4. You see the impact Ozil had on Arsenal, Mata will have a similar physiological impact at UTd. We have a whole team out on loan, but very few will have an impact. Maybe Borini and Suso but you don't know if we will sell them, loan them out again or give them their chances.

Do you honestly think the money spent on Ilori & Alberto could have been spent better? We are short of money but send Ilori (7million) out on loan, and Ibe has as much game time as Alberto.
They maybe brilliant players for the future, but if this is such a 'make or break' season we should have definitely improved the now. Like Will Hughes, I just don't get it.

23 Jan 2014 13:41:18
Sean Ireland.

Mate 7th to 6th isn't a progression. Its juts an excuse, I am sure, you have never been under prssure to get your targets on job or in life.

23 Jan 2014 13:57:45
Sean Ireland
Please grow up, I'm probably as old as your dad!
2nd.
Sakho a left footed LCB instead of Papa a right footed RCB?

Ilori was bought instead of Papa.

Costa & Miki would have done a brilliant job replacing Suarez, and they wouldn't have left us after 1 season if we finished 5th. Suarez 1000% will. So please don't abuse me for having some genuine concerns. Iam not thinking about next weeks game. I'm thinking long term.

The Real Malak seems to be right afterall. Liverpool Echo just confirmed that Salah is on the brink of signing for Chelsea.

What else can I say?

7th to 6th is a progression. In terms of looking at the way we play and in general we progressed better again. We are 4th at the moment as well. Look basically your point doesn't make much sense. Also with regards to my job - you have no idea what I do or where I work so you I am sure that you are sure of nothing with regards to my job.

@Malak, £7m on Ilori, I didn't want him but Rodgers did. I don't think we needed that many centre backs and I made that clear back in August (I said loads sign one really good one and that be it as we had secured Kolo Toure).

@Malak, why did you leave out our main signing in your OP? £18m on Sakho wouldn't have fit in well with the rest of your moan so maybe that's why.

Malak, where did I abuse you - I basically told you that you should stop moaning. Things aren't as bad as you're making out.

Ilori was bought to replace Coates not Papa. Sakho is a huge signing for CB and Toure is a RCB so really it is crazy you are complaining over CB - we didn't even sell Skrtel or Agger. This is what I mean about too much moaning, you actually think you're right to moan about this?

Suarez has signed a new contract - if he's to go this summer then it will be on the clubs terms (i.e. for wallop loads of money). He's doing fantastic for us. Please don't spend months moaning about the possibility of him going. At least now we know for sure if he goes it will not be cheap.

23 Jan 2014 14:29:27
Just quit moaning. Its childish. Ilori was not instead of Papa. Sakho was instead of Papa. Ilori was bought for the future. Rodgers has made that clear since day 1! Ibe and the other youngsters have no Premier League Experience? Oh, and Salah does? The owners are bankrolling the club just to keep it a float! We are not light of attacking options and Alberto and Ilori are both very good youngsters. Aspas hasn't performed neither has Moses, but is that Rodgers fault? I also don't get the Cissokho hate. Excluding his very first game he hasn't been bad at all. He's been average, but what did you expect? Valencia were hardly going to loan out a world beater. Just stop moaning. We are short in central midfield, that's it. We play 3 forwards at once and have Coutinho, Sturridge, Suarez, Sterling, Moses, Alberto and Aspas to cover the 3 roles. Salah would just be competition, not a given starter. Plus Assaidi, Suso, Borini and Ibe I'm sure we are okay there in terms of the future. Please just stop with the doom and gloom. Its so premature its embarassing. We need a central midfielder with some steel to his game, a playmaker (unless Allen can step up) and a couple of wing backs. Maybe a back up keeper. Salah is not a big miss, but at the same time he would be a welcome addition. In reply to another poster about our midfield, I did do a blog on our midfield, might be worth a read if you fancy it?

YNWAdam

23 Jan 2014 14:31:43
7th to 6th isn't any progression If you are chasing CL and after spending atelast 35-40 mill apart from Suarez and sturridge in your side.
You must be working inside the club, no doubt and please do not even dare to be infront of the owners with this excuse.
If Liverpool is happy from 7th to 6th, this shows how far our supporters have come down.

23 Jan 2014 14:33:10
Sean Ireland

Ohh yes, So you would have 100 mill from Suarez sale and then?. Top players woundt come to us, because from past 4 seaosns we haven't been in Top4.

23 Jan 2014 14:35:04
Plus Malak if Suarez leaves it'll be for Bale/Ronaldo money so I doubt we'll struggle to replace him. We might actually be able to afford your precious Costa and co. The squad would just be stronger. We are trying to live within our means and if Chelsea want to pull a United and over pay for a player they don't need, let them do it. Is he better than Willian, Schurrle, Hazard, Oscar, De Bruyne etc. No. So he won't help them at all.

YNWAdam

23 Jan 2014 14:51:18
I have to agree with you there Malak. The impression I'm getting from these past few windows is that whilst in negotiations the club for some reason or the other feel as if they've got their man before the contracts are even signed. As a result they then end up haggling over price until some other team snoops in and completes the deal. Macca, whose credibility as a source I am not questioning, has come on here recently and stated we've pretty much got the deal done for Salah and previously Henrikh. Clearly he gets his information from someone within the club, so when these deals fall though (I know Salah is still in question as I type), one has to question the transfer committee and their dithering. As much as a player would like to come, an agreement has to be reached between the two clubs first.
Having said that, things do change at the last minute in football and perhaps we are constrained in financial terms but boy it is fast becoming a disappointing window.

23 Jan 2014 15:00:27
Where did I mention cissokho?
Where did I mention the defense?
I think Sakho is a brilliant signing, where did I say otherwise?
You know he cost £16 million not 18? And do you know he is the type of defender who would sell for £ 30 million+ when he is 25, 26?!

If ilori was brilliant in training he would have got his chance.
Flanagan did, Sterling did.

Adam it's really hilarious you think that you are not moaning! Others might have other opinions that differ from yours and your reaction is beyond childish. I never used to moan, but I will not shut up because of you or anyone else.

You're very good at memorizing players that are not at the club and at the academy who won't make it.
The reason we have players out on loan is to raise their profiles. I doubt you will ever see Assaidi in a Liverpool shirt again, and the same goes for 80% of the academy players.
brad smith is the most highly rated player at the U-21, if you didn't see how out of his depth he was at Chelsea then you're blind.

Only very very few academy players make it and no, I don't want to see rossiter and the likes thrown into the deep end. I would like them to develop at their own pace.

{Ed001's Note - Smith is far from the highest rated player, what on earth are you on about? This is your last warning, I won't be editing out your childish personal attacks again, you will be blocked if you continue.}

23 Jan 2014 15:01:48
YNWAdam
Couple of points, I would like to counter.

FUTURE. what's the actual meaning of a future?, and which firm, individual, or club would ever have a future, If their present is pretty ordinary?
Are clubs like Newcastle, Stoke city, Southampton buying it for the Future, If not Y?

I agree to your point, Salah doesn't have a PL expereince. so did downing had, adam had, cole had, and Caroll had, what was the outcome?
Salah is by far the cheapest gamble Liverpool could afford.

Aspas or any new signings might take some time to settle down, but what's the logic in buying an unproven player and sending another unproven player on loan (Aspas and Borini)

Cissokho, You must be joking, He is by far the slowest one in the league, when a Right footed 19 year old boy is preferd at LB, shows what cisshokho is.

you are, why we are buying salah? BR wants countinho to play in the midddle and salah / sterling to play alongside sturridge and Suarez, which would mean Hendo/allen would be sitting with Gerrard/lucas in the middle.

100% agree we need a player in the middle, But unfortunatly ther isn't any top player at 8 mill availble. and we are not in for any CM player till now.

No one is whinning here, But can you guarantee, we would finish in top 4 with this squad?

23 Jan 2014 15:18:51
ed01 Smith, Mclaughlin and Pelosi are the 3 most highly rated in the U-21, I know that for a fact!

Rossiter is still considered u-18, and so is any player who is u-18 years old. I didn't say at the academy, I said u-21, players further ahead in their development.

Adam, if we are not in the top 4, we won't get anybody worthwhile, why would it be easy to buy players like Costa or Tello if Chelsea or Arsenal want the same player? We go get nr.2 or 3 down the 'list' and so on. I don't know what I did. People attacking my posts like I said something not true but sorry, I will stop 'moaning' since it seems fine:) we will win the league next season eh? Alright. Peace

{Ed001's Note - fact? Except that ratings are opinion not fact so give it a rest. As for your nonsense about who is U18 and who isn't, that is just backtracking rubbish. Rossiter plays for the U21s, if you want to go on the ages, we have Ibe and Sterling rated far higher than the 3 you named and Sinclair too.}

Right Malak I'll try explain a little further what I've been on about.

7th to 6th and currently 4th is progression. I earlier stated we had progressed and you disagreed. We have progressed. That is not my opinon, that is a fact so stop arguing about it.

Just because I support the manager and our 10million times better owners doesn't mean I work in the club. And no I don't work in the club, I'm just happy we're going forwards after years of being messed around. 4th is the main aim this season and I will be gutted if we don't get it but I'll support the team - we're currently 4th and you're moaning. We haven't been in the mix after over 20 league games in years so yes I am happy to continue improving as we have been doing.

Regarding Suarez - I never wanted to sell him, he was moaning all summer and behaved like a clown and I said in the summer I still wanted to keep him. I don't want him to go but I can't do anything about it and at least with his new contract we all know the club would only be selling on their own terms - if it was to happen it would be gutting but it would be huge money and we would have to get on with it. Moaning until he goes isn't going to help with anything.

£16m or £18m on Sakho, so what? You're arguing I think it was £18m so what? He's still Sakho no matter what he cost and yes I can easily see him being worth a lot more in two years time - so what? This is good for Liverpool, I never said it wasn't. I also never said you weren't happy with Sakho I just pointed out that you basically picked the players we signed to improve the squad rather than the players we signed to improve the team which is pathetic.

23 Jan 2014 15:38:28
Malak, I have my opinions on where we need to strengthen but I am not derogatory towards people at the club when posting. I've had enough of discussing with you. It's getting tedious.

When I mentioned the future I was talking about 3-4 years time and how our work at the academy is preparing us to become self sustainable.

My point on Premier League experience was just to counter Malaks point. He insinuated that we should sign Salah because our youngsters lack Prem experience which is a contradiction considering Salah has none either.

Aspas is 26 and expected to settle better so he could be back up. Borini however is 22 and needs regular football to develop his game. When he is 24-25 he will likely be a squad player at Liverpool.

Cissokho is not slow. In fact his athleticism is his biggest strength. Flanno was preferred because Cissokho wasn't playing how we needed him too and Rodgers thought a local lad would be better in the Derby. No one could have predicted Flanno would go on to be MOTM and cement his place in the first team.

Coutinho has been very average this season in contrast to Hendo who has excelled. That is why Coutinho is out wide. I think Coutinho has great potential but he is still only 21. let's not rush him. He is playing out wide because he is good there and the position does not involve as much rough contact of which he is struggling to deal with of late.

I don't know whether or not we'll sign a centre mid or who is available but that does not mean we should blow the money on somebody else just to satisfy fans who want to see money spent.

YNWAdam

23 Jan 2014 16:26:11
Adam, you think you know it all.
Show me where I said our youngsters lacked PL experience? You're making it up.
And ed001, am so sorry. But Sinclair, Rossiter, Canos etc are the highest potential players in the academy I couldn't find a way to formulate what I meant.
Sean, my OP was about how Salah is signing for Chelsea.
I would have loved to see Alberto-Ilori-Aspas given much more game time, I don't pick the team. The reason I didn't mention Cissokho, Moses, Sakho, Toure, Mignolet is because they have started a lot of games.
Your point is simply irrelevant because Moses and Cissokho aren't exactly world class and I didn't mention them, because they have played alot. The other 3 were 25 million which even rarely makes the bench if everyone is fit. I can't understand how this is confusing you, we obviously lack money and that's my problem, we wasted money in the summer, like we did last summer, it's unnecessary because we could sign lessplayers with more impact. Anyways am sorry for being really depressed,
Supported this club for 30 years and never had an Egyptian player good enough to come here. Salah was the one, it would have been wonderful I know it. Since am Egyptian my self. Well good luck to him, and I hope we have a good half of the season no matter if we sign anybody or not.

Malak, you'd have loved to have seen the 3 lads get more game time. Well as you said the other new signings have (Cissokho and Moses not that much either but still) and that's 5 new signings who have received quite a lot of game time overall. You would liked the 3 lads too, well it's only 11 can play and you know we're not in Europe so only those that would have impressed the most in training or lucky with injuries in their positions (Cissokho) will have received game time.

No team can accommodate 8 new players and have all 8 getting a good bit of playing time in their first half a season at the club.

And yes I agree with you Moses isn't good enough and Cissokho isn't good enough either.

Also you apologising for being really depressed. Seriously? Talk about fishing for pity. 100% serious when I say this - self pity gets people nowhere. Cheer up. We are better than we were 2 years ago and we are going in the right direction. Remember the Hicks and Gillett era and basque in the glorious knowledge of them being gone - with them it was all lies. The new owners say there will be money for players, the right players at the right prices. They haven't promised to spend stupid amounts they have been honest. I think £16-£18m on a centre back is a great show of intent. Mignolet was also one of the most expensive goalkeepers in PL history. Have faith, and cheer up.

23 Jan 2014 11:25:54
So now were only the 12th biggest revenue in world football down 3 from the year before however city, psg & Dortmund I think are the team's that jumped ahead 2 are oil rich & the other have an 80k a week stadium & were in the champions league final. Showing as soon as this random million a week loss we make gets sorted we can compete financially even without champions league which would boost us by atleast 20 million

23 Jan 2014 11:19:37
Missing out on Salah would be terrible. We only need one or two first team additions this window to really make a strong push for fourth. Yes, we are in a good position right now but at the end of the day we are level on points with spurs, who many people are ruling out for fourth spot despite them having stronger depth and quality to an extent in their squad. United too being six points behind cannot be ruled out, with a fully fit Rvp Rooney and Mata they are still a threat. From our perspective we have a good first 12/13 but whenever we need to change a game we rarely see Brendan turn to Aspas or Alberto, money has been spent on the two but he doesn't seem to have much confidence in them. Don't get me wrong, we will be fighting all the way for that final champions league spot but we could really do with a signing who could come in and improve the team. Missing out this year could prove costly in the long term.

23 Jan 2014 10:56:16
Just read Chelsea are also in for Salah.
Great, we barter, negotiate and haggle, reportedly reach an agreement but suddenly Chelsea and Russian stole pension fund money arrive and scupper everything.
My only hope is that it's another rubbish article being this the silly season. Let's hope it is. sad to see we don't carry any clout in the transfer market anymore.

Sadder to see Mata at ManU and when they have RVP and Rooney back. we will have a fight on our hands. a very serious fight. let's hope we last it out because the outcome could be devastating for our club.

There is very clearly serious interest in Salah from Chelsea and they probably will get him.

23 Jan 2014 10:06:43
Morning all. Any clubs interested in Veloso this summer? Thanks

Salah, for those of us who see more of world football and not just what's in our back garden, is an excellent player who will become world class. Suarez was not all that well known before his move to us either. Oh yes, he was the guy who gave away the penalty!
And being happy to be in top4 in January yes, it's great, but we need to stay up there, mate. There are teams with bigger and better squads around us waiting for us to falter.
Try to look beyond our shores mate. Salah, I hope to God we get him, will be such a revelation you and I will be jumping for joy!
YNWA

23 Jan 2014 10:56:08
I too believe, he would set the fire straight, he has shown his glimpse, It would also add much needed belief and bench which we lack soemtimes in the second half of most of then games.
Lets hope BR pulls this one, We alos need a DM, these tow will ensure us a top 4.

Suarez was pretty well-known before he joined LFC. Poor statement.

23 Jan 2014 08:23:48
Hi Eds,

I was having my weekly carvery in the Britannia Inn last night and who should pop in but Ian Ayre.

The temptation to speak to him was killing me so as he was going back up to get his second helping of sprouts, I went up also got a helping and gave him a hello and asked how he was doing.

After the food he was standing by the bar and being the gentleman I am I offered him a pint. Whilst the Guiness was pouring I asked if he could give me an update of any transfer news.

He told me that we were not bringing anyone in. I was n't sure if it was the sprouts or Guiness but something did n't smell right. At this point his colleague said we will be bringing at least 2 people but was not obliged to give names. His friend did mention though that one plays for a top Spanish team and the other a top European team.

I cannot put the names on here for fear of abuse though. Suffice to say I will be extremely happy if so.

{Ed013's Note - I was of the understanding that Ian only drank Jägerbomb's }

Sorry ed013 but I think it's Andy Carroll your thinking of there. Lol

Sprouts and Guiness - I feel sorry for his wife having to share a bed with him last night the!

I thought Spain was a European country. guess not then

"At this point his colleague said we will be bringing at least 2 people but was not obliged to give names"

You then go on to say:

"I cannot put the names on here for fear of abuse"

I think you've just been JACKED

23 Jan 2014 07:09:22
Good morning Eds and Reds.

I'm totally gutted about the Salah thing, the fact that Chelsea have come In for him at the last minute. Does anyone know what will happen with him? Do you believe we can still strike a deal?

23 Jan 2014 08:09:14
Lets not believe all the rumours, Therz interest from both the parties, If its all about money, then chelsea would seal it.

You gutted by? If the players worth it then there will be other clubs sniffing about - that should not surprise you.

Nothing official yet - so save the guttedness till we hear its official - have a happy day

23 Jan 2014 03:44:03
Lucas wrote on his twitter that his injury isn't that bad and that he'll only be out for a few weeks. Good news!

23 Jan 2014 03:08:08
According to express.co.uk we've agreed a £10m + add ons for Salah. Make of it what you will.

Lojr

23 Jan 2014 01:21:14
Heard that the old Trafford groundstaff are replacing the goals with barn doors in the vain hope that the United players might be able to hit them

23 Jan 2014 08:10:16
Just As UTD had theor Forst Signing, City have Bought a new Club. Its so easy for them these days. (smiles)

I love that - the word 'vain' made it for me!

23 Jan 2014 00:23:55
Chelsea are interested but have not had discussions, so let's not all jump the gun just yet.

How do u no that? pretty much everyone is reporting chelsea have agreed a deal for 15m plus add ons

23 Jan 2014 00:11:07
Liverpool are closing in on the signing of 21-year-old Egyptian winger Mohamed Salah after agreeing a £10m fee with Basel for the player.DAILY EXPRESS CLAIMS HOPE THIS IS TRUE that's WHAT WE NEED

Whether or not we agreed a fee is a moot point now. We just can't compete with Chelsea in the transfer market

22 Jan 2014 23:56:43
To dispel the rumours that Salah was seen house hunting in merseyside, I would like to suggest that who ever used google to translate got it wrong.

It translates as follows:
Salah was seen horse hunting to go on a mystery ride.

Jim22

22 Jan 2014 23:54:39
David Moyes has tonight came out and assured all united fans that they will be in a major European competition next year, even if he has to write the song himself.

I laugh at very little on here, but that gave me a chuckle, ta.

Are you the same guy who posted this same comment on the daily fail website? because I just read the same thing there.

22 Jan 2014 23:45:34
I'm assuming Chelsea have only accepted Man Utd's bid for Mata because they have agreed a deal for Salah?

22 Jan 2014 23:32:54
Keep off the M6 tonight guys.
Been a major accident.
Apparently caused by someone going North bound who unexpectedly did a U turn. The incident happened around 10pm. The driver named as Mr Juan Mata is currently being questioned.