Liverpool Banter Archive September 02 2016

 

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02 Sep 2016 23:39:39
when Brendan played guys out of position there was mayhem. Klopp has dropped Moreno and is playing a midfielder in his place so doesn't rate Moreno. So why not get a lb and stop shoehorning Milner into a position he can't play. Is it that Milner has to play due to huge salary or contract coz I can't see why else this could be going on.

Believable6 Unbelievable16

03 Sep 2016 00:04:11
Would you rather he plays in central midfield?


02 Sep 2016 23:53:54
Milner can play there and will learn the position. He's a footballer, he wasn't born a midfielder.


03 Sep 2016 00:21:41
Not sure it's the same really, Rodgers was playing 3 or 4 at a time and bizarre choices like Ibe or Markovic as full backs.

At least with Klopp and Milner it feels very much like a conversion, Milner comes across like a utility type of player. He's played either wing, central midfield, defensive midfield. Mostly this is due to his high work rate.

Klopp took Hummels from midfield to defence. Not saying JM will reach heights, but reckon he'll be solid overall.

Lucas at CB seemed odd, square peg round hole. But in honesty each game I've seen he was the best.


03 Sep 2016 00:28:31
the stick Moreno getting maybe he just getting him away from you lot? if he didn't think much of him maybe he would of listed him for sale like Sakho?


03 Sep 2016 05:53:06
Rogers played people out of position because he didn't know how to set the team up once Suarez left. He tried just about every formation and team selection in the book and the team lacked any cohesion as a result.

By contrast, fullbacks are often aging wingers who are decent tacklers, exactly what Milner is so the conversion isn't the worst idea in the world. Of course it would just be better if he had a bit more pace and a left footed cross on him but I can live with both deficiencies if he plays with a little more positional awareness than Moreno. I have a feeling he'll be solid enough with a bit of practise.


03 Sep 2016 06:39:24
L8, you lost me on your second sentence.

Whilst we should move on now regarding the left back situation, it is what it is, why on earth would Klopp put Moreano on the same list as Sakho rate him or not?


03 Sep 2016 08:31:44
I would nearly guarantee Moreno would have been for sale had we got a first team lb in. The only reason he wasnt sold imo anyway is that he is effectively our only option for lb at the moment. even at that he's second choice but as soon as he is pushed to third choice I would assume he will be gone. In comparison sakho is 4th arguably 5th choice for cb depending on gomez or maybe even Lucas.


03 Sep 2016 10:17:03
The main problem for me is playing Firmino as a false number 9. BR did it with Sterling but his only striker on the bench at times was Lambert. Klopp has Studge and Origi. Although I rate klopp much more than BR, I am sometime surprised how in many areas other than charisma their thinking is similar.


03 Sep 2016 14:54:47
If we want to lose another two cup finals, and come 8th, then play moreno at left back, and no, Klopp should be told what the fans think of his square peg in round hole thinking, of Milner playing there, yes he will learn and improve his play, but in the mean time, how many points will we be behind the the big teams .


03 Sep 2016 16:37:00
Doesn't matter both teams are conceding goals up down and center while both couldn't break down teams who sit back and park their two busses. Not sure where does Klopp edges Brendan? One played keep the ball to death while other has no straight forward strategy.

Klopp playing Firmino up top inspite of having all three strikers fit is either stupidity at highest order or a master plan the world doesn't know.
8 months into the job and he is still trying to find a system is a joke to me while Conte, Pep and Jose already seems settled.


03 Sep 2016 17:14:38
Not saying there were other circumstances that prevented the chilwell deal. But what i do not accept is this belief that out of the thousands of footballers registered to play the game we could not have found one better than moreno that would have played the way klopp wanted to.

That must mean klopp either has very specific requirements for lb, the club has specific requirements for how much they pay for players of certain ages or our scouts need to work a little harder to provide him with alternatives.

Its done now until jan and if we find ourselve behind the pack as a result the blame falls squarely at klopps feet tbh as he had a whole summer to recruit for the weaknesses in the squad.

No doubt jamesey will rise to the challenge and end up the best left back we have had since djimi traore. 😆.


02 Sep 2016 22:19:30
Hey eds Magic site, check it several times daily. Just wondering if these everbright takeover/ investment rumours are true or a load of shite.

Believable2 Unbelievable7

{Ed091's Note - Bloomberg are a very well respected. That's all I can say for now.

02 Sep 2016 23:27:12
Wow, that sounds exciting.
I think FSG are great owners who love sports, and with Klopp they would have had us seriously competing for CL football within the next two seasons, and probably achieving a CL place most years. Will we win the PL? Well we would surely come close under Klopp. who knows.

But the financial power of Everbright and their associates is on a whole different level.
If LFC becomes the flagship club of Chinese state sponsored investors, and if Klopp stays, there is almost no limit to the player recruitment options that might become available.

With that level of financial power backing the club, one imagines approaches and offers of £50m to 100m for players becoming a regular occurence, and the very best players in the world would look at lfc as a destination club, rather than a stepping stone on the way to City, Real or Barcelona etc.

It would be so great to win the PL after so long.
If the price of winning the league is becoming a Chinese owned publicity and sporting flagship, and if some of us aren't 100% comfortable with that idea, then maybe we ought to ask ourselves what victory in this financially doped and insane Premier League really means.

I really want Lfc to win the league- but I do start to wonder what actually is it we would be winning? In a world where many players earn more than the operating budget of a major hospital and have the loyalty and morals of mafia hitmen, what would a PL victory actually mean?


03 Sep 2016 00:25:10
Fook all, I hate the idea of foreign owners spending £100m on one player. Sad that it's got to that stage.


03 Sep 2016 02:08:39
Lala land yall are living in complete and utter lala land
Offer 200 million for messi to come to liverpool he still wouldn't come
Just because they are wealthy does not make the club wealthy did you forget? I give up.


03 Sep 2016 06:06:52
Don't like it. To be honest, I'm uncomfortable with what's happened to top flight football altogether. Liverpool included. A clubs views and principles are sold along with the name these days, and football is simply not what it once was. As a result, even footballers themselves are not what they once were. I've never been a fan of a win at all costs attitude like Chelsea. I'd love to win the league, but not at that cost. It'd rather be mid table in league 2, with a fan owned club, than challenge for the league that you're trying to buy. What Leicester did was amazing, and that's what I'd love for Liverpool. But the new TV deals will make sure that doesn't happen for a long time to come.

The way football is going, massive money ownership for my club would be like watching John terry have it off with my wife. I could never look at her the same way again. Could I abandon my club like that? Time may tell. It's not leaving your club if your club has sold its soul. The club, like any living thing, would be dead without its soul. It'd just be a matter of moving on.


03 Sep 2016 07:58:20
These types of investors are not doing it because they love Liverpool, they're doing it because they sense money to be made. Football already is a business so these sorts of things are, I suppose, inevitable. I personally don't think we need to be going out splashing ridiculous sums on players - there are definitely other ways to achieve success. As has been alluded to - if spending 100m on a player is a pre-requisite to success than how valuable is success?

I'm always on the teams back when they play badly or don't do well but you know, when you have those golden moments like the Dortmund game and Norwich game last season? That's why I love football and love supporting our club - it is a roller coaster but, when you have those highs, they leave a lasting impression. The way money has taken over the game makes it seem like money is the only thing that matters - I think the joy of the game is being forgotten - I look forward to the next crazy game we experience to be honest, I don't really care about new investments and a load of money being poured into the club - they're economical concerns not football concerns.

Have to say as well, with the sheer sums of money we're talking about in the modern game, it is almost impossible to quantify - the sums are so far from reality for most people that they may as well be fairy dust. 100m for this player, 80m for that player - it's computer game stuff, that money for a human with well coordinated feet? It is just insane.


03 Sep 2016 08:04:06
Interesting the way this thread's developing and the opinions. I love this site.


03 Sep 2016 08:36:34
Seano I agree with the sentiment and with other posters that personally I wouldn't be sure of them as owners . However I'd say they'd be investing to raise their consortium profile to raise money in other ventures than to directly profit through Liverpool. At least I would hope as to directly turn Liverpool in to a regularly profitable organization at the moment would be true miracle working!


03 Sep 2016 07:43:06
Football is, sadly, changing forever and there's no going back. You either accept it or turn the channel.

Im surprised teams are even named after cities these days when a team from northern England can be owned by Saudis; a team from London can field a side devoid of English players; a team from Spain can have a larger fan base in Asia than their own country. i'm sure its not to long until some billionaire owner decides he's going to rename an established team 'The Mighty Tigers' or something silly and, hey, why not? Its not like the geographical location of the stadium means much anymore.

Tradition seems to be the first victim when profiteering is the main objective so i guess we either enjoy the drastically changing face of football for what it is or maybe try and find some grass-roots level sports to watch. When we become the Merseyside Panther Roar playing in blue and white at the Colgate Minty Fresh stadium, i might switch over to the lawn bowls.


{Ed002's Note - You cannot simply rename teams.}

03 Sep 2016 08:49:57
I hate how its gone and its put me off top end football a lot, but i still see that to compete these investors are needed, i know Leicester did well but it wasnt a usual happening
Would a breakaway European league be better for English football? . let the money men play their games and let English football have its soul back? I don't know but something has to give as i like many it seems are being put off by obscene anounts of money to people no more special than anyone else in the world, frightening.


03 Sep 2016 08:56:35
Hmmm I'm not suure about that Shanek - with ever increasing value in the Premier League via T. V deals, sponsorship, etc i'd say the possibility to make profit from club ownership is definitely there. I'm not sure we would be the best team to do so with, as FSG have found, but I'm not sure a consortium of economically savvy business people would invest in any venture purely to raise profile. I might be wrong, but that would seem to be a strange business strategy - our club would probably cost close to a billion to acquire - that is a huge outlay just for "exposure" - i'm pretty sure they'd be expecting a tidy return on such an investment.


03 Sep 2016 09:10:26
To be honest Richie if the Pan-European League did happen (and if ED002 is right its a case of when rather than if) then I honestly think I'd just stop watching football. Even if Liverpool were a part of it i'd feel like too much of the fabric of the game had changed and I don't think i'd be interested in watching it. The rivalries and passions of playing teams who you know and are familiar with - that's a big part of the game - and the Pan-European league would completely torpedo it. Even though we dislike United as a club we love playing them because it stirs up passions and, even when the football on show is poor, you live every pass, every shot, and its great. It would be incredibly sad to see that disappear.


{Ed002's Note - It is a natural progression Seano. If you go back in time the lower tier leagues were structured according to geographical location, as transportation became easier Northern and Southern leagues were merged. Around the same time you started to see European Competitions arrive and they grew significantly during the 1960s. With the onset of satellite broadcasting there was an increase in televised football in the 1970s and 1980s. In the 1990s there was a significant influx of foreign players, and the 00s saw the significant increase in money coming in to the game - and so it goes.}

03 Sep 2016 09:38:20
Don't we compete financially for players already?
I can't think of us being outbid on any player.

I can't see how having new owners is going to significantly change our spending. Isn't our spending limited by our turnover?
Maybe if the new owners built a new 100k seater stadium which we filled every week but my understanding is we'd have to move location, perhaps even out of the city, to achieve that.

Ed002, can you help with this? There seems to be a confusion about whether new owners will mean we can spend 100m on individual players.


{Ed002's Note - I am not sure why this discussion is happening but I assume that it is in regards to Everbright - personally I am not aware of anything to do with this aside from a fejected offer back in February from a goup that included Everbright and other institutional investors. Are you sure this is all current? I have warned for many years that institutional owners are the worst thing for football clubs there interest being in return on investment. THink of this as your pention company looking to increase your pension pot by buying in to a scheme that would give a 10% return over a year - they don't care about the scheme, they care about their members and the return. FFP continues to apply and clubs are limited with what they can invest beyond what they earn as profit. A change made by the nice Mr Platini that allows additional spending from investment if certain criteria are met: (a) Informing UEFA by December 31 of the previous year that a club wishes to invest more the following summer; (b) that they have a business model that supports that they will be entirely self funding again within three years, and (c) they accept any sanctions that could follow if the investor pulls out and they cannot return to self funding.

What you cannot do is simply go out and spend vast amounts of money. Inter Milan has seen this as a problem this summer and have managed to persuade clubs to let them take players on future promises and potentially involving the players signing for another club and being loaned to them. As far as the Italian FA are concerned this is a questionable approach.}

03 Sep 2016 10:14:00
I know you're right ED and I suppose it is progress. It seems though that it is progress for the sake of business, as opposed to increasing the quality and appeal of the game. I've grown up in the 90's and new millenium watching the game to perhaps this is the first significant change in my lifetime to the game. It'll be interesting to see what happens - I do think some of the enduring qualities of the domestic game will be lost with this progress, I hope i'm wrong though.


{Ed002's Note - You are right about "business" Seano, it is the nature of football at the higher levels. It is unsustainable as it stands and their needs a significant restructuring - and Europe can easily sustain an elite European League.}

03 Sep 2016 11:22:25
Does the Brexit vote put the breakaway talks on hold for a while?


{Ed002's Note - No, it is nothing to do with the European Union.}

03 Sep 2016 15:09:26
The major problem right now, is that both Manchester clubs are going flat out to win the premiership, and buying big name players, and I can see them both coming top two top three, which doesn't leave us in a very good position, Chelsea are like us, playing less games,
top four this season might be just out of our reach .


03 Sep 2016 22:21:47
. and so it goes, until it goes pop.


02 Sep 2016 21:43:59
Just wanted to say a major major thanks to all the long suffering Eds, and in particular 001 and 002, who put up with reading through the same questions- and in all too many cases the same rubbish- all the way through the transfer window.
We would be lost without your efforts and your patience, and I won't be the only one wishing you all a big thankyou for giving us some idea of what's really happening behind the scenes, and not leaving us to rely on the thousands of pages of utter garbage that appears all over the internet during silly season.
Thank you guys.

Believable5 Unbelievable9

03 Sep 2016 08:27:58
Eds, everyone has a right to opinion and all that bleeding-heart liberal stuff but can we not just ban those who disagreed with this? Surely they are the trolls that bring this site down with their vile bile and would not be missed?


02 Sep 2016 21:32:20
Eds why didn't one of MSN leave barca? I thought that was nailed on this window?

Believable1 Unbelievable6

{Ed091's Note - this is the Liverpool page

03 Sep 2016 00:05:44
Who cares? They certainly wouldn't have joined us at this point.


03 Sep 2016 09:16:10
Why would they? I'd have Gnasher back in an instant but why would he leave? MSN must be just the most fun to be part of and whatever you think of him, Saurez made us smile and remember how near we were with that team.


03 Sep 2016 11:36:36
I've only ever been on the Liverpool page the others don't seem to get interaction with the eds and the rest is just drivel posted by people like me anyway my point is I've read about it a lot on the Liverpool page so I was wondering why it didn't happen?


{Ed002's Note - This should all be on the Barcelon page but Barcelona want to rebuild around Neymar but are aware of four sides who could be interested - but they don't want to sell and there are a number of other issues which make any move unlikely at this time. Messi is pretty much priced out of the market and as he gets older it will make it harder to find a home for him - three possible destinations are thought to exist but efforts to get either of two spoken this summer to bite this came to nothing - money is and will an ongoing issue. Only one side spoke to Suarez's agent and nothing came of it. With Real MAdrid out of the picture next summer Barcelona will be well placed to cherry pick - but they will need the money from somewhere so we will see.}

02 Sep 2016 19:41:12
Evening Ed's.

Another hectic transfer window over with. A massive thank you for all of the hard work we do get to see and read, let alone the work that go's on behind the scenes.
The insight given on all matters Liverpool past and present is always a joy to read.

Hope you carry on with the brilliant reads

YNWA.

Believable3 Unbelievable6

02 Sep 2016 18:03:57
Hi Eds, do you know if there are any perormance related payments due to Liverpool should Balo has a decent season or two at his new club?
Husni.

Believable0 Unbelievable7

{Ed002's Note - None. He will be there for a while and then will be moving on.}

03 Sep 2016 00:08:42
I'm not bothered about performance related payments, buy backs or any other clauses when it comes to Balotelli, I'm just glad to get him off the books and as far away from Liverpool as possible.


02 Sep 2016 13:33:39
If I learned anything this summer it is that 30 million isn't big money in the market and other teams are catch-up on LFC spending that type of money.

Believable5 Unbelievable6

02 Sep 2016 13:48:38
You are right, Dezy. If a bang average player like Bolasie or Sissoko went for 30m then 30m these days, is the new 20m of five years ago, I`m afraid.


02 Sep 2016 14:01:05
The fees this year were outrageous. Makes the amount we paid for mane seem like a bargain.


02 Sep 2016 22:27:19
The transfer fees are getting beyond belief now. Bang average players having a few good games and all of a sudden it's 20 million plus players.


03 Sep 2016 08:40:29
Genuinely the most shocking transfer fee for me was Hendricks to burnley for over 10 mill. He is their record signing and a bang average player. I've seen a lot of him for Ireland and a bit at Derby. He is so slow mentally and I could count on a hand the amount of forward passes I've seen him make. I just feel bad for burnley on this one wasting foe them what would be a huge sum of money.


02 Sep 2016 11:10:17
Very interesting and sad article on BBC Sport highlighting one of our Academy players who signed aged 9 and went all through to sign aged 16, with great things expected. Shows how easily life can change.

Ex-Liverpool junior Sean Highdale is heading to Rio

I didn't know if it was ok to put the link on here, but if you search I'm sure you'll find it.

Wish him all the best in Rio.

Believable14 Unbelievable6

02 Sep 2016 11:55:00
Hope he gets the gold!


02 Sep 2016 12:27:04
I remember the lad. Great to see that he has still been able to achieve something many of us able bodied never will.


02 Sep 2016 22:48:23
Agreed and well done for the lad for battling on, makes the challenge of balancing time with the family, work and personal interests I have seem rather trivial!


02 Sep 2016 10:16:23
Just read Klopp was livid to miss out on Oliver Burke, any truth in this?

Believable0 Unbelievable3

{Ed002's Note - I have no idea about Klipperty's mood swings. My notes on Burke read thus: Nottingham Forest's Oliver Burke has attracted interest from Arsenal, RBL, Liverpool and Sunderland with Arsenal and RBL speaking to Nottingham Forest. Being on a long list of youngsters that Arsenal are looking at will give him a structured path to the first team but not for some time - and that won't suit the player who wants first team football. It would likely be similar at Liverpool and probably Sunderland so the offer of first team football at RBL would most certainly be the most attractive if he is to move. One has to be slightly fearful of the kid moving at this stage of his career could see him lost on the fringes of a Premier League team or unable to settle on foreign soil. I think he should stay where he is for at least this season and then look at his options, but I understand that someone negotiating a transfer for him that Leipzig are willing to make a pretty astounding offer. We will have to hope he does not become another John Bostock.}

02 Sep 2016 12:35:05
To quote an old milk advert "John Bostock? Who is he? " "Exactly". Apologies to any Accrington Stanley fans 😄.


02 Sep 2016 13:25:30
I'm sure the first kid said 'Fazackerly' rather than 'Exactly'.

Either way, made me drink milk!


02 Sep 2016 16:37:40
Superb notes ed.


02 Sep 2016 16:48:23
Or even Dale Jennings who was at Tranmere then went to Bayern. Not sure where he is now.


02 Sep 2016 10:00:36
Hi eds, Sakho apparently being included in the 25 man squad, is that a case of there's nobody else to put in so why leave a free space or does he have a chance to redeem himself? Thanks.

Believable1 Unbelievable4

{Ed002's Note - He is a player the manager does not want at the club - hence the attemps to sell and loan him.}

02 Sep 2016 12:54:51
Spot on Worminator, don't forget that since this system began several years ago we have never named a 25 man squad - and we haven't this time. Might as well use up the spaces.


02 Sep 2016 20:03:29
I saw the squad, looks like there are only 17 names, but anyone under 21 doesn't need to be named .


02 Sep 2016 09:46:01
Hello Ed's please could offer a guess or opinion on why Klopp seems to prefer Firmino to a central striker say Origi (if not a slower Sturridge) I know it has worked in big games, my question is why.

Believable0 Unbelievable4

{Ed002's Note - I have no idea.}

02 Sep 2016 10:58:20
My guess is that he likes fluid and versatile forwards rather than traditional wingers and strikers. Mane and Coutinho drift centrally sometimes, Firmino drops wide or deep sometimes. When they are cohesive, they can move across the forward line while covering each other. I would say that Firmino is slightly more adaptable than Sturridge/ Origi which is why he is favoured. he's certainly not a goal-poacher or an out-and-out striker.


02 Sep 2016 12:05:32
Work rate in pressing and link up. Sturridge does this, but nowhere near the same level and will go solo, selfish for goals. This is fine, he is a striker no problem, but clearly not what Klopp wants.

Origi is better, an inbetween the two but with less 'result' then Sturridge.

Firmino is like Lallana in the midfield. Lallana chases all game long, keeps possesion and would play in another rather the go it alone. Like Firmino in the sense of low goals score, but high constant work rate.

Think Klopp prefers a team, Firmino might not score like Sturridge or Origi if played as often but he, like Lallana will do Klopps vision of team ethic.

If Firmino were injured and either got a run of 3-5 games, scoring like 8 goals or something, then I'd think Klopp would stick. But two games follow without a goal and their work rate does match then Firmino would get back in.

Personally, I'd have Firmino behind a striker. I'm surprised it isn't like Kagawa and Lewondoski at Dortmund. A striker who can sore a lot of goals and a clever goal scoring, hard working attacking midfielder coming in from deeper. Maybe it's the strength and pace of the prem which is why it's not tried?


02 Sep 2016 14:03:57
He likes Origi as an Impact sub, My thoughts on Sturridge is that he isn't fit enough yet, which is why Klopp has preferred Firmino. Sturridge did look awful vs Burnley while Firmino looked class against Arsenal and Spurs.


02 Sep 2016 14:11:18
Maxx, I agree with your post except your description of Lallana. You must be watching the one from Southampton because the one we have all been seeing at LFC, bears no resemblance to the one you describe. Lallana has been here for his third season here and all he seems to do is run around a lot, doing Cruyff turns and killing our counter attacks (see Spurs game if you wanna pull your hair out) . Lallana does assist and score BUT no where near what he should be producing for the amount we paid for him. He is nothing like Firmino as he is three times the player Lallana is. Firmino is supremely gifted, has guile, creativity, vision and has goals and plenty of assists in him. Lallana is none of that and is actually worse because he has the same talent level BUT fails to actually use it to improve. He is easily two footed hence IMO, the most dangerous player on the pitch. But you wouldn`t know it when you see him play because he does next to nothing with his talent. it`s a shame really as I thought he would be much better than what he`s showing because running around a lot does nothing for me as Firmino, Couts, Mane press a lot and run around YET they offer more goals assists and influence than he does.


02 Sep 2016 21:16:30
Whatever the reason, he is wrong.


02 Sep 2016 22:22:16
Lallana reminds me of a wasp with one wing, he gets the ball, turns, turns again and attack breaks down by slowing it down or by losing possession. Yes he scores the odd goal but so would I if I was on his wages.


02 Sep 2016 23:53:17
Who is wrong, Fano?


02 Sep 2016 09:44:28
I don't get this hate towards FSG, they are trying to do things the right way, they have spent plenty of money, they have been let down by managers and the transfer committee.

Surely turning a profit in the transfer window is supposed to be celebrated? Do people just want them to spend money for the sake of it? We've spent plenty of money this window, just recuperated more.

Surely it's always better to turn a profit. Besides, FSG are a business, they are not here to throw millions of pounds away. They aren't football fans, they are business men.

Believable3 Unbelievable4

{Ed002's Note - Liverpool far from made a prifit on this transfer window - you need to move on from discussing money.}

02 Sep 2016 10:17:32
They won't be here much longer so it's irrelevant, I just hope they sell to the correct type of owner! I doubt they will as they've no interest or connection to the club or it's fans so will sell to whoever offers the most $$$$$. It's been 6 years and people still can't see what there about, they just take in what there being spoon fed and don't look into anything for themselves, the importance of being idle I guess, why go to those levels of effort when there's a PlayStation to be played on.


02 Sep 2016 10:59:22
Turning in a profit isn't a reason to celebrate, trophies are.


02 Sep 2016 11:31:29
Nothing wrong with being idle waro!


02 Sep 2016 11:59:04
I like my PlayStation! Although I'm a full on nerd and prefer to play Dragon Age or Lord of the Rings games. Maybe the odd shoot em up such as Star Wars or Medal of Honour.

Sport games I'm not so keen on. My missus keeps beating me at PGA tour which is driving me insane, and FIFA usually results in me having to dig my controller out of the walls. Although at least I don't lose to girls on that!


02 Sep 2016 12:57:31
Out of interest, Waro, what type of owner would you consider to be correct?


03 Sep 2016 09:47:13
He wouldn't. . they would all be peddlers of evil and against everything he stands for.


02 Sep 2016 09:32:57
Hi Eds,
just a question on "free transfers" so balotelli has left on a free to nice, how does that happen? did liverpool need to pay off the remainder of his contract? and then nice have to pay a handsome sign on fee and combine that in with his wages?

Also why did liverpool go down this route with him? as it seems strange that we paid 16 mill plus wages and all the agent fees etc to simply 2 years later let him go for "free"

Believable0 Unbelievable3

{Ed002's Note - (a) Liverpool let him be transferred to Nice the same as any other transfer - just that there was no fee involved. (b) Nice has a two year contract with Balotelli that will at a convenient time see him move elsewhere. (c) Liverpool took this approach as they wanted to sell him but lost all leverage when Klopp opened his mouth - this has all been covered before.}

02 Sep 2016 09:55:24
Thanks Ed 2 always appreciate the response! ah ok so i guess he's hoping to prove himself for the next 2 years, let's hope he's more productive with his time there than he was here!

Thanks again ed 2!


{Ed002's Note - He won't be there for two years - that is not part of the plan.}

02 Sep 2016 10:27:13
ah ok cool thanks ed 2!


02 Sep 2016 22:24:33
I don't think KLOPP said anything that anyone didn't already know and therefore made no difference to what we never got for Balotelli.


02 Sep 2016 07:55:14
Morning Ed002,

Now the transfer window is closed, which teams paid the most in agents fees this window?

How does this compare against last season ? All be it that we have only had the Summer window and not the January window as yet, I would hazard a guess the amounts aren't far apart even though we've only had the one transfer window thus far

Cheers.

Believable2 Unbelievable3

{Ed002's Note - They have not all been submitted yet but Manchester United paid the most (in excess of €30M to Mino alone) and it will be more than last year.}

02 Sep 2016 08:10:34
Ok, cheers ed2.


02 Sep 2016 11:32:50
Wonder if mini can spare couple 100k and get me out of mcdonalds.


02 Sep 2016 07:51:15
Now that silly season is over, I'd like to share my view on it.

First of all thanks Ed's for the constant updates.

Secondly, I think it is an absolute disgrace and a sign of the world we live in that the media outlets were celebrating the achievement of clubs in the PL spending over 1bn this summer. Now I love football more than anything. I've travelled the world watching club and country and still plan on doing so. I get that the sport makes so much money, but the way it's bragged about, when there are so many more important things in the world that could be used to better effect with that likes sickens me.
Again I'm not saying ban transfers, or clubs making money and all that nonsense and I know a lot of clubs do a lot of charity work etc. I just don't like how Sky/ BBC etc. go about the transfer windows now, like its some massive event.
Thanks for a the updated Ed's, now that the window is over, let's get behind our team and manager for 1 season without constantly moaning!
Keep the faith, YNWA.

Believable12 Unbelievable2

02 Sep 2016 08:37:43
Going to be honest, as I've got older I've become disillusioned with football. Mainly because of the money aspect. I loved it during the days of Fowler, Bergkamp, Zola, Cantona etc, going up to the "invincibles".

After that point I have gradually lost interest. Only a love for Liverpool that keeps me watching.


02 Sep 2016 09:42:27
That's the way of the world now and has been for a long long time pal, like yourself I don't agree with it.


02 Sep 2016 12:16:55
I agree with you Adam. Gone are the days when I used to watch any game of football just because it was on.

Liverpool aside, I don't watch any other games these days including finals and so called "huge fixtures". I also gave up on England a long time ago.


02 Sep 2016 18:32:00
Skill and talent traded for speed and fitness. Not many pure footballers left in the game.


01 Sep 2016 23:53:46
Ed002

Who in your opinion is the financially best balanced club this season and possibly going forward in the next couple of seasons, and do you think when Mr. Arye steps down to move to his new job can you see an improvement within the financial development of the club, I'm not discrediting what he has done as he is a very good business man but possibly maybe in the wrong area I. E the footballing world.

Believable0 Unbelievable2

{Ed002's Note - Manchester United has a far higher income that the other sides so they are always going to be in the best shape. That is not going to change. When Mr Ayre leaves I do not expect any significant change - commercially he has done very well for the club.}

02 Sep 2016 06:59:32
My son at the moment every day watches the 2005 DVD ( he's only 7 ) and I have to say a managers first couple signings are so important.
Rafa's first two were Alonso and Garcia.

Rogers were Borini and assaidi.

Managers will improve teams etc, implement their style of play. But in todays world they will always be judged on their transfers.

Believable4 Unbelievable4

02 Sep 2016 07:13:03
I disagree, they will be judged on results.


02 Sep 2016 07:54:39
Transfers are a means to an end, results are what keep managers in a job. Or not, as the case may be.


02 Sep 2016 08:15:47
True,

But do you not think fans are quicker to turn on a manager if the 'fans' deem there transfers unsuccessful.


02 Sep 2016 08:42:09
I think you're both right to an an extent.

Although I wonder, if Arsenal had won a few titles in the last few years, would fans be applauding Wenger's use of the club's finances rather than criticising him?


02 Sep 2016 09:10:28
Dont they go hand in hand?

Klopps results will be judges by how many we win but the players doing the winning are from his transfers. Not all granted.

20 years from now

Rafa. Alonso and garcia
Rodgers. Borini and assaidi
Klopp. Grujic and matip or Mane and karius.


02 Sep 2016 10:38:20
Rafa's first signing was Josemi, so you can't use this as a theory.


02 Sep 2016 11:59:19
Houllier did well didn't he? First signing Ferri. Yep that's all I needed to say.


02 Sep 2016 06:47:42
Good transfer window. Melwood will hopefully feel like a tighter group now. I can't wait for the first home game and to see the redeveloped stand. I know it's probably easier to build a new stadium but I love the fact we'll remain at Anfield.

Believable7 Unbelievable4

02 Sep 2016 06:32:15
Ed. With the changes over the last few years, transfer windows, FFP rules and so many home grown players in a squad do you think the governing bodies of this world could possibly say clubs are only allowed to sign so many players per transfer window and try to put it on all clubs to use their youth squad to produce players?

Many thanks.

Believable2 Unbelievable3

{Ed041's Note - that's not going to happen mate.

02 Sep 2016 08:23:25
Cheers Ed.

Not disagreeing with you. Just interested in the if.

If it was to happen, do you think it would be a good idea? I do personally. Would produce more youngsters. The money in football would not be as excessive and I'd like to see the YTS scheme bought back. Youngsters washing players boots.


{Ed041's Note - right to work and all that would be a problem I'm guessing. Do I think it would be a good idea for young players to wash boots? I think they have it to easy thus why so many like ravel and such fall short. I'm just not sure how you can now go back as it's now ingrained into them. I have one idea that might help and I'll post it later on how we could help the lower leagues plus get young players focused again.

02 Sep 2016 13:06:05
Thank you mate.


{Ed041's Note - no problem, I'll do it later, as I'm on my way to Liverpool soon for a stag.

02 Sep 2016 06:13:02
Instead of Wasting sakho. I would be inclined to play him Lb. Sure he is best out of our curennt options
.

Believable6 Unbelievable13

02 Sep 2016 08:47:46
Bhav good idea but does he have the pace? I remember almost always seeing him struggle to catch his man. Maybe not pace the positional intelligence.


02 Sep 2016 11:03:49
Fullbacks aren't just defenders these days. I may be wrong but i'm not sure Sakho has it in him to bomb up the wing past an opponent and deliver an inch-perfect cross.


02 Sep 2016 14:15:38
He will not provide the outlet you need at the FB position as he is set up to play the CB position hence, more conservative going forward.


02 Sep 2016 16:30:55
No way. Too many unknowns and too risky to play him at FB. He's not quick enough to get by players, we don't know if he can cross, and we don't know if he has the discipline to run back into position if he loses the ball or his cross misses the target. He can thread passes pretty well, but that's not enough to play FB. I'd use Joe Gomez (if fit) before even thinking of Sakho.


01 Sep 2016 23:46:46
I've seen on Sky Sports that they've listed is as one of the clubs to break their transfer record this summer with the Mane deal.

Sorry if this is a stupid/ obvious question ed but was the Mane deal really worth more than the Carroll one? Cheers.

Believable4 Unbelievable2

{Ed001's Note - yes.}

02 Sep 2016 07:41:27
He's already done more than Carroll.


{Ed002's Note - But not more than what Firmino's can reach.}

 
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