15 Jun 2020 13:18:27
So I understand DLC being cautious about spending money in this virus period due to lack of income. Just don't understand how other clubs who will face the same problems can afford to spend in excess of 100m and still meet the strict restrictions on spending against income. I do think that the owners are using the reduced income link to justify a lack of spending. I read some are recently we are 11th in nett spend in the pl over the last 5 years. At some stage in the next 2 years we will have to prepare for changing the top 3 surely now is the time when prices are depressed.

{Ed002's Note - Other clubs, such as Chelsea, have more money available to them to spend. Liverpool have commitments they must meet.}

15 Jun 2020 13:52:10
Who are you wanting us to buy? Players to sit on the bench and take the place of the lads coming through.
The owners have spent money on players, Anfield, new training complex and in youth development. We have some promising boys coming through so its time to give them a chance to prove how good they can be. Yep if Mane or Salah go then yes I would expect to replace them but they aren't going just yet.
Sit tight as currently we are in a good position considering the owners we have had over the last 20 years.

15 Jun 2020 15:46:36
OP, I don't know why this is so hard to grasp. Net spend or not, Ed02 has said that LFC cannot afford to spend cash during this C.V. due to severe cut to income which has messed up their financial projections that happened pre-C.V. hence, they can't afford to take risks on signing a 53m rated player on near 200k a week while telling the current players that they may have to take a pay-cut/ deferred payments on their wages. We can't afford to spend money we don't have just to please fans, I certainly don't want it.

We also know that using Chelsea for example as a stick to beat the owners with for not spending money, is a false argument cos Chesea have cash on hand from both the Hazard and Morata sales along with the sale of some young loanees while clearing the big wages of Pedro and Willian off the books. This is common knowledge.

Therefore, why are we still going on and on about this, exactly? LFC have commitments to meet as Ed02 said cos the bills don't stop coming in cos of C.V.. We need to keep the lights on at Anfield first and foremost, before we bother about doing anything else, IMO.

15 Jun 2020 16:14:05
I hate to say. For the 1st time in my life I wasn't 100% proud to be a red when lfc put non playing staff on furlough. Now I don't know the ins and outs, but it would seem a bit of a kick in the teeth if we spent massive money on bringing werner in to fight origi for a spot on the bench.

At the same time I don't know how long we can go on saying "we don't need anyone" I think we might see a lb but I doubt it's going to be a 30 odd mil signing. Edwards is a bit of a genius when it comes to bargains and I totally trust him to do that.

And I don't get the moaning about the owner, he's playing the long game which we should all be grateful for. Looks like we will lift the prem but idd hate to slip into 4th place mediocrity soon after.

And Chelsea may be spending but good god, they need to eh. They've barely signed anyone since Frank took over. The young American and someone else but they are low on quality.

15 Jun 2020 17:48:34
Fully agree, Robbie. I also think that people are moaning about the Werner no longer coming ONLY because he went to Chelsea as in, a top 6 rival. Pretty sure that had Werner went to Bayern, BVB, Barcelona or RM, nobody would have cared and moaned about it as muh as they are doing now. Chelsea need him more than we do otherwise, Klopp would not have backed off if he thought we really needed him. Also, Chelsea have other issues (the ones we don't have) to deal with starting at CB and both fullbacks. Just my take.

Also, I don't believe anyone is saying we don't need anyone cos if people are saying that then they are deluding themselves, IMO. I wanted Timo Werner here cos he is the exact player we need to help us in attacking positions as he can play anywhere in the front 3.

What I will not support is this whole "Cos we don't sign Werner, then FSG is this or that" or "are trying to shaft us again" and all that rubbish. So essentially, FSG should take financial risks to please fans whereas these same fans will be running them out of town should these risks go south? That is the petulance I can't stand and people need to grow up, seriously. We are dealing with real life realities here, not people's fantasies.

{Ed002's Note - FSG are not in any sort of position to take financial risks. Don't forget taht Liverpool has mortgaged all of the assets.}

15 Jun 2020 18:08:57
It has to be a continuous process. Regardless of whether you are the top or the bottom team in the league. A continuous process of looking at talent suitable to your own team's needs for the present and the future, within the financial resources available to you. I keep reading the refrain that "nobody is going to come to Liverpool to sit on the bench, but everyone knows the method of operation by now. You play when you are good enough to play in the system being used. So we saw Robertson on the bench, then Fabinho, then Shaqiri and now Minamino. The players, present and future, know this is how it works. But they'll still keep coming.

15 Jun 2020 18:09:59
Our squad is in a healthy state. There is no need to spend if we don't have to, especially if funds are tight.

Maybe one of the Eds can confirm if this is true. I've heard that Fenway Sports Group are expecting to have to invest heavily in the Boston Red Sox due to the C.V. C.V., and have to weight their potential investments in that direction before they can commit to spending heavily at Liverpool. Do you know of any truth in that?

Thanks in advance.

{Ed002's Note - FSG have financial issues like many of the owners - investing in their businesses is not the issue, meeting their financial obligations is. Why would they be looking to spending heavily at Liverpool at this time?}

15 Jun 2020 18:31:16
Thanks for the reply Ed002.

I understand that. I'd read that the reason that we didn't step in for Timo Werner (the last I'll say of him as I'm sure you're sick of the questions about him) was that FSG were expecting to have to spend heavily at the Red Sox: not that he was seen as unnecessary.

{Ed002's Note - The Werner situation was an absolute discrace and shows Liverpool and Klopp in a bad light. Henry, Werner and others from the Red Soxs apologised to the MLB clubs for cheating in 2018 and accepted the loss of a second round draft pick and the suspension of an employee for the 2020 season.}

15 Jun 2020 19:18:04
Yep, agree RM. This might sound crazy but I think it makes next season more competitive if Chelsea can compete with us and city. More interesting. I always enjoy our games with Chelsea, very intense, high tempo games with a lot of technical prowess. I love football, not just Liverpool. When bale scored that world ie in the cl final. I was devastated by I ld rather lose to a goal like that rather than a pinball wizard goal. After the game I took my hat off to him. Wish he didn't steal it and claim it as a tax expense
My point is, at least we get to see what he's got about him. Imagine if he flopped. He won't but the same was thought of morata. He's an exciting player playing on the pl now. If your lampard and had to chose one of
Salah
Firmino
Mane
Werner.
I don't think timo would be first choice or even third. We we ont miss him. Origi is another year into his progression and he's a great asset. Best shot out of our 4 imo

Timo werner would stifle origi. And let's not forget the guys a cult legend. I hope he stays he forever. He's brilliant, he gets you goals perfect super sub. And contrary to many others believes I like him on lf (not really lw now is it. Lb is lw also
I'd have that her stuck with big div. Love.

15 Jun 2020 20:35:57
Spot on, Robbie. Big Div is a legend, IMO. He may still be rough around he edges but the uy is a gem off the field and a hard worker who gives his all every time he plays. As for his skill set, I think he is a very good dribbler, great footwork for a big man n like you said, has a missile-launcher in both feet.

Also, don't sleep on Minamino. I listened to an interview by Jesse Marsch (RB Salburg manager and ex MLS player I watched while living in the States) and he describes him as more of a Firmino play who plays fast with good touch and excellent movement, like we all saw at Anfield in the CL. He said if we can get the best out of Mino then, look out. We have player on our hands. We shall see.

15 Jun 2020 21:10:32
Thank you Ed002. I have very little knowledge about what's been happening in the MLB. Your knowledge astounds me that it extends that far.

Do you agree that their situation in the States affects their ability to spend here in this country. I do realise that at the moment we don't particularly need to spend, but if this was two years ago, where would FSG's priority lie? I'm not trying to vindicate FSG whatsoever, and they have been the best thing that has happened to our club in decades. I'm just trying to gauge if there are priorities between Liverpool and the Red Sox and where their main priorities lie.

{Ed002's Note - No, the owners cannot gift money to the club to buy players beyond what FFP commands. The club has to be self-sufficient and has to pay the debts that are coming due for improvements to the stadium, for the building of the new training centre and for past transfers. You seem to misunderstand the finances.}