20 Aug 2024 10:30:54
Personally I can understand the apprehension shown by some targets namely zubimendi, I don’t want mercenaries joining simply for the pay cheque, obviously Liverpool is a massive club and should appeal to most players but they have to buy in to the project, what does slott offer that ten hag doesn’t, I don’t think we will be attracting top level talent until next season at the earliest as slott will have to prove he can take us forward and bring success, for all we know it could be a complete disaster, we only have Edward’s and Hughes recommendation that they’ve got the right man in charge and so far the majority of fans think the pair are having a disaster so why would his appointment be any different? Personally I’m overjoyed with slotts appointment and I’m more than satisfied with the squad as is.
20 Aug 2024 11:17:07
I think there are lots of good reasons for him not to join Liverpool. I’m not sure why anybody is that bothered by him not joining. I’m more annoyed he messed us about, but even then it’s just part and parcel of the transfer window. I stand by calling him a flake, although I’m not sure why that’s so upsetting to some other posters. If the shoe fits and all that. Maybe he does lack ambition but ambition is not an exclusively positive character trait. Ambition gets a lot of people into situations they regret and that is why the phrase “the grass isn’t always greener” came to be. Ask Coutinho where his ambition got him. He won some medals as a squad player, but he’ll never be loved like he was at Anfield and his career is now defined by his failed €142m move to Barcelona. Was it worth it? Only he will know the truth deep down but who even knows where he is now after failing at Bayern and Villa too. Nobody will be rushing to put him ahead of loyal players who won a lot less like Totti, Gerrard, Shearer or Le Tissier. There’s as much an argument that it requires a strong mentality to turn down more money and chance of medals in favour or loyalty and what’s best for your family.
It’s got to be time to move on for all of us now though. Zubimendi is a Sociedad player and that’s that.
{Ed001's Note - I just feel is sounds a bit bitter to be calling someone names because they chose not to join us. Let's face it, if you have Edwards, Ward and Hughes coming to sell you a project, it is little wonder you would be unsure about it. Those are three of the least inspiring human beings on the planet, let's be honest. We had Klopp to sell it before - an almost Shankly-like aura surrounded him. Now we have a man who is still to some degree an unknown quantity in Slot, with 3 above him who are clearly not fit for purpose. It feels like Slot is going to be having to win despite those three, rather than with their help.
What I mean is, the guy is not really all that flakey for changing his mind when he has a good look at what is going on at the club, with three guys that give off Edward Woodward at Man Utd vibes in terms of competence. It could be seen as sensible from him to have had a look and thought, actually no, that might not be the right move at this moment in time.}
20 Aug 2024 11:52:47
Wow Ed, brutal take on the 3 amigos there. Are we really struggling to sell our project as much as you suggest? This is concerning given we are hoping to get some very important contracts sorted.
{Ed001's Note - none of them are inspiring are they? They have no idea how to negotiate and seem to have no idea how to identify what the club needs either. We still have not dealt with the most pressing matter - the three contracts - something that could and should have been done by now.}
20 Aug 2024 12:15:30
Question for you Ed. We know that Edwards and Hughes are friendly, and that the control of transfers is supposedly, in theory, in Hughes' domain. Do you think there is any way that Hughes could sacked in the next 2 years, or do you not feel that Edwards has it in him? If we continue to fail in the transfer market and make a mess of the contracts within our own squad, surely Edwards will not be able to avoid that staring him in the face?
{Ed001's Note - I would be very surprised if Edwards has it in him. He brought in his mate in the first place, rather than went and got someone capable to do the job. Hardly going to rush to get rid if his mate is not doing well is he?}
20 Aug 2024 12:23:06
I can't disagree, Ed. Edwards bringing in his mate, Richard Hughes, will come under scrutiny unless we buck up and get things done.
We will no doubt assess it in 11 days time.
{Ed001's Note - I think the biggest question should be why Edwards was brought back in the first place? Oh yes, he is very friendly with Henry. It is jobs for the boys, hence the reference to Edward Woodward I made, as he was given his job due to helping the Glazers buy United.}
20 Aug 2024 12:30:11
It’s a fair argument Ed001, but my opinion would be don’t say yes until you have all that information already and you’re fully sold on every aspect of the club. Also it might sound bitter on the face of it but remember that I was never one of the posters desperate to sign him. I pretty much always said I wanted Koopmeiners or to give Morton/ Bajcetic a chance and despite copping flak for those views I never changed them. So it would be very bitter if I started slagging Koopmeiners off now because he picked Juventus, but I have nothing negative to say about him because he was always pretty clear in what he wanted and I think that’s just more respectful behaviour. Agree to disagree though mate.
I’m not as in touch with the workings as yourself so I’m quietly waiting to see how Hughes and co get on before passing judgement. So far I’m pleased they haven’t rushed out like a kid in a candy shop and wasted our money on average players. But I’m also a bit skeptical about how long it’s taking to decide who to keep and who to sell. There might be a fair reason but It does make us look weak as a club. People said the same the summer we only signed van den Berg though and we won the league that season. Time will tell. Edwards definitely wasn’t great last time in terms of contracts though, or selling players before their value was completely eroded. So hopefully history won’t repeat itself. If they are also the reason players are put off from signing for us (which I appreciate is just your possible theory right now) that would be a big concern.
{Ed001's Note - it wasn't even a theory, I was just pointing out that it would be understandable if players are not keen to join us until they see how things pan out post-Klopp. Right now it has that post-Fergie air about it. The one saving grace right now looks to be Slot.}
20 Aug 2024 12:34:30
Hughes made some decent signings for Bournemouth. I don't know how inspiring he is but he made the club a profit on the likes of Ramsdale, Ake, Mings, Danjuma, Wilson and Solanke.
Klopp's personality will be a loss to Liverpool in many ways but that's hardly the three amigos' fault.
{Ed001's Note - how many were him? Some of those I am sure predated him taking charge of recruitment. Howe was in charge for most of his time there.}
20 Aug 2024 12:59:03
Yeah fair enough Ed001. Although from my point of view I’d be a lot more offended at being compared to Ed Woodward in terms of my competence, than I would at rightly being called a flake for changing my mind last minute!
Do you really think they’re that bad? I’m not a fan of Edward’s in a football capacity so I’m hoping he has very little involvement at that level and will be working more with FSG. Slot has only really mentioned working with Hughes on transfers so fingers crossed. But I just don’t know anything about Hughes. So I’m really hoping your Woodward comparisons are wide of the mark, or this will be a bad decade ahead, judging by what he did to United after Ferguson.
{Ed001's Note - I do think they are that bad. The only question is whether they can learn and improve given time.}
20 Aug 2024 13:19:55
Ed001, from what I've read Wilson and Mings were before he was Technical Director but Hughes was on the recruitment team at the time.
Even if you ignore those two Hughes has made some good signings for Bournemouth.
{Ed001's Note - if you say so. Making a profit is not necessarily the same thing. Most of those players it is astonishing they made money on. But how many were hidden gems? How many are anywhere near good enough to play for us? I would be gutted if we considered any of those players, not one is anywhere near good enough for us, so not sure how him buying lower end Prem players for Bournemouth makes him good enough for us?}
20 Aug 2024 13:39:55
Given Edwards never speaks, we can only judge him on his actions. He's now in what was Mike Gordon's role and he will be measured by the success of FSG's football club portfolio, which if we believe what is written is likely to grow.
I am sure hoping we fare better than Ed Woodward's leadership at Man United! Slot was a positive recruit. Let's see what they can deliver in the next week or so on the recruitment/ contract front.
20 Aug 2024 13:47:54
People slagging off Zubimendi for changing his mind and staying with his boyhood club are just hypocrites.
Everyone is wanting Trent to turn down Real Madrid and stay at his boyhood club.
20 Aug 2024 14:11:32
Lamborini, that’s not a fair comparison is it. I want Trent to stay but what I don’t want him to do is agree to sign for Real Madrid then get cold feet and change his mind. Either go or stay, but don’t act like you’re the main character for days/ weeks and have everyone running around after you, and the media creating a big saga out of it. In fact if Trent did that I’d be extremely disappointed in him. I’m actually quite full of respect for Zubimendi for eventually staying with his boyhood club but the changing his mind and wasting everyone’s time is ridiculous. Just say no in the first place. When I change job I do it with conviction. Never once changed my mind last minute or used another job offer for a pay rise. I find that unprofessional.
{Ed001's Note - he never acted like a main character. Liverpool and Sociedad created the drama, not him. People read the utter crap on social media and think they are experts on the situation and then point a finger of blame at a player who did nothing other than indicate he might be interested in joining but then change his mind. He didn't do interviews or put out statements, so how was he acting like the main character? You are making up some utter crap now it is embarrassing when you didn't even want him anyway. The media created a big saga because that is what they do, that is not the fault of the player.
You have so much respect for him that you have done nothing but disrespect him since the deal collapsed.}
20 Aug 2024 14:56:52
Ed001, i’m not interested in an argument. Can we please just agree to disagree. I’ve made up nothing. Ed002 said Zubimendi’s final decision is partially held up the deal. Romano said he changed his mind annd that was backed up by Pearce, Joyce annd Ornstein. All I’ve done is given my opinion on him taking so long to make a decision and what I think of him changing his mind. I also clearly stated the media created the saga but there has to be a drama still and Zubimendi (and Hughes) were surely part of that. Again, agree to disagree. I’m not falling out with people over a Real Sociedad player .
{Ed001's Note - falling out? Who is falling out? You seem to care far too much about a missed transfer you claim to have never wanted, so much so you have saturated the site with attacks on him ever since. As for any of that about Romano the bull**** artist etc, what is the relevance? It is not the player making statements, it is clickbait tossers on social media that you are basing your moans on. None of it came from the player so why are you blaming him? You have made something up - you have made up that the player is acting like he is the central character in anything etc. He has just made a decision over a transfer, nothing more, nothing less. There is no drama unless you lap up the crap on social media.
As for an argument, you are taking this way too seriously. You may be arguing, but I am not. I am just bored of reading personal attacks on someone for turning down a move. This social media generation overreacting to everything is so tedious. Just stop attacking the lad and move on. He did nothing wrong.}
20 Aug 2024 15:56:12
From my perspective the over reaction is people getting upset about a very tame opinion of mine and calling it an attack. I’ve said in this very thread I respect his final decision and can think of multiple reasons he’s decided not to join us. I do think you want to blame Hughes slightly more than needed because you clearly dislike him and the way he operates on a more data driven basis. Which is fine. But I’m equally tired of reading several threads a day of people parroting your negative opinions on Hughes 8 weeks into the job. At least yours are original but you have a lot of posters who just pass of what you say as their own. I could call them “attacks” on Hughes just as easily. It goes both ways ultimately. The only difference between us is your comments are in Red and mine are in Black. Neither of us were sat in on discussions over the transfer and we’ve just got different views on why each party acted how they did and who was more to blame.
I apologise if I misread your replies btw, as it seemed like you wanted to argue over it. That probably was me being sensitive! So I’ll own that.
{Ed001's Note - this is the annoying thing, you read too much into everything. I don't dislike Hughes at all, why would I? I don't have a problem with a data-driven approach either. Ok I am done though, I am not going to give another opinion. Pointless as you are just going to get all precious if it is not the same as yours.}
20 Aug 2024 15:56:42
Lamborini, I’ve consistently said that Trent is within his rights to consider other options and if he does leave that’s fine. He’s an employee like any other. My gripe with MZ is that he gave his word then flip flopped. To me that lad doesn’t have the character to do play for us and we should have binned him off as soon as he was wavering, as it’s clear he is a flaky character and would likely be pining for Spain sooner rather than later.
20 Aug 2024 16:38:19
For me, the 3 Stoogers (Edwards, Ward, Hughes) appear to be good at fleecing teams for some of our fringe players. They also appear to be able to activate a release clause. It appears they don't want to partake or care very little for contract discussions and try to sell the club in a data driven way. I willing to give them until after next summer tho ?.
On the Zubimendi flake isssue. If someone says they are willing to do something and then turn around a bit later and say nah because of some daft reason. That is flake behaviour.
Just for the record before anyone attacks me, I am not calling Zubimendi a flake but he shown flake behaviour ?.
20 Aug 2024 18:11:18
Quite the opposite Ed001. I’m marrying someone who disagrees with me on just about everything and we get on great! But she would admittedly say I am also quite stubborn and will defend my own views to the very end of time. Please don’t misinterpret my stubbornness for emotions. I’m pretty much dead inside!
20 Aug 2024 18:14:31
Ed001, I'm not saying Hughes is good enough for Liverpool. He'll be judged on his time at Liverpool like he's judged on his time at Bournemouth. Some say he did nothing there but others say he did a good job and that's why he got a job at Liverpool. Each to their own.
Ps. didn't he also give Liverpool some advice before we bought Salah and Alisson from Roma?
I'm sure I read that somewhere and they turned out to be excellent buys.
20 Aug 2024 18:25:29
Ed, to be fair to MK you say you don't have an issue with Hughes but in this very thread you call him very uninspiring, say he has no idea how to negotiate or identify what the club needs, insinuate he only got the job through nepotism and say he reminds you of Ed Woodward. I'm neutral in this debate but can see why he might think you dislike Hughes as it does come off that way.
I do disagree on the contract situation. Ultimately the fault is Ward's and Schmadte's who should have sorted the situation out over the previous two years. Hughes has only had a few weeks to negotiate while the players have been back from holiday so he has my sympathy. Trent is the most urgent. The older two are at the stage in their career where they will want to take their time and assess their options. I'd definitely try to extend Van Dijk for a couple of extra seasons. But I think we probably have to accept Salah is leaving at the end of his contract and I think that's for the best. He's 32 now and wingers just don't last into their mid-thirties these days. The club won't want to extend him on his current wages. They won't want a player's legs to go on £350k a week.
20 Aug 2024 19:57:32
"I just feel is sounds a bit bitter to be calling someone names because they chose not to join us. "
Ed01, this happened to Xabi Alonso as well after he had the timerity to stay at Leverkusen and not come to us. I have no idea why people do this, personally. Players, coaches, DOF's analysts, physios etc. reject clubs to go elsewhere all the time yet some can't just let it go and feel personally offended by it hence, the personal attacks.
Zubimendi chose to stay at Sociedad, just like Daniel agger chose to reject Barcelona and stay at LFC back in the day. Accept the decision and move on.
21 Aug 2024 00:01:00
Oli, you'd be ok with The Three Stooges not re-signing Salah, VVD and TAA then?
21 Aug 2024 00:25:13
All I'm saying is that I don't think Zubimendi is a flake because I don't think he gave his word to join us or anything remotely close to that. What I think happened is that we approached him and his agent and he indicated that he MAY be interested. We then entered negotiations with him and his club where he ultimately decided to stay. Maybe he spoke to his family and RS and they convinced him to stay. I don't think there was ever any promise that he would move to us. So no, not flakey behaviour for me.
21 Aug 2024 01:40:19
I posted in the beginning of the summer that an event id attended which also had a number of very well connected football agents who had told me Liverpool was a tough sell this year because of the uncertainty surrounding the club.
Everyone seemed to think I was talking crazy at the time and people Def had united fan syndrome of thinking "we are Liverpool" but perhaps people are seeing now exactly what those agent had said - at best Liverpool is an uncertain choice at worst it's a club in decline as far as prospective players go.
I assume it's why the club replaced the entire midfield last year because they knew it would be a tough sell after klopp left.
21 Aug 2024 02:44:49
Well, that was all very silly lol.