Sport Liverpool Football Club

[Kelthink]

I'd prefer DIC. I don't think they'd be too hasty in removing Benitez, they must give him some time if they wanted to drum up some support from fans. Mind, I'm almost at the point of giving up on professional football, the money stuff is spiralling completely out of control.

[DeNeo]

I'm prepared for the next few weeks/months to be a rollercoster of hopes getting raised and then quickly dashed again

[DeNeo]

I'd prefer DIC. I don't think they'd be too hasty in removing Benitez, they must give him some time if they wanted to drum up some support from fans. Mind, I'm almost at the point of giving up on professional football, the money stuff is spiralling completely out of control.

Yeah, I wouldn't want us to do a City.

As long as DIC come in, wipe the debts, build the stadium, and give us a healthy transfer budget each season I'll be happy. We just need stability, and the ability to compete for top value transfer targets. We don't need fantasy football.

Though I realise that pretty much is a fantasy

[nohsa]

Yup, there were rumours that DIC would endeavour to replace Rafa, were they to gain control.

IIRC that was one of the reasons that loads of supporters were not so keen on DIC. Moreover weren't they pretending to be fans as well. I just found it to be a shallow act. With the americans at least you get complete honesty, all that they ever wanted is milking the "reds franchise".

[Commander Jameson]

IIRC that was one of the reasons that loads of supporters were not so keen on DIC. Moreover weren't they pretending to be fans as well. I just found it to be a shallow act. With the americans at least you get complete honesty, all that they ever wanted is milking the "reds franchise".

The Sheikh is a huge fan of Liverpool and does attend games, which is more than can be said for our present encumbents. As for complete honesty, what happened to G&H "being the custodians" of LFC? You've also got the issue of debt being loaded onto the club, the lack of progress on the stadium, the ill-judged meeting with Klinsmann, the very public fallout between the pair, etc.

I agree with DeNeo. A solid, stable ownership able to build the new stadium and keep us competitive with our rivals.

[V3zna]

I can't believe there's genuine Liverpool fans out there that are still making excuses for G&H. They've been an absolute disaster and DIC surely can't be any worse.

[Stig]

Yeah, I wouldn't want us to do a City.

As long as DIC come in, wipe the debts, build the stadium, and give us a healthy transfer budget each season I'll be happy. We just need stability, and the ability to compete for top value transfer targets. We don't need fantasy football.

Though I realise that pretty much is a fantasy

This is what I want too, I wouldn't want us to turn into the next Chelsea or do what MAn City are doing now. But if DIC came in and we won the season 2 season from now, you know exactly how everyone would view it, but then again, that would depends on if we'd acctually spent big in those seasons. I'd also like them to put a lot of money into the youth accademy. What Liverpool needs are hungry, entusiactic, pasionate scousers. We need to develope the next gen Gerrards and Carras.

[nohsa]

I am not making excuses but I am far more worried about a bunch of guys who will just regard the club as a toy. Once they have lost interest there might be a new fade and they decide to let the cub rot. CJ, is there any evidence that the IDC brigade has been to games frequently?

At the end of the day you lot are right in saying that DIC should not be any worse than what we have now, but economic turmoil has a lot to do with this situation and I can't really believe that two self made millionaires would risk a financial catastrophe once they have made an investment such as this. Surely there is more long term planning that we don’t know about yet as they can’t disclose it.

[ras el hanout]

I am not making excuses but I am far more worried about a bunch of guys who will just regard the club as a toy. Once they have lost interest there might be a new fade and they decide to let the cub rot. CJ, is there any evidence that the IDC brigade has been to games frequently?

At the end of the day you lot are right in saying that DIC should not be any worse than what we have now, but economic turmoil has a lot to do with this situation and I can't really believe that two self made millionaires would risk a financial catastrophe once they have made an investment such as this. Surely there is more long term planning that we don’t know about yet as they can’t disclose it.

The Americans really were fucked by circumstances out of their control which nobody could have foreseen CREDIT CRUNCH! And, you know, it's no good for us but I don't think they're as evil as people make out. The DIC guy is supposed to be a Liverpool supporter, which is good, and their credit is good which is also good.

But DIC were pimping Liverpool around as an investment which would have good returns in a couple of years, weren't they? There was something like that, and that's where the DIC negativity cam from, iirc.

[Commander Jameson]

The Americans really were fucked by circumstances out of their control which nobody could have foreseen CREDIT CRUNCH! And, you know, it's no good for us but I don't think they're as evil as people make out. The DIC guy is supposed to be a Liverpool supporter, which is good, and their credit is good which is also good.

But DIC were pimping Liverpool around as an investment which would have good returns in a couple of years, weren't they? There was something like that, and that's where the DIC negativity cam from, iirc.

Yes that's what I remember.

When DIC were first involved, they were making all the right noises publically and everyone seemed pretty excited to have them as owners. Then DIC suddenly dropped out and G&H appeared. At first, they had come out of nowhere, so people were gutted about DIC leaving the party. Initially, G&H spoke well about what they were going to do with the team. Around that time, the "seven year plan" from DIC appeared and people wondered (rightly) about their motives. G&H's high point came with the unveiling of the stadium redesign, emphasising The Kop and its acoustics.

From that point, they were impacted by the financial situation, the pair falling out with each other, Parry and Benitez, the sudden announcement that debt was being put on the club despite statements saying the opposite. Internal politics were being made shamefully public by all. As I understand, when Dubai reappeared, it was under the Sheikh's personal interest rather than DIC.

[lampkin]

The Americans really were fucked by circumstances out of their control which nobody could have foreseen CREDIT CRUNCH! And, you know, it's no good for us but I don't think they're as evil as people make out. The DIC guy is supposed to be a Liverpool supporter, which is good, and their credit is good which is also good.

But DIC were pimping Liverpool around as an investment which would have good returns in a couple of years, weren't they? There was something like that, and that's where the DIC negativity cam from, iirc.

Don't really agree with using the "credit crunch" as an excuse besides, I've seen posts from 2004 predicting the "credit crunch". To me it just suggests they have a bad business model which relies on binging on debt...

[V3zna]

There is a God -

Rafael Benitez today confirmed both Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard are back in light training at Melwood.

With both players facing a race against time to be fit for next weekend's Premier League clash with Manchester United, the manager has revealed they are each "ten to twelve days" away from a return to competitive action.

Torres is battling to overcome a hamstring tear sustained against Aston Villa at the weekend while Gerrard is recovering from a minor groin operation.

"Both players are now back jogging and will be out for ten to twelve days," said Benitez.

"Gerrard might be back before Torres but you never know."

[Meat]

There is a God -

Rafael Benitez today confirmed both Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard are back in light training at Melwood.

With both players facing a race against time to be fit for next weekend's Premier League clash with Manchester United, the manager has revealed they are each "ten to twelve days" away from a return to competitive action.

Torres is battling to overcome a hamstring tear sustained against Aston Villa at the weekend while Gerrard is recovering from a minor groin operation.

"Both players are now back jogging and will be out for ten to twelve days," said Benitez.

"Gerrard might be back before Torres but you never know."

Holy shit i hope he plays, I thought he was definitely out. It would make it all the more worthwhile. It's sad how we rely so heavily on one player. BUY US DIC AND GIVE US MONEY SO WE CAN ALSO MAKE £135 MILLION OFFERS FOR PLAYERS PLS

[Meat]

Holy living fuck, read this guys (about Man City and their new owners): http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/t...ity/7593936.stm

some excerpts:

As news of the deal was being digested, Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG) was promising to make City "bigger than both Real Madrid and Manchester United" and planning January transfer moves for Cesc Fabregas and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The estimated wealth of the Al Nahyan family is an almost unimaginable $1 trillion (a thousand billion dollars) or more than £560bn.

With the oil price surging recently, his family's wealth has been increasing massively by the day. Every time the price of a barrel of oil rises by $1, it is estimated Abu Dhabi gains as much as $500m (£280m) a day

HOW MUCH WILL CITY COST?

Staveley says the purchase price for the Premier League club is "around if not above" £200m.

She confirmed this would buy the Abu Dhabi Group a 90% stake in City, with Thaksin retaining 10%.

Anil Bhoyrul, who broke the story about the purchase for arabianbusiness.com, told BBC Sport: "£200m is nothing for ADUG. Two days ago they announced a $60bn (£34bn) building project in Dubai."

The Manchester club was the choice because Arsenal's major shareholders have collectively agreed not to sell to anybody in the near future, Newcastle were quoted at £400m and Liverpool were deemed poor value because of the need for a new stadium.

Nooo!

Dr Sulaiman is already promising that City will become one of the major forces in European football.

"Our goal is to make this football club one of the best not just in England but also in the world," he told BBC Sport.

They have already beaten Chelsea to the signature of Brazilian star Robinho, by paying a British-record £32.5m transfer fee to Real Madrid.

Speaking to arabianbusiness.com, Dr Sulaiman revealed he had set his sights on Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, Arsenal maestro Cesc Fabregas and Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.

"Ronaldo has said he wants to play for the biggest club in the world, so we will see in January if he is serious," said Dr Sulaiman.

"Real Madrid were estimating his value at $160m (£90m) but for a player like that, to actually get him, will cost a lot more, I would think $240m (£134m).

"But why not? We are going to be the biggest club in the world, bigger than both Real Madrid and Manchester United."

[phresh]

I don't think they quite understand the difference between 'big' and 'rich'.

[dizogg]

Liverpool are deemed poor value because of the need for a new stadium? Even tho Man Citys stadium is pretty much the same size (maybe a couple of thousand more)? That doesn't really make sense if they are looking to make Man City the worlds biggest club they'll still need a new stadium probably at some point (unless Man City's stadium is a good prospect for expansion perhaps).

Still glad they didn't buy us though, I wouldn't want to be the new Chelsea.

[Marzipan Travolta]

They're never going to become the biggest club in the world paying vastly overinflated prices for players from major rivals.

I have no doubt that a club like Manchester United would do better out of a £134m bill for Ronaldo than City would.

[dizogg]

Definitly. £134m is ridiculous figure though. The whole Man City club only cost £200m for fucks sake! Crazy.

[Chewylegs]

This is the line up I would like to see

----------------Reina

---Carra---Agger---Skrtel----Dossena

--------------------Alonso

---------Mascherano

------Babel---Keane----Reira

-------------kuyt

Bench: Ngog, Lucas, Benayoun, El Zhar, Arbeloa

So, Gerrard is practically definitely out on saturday and Torres is unlikely I want to see the team above play against Man U. Its attacking, more attacking than usual but we are home and we need to be taking the game to them.

I'm gutted though as I will be missing the game to play BLOODY golf.....no doubt in the rain!

[V3zna]

So, Gerrard is practically definitely out on saturday and Torres is unlikely I want to see the team above play against Man U. Its attacking, more attacking than usual but we are home and we need to be taking the game to them.

I'm gutted though as I will be missing the game to play BLOODY golf.....no doubt in the rain!

That's exactly the team I would play if Torres is also missing. I certainly hope it's not 4-2-3-1 with Keane as the lone striker. At least Kuyt will challenge Ferdinand and Vidic physically. I think I would be correct in saying that Mascherano (and Tevez) are both banned from Wednesday's Argentina match.

[Meat]

I hope I'm wrong but I cant see Kuyt doing anything against Utd's back line. God i hope Torres is fit enough.

[phresh]

That's exactly the team I would play if Torres is also missing. I certainly hope it's not 4-2-3-1 with Keane as the lone striker. At least Kuyt will challenge Ferdinand and Vidic physically. I think I would be correct in saying that Mascherano (and Tevez) are both banned from Wednesday's Argentina match.

As a United fan i'd be more worried with Keane upfront than Kuyt. I would be slightly concerned about Babels pace if he is on the left but I don't think he's any quicker than Evra. I also can't seem him playing Mascherano higher than Alonso against the better teams, especially with a defense that hasn't 'bedded in' so to speak.

If both Gerrard and Torres are missing I expect he'll play it defensively and try to catch United on the break, which is probably what United will do for the first 60 or so minutes making it a pretty shit game. I also expect that you'll beat us as usually you play well then we get a late goal wheras I expect the opposite to happen this time.

[V3zna]

As a United fan i'd be more worried with Keane upfront than Kuyt. I would be slightly concerned about Babels pace if he is on the left but I don't think he's any quicker than Evra. I also can't seem him playing Mascherano higher than Alonso against the better teams, especially with a defense that hasn't 'bedded in' so to speak.

If both Gerrard and Torres are missing I expect he'll play it defensively and try to catch United on the break, which is probably what United will do for the first 60 or so minutes making it a pretty shit game. I also expect that you'll beat us as usually you play well then we get a late goal wheras I expect the opposite to happen this time.

If Torres could get nowhere against Vidic and Ferdinand then I don't like Keane's chances. Babel gave Brown problems at Old Trafford last season but surely Riera needs to accomodated, obviously putting Babel on the right. I would think Mascherano and Alonso will both sit in front of the back four.

As for this being a shit game, they always are unfortunately. Right now and with our out of form start to the season I wouldn't turn a solitary point down.

[dogsout]

I would be slightly concerned about Babels pace if he is on the left but I don't think he's any quicker than Evra.

He is. Not that it'll matter much because Evra is very fast, too, but Babel has the fastest sprint times in the league.

I also can't seem him playing Mascherano higher than Alonso against the better teams, especially with a defense that hasn't 'bedded in' so to speak.

Masch will always play ahead of Alonso in order to afford Xabi some space. He closes down high up the pitch, much like Momo used to, so that Xabi can sit between the lines making himself available for the ball from defence, and generally running the game from deep. I agree that we will be set up a little more defensively than usual, though.

Gerrard has recently said that Rafa bought Keane with the intention of moving Gerrard back into centre midfield; I expect that will be at Xabi's expense once Gerrard is fit and Masch will be asked to hold again.

I'd quite like to see Babel given a go upfront against them. He's big, strong and quick, and would probably pose more of a threat than Dirk up there. Whoever plays upfront, the key component in their success will likely be the referee, if their defence is allowed to get away with the sort of stuff they did to Torres last time then whoever we play up there is basically fucked.

[edit] Saying that, the thought of him bombing down the right pinging balls into the box at pace fills me with optimism.

[phresh]

Masch will always play ahead of Alonso in order to afford Xabi some space. He closes down high up the pitch, much like Momo used to, so that Xabi can sit between the lines making himself available for the ball from defence, and generally running the game from deep. I agree that we will be set up a little more defensively than usual, though.

I expect that is the intention normal, but with Berbatov in the team they will just stick Rooney or Tevez on Alonso taking away any space he may otherwise get.

I'd quite like to see Babel given a go upfront against them. He's big, strong and quick, and would probably pose more of a threat than Dirk up there. Whoever plays upfront, the key component in their success will likely be the referee, if their defence is allowed to get away with the sort of stuff they did to Torres last time then whoever we play up there is basically fucked.

Maybe if Rafa put out a team that could support him he'd have had more luck.

[dogsout]

I expect that is the intention normal, but with Berbatov in the team they will just stick Rooney or Tevez on Alonso taking away any space he may otherwise get.

Maybe if Rafa put out a team that could support him he'd have had more luck.

Definitely, there's no denying that. However, it was clear for all to see that he was kicked about and afforded no protection from the referee and subsequently booked for complaining about it.

[dogsout]

I expect that is the intention normal, but with Berbatov in the team they will just stick Rooney or Tevez on Alonso taking away any space he may otherwise get.

It works both ways, though. If Rooney or Tevez is told to mark Alonso, then they'll be much easier for him to find as a result. There's not going to be much space at all, is there? Cagey, cagey game ahead.

[Chewylegs]

I expect that is the intention normal, but with Berbatov in the team they will just stick Rooney or Tevez on Alonso taking away any space he may otherwise get.

Do you not find that worrying as a United fan? Sticking Tevez or Rooney on a midfielder, to mark? I do find it very very strange that Rooney plays sooooooooooooo deep for Man U. Its either they've worked out that he hasn't yet got to the potential that everyone thought he would as a forward or he just has no confidence in that position anymore.

[phresh]

If it was only one of Rooney or Tevez playing and we didn't have Bebatov then yeah I would be a bit concerned. I only reckon they will do it as I expect Alonso to sit very deep so neither will actually be that far out of position in hassling him.

As Dogsout says it will be a cagey game, especially with a lunch time kick off.

[Chewylegs]

I sort of meant the fact he plays deep permanently. Just wondered if it was a concern. He is no longer a striker in my eyes and much more an attacking midfielder.