Liverpool Football Club Thread

[dizogg]

Lallana is a good squad option for us, does a job and I don't think is a disaster. Overpriced is the worst I could say about him.

Markovic is really young and never looked terrible, in fact he had a few really good games for us. Still can't write him off.

Borini we bought for just over £10m and sold for about £10m.

Allen pretty much the same as Lallana.

Assaidi we sold for a profit, think we doubled our money on him.

Luis Alberto... Hard to say but I'll give you that but it'll be a very small loss if we do sell.

Aspas... Yeah. But we did manage to get £4.4m back for him!

Ilori, give him a chance mate he's just a boy.

Firmino ok then he's failed after starting about 2 games in a new country in an underperforming team playing in an unfamiliar position.

Now LOVREN. He's fucked.

[Rev]

That's a pretty bad return on the expensive signings, it has to be said. The ones below £12.5m have a very impressive success rate though.

[Istanbul]

The way the transfer committee works is supposedly as follows.

A player is identified; the player is scouted in a number of ways. They all vote. The manager has the final say. The player is signed or not.

The way it was working with Rodgers is that he was signing players he didn't want, in exchange for being allowed to sign players he did want, and the committee generally didn't.

The players we know who signed them:

Rodgers - Allen, Lovren, Benteke, Clyne, Lallana.

Committee - Sturridge, Sakho, Markovic, Balotelli, Moreno, Firmino.

Others we don't know.

Supposedly he threatened to resign over the committees refusal to spend £15m on Allen (huge mistake). Sturridge he refused to sign in the summer, which caused major rifts and annoyance, only to relent in the following January.

[Rev]

Rodgers - Allen, Lovren, Benteke, Clyne, Lallana.

I thought Clyne would become be a good signing. Clearly based on that I was wrong.

[Liquid Myth]

I don't ever want to see Mignolet again, he's the shit cherry on top of a shit pie of defence.

[Liquid Myth]

Haven't been around here much of late but would still read this thread when I have some time. Have to say I'm surprised he's gone so early after being backed so blatantly in the summer. I remember saying sometime around Dalglish's last few months and Brendan's arrival that I just wanted to see us play attractive football and on that point, Rodgers was a massive success with the 13-14 season, it had absolutely everything and I couldn't get enough of it. What followed afterwards and continued into this season was a man who had either lost his nerve or worse, stopped following his own convictions and started listening to the press and their assessment of his faults.

Ok, Suarez left and that's going to effect any team but as much as everyone likes to think so, Suarez was not single handly responsible for that season. Rodgers completely changed the way he set up his team, whether that was to adapt to Suarez's departure or to show his critics he could defend ("Must be that new defensive coach" in the wake of a clean sheet) and his key flaw as a manager was his stubbornness which is what I believe has cost him his job. Everyone watching Liverpool could see things weren't working at either end of the pitch and instead of throwing caution to the wind and going back to the "We'll just score one more than you" mentality he retreated further into mediocre football that bore no more resemblance to what made Rodgers' football special than it did to Hodgson any other average manager.

My heart wanted to see him get more time because I know if he rediscovered his earlier style, energy and determination, he could turn it round but my head says he was too far gone, too scared, too timid to actually break out of the cycle of bland football devoid of identity and get things back on track.

Thanks for 13-14 Brendan, it was the best I've ever seen Liverpool play. I'll try and forget what's come since.

He had what was basically the *best* forward in recent years (probably for any team going, IMO), and still fucked up big time, concluded with crashing out of the Champion's League in the first round next year. One or two players gone -- even if one was Suarez -- and everything went to shit. Then there's the weird "psychology" tricks he used against his own players in that weird video (one where he proceeded to humiliate Sterling in front of the squad and the cameras, the "two names in the envelope" bollocks), which I imagine would have nothing but drain any enthusiasm if employed on a regular basis.

[JohnnyNolan]

Supposedly he threatened to resign over the committees refusal to spend £15m on Allen (huge mistake). Sturridge he refused to sign in the summer, which caused major rifts and annoyance, only to relent in the following January.

This sounds like bollocks. Allen signed Rodgers first summer. Are we suggesting he left a secure job at Swansea and was going to walk out on the Liverpool job two months later because of one signing.

The signings have been troublesome for years. Looking back at the much fawned over Rafa's signing record the hit to miss ratio isn't much better.

http://liverpoolfc.wikia.com/wiki/Rafael_Benitez/Transfers

Although on the plus side none on either list is Christian Poulsen.

[dizogg]

Loads of Man City, Chelsea and Man Utd signings are fucking shit too tbf. It just doesn't show as much because they have the money to spend more and more to cover up any frailties. And when you're Liverpool you can't go for the obvious names, they don't want to come. Sanchez for instance, chose not to come. So we have to make the gambles on future stars. And it's just that, a gamble.

[Steely]

http://liverpoolfc.wikia.com/wiki/Rafael_Benitez/Transfers

Thats really not a bad list! Its alot of those cheap gambles filling it out that make it look bad, one of them being Sterling though!

[JohnnyNolan]

Loads of Man City, Chelsea and Man Utd signings are fucking shit too tbf. It just doesn't show as much because they have the money to spend more and more to cover up any frailties. And when you're Liverpool you can't go for the obvious names, they don't want to come. Sanchez for instance, chose not to come. So we have to make the gambles on future stars. And it's just that, a gamble.

That's a fair point. Although I'd say another issue is those clubs can hold onto their better players, bar a Barca or Real coming sniffing around in which case you're normally screwed no matter what.

[Istanbul]

This sounds like bollocks. Allen signed Rodgers first summer. Are we suggesting he left a secure job at Swansea and was going to walk out on the Liverpool job two months later because of one signing.

Yep, it's from Tony Barrett and is presented as fact. He doesn't tend to bs. It was doomed from the start. Imagine arguing over Joe Allen.

[Gabe]

It's all rather dispiriting, isn't it?

What clubs have a successful transfer policy where a group of people are involved in the decision? It was one of the reasons Houllier and Evans didn't work out, wasn't it?

If it is true that Firmino wasn't particularly wanted by Rodgers, but bought anyway, that's crazy. Probably explains why he's been played out of position.

We seem to keep creating these jobs for people that create conflict down the line, I just don't get it. A return to the Boot Room is probably what's needed!

[Adrock]

The boot room only works after a period of success and a consistent high quality coaching staff.

Something Liverpool have lacked for a good number of years.

[glb]

The post-match sweaty jockstrap room is probably more where we're at right now.

[glb]

Can't really disagree with the last paragraph but fuck is that notion depressing.

Not to say we wouldn't be happy with some top four finishes right now, but football's magic is in silverwear not spreadsheets.

[Istanbul]

i dont get why oh danny is so unhappy, surely these events are best for the club

He loves Brendan and hates Rafa. I don't really get it either. Rodgers isn't fit to lick Rafa's vomit. It's chalk and cheese. One is great, one thinks he is great.

It's 100% Klopp now. Done deal. No changes to how things are run.

[Oh Danny Boy]

When have I said that I hated Rafa? I love Rafa and never wanted him to leave. But this is Rodgers, the guy gave us the most exciting roller coaster of a season we have ever had. For that alone he gets my respect. A lot of fans are short sighted, he managed Liverpool for nearly 4yrs and gave the job his all. He deserves our respect.

[Liquid Myth]

Loads of Man City, Chelsea and Man Utd signings are fucking shit too tbf. It just doesn't show as much because they have the money to spend more and more to cover up any frailties. And when you're Liverpool you can't go for the obvious names, they don't want to come. Sanchez for instance, chose not to come. So we have to make the gambles on future stars. And it's just that, a gamble.

There's a difference between a gamble and having the space for players to develop, not to mention deliberate snubbing of very good players who would be great for others to grow next to. We lost a fantastic defender in Agger due to Rodgers' habit of developing particular relationships with certain squad members, and I imagine that Sakho could have easily gone for no good reason at some point. On the other hand, there's new players who shoot right to the top of the must-play list for no discernable reason (Lovren), or promoted ahead of everyone after no time at all due to Rodgers' particular preferences, like the deceptively slow Milner being given vice-captaincy immediately.

[Istanbul]

A classy statement from the departing boss:

I am, of course, incredibly disappointed to be leaving Liverpool Football Club. It has been both an honour and a privilege to manage one of the game’s great clubs for the last three years.

“I have worked every day to represent the club to the best of my ability, to develop both individual players and a team that the club’s magnificent fans can be proud of. There have been some very memorable moments during my time at Liverpool and I would like to thank all of the players for their hard work and commitment. The current squad is one in transition, but they have some real talent and are showing a strong sense of togetherness. I expect to see them continue to grow and develop over the coming weeks and I wish them and my successor well for the rest of the season.

“Liverpool has a magnificent football heritage and I have nothing but respect and admiration for the history, tradition and values that make the city and the club so exceptional. As well as my players, I would like to thank everyone connected with the club; Fenway Sports Group, the Liverpool Directors, in particular Ian Ayre, my coaching staff, the staff throughout the club, the volunteers, the Academy staff and its young players and of course the amazing Liverpool fans for their unwavering support, passion and dedication which has made my time at the club so special.

“Finally, I would like to give a special mention to John W. Henry, Tom Werner and Mike Gordon. They gave me this great opportunity and even though we will no longer be working together I am sure our relationship and friendship will continue into the future.”

[SMD]

Agger is made of cheese strings.

[Gabe]

I was being tongue-in-cheek with the boot room comment, but I said a few weeks back that it's a shame we don't have many players or coaching staff with long associations with the club. I'm not saying it would have changed anything, more just an wistful observation.

[Adrock]

I didn't think you were being serious. Just thought I'd point out the harsh reality of it all.

Also to call Rodgers 2nd place finish the most exciting season you must have missed the champions league win, oh Danny boy

[Oh Danny Boy]

We were woeful in the league that season. Never have I witnessed a Liverpool side which scored for fun and were so enjoyable to watch. So yeah definitely more exciting than watching a side which contained Pongolle and Baros leading the attack

[Gabe]

So the reports all link to Klopp but, I wonder, if this'll be like the Martinez situation again, and Ancelotti will rock up through the Shankly gates?

Actually, I wonder where we'd be if Martinez had ever been in the frame?

[rgraves]

Actually, I wonder where we'd be if Martinez had ever been in the frame?

Ever been in it? He was most certainly in it before they appointed Rodgers - he was photographed in the US talking to Henry:

[Gabe]

Ever been in it? He was most certainly in it before they appointed Rodgers - he was photographed in the US talking to Henry:

Henry said when Rodgers was appointed that Martinez was never in the running and that they just happened to meet abroad. He was never asked to interview for the job.

[Salsa Party Animal]

Tim Sherwood might be available for Liverpool's job

[Adrock]

BBC now reporting the talks are progressing well and they want it confirmed by Friday.

Should be a relatively short search.

[Gabe]

The Beeb were reporting yesterday that the decision had been taken before the game, so you imagine the sounding-out happened a little while ago on a nudge-nudge, wink-wink basis.

And so we all start again, roll on his first team selection.

[Istanbul]

We were woeful in the league that season. Never have I witnessed a Liverpool side which scored for fun and were so enjoyable to watch. So yeah definitely more exciting than watching a side which contained Pongolle and Baros leading the attack

LOL, this is downright bizarre. Lauding a manager who nearly won something one season (whilst being terrible every other season) over a man who waltzed in and won the biggest prize in European Club football straight away. Add to that a cup in his 2nd, another Champions League Final in his 3rd and a seemingly all important 2nd place finish too. Bizarre. Totally, bizarre.