08 May 2017 12:47:21
Hi Eds,
Not so much a rumour, but a question of intrigue that hit me this morning. Obviously many people have accused Liverpool of being stagnant, and that having been the case for a long time. Putting aside performances over the years for now, there does seem to be some truth to this- by which I mean, going back to when Graeme Souness took over, we've largely finished somewhere between 8th and 2nd. Obviously that's a fairly large gap, especially taking into account the financial aspects of final positions now as well. However, we've never found ourselves to be getting significantly better and actually winning titles (obviously cups have been won, but consistently inconsistently! ), and not falling backwards either (not that I'm complaining of the latter! ) . My question ultimately then, is whether at any point in this 25 year spell, did the club have any option to do something (whether that be hire a particular manager, sign a particular player, something at board level etc), which to your mind would have provided the push needed to become an elite side, such as the sides of the 80s, 70s etc? Obviously a big question, but one I thought quite interesting!
Any feedback at all would be much appreciated!

{Ed001's Note - many times there have been chances to change things. I think every team has those though. In particular though, Moores' decisions have been what stopped us getting anywhere. Not just while he was in charge, but also his choice of who to sell to when he cashed in his not-at-all hardearned shares in the club. He could have sold it to DIC, though they later got into financial trouble, that would not have been an issue if they had bought us, as it was an investment vehicle, their plan being basically a minor version of what Man City have done, then sell up after a few years. If I remember correctly they planned on a ten year period of investment to build up the club for a sale. The only question then is what would have happened afterwards, but we would have been in a much better financial position than we were under H&G.}

1.) 08 May 2017
08 May 2017 13:27:46
Good question that. I think the failure to capitalise on our successful periods in terms on marketing etc has cost us massively. man U made the most of their success to build a massive financial empire. I think if we had done the same we would be in a much better position than we are now.

{Ed001's Note - failure to increase stadium capacity at the end of the eighties/beginning of the 90s was a major mistake. Moores just didn't do anything that involved putting money back into the club, because then it took away from what he could have.}

2.) 08 May 2017
08 May 2017 14:42:45
Fantastic question, oweng, and a pleasant diversion from the "will we get 4th" conundrum!

Completely agree that Moore's basically led us up the garden path at a time when we should have been consolidating our 70s and 80s success and capitalising as much as (if not more than) any other club. His naivety/ greed (delete as applicable, I know what my choice is! ) basically hamstrung us whilst firstly Man U, then Arsenal, then Chelsea and Man City took advantage.

Its interesting to put aside the commercial cock ups, and look to the players we could've had that would've made a different too.

I would point to a few:

1) CR7 - 2002 (I think, the year before he moved to Man Utd) a big miss, also Moores, I think?

2) Nicolas Anelka - also 2002

3) David Silva - 2009 (I think) kyboshed by Stadler and Waldorf

I think in 2002/ 3 we could've pushed on from the treble in 2001 and 2nd in 2002 to have a real tilt at the title, and add Silva to our 2nd place team of 2008/ 09 and we would've been right there in 2009/ 10.

What other ones are the Eds aware of that could've made a big difference in terms of titles?

{Ed001's Note - you forgot about David Villa at the same time as Silva.}

3.) 08 May 2017
08 May 2017 14:57:37
I forgot about him!

Silva and Xabi in the middle, Stevie and Yossi on the flanks with Villa and Torres up front.

Bloody hell!

{Ed001's Note - Villa was awesome at that time as well.}

4.) 08 May 2017
08 May 2017 18:14:28
Delli alli may be up there now too! Weren't we quibbling over wages with him?

{Ed001's Note - it didn't help that Gerrard was asleep when he visited the club. You would think someone would have woken the lad's idol, as he had been promised the chance to meet him, and got him to sell Alli on the club! Oh well these things happen and it has worked out well for Alli himself in the end.}

5.) 08 May 2017
08 May 2017 19:44:17
We're we ever close to dani alves or was he just a link?

{Ed001's Note - no mate, he did discuss links with the Premier League recently, as he loves English football and has been keen to move to England for years. I think he said it was Man Utd that he nearly joined, but I could be wrong.}

6.) 08 May 2017
08 May 2017 21:09:49
Villa is still lethal here in MLS.