21 Dec 2017 17:37:20
Hello all,

Warning, super long and all over the place post.

First I would like to say that although we could be doing better this year I am generally happy about the way this season is going. We are currently 4th in the league and in the round of 16 in the European, which we have not done in a long time. As I am bored again at work I thought I would share a few thoughts and ask a question from the eds.

1) I do not understand any of the klopp criticism in regards to rotation. Last year we were flying to start but around this time our squad became tired and thin and we dropped points way to easily. This year klopp in my opinion has done a fantastic job of using the squad to make changes that still keep our team strong but let's players rest. I think we are already seeing the benefits, and with a bit more luck at Everton no one would even be mentioning this.

2) our squad is the deepest I've seen in my life of supporting LFC, and for me that is because since klopp has arrived our transfer business has improved greatly. They all haven't been successful, but mane, Salah, ox, dom, Gini, even klavan have made an impact and the drop from our first 11 to our bench is not as great as is in the past.

3) klopp is learning. Klopp is by no means perfect, and has made his fair share of mistakes, but over time he seems to be adjusting. If you go back to last season the media could not stop insulting us on how we don't beat the lower teams and that we can't play klopps style all year (they were not wrong) . This season we have not only beat the lower teams but have done so in a impressive fashion. We also can now play klopps style as we are rotating to keep players fresh.

4) cannot be more excited for the champs, we may not be the best or most consistent team, but on any day we can beat anyone and I really just can't wait to see Liverpool back on the stage that historically has separated us from all other English clubs, not saying we are going to win it but hey maybe we can surprise a few people.

Question:not to dive deep into Salah or Phil or emre, but we do seem to have an underlying problem that although we are not necessarily a selling club, we are not a top elite club anymore when it comes to status of success and attraction of players. We seem to be a step below the Madrids, Barca, psg, byern, and sadly even the mancs. My question is what do you think needs to happen in order for Liverpool to get back to a place where players come and think this is the highest level possible and even if a Barcelona comes it is not a step up. Is is that we need to be more consistent in Europe, is it that we need to pay higher wages or bonuses, do we need a better or more attractive squad, do we need to re-adjust how we treat players? I know I am biased, but if I'm a player in this Liverpool team I am not going anywhere. Imagine being in the Liverpool squad that brings back that league title, or being in a Liverpool squad that is back fighting in Europe. The passion of this club to me is unparalleled and I have never even seen it at a time when we were really flying.

YNWA,
Elrobbenino.

1.) 21 Dec 2017
21 Dec 2017 18:53:51
Er win stuff consistently?

2.) 21 Dec 2017
21 Dec 2017 20:29:03
For me, we need be more commercially successful, and win trophies so we are in a position to pay higher wages. Most footballers only care about money. That's a fact. Some might pretend they don't, but put the right offer in front if them and they'll literally go and play in League 2 for Notts County!

However, we can't afford to take a shortcut like City and Chelsea did. They spent money until they were competing regularly and even now, City still aren't sustainable. We can't do that. We need to adopt the Dortmund, Atletico, Leicester, Monaco etc approach. We should market our selves as being the best stepping stone to the elite clubs. That way we'll attract the best youngsters and have a shot at winning titles. Once we're consistently winning, then we'll be in a position to say, "right, we're not a stepping stone now". Our stance on Coutinho will be very damaging to attracting future stars if we carry on. We're just showing that we will block our players from making a step up to achieve their dream move. Did Dortmund do that with Dembele? Did Monaco do that with Mbappe? Did Leicester do it with Kante? Did Atletico do that with Costa?

We should advertise ourselves as the club who will get you your move to Real Madrid, Chelsea, Jucentus, Man City or Barcelona. Use Alonso, Arbeloa, Sterling, Torres, Mascherano, Suarez, Coutinho, Can, Salah etc as examples. That way we can attract the next crop of best young talents and one day hopefully step up to an elite level ourselves, so we are the dream move!

It's either that or just hope for a Sugar daddy to turn up and buy our way to the top. I'd rather do it the hard way. It'll be more rewarding and nobody can try and take it away from us at the end of it. This is all just my opinion though. I just feel as though forcing players to stay against their wishes does nothing to boost your reputation as an employer amongst players.

3.) 22 Dec 2017
21 Dec 2017 23:56:50
Look at the state of Monaco after selling their players MK.

4.) 22 Dec 2017
22 Dec 2017 00:18:43
Yeah, second in their domestic league and now a highly desirable destination for the best young players in Europe such as Tielmans? Terrible state 😉.

5.) 22 Dec 2017
22 Dec 2017 02:02:27
It is a poor league though and wasn’t Tielmans a wonder kid a few years back but most clubs decided against signing him? It looks like they’re team may well be picked apart again soon. I agree we can’t quite attract the cream of the crop but being a ‘selling club’ hasn’t really served us too great. I appreciate when Barcelona and real come knocking Hispanic players would prefer to go and you can’t really stop it but it seems clubs of late are gaining some of the control back. We need a working foundation, whether that’s consistent CL qualification or a few trophies I don’t know but we need to find or own way. No two clubs are the same we don’t have crazy money, although the owners provide sufficient sums, we have some great young players but not quite ready to influence too much yet (barring Gomez) I’m happy with the direction the clubs going.