Liverpool Banter Archive May 20 2017

20 May 2017 23:16:23
Eds with us looking at a range of pacy wingers very much in a similar mould to Mane do you think it might be possible that Klopp may move Mane up top? He's great out wide but could be devastating up front.

{Ed002's Note - I don't see why he would look to make such a change. He is versatile but he has been very effective as a right winger so it makes zero sense to me.}

20 May 2017 23:39:36
He has used Mane upfront in games before plus he also seems to like very versatile players that can interlink. So if it was the case that we brought in another pacy RW it more so gives us that option of Mane as striker. Could work.

{Ed002's Note - Conceptually sure, but it would still be better to have a nayural left winger who can adapt in a similar way.}

20 May 2017 20:55:30
I know we don't have mega bucks but we will have a fair bit to spend, like we do every year.

A summer where we move on the players KP doesn't use/ want (there's a general agreement on here as to those will LIKELY be) alongside the below summer additions would be successful in my book:

Left back: Sessegnon
Left midfield: Brandt
Striker: Werner

IF we keep all our best players and don't need to replace anyone then I think that will be enough signings. Minimal change is best, we are not far away from competing for the title. I know a right back and a centre back would be cool but our problem in previous years has been trying too much change every window i. e. transition after transition.

I don't think any of the signings would break the bank and all would significantly improve problem areas for our team.

20 May 2017 21:58:28
If we sign a striker I'd like it to be Sandro Rodriguez personally. He reminds me of Suárez the way he plays.

20 May 2017 23:25:48
I would prefer Mendy as first choice at left back.

{Ed002's Note - Liverpool sent scouts to watch him play today in Rennes but he was dropped for the game. Monaco dropped Mendy and played Jorge instead - and he scored.}

21 May 2017 00:21:02
I like Mendy a lot as well. Not sure his personality matches what Klopp looks for (I'm thinking about the Sakho situation) .

From a piece in the Guardian:

"[Mendy] was suspended for five matches after blowing a fuse and booting Lyon’s Corentin Tolisso in an off-the-ball outburst; then, during Ligue 1’s winter break and while he was still banned, Mendy took a holiday to Brazil and decided to tweet a photo of himself ambling around Rio in a Marseille jersey. Some Monaco fans were outraged; Mendy laughed it off and suggested anyone getting het up about what he wears should learn to be as laid-back as he can be, tweeting that they were “making a lot of noise about nothing”. "

Gael Clichy is available on a free ;)

21 May 2017 01:26:08
Let's sign jorge then :)

21 May 2017 01:44:41
Mendy's 22 years old and will be expensive. If by any chance he comes to LFC, just assume any potential move for Sessegnon is completely off. Its one or the other. Milner I still expect to be one of the 2 LBs we will have in the first team squad next season.

21 May 2017 08:57:53
Sessegnon loaned back for a season and Clichy on two year deal. Like the sound of that.

20 May 2017 20:14:02
Even if we get 4th spot, will Klopp buy big named expensive players?

20 May 2017 20:29:26
One word = Marquee. A very big one with the player's name written all over it.

20 May 2017 20:30:44
I hope so we must stop penny pinching if we want to progress further.

21 May 2017 00:10:17
Sessegnon is nine letters, is that big enough? If not, how long would a name have to be to satisfy you?

21 May 2017 00:16:26
Who does this player- Marquee' play for?
Everyone is on about him.

I doubt he'd fit in with our style of play.

And he would be off next season if we didn't get champions league football.

21 May 2017 09:42:21
"penny pinching" Ha ha got to love that. The utter ignorance of some fans is astonishing.

I guess the club making a significant loss in the latest financial results adds up to "penny pinching"?

Some fans want this club to go back to loaning money directly from the banks and ending up in another situation where loans will be called in.

20 May 2017 19:13:07
I've seen the comments about Robertson as a possibility if a CB space arises. Do you know if there has been any interest in Gibson from Middlesbrough?
Secondly regarding Brandt, is he looking commitment regarding being a starter at Liverpool, or is it financial?
Thanks in advance.

{Ed002's Note - Robertson is a left back not a centre back. There is interest in Gibson from others. Brandt wants to be a regular starter.}

20 May 2017 22:20:00
Then I suggest Brandt gets his backside over here works damn hard in training and prays he is good enough to start for our great club. No one has a divine right (except Glenn Johnson) to start for any team never mind LFC! One thing is for sure he won't start games for us from Germany.

{Ed002's Note - Maybe you should direct your anger at a manager who does make promises and commitments - but has hopefully learned his lesson.}

20 May 2017 22:30:26
if Klopp said that (and it's a big if) then surely any players would know that if they are training/ playing poorly then they would still be dropped?! (Except of course Glenn Johnson)

21 May 2017 01:52:20
How will bayern woo brandt ed002? Would they make the same assurances as you suggest Klopp might, as he has done before? Or are they more clever about it?

{Ed002's Note - They won't make commitments but their Ribery replacement is playing up and they will look again to Brant. Ribery is at the tail end of his career and will be gone completely at the end of next season.}

20 May 2017 17:50:15
After all the transfers in and out, what I really hope for is that we would've a centre back pairing. 2 players to understand each other and play together for lots of consecutive matches. The team hasn't had a dedicated centre back pairing in years and I think it's one of the reasons we've been conceding 40+ goals every year.

21 May 2017 09:05:04
Absolutely, Real. A good and consistent CB pairing with a pivot in front like it was with Tripple H (Hyppia, Henchoz and Hammann in front) in front of the GK will help our GK and the team defensively.

20 May 2017 15:35:39
Hi EDS, obviously a striker is a main priority in the next window, there are that many available at the moment a few big names, but realistically who do you expect us to sign? And who would be your ideal to sign, cheers mate.

{Ed002's Note - I can tell you where there is interest but I can say who will actually sign as there are too many variables.}

20 May 2017 17:17:28
Hi Ed002,
Is it realistic that Sturridge will stay on for next season?

{Ed002's Note - I would have thought that the club would look to replace him in the summer given his on going injury issues. However, selling him at a decent price would likely be very difficult. So I guess the answer is "perhaps".}

20 May 2017 17:27:44
Thanks for the reply. Hope he stays. Great player. 👍🏻.

20 May 2017 11:58:00
Hi Eds, just a quick question and it might be a really stupid one, but do clubs have to pay a portion of a players transfer fee to the government as tax, or is it all done at the end of the financial year as a collective?
Thanks guys.

{Ed002's Note - Only VAT, but it might be an apt time to explain again about the cost of transfers (excluding wages). What is paid by the buying club would typically include:
(a) Transfer fee - the big number.
(b) Any levy applied by the local FA – 5% for the EPL.
(c) Tax due on the transfer fee – typically this will be VAT (at varying rates across Europe) some or all of which should be reclaimable.
(d) Agent fees – this may be to one or more agents (as an example, Liverpool have spent £40M plus VAT on agent fees over the past three years leading to this window).
(e) Tax due on the agent fees – typically this is VAT at the local rate where the agent bills from – it is not reclaimable.
(f) Intermediary fees – this may be to one or more sponging leeches (what do you mean you have a super agent?) .
(g) Tax due on the Intermediary fees – typically this is VAT at the local rate where the Intermediary bills from – it is not reclaimable.
(h) Signing on fee to the player (possibly including non-reclaimable VAT if the player is VAT registered).
(i) Legal fees.
(j) VAT on legal fees which is reclaimable.
(k) Moving/relocation costs for the player.
(l) VAT on moving/relocation costs which is reclaimable.
(m) Paying up insurance costs to the selling club (sometimes waived).

What is paid by the selling club would typically include:
(a) If the player is under 24 and moving between different football associations, a Solidarity contribution paid to his previous clubs responsible for his training - this is 5% of the transfer fee received (apportioned 5% of the contribution for each year from the season of his 12th birthday to the season of his 15th birthday and 10% of the contribution for each season from his 16th to 23rd birthdays).
(b) If the player moves to a higher category club (all clubs being categorised 1 to 4) then Training Compensation is due for the period of age 12 to 21. Compensation is due to all clubs when the player turns from amateur to professional and thereafter only when he moves from his final training club to another club. The initial training compensation is levied at the training costs associated with Category 4 clubs. The subsequent figure is agreed between the sides or tribuneral if necessary.
(c) Any monies owed to the player if he did not request a transfer – again this is 5% of the transfer fee received.
(d) Any monies owed to the player in terms of his contract (typically outstanding owed wages (not future wages) and bonuses).
(e) Any money contractually due to a previous club as the result of a sell-on clause.

20 May 2017 12:14:47
Thanks Ed. Very well explained.

Hope we get one more win.

Cheers.

20 May 2017 12:47:39
Damn, thanks Ed, I can see now why you don't like discussing financed. Thankyou for that detailed explanation.

20 May 2017 13:56:49
Very much appreciated Ed002. Very interesting and helpful.

{Ed002's Note - You are welcome.

20 May 2017 14:09:33
Considering the amount of money given to agents, why don't the Premier and Football League clubs form a cartel and refuse to pay them for transfer deals? If they work for the grossly overpaid player, let that player pay the agent who is working for them.

That's what happens in normal employer / employee relationships, so what's so different here?

Maybe I'm bring simplistic but these amounts saved could subsidise ticket prices.

I understand that clubs need agents when they have players they want to sell touted around to other clubs and in that case the club could pay them an agreed % fee based on the value of the eventual transfer fee.

I realise I'm probably going to get slated by one of the EDS for this, saying that I know nothing. I can take that on the chin as long as they explain why my suggestion can't happen as I bet there are a lot who agree with me.

{Ed002's Note - The Premier League and Football League do not employ players nor do they pay agents. Agents are paid for by the clubs. If clubs do not wish to pay agents that is fine - obviously it would very much limit the players available to those clubs.}

20 May 2017 19:10:59
Appreciate the detailed response ed002 😍
It's obscene the amount of money swilling around in the game. 😲.

20 May 2017 10:05:19
Been nearly a year since we've had an update from macca. Any of the eds know where he's been? Or if he's likely to give us an update?

{Ed001's Note - he is busy running his own business mate, he doesn't have much time on his hands. I very much doubt he will be back giving updates any time soon.}

20 May 2017 21:45:16
thx for the info ed, if you catch him and rember this, can you say to him that many appreciated his infos and wish him all the best for his buisness.

20 May 2017 21:45:16
thx for the info ed, if you catch him and rember this, can you say to him that many appreciated his infos and wish him all the best for his buisness.

{Ed001's Note - ok mate will do.}

20 May 2017 09:02:47
Some free agents this summer.
Valentin Eysseric-Attacking midfield/ left or right wing

Rachid Ghezzal-Right wing/ centre or left wing

Sead Kolasinac- Left back/ wing back/ defensive midfield.

{Ed001's Note - hasn't Kolasinac already agreed to join Arsenal?}

20 May 2017 09:14:27
Hi ED001
You obviously know more than me, a mere mortal.
With players signing for the current manager, could that change if the manager changes?

{Ed001's Note - well yes but it is not going to in that case as we all know Wenger won't leave, he just wants to avoid a backlash when he says he is staying.}

20 May 2017 11:53:02
Speaking of Wenger, Ed001, what do you think of the way he has been treated by the Arsenal supporters and some of the ex-players? Do you think he deserves all the criticism he's received despite the long, loyal service in this age of "transient employees"? Was he not the driving force that got them a new stadium? Would you have had him as LFC manager for all those years he was at Arsenal?

{Ed001's Note - a long time ago he was at the forefront of new advances in football. When he came to England it was miles behind, so he was ahead of his time here, but he has not moved with the times and ended up a dinosaur. He refuses to have any staff around that do any more than say 'Yes sir', so he is not being asked questions. He is a genuinely nice guy but he lost his edge a long time ago and he should have stepped down.}

20 May 2017 13:04:06
Thanks Ed001.

{Ed001's Note - welcome mate. Shame really, but every dictator needs people around them to question them or they just end up losing the plot. Clough is a case in point, whereas Fergie's longevity was a result of always having a strong number two.}

20 May 2017 13:43:11
I remember when Arsenal brought him in from Kashima Antlers. And everyone was wondering what on Earth were Arsenal up to? And as you correctly said, he brought in a more advanced way of playing with his "French Legion". It just shows you that boards can be as fickle as managers, players and supporters. They brought in the right person who was ahead of his time and then stayed with him when it has clearly been beyond his time.

21 May 2017 00:24:41
Didn't Brian Clough, unfortunately, have a drink problem which contributed to his ultimate demise as a manager?

{Ed002's Note - Back in the day many folks struggled with that devil. I know a number of players and ex-players who have struggled as well. But these are lifestyle choices that people take.}

21 May 2017 09:12:23
It's his own fault for waht is happening to him now at Arsenal. He has failed to adapt and keep abreast with the fast-changing ways of the modern game. Now, a lot of young coaches like Pep, Klopp, Conte and the like, have left him behind and cos he won't change and has become a dictator, the people are now revolting, which is exactly what happens when a dictatorship has run its course.

19 May 2017 22:21:34
Ed's, in regards to sessegnon, assuming we got him, do you think he'd make it in the premier league. Or do you think he'll be another one of the countless promising soon to be world class players that get lost in our youth system. Will he come straight into the team or is he destined for the reserves/ subs. He seems very young to get a starting role but also too expensive to be a sub/ youth player. Perhaps a loan? Also, how much of the hype around him is because he's British?

{Ed001's Note - he is an outstanding young player, who should make it. He is a level above players his age. While we want him to play a major part in the first team, I expect any deal would involve him being loaned back for a season, or even two seasons. I did not even realise he was British nor have I noticed any hype around him sorry, I can't give any kind of answer on that bit.}

20 May 2017 05:36:55
He's just played a season in the championship and held his own so I wouldn't see any reason why he couldn't come into our starting 11.

In all honesty if we bought him I'd rather just see him straight at the club.

20 May 2017 10:31:37
Hi Ed, strikes me perhaps as a LB equivalent of TAA perhaps? Would love to see him come in behind Milner or Pereira and let him develop, play regularly in cups/ rotation/ as an attacking sub without too much pressure to be first choice right away. He can then look to step up next year or year after depending on how things go.

Milner or Pereira are flexible enough to play right side if he really proves himself ready but likewise can let him develop at his own pace without too much pressure.

19 May 2017 23:49:20
What we saying ed's double swoop on Ajax's Davinson Sanchez and Kasper Dolberg.

{Ed002's Note - Great stuff.}

19 May 2017 19:01:31
Dear Eds,

Apologies if this has been answered before. When it s reported that a player earns £X per week, is that before tax or after tax?

Thanks.

{Ed002's Note - No idea man.}

20 May 2017 05:32:39
I'd have thought it was before tax.

{Ed001's Note - it really depends on who is reporting it and why. Sometimes a report will include potential bonuses and before tax plus anything else they can count to talk about how ridiculously much players earn. It should be like American sports, where the salary is open for all to see. Though that might be difficult for Barcelona and their players, as they might have to start paying their taxes then.....}

20 May 2017 07:20:35
Ha good stuff ed 1, was that a swipe in particular at mr messi?

Cant fathom how you could be earning that much money and still be trying to dodge doing what the rest of society has no choice to do.

Even at the 50% rate there are ways to write off some of your earnings and pay less tax and still be mahoosively well off compared to the rest of society. But i guess that's not the issue, they are comparing themselves against each other and their other mega rich peers.

I am not against being super rich btw i aim to be myself but no reason to not pay your dues.

{Ed001's Note - all of them. Not one player at Barca can hold their hands up and say they are completely innocent. The club as a whole are being investigated and each player prosecuted so far has had to admit guilt and pay up. Some have done it in advance to avoid it even going to trial, others, such as Mascherano, have lost in court. While others, such as Neymar Jr and Messi, are still fighting it.}

20 May 2017 12:16:57
Not to defend these players in any way, but sometimes it's not entirely their fault. I run a business since almost 35 years, and believe me, I've had a whole lot of instances where chartered accountants, financial advisors and investment analysts have come in and made suggestions on "how to save on tax". They're professional charmers and really convincing, and don't give a damn if their suggestions are beyond the limits of the law. The deal -maker is always "everybody else is doing it and didn't get caught, why don't you? " Of course, their benefits are the higher fees they're able to ask for and get. Given that a lot of players are not exactly the brightest, it's not surprising they get taken in. But it's clear, they are still ultimately and fully responsible.