Liverpool Banter Archive June 04 2013

04 Jun 2013 23:02:08
Well done Liverpool Ladies - top of the league and played the Toffees for a laugh and left them feeling blue (well not quite 5-0 ) but 4-1!
Come on you Redmen - your turn next!
Scousehouse

04 Jun 2013 21:57:08
Hi eds,
do you think with West Ham now bidding (and failing) for Negredo, they have reneged on Carroll? Thanks.
GALF {Ed002's Note - Reneged? No.}

04 Jun 2013 21:47:33
Sweet mother of god!. what have they done with that away kit. lol

On another note, I hope we get some rumours on here again, its turned into an ask the eds site, but hay hum still the best LFC info resource out there. Not kissing ed bum here just genuinely glad this site exists. altho I would kiss ed2's bum if she asked. I love u ed2.

Is Ed002 a Woman?

Ed002 is not a woman

We're not sure. It's been debated and joked about.

He/She could be both?

Red7.

Ed002 is a man

I agree entirely with fatboy and yes nameless poster Ed002 is ALL woman! Mmmmm woman (in the style of Homer)
In Buck we trust

Regards Ed002, are we talking physically or mentally?

05 Jun 2013 10:37:02
Ed002 is 2 people! A man and his wife ^^

Malak

04 Jun 2013 20:54:57
Scout (lower league assistant) tells me that suarez has a 25 mill buy out clause for a champions league team non english. Can't see it myself Liverpool surely won't have done a deal like that what do you think ed

04 Jun 2013 23:27:25
I can tell you right now that is bollox! Lies, and a Mancs or a bitters fantasy!

How sad you are to try and get a rise out of people on here. For shame

04 Jun 2013 22:34:34
Hey ed's

just a quick question for you guys which I don't think i've seen covered,

There have been reports in the Spanish media about a completed deal for Valencia's 16 year old midfielder Pedro Chivirella and I was just wondering if you may be able to shed any light on this? Reports suggest he is a real talent and sounds like he could be a brilliant coup if pulled off.

Cheers guys. {Ed002's Note - I really have no idea about the kids - but it will not be that soon that a 16 year old will arrive.}

'sounds like he could be a brilliant coup if pulled off' - You would hope that a friendly arm around the shoulder would have been enough.

Square red

HA! - I see what you did there.

04 Jun 2013 22:22:07
For what it's worth - just googling our Ukranian friend and free local newspaper starting with an M had a story on it back in April, suggesting that he changed agents in order to secure a move to Liverpool and that we were also keen. Interestingly (and I do appreciate that figures can be plucked from the air sometimes) at that time his value was stated to be around the £15m mark. Frankly, I don't know much about the chap so can't comment on what he's worth and I know the Eds don't like to talk money. Be interesting nevertheless to see what his value might be - and what Shaktar estimate it to be. In any case, it would appear to be a nailed on move for some time - and we all know how definite these things always are in football! {Ed002's Note - I have told you the value dozens of times.}

Albanian?

05 Jun 2013 10:26:06
He is NOt from Ukraine Nor Albania!
He is from Armenia and Shaktar want 25 million euros for him!

Malak

04 Jun 2013 21:44:55
Hi eds, just curious to see year opinions on a comment I seen on a site earlier in regards to Suarez. the comment was suggesting that Suarez is actually pulling the p**s doing these interviews in foreign countries and in his home country in order to mock the english press? Just found it interesting that another fan had similar observation as I had? He just seems to be a genuine joker? I know he's doing similar things like he did at Ajax to get move to us, but I couldn't imagine him telling Gerrard and other top players at the club he def staying then just change out of the blue? Please post on rumors page or at least banter, just to see do other fans think the same?
J96 YNWA {Ed002's Note - RTP.}

I think you're clasping at straws. We would all love to believe that. He's such a unique talent, but I doubt he will stay unless nobody matches the valuation of him.

04 Jun 2013 21:40:03
LFC are rumoured to have agreed a fee for Shaktar Donetsk midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan who scored 25 goals this season.

Remember rafa got us voronin in 3 millions only despite scoring more than 20 goals in German league he still flopped in the premier, my friend bundesliga is very different to premier and forget abot Ukrainian league.

04 Jun 2013 23:12:10
voronin came on a free we never paid a fee for him.

05 Jun 2013 00:04:56
Mate we got him for free, and low wages

05 Jun 2013 07:13:56
and still rafa holds the responsibility of flopped players.

To second poster,

You think a league that supplied 3 teams in closing stages of the champs league is weaker than 1 which couldn't supply any?

Germany has a very good league

Nevada

04 Jun 2013 20:30:55
Ed001, when Suarez leaves we all know we'll be in for another striker - either Muriel, Benteke etc - I also heard you say we'd be after a winger. Now that we have agreed a few for Aspas do you still expect us to be in the market for a winger as Aspas isn't really an out-and-out winger although he can play out wide. If so, do we hold any interest in any? I know Atsu's name has been touted.

Dan.

04 Jun 2013 21:59:50
Eriksen mite come depening on Agger deal J667

04 Jun 2013 22:32:42
So we are going to let go of agger who is supposed to be the one who is trying to make eriksen come?

Bollox, if agger leaves there will be no reason whatsoever for eriksen to join! Agger is the only reason he would even consider us!
Sorry but bogus post!

Malak

Maybe he meant if the deal DIDN'T go through?
You think?

04 Jun 2013 23:59:39
Maybe he should have said that! But I see your point! Apologies

Malak

Agger is the only reason eriksen would consider us? are you even a Liverpool fan? go wash your mouth out we are Liverpool one of the biggest and most supported clubs in world football

04 Jun 2013 20:34:38
Just seen the new away kit on the official Liverpool site. Now I understand why Suarez wants out! The kit is absolutely shocking. Just take a look

04 Jun 2013 22:04:18
Oh my goodness that is gross, it's really nice until the nice dog sick pattern mess in the middle starts, it's like they printed it on an 80s printer and it froze and started going mad! Will not be buying that

Don't worry. we'll get used to it.

Think the goalie one will look good on kids afterall no adult should wear a footy shirt anyway

I'm sitting here typing this comment in a footy shirt :) and i'm 33

An adult shouldn't wear a football shirt. That's a joke I wear my shirts all the time I'm 28 and proud to wear the colours of my club on a near daily basis. Get you're head out of your arse. Lfc and proud.

Quigz23

I agree, adults should not be wearing football shirts. What's wrong with some argyles, a clean pressed shirt and some sharp looking slacks? Try opening the top button for that "cool/casual" look. I like to break up my outfit by having a huge number 8 and Gerrard plastered across the back of my Ralph Lauren polos! {Ed002's Note - skip all of this designer stuff get a pair of pumps (can I say that), a pair of old Levi's, a faded Grateful Dead T-shirt and grow your hair. Guaranteed ass.}

I do believe that pumps are back in fashion ed the kids these days are "hip" to them

04 Jun 2013 21:28:54
Hi eds could you tell me what the latest is with Alberto and Aspas? Thanks.

04 Jun 2013 21:14:52
Hi eds.
How long do you think it will take to complete the Aspas deal and also how much do you think Suarez will be sold for IF he leaves? {Ed002's Note - I cannot predict the dates and times transfers will complete.}

04 Jun 2013 21:19:07
Now that the Away kit has been officially released, what do the players and higher ups at LFC actually think about it? Who (what level within the club) approved this kit and actually thought it was a good idea?

In my 40 years supporting the reds this has to be the worst kit I've seen. Heads must roll for this one.

Would anyone with eyes or the slightest modicum of taste have thought it was a good idea? Just feel sorry for the players having to wear it.

D

04 Jun 2013 20:25:39
Hey eds, can one of you post a player profile on Henrikh mkhitaryan please? {Ed002's Note - Ask on the profiles page - not here.}

Decent player, very quick. But looks too much like Joe Allen for my liking
G

04 Jun 2013 19:53:45
Posibilities:
GK: Begovic 60%, (Jack Butland demands 1st team)
Miglonet 40% Di Canio says he will fight 'tooth and claw to keep stars.

CM: Henrikh Mkhitaryan: 75% (Apparently Liverpools 1st target and has been for a while)

ST: Aspas 90% done ( personal agreed but Benfica want to do a Spurs on us)
Benteke 35% Will be expensive and Villa even though expect him to leave.

Youngsters: Luis Alberto 50% Depends on Barca
Sergio Canos 60% awaiting 1st july
Pedro Chirivella 45%

Possibility does not go along with %'s, but probability :)

If you publish your "possibility-percentage theorem", there might be a probability of a Nobel Prize in it for you ;)

The real AG

04 Jun 2013 19:47:17
Loads of names being mentioned. Does anyone know the budget given before any sales. You can't guarantee prices on anyone except maybe suarez and the way FSG do things I wouldn't be suprised if the budget is closely linked to profit, in which case you are not looking at much. Hate to pour cold water on things but I reckon much of the squad will stay the same, and not until you can dangle the CL carrot in front of players will we sign anybody in the 15mil plus bracket. let's get behind BR, his evolving team and hope they can stumble over the line for a top four finish. Remember the spending power of teams like citeh and chelski, they don't have a lot of history but then again don't need it with the amount of money they have.

P. S. I think Suarez has burnt his bridges here and has got to been seen only as a boost to the transfer kitty.

04 Jun 2013 19:19:55
hi all. Henrik mkhitaryan to Liverpool deal very close to being aggreed
Monoco very interested in agger Liverpool won't sell.
On a lighter note nani will sign for gala.
Regards ashley

Gala Fairydean? John Collins started there, don't you know!

Coyle's Law states.

04 Jun 2013 19:39:24
Heard that we will pay £22 mill for the guy from Shaktar. When you think about it FSG have given BR £35 mill meaning Papa and this guy. We will get sales from Carroll etc and maybe Suarez to pay that off. Hope they give us more. Thanks

It's £20m plus £15m from Carroll sale.

But I think I am believing FSG statements which say they can compete and will pay for the right player etc. good on them

04 Jun 2013 15:02:20
Hi eds, I would like to know your opinion on Mkhitaryan, do you think he will fit in in our style and is he good enough for Liverpool? Thanks :* {Ed019's Note - Yep. Check out my video on him}

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J614hW198B0

Alot like lampard for timing a run?
5 gold stars

Great vid, I really think this guy will be worth 20M!

I've always thought youtube videos were under used when assessing a player, about time it was put right!

05 Jun 2013 10:31:25
He is already worth 25 million euros by his club, and that's what we will have to pay to get him!

Malak

04 Jun 2013 09:58:29
hi eds where do you think the swuad needs strengthing? I personally think we need a LB, CB and attacking midfielder/striker possibly a DM for cover but this is not essential {Ed019's Note - Agree}

DM should be a top priority especially with lucas injury record

04 Jun 2013 19:08:04
Hi Eds, this interest from Monaco for Agger is scary, what if he accepts to join them? We would need even more defenders but nobody of these young players we are linked with can replace Dagger. What do you guys think? {Ed052's Note - I doubt Agger would leave.}

04 Jun 2013 19:34:25
We rejected £ 22 million last summer! He is going no where! World class CBs don't grow on trees!

Last year when there was interest in him he went out and got

YNWA

tattooed on his knuckles,
Bloke is pure class and LFC through and through should be vice captain no matter who leaves


Lifelongred

04 Jun 2013 19:05:18
Hey eds! Ukrainian radio are saying that we have agreed a fee of 22 million for Mkhitaryan! Have you heard anything? Cheers, Scouserseb {Ed052's Note - I know that we are interested, and he is a real option. I have heard nothing about a fee being reached. The person to ask is Ed002, who has just popped out to get some milk. I don't know when she will be back, I will ask when she is}

At last we know Ed002 is definitely a she! {Ed019's Note - He isn't}

Ed002 is a she?!

Is he being lined up the replacement of Suarez? {Ed019's Note - Unlikely}

Can she get me some chocolate hob knobs while she is down the shops please. Cheers

04 Jun 2013 20:21:03
Sure she is a she. Said it a year or two ago. {Ed002's Note - Things change.}

He said she was

04 Jun 2013 18:42:47
Hy ED
I read today about Liverpool interest in makhtriyan (spellings). Is Liverpool really interested in him and ready to pay 22m.
And what the latest about suarez leaving. and who you think will replace suarez.
plz do reply.
thanx. keep up the good work.

04 Jun 2013 18:37:16
Does anyone know if it true that we have signed a 16 year old spanish midfielder called pedro Chirivella from valencia?

Lil Red

04 Jun 2013 18:33:53
any chance of javier hernandez or luiz gustavo {Ed002's Note - No.}

04 Jun 2013 18:25:38
Is the mkhitaryan deal done? Personally feel if there was ever a chance for a gerrard replacement then this is it, the lad oozes class and isn't just all goals.

Anonymous woolback

Sorry Ed030 - I thought I was quite careful about not including any foul language! Did I miss something!

04 Jun 2013 18:12:32
Imagine loosen skrtel carra Coates and aggre in one summer be crazy

Owwwww, your spellings burns!

Seeing as we are correct each others literature I advise you to either say "Spelling burns" or "Spellings burn" and not a double plural. Invalid.

Why even comment on someones spelling? He or she isn't here for a english exam u muppet. Well done if you can spell better than others, but guessing your the one people really get pissed off being with correcting every dam thing they do. Get a life or just keep reading your books while your mates are out havin a great time without correcting each other to see who is the brainbox of the group

Gezza1982

Nice ben rose, very nice!!!

BURNED!

*correcting

He misspelled one name and one other word. stop trolling

I think you will find you were correcting grammar Ben old chap. Ho-ho!

This is the original poster I use my phone and text on t9 so certain words just pop up and names aren't in my dictionary so on so but anyways thanks to all the lads/ladies giving stick to the smart arse person who was on his high horse earlier guess it's true Y. N. W. A

04 Jun 2013 20:35:08
LOL, kindergarden right here! And the guy having a go at the other guy, Yeah "reading is for fools" what a muppet!

Gezza 1982, some people just get off on pointing out mistakes in others, don't worry about it.
Buy the way it should be your'e, not your, when abbreviating you and are.

just saying.

Dave's dog.

Buy the way? ^^^

This is by far the best reply chain I've ever read.

04 Jun 2013 17:56:53
with toure done and aspas and Mkhitaryan almost done, apart from the ilori deal which may or may not happen, is there anyone else who maybe brought in.

also is there anyone who we r planning to sell, apart from carroll.
cheers eds, keep up the good work {Ed002's Note - RTP.}

04 Jun 2013 21:25:52
Mkhitaryan almost done? no bid put in yet, its pure speculation about any interest in him. With everything being hush hush in the corridors of Liverpool FC. , the newspapers are just guessing.

04 Jun 2013 17:45:16
Alright eds, not a Liverpool rumour, more so have you heard. Anyway, just heard the Spanish press (marca, think it was) reckon Jose is wanting to sell Torres and Mata? U heard anything? Surely after Mata's season that's ridiculous.
I know Liverpool couldn't get close without European football but still. Nice to dream.

cheers
benjani {Ed002's Note - Try the Chelsea page.}

04 Jun 2013 17:19:09
I have been informed by my source that Dortmund have pulled out of the race for Erikson.

Also inter Milan in for Andy Carroll.

H Red

Is your source twitter?

Alan Partridge

04 Jun 2013 16:49:56
Hey eds, this isn't a Liverpool rumour, but apparently Ronaldo has sold his house in Spain, would you feel this has any impact on his situation at Madrid and a possible move back to say Utd or maybe PSG? Or is it more just he wants a different house. Sorry if this is a stupid question. Haha {Ed052's Note - Trust me, Ed004 has told me all I need to know about Ronaldo's house and more. He even showed me the website detailing it FFS!! I don't know what will happen with him, but think he will stay. I will get Ed004 over...}

Swap for Suarez perhaps!

{Ed004's Note - I'm only crossing over the dark side for a couple of minutes here as Ed 52 has kindly asked me to lol. But there is basically a 0. 01% chance if not no chance at all of Ronaldo leaving for ManUtd this season, maybe next year it could rise a bit but I unfortunately can not see that. Ed 2 has confirmed a bid from PSG has been turned down though so they are a possibility though in all honesty I think he is looking for a pay rise and I don't think much should be read into the Ronaldo putting his house up for sale article he may just want to move house or even trying to make it look as though he is willing to leave Madrid to force the clubs hand into giving him a larger contract. }

04 Jun 2013 16:58:41
new to the site, what's going to happen with gerrards testimonial match I've read that he mite not be fit for the start of the season which is 3 weeks after his testimonial game {Ed030's Note - I don't have a clue mate maybe a poster will be able to help you out. }

04 Jun 2013 16:54:01
Just been thinking about our young forward players wouldn't mind seeing us try a few little magicians behind sturridge or Suarez or borini or whoever we have as main forward Benteke maybe or lakaku be nice
Suso. Coutinho. Aspas
Sturridge

Be interesting with Suso and coutinho pulling strings

04 Jun 2013 16:37:31
hi eds!
can u enlist the players we are interested in! {Ed030's Note - Read the posts. }

04 Jun 2013 16:22:21
If Suarez does leave and Benteke does sign where is he going to fit in? I like the player a lot but Suarez played out wide and in the hole when Sturridge was playong and Benteke doesn't seem like that type of player. Sturridge can play out wide but seems happy and is scoring goals through the middle. Brendan doesn't usually play to out and out forwards together so I was just wondering what the eds or peoples thoughts were.

Thanks

04 Jun 2013 16:13:15
Dzeko from man city I'd ave a go of tha good player.

04 Jun 2013 16:08:17
Don't know if this has already been said but seeing how much Mourinho rates Gerrard, would we blame him if he left this time if Mourinho came knocking again? just a thought.
Les

04 Jun 2013 18:25:19
For a player in his 30s, he probably wouldn't leave, that had passed. Plus his value to the team is more than any fee we could get.

04 Jun 2013 15:49:17
Hi eds, 2 questions if that's alright.

Firstly, (this isn't lfc related) what's happening with Dzeko?

And secondly, is there a possibility that lfc could get him if he decides too leave?

Cheers, JCRED {Ed002's Note - He won't be moving to Liverpool, I am pretty sure of that.}

04 Jun 2013 15:40:15
If Liverpool are interested in Benteke, would it be possible to do a player plus cash deal. Say 5m and Downing and Shelvey. MonaghanRed {Ed002's Note - No idea.}

What is with people on here wanting Shelvey out, I think he should be loaned out to a epl side if he is not going to get much game time, I certainly would not sell him.

Possible but lambert likes young players i'd say more likely shelvey and say sterling or Coates. I would of said Carroll steaight swap but doubt he would want to go villa!

Reading that shelvey said that the red card again United was the answer for his dip in for saying he never recovered but I agree before that he was grate he needs to shows his ability and character over the summer the under 21s may help him I'm a fan myself anyways

04 Jun 2013 15:35:52
The Ryanair Tour 2013

Sponsored by Mack and Guinness


Aug 3rd – Steven Gerrard Testimonial – Anfield
Aug 7th – Valerenga – Ullevaal Stadium; Oslo, Norway
Aug 10th – Celtic – Aviva Stadium; Dublin, Ireland

04 Jun 2013 15:30:51
Can someone please explain the financial fair play rule to me. Thank you
PunjabiRed {Ed002's Note - No problem:

The Demystification of the Financial Fair Play Rules (FFPR)
Introduction
I will try and simplify and summarise the FFPR and give examples where I can.
Putting aside all of the “mother country” fluff, the fundamental purpose of the FFPR is to:
(1) Ensure that clubs are operating within their means with transparent financial reporting. Example: Arsenal has debt which they can manage from the money they make as a club (good). Anzhi has a very low turnover given the amount of money they spend on players through donations from wealthy owners (bad).
(2) Protect creditors. Example: When Portsmouth went bust they owed money for players (the extreme case being Glen Johnson who had moved to Liverpool but Portsmouth still owed Chelsea for), money to local businesses (tradesmen who had worked at the ground, newsagents etc.), utility companies, the police et al (bad).
(3) Encourage responsible spending. Example: Liverpool under Hicks and Gillett borrowed money against the value of the club in order to buy players (bad).
(4) Protect the long-term viability of European club football. Example: They want to avoid the scenario of clubs entering administration or going out of business.
The FFPR apply to all UEFA club competitions and will actively come in to force from the end of June 2014 taking account of the financial monitoring period (the season just finished) and the two prior reporting periods (the two seasons before that). So when they first start, the FFPR will look at the 2013/2014 returns, and they will give consideration to the 2011/12 and 2012/13 figures.
I should make clear that it is not the full accounts of a club that are being considered, but just the “relevant” income and the “relevant” expenses. “Excluded” expenses are critical to the FFPR calculations. To this end, all clubs will need to effectively produce two sets of accounts. An audited set which are provided to Companies House and the relevant revenue organisations, and a second audited return laying out the “relevant” income and the “relevant” expenses for the purpose of the FFPR.
Relevant Income
(1) Match day gate receipts. Example: The money made by the club from paying fans attending games. This includes income from cup games when played away from home – where a proportion of the gate money goes to the away side.
(2) Broadcasting rights. Example: Television income for games, money provided for radio broadcasting.
(3) Income from commercial activities. Example: Sales of bobble hats and rattles, club shop income, licensed income (e.g. DVD sales). In the future you can expect to see income from other media (e.g. streaming of games on a pay-per-view basis to the web and phones) increase.
(4) Prize money. Example: income from the Premier League, Champions League etc..
(5) Sponsorship. Example: Shirt sponsors (Standard Chartered, Samsung etc.), shirt manufactures (Adidas, Warrior etc.).
(6) Advertising. Example: Companies who buy time on video screens during games or hoardings at the stadium.
(7) Other operating income. Example: Payments made to a club for playing friendly matches in the Far East.
(8) Income from transfers: Example: All income from the sale of a player regardless of payment being due to previous clubs, the player himself etc. as they are allowable expenses which will later be deducted.
(9) Excess proceeds on the sale of tangible fixed assets. Example: The money Arsenal from converting part of Highbury in to apartments and selling them.
(10) Other income: Example: Interest on investments.
Relevant Expenses
(1) The costs of running the business (confusingly referred to as “the cost of sales” by accountants etc.). Example: Wages, ground maintenance, lighting, telephones, IT equipment, travel costs, policing costs etc..
(2) Employee related benefits and associated costs. Example: Costs of providing insurance, dental care, medical, employer NI contribution, housing, loyalty bonuses etc..
(3) Other operating expenses. Example: Payments for advertising, legal fees, agent fees, accounting fees, payments to players in relation to transfers, payments to player’s previous clubs, etc..
(4) Amortisation or transfer costs. Example: The total amount of money paid to another club to transfer a player or, if a club decides to do so, the amortised cost for that year (where a club is spreading the cost of the transfer out over the length of his contract for accounting purposes).
(5) Finance costs. Example: Bank charges, interest on loans etc..
(6) Dividends. Example: The owners may take a dividend from the profits a club makes as income.
Excluded Expenses
(1) Depreciation of tangible fixed assets. Example: The loss, if any, in value of the stadium, cars, IT equipment etc..
(2) Costs associated with the intangible fixed assets (other than player registrations). Example: goodwill, franchises, trademarks, copyrights etc..
(3) Expenditure on youth development activities. Example: All youth development expenses (housing, schooling, travel, medical etc.) are excluded from the calculations.
(4) Community development activities. Example: Outreach programmes, donations to the local community and charities, provision of equipment etc..
(5) Tax expenses. Example: Monies paid to the Inland Revenue, VAT etc..
(6) Finance costs related to construction of tangible fixed assets. Example: The interest on the £300M loan to build a new stadium.
(7) Interest payments on old loans (pre June 1, 2011). Example: Any interest due on a loan taken out for whatever purpose before June 1, 2011 is excluded from the calculations.
(8) Certain expenses from non-football operations. Example: This does not really apply to British clubs, but in other European countries clubs are often “sporting clubs” and have basketball, football, hockey team etc. all under one business.
The Calculation
FFPR calculates from a club’s “relevant” income and the “relevant” expenses whether the club is running at a surplus (profit) or deficit (loss) within a Monitoring Period (e.g. 2013/14). From this the FFPR decides if a club has met the “break even” requirement or not. This is not met if the “relevant” expenses exceed the “relevant” income by more than 5M euros (an acceptable deviation).
If the club exceeds this acceptable deviation, the owners of a club may contribute toward correcting it to a maximum of 45M euro over a rolling three year period (30M euro from 2015/16 on). Example: If Club X made a loss of 50M euro in 2013/14 due to the purchase of players, the calculation will ignore the first 5M euro and assume an owner contribution of 45M euro and there would not be an issue. However, for the two years following, there would be no allowable owner contribution as the full allocation had been used. If Club Y made a loss of 30M euro in 2013/14 due to the purchase of players, the calculation will ignore the first 5M euro and assume an owner contribution of 25M euro and there would not be an issue. But in this case, for the two years following, there would still be 20M euro allowable as owner contribution to cover further losses.
The Punishment
The Threat: If a club has been determined to have violated the “break even” requirement for a season it may be excluded from the next season’s UEFA competitions.
Likely Situation: If a club can show it has been moving in the right direction and doing what it can to overcome financial issues, perhaps brought on by a recession (e.g. in Spain) then I would expect a strongly worded letter as a warning. Perhaps by then end of the 2016/2017 season, If a club has been determined to have violated the “break even” requirement for several seasons then it may be excluded from the next season’s UEFA competitions.
UEFA are willing to make some exceptions to the rule and have already said they will consider:
(1) The quantum and trend of the break even result. Example: Chelsea has spent a lot this summer rebuilding an aging squad, so even with considerable additional income from winning the Champions League it could violate the “break even” requirement. However, spending less next season will show the club moving in the right direction. Expect a strongly worded letter in a couple of years time.
(2) Debt situation. Example: A possible “get out” for Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United should they have a bad season and need to violate the “break even” requirement. Consideration will be given to the existing debt and the ability of the clubs to service that debt. The trend of the debt reducing and an excuse of “one bad season” and “need to rebuild the team” would likely result in a slapped wrist.
(3) Fluctuating exchange rates. Example: All non eurozone countries need to report the FFPR figures in euros which could fluctuate due to the exchange rate, whereas a number of the UEFA figures are fixed amounts (e.g. the 5M euro acceptable deviation).
(4) Projected figures. Example: UEFA will allow clubs to show that they are moving in the right direction if they provide projected figures showing that the “break even” requirement will be met in the following season.
(5) Force majeure. Example: Any extraordinary events or situation arising that is beyond the club’s control will be taken in to account.
(6) Until then end of 2014/15 only - Ongoing reductions in wage costs. UEFA will be flexible over the “break even” requirement if a club can show that their wage bill has been reducing and with the exclusion of wages of players signed before June 1, 2010 they would have met the “break even” requirement. Example: An escape route for the likes of Chelsea prior to this season with Drogba, Anelka, Bosingwa, Kalou, Cech, Terry, Lampard etc. wages excluded from the calculations. A possible future escape route for the likes of Barcelona.
The Issues
There are a number of matters that UEFA still need to figure out and a number of concerns that certain clubs and certain national associations have. Off the top of my head:
(1) Loopholes: Whilst UEFA has done what it can to block any potential “loopholes” it is well aware that exclusion of wages for players signed before June 2010 is one it has introduced itself, and one that will be popular with the higher paying clubs as a short term escape route through to the summer of 2015. The matters of excessive sponsorship will be addressed via a cap to thwart the concerns over the likes of Manchester City abusing the rules. The cap has yet to be finalised but will require ratification.
(2) Soft Sponsorship: UEFA are concerned at the aggressive approach to obtaining sponsorship some clubs are taking. Questions are being asked about the ethics in clubs having airline travel partners, photocopier partners etc.. The Spanish clubs have raised this as a concern.
(3) National Sponsorship Variations: As we have seen tobacco sponsorship leave Formula 1 UEFA would like to see alcohol sponsorship out of football. We already have a situation where sponsorship by alcohol related businesses are forbidden in certain countries. Wealthy breweries are now focussing their sponsorship in other countries thereby creating a perceived imbalance in what income clubs are able to obtain in sponsorship. The French and Russian clubs have raised this as a concern.
(4) National Financial Distribution Variations: Concerns exist in countries where different models are used for distributing prize money, contributing to the grassroots game and distributing income from television and other media broadcasting. This led to an original request (rejected) from a number of clubs to restrict the FFPR to only the wealthiest of clubs, those with a turnover in excess of xM euros.
(5) National Taxation Variations: There is a considerable difference across UEFA nations in taxation, and this is seen to be reflected in the wages paid to players. The Spanish clubs have raised this as a concern.
(6) Third Party Ownership: Countries that allow third party ownership of players are seen to have a distinct advantage in being able to keep the costs of transfer fees low as they are only paying for a proportion of a player. The English clubs have raised this as a concern.
The Great Fear
Without going in to too much detail: (a) A number of clubs take the opportunity a once or twice a year to discuss various issues including changes in rules, television rights, the power of UEFA, exploitation issues for new technology streams, etc.. These discussions, the last of which were in late August, also always turn to the possibility and structure of a breakaway pan European league. Several are ex-G14 clubs, several are not, and some clubs decline involvement in such discussions. (b) The plan is that at some point a number of clubs would break away from their national leagues and UEFA. They accept that they would be banned from all existing club competition and the players would initially be banned from all FIFA competitions as well, but know that FIFA would be looking to negotiate in any case. It would be the end of UEFA in all probability and UEFA are very aware of this. It would also result in a restructuring of many of the national leagues. (c) The clubs would renegotiate their television rights, rights of distribution via other streams etc.. (d) It remains the greatest fear of UEFA and all major national authorities that one day this will happen.

Holy s*** ed I bet you don't want to answer that to often. But we'll appreciated all the same keep up the good work I bet you are buzzing at the appointment of Jose {Ed002's Note - I stopped most of my buzzing back in the 1970s - although there were occasions in the 80s, 90s and, I guess, naughties.}

What a post.
Credit to you for explaining in that much depth but still making it understandable.
I don't think it will proceed, bigger clubs will breakaway.

{Ed002's Note - They will breakaway in the end regardless. Putting aside the whole argument of what people can, can't, should, may be able to afford etc. (which does nothing but reinforce my point that we should avoid discussion of money), the game has changed significantly and will continue to do so. Football at the highest level is big business and attracts the sponsorship it does because the sponsors wish to tap in to the disposable income of the fans and ride the back of the advertising that flows naturally from the success some clubs achieve. Long gone are the days of the cloth-capped, hobnailed-booted, chimney sweep making his way, rattle in hand, to cheer on his team at Anfield on a Saturday afternoon. I have explained before that there will be changes, probably within the next 10 years, which will force the restructuring of all of the leagues in Europe and likely do away with the likes of UEFA. You will have the opportunity to see the likes of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Juventus and the other major European sides play in week-on-week regular competition at Uzbekneftgas Arean in Stanley Park. You will have the opportunity to visit Milan, Barcelona, Monaco, etc. every couple of weeks. If you want to don your cloth cap, have a pint of wallop with your chums before going off to the local match, perhaps one of the sides from outside of Liverpool like Bury, Southport, Manchester City, Stockport or Blackpool will have survived so you can go and watch them?}

Within 10 years ed002?
What of the Premier League, and Champions League?
And collective tv bargaining?
The Juicer {Ed002's Note - Both would go. The only collective bargaining will be at the lower tiers of the game. At a Pan European level it will all be on demand provision of games across various media including television, computers, phones, iPuds, etc..}

Ed so there wouldn't be a point in the champions league if the top European sides are playing each other week in and out?

Also what's your opinion if what your saying does happen? Which I'm sure it will if your saying it.

Thanks {Ed002's Note - The Champions League would go - and UEFA too at some point unless they adapt to the new paradigm. I hold a reasonably strong view in terms of the need to restructure football in Europe in any case. For me an eventual a breakaway pan-European league would force the restructuring of many of the national leagues, possibly resulting in a British league with perhaps only a couple of professional tiers and then regionalised amateur leagues below that. Financially I do not see that so many pro sides can be sustained within the sport which, like it or not, will see more and more money going in to the highest levels of the game. Governments will ensure that grass root sports get funding but everything in the middle (Southern, Northern, Conference, Division 2, Scottish Divisions 1-3, League of Wales will not get the funding needed to continue on any sort of professional basis. For me, clubs should recognise this and put their efforts in to a position to secure an eventual place in the top two tiers of a British professional league that will need to flourish without perhaps six sides that have gone down the pan-European route - and have gone for good.}

Manchester City, ed?

I don't like the sound of this. can't imagine watching football with no premier league or champions league. What will happen to Liverpool in such a situation? We struggle to win the premier league and qualify for the champions league as it is. With both of these supposedly 'diminishing' it sounds like a messy situation {Ed002's Note - This is the way I expect football to progress in the future: A new elite level; significantly revised professional leagues across Europe with far fewer clubs as financially the game cannot sustain the number of pro clubs that exist already; the rest.}

That sh*t {Ed002's Note - I have no doubt that you are some shaven-headed, lager-swilling, pot-pellied, tattooed knuckle-dragging oaf, but perhaps you could keep your grunts for when you are out with your chums.}

Interesting thoughts Ed. I agree something like his will happen but wonder whether it will be possible to retain the national leagues with Liverpool B (under21 or under25) remaining in the English league. My thinking is the big clubs will have enough talent to field domestic and elite teams. They would then provide a set of fans who can't travel around Europe/world with domestic footy to watch and a continued link to their club. {Ed002's Note - Liverpool might stay in a domestic league but they won't support two teams - an expensive distraction.}

In reply to your this is how you expect things to pan out Ed. That is exactly how things will pan out.

A European elite is what has been planned for years. It has happened slowly in that time just not to upset the masses.

It's a sad thing for football as we know it but is what it is. Money. Pure and simple. Someone stated on here that players hold the power in football, which is true to an extent right now but the clubs at the top end of europe are the real power houses. They just haven't quite maximised that potential yet.

The power of the individual clubs football channels is massive and when I say massive I mean global especially online. Pay per view games etc etc, maybe we could see Sky sweating which wouldn't be a bad thing.

Anyways this is just the tip of the iceberg for income as the Ed listed many more. You must be knackered after all that info Ed002 my friend, great read.

Alfie

04 Jun 2013 15:26:42
Dublin Aug 10th

Yippeeeee

Will you be celebrating my birthday?

Puzzled

04 Jun 2013 15:02:10
Hey Eds - Another Mkhitaryan question- whee! I've seen it mentioned several times on here that he's looking for very high wages, and I'm wondering: how high is "very high?" The only article I've been able to find on the subject is one from this year that says he wants a raise at Shakhtar from about £16. 5k/w to about £41k/w. I assume he wants more than that (Jordan Henderson makes £65k/w, so I'm guessing a £22m 'blue chip' signing would at least match that), but how MUCH more? Are we talking Joe Cole or are we talking Aguero? Thanks! {Ed002's Note - We have no interest in discussing wages.}

04 Jun 2013 14:49:15
Hey eds if we bid 30 -35 million on rooney after selling suarez do you think rooney and man u will consider this offer.

Depends on how many pigs you've seen fly recently

Nope. no, hell no

Why oh why do we want an overrated and un-fit player, also the obvious you do realise he plays for the and I'm dam sure he feels the same towards us.

I've heard that United will actually pay another club to sign Rooney.

04 Jun 2013 14:41:28
hi eds last question for today where do you see suarez at the end of the window and what's our chances of signing benteke muriel or Mkhitaryan and can we beat other clubs to there signature realistically? thanks! {Ed002's Note - Read the posts.}

04 Jun 2013 14:32:26
are Liverpool interested in signing dzeko from man city

04 Jun 2013 14:25:11
tv have stated Monaco are 'very close' to signing Dagger. Any truth in this Eds? And if he were to leave, what would be a reasonable fee in your opinion?

Cheers, DDL. {Ed052's Note - They are interested. £13.75m}

Agger should command a fee in the region of 16-18m

More like 25 our best center half who plays out from the back won't happen

Ed. We will never let him go that cheap!

Not £16m-£18m at all, we quoted barce a price of £26m last summer now we're going to fold at £13. 75m or £16m-£18m after he had a season where he has only missed 3 PL games? not happening.

you can't just make an attractive offer to the player you have to make the club want to feel like they have to sell.

If he were close to being sold to Man City last summer for around £20+m why after another good season would the richest club Monaco offer almost half? Smells like BS link

He's not worth 27mil, as he proved himself last season.
Coates isn't good enough
Carra, gone
Skyrtel not good enough
Wisdom, too young, dodgy attitude
Kelly, needs to have a run at CB and stay injury free

That's why we bought Toure and are looking at other CB's and LB's

Why don't people realise that ed002 has just thrown a random figure out there, he/she doesn't like being asked about money and the cost of players

04 Jun 2013 14:14:18
hi eds can you make a rough guess how much money will be spent by Liverpool this window and what deals you expect to be done and any possibility of lowering the clubs debt? {Ed052's Note - A lot, and debt is fine}

04 Jun 2013 13:56:27
Afternoon eds (02)

Do spurs have and generate more money than Liverpool?are they run much better than us? It seems they can other top players the money, or is it a case we won't?
Thanks for your time cheers

Peo {Ed002's Note - Liverpool turnover is about 25% more than Spurs right now but Liverpool has significantly higher transfer spend. I don't know what you are asking about players.}

Spurs have a much lower wage structure. Where Bale is on 90k, Gerrard is on 140k.

04 Jun 2013 13:56:34
hi eds love the site jus one question do u think we will encourage bidding war for suarez {Ed052's Note - I don't think Liverpool has control over who bids and if they create a war mate. Im sure we wouldn't discourage it}

04 Jun 2013 13:51:49
hi eds take a bow great work quick one eds can u tell me more about lfc intrest in benteke and also who are considered for left back positions {Ed052's Note - Thanks mate. We have enquired about Benteke. Left backs: a guy for Bilbao with a funny second name and Alex Sandro of Porto.}

You mean Jon Aurtenetxe? {Ed052's Note - Yes, I think. Give me a couple of minutes I will check.}

{Ed052's Note - Yes, its Jon Aurtenetxe }

And what about Lucas Digne?

We have interest in 3 LB

Alex Sandro
Jetro Willems
Jon Aurtenetxe

in that order.

04 Jun 2013 02:09:57
Could you tell me what teams are interested in will hughes? I hope to see him in the prem next season {Ed052's Note - Fulham had serious interest in him, but I think almost any team going would have him. I don't see him leaving this summer}

04 Jun 2013 13:45:50
honda was class for japan v aussie 2nite. good penalty 2

04 Jun 2013 13:43:14
hi eds do you know of any possibility of darren bent and at what price a possibility seen as sturridge injured? he's clinical in front of goal or am I just been silly? {Ed002's Note - I cannot answer question asking "any chance" or "any possibility" and then the name of a player that the club has no interest in, or has been found on Fantasy Football Manager etc. The Eds do not have the time to do this sort of thing.}

04 Jun 2013 13:17:52
With Suarez leaving, we will be left with these strikers; Sturridge, Borini, Yesil, Morgan, Ngoo, Sinclair
Sturridge and Borini would appear to be slgihtly injury prone. Yesil is just back from a bad injury, Margan and Ngoo won't make it (IMO) and Sinclair is 16. Before Sturridges injury, I'd have been happy going into the season with him as first choice and Borini/Yesil as back up. However after his 3rd injury since January (and this time a bad one) I am no longer confident enough in his fitness to do so. Aspas is capable of playing up front, as is Alberto Romero. However Aspas will be better in our system as a wide forward due to his pace and trickery. Alberto is more suited to an attacing midfeild role, or as a wide forward also. So we definitely need another striker.

Benteke, Soldado, Higuain, Muriel, Osvaldo, Bony, Lukaku, Negredo, Emineke etc. All these names are being bandied about. I would love Soldado or Benteke. Soldado is probably the better player, but he's 27. Benteke is the right buy, and its no suprise to me he is the one we have enquired about.

The main reason for this post is to try and dispel the Muriel posts. He will not get a work permit, Udinese value him at twice what he's worth, and he will not suit our system, unless he is prepared to become a wide forward. How can we all be such hipocrites and say "we are better without Suarez" then turn and say we want a guy who plays the exact same style? He is not an intelligent mover, can not hold up play, is greedy, is not clinical enough. Need I go on? He is 22 and scored 11 goals in Serie A. Borini did that at 20 years old in less game time. We may as well just play Borini! Muriel is also just as injury prone partly due to his weight issues. Benteke is the perfect fit. If you want to dispute it, please go onto my post yesterday at about 1pm on the teams page. I explained myself there in detial. you are of course entitled to your opinion, but Muriel is average with unlikely potential, and Benteke is good with world class potential. He could seriously be the next Drogba.

Benteke isn't good though, not clinical enough at all, lacks any real control or the flair/ability to get past players. He is solid in the air but essentially a faster Carroll.

BTW I am not a fan of Muriel either

Benteke is not clinical. Eh? He scored how many in a struggling Villa side who create half the chances LFC had during his first season in a new country and league

04 Jun 2013 15:10:36
Benteke has great close control, is surprisingly quick off the mark and good at beating his man with Powerful running. Bale doesn't do skills. he's just powerful. To suggest he is not clinical is ludacris. He showed more composure than Suarez and Sturridge have consistently. He just needs to work on his runs in behind the defence. He would fit our system. Swansea had Danny Graham up front remember and he scored 11 goals under Rodgers. And Graham is awful, and really is just a lump!

Benteke is not 'Great' at anything. He is a decent player, very strong and has a good shot on him. He has poor ball control, not particularly good at link up play and pretty much useless in a possession based, pass, pass and pass some more system.

The real AG

04 Jun 2013 12:59:57
Just wondering why so many people want Ben Arfa at our club, for me he's a good player but seems to be injured all the time and not worth a risk when there are plenty of alternatives of which rodgers has a good eye for.

A bit risky also considering we seem to have a good amount of current players already a bit "injury prone".

04 Jun 2013 12:58:40
Just heard Benitez set to Bid 15m for Skirtle.

Yippeeeee

Cheers Rafa lad.

Is it buy one get one free

Hope Rafa gets Lucas for Free

Any chance of him selling us cavani?

04 Jun 2013 12:37:10
Question for Ed002, man of all knowledge.

Regarding the "situation with Suarez", which in my opinion is as follows:

- We have a truely world class talent on our hands who is capable of some special goals and play. That goal against newcastle was unbelievable to say the least!

However, there is also no denying that the lad is, unfortunely, a complete D*C*!

I guess my real qestion is regarding the transfer fee that everyone is talking anout, £50 mil this and that. Are we not in danger of seeing his value drop to more around the £35-£40mil mark due to the fact he is a liability at times, both off and on the pitch! He has come out and publicly embarrassed the club over the last week or so after everything that Liverpool have done for him (and I believe they have done a lot to support him), only for him to completely disrespect the board and management in his recent interviews. He has then come out and fueled speculation further rather than trying to calm the situation down.

In my opinion, if you are another club looking at him now would you want to take a £50m risk on such a liability?

Remember how we purchased him from Ajax. He was banned for biting and in that season before he came to us, did he not score over 40 plus goals for Ajax. However, Liverpool landed there man (very rare these days). Now you look back is that because we were the only club to take the risk.

I will be sorry to see a truely world class talent and a special football player leave, however, another part of me will quite openly say good ridence, as he has caused so many problems and spat his dummy out over what is entirely his own doing.

Luis your footballing genius will be missed gravely, but you personally, will not.

Another example of the modern day footballer

Sinister Red {Ed002's Note - I really don't want to get in to the money by as I have previously said a figure around £40M would likely be enough to see him move on.}

Would that be down to the clause I no he can only speak to the club at that price we don't have to take it but seems like it means it will be for that price {Ed002's Note - I really have no interest in discussing money. Everyone can continue to say £80M etc. but it is a complete waste of time for me to discuss money.}}

04 Jun 2013 12:28:27
Eds any idea about Monacos Bid for Agger?
Do you know the amount they'll pay and if either LFC or Agger would accept?

Agger doesn't strike as money grabber and seems to love LFC

Also if this happens, along with Suarez, Carroll and a few mentioned BR wants rid we'll have a sizable kitty. But, a wholesale change in your opinion would be a good or bad thing? Can we do another transition season which could lead to no european football? {Ed002's Note - There is interest in Agger from Monaco, sure. The money is not something to discuss.}

Have they actually declared their interest to LFC Ed?
I really feel Liverpool will not sell him at any price especially considering we are revamping the defence around him with all other CB's Coates, Carra, Skrtel likely to leave.
And we have to remember this is the guy that turned down Barca and Man City. {Ed002's Note - I don't know - sorry.}

04 Jun 2013 12:18:27
Good morning eds,

I was just wondering, I've been told that atletico may be interested in benteke as they don't want to spend 50m on Suarez. And cavani is back at the top of Madrid's target list after some discussions inside the club. Should cavani go to Madrid, and benteke go to atletico, and Suarez not wanting to stay in England which would rule city out. Could Liverpool be in a position where we can't sell Suarez and the club no longer want him to stay? {Ed002's Note - The question is too bizarre to try to answer.}

Surely Monaco would come into the fold, maybe PSG.

Bayern, PSG and Juve

04 Jun 2013 12:16:26
Hi Ed's,
Out of the cb's we have been linked with (Alderweireld, Ilori and Papadoupoulous)
who do you think is most likely to join?
Thanks {Ed002's Note - I don't want to speculate about "most likely" but Ilori might well happen.}

I too agree with the Ed as last night I read on Ojogo Portuguese newspaper site that LFC have improved their offer for Illori from 5 to 7 million Euros + few add-ons. And that is really close to the price they were wanting.

Papa is mad to join! He went to the Fulham game a month ago.

04 Jun 2013 11:57:03
Eds, I've seen a number of you state that Krisztian Adorjan's contract runs out this summer. I'm sorry to say but you're wrong, he has a contract until 2015 with the club that he signed last summer. I know the player himself and he has told me a number of times just how determined he is to make it at Liverpool.
Cheers,
Hungarian Red

Good news, hope he get's some first team football soon or a decent loan think he's a great player

04 Jun 2013 11:45:18
Henrikh Mkhitaryan is being considered as an alternative to Christian Eriksen.

Both would cost around the same amount, however the arrival of Eriksen is looking less likely to happen.

Also, Expect news regarding the future of Hatem Ben Arfa. A deal is very close.

*The potential signing of the above players are not dependant on Suarez departure.


De1boy

MK will cost about 10m more thanEriksen this summer.

04 Jun 2013 11:39:29
Guardian reporting that Papadopoulos is interested in a move to us, so far as to come and watch us play against Fulham.

Now. I know Ed002's information, and it makes a lot of sense, so I'm going to keep toeing that line unless something changes.

Thus, my question is this:

Is the information supplied by the Guardian likely to be accurate? Because as we've seen before with Arda Turan, just because the player wants to join us doesn't mean the club will go for him. {Ed002's Note -

04 Jun 2013 11:34:57
Watched the Craig Johnston interview on LFCTV last night. What an absolute legend he is! Not only a great footballer - but a thoroughly decent human being who knew what it meant to wear a Liverpool shirt.
Never considered himself good enough - always grafting, always trying to improve to "earn the right" to play.
To fly back and help console the relatives of Hillsborough, despite all the personal hardships going on his life (his sister was in a 'vegetative state' (his words btw) coma for years).
I am truly in awe. Almost moved me to tears when he broke down in the interview at the end.

Anyone else see it?

A true gentleman.

His curly hair was my first memory at being at Anfield.

A shining example of how to get off your arae, get it together and keep persisting.

I'm proud to say he's played at our club.

DaveyBootle

Yeah I saw it. I think was on once before but it is really moving. Such a genuine guy, I never realised at the time how he felt. I think the interviewer cut out quickly as Craig was getting so emotional. That was real life coming into football.

04 Jun 2013 11:47:36
not Liverpool related but an incredible stat. Juan Mata, who we were interested in before he signed for Chelsea, has 36 assists in all competitions this season.

04 Jun 2013 12:22:51
36 Assists and 20 goals! Simply the best playmaker in Europe by a large margin. He hasn't got the hype and recognition he deserves. Lovely player and a gentleman too.

04 Jun 2013 12:24:47
Plus if u consider the fact that Chelsea strikers don't score many goals, it's incredible.

No he doesn't! the stats i c are he has 16 goals wit 20 assists

04 Jun 2013 12:53:20
I was screaming for him to get the PFA award. He scored a fair few goals as well. Streets ahead of that over hyped, lucky pop shot merchant Bale. I actually hope Bale stays at Spurs. Because they will be better off with the £60-80m than they would be with him. He takes hundreds of shots and like Suarez doesn't score enough, rarely assists etc.

One thing that really went un-noticed last season was how we beat spurs. Gerrard and Lucas both sat just in front of the defence the whole game. It Shackled us going forward to some extent with Gerrard not offering much attacking support, but it completely nulified Bale. He didn't even really test Reina. All Bale can do is drive forward and smash it as hard as he can from 20-30 yards. Close him down andd don't dive in and he's useless. His only real talents are pace, shooting when he is given time and space, and free kicks. I don't particularly rate him at all. Rodgers never got the credit he deserved for that move. We were one of the only teams in 2013 who stopped Bale from scoring.

Juan Mata:

Appearance: 68 (all competitions including internationals)

Goals: 19
Assists: 36

So, yeah true.

The real AG

To be fair Adam he did assist both their goals

04 Jun 2013 10:56:23
Hi eds,

I was showing Ian ayre round some of our bikes at Chester Harley Davidson yesterday and tried my luck with a couple of questions: on Wayne Rooney he had a right laugh, almost had to get him a glass of water! Didn't get any names but he did say us fans will be extremely happy with a couple of players that are coming in one from the Russian league and another from Spain, any ideas eds?

Carlos {Ed002's Note - Liverpool has no interest that I am aware of in any players from the Russian league. Obviously Ronaldo is available at the right price - so I guess it was him that, renowned wall-of-death rider, Mr Ayre was referring to.}

{Ed002's Note - Liverpool has no interest that I am aware of in any players from the Russian league. Obviously Ronaldo is available at the right price - so I guess it was him that, renowned wall-of-death rider, Mr Ayre was referring to. }

==============================
far too subtle ed002. just wondering when the questions about our interest in Ronaldo will start popping up.
Roy

Shaktar Donetsk!! {Ed002's Note - You think Shakhtar Donetsk is a Russian side? Hopeless.}

04 Jun 2013 10:51:07
So Mkhitaryan plays as a number 10, between the lines. I was under the impression that another central attacking midfielder wasn't a necessity due to Countinho's form, but I guess quality in depth is key to a strong squad.

And I know the Ukrainian league isn't the strongest, but 25 league goals (which is a record) is certainly still very impressive.

I know the signing is very far from definite, but interesting to discuss nonetheless.

I even do think that Mikhtaryan is an expensive option and withe fact we already have Central Strikers in Sturridge, Borini and now Aspas.
So Even if Suarez Leaves we have enought central options.
Also the likey Luis Alberto is more of a centeral player drifting aside from left. So I would much prefer someone liek Lamela, Erkisen, Sanchez or Muriel to Mikhitaryan.

Bosco

I may be naive but I'm sure the manager and his staff have considered how all the signings might fit into a team with our current players.

04 Jun 2013 10:40:00
Just wondering if you think selling Suarez will mean more than 5-6 players coming in. And could result in 7-8 players coming in instead?

At the moment it looks like we're trying to sort out deals for

Mkhitaryan
Ilori
Papa

On top of the three we have signed/all but signed in

Toure
Luis Alberto
Aspas

And we are still looking at a variety of other options in

Benteke
Atsu etc.

04 Jun 2013 10:34:14
Just heard that the Papa transfer is still ongoing and we are not put off by the 15+ million plus price tag, Also heard that he attended the 3-1 win over Fulham

Dont shoot the messenger, just saying what I heard from people that are usually right

If I had a gun now

04 Jun 2013 10:17:11
Hey Ed's,
This site is a real help when trying to sift through all the summer transfer rumours. However what makes me laugh is that in spite of all this help, people who post on this just change the players they want depending on who we are linked with on that particular day haha, its laughable.
Please my banter friends have your own opinions on realistic signings and don't just throw in any names that are in the press from recent weeks! (as its not hard to look at the tv gossip round up) or else what is the point of this site?!
I seen Mkhitaryans a while back in the champs league and he is a star, but not many of you even mentioned it as he was only talked about in jan! instead people decided to jump on the delusional eriksen bandwagon!
when all the ed's stated that it would not happen.
Then I come on here today and because of this mornings papers guess who we all want now?. Mkhitaryan.
Try watching some full games of football throughout europe and that will give you a good idea regarding players. As anyone can look good if you put there highlights on youtube, but as we all know from watching games live at anfield, you see different things when you watch football live in front of you. plus I got that advice from my grandad and he played with billy liddell for LFC in the 50's and was coached by b paisley, so I think it could be advice worth following. The Ed's clearly watch a lot more football and have gained the experience to judge potential targets so let's read what they have to say and we might learn something
Thanks

04 Jun 2013 09:37:36
Anyone else concerned players/targets will not move to LFC this season, not because of not being in the CL, but the 2nd and 3rd kit.

Think many will shudder at the thought of wearing those sick makers.

Any chance BR budget could be spent on someone to design kits which may sell to increase revenue?

04 Jun 2013 10:09:01
The kits are beautiful

I think you're vastly overstating the importance of kits to players and the amount of money they bring in to a club (not a whole lot). But I do agree that Warrior has once again done horrible with the Away/3rd Kits. I had hoped they fired whoever designed this year's kits but apparently not. At least the Home kit is solid.

Remember last year with a lot of the 'leaked' pictures of the kits the home kit and the 3rd kit pretty much matched up and were pretty close to what actually came out but the 2nd kit I don't think I saw any that were the same apart from the main dark colour. I think it could be the same this year, yes the away kit might be white with black shorts but I don't think it will be the one that has been 'leaked'. There's also a yellow one doing the rounds, could it be yellow?
We will see.

Think the 3rd kit is doable but the 2nd one looks hanging.

Give Reina his green kit back and use his new home strip as the 2nd kit it's beast.

If not just hang on a year and there will be another 3

Alfie

04 Jun 2013 09:30:27
Brendan Rodgers in a interview said, "we will be looking to bring in quality not quantity", When talking about future transfers.

Kolo Toure
Iago Aspas
Luis Alberto
Alex Pearce

Is this the quality he's been talking about?

Marc

How many has he signed Sherlock?

Premature, juvenile, naive and gullible utter shabite.

I'm sick of reading cringe-worthy cack like this which makes us all look like a shower of nob-heads.

DaveyBootle

No kolo toure, iago aspas, papa, mikhaitaran, llori and another star forward. This is the quality. RedTurk

Respect to the dave bootle on that.aspas looks a gr8 prospect. u can't have a superstar line up from 1 to 11 or squad as some persons expect on here. u need yer grafters and battlers and squad players also
5 gold stars

You have got to remember Davey, most of these daft comments come from Troll who support other teams or 10 year old kids who don't know better

As this is a Banter page we are free to say what we want. You have your opinion and I have mine. Toure will sign and is a good experienced player. Aspas will also sign and is a player who is unknown to many so may turn out to be amazing or a dud. I hope he turns out to be amazing. Luis Alberto is a young player with a good future so another gamble. Pearce is a player who may or may not sign only time will tell. He was Reading player of the season two years running so is a good player and will add depth to our squad. I was only stating that it seems like we are bringing in quantity more than quality. Everybody has a different idea of what quality is,
Henrikh Mkhitaryan is quality
christian eriksen is quality
Jackson Martinez is quality
Kyriakos Papadopoulos is quality

Will Liverpool be signing any of these?

I hope so.

Marc

Marc,

Toure is being brought in as 3rd choice and to provide veteran leadership (IMO) and IF Aspas and Alberto come in they are younger players who have been effective in Spain and still have room to grow. They won't be asked to jump right into 1st team.

I still don't believe Pearce is coming to LFC and won't believe it until a contract is signed.

Did you mean to put Marc instead of Manc?

Marc, don't assume everything you hear or read is gospel mate.

Let's just wait and see.

There's loads of twists and turns.

DaveyBootle

DaveyBootle

I only want what's best for Liverpool like all Liverpool fans and you are right there will be lot's of twist and turns throughout the summer transfer window. I just hope we can bring in the right players.

Marc

04 Jun 2013 08:43:15
There are lots of rumours about Henrikh Mkhitryan, have any of the eds heard anything about it? And any surprise targets that you know of? Cheers guys you're doing a great job. {Ed002's Note - You can read the other posts.}

04 Jun 2013 07:47:28
Pepe Reina staying and will sign a new contract! great news!

andylfc

04 Jun 2013 05:34:48
Hi Eds, weren't there rumours of a possible addition to the staff. Mostly in the role of Director of Football or something similar to help Rodgers? {Ed002's Note - Yes.}

Who do you think is the most likely person to be hired? {Ed002's Note - I really don't know and my speculating won't help.}

Is that still in the works Ed, or will FSG wait to see how the committee does? {Ed002's Note - I would think they will recruit someone at some point.}

04 Jun 2013 02:34:34
im seeing loads of rumours flying around about this Mkhitaryan guy and all I want to know is how you pronounce his name.

Don't we all! I hear it's meh-ka-tar-ian

Lol as do I, I keep referring him to 'that m hit are an guy'

04 Jun 2013 01:25:47
Something that really confuses me is how some fans last year were complaining that we only sign british players now when we sign players from overseas they're saying they aren't good enough. Make up your mind what do you guys want? Its like you can't please these people at all oh well hope Aspas and Alberto do well for us 2 more spanish players to add to the collection i'm loving this summer so far (ignoring all the suarez issues).

Unfortunately Andy it will ALWAYS be something.

04 Jun 2013 00:26:49
Interest in Henrikh Mkhitaryan is very much real. They've scouted him numerous times and he's long been the number one transfer target (despite some believing it to be Eriksen) and they're close to tying it up. This swoop does NOT depend on Luis Su�rez's sale as the owners are more than happy to finance this move. Rodgers desperately wants a goal-scoring midfielder now Stevie's been moved into a deeper position.

04 Jun 2013 00:45:08
Players who I would like us to bring in, assuming Suarez leaves:

Mkhitaryan
Lamela
Muriel
Papadopoulous
Ilori
Tello

Anonymous woolback

04 Jun 2013 00:33:28
Begovic/Mignolet (Should we still lose Reina).
Papadapoulos.
Toure (done).
Ilori.
Mkhitaryan.
Tello.
Luis Alberto. ("99% done").
Aspas. (TBC this week).

And obviously a replacement for Suarez but I have no idea whom that may be.

04 Jun 2013 00:16:20
03 Jun 2013 22:19:52
I live in Madrid and I said back in early December last year that Iago Aspas was being looked at by Liverpool (but got the usual ridicule).

I have heard that Liverpool has been present at a lot of games involving Real Sociedad and Valencia recently.

The names that have popped up in discussions:

Real Sociedad
1. Inigo Martinez - could head for Barca or Madrid for around 25 million ( his buyout clause). Seems a bit slow on the turn.
2. Antoine Greizmann - Lovely midfielder who runs all day and scores goals.
3. Carlos Vela - heard Arsenal might buy him back and then sell for a huge profit. He would fit nicely into the style of play of Rodgers on either left or right of the front three.

La Real are in a financially poor position but the Champions League could keep, the wolves at the door.

Valencia - need to sell as they will not have Champions League
1. Ahly Cissohko - never know why people rate him so highly. He could not even get in the team ahead of Guardado who does not normally play left back.

AAttacking he is good but he is a worse defender than Glen Johnson on a bad day. Valencia will take 6-7 million euros for him. for me money down the toilet.

2. Andres Guardado - can play either left back or left midfield. Probably too small for a left back in the premier league not just height but also physically. Nice tidy player but nothing special.

3. Jeremy Mathieu - beast of a player. Well over six foot and extremely fast central defender (converted from fullback this season). Has a bullet of a shot and composed on the ball. Only problem is that he is nearly 30 and has had some injury problems.

4. Ever Banega - this guy is as dumb as dog food as he broke his leg after forgetting to put the handbrake on his Ferrari in a Petrol Station, then tried to stop the car rolling by himself.

However, has been playing out of his skin in a position behind soldado, with Canales on his left and Jonas on his right. bit like the Gerrard role.

5. Roberto Soldado - scores goals, good player.

Regards

Orrin

Good post Orrin. Cheers

03 Jun 2013 23:06:03
Hi Eds, long time fan, first time poster.

With all the talk and rumours about the same old players I got wondering. A lot of teams seem to pick up the odd top quality yet relatively unkown player at batgain prices, like Swansea with michu, with signings like hyypia we have done in the past as well. Are there any players that you know of that we are currently looking at who might fit that profile? {Ed002's Note - You need to read the posts about where I know there to be interest.}

03 Jun 2013 23:29:35
Going by speculation we seem like we are going to allow Carroll Suarez and Skrtel move on hopefully bringing in around 75m

We seem to be targeting by reports:
RW AM: Erik Lamela 18-25m
AM: Henrik Mkyitarian 12-17m
ST: Muriel or Benteke 15-17m or 17-22m
CB DM: Papadopulos 12-16m

This would be my perfect transfer window (provided it was Muriel and not Benteke).

Erik lamela, henrik mkyitarian, muriel, papadopulos it is who we are linked with but i can't see them all happening muriel over benteke any day

It would be a dream summer if we get the players you mentioned.

Red PG

04 Jun 2013 07:12:59
from all the above. christian benteke looks a real option. none above will move to us.

04 Jun 2013 11:25:54
Harry, can you please stop with your drivell and spouting nonsence?
I will explain this to you slowly and I hope to be corrected if am wrong by the ed!

Before Liverpool make an offer to the club the player plays for they contact the players agent, to find out among other things if the player is open to a move to the club, if the answer is yes then Liverpool will try and negotiate a price with the selling club which in simple words mean that if you read Liverpool are bidding for Mkhtaryan or Papadopolous those players are already open into coming here and if we are the only club willing to pay the asking prices you bet your life they would come! If 5 other clubs want them, in the end will depend on 2-3 things, the financial package put to the player and most importantly his agent, the amount of game time the player would play, if he is a key player or a squad player aand in the end if its a step up or down in the players career! But that doesn't even matter in 70% of the cases as you could argue all the players who joined PSG and are joining Monaco are or were taking a step down! Liverpool is clearly a step up from the Ukraine league and the Bundesliga and we are a very very ambitious club! Hope this helps you posting rubbish about no one would join carp you keep typing like a child!

Malak

03 Jun 2013 23:04:16
Liverpool to make a £22million bid for Henrikh Mkhitaryan of Shakhtar Donetsk

03 Jun 2013 23:00:38
Good evening Ed002. The Guardian are reporting that Henrikh Mkhitaryan is of interest to LFC and that LFC are prepared to bid over 20 million for him. Has there been any change in his situation or are Juventus and Lazio the clubs still interested, and he remains a Flake?

The real AG {Ed002's Note - A bid like that will get him. Give him lots of money and a good buy.}

He's a better player than Eriksen but I think Eriksen represents better value for money at 12-15m.

I don't see what your problem is with him Ed? If it's true that he's more interested in money than the right club, then there are plenty of players out there like him. Your club just signed a player in the same mold last summer.

If he views us as a stepping stone, so be it I guess. I wouldn't be happy with that, but so long as we're able to attain our goal of CL qualification and club growth with him, I'd be alright if he left after that. If that happens we'll be to adequately replace him when time comes. Suarez, as much as we don't want to admit it, viewed us in a similar manner and Mick would come with significantly less headache on and off the field.

{Ed002's Note - I don't have a problem with him. I have, for months, explained (a) his preference for Barcelona; (b) England is next on his list; (c) London is preferred; (d) He thinks he is worth the high wages he can get in England; (e) the value of €25M that Shakhtar have placed on Mkhitaryan. All of this is correct - and this has been shared with you for a long time. I would have thought you might have been thankful for having all of this accurate information at you finger tips, but no, you just want to grizzle at me and then for some reason you think there is something to do with Chelsea that needs bring up. Nobody has suggested he is looking to use Liverpool as a "stepping stone" and your talk of a player leaving when he has yet to even discuss a move with Liverpool is simply ridiculous.}