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26 Jul 2023 09:14:32
Few rumours circulating that Liverpool are interested in Kessie and a deal could be done quickl, could be an interesting signing and compliment a signing like Lavia well. Would give us more experience in midfield and is still only 26.
1.) 26 Jul 2023 09:34:54
I would be very keen on this, I think he’s a decent player for whom the move to Barcelona hasn’t worked out.
I actually posted a week or so ago as to whether a Thiago+cash deal could be done with Barcelona if they were interested in having Thiago return and finish his career where he started it.
Lavia + Kessie (with or without Thiago going the other way) and I think our midfield is done.
Then just get the CB sorted ?.
2.) 26 Jul 2023 10:04:09
Agreed Zeddicus.
Plus, wasn't Klopp keen on him last season?
3.) 26 Jul 2023 10:13:48
Is kessie not an alternative instead of lavia?
4.) 26 Jul 2023 10:30:18
Yep, he was PV. Hopefully he gets his man this time.
No, Magico, I believe, and Ed002 shares that opinion, that we will get Lavia + one other CM given we are losing Hendo, Fab and possibly Thiago too.
If Thiago went, and we get Lavia and Kessie (who is a versatile midfielder who can play CDM, CM and CAM) we would have:
CDM: Lavia, Bajcetic, (Kessie, TAA)
CM: Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Jones, Elliot (Kessie)
We don't really play with CAMs, but Szob, Elliot and Jones could play in that position, as could Gakpo.
To me that presents a decent balance, albeit quite a young midfield - if we ignore Trent, there's an average age of 21/ 22. I know we had more midfielders last season, but most of them were on the treatment table! With a bit of luck we get good availability from all of the above so plenty of rotation options without clogging the team (and wage roll) or blocking development.
5.) 26 Jul 2023 10:31:05
What’s Kessie like Zed?
We need a MK player review!
6.) 26 Jul 2023 11:22:34
Yeah, you're right, NK! I only know what I have read, I haven't specifically watched Kessie play. He's described as an all rounder and also apparently available for a reasonable price (c£25-£30m) so seems a good fit for us being an older pro.
I know nothing about his character, leadership qualities etc.
Where are you, Adam?!
7.) 26 Jul 2023 11:41:24
A few comments from Ed002 on the availability of Kessie:
14 Jul 23 - Ed002's Note - I suspect Kessie will go out on a loan or loan to buy deal.
7 Jun 23 - Ed002's Note - I am not aware of a bid being made but the third party looking to broker a sale says Klopp is keen.
6 Jun 23 - Franck Kessie (CM) Not working out - available. Inter or Spurs may offer a solution. A third party has offered him to Newcastle and Liverpool. [T]he player is fine but it simply did not work out.
Some posts from 2021/ 22 are not that encouraging - he wanted a huge signing on bonus as a free, Ed0666 wasn't that keen on him saying his form had suffered at AC Milan etc.
He's not had huge injury problems - 2 muscle injuries in 22/ 23 and 21/ 22 keeping him out for 4- 6 weeks each, other than that, he's had a handful of minor strains (absence of 1-6 days each) . In total he's missed less than 90 days in the last 5 seasons.
If Klopp and the team like him, he could be the sort of bargain that we are renowned for.
8.) 26 Jul 2023 12:03:04
A loan would be a great bit of business, but the idea of the trade between Thiago and Kessie is a good one too (much as we know player trades don't really happen often) . I have to admit, I'd be gutted to lose Thiago, but you can totally understand if he wants to return to Barcelona to end his career.
If we get Lavia, I think Kessie would be an excellent choice to finish up the Midfield for now. He adds good level experience, physicality and adaptability.
{Ed002's Note - Right now, Barcelona are trying to get wages off the books and will accept loans with the obligation to buy, but they could do with some cash as they try to regroup - so a preference will be to sell, even at a slight discount.}
9.) 26 Jul 2023 12:22:26
Ed002, I may be pushing my luck here (and apologies if that is the case) but do you think Kessie could be a shrewd acquisition for Liverpool? Do you consider him to be a decent player who would suit the Premier League's physicality?
{Ed002's Note - There is no doubt Kessie is a good player and he would certainly fit in the Premier League and a third-party has been asking around for interest on behalf of his agent. Even though the wage issue and signing on fee needs resolving, Juventus are well placed to give him the move he wants as they have a tax advantage. So I think any move to Liverpool may be difficult, but not impossible.}
10.) 26 Jul 2023 12:25:42
I'd just get lavia and thuram. And if thiago goes another. maybe kone or palinha.
11.) 26 Jul 2023 12:34:18
Thank you Ed002.
12.) 26 Jul 2023 13:34:01
I'll be honest lads i haven't seen that much of Kessie recently. The last time i saw him play was when Nat Phillips sent him and Zlatan for a hotdog with a Cruyff turn 8 yards from our goal ?
He was a good player from memory, but i always saw him more as an energetic box to box player, probably another who is misidentified as a DM because he likes a tackle. More like a Kante type player than and Fabinho in my opinion. If you shackled him in a holding role you would take away his best asset which is his work rate and powerful running. I can't say i've seen him play since he left AC Milan though.
13.) 26 Jul 2023 14:21:36
Although my preference is still for Lavia and Thuram, I wouldn't be against Kessie being brought in. Even if he is more of a CM than a DM (as people are saying) it's not a deal-killer for me; just a matter of telling him to focus on the DM role of protecting the back 4, tackling potential threats and positioning himself to cut off passes through the channels.
It wouldn't be the first time we've bought a player and asked him to play a different role from the one he previously played. As long as Klopp and staff think he can do it, as well as the player agreeing with the "new role", there shouldn't be any fuss.
05 Jun 2023 11:25:57
MacAllister being reported as done by Fabrizio, medical in next 48 hours and fee ‘way less than £60m’, intrigued to know what ‘way less’ means… money aside a good solid signing and someone who has all the tools to prosper in our team.
1.) 05 Jun 2023 12:16:16
Anything less than 50 million is a fantastic deal given the season he’s just had! Think he’ll be a great signing for us.
2.) 05 Jun 2023 12:18:12
Very good start to the window. He certainly improves the first 11. We do seem to be loaded on the left mid position.
3.) 05 Jun 2023 12:22:29
The rumour going around is 47 million. Will be interesting to know the specifics of this release clause because apparently it is not an ordinary one. Perhaps related to Brighton making Europa League. Possible that is what activated the clause.
Either way, that is a great deal for us. When I heard 70 million for Alexis Mac Allister, my only concern was the price because he is still a very good player. Now, that fee is a little more manageable, if true.
Our midfield rebuild is already continuing on the right foot. If we get Thuram, then I will be elated. Then, Kone. Still, I see Veiga's 40 million release clause and kind of hope we go for him. But, then that is 4 midfielders, which is too many. So not happening. Great player though.
Only concern really is how this will impact Bajcetic's development. Then again, we have Europa to give squad players more opportunity. Perhaps this is the perfect time to be in Europa League over the Champions League. The level of competition isn't as high, and allows for more rest periods for our main starters.
Next season can not come sooner.
4.) 05 Jun 2023 13:16:53
Reports say £45m . Don't know if that correct or not. Will be good player for us, v good all round midfielder who can do bit of everything.
5.) 05 Jun 2023 12:57:52
Will be interesting to know what we plan to do with Mac Allister. I hope it is for the left sided midfield roles ie no8 in the 433 or no10 in the box midfield. I think that would suit him best and he will really enjoy playmaking Lucho, Darwin and Jota in that quarter of the pitch.
That does make the right sided midfield more curious. Can see why Veiga is being linked. Is he ready to take the position off Henderson now?
6.) 05 Jun 2023 13:34:39
For 45 mil it’s brilliant business. Enables us to sign 3 mids for the price of Bellingham which makes it understandable why we stepped back from the deal. Hopefully we don’t take our foot off the gas and sign all the players we need to get back challenging. 3 mids and a CB would be a great window and seems affordable with Mac being nearly half the price it was being reported.
Strange that everyone wasn’t in for him at that price though. Seems far too straightforward for how cheap we are getting him but not complaining.
7.) 05 Jun 2023 13:37:12
Well if that fee is accurate I don’t know how we have got him for that. Hopefully Thuram follows.
8.) 05 Jun 2023 13:26:55
Reports now saying even lower than £45mil. The way this is going Brighton will be paying us!
9.) 05 Jun 2023 15:38:16
I wouldn't get too excited by the fees, guys. We'll have probably paid an eye watering agent fee.
10.) 05 Jun 2023 16:07:17
Apparently below £45m for how well run Brighton are i don’t see how he ended up with that in his contract only signed in October. They got 60 for Cucurella 50 for White etc before he signed it.
11.) 05 Jun 2023 19:46:10
Right side mid I. e Hendo’s position is there for Trent to take I think. I would hate for us to make all these great signing and stick with this hybrid role thing. Yeah It worked because teams didn’t expect it but they will continue to target the open space down our right hand side when Trent moves to midfield and target him specifically when he drops back into defence. He needs to move to midfield full time and put a proper RB in that position to plug these weaknesses.
12.) 06 Jun 2023 01:45:09
Is it possible that the fee might be lower than the £70m we all thought we were going to pay until Saturday just gone because we are going to pay all / the greater majority of the fee as an initial ‘lump sum’. If it is then it’s not really a sustainable way to sign, say, another two midfielders, a centre back and any one of a RB, LB or RM in the upcoming window.
02 Jun 2023 07:53:46
Has interest in mount completely gone? He is a good premier league player who could offer something to our attacking midfield but appears massively overpriced given he is entering his final year of contract, 100% swerve to me…more than happy to see Utd mess around for months negotiating with Chelsea for a money draining signing and wouldn’t be surprised to see a last minute change of mind and new contract with Chelsea being agreed.
{Ed002's Note - I am not aware of Chelsea having given Liverpool a price for Mason Mount but they are in discussions with another side about him.}
1.) 02 Jun 2023 12:37:51
Last I heard they wanted 85m for him. come on your having a laugh Chelsea. 50m max for me.
2.) 02 Jun 2023 13:55:57
Utd will stump up what Chelsea are asking for. Like it or not Utd can offer CL football we can’t so we have to let some of our targets go to our nearest rivals when it comes down to financial details.
3.) 02 Jun 2023 14:13:57
Delighted he’s chose them reds over us.
4.) 02 Jun 2023 14:30:44
Daretodream. If Utd are willing to meet Chelsea and the players (apparent) demands then WOW, they are welcome to him. He's not THAT good. Just hope we get McAllister signed.
5.) 02 Jun 2023 14:34:51
Good player, seems a nice enough lad. Not an easy decision to leave Chelsea if he does go.
Definitely not the player we need.
6.) 02 Jun 2023 14:39:56
With MacAllister all but done focus needs to be on defensive cover and CM, in my opinion mount never made sense as to me he is a similar profile to Elliott?
7.) 02 Jun 2023 15:31:20
RedDan I get what you are saying but he was a main target for us and he has chosen Utd over us. Hard to swallow that’s all.
8.) 02 Jun 2023 16:10:51
How exactly has he chosen Utd over us if we haven’t even tried to agree terms with him, or tried to negotiate a fee with Chelsea?
If we was a main target for us and we were that bothered, we’d be trying a bit harder to sign him don’t you think.
You’re absolutely unbearable drunk the transfer window mate ??♂️.
9.) 02 Jun 2023 16:27:06
For the reported 85m I'd be going for declan rice myself. we don't need mount.
10.) 02 Jun 2023 17:52:13
Mount would be a replacement for Ox in my opinion. I can't see him surpassing that level hut happy to be proven wrong.
11.) 02 Jun 2023 17:54:19
Should say during the transfer window.
12.) 02 Jun 2023 17:56:50
Let him go to Utd. Not sure he’s that good really. I like what I’ve heard and seen of Kone and Thuram, it’s these signings we should be after. If not bargains then certainly players who have real potential. Like many I’m gutted we aren’t going all out for Bellingham, but we just have to be better at scouting like Brighton have.
13.) 02 Jun 2023 18:26:55
Klopp doesn't play with the type of playing profile that Mount has. Pretty much a No.10, hanging just behind the forwards and always ready to pounce on any goal scoring opportunities. If Klopp was seriously interested then I think it would have been with the intention of turning him into a CM; exactly what he did with Wijnaldum by taking a No.10 and coaching in defensive skills to the already existing offensive skills.
I'm happy Mount is going elsewhere. The only benefit I saw of him joining was his homegrown status and not much else. We are in no state to be paying premiums for that, if it can be avoided.
{Ed002's Note - You wonder why Klopp tapped him up the ?}
14.) 02 Jun 2023 22:00:43
Are any of the players we seem to be after - Mac Alister, Thuram and / or Kone a possible replacement for Gini? I know it’s about 20 years since he played for us but some of the lads on here still tend to fret that he hasn’t been replaced and was just hoping that we could call one of the newbies ‘the new Gini’. It’ll make next season a lot more of a happy experience.
25 May 2023 21:58:35
Reports all over the media that Ugarte is off to PSG with Chelsea rumoured to be willing to trigger his release clause also. After the tapping up warning do you know if we have walked away from this option, is it a done deal to PSG as is being reported or do you see a late play from Liverpool? Plenty of other options out there but exactly the profile of player I think we need.
{Ed002's Note - I explained - they do not wish to do business with Liverpool.}
1.) 25 May 2023 22:21:56
It's annoyingly counter-productive to spend all that time and resources scouting a player, concluding they would be a good addition to the squad, only to then tap up the player and annoy their club to such an extent that they won't do business. Time, money, and resources wasted.
2.) 25 May 2023 22:24:47
Still baffles me that we would mess around so much particularly when there is a clear release clause which others are willing to trigger! Either indicate that you are willing to trigger the clause and get permission to speak to the player or move on. very disappointing that we are still at this kind of behaviour as it ultimately costs us targets! Who would be your preference as an alternative, I like the look of Kephren Thurman but in your last update I think you said we had looked at him and that there are other more active teams pursuing him, he appears to be one of the closest profiles to Ugarte or can you recommend any other DM players that may be an option.
{Ed002's Note - Actually nobody was willing to pay it but after discussions with thwo sides they both are.}
3.) 25 May 2023 22:37:17
That’s an interesting update Ed, maybe if we went the right way about this transfer it would have been 3 clubs willing. do you think we go back now and offer the release ( if it meets out valuation of the player) or do we need to walk away completely or risk being reported/ sanctioned? all this repeated tapping up *** either highlights that we are trying to reduce transfer fees or we aren’t convinced that we can attract players on a level playing field and need to perform some dark arts persuasions.
{Ed002's Note - I am not so sure they would.}
4.) 25 May 2023 23:53:35
Makes me laugh when idiots say “we do things the right way” when we evidently don’t.
5.) 26 May 2023 02:07:30
Seems like we never learned from previous mistakes. Not sure if this is the reason why Michael Edwards and now Julian Ward has decided to leave the club.
6.) 26 May 2023 07:33:15
I think why klopp does this and always has done it is because he's operating with a team who has less financial power and to an certain extent less attractive than his competitors. I think he feels if he can talk face to face with player is the best way to overcome this. If you look back to tapping up of vvd, city+ chelsea and possibly man utd where all interested in him at time, no doubt all 3 couldve offered him more wages and at time city + chelsea certainly more chance of winning trophies and being successful.
I'm not condoning it, it's disrespectful to players current club, but that's why I think he does it.
7.) 26 May 2023 08:20:54
Digger10 why doesn’t Klopp just wait until the players club gives us permission? Surely it’s not hard to do.
And in terms of VVD we had to pay over the odds due to Klopp tapping up.
8.) 26 May 2023 08:35:04
@ Digger, spot on, but say it as it is, we can't compete with most of the other teams in the league financially, until w sell it will always be that way, or at least until ffp is actually used correctly.
{Ed001's Note - or we start using our funds correctly. We can compete if we manage our finances properly. Hopefully now Ward and Edwards are out of the club that might actually happen.}
9.) 26 May 2023 08:44:12
We’ll know by August where all of this behaviour leaves us. The window was already the most crucial one in Klopp’s tenure without having other clubs refusing to talk to us.
10.) 26 May 2023 09:38:07
Jude to be fair the Portuguese league is much better than the Bundesliga. I don't recall their strongest side getting battered by Rangers at home.
11.) 26 May 2023 09:47:55
Will never be able to compete against other clubs financially. Unless we have different set of owners. The last decade has shown even top of the tree we couldn't compete financially against clubs who weren't in champions league forget now when we need massive rebuilding.
The way things are going unfortunately I doubt Klopp or FSG are going to last much longer.
There's a reason they've been testing the market to see how much billionaires are willing to pay for us hence going publicly last few months.
12.) 26 May 2023 10:11:42
Astarkey. I think klopp believes he needs to speak to the player 1st as he needs player to put pressure on his existing club that it's lfc he wants to play for not man city/ chelsea etc. That's hoping the player has a good relationship with his existing club that club takes this into account.
Again I'm not saying this is the right way to do things.
13.) 26 May 2023 11:00:54
Hi Ed001. You mention edwards and ward, if we can manage the funds correctly we can compete? Can you explain a little more on this and what you mean?
Was it because we were offering too high wages thus leaving our fund pot lower?
Be good to get more on what you mean by that.
Cheers.
{Ed001's Note - not just salaries, though that was a huge part of it. It is the overall package, obscene agent fees, bonuses etc added to having too many players left us haemorrhaging money. City have a smaller squad than us, so clearly it is not necessary to have as many players as we do. You are talking tens of millions a year that is just wasted. For instance, just Naby Keita alone was costing us around £10m a year, so when you have 5 players too many in the squad, for example, even if you average it out at £5m a year for them, that is £25m that you do not have available for transfers.
If you have a squad of 20 players, even if the average weekly wage is reduced by just (just! What a world these pampered brats live in!) £5k a week, which is easily done, that is over £5m savings for the club over the year. That is money that could potentially be put towards a new signing. And most of the players are overpaid by a much larger amount than £5k a week.
Once you start adding it all up, on top of any money you would receive for selling any of the excess players, it can significantly alter the transfer budget available. A lot of that is on Klopp, who is far too keen to hang on to players and wanted 5 centre-backs for this season. If you can't trust the ones you have to stay fit, you don't keep an extra one just in case, you get rid of them and bring in someone who can stay fit!
And when someone comes in with a loan offer for Keita, you have to be a fool to reject it, even if they are only offering to pay a percentage of his wage. You just get that shirker as far away from the club as possible. I am still disgusted by the club referring to him as a 'legend' when he left. He should have been embarrassed by that label. To put him alongside Millie and Bobby was a disgrace. Utterly sickening. It was disrespectful to those two.}
14.) 26 May 2023 11:32:12
Absolutely agree with your comment on Naby. I've not seen anything really said about though.
How he was paraded with Milner and Bobby I just don't understand. They both gave everything for the club. Naby didn't even break a sweat.
Don't understand it at all.
If I was Naby, I would have done the decent thing and refused.
I'm surprised they actually found some pictured of him playing to actually put in the frame!
{Ed001's Note - must have been photoshopped....}
15.) 26 May 2023 12:05:59
So, Ed001 regarding your response to Sl09, I'm not sure you were clear on your feelings about Keita. What do you really think? :-)
{Ed001's Note - sorry mate, I will try and make myself more clear in future. I know I do tend to sit on the fence.}
16.) 26 May 2023 12:33:32
Well, there's no Edwards and Ward to hide behind now, Ed.
Klopp is in full control.
This summer will be revealing - in terms of the profile of signings and the tactics.
While I may sound like a broken record on this, we need to freshen up or add to the coaching staff. We shouldn't be so arrogant to think we can keep generating fresh new ideas internally with the same people.
{Ed001's Note - definitely. And not allow the ones we have at the club to be so arrogant as to be releasing books about the season.}
17.) 26 May 2023 13:23:46
Absolutely nailed it Ed001. Blows my mind that people would rather blame FSG for lack of funds. FSG have their flaws (trademark, super league etc) but one thing you cannot accuse them of is trying to micromanage transfer or withhold funds the club has earned from being spent.
{Ed001's Note - they have very little to none involvement in the day-to-day running of the club. They appoint people to roles and then let them do their job.}
18.) 25 May 2023 23:28:04
Do you have insight from the players side as to preferred destination, given that Liverpool didn’t return with an offer to the club do you think he has eyes on someplace else. Regardless of where he ends up I hope we start doing business the right way, Liverpool is a footballing institution and should carry themselves better!
{Ed002's Note - His agent and his representative have moved on from pushing Spurs to seeking an agreement with PSG or Chelsea, and they would not do that if they player was not happy with it. Sporting have been clear that they do not wish to do business with Liverpool.}
19.) 26 May 2023 15:09:40
If we are praising fsg for putting staff in jobs and letting them get on with it, surly we can't beat klopp with a stick for allowing his staff to get on with it. If klopp takes the heat because he not in control of his staff tight enough surly fsg as owners should be under scrutiny as it them (Mike Gordon I presume) that has put edwards/ ward in there job.
20.) 26 May 2023 12:20:07
I get that Ed, but you see the crap, like Keita and you get better players who force them out, Bajetic and Jones will save us needing extra players, when you get a talent like Bellingham desperate to join then not even entertain changing a little bit of a budget to get him, yet look to pay way over the odds for a player like MacAllister or Mount for similar money, it doesn't make sense, yes Klopp is too blame too, he won't come out and get into a slagging match with the owners as him and his Mrs love it in Liverpool, he has been approached by Real, Barca, Spur, Chelsea but Loves it here, they know that, they care only about their US Business, anyone who doesn't want them out needs to see they are bleeding the club dry and setting us back, we are lucky to still have Klopp.
{Ed001's Note - what on earth are you wittering on about? This is just utter deluded nonsense due to your irrational hatred of the owners. You need help.}
21.) 26 May 2023 15:03:37
All I want to say on that. Thank you for the awesome response Ed :) appreciate the time to write and put that info down.
That goes to ed002 as well for all the amazing work you put in for this.
{Ed001's Note - very welcome mate.}
22.) 26 May 2023 20:45:45
Our behaviour as a club needs to improve and we have to mend fences quickly. Keita has been a terrible signing and he’s taken the mick for much of his time with the club, and stolen a living. Both him and Ox should have been sold last summer.
23.) 28 May 2023 04:42:57
That was a tough read Lancaster. Just sounded like a twist to find a way to blame the owners again.
Back to edwards and Ward, ed1 is bang on as we’ve said in the past. People talk about needing depth, but we’ve had one of the biggest squads in the league. Poorly managed squad and think we need smarter people in those roles.
Dow-ney's banter posts with other poster's replies to Dow-ney's banter posts
29 Mar 2024 23:07:31
With all this talk over the next Liverpool manager is anyone else baffled that United may be looking for a manager at the same time and opting for Southgate? I often criticise the owners for not spending in the transfer market etc but in spite of that I trust the owners and the people they have in place to make smart decisions making and will back whoever they put in place….
1.) 30 Mar 2024 03:08:49
Agreed 100%. I trust the owners and the process.
2.) 30 Mar 2024 08:26:44
Southgate is not cut out to be a club manager. I really hope Man Utd go for him.
As for our owners - let’s see. They’re in a tough position, I don’t envy them.
3.) 30 Mar 2024 09:06:11
Oh please, let Utd get The Wais Coat. The jokes will literally write themselves.
4.) 30 Mar 2024 13:09:15
All for Gareth Southgate in at United if they cannot hold onto ETH.
26 Jan 2024 10:42:21
Rumours that Klopp leaves at end of this season!
1.) 26 Jan 2024 11:13:28
Watching his interview on the club's website, as I type. No rumours, bro. This is happening.
27 Dec 2023 12:06:02
VAR is a joke but very few teams are laughing! Things have to change and quickly. For too long the PGMOL have been hiding behind the cloak of ‘clear and obvious’, any time they make a gaff they spit out the old chestnut ‘it wasn’t a clear and obvious error so we stuck with the on field decision’. What does that even mean? If a handball is not given but the player handles the ball is that not a clear error? If a goal is disallowed for a foul but a foul did not occur is this not a clear error? We want correct decisions not politics!
Moving forward I would like the VAR official removed or moved to a non decision making capacity. For all VAR checks the ref should review it on the big screen in the stadium, stockley park can get the images he needs, play it for the ref and let them decide. there should be no input from VAR official other than getting the images for the refs. Let the ref explain to the captains why a decision is made! Offsides should be automated also.
1.) 27 Dec 2023 13:19:37
Problem is managers and fans only speak out when it affects them.
I’ve yet to hear a manager or fan call a ref or Var embarrassing when the decisions gone their way.
I don’t really watch other teams matches but I’ve seen clips of decisions etc on sky sports and it baffles me how some of these decisions are made throughout the league.
It doesn’t help the refs mind when these elite pros are spending a lot of the time trying to con them into making decisions.
I’ve been under pressure in work plenty of times but I’ve never had 50 thousand fans screaming at me whilst under that pressure to make a decision.
Refs and Var are footballs public enemy No 1 and I don’t see how that is going to change or how it can be improved.
2.) 27 Dec 2023 14:51:43
Dow-ney I've said it countless times. the "clear and obvious" crap is a ruse that no other league uses to make VAR-related decisions. It is a ruse the refs can hide behind whenever it suits them to back up the rank incompetence we are being afflicted with on a weekly basis. It means sweet nothing, really.
Also, did you see in the B'mouth v Fulham game yesterday before our game where an absolute stone wall pen on a foul on Patrick Kluivert was not given to the point that the commentator here was at a loss for words? I bet you it wasn't cos B'mouth already got one so even tho they deserve another one, they won't get it as if there is a quota on the no. of pens that you should get in a game.
@JK23, another thing is that even when teams win despite getting screwed by the refs, it seems like the managers are not allowed to say speak on it cos well, people will tell you to shut up cos you won so why are you complaining? That is a wretched way of seeing things as well, IMO. That's why Im happy Klopp called out the refs even tho we won cos that will keep the pressure on.
3.) 27 Dec 2023 15:21:54
I think the mid use of var is the problem our game yesterday for example
The var intervened for Elliot’s but didn’t for gakpos so my question is if it’s clear their wasn’t a foul on Taylor for gakpos why did they not advise tierney to look at the monitor for gakpos . The refs aren’t the problem it’s the var i think var needs to be revised and maybe have a bigger team but the same team covering every game week in week out to get consistency.
4.) 27 Dec 2023 19:22:05
How will they decide which incidents for the ref to review on the screen?
5.) 27 Dec 2023 20:12:37
DHFC the refs are running the VAR so surely they have to be the problem? Sure the onfield ref is not running it but have we seen the onfield ref stick w his decision? Maybe once that I seem to remember. The diving the play acting and cheating is the biggest problem in football but it seems that we have to accept it as from one game to another the bar the refs set for what's a foul, etc. seems to change drastically. No consistency and that's on the refs. The game used to be played in black and white for the most part now it's a middle shade of grey. The players take advantage of that and the refs seem to enjoy being a part of the decision making circus.
6.) 28 Dec 2023 08:58:46
Redflyer, it is up to the refs to enforce the rules to limit diving and cheating as that is what their cards are for. The problem is that even when they do that, these same pathetic pundits will come out saying, "That's harsh" and crap like that and criticise the ref for doing exactly what the same pundits said they should do to begin with so in the end, the refs can win.
Just look at the Palace game where under the rule, Ayew was rightly sent off BUT the pundits and commentators complained that the secondand/ first yellow should not have been given using flippant excuses even tho, they kept saying all season that the rules should be applied with NO exceptions. You see what I mean?
That's one of the reasons we have no consistency cos the ref is not just being put under pressure by fans in the ground and social media, the media also put pressure on them even tho, they are doing the right thing.
7.) 28 Dec 2023 18:58:27
Agree Dhfc, for me VAR refs should be separate and independent of on field referee ( if they have to be there at all) . I can’t stand clear and obvious it’s a grade A con to cover up incompetence and possibly worst. In any other sport where a 3rd party was altering a result in such a dramatic way it would be considered match fixing!
PGMOL is a defunked propaganda machine which tries to convince supports and pundits that black is white, how many decisions have there been where there has been almost a 100 consensus amongst people that a decision was wrong only to have PGMOL tell us we are all wrong, in the words of Roy Keane ‘ my eyes don’t lie to me’. Even when Mike Dean came out with his damning admission that he made decisions in games to protect his fellow referee the PGMOL came out and said that he was wrong, let’s digest that for a second…they told him that his account of his own actions were incorrect!
We are now in a catch 22, in an ideal world we scrap VAR for everything other than mistaken identity, goal line technology and offsides (using automated system) problem now being that the refs are so incompetent and getting worse so can you imagine the decisions that would be made.
Genuine question, where do we go from here? How do we tackle this issue in both the immediate and long term?
Finally can I ask anyone who watches other leagues, how is VAR received elsewhere? Is it any better, is it the focus of such attention and can any lessons be learned?
16 Dec 2023 21:52:27
What did you make of the ref decision in City game not to send of Ederson? Mike Dean came out quickly and said it was the correct call as it wasn’t the denial of a goal scoring opportunity as the player was going away from goal…pure Ludacris!
Palace were through on goal without a keeper and it’s a yellow, where as VVD got sent off for a less rash tackle where the player was in a similar position and still had a keeper to beat? How can such decisions be so inconsistent with VAR available, I mean there is subjective and there is suspicious!
Then you have Mike Dean defending the indefensible…and Sky sports app not even including the incident in their highlights of the game but rather choosing to show City taking pop shots from 30 yards.
1.) 17 Dec 2023 08:08:00
Mike Dean admitted not sending off a player to protect his (ref) mate, his opinion is worth nothing he is emblematic of both the poor officiating standards in the league, and the bias which seems to color naby decisions.
18 Nov 2023 09:00:34
City should be relegated to the conference and stripped of all their titles! Everton admitted what had happened and cooperated fully with the investigation and get a 10 point deduction. Let’s all wait and see what happens to City and their 100+ charges!
If any of the charges relate to transfer fees etc then ban them in the transfer windows also. My guess is they drag it out in courts and take some sort of plea like a fine or transfer embargo that they will negotiate when it happens so they can do all there transfers in advance…Strip them of titles and relegate them is the only recourse for the games biggest financial doping scandal in English football history.
1.) 18 Nov 2023 16:49:27
Nice sentiment, can’t see anything so drastic happening and if found guilty any punishment won’t be fished out until peps left. Not a cat in hells chance he would stick around ( think he has already stated that) . And no chance city prepared to lose him because of it only solution is to drag it out.
2.) 19 Nov 2023 10:10:24
Does anyone on this site know the specific charges against Man City. Yes we know there 100 plus charges, but for what exactly?
{Ed001's Note - yes, I have a list of them, it can be found online. You would need to keep referring to the FA handbook to see what exactly each breach is, as it just lists the regs they have been accused of breaching, not the exact nature of the breaches or what the regs are. You could also have a look at the UEFA and CAS cases against them, which consist of over 50% of their current charges as well. And they were found guilty of all of them, except most were time-barred so they only paid a bribe, er I mean fine, for the ones that weren't time barred.}
3.) 19 Nov 2023 17:04:36
Cheers Ed001. As always the go to person for the right information. It does seem a lot of posters on this site scream for major punishments without actually understanding what the breaches actually are.
4.) 19 Nov 2023 17:11:48
Hi Ed001
See what you mean. The list I have seen is the reference for the Premier League rules that were broken. I would then need to reconcile with the rule book for the nature of the breach. Love the reference to paying a fine (bribe) .
{Ed001's Note - yeah I got Ed33 to pin the list to the top of the main page on our Man City site, so it can be seen. It is not much use without the rule book to refer to, but at least everyone can see it now.}
5.) 19 Nov 2023 21:49:51
Thanks, Ed01. I know you and the other Ed's have talked about all these changes in-depth in many of your podcasts and based on these, City will be in a world of trouble should the 50% of the overall charges that were not examined due the the statutes of limitations (or time bar) expiring.
6.) 19 Nov 2023 21:27:39
Hi Ed's, would any of you have an opinion to share around what you think City will end up getting in terms of punishment (if eventually found guilty) for the cases they face?
Just intrigued to get a wide view of what those more informed and knowledgeable on the game than I think will result.
YNWA.
{Ed001's Note - I have no idea, but I would guess they will just end up paying a large bribe in the form of a fine.}
7.) 20 Nov 2023 17:51:34
Thanks Ed, unfortunately I suspect you will be correct and the game will continue to be a farce.
25 Apr 2024 15:08:52
Surprised not to see Bowen on potential Salah replacement? Perhaps cost would be prohibitive but surely a better option than Sane who is of a similar age before people jump in and say Bowen is too old!
01 Sep 2023 17:29:48
Gravenberch deal will be off as transfer was contingent on Bayern getting Palhinha in. Could Liverpool turn to Fulham as an alternative.
01 Sep 2023 12:52:32
Klopp has said all along that Salah is not for sale and that’s where it end I believe. Only way Salah goes is if he puts in a transfer request which ain’t going to happen on or after deadline line.
30 Aug 2023 22:48:57
People aren’t judging him like he just popped on the scene from nowhere some people watch football outside of Liverpool games and have seen him play for Ajax and Bayern although not so much Bayern because he can’t get near there starting line up!
30 Aug 2023 22:46:35
Slightly depressing that we go for Gravenberch and Bayern sign a much better replacement, surely we should be signing Palinha he is exactly what we need being solid, consistent, good age in his prime, defensively very solid and has premier league experience! Gravenberch is exactly what we don’t need, unproven, poor defensively, poor first touch, high wages, wants guaranteed game time and has had 2 coaches refuse to give him game time ( red flag) .
Let’s be real people the only reason we are going for him is his price and age.
05 Apr 2024 11:35:33
They had there biggest chances in the first 90s and then did nothing at one stage in the 1st half Liverpool had 95% possession.
Never trust the hype of the media they were waxing lyrical that the Utd vs Chelsea game was one of the games of the season and a proper advert for the premier league, in reality it was two mid table teams (I’m being generous) who can’t defend or control a game playing some type of kamikaze football. All I can say is sign Poch and ETH up to long term deals quick.
05 Apr 2024 09:28:54
Did anyone watch how united played against Chelsea because that will get rid of all your fears! That team cannot defend and a half decent team will expose that…the FA cup game was a fluke and a game we were never really that bothered about, the league is what we want so if a team should be nervous it’s united!
29 Mar 2024 18:58:37
Agree 100% Mizer, Nagglesman is a solid young coach who has managed at the highest level and contrary to what some people think was a success at Bayern only being sacked for ‘other reason’ which I think he will have learnt from. His style of play is not to dissimilar to ours and is endorsed by Klopp not that this a concrete reason to hire him.
For me the sporting coach is a risk who is untested and one which can pay high dividends or flop drastically and to be honest we don’t need that risk. Nag has managed a club with high expectations, playing to win titles and compete in the champions league, he has managed big players and largely done well.
Whilst I’m not 100% confident on Nag there is a lack of unproven managers or Klopp like appointments out there at present and I’m just glad that we are looking at options like him and not Southgate!
Another name being thrown about is de zerbi and tbh I don’t get it, completely different style of play, I’m not overly impressed by Brighton this season and I just don’t rate him that high…would quickly see him being compared to ETH but interested to hear other peoples opinion.
20 Mar 2024 21:16:39
Fair point Ed, I guess what I was trying to highlight is that I don’t think it’s a conspiracy against Liverpool to stop them from winning the league although at times it does feel that way!
Can I ask what do you see happening with VAR? It won’t be scrapped but do you see any changes coming down the line?
{Ed001's Note - I hope it is changed because right now it is ruining the game. But with the ex-copper Webb in charge, it will stay the same because he can use it to corraborate what his boys are doing.}
20 Mar 2024 21:06:31
100% agree with everything above, where i do differ ( maybe naively) is the agenda against Liverpool. many teams have been at the wrong end of dodgy officiating and Webb is doing nothing more than protecting his mates ( we know this is engrained in the PGMOL) let’s not forget Mike Deans personal admission which Howard Webb tried to say was wrong, again Webb tried to say that Mike Deans own personal account of events and his own actions were wrong!
The PGMOL are rotten to the core and only concerned with self preservation, not match fixing or grand conspiracy they are simply inept.
VAR is the scourge of the modern game but cannot be scrapped because that would only lead to worse decisions. VAR needs to be stripped to its simplest form, the ref, a monitor and the captains who can request a review. Watch rugby’s VAR in use, the players go to the ref and say ‘ I think there was a high tackle on x’ the ref looks at the screen and makes the decision, no ego involved, the refs want to be correct and anonymous above all else. For those who think Rugby is slower and the game is stopped a lot more etc have a look at all the rules that are involved in rugby and how complex they are, look how many players are involved in a phase of play, we are talking tiny tiny details, honestly when you compare the complexities of both games football is a simple game made complicated so there is no reason for this to be time consuming.
Finally, let’s get refs out of the spotlight and out of the tv studios, they are not the stars and are taking over every bit of punditry.
{Ed001's Note - just to point out that what you have said is grand conspiracy. It might not be grand conspiracy to harm one club above others, but it is conspiracy to cover up mistakes made by their group.}