Current Avatar:
No Avatar image uploaded
No Avatar image uploaded
Liverpool Rumours Member Posts
Faithinworks's Profile
Faithinworks's Posts and Other Poster's Replies To Faithinworks's Posts
To Faithinworks's last 5 rumours posts
To Faithinworks's last 5 banter posts
To Faithinworks's last 5 rumour replies
To Faithinworks's last 5 banter replies
Faithinworks's rumours posts with other poster's replies to Faithinworks's rumours posts
30 Jan 2024 09:19:44
ed2 - technical question for you. are the rules for clubs approaching another club's manager whist under contract the same as for approaching players?
{Ed002's Note - Yes - you can speak to the agent to gauge interest but you cannot speak directly with the manager without the permission of his club.}
1.) 30 Jan 2024 12:58:35
Are you worried about Klopp tapping up his replacement, Faith? ?.
2.) 30 Jan 2024 19:19:30
Ed002 is that rule not a bit silly considering some agents would push players or managers into making certain decisions?
Are the agents obliged by any rule to inform the club that another club is talking to them about their client or what way does that side work?
{Ed002's Note - Agents will inform clubs if the potential new buyer wants further information. The rules are clear.}
27 Jan 2024 13:22:27
Post-reflective thought - we’re still in the window. Any chance this announcement is a smokescreen for a big signing before the window shuts? Mbappe perhaps?
Ed2?
?.
{Ed002's Note - Almost certainly.}
1.) 27 Jan 2024 14:03:59
Player manager.
2.) 27 Jan 2024 14:49:21
Mbappe isn’t going to leave his position of sporting director at PSG to be player manager here.
3.) 27 Jan 2024 15:00:39
Maybe we should offer hin sporting Director + player manager+ owner?.
4.) 27 Jan 2024 22:26:40
I think if you offer him being rush goalie then he will come!
5.) 28 Jan 2024 20:33:19
The centre back from Crystal Palace, this window, or the summer window, remember this .
6.) 28 Jan 2024 21:28:32
Can’t wait to see Rob Holding sign Kop that.
7.) 29 Jan 2024 15:02:39
kit man maybe.
04 Feb 2022 19:52:25
Ed2 - Klopp's most recent presser he was asked about Fabio Carvalho and whether we'd go back for him. Part of Klopp's response was that obviously we are still interested, we'd be crazy not to. Just a couplee questions to understand - Are klopp's comments breaking some kind of tampering rule? And if so, what is about that comment that is considered a bad thing enough to have a rule against
I like that he talked relatively freely but just wondered what the implications are. Ta.
{Ed002's Note - No, not at all. Whether or not Liverpool will look to low ball Fulham on a pre-agreement of some type would be the concern as Liverpool cannot speak directly with the player - whilst other clubs can speak to him and can sign a binding pre-agreement with the player.}
1.) 04 Feb 2022 22:16:04
Ed002 I don’t know why we don’t just offer the fee we did on Monday Fulham accepted it then I don’t think they would turn it down because he could leave for a lot less abroad. Or do you feel Liverpool feel they don’t need to offer as much now they did have talks with him Monday did they not maybe with it going down to the wire on Monday he has said he still wants to come in the summer.
{Ed002's Note - That is not how Liverpool traditionally do business.}
2.) 05 Feb 2022 07:25:44
ed in theory, can Liverpool and fulham have a pre-agreement but then Fabio agree with a club abroad?
{Ed001's Note - yes.}
3.) 05 Feb 2022 00:45:55
Ed002 regarding this Liverpool can speak to the players agent and make an agreement with them that the agent can agree with the player am I right? So is it not basically the same thing mate? Watched a thing between carra and nev and nev was told to speak with stevie at international duties so realistically if this all happens what is wrong with any other way of doing it?
{Ed002's Note - If it is the same thing then it is of course illegal and tapping up (yet again).}
4.) 05 Feb 2022 13:26:13
Pretty obvious he'll be signing on in the summer! don't be minding all the media clickbait about him and dis and dat club. Lfc are building a really exciting team of the future.
5.) 05 Feb 2022 13:33:18
Don't know what's hard to understand for some LFC fans and keep on repeating same stuff.
It's nothing to do with Fulham now, it's all in Fabio's hand if he wants to come here then he will be here it's simple as that. Signing pre contract with other clubs again it's nothing to do with Fulham it's all in Fabio's hand where he wants to go. LFC can't talk to him directly but can talk to he's agent as much as they want including the financial terms etc.
6.) 05 Feb 2022 16:14:50
carvalho will sign for dortmund.
{Ed077's Note - is that a prediction or a spoilerðŸ˜
7.) 05 Feb 2022 18:31:20
Given that he knows Liverpool want him and has previously agreed terms, for him to completely change plans and go to another side would be strange. If he did, it would be for money or may he game time but everything you read about Fabio suggests he isn't that type of person.
8.) 06 Feb 2022 03:01:00
Thanks for that edkopforever. Your knowledge is really helpful.
9.) 06 Feb 2022 10:52:42
Nice one kop. Very well explained brother.
10.) 06 Feb 2022 18:14:34
Every player will be 'tapped' up in this case. I bet most players, even in jest will say 'oh come and join us'.
I expect the clubs would not expect to ask players to do so as then yes that becomes an illegal approach. But I guess most players will know from rumours, media what players are linked.
11.) 08 Feb 2022 00:52:36
Tapping up is not illegal. Can you imagine the cells at Strangeways full of old football managers in orange tracksuits? ‘What you in for Harry? ’ ‘I spoke to Peter Odemwingie on WhatsApp and offered him 2 steak bakes and a vegan sausage roll if he signed for us. When he turned up Greggs was shut so I hid under my desk until the police arrived and arrested me for the most heinous of crimes. Tapping up’.
25 Apr 2021 00:39:50
Hi Ed2 - are you able to explain what Perez means by the ESL saving football. Was there a strategy plan for the ESL to support clubs outside the 12?
{Ed002's Note - What he means, as I have explained repeatedly over many years, is that football needs to decide what sort of restructuring is required. Putting aside any "breakaway" or counter proposal, my fears have always been the vast number of professional clubs there are in England well below the Premier League. I hold a reasonably strong view in terms of the need to restructure football in Europe in any case. Previously I have said that the eventual "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. Now we have a situation that will change the financial paradigm and may make clubs and authorities look at the situation with lower tier sides regardless.
Financially I do not see that so many professional 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 grassroots sport 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 already recognise this and put their efforts in to getting their finances in order to see if they can make it to a British professional league that will need to flourish without perhaps six sides that have eventually gone down the pan-European route - and have gone for good (it would be two or perhaps three initially) or even separation from the Premier League and Championship.
Clubs like Accrington Stanley will need to carry on as amateurs or face extinction (yet again) like Bury. Recently Hartlepool has been struggling - again it needs to adapt. The mighty Third Lanark have started their long journey back to the top - it can be done. These are all proud clubs with a history.
The game has changed significantly and will continue to do so whether the supporters of certain clubs like it or not. 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 that there will be changes, probably within the next 8 to 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 The Emirates, St James Park, Stamford Bridge or wherever. Fans of the sides who take the plunge will have the opportunity to visit cities such as Milan, Barcelona, Munich, etc. every couple of weeks to watch their team play. If you want to don your cloth cap, have a pint of wallop with your chums before going off to the local match through the grim, wet and cobbled streets of the Northwest of England where there is smog, dead & dying pit ponies laying on the street and only chips and fried curry to eat., perhaps one of the sides from the suburbs will have survived so the Liverpool and Everton supporters can go and watch them?
This will be a case of getting with the game. I will try to refer to this as the "Post Apocalyptic Zombie Scenario" from now on.}
1.) 25 Apr 2021 09:05:23
Pint of wallop absolutely love that Ed you’d want to trade mark that it’s brilliant my friend!
1/ pint of wallop
2/ RTFP.
2.) 25 Apr 2021 09:28:27
Classic ed002 response so clinical and fascinating to read yet with a hint of comedy to make us chuckle
Up the pool.
3.) 25 Apr 2021 09:48:22
If there is little to no support for such restructuring from fans then can is realistically move forward and be a success? In the UK were already in another economic slide due to C.V. and being compounded further by Brexit, I don’t think the sort of money required to follow ones team with the structure you’re suggesting is there for most. Now if it was 90% sponsors/ affiliates/ etc attending I could well imagine that but it is an incredibly dystopian, ugly face of what football could be. I understand it is a business now but there are still huge swathes of fans who are very attached to their clubs, not to mention political considerations which may come into play (like involvement of national governments) if the uproar is significant enough. I would be surprised if such proposals and restructuring went ahead as, though there are wealthy individuals in favor of such things, there is little of any support from fans - I’m not sure I’ve heard much from anyone in favor, the closest I’ve heard is ‘we should join so we don’t get left behind’ but even those sentiments are rare.
I know your understanding of the game, and the ins and outs behind closed doors, are far superior to mine, but in this instance Ed I truly hope your predictions/ expectations are wrong.
All the best Ed, also thanks for the time and effort you spend giving us your knowledge, there has been a lot of talk and discussion recently and your insights are greatly appreciated.
{Ed002's Note - It is nothing to do with COVID-19 nor BREXIT. These proposals have been around since long before both. Whether the fans like it or not, more clubs will go out of business like Bury if nothing is done.}
4.) 25 Apr 2021 09:51:10
I know you are correct Ed and football must change. But what trophies will the elite sides play for? IMO after a couple of years of watching the same sides play each other the atmosphere will die. I might move more and more corporate but it will become totally boring.
{Ed002's Note - The "elite" group of clubs includes 21 sides so it won't be the same sides every week.}
5.) 25 Apr 2021 10:51:32
I’m inclined to agree with you Ed002 on this, I can see the benefits and disadvantages on both sides .
I don’t necessarily want it to happen but I’d rather Liverpool were in than out if it does.
6.) 25 Apr 2021 11:59:57
I don’t doubt a word of what ed2 says but it is heartbreaking to read. It seems as though the game has to be restructured because of the greed at the very top of the pyramid and I include UEFA and FIFA in that. Perez alluded to the fact that the big clubs are struggling financially but what I don’t understand is why they won’t just face the exact same fate in say another 20years, as surely all that will happen by generating more money is the players, agents, hangers on etc will all just demand more again and the same problems exists just with higher sums involved. That doesn’t seem to answer to the problem to me, just kicking the problem down the line to the detriment of the sport its self?
{Ed002's Note - Football has to naturally evolve, as it did with the Premier Leagues and Champions League.}
7.) 25 Apr 2021 13:29:39
And who exactly can afford milan on a Wednesday with Barcelona away on Saturday week in week out. It won't be long until it only home fans ie NFL.
{Ed002's Note - I suspect you don't understand the plan.}
8.) 25 Apr 2021 14:52:39
Thanks ed, regards your comment -
"I have explained that there will be changes, probably within the next 8 to 10 years, which will force the restructuring of all of the leagues in Europe and likely do away with the likes of UEFA"
You've also. mentioned that the key difference between ESL and the elite 22 clubs is that ESL hasn't worked with UEFA. Can I assume then that if UEFA are at the table with the elite clubs, that they have a sense of inevitability that their time will be coming to an over the next decade? I just wonder what the purpose. of these clubs negotiating ei UEFA is if the end game is breaking them up.
{Ed002's Note - I think that is a reasonably fair description. UEFA coming to the table is with the obejective of being in control, or at the very least maintaining their position as the controlling body. But changes need to be made and this recent attempt falls far short of expectations and has dome more harm than good.}
9.) 25 Apr 2021 14:54:09
Also ed2, reminded myself to tell you this - I posted your detailed post about ESL to a fan page in NZ. One member replied back saying he went to Anfield regularly 40 years ago and never went cloth-capped. Lol I don't know what this means but thought I'd pass it on :p.
{Ed002's Note - It means he probably has loads of illegitimate if he failed to take protection.}
10.) 25 Apr 2021 16:51:47
I’ll be honest Ed. I’ve got no time for a pint of lukewarm wallop or whatever vile brown booze the campaign for real ale prefer for that matter, boring bearded trainspotters that they are. So I’m all for weekend trips to Bavaria, Turin, Milan, Budapest, Bruges, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Prague, Paris, Lyon, Milan, Rome, Madrid, etc when it eventually happens. Just needs to be done better than this last laughable effort.
11.) 25 Apr 2021 20:43:47
Newsflash! Fans will not put up with what Ed002 is talking about. We have just witnessed that. So let’s put that to bed.
I’m sure Eds 02 information is correct however that doesn’t mean it will happen. How can it? If there is some sort of European elite/ super / pan / bull league then fans will be marginalised or grouped into the few that can afford and the few that cannot.
Thanks for your very elitist view of the working class game Ed’s but your comments are out of of touch. The working class has evolved and just because we don’t wear cloth caps and drink a pint of wallop doesn’t mean that we don’t work for the week then walk to the game and have a pint on the way. This happens all over the country at every club week in week out.
The event this week prove your view of the fans the game are way off the mark.
Despite the best efforts of money and greed football remains the people game. Without the people there is no product no game.
So thank you sir but I think you need to re examine your theory.
{Ed002's Note - So what has happened to disprove what I have said?}
12.) 26 Apr 2021 04:08:55
I started going to matches in around 1959. The European Super League has been kicking around the boardroom since the mid-1960s.
In the time I’ve been a fan, society has changed enormously. If you look at what has happened with other social organisations, such as social clubs and hobby clubs and churches they’ve had to adapt or go bust. All organisations have followed similar paths. We no longer tolerate sleepy little organisations that scrape by on charity or luck – everything is properly commercialised. The pattern repeats all over society… to simplify it, if a club needs 100 active members to be viable, two clubs with 80 members will be forced to merge – but the new organisation won’t have 160 members because a significant number won’t follow the new organisation. In essence the choices diminish at the same time as tickets/ membership gets dearer.
The football business model is entirely different, but the outcomes are similar.
When we were forced to go all seater, the days of wandering up every other Saturday and paying three bob to see a match (15p for you youngsters) went for ever. Instead of a damp step, there was a plastic seat and instead of pence it became pounds to use that same space. Last time I went to a game it cost best part of £30 to sit where the boys pen used to be and I used to pay 9d (4.5p) to watch from there.
The football team I went as a lad to see and support became a real force – then it became a brand – then became an International big deal brand; And although my support is unquestionable and always will be – it’s hard to find much “Liverpool†about Liverpool FC
Instead of local Dad and Lads being the main fan base, it’s now the clubs international fan base that the clubs serve. The population churn under Mrs T resulted in people going where the jobs were. So now there are more of us supporters that live outside the city than are in the city.
The international fan base for teams like Liverpool and Man Utd dwarfs the UK based fan numbers and ultimately are more important financially to the clubs.
I’m priced out. I can’t afford to go to games now, but there are so many people to take my place. People who can afford to buy the expensive corporate hospitality deals, Fans have moaned about the day-trippers to Anfield and Old Trafford for decades, but that is a huge income stream – and the “Anfield Experience†fan is probably the future.
If anyone thinks that the movers and shakers of football MUST take notice of fans wishes, you are sadly mistaken. This year’s Training Ground Premiership shows that they can to a bigger degree than you’d think get by without the diehard match going fans.
Football is a business; the Americans consider them franchises and milk them for everything they can. And the thing that not many people have noticed is that the franchise is for a competitor’s place in a League, NOT for a team from a specific town or city. If the owners consider that there is some strategic advantage in moving the franchise to another city – They will. It’s been done several times in the USA and although the financial set-up was different, Wimbledon moved to become MK Dons.
Fan ownership is an attractive option, but how would that happen? And why? Some of us considered this when Hicks and Gillette were the owners. We couldn’t see how it could be done mostly because a lot of people would not be able to afford to buy a share.
Short of some sort of government sponsored compulsory purchase, how are the fans going to get control?
Wimbledon fans did it, reclaimed their club and got it climbing the pyramid. United of Manchester and AFC Liverpool are promising start-ups and probably the only way that fans could control their hometown club – but that will take decades….
13.) 26 Apr 2021 11:36:44
The world categorically said no to a super league through protests, governments and media outlets. Within 48 hours the computation was announced and retracted.
Surely the only feasible conclusion is that this (or anything like it) will not happen as a project.
Football as a whole may need to change and adapt but not like this. The answer will and should never be that the smaller clubs become even more obsolete tim they already are and richer clubs should get richer. That would be just be rubbish. A decision based on greed.
If it is to be shaken up it should be to keep as many clubs involved as possible. A bottom up approach. Because you know what. It means something to communities not 50 years ago. Now. It’s something that gives people an identity a focus. Something to bloody do!
14.) 26 Apr 2021 12:57:28
In my opinion the only reason the super league isn’t going through is because the clubs decided that the immediate consequences were worse than the potential gains they intended to make. Ed talks of a completely different culture to where we are today. He talks of a time when people hop around the continent watching their team week in week out this time is not aimed at us. The owners aren’t interested in the race to the bottom that the current set of fans demand. They will alienate and push and through the passage of time there will be less and less of the previous generation of fan until all that it left are the ones that can afford what they want to sell us. They will break away they will not care about being banned from the premier league they will create something that they want and they have learned the cards that uefa and fifa and the fa and the government hold. They know now that they will fight it and what means they will use to fight it. Once the clubs spoken about join the super league the people that stay will be the ones you can go and support if you want to see the lads with a pint of wallop the team name might be Merseyside reds or tranmere but that’s what will be left for you if you do not stick with what’s on offer from lfc. The owners will not care. The protests won’t matter. Being kicked out the premier league won’t matter. No traditional fans in the stadium won’t matter. It will be a different sport but the old one will be available to you in the form of whatever is left behind and picking a club from that.
15.) 26 Apr 2021 13:46:04
How can any of your post hold any weight when we have just seen a prime minister, managers and players, fans and pundits all reject it. You have clearly learned nothing from the past week. Club owners don’t get to decide the fate of football and there is no appetite for an elite European league. Why? Because most fans cannot afford the money or the time to go trudging around Europe on a weekly basis!
How are you still convinced football will go this way. The question is been emphatically answered with a resounding NO! Up the pint of wallop!
16.) 27 Apr 2021 00:45:25
The point is that there is more than enough money in football for everyone to have a space at the table. The fact that the few don't want to share with the many is a very old story that continues to this day.
Ed.002, everything you say has a good chance of coming true, I don't doubt it. The problem is, the way you present it is as if there is not enough to go around. Suggesting that there is no way way half of the clubs in the UK can survive. They could if we shared more. You are at times brutally honest about us fans, how about that same acerbic withering wit of yours being directed at this. They (those at the top table, boardrooms, Uefa, FIFA, Elite, etc. ) are in it for themselves. Not the development of football.
As I say, I don't doubt what you say. I appreciate the Information. I do think you are coming at this from a certain angle though. Thank you.
17.) 27 Apr 2021 08:27:55
Redman - your lack of vision is a little embarrassing here man. All that happened is that they learned. They've learned that they won't be allowed to partially break away so they need to be prepared with a full new league. They've learned that they need to get major broadcasters signed up before announcing to temper the barrage of criticism. They've learned that they need to have a more polished proposal locked down. Maybe that waiting until uefa piss everyone off first before announcing anything. They will do it again, and again and again if need be until eventually the backlash just isn't there.
18.) 27 Apr 2021 15:17:01
The ESL will come. It is only a matter of when not if. The maths say so. Currently LFC and others can expect about £250m to £300m for winning the EPL and the champions league for TV companies.
We have depending on who you ask somewhere between 100million and 600 million fans worldwide. Similar figures are estimated for Utd Barca, Real Madrid, and most of the other dirty dozen clubs. On that basis LFC v Man U could attract easily 500million tv fans worldwide. At £10 per viewer via pay per view this would bring in £5 billion pounds for one game. This is what will happen in the future and why none of the greedy owners will sell at the moment
I also believe quite frighteningly that if too much pressure is brought to hear to stop it, the owners will just move the club's to places which will accept it. LFC to Boston, Utd to Tampa Bay Arsenal to L. A. for example.
{Ed001's Note - they won't be moved any time soon, that is not going to happen.}
19.) 27 Apr 2021 21:27:03
Hjikle the only lack of vision or grasp of reality was that of Perez and the other snakes. They embarrassed themselves in front of a world audience.
I think what Perez and maybe you possibly Ed’s 02 fail to grasp is that football does in fact have a soul. it belongs to the fans.
Ed2 jokes (I hope ) about the good old days. They still exists in an evolved modern day form. This is the basis on which the game is built and makes money from. The working masses make up the money which is pumped into the game. The owners and broadcasters make the profits but without the blessing and participation of the fans their product has zero value.
If there is anything to learn it’s that a handful old white wealthy men don’t get decide what happens to the game.
Of course there will be variations and evolutions to competitions but not a cull anywhere near the magnitude of what has been proposed. I really hope the opposite happens and other models are looked at to keep as many clubs as possible competitive and secure.
It’s interesting that the German clubs wanted nothing to do with it.
20.) 28 Apr 2021 00:31:56
Redman football does not belong to the fans and it hasn’t for the last 30 years or more. This breakaway will happen as soon as they can get all of their ducks in a row.
There will be a backlash from the working class fans and others but do you know what? They won’t care because it’s those fans they are trying to get rid of.
They don’t want the types that have that pint of ‘wallop’ on the way to the match and a pie at half time. They want the types who can spend hundreds if not thousands on a hospitality ticket and spend fortunes in the club shop.
This isn’t new it’s been happening for years in front of our eyes! We all loved the redevelopment of Anfield but that was done to get more hospitality seating.
Like Ed says it’s big business now and you either move with the times or find another team to support.
{Ed0666's Note - there’s are plenty of working class that can afford the hospitality tickets that will boycott football once this breakaway league happens. I’m not ashamed to admit that lately every time I’ve been to Anfield to watch the game (pre-pandemic) I’ve watched from hospitality because let’s face it it’s a more enjoyable experience but that won’t stop me from walking away from football once the lunatics take over the asylum. And I’ve been a Liverpool fan going on 45 odd years. Have been home and away all over Europe to watch my team. The point I’m making is don’t be too sure football doesent lose major gravitas once the breakaway league transpires because there will be a lot of disillusioned fans who would walk away than see their beloved sport prosituted.
21.) 28 Apr 2021 17:20:13
You explained it better than I did Ed’s football will loose gravitas.
If the product is messed with to much it becomes less valuable. Your right Becker football doesn’t belong to the fans but we are it’s customers. It’s logical that customers need to be kept happy to keep buying.
The large majority of society and football fans are working and lower middle class who don’t have thousands to spend on football. Collectively we make football worth billions hence the reason fan power is stronger than many on here think.
Terms like “move with the times†or football needs to evolve†is just another way of saying make the owners and broadcasters more money. I don’t think we should have it! Football should evolve for the right reasons not those based on greed.
19 Oct 2020 12:13:28
ed2 - when a club loses a player for a number of months and potentially the season, do they have the option to kind of de-register them to free up a roster space?
{Ed002's Note - Unless they have space in their squad, he cannot be replaced until January - they cannot deregister him until January. There are no HG free agents available that would even come close to the likes of Williams and Phillips. It is an unfortunate injury, clubs have to deal with things like this all of the time.}
1.) 19 Oct 2020 12:51:22
If we can’t cope with a player being injured, leading player or not, then we have issues bigger than VVD.
2.) 19 Oct 2020 16:30:22
Glass half full is that Alisson is back in training and should be back soon, having a top class keeper behind Matip and Gomez will make a huge difference. As for Prickford, hopefully karma will even itself out on him.
3.) 19 Oct 2020 23:41:56
Ok so I think we need to be logical about VVDs injury. Last season we won the league by 18 points. Is his absence going to lose us that many points. Probably not. But he’s a massive loss and others have to step up to the plate. I hate to say it, but in united’s hay day that’s what their players did regularly. Klopp will find way.
4.) 20 Oct 2020 02:29:54
Thanks ed was just interested to know as they do have this provision in american sports.
Cheers.
5.) 20 Oct 2020 10:29:05
lakes4 - we didn't start the season with an 18 point head start.
6.) 20 Oct 2020 15:23:02
That's the whole idea behind a squad of 25, isn't it? And to build a squad of 25 (not just 11) that is as cohesive and similar in quality as possible, so that there's no let down when injuries happen. ManC did just fine without De Bruyne one season, and without Laporte the other. And Aguero is not fit half the time. Suck it up and move forward. Let the chips fall where they may.
7.) 21 Oct 2020 05:33:14
ArAy . but theh didn't do just give without Laporte, they lost 8 or 9 games and finishes 18 points adrift of us, . They needed to take fernandinho into the back and thus losing out in his midfield strenghts, I hope we don't suffer from Fabinho possibly being unavailable to play his best role every week.
8.) 21 Oct 2020 09:35:20
Agreed Har_red. But they came in second, and were still a potent force during the season. I suspect you're going to see a title winner with at least 8-9 loses this year. Compressed shorter season, no home-field advantage to speak of, players in and out due to catching c. v., and the usual injuries. I don't see how any team can play consistently in the face of such havoc and disruption.
9.) 23 Oct 2020 06:07:53
That is fairly true, I can't argue with the points you've made there.
Faithinworks's banter posts with other poster's replies to Faithinworks's banter posts
15 Sep 2024 00:44:41
Finding the post match chat a bit revisionist.
I recall, many, MANY abject performances like this under Klopp and Mr. Intensity Ljinders
The application wasn’t there today
There was lots of room of improvement after our 3-0 start and no different after today’s performance and result.
1.) 15 Sep 2024 01:39:43
It's put a downer on everything for me mate, I was really chuffed the football was back and then we go and lose like that? it's done my head in because we should be beating them, we're miles better, we all know we are so why are we playing that badly? it makes no sense to me. I hope it's just a one off but I am concerned. Losing any points in this league, especially if you're near the top of the table, every single point is important and we're gifting Forest 3 points purely because the lads out there today couldn't do what they're capable of. I'll put it down to a bad day but it's not good enough. We need to step it up big time, if we don't we're in for a long season ahead.
2.) 15 Sep 2024 03:53:06
We still have no attacking patterns of play. Just reliance on improvised individual quality. Even against Man Utd, all three goals came from loose play in the middle of the park and counter-pressing rather than a coordinated, systematic attacking. Both goals against Brentford were counter-attacks as well.
Whenever we attack, the players don’t fully seem to know what to do, so there is a lot of split-second decision-making, which inevitably leads to poor decisions and scruffy finishing.
We were infuriatingly bad yesterday.
31 Aug 2024 07:16:02
Good window, could be better
Window 1/ 3 done and we’ve addressed RW which was a need and front footed GK need for the future.
Still work to do :
Contract extensions for VVD, Mo and Trent
Another midfielder upgrade on Endo/ Jones.
Sorting VVDs contract would be the priority for me as it’ll help whatever we do with signing a new CB.
Right now comfortable with where we’re at with the squad.
We have as much depth as either Arsenal and City but they have the continuity and experience of sustaining a title challenge.
Exciting times ahead. We are well placed to challenge for trophies this season.
1.) 31 Aug 2024 07:34:37
My opinion would be it a poor window overall:
Incomings = desperately poor, needed 2 top class additions minimum to challenge teams above us. Lack of ambition which starts at the top, fsg, and unfortunately we will come up short when it comes to it
Outgoings = excellent. Got v good money for fringe players who didn't want to stay and loaned a lot of pplayerswho not ready or.
2.) 31 Aug 2024 07:35:33
Make it at lfc.
Contract extension= disaster.
3.) 31 Aug 2024 07:48:47
Awful window with a minor glint thanks to Chiesa.
4.) 31 Aug 2024 08:18:14
I’ll be honest, I don’t think it’s been a great window at all. I said we would sign 2 new players and we did but I certainly didn’t think we would sign a new GK and another forward, especially when defence and midfield needed more attention but listen, the window is closed and we are where we are. The time for analysis will come at the end of the campaign. Maybe we won’t have so many players injured, Grav might just find his home at the base of the midfield, Jota stays injury free, Salah has a sterling last season with us and big Darwin finds his shooting boots ?♂️. Form and fitness over any new signing ?. It’s a big ask but we are certainly due a bit of a change of luck when it’s comes to players staying fit. I’m forever the optimist. We are a very good team still ?.
5.) 31 Aug 2024 08:25:39
Not sure I'd say it was a good window. IMO, we've not addressed the most pressing issues. We could have done with a CB and CM/ DM player and didn't need to sort the 2nd GK or RW until next season. However, I do understand that both players we brought in were undervalued and worth buying. I will give credit for selling 2 players who haven't featured much for us for high fees.
The contract situation of 3 players is the more pressing issue and we are at least 12 months late on sorting them (possibly with the exception of Salah) . What other club would let 2 top players like Trent and VVD not sign a contract and have all the power in the last few months of their deal?
That's not on Hughes/ Edwards but they could have sorted it as soon as they joined.
6.) 31 Aug 2024 08:35:28
Terrible window for me. At no point Slot indicated the need of an attacker while it was absolutely clear he needed an upgrade on Endo. Chiesa was a false signing, wanted to calm the fans after the Zubemendi debacle.
A good window is where you address your weakness and that has not been met.
7.) 31 Aug 2024 08:53:16
Brommers - bringing in a new CB is tied to VVD's contract situation. I'm genuinely surprised by some posters pushing VVD for an answer on his future and then selling him this window if it was looking like he didn't want to extend. don't understand that thinking at all, especially when we've got a new manager and trying to transition into this new era.
It's not that unusual and can get sorted through the course of the coming months. Bayern currently have Sane, Kimmich and Davies in the last year of their contracts.
8.) 31 Aug 2024 09:28:16
I doubt Slot's ideas of weaknesses are the same as yours Kecks. I also doubt him or the club were indulging in your latest fantasies "to calm the fans".
And that "false signing" has done several interviews, has someone deep faked those?
13 Aug 2024 02:33:25
ed2 - I'm sure I saw you reply to someone else's comment a week or so ago saying that Zubimendi wasn't someone Slot wanted? or something to that effect?
anyways, as good as Zubimendi is as a footballer, I'm not losing sleep over this one. Personally I see the need for a bal playing CDM, but I think we still need someone with a bit of industry and physicality to them. Zubimendi and Macca together in midfield felt too similar for me.
I really like Gravenberch partnering Macca to start the season. I think that partnership has a good balance of technique, physicality, creativity and energy.
The key to me is that Slot's midfield sets up in a way where we don't need a Usain Bolt / Mo Farah / Rodri mega hybrid of a human to play as a lone CDM. Because, thenkfully, from what I've seen so far in pre-season we're not setting up relying on our midfielders to have to run 100mph all game to cover all the gaps we leave behind.
I think this is a good thing and afoords us time to allow for Macca, Jones, Grav, Baj and Endo to do a job as we identify who we do eventually bring into that midfield group.
And in that time, we might find that we have enough to play Slot's way. Either way I'm not losing sleep over missing out on Zubimendi and am more than prepared to wait to see how the current group is as well as time to identify who the better fit is in the next window.
1.) 13 Aug 2024 09:15:15
Nyoni also looked good there mate and I'd assume if we don't sign anyone we will retain Morton who had back to back successful loans, to the extent that Champions League teams in Germany are looking at him as a possibility.
Macca and Gravenberch probably start the season as first choice and then it is down to the likes of Jones, Bajcetic, Morton and Nyoni to break into the side. I still think Endo will leave perosnally but wouldn't be surpised or bothered if he chooses to stay and fight for his place like he said he would a few weeks ago.
It's quite amusing to me how upset people are over this. Macca and Gravenberch both played in a 2 man sitting midfield at Brighton and Ajax respectively. It's where they both thrived in my opinion. We paid about £80m for the pair only 12 months ago. Szoboszlai will no doubt start ahead of them as the number 10 and he cost about £60m. So we have a £140m midfield who were all signed in the last 12 months and are all aged 22-25 years old, and people are complaining because we missed out on some guy they've probably only seen play for 45 minutes in the Euro final.
Hats off to you for a positive post. There's real lack of maturity on here right now.
2.) 13 Aug 2024 09:57:53
MK - I think some people just need to be honest and admit that they just want something new, not necessarily something better.
Kinda crazy when ya think about it - We’ve got Macca, Grav, Endo, Jones and Baj for those 2 CM spots, Szobo and Elliot for CAM and then the likes of anyone coming through.
I think that’s really healthy and am comfortable with that group especially under Slot’s set-up. I’d feel less confident if we were still playing Mr Intensity 100mph-gaps-all-over-the-pitch- ball.
13 Aug 2024 02:52:42
general consensus seems to be that we need a sub-10s 100m sprinter with marathon endurance and Xabi Alonso ability on the ball as our next CDM ?
Well, thankfully because we didnt' secure his signing, but Zubimendi wasn't going to be any of that. Potentially the Xabi bit but he isn't the destroyer type of CDM that people seem to think we need
Have people watched the pre-season games? Been a good watch and would encourage people to try and watch at least one full game to get an idea of how Slot has us set up.
Appreciate it's only pre-season, but the set-up gives an indication of how we'll play this year and so far, it looks a lot more solid through the middle of the pitch and majority of the play we will have two deeper midfielders working in tandem.
With that kind of set-up I don't think we need to be rushing in the next super-human to plug that a CDM gap.
Zubimendi wasn't going to be that kind of player anyways and I wouldn't be losing sleep over missing out on him. If he wants to stay in the sunny climate of San Sebastien then good on him!
Personally, I think we have time to identify the next midfielder to recruit and it could be in the next couple of windows not necessarily this one. With the way we've set up so far, I think any of Macca, Jones, Grav, Baj and Endo can work well together.
I think Gravenberch and Macca start this weekend and rekon they are a nice balance and compliment each other's strengths well.
1.) 13 Aug 2024 06:39:45
I hope your right Faith but Grav and Mac isn’t going to cut it in the PL. my main issue is Baj is a long way off being fully fit and ready to start PL games the others you mentioned just no no no.
2.) 13 Aug 2024 08:34:21
Mark, I agree with you but if Slot is talking up Grav in the double pivot then, he must have earned the job in his eyes, no? Endo and Macca worked a lot last season but Slot doesn’t rate Endo.
I’d rather Curtis and Mac10 but that’s just me. Hopefully, we can still get a DM in and work out contracts for the big 3 in Trent, VVD and/ or Salah.
25 Jul 2024 16:24:09
With a new manager we should be taking a 2-3 window view of re-tooling the squad.
The squad is massive and we have unique issue in two key areas we want to strengthen so we can replace incumbents. Namely VVD and Mo. but it’s looking like the replacements will need to be ready in 1-2 seasons time.
We need to move players on as well as buy So in this particular window it’s not that simple.
1.) 25 Jul 2024 20:04:21
I think there will be some major signings in 12 months time. I see a couple of players signed this summer.
2.) 25 Jul 2024 20:53:57
Not good enough. We need to be preparing now to get this team into prime position, for when Pep leaves Man City. It simply has to be us that takes the Perch when the inevitable dip happens.
3.) 25 Jul 2024 21:23:09
Get that LFC8. I’m just not sure who were bringing in this window to do that. Unlikely to get a ready made replacement in this window unless we land a saint who is prepared to ride the pine for a season or two. And a development player to be ready in 1-2 years time is obviously a risk. So it’s not simple. It seems to be getting to the point that any signing would be a good signing. So maybe some fans need to reflect on how beneficial that mindset is
I much prefer the approach that they’re taking which is what we’ve always done.
{Ed025's Note - its tough for Slot Faith, players playing in the Euros and the Copa America means he has not had the chance to assess the squad yet mate, never mind that some need a holiday with their families, for me he keeps his powder dry and does not rush into things, the current squad is strong anyway..
4.) 25 Jul 2024 23:37:31
25 - I think it's tougher for the fans who aren't grasping that lol.
{Ed025's Note - the microwave element will always be looking for instant success Faith but we all know it doesn,t work like that mate..
5.) 26 Jul 2024 06:10:59
@Faith, I’d prefer us to buy a DM before we worry about players (potentially) off contract at the end of next season. As it stands VVD and Mo are playing for Liverpool next season but our perceived lack of DM coverage from last season still persists.
If we do buy a CB it should be to replace Matip rather than VVD.
09 Sep 2024 06:39:37
yeah Zed I saw something similar.
08 Sep 2024 20:01:53
People - just be mindful that Liverpool fans drive the most internet traffic for clickbait websites. So when the headline says “Mo signs two years” just bear in mind that when you click into the article it’ll probably say “Mo would sign two years”
Lol.
04 Sep 2024 02:18:24
Thanks ed2. Assuming whoever we may target at CB would be dependent on sorting VVD’s contract situation first either way?
{Ed002's Note - It needs to be resolved regardless.}
04 Sep 2024 02:16:49
I don’t think I’d describe a player getting injured as a reason they’re infallible.
04 Sep 2024 00:22:49
Happy that we missed out on Zubimendi. Not desperate for him as we have Macca who I think he is more similar too.
Rather have someone like Grav play the role as he is now because he has great balance of key attributes that we need in PL. - good with ball, physical, powerful runner, good in air etc
Not sure Zubimendo would bring the same athleticism that he’d need to thrive in PL. maybe playing next to someone like Grav then he could do well similar to how it helps unlock Macca.
12 Sep 2024 11:32:43
Chiesa has almost had a full season last season of playing pretty much as a CF / CAM. We’ll have options.
Part of having a very deep squad with some versatile players.
10 Sep 2024 03:36:13
ed1, I get that. what I meant is - an ed answers a question about why we signed this keeper with "to make money". I imagine the likes of FSGisfleecingus would get excited at that comment coming from an ed :D.
{Ed001's Note - ah yeah got you. That's simply because he is ignorant and does not understand reality.}
10 Sep 2024 01:46:35
ed1 - I'm not sure fans will separate "to make money" from the owners mate.
{Ed001's Note - but the money does not go to FSG, it goes into LFC's coffers. Though I still think it is a mistake, I keep reading people saying prices are going up, but they went down this summer. The market always has lean years, when the main league boosting prices hits a low point. That is now, as the Prem teams are being affected so much by PSR. It is going to take a while to get through it, then it will gradually recover and creep up. It is likely to be years before it returns to the huge prices we have got used to. That is why no one else was there to buy the lad in the first place, there just isn't the money around at the moment. Speculation is always risky but especially when the market shows signs of a downturn.}
09 Sep 2024 23:07:05
sheesh ed1, that's a good way to keep stoking the flames of the FSGhate brigade hahahahaha
I know the OP hasn't directed this at me but it's an open forum so my 2cents for what it's worth - it's a good move for a keeper performing well now and can get better. Whatever his strengths are can be enhanced and his work-ons can be developed. It's a good place to be in to have him come in next season, still have Ali for at least a season longer and other young guns in jaros et al coming through.
I do feel for Kelleher and just hope that the club have been as transparent with him as they were with Ali.
{Ed001's Note - it has nothing to do with FSG. This is on Edwards, Ward and Hughes.}
08 Sep 2024 20:00:07
I have limited understanding of Lee Carsely and Angel Gomes’ career so not willing to comment on either.
But always hopeful for guys to be the best version of themselves.