Liverpool Thread 2013/14

[THFC6061]

As it happens, Spurs amassed 39 points during the second half of the 2012-13 season.

If only the first half was as good, we would have had 78 points - exactly the same as Manchester City in 2nd place.

Oh well!

How many of those were soley down to a Gareth Bale worldy? I was looking for some stats on it last night but couldn't find any.

Well Bale was fantastic all season but he really stepped-up a gear or two after Christmas.

Defoe was on fire during the first half of the season but was mainly firing blanks during the second....

 

[more lazy than useless]

However, you have a big problem there. The owners know that you need to expand the stadium. In that you are like a few others. Arsenal have already done it and it nearly caused them huge problems. They are clear of it now and can push on, but the lessons re player buys (or lack of!) are clear. Chelsea and Spurs are in the same boat. We can ignore Chelsea; investing in this isn't part of FFP and Roman has a few quid to cover it. Not sure, but Spurs maybe slightly ahead of you?

The owners have committed to financing the stadium deal with their own money - LFC spends what it earns through our footballing income to keep a steady transfer kitty of £30m per year.

TBH, if you're in any shape to try to gatecrash the new 'top 4' any time in the next decade I'd be surprised. And that's assuming your owner thinks its worth investing in trying.

The owners wouldn't be here if they didn't want that. The CL represents return on investment for them - hence the investment in the long term strategy of the club with the Stadium, the youth setup (we've signed 2 youth players so far this window and another 2 or 3 are expected)

It might be a couple of years before we're back in the CL but when we are, we'll be in much better shape to consistently challenge due to the framework of the club.

If Henry has promised to put up the money for the stadium separate from club income then that does blow a big hole in my argument. A good youth input, even if they get sold on, is a big bonus. That said, a few owners have made those kind of promises (I'm thinking Villa and Sunderland for eg), and although your case might be different I think we all know that owners to a large degree say what the fans want to hear. Having said that, Henry seems like a good businessman and will know that the CL is a licence to print money.

However, the main point I was trying to make still stands; who will make way for you?

Can't see it being us or Chelsea. Maybe United will nosedive under Moyes (fingers crossed) but can't see them dropping out of the top 4 anytime soon. Arsenal are re-joining the race and surely will only get stronger.

And you are still fighting Spurs. You clearly think you can catch them in the next couple of seasons (I'd be sceptical you can get clear of them), but how are you going to catch up anyone in the top 4?

Maybe Henry is going to put up the money for the stadium, but he can't (even if he wanted) invest much in the team. I know Liverpool can still make a lot of money, but enough to pay the kind of silly money it will take to get back in the top 4? And every year you don't will erode that financial muscle.

P.S. Never, ever ask for stats when THFC6061 is around, especially if its about Spurs. Apparently they don't have the word 'overkill' in dictionaries in Israel.

 

[JoeMercer'sWay]

However, you have a big problem there. The owners know that you need to expand the stadium. In that you are like a few others. Arsenal have already done it and it nearly caused them huge problems. They are clear of it now and can push on, but the lessons re player buys (or lack of!) are clear. Chelsea and Spurs are in the same boat. We can ignore Chelsea; investing in this isn't part of FFP and Roman has a few quid to cover it. Not sure, but Spurs maybe slightly ahead of you?

The owners have committed to financing the stadium deal with their own money - LFC spends what it earns through our footballing income to keep a steady transfer kitty of £30m per year.

TBH, if you're in any shape to try to gatecrash the new 'top 4' any time in the next decade I'd be surprised. And that's assuming your owner thinks its worth investing in trying.

The owners wouldn't be here if they didn't want that. The CL represents return on investment for them - hence the investment in the long term strategy of the club with the Stadium, the youth setup (we've signed 2 youth players so far this window and another 2 or 3 are expected)

It might be a couple of years before we're back in the CL but when we are, we'll be in much better shape to consistently challenge due to the framework of the club.

If Henry has promised to put up the money for the stadium separate from club income then that does blow a big hole in my argument. A good youth input, even if they get sold on, is a big bonus. That said, a few owners have made those kind of promises (I'm thinking Villa and Sunderland for eg), and although your case might be different I think we all know that owners to a large degree say what the fans want to hear. Having said that, Henry seems like a good businessman and will know that the CL is a licence to print money.

However, the main point I was trying to make still stands; who will make way for you?

Can't see it being us or Chelsea. Maybe United will nosedive under Moyes (fingers crossed) but can't see them dropping out of the top 4 anytime soon. Arsenal are re-joining the race and surely will only get stronger.

And you are still fighting Spurs. You clearly think you can catch them in the next couple of seasons (I'd be sceptical you can get clear of them), but how are you going to catch up anyone in the top 4?

Maybe Henry is going to put up the money for the stadium, but he can't (even if he wanted) invest much in the team. I know Liverpool can still make a lot of money, but enough to pay the kind of silly money it will take to get back in the top 4? And every year you don't will erode that financial muscle.

P.S. Never, ever ask for stats when THFC6061 is around, especially if its about Spurs. Apparently they don't have the word 'overkill' in dictionaries in Israel.

no, just the word kill, followed by the term Palestinians.

 

[Scouse_Jimi]

If Henry has promised to put up the money for the stadium separate from club income then that does blow a big hole in my argument. A good youth input, even if they get sold on, is a big bonus. That said, a few owners have made those kind of promises (I'm thinking Villa and Sunderland for eg), and although your case might be different I think we all know that owners to a large degree say what the fans want to hear. Having said that, Henry seems like a good businessman and will know that the CL is a licence to print money.

However, the main point I was trying to make still stands; who will make way for you?

Can't see it being us or Chelsea. Maybe United will nosedive under Moyes (fingers crossed) but can't see them dropping out of the top 4 anytime soon. Arsenal are re-joining the race and surely will only get stronger.

And you are still fighting Spurs. You clearly think you can catch them in the next couple of seasons (I'd be sceptical you can get clear of them), but how are you going to catch up anyone in the top 4?

Maybe Henry is going to put up the money for the stadium, but he can't (even if he wanted) invest much in the team. I know Liverpool can still make a lot of money, but enough to pay the kind of silly money it will take to get back in the top 4? And every year you don't will erode that financial muscle.

P.S. Never, ever ask for stats when THFC6061 is around, especially if its about Spurs. Apparently they don't have the word 'overkill' in dictionaries in Israel.

Well, no one will make way for us - we'll need to show a steel we didn't have last season. Players like Aspas & Toure will help give us that...what Liveprool need is some real grit - Suarez has it in spades, Stevie obviously, Agger and maybe Henderson but other than that we're lacking any real bite when it comes to taking on and taking down the opposition. Flat bullies beat us, not through skill but through determination and that's what we need to fix to move forward.

FSG have a considerable amount of funds, they could afford to bank roll us (though nothing in compared to your billions) however it's not their way. They are, rather foolishly in my opinion, relying on FFP to even the field. Teams have proved in the past that whilst money helps, it doesn't guarantee a top 4 place - take City for example, they shelled out over £250m in 2008 & 2009 before getting back into the top 4 whilst Newcastle nearly made it by spending under £50m.

Skill and luck are what takes teams into the top echelons, we definitely have the skill thanks to Man City - our scouting team is top drawer as proved with the January sales and as, I believe, they will be this summer. Luck is what we need more than anything, if all our transfers are like Coutinho we've a definite chance of hitting the top 4 this season and no one will need to make way, we'll take it from them...

p.s thanks for the headsup on THFC stats overload.

THFC - Bale cannot consistently score 29 goals a season...

 

[THFC6061]

The owners have committed to financing the stadium deal with their own money - LFC spends what it earns through our footballing income to keep a steady transfer kitty of £30m per year.



The owners wouldn't be here if they didn't want that. The CL represents return on investment for them - hence the investment in the long term strategy of the club with the Stadium, the youth setup (we've signed 2 youth players so far this window and another 2 or 3 are expected)

It might be a couple of years before we're back in the CL but when we are, we'll be in much better shape to consistently challenge due to the framework of the club.

If Henry has promised to put up the money for the stadium separate from club income then that does blow a big hole in my argument. A good youth input, even if they get sold on, is a big bonus. That said, a few owners have made those kind of promises (I'm thinking Villa and Sunderland for eg), and although your case might be different I think we all know that owners to a large degree say what the fans want to hear. Having said that, Henry seems like a good businessman and will know that the CL is a licence to print money.

However, the main point I was trying to make still stands; who will make way for you?

Can't see it being us or Chelsea. Maybe United will nosedive under Moyes (fingers crossed) but can't see them dropping out of the top 4 anytime soon. Arsenal are re-joining the race and surely will only get stronger.

And you are still fighting Spurs. You clearly think you can catch them in the next couple of seasons (I'd be sceptical you can get clear of them), but how are you going to catch up anyone in the top 4?

Maybe Henry is going to put up the money for the stadium, but he can't (even if he wanted) invest much in the team. I know Liverpool can still make a lot of money, but enough to pay the kind of silly money it will take to get back in the top 4? And every year you don't will erode that financial muscle.

P.S. Never, ever ask for stats when THFC6061 is around, especially if its about Spurs. Apparently they don't have the word 'overkill' in dictionaries in Israel.

no, just the word kill, followed by the term Palestinians.

Why do you feel it's necessary to drag Middle East politics into a football discussion?

And I suppose the 100,000+ slaughtered in the last couple of years in Syria is Israel's fault too?

 

[Scouse_Jimi]

Listen lads...I know Suarez was supposed to be racially motivated but can you leave the middle eastern (cluster fuck) politics out of the LFC thread? I'm sure there must be some none footballing thread you can ruin with your mutual hatred for killing innocents :)

Edit: THFC - tell me how Bale is going to manage getting 29 goals a seaosn....

 

[andyhinch]

Listen lads...I know Suarez was supposed to be racially motivated but can you leave the middle eastern (cluster fuck) politics out of the LFC thread? I'm sure there must be some none footballing thread you can ruin with your mutual hatred for killing innocents :)

Edit: THFC - tell me how Bale is going to manage getting 29 goals a seaosn....

Are the natives being nice? Come into the refugee camp if they get a bit mad, all welcome

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

The owners have committed to financing the stadium deal with their own money - LFC spends what it earns through our footballing income to keep a steady transfer kitty of £30m per year.



The owners wouldn't be here if they didn't want that. The CL represents return on investment for them - hence the investment in the long term strategy of the club with the Stadium, the youth setup (we've signed 2 youth players so far this window and another 2 or 3 are expected)

It might be a couple of years before we're back in the CL but when we are, we'll be in much better shape to consistently challenge due to the framework of the club.

If Henry has promised to put up the money for the stadium separate from club income then that does blow a big hole in my argument. A good youth input, even if they get sold on, is a big bonus. That said, a few owners have made those kind of promises (I'm thinking Villa and Sunderland for eg), and although your case might be different I think we all know that owners to a large degree say what the fans want to hear. Having said that, Henry seems like a good businessman and will know that the CL is a licence to print money.

However, the main point I was trying to make still stands; who will make way for you?

Can't see it being us or Chelsea. Maybe United will nosedive under Moyes (fingers crossed) but can't see them dropping out of the top 4 anytime soon. Arsenal are re-joining the race and surely will only get stronger.

And you are still fighting Spurs. You clearly think you can catch them in the next couple of seasons (I'd be sceptical you can get clear of them), but how are you going to catch up anyone in the top 4?

Maybe Henry is going to put up the money for the stadium, but he can't (even if he wanted) invest much in the team. I know Liverpool can still make a lot of money, but enough to pay the kind of silly money it will take to get back in the top 4? And every year you don't will erode that financial muscle.

P.S. Never, ever ask for stats when THFC6061 is around, especially if its about Spurs. Apparently they don't have the word 'overkill' in dictionaries in Israel.

no, just the word kill, followed by the term Palestinians.

Totally unnecessary, JMW.

 

[NICKS BACK]

Scouse Jimi while you're posting what are your hopes for the season and what or your realistic views?

If you use the phrase "this year is our year" I will immediately stop reading.

Haha, I might be a scouser but I'm less deluded than some.
The owners have given Brendan Rodgers 3 years to get back into the Champions League. This season I would hope we challenge for both domestic cups and put up a decent fight for 4th place. Can't see us getting there unless we strike it lucky with our signings and they all turn out to be world beaters.

The LFC forum I post on has some pretty compelling arguments as to why we could make top 4 such as our performances in the 2nd half of last season etc but I can't see it. There is certainly an opportunity but it's very much an outside chance. I put us getting 5th with a cup win this season.


Suarez always struck me as an awful lot more Loyal than Tevez for example, as much as I love Tevez there lies the crux.

Despite the mad histrionics and bollox, he is without a doubt along with Torres when he signed for Liverpool the best foriegn transfer since Cantona.

I can say with honesty though that I'm not that fussed for this season as long as we keep playing the way we have been and signing the players we appear to be going for. I stopped going to Anfield during the back end of Rafas reign due to the style of play. I'm back there week in week out now because, whilst we might not win every game, we play some outstanding and exciting football. It's a good time for Liverpool fans in my opinion, feels like the start of a revolution of sorts...though i'm sure it'll be another false dawn ;-)

That's not hard.

The key to your season is obviously the Suarez situation. With the general consensus that he will be off somewhere a huge load depends on who comes in and how they could perform from the word go.

Better asking you after deadline day.

 

[JoeMercer'sWay]

If Henry has promised to put up the money for the stadium separate from club income then that does blow a big hole in my argument. A good youth input, even if they get sold on, is a big bonus. That said, a few owners have made those kind of promises (I'm thinking Villa and Sunderland for eg), and although your case might be different I think we all know that owners to a large degree say what the fans want to hear. Having said that, Henry seems like a good businessman and will know that the CL is a licence to print money.

However, the main point I was trying to make still stands; who will make way for you?

Can't see it being us or Chelsea. Maybe United will nosedive under Moyes (fingers crossed) but can't see them dropping out of the top 4 anytime soon. Arsenal are re-joining the race and surely will only get stronger.

And you are still fighting Spurs. You clearly think you can catch them in the next couple of seasons (I'd be sceptical you can get clear of them), but how are you going to catch up anyone in the top 4?

Maybe Henry is going to put up the money for the stadium, but he can't (even if he wanted) invest much in the team. I know Liverpool can still make a lot of money, but enough to pay the kind of silly money it will take to get back in the top 4? And every year you don't will erode that financial muscle.

P.S. Never, ever ask for stats when THFC6061 is around, especially if its about Spurs. Apparently they don't have the word 'overkill' in dictionaries in Israel.

no, just the word kill, followed by the term Palestinians.

Why do you feel it's necessary to drag Middle East politics into a football discussion?

And I suppose the 100,000+ slaughtered in the last couple of years in Syria is Israel's fault too?

it was a joke...jesus...