rgk_lfc

"Allow me to demonstrate this point by showing you how class everything is at my club." (I'm just jealous) Sorry , Not my intention at all. When things are not going well, the last thing anyone needs is someone from outside preaching . I rarely post in this forum as I know how it can come across at times. Unless there are Rafa related issues where I feel I can add something.

I think you are all being harsh on Longstaff. This is Curtis Jones's performance yesterday which is being universally praised. To be fair, it was an impressive performance. But if you look at the key moments, he is finding space. He has an attacking frame of mind and whenever he tries something you can see Gini or Henderson slightly behind. Not trying to deny Curtis's obvious talent but there is a high level of coaching and tactical instructions that went into that performance being impressive. There are players making intelligent runs in front of him and players at the back to mop up in case he made mistakes. Klopp knows how to work with youngsters and it shows. It was the same for Longstaff against City two years ago. It was very obvious that he was given very clear instructions and he executed them brilliantly. I think Curtis is more naturally talented than Longstaff, but put Longstaff in a setup where players, especially youngsters are given a more rigid tactical framework, and he will look very good. You don't look that impressive as a youngster against a City team that consistently hit 90 points unless you have something in your locker.

Wilson's overall game is not that impressive but he has the knack of scoring goals. He is also very good on delivery in setpieces which should be help Burnley.

Why is that? The new stand at Anfield? With the success Liverpool have had in recent years I'd have thought they be loaded. I dont quite understand the details provided here: https://www.empireofthekop.com/2020/09/07/why-liverpool-arent-spending-brilliant-swiss-ramble-thread-reveals-all/ FSG has invested quite a bit into the new main stand and is spending 50-60 million on a new training facility. That is a factor. They were also planning to submit paperwork to obtain permission for Anfield Road End Expansion but as of now, they have stopped it. Also, based on my limited understanding, the wages we provide are incentivized by a heavy bonus structure if we win anything big. Last two years, we won the champions league and the premier league. Our wage bill has grown a lot due to that. Mane, Salah, Van Dijk, Alisson all make 150-200K. If we win anything big they make generous bonus. I remember our CEO commenting to one journalist last year that we dont make any additional money as a club by winning the champions league as the win bonuses take care of that. Again, I might be simplifying or misinterpreting these things. With all of that, we were at an operating profit but it seems COVID-19 has wiped it out. I also believe FSG are being extra cautious due to dual exposure from Liverpool as well as Red Sox. It looks like Red Sox is also projected to experience huge losses this year. FSG are rich but not Abramovich or City rich who can write off losses from two clubs in a year. It is in a way irritating in the sense that I thought this summer we could compete for the truly elite talent. That is not happening. But I dont want to appear as complaining. FSG have been brilliant owners. Everything we make goes right into the club. The club lives within its means and when extra cash is needed - ground expansion, training facility - they have injected cash in the form of zero or low interest loans I believe.

Shaqiri, Grujic, Wilson, and Origi are definitely in the shop window. I fully expect at least two out of the four to be sold or sent on loan by the end of the transfer window. Brewster is also in the shop window for the right price - 25 million-plus with a buyback clause. I hope we don't sell Brewster though. Oxlade-Chamberlain - I have no clue. With Gini staying for one more year, he is not going to get chances in the midfield area. He does not play like Mane or Salah (not just the level but the style of play) out wide. His constant injuries also do not help. Wolves were rumored to be interested in him as they are falling short of the locally trained players quota but not sure how reliable that link is.

Yup, it could just be that. We don't have the money for elite-level talents like Werner or Havertz this summer which was the original plan. So pad up the squad with good quality replacements from clubs who accept favorable payment structures.

To be honest, I don't quite understand it either. He is a very good player, don't get me wrong. But whatever little I watched of him, he seems to lack that extra bit of class and explosiveness which will take him to a Mane, Salah level in the future. Even with a favorable payment structure, that fee is a bit of a headscratcher. Having said that, with the transfer committee, and Klopp, there is always a plan. With most players they have bought in the last few years, it is clear within 3-4 months, their role and how they are planning to be used, etc. He does fit the Klopp purchase profile - young, can play multiple positions, tenacious has the skill and an eye for goal. So curious to see how Jota develops.

Wage demands plus the way the payment is structured. We don't have a lot of money to pay upfront. In Werner's case, they wanted a majority of the payment upfront. With Jota, the payment is structured over multiple years with the first year payment being low. Same reason we were not able to purchase Jamal Lewis. Not too keen on selling Hoever. I think he is a top talent and we may regret that sale.

Cheers Absolute Elsewhere[/member] and triggs[/member] Excited by this signing. Hopefully he lives up to his reputation.

I have never watched the Bundesliga or Bayern regularly. Just curious for an opinion from other fans. How good is Thiago? Is he different from our other midfielders? Regarding Brewster. I am disappointed that he is leaving. But looks like part of the reason is that he is a pure goalscorer and the chances for such a player in Klopp's system will be minimal. Of course, the main reason is that we dont have a lot of money to spend. We will most likely be looking at Sarr or Doku or Daka as a replacement who are a better fit to Klopp system. My bet would be Sarr as Klopp and our transfer committee love purchasing a player from the relegated clubs.

This is a weird point of view. In isolation I mean. Obviously, players like Van Dijk are an exception. It just seems as though a lack of ambition has taken them over. That's how most top sides are built though, buying good players on the up from sides below you, unless you've got a blank chequebook. Mane came from Southampton as well, Liverpool got Robertson from Hull, Henderson from the mackems, Wijnaldum from us. Who are Spurs meant to buy from if 7th placed Wolves are too shite? Klopp is used to working with players like that. He knows how to create systems which make players like Robertson and Henderson look like world beaters. He has shown that again and again. Maybe Mourinho did that at Porto, but I dont remember him creating great teams for lesser players. His MO has been taking very good to great players and creating unbeatable teams.

Amazing that the PL are happy for the likes of Kia to send his players to Arsenal, or an ‘entity’ to be heavily involved with one club, a particular player and a particular manager and arrange for a transfer between all three. Stuff like that is absolutely fine. For most other jobs you would be looking at some years in prison for arranging something like this

The replacement is also a Mendes advised player. How is this even allowed.

That is there. But the raw material must be there for a quality attacking fullback as it is one of the most important positions in a Klopp team.

He was Klopp's first choice. We went for Kostas as I think we couldn't afford the payment structure. He will be a good signing for you. Klopp really knows his fullbacks, particularly from an attacking perspective.

City and only because finance is not a constraint for them.

It doesn't matter whether there is a top earner clause or not. Messi is deserving of the million per week he gets with his goals and assists and the exposure he brings. Atleast for a season or two. Problem is there will be an inflation effect on other contract negotiations. Players like Pogba, Greenwood, Rashford or Salah, Mane, Van Dijk (if he moves to LFC) will be able to squeeze or demand at least 50-150K per week extra based on Messi's contract. I don't know the details but I am betting Sanchez's contract has an influence on De Gea's new wages. You cannot pay Messi million per week and keep the next tier of stars at 150K per week. I mean it might be justified but in reality it does not work like that. Salah, Mane, Pogba will start demanding 400-500K per week. The wage inflation might reach a level where even winning a CL or two or premier league titles might not justify the outlay for clubs that spend only from what they generate. You'd imagine creative accounting could mitigate that to some degree. Image rights, bonuses and whatever else to bump it up but keeping the basic down as much as possible. But other players will also start demanding similar deals with creative accounting. The inflation will be impossible to contain.

It doesn't matter whether there is a top earner clause or not. Messi is deserving of the million per week he gets with his goals and assists and the exposure he brings. Atleast for a season or two. Problem is there will be an inflation effect on other contract negotiations. Players like Pogba, Greenwood, Rashford or Salah, Mane, Van Dijk (if he moves to LFC) will be able to squeeze or demand at least 50-150K per week extra based on Messi's contract. I don't know the details but I am betting Sanchez's contract has an influence on De Gea's new wages. You cannot pay Messi million per week and keep the next tier of stars at 150K per week. I mean it might be justified but in reality it does not work like that. Salah, Mane, Pogba will start demanding 400-500K per week. The wage inflation might reach a level where even winning a CL or two or premier league titles might not justify the outlay for clubs that spend only from what they generate.

Koeman told him his influence and privileges with the team have stopped. So if Messi wins this battle, does that pretty much mean Koeman has lost both the Barcelona and Netherlands job? Did he sign the official contract with Barcelona? I don’t see how the president leaves? Him and his team have to pay off the clubs debt out of their own pocket should he resign now - can he effectively go on gardening leave and pave the way for a temporary government so to speak? I didn't know that the president and his team have to pay off the clubs debt if he resigns. But if he steps down next year, does that mean he is still accountable for the debts or he is excused as it is the end of the term? You basically have to leave the club in profit or at break even - if you have made a loss, then you have to pay that off out of your own pocket - these are the rules - which is the reason why Barca are in disarray - the President has nowhere to go Makes sense. But what happens next year then. Isn't there some election in Feb. Does the club have to break even by then? Surely that is not happening given the debts.

Koeman told him his influence and privileges with the team have stopped. So if Messi wins this battle, does that pretty much mean Koeman has lost both the Barcelona and Netherlands job? Did he sign the official contract with Barcelona? I don’t see how the president leaves? Him and his team have to pay off the clubs debt out of their own pocket should he resign now - can he effectively go on gardening leave and pave the way for a temporary government so to speak? I didn't know that the president and his team have to pay off the clubs debt if he resigns. But if he steps down next year, does that mean he is still accountable for the debts or he is excused as it is the end of the term?

Koeman told him his influence and privileges with the team have stopped. So if Messi wins this battle, does that pretty much mean Koeman has lost both the Barcelona and Netherlands job? Did he sign the official contract with Barcelona?

I actually think they'll keep him this season, perhaps Origi will go instead If we get a good bid for Origi, I think we will keep Brewster and use the money on someone like Sarr at Watford.

https://en.as.com/en/2020/08/25/football/1598384870_092263.html

Inevitable

I feel Perisic was a better foil for Davis as well as the Bayern attack than Coman. It looks like Coman and Davis want to operate in the same space on the left. Anyway fully expect Coman to hit a hattrick after this post.