ECHO Comment: "Fears of Witch-hunt Against Liverpool FC" part 3

[flibbyflob]

If reports are true that city are looking to get Haaland to replace Aguero this summer by activating his release clause, they are going to take some catching. Foden, Cancelo, Stones, Diaz, Rodri all have their best footballing years still ahead of them. The core of the side Sterling, de Bruyne, Ederson, Silva are as good as anything in Europe.

But but next season with all the players back Liverpool will be the best team in the world again.

 

[Seathestars]

The disconnect between the 'Fab 3' (vomit inducing) up top is apparent now. I think each of them, especially Mane & Salah are in it for themselves now rather than selflessly fighting for the team as they did previous. They just want personal records and I reckon it's causing friction. I don't see them looking to set each other up now, instead it's all individual movements.

Gone are the selfless runs to create space for others, instead they just want there own glory. I think it's thus had an affect on the full backs. When was last time either Roberston or TAA tormented a team as they did in the past? There is definitely burn out and disillusion setting in but for me it stems from the front rather than the back.

I reckon one of Mane or Salah will definitely be off in the summer and it may benefit and reenergise them.

I agree to a certain extent but I think it’s 4 years of high intensity that has taken its toll. I’ve never seen a full back like Robertson sprinting like he does, it’s endless up and down the line, full pelt too.
His fitness alone makes me wonder. I know they’re young and professional but it still doesn’t add up.

 

[catcherintherye]

James Pearce, who is generally the best sourced guy they've got has written an article saying missing out on top 4 would be "catastrophic".

He also says summer plans would be "drastically re-assessed" in such a scenario, and it wouldn't necessarily be about "who you could attract" but more of a question of "who you could maintain".

He is not known for negativity at all, I've never seen an article such as this in his time. He openly stated in the Sterling and Suarez saga Liverpool wouldn't sell and would add players etc. The tone, choice of words and what he's actually saying between the lines are extremely alarming in the article. It reads almost as saying "if we don't get into the top 4, expect a fire sale". I'm not sure if thats his intention, but that' how it comes across.

The question may well be "why" at this point? He is generally very close to the owners. It sounds like they are managing expectations ahead of the summer, but also preparing the ground for a tricky summer It reads like the sort of stuff we had written about us in the mid-late 90's.

I'm also very very urprised they are openly talking about missing out on the top 4 so much, and have been for weeks. They don't normally do this.

I wonder if there's genuine concern from the owners, that Klopps general messing about and pontificating may end up costing them top 4, which wil have ramification long after Klopp goes. I do wonder if many of their sponsorship deals have automatic downgrade clauses if say 30-50% range if they miss out on CL?

 

[Rook]

He's setting that up by pointing the fingers at the owners.

He had no need to have 2 MFs in CD positions yesterday. He had 2 bought for him in the window and could have had Fabinho and Henderson back in midfield. He chose not to because he wants to show how he's "poorly resourced".

There's only one outcome if that continues.

Salah is supposedly off to RM. That brings 100-150M in, the question is who are you gonna buy? Levy might give you Son for most/all of that money, but he's not as good.

He's going to have to rebuild his squad for best case senario, 1 year (they need 4th this year and hold on to their other best players). He doesn't look like he's up for it. Take Liverpool to 4th this year + next year (and we'll say QT exits in CL), "What's wrong w/ Klopp's side?" He hates that. Meanwhile you could head to Arsenal take them to 4th in 1-2 years he's a hero, and AFTV is renamed KloppVision - he loves that.

 

[catcherintherye]

The disconnect between the 'Fab 3' (vomit inducing) up top is apparent now. I think each of them, especially Mane & Salah are in it for themselves now rather than selflessly fighting for the team as they did previous. They just want personal records and I reckon it's causing friction. I don't see them looking to set each other up now, instead it's all individual movements.

Gone are the selfless runs to create space for others, instead they just want there own glory. I think it's thus had an affect on the full backs. When was last time either Roberston or TAA tormented a team as they did in the past? There is definitely burn out and disillusion setting in but for me it stems from the front rather than the back.

I reckon one of Mane or Salah will definitely be off in the summer and it may benefit and reenergise them.

Almost certain Salah goes, but the figures around it will vadtle different. Gab Marcotti today said "if they're hoping of selling Salah for 80m in the summer, in the market we are going into, forget it"

You sense Liverpool would have penciled in a price of £100m. They may do well to get half that figure. Don't rule out having to sell both, just to keep wheels turning.

 

[catcherintherye]

Salah is supposedly off to RM. That brings 100-150M in, the question is who are you gonna buy? Levy might give you Son for most/all of that money, but he's not as good.

He's going to have to rebuild his squad for best case senario, 1 year (they need 4th this year and hold on to their best players). He doesn't look like he's up for it. Take Liverpool to 4th this year + next year (and we'll say QT exits in CL), "What's wrong w/ Klopp's side?" He hates that. Meanwhile you could head to Arsenal take them to 4th in 1-2 years he's a hero, and AFTV is renamed KloppVision - he loves that.

Just put something above mate, but Gab Marcotti (v well connected European journalist) said they have no chance of selling Salah at £80m this summer. He will be 29, with 2 years left on a deal.

If nobody is getting close to 80, how much do they get? 60m? Maybe 40m of that down. Most of it will just be used to plug gaps and if there's any spare, it will go on the CB Kabak who has a buy out price of 20 rising to 30.

 

[roydo]

Salah is supposedly off to RM. That brings 100-150M in, the question is who are you gonna buy? Levy might give you Son for most/all of that money, but he's not as good.

He's going to have to rebuild his squad for best case senario, 1 year (they need 4th this year and hold on to their other best players). He doesn't look like he's up for it. Take Liverpool to 4th this year + next year (and we'll say QT exits in CL), "What's wrong w/ Klopp's side?" He hates that. Meanwhile you could head to Arsenal take them to 4th in 1-2 years he's a hero, and AFTV is renamed KloppVision - he loves that.

RM are still wondering why they paid £130m (?) for Hazard. Not sure they either have the cash, nor the inclination to play Snap with another late 20s footballer from the PL.

 

[SunKing]

Almost certain Salah goes, but the figures around it will vadtle different. Gab Marcotti today said "if they're hoping of selling Salah for 80m in the summer, in the market we are going into, forget it"

You sense Liverpool would have penciled in a price of £100m. They may do well to get half that figure. Don't rule out having to sell both, just to keep wheels turning.

29 in June with 2 years left on contract, coupled with as you mention a very different market than would be expected under normal conditions. I think you're right they'll struggle to get 50m. Mane is almost identical really.

 

[davek]

If reports are true that city are looking to get Haaland to replace Aguero this summer by activating his release clause, they are going to take some catching. Foden, Cancelo, Stones, Diaz, Rodri all have their best footballing years still ahead of them. The core of the side Sterling, de Bruyne, Ederson, Silva are as good as anything in Europe.

They'll rack up 3 titles in the last 4 seasons in May; and I can see them winning 2/3 more with these players coming through.

THAT is a dynasty, and THAT is something Klopp doesn't have the inclination or personality to put in place.

 

[Rook]

He is not known for negativity at all, I've never seen an article such as this in his time. He openly stated in the Sterling and Suarez saga Liverpool wouldn't sell and would add players etc. The tone, choice of words and what he's actually saying between the lines are extremely alarming in the article. It reads almost as saying "if we don't get into the top 4, expect a fire sale". I'm not sure if thats his intention, but that' how it comes across.

they all in their late 20s. I don't see Henderson and Mane ever leaving until they are washed up. Firmino, VVD, Allison could be joining Salah out of there.

 

[catcherintherye]

29 in June with 2 years left on contract, coupled with as you mention a very different market than would be expected under normal conditions. I think you're right they'll struggle to get 50m. Mane is almost identical really.

I did a piece on the HP of this site about January. Basically there was a huge reduction in spend, which tey expect to last into the summer. The biggest hit, were players late 20's and upwards. Some value being lost for players under 25, but most for players over 28. I mean maybe as much as 2/3rds. So if the idea for Salah was say ask for 150, settle at 100m, that becomes ask for 50m get 35m. I mean it may not be quite that brutal, but could be in that range. I agree with marcotti, nobody is going anywhere near 80m in the summer for him.

 

[Rook]

RM are still wondering why they paid £130m (?) for Hazard. Not sure they either have the cash, nor the inclination to play Snap with another late 20s footballer from the PL.

Salah is probably (outside of Messi/CR) the most popular player in the middle east, so jersey sales (and he's a good player).
There are clubs who would still want Hazard, he could be unloaded.

Was going to mention that the pandemic might end up keeping most of them together.

 

[catcherintherye]

they all in their late 20s. I don't see Henderson and Mane ever leaving until they are washed up. Firmino, VVD, Allison could be joining Salah out of there.

Yes it's an awful position to be in. But why write, if you're Pearce that the impact will be on who they could keep? My only other reading, is that they won't be able to commit to contracts.

The only play from a financial position they have is to do as you say though. The value has been heavily, and they will not get anything like the same quality for the money they will recieve. So you may as well stick it out. The problem with it is 2 fold, firstly, they could have a cash crises come the summer with CL football and secondly you can see the squad is in desperate need of freshening up.

 

[Lineker]

I think the 13 is because of the game in hand, which means he assumes city wins it, which in my mind means he has already conceded the title.

 

[Rook]

Just put something above mate, but Gab Marcotti (v well connected European journalist) said they have no chance of selling Salah at £80m this summer. He will be 29, with 2 years left on a deal.

If nobody is getting close to 80, how much do they get? 60m? Maybe 40m of that down. Most of it will just be used to plug gaps and if there's any spare, it will go on the CB Kabak who has a buy out price of 20 rising to 30.

yea you have a point, I just assume transfer fees are going up and up despite the pandemic.

If RM really wants Salah though, Liverpool admittedly does well in getting a good price for their players.