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

Ha Ha.

Yeah, make a declaration then.

I think there is something written into the agreement on how this season (and future ones) should proceed if they cannot complete, it;s something like 28 games before a declaration can happen to the best of my knowledge.

I have no doubt if there is a break, the league will ultimately finish at some stage, even if that means delays again next year.
 

I think there is something written into the agreement on how this season (and future ones) should proceed if they cannot complete, it;s something like 28 games before a declaration can happen to the best of my knowledge.

I have no doubt if there is a break, the league will ultimately finish at some stage, even if that means delays again next year.
I dont see it stopping. It hasn't so far at the height of this. If anything there might be a pause of a few weeks.
 
Sake.

I have a new version of PES which I'm trying out by playing the FA cup. Aston V (champions last season) against Division 2 Liverpool. Very first game on the PES.

From the kick off, long ball to Mane. A nothing tackle results in Mane going down, a free kick out wide and a booking for my CB.

Free kick is cleared only for a hit and hope from Ja-Ja Binkerson to ricochet off 5 players and into the goal. I'm 0-1 down after 2 mins and have learned I can't go near any of their players.

Fifa lovers just have no concept how realistic PES is as a football game.

Got some satisfaction by having my Man U team sign Salah after the match.
 
I dont see it stopping. It hasn't so far at the height of this. If anything there might be a pause of a few weeks.

I agree - I think we are heading to a pause, you saw the tensions over fulham V Spurs yesterday. It's inevitable.

Anyway thread back on track - They are praying for a break now and arguably betting their "not getting a striker in" policy on having a decent break soon. Not finish top 4 for me
 
I dont see it stopping. It hasn't so far at the height of this. If anything there might be a pause of a few weeks.
It only stopped last time as the virus was new and took hold before we had a chance of precautions, but its different now.
Only problems is above the law players but I can see the powers that be coming in heavy on breaches, 10 game bans, points off....etc
Season will end on time for certain, they cant risk the TV money.
 

Sake.

I have a new version of PES which I'm trying out by playing the FA cup. Aston V (champions last season) against Division 2 Liverpool. Very first game on the PES.

From the kick off, long ball to Mane. A nothing tackle results in Mane going down, a free kick out wide and a booking for my CB.

Free kick is cleared only for a hit and hope from Ja-Ja Binkerson to ricochet off 5 players and into the goal. I'm 0-1 down after 2 mins and have learned I can't go near any of their players.

Fifa lovers just have no concept how realistic PES is as a football game.

Got some satisfaction by having my Man U team sign Salah after the match.
Wow. that's very realistic!
 
I dont see it stopping. It hasn't so far at the height of this. If anything there might be a pause of a few weeks.

The issue with a pause is with timings. If they have any sense (which lets face it to put themselves on this mess they probably don't) they will keep going. It's my personal view that football at a time like this is an insult, but unfortunately that battle has been fought and lost last summer and greed won out.

Now it's been established you can play in a pandemic, it's hard to see any sense that you stop playing. As once you stop, it's going to be very difficult to start again and you run the risk of being timed out.

The approach is correct really, keep playing games and probably be more generous with cancellations (if teams have an outbreak, isolate). Make games up in the back end in cup and European weeks with a possible extension of 1-2 weeks at the back end. It's a farce, but a lot less of a farce than a summer circus like last year. Seasons can't have weeks, never mind months breaks between them and maintain any credibility.
 
I agree - I think we are heading to a pause, you saw the tensions over fulham V Spurs yesterday. It's inevitable.

Anyway thread back on track - They are praying for a break now and arguably betting their "not getting a striker in" policy on having a decent break soon. Not finish top 4 for me

Do you mean not getting a defender in policy mate?

I saw that "Si" Hughes say there was concern that they'd make the top 4. It was interesting the rhetoric, from concern at not winning the league to concern at not making the top 4.

There also seems to be a lot of "we can't sign anyone now" with the expectation it wil be different in the summer. They will be losing money hand over fist down to lack of ground revenue and a massive decrease in commercial revenue. We are yet to see if there will be any rebates for European games as well. They will lose 100m+ in the latest accounts and the next set will be even worse. I'd ask, why is the situation going to be much more rosey come the summer? Is it because some key assets they intend to sell?
 
The issue with a pause is with timings. If they have any sense (which lets face it to put themselves on this mess they probably don't) they will keep going. It's my personal view that football at a time like this is an insult, but unfortunately that battle has been fought and lost last summer and greed won out.

Now it's been established you can play in a pandemic, it's hard to see any sense that you stop playing. As once you stop, it's going to be very difficult to start again and you run the risk of being timed out.

The approach is correct really, keep playing games and probably be more generous with cancellations (if teams have an outbreak, isolate). Make games up in the back end in cup and European weeks with a possible extension of 1-2 weeks at the back end. It's a farce, but a lot less of a farce than a summer circus like last year. Seasons can't have weeks, never mind months breaks between them and maintain any credibility.
It's hard not to see postponements piling up to an extent where a break is ordered. It'll be political more than a problem inside the game. Players caught out not socially distancing and the shutters will come down. A fortnight or so reset and the schedule will include cramming more games in.
 

Do you mean not getting a defender in policy mate?

I saw that "Si" Hughes say there was concern that they'd make the top 4. It was interesting the rhetoric, from concern at not winning the league to concern at not making the top 4.

There also seems to be a lot of "we can't sign anyone now" with the expectation it wil be different in the summer. They will be losing money hand over fist down to lack of ground revenue and a massive decrease in commercial revenue. We are yet to see if there will be any rebates for European games as well. They will lose 100m+ in the latest accounts and the next set will be even worse. I'd ask, why is the situation going to be much more rosey come the summer? Is it because some key assets they intend to sell?

Clearly the accounts are going to be an issue, as they will for anyone who isn't essentially privately guaranteed, which they most certainly are not. That said, I was surprised to see the invest in Thiago's wages and Jota last summer, given there was no sense of clarity around the post covid environment, so whether they borrow at 0%, which many people would argue is a very very prudent tactic, or they can just about thread water as is, they don't seem to be drowning yet. You mention a figure of losses of £100m, Im no expert in their finances, but I did read they expect a loss of income of circa £100m, that is very different to losses of £100, to the best of my knowledge they churned a decent profit in 2019 & 2018.

Regarding the January Transfer Window, I'm very very surprised they didnt move early for someone, they are playing Man United at the weekend with more than likely zero senior centre halves available, which just seems wreckless. Clearly it's a difficult market, where desperation will be exploited. Liverpool are desperate, but also seem stubborn. If they were to sign someone now, you are probably looking at a month before they can play as they would need to quarantine before training and then catch-up, learn the system and what not. My take is either they are writing off their title chances and banking on top 4, or there is positive news behind the scenes on Van dijk and/or Gomez, which seems farfetched, but not impossible.

Regarding Summer 2021, whether it be in regards to BMD, project restart of their football finances, my take is things are going to get worse before they get better. I believe the penny is starting to drop that there is a very slim chance of crowds in 2021 and at this stage you wouldnt be sure we will have stadium normality in 2022, if ever again (sigh). No doubt their squad is due a refresh and I am sure that was the plan for summer 2020 pre covid, but understandably that didnt happen. My take would certainly be that they will certainly have at least one high profile departure, probably Salah, but I would also look at the finances of their Nike deal and suggest a flagship signing seems inevitable. I very very much doubt that would be M'bappe, but dont think it's of beyond the realms of possibility, especially when you seen Nike / L'Bron James and M'bappe launching a football boot & courtshoe partnership. Sancho or someone at that level seems far far more likely.


So a long reply summarised - bizarre decision not to buy a centre half now & they are taking a massive massive risk on missing out on top 4, there could be 6 teams about 70 and below 80 points come the end of the season
 
It's hard not to see postponements piling up to an extent where a break is ordered. It'll be political more than a problem inside the game. Players caught out not socially distancing and the shutters will come down. A fortnight or so reset and the schedule will include cramming more games in.

It's an easy win for the government and in a different way the media. The government can deflect, themedia can generate noise (which unforutnately sells). If I'm on the PL though. I wouldn't trust this government a jot. They dragged their heels over helping football and are useless. I'm not cancelling a season, risking further rebates from broadcasters and opening the potential for a cancelled season.

There will be games able to be played in mid weeks where European games are played. FA Cup weekends too. Unfortunately some teams, like City-Spurs etc may have to play midweek on a Tuesday & Thursday. It's a tough ask, but thats where we are.
 
Do you mean not getting a defender in policy mate?

I saw that "Si" Hughes say there was concern that they'd make the top 4. It was interesting the rhetoric, from concern at not winning the league to concern at not making the top 4.

There also seems to be a lot of "we can't sign anyone now" with the expectation it wil be different in the summer. They will be losing money hand over fist down to lack of ground revenue and a massive decrease in commercial revenue. We are yet to see if there will be any rebates for European games as well. They will lose 100m+ in the latest accounts and the next set will be even worse. I'd ask, why is the situation going to be much more rosey come the summer? Is it because some key assets they intend to sell?

I think they’re certs for top 4. At the moment it looks like a three horse race for the title. City Liverpool United. I think United need to avoid losing at Anfield to have a chance. It could come down to who incurs more injuries second half of the season. If Fernandes De Bruyne or Mane go down those teams can kiss goodbye.

4th spot though is there for whoever grabs it. On paper it should be a shoot out between Spurs and Chelsea and I’d still fancy Spurs to take it. That said us and Leicester are still in there after 17 games so there’s no logic to say we can’t maintain this form for a whole season with our players returning to fitness and no europe in the second half.

If I had to put my house on it I’d say City, Liverpool, United, Spurs in that order. Jose will do enough.

What would be interesting though is if City can pull away over this next period and get a gap. Liverpool may then focus on the CL and might leave themselves open to the chasing pack.
 
It's an easy win for the government and in a different way the media. The government can deflect, themedia can generate noise (which unforutnately sells). If I'm on the PL though. I wouldn't trust this government a jot. They dragged their heels over helping football and are useless. I'm not cancelling a season, risking further rebates from broadcasters and opening the potential for a cancelled season.

There will be games able to be played in mid weeks where European games are played. FA Cup weekends too. Unfortunately some teams, like City-Spurs etc may have to play midweek on a Tuesday & Thursday. It's a tough ask, but thats where we are.
Government will be hoping the PL continues. It's bread and circuses. The latitude handed to the game in this second wave is astounding.
 

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