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

[Jacob]

The importance of CL football for them next season goes beyond what group they go into in the CL. It will allow Klopp to use his standing in the game to attract a lot of great talent to Liverpool. They have the cash for wages and the ability to go regularly into the £30M+ category for player fees and they still have the pull (just about these days) of their history.

Them failing to get the CL spot via the EL Cup last season stalled that process but now it's in flow again. Klopp is a very good manager and he's proven that with the player injuries and overall poor quality squad he's had whilst there at Anfield. Two finals and a CL qualification in less than two seasons underlines that. I can see them making large steps in the next two seasons as long as they get CL again next season too.

I think the only chance theyll have of CL season after next is if they win the damn thing next season. Their squad is too deficient in quality, depth and indeed fitness to accomodate the demands of CL and a top four finish next season. The stamina issue is never far from the agenda now even given the chronic breakdowns of the likes of Lallana and Henderson and it will be their achilles heel. It remains to be seen if Klopp is to be given the carte blanche their herd demands of FSG for a summer spending spree.

 

[Foot Long Hot Dog]

The importance of CL football for them next season goes beyond what group they go into in the CL. It will allow Klopp to use his standing in the game to attract a lot of great talent to Liverpool. They have the cash for wages and the ability to go regularly into the £30M+ category for player fees and they still have the pull (just about these days) of their history.

Them failing to get the CL spot via the EL Cup last season stalled that process but now it's in flow again. Klopp is a very good manager and he's proven that with the player injuries and overall poor quality squad he's had whilst there at Anfield. Two finals and a CL qualification in less than two seasons underlines that. I can see them making large steps in the next two seasons as long as they get CL again next season too.

If they finish 4th they'll end up with a tough qualifying game so CL still won't be assured

Them having the extra games will make them even brittle over the course of a season given the way he has them tear arseing about. That aside I agree with you

 

[davek]

Nah Dave, this was tried and tested last time when they couldn't attract any big name players. They looked a much more attractive proposition than they are now as well, having just put in a proper title challenge and Suarez playing up front.

Sadly for them, they're stock has fell, top players don't care for history they're only looking at the future and are too clever to shun the better options out there to sign for them unless it's for a ridiculous pay packet that they can't offer. They'll get 2 from the bracket just under that, the players the top clubs don't want, Wijnuldum etc, decent players but very costly and not good enough.

Rodgers <----> Klopp. Hmmm.

I know who I'd rather play for if I was a player.

They also have a massive new stand to play in front of.


*only one of those statements was serious.

 

[davek]

I think the only chance theyll have of CL season after next is if they win the damn thing next season. Their squad is too deficient in quality, depth and indeed fitness to accomodate the demands of CL and a top four finish next season. The stamina issue is never far from the agenda now even given the chronic breakdowns of the likes of Lallana and Henderson and it will be their achilles heel. It remains to be seen if Klopp is to be given the carte blanche their herd demands of FSG for a summer spending spree.

It's a fair point, but if I were Klopp I'd use the CL instrumentally: use qualifying for it to get a squad bulked out with either very good or good players then target the PL more than the CL and just use the latter as a way of reintroducing the club to the rigours of that level of play. Two CL qualifications in two seasons should be his goal, because two summer's worth of packing your squad to the gunnels with better players would lead them to a fair tilt at both competitions in a couple of seasons time. That's what a coherent plan would look like anyway.

 

[davek]

If they finish 4th they'll end up with a tough qualifying game so CL still won't be assured

Them having the extra games will make them even brittle over the course of a season given the way he has them tear arseing about. That aside I agree with you

I can easily see them finishing 3rd now. They have no one to play of note. I know that hasn't stopped them dropping points to such teams, but they can almost see the finishing line now and I doubt their resolve will falter, tbh.

 

[Dannymini]

I can easily see them finishing 3rd now. They have no one to play of note. I know that hasn't stopped them dropping points to such teams, but they can almost see the finishing line now and I doubt their resolve will falter, tbh.

City should win all there games Aswel

 

[Ernie]

It's a fair point, but if I were Klopp I'd use the CL instrumentally: use qualifying for it to get a squad bulked out with either very good or good players then target the PL more than the CL and just use the latter as a way of reintroducing the club to the rigours of that level of play. Two CL qualifications in two seasons should be his goal, because two summer's worth of packing your squad to the gunnels with better players would lead them to a fair tilt at both competitions in a couple of seasons time. That's what a coherent plan would look like anyway.

There is nothing to suggest FSG will give him the funds required to buy 7-8 top quality players without selling first

 

[davek]

City should win all there games Aswel

Yeah, it's true actually, The Manchester derby will be key to who finishes 3rd and 4th.

 

[davek]

There is nothing to suggest FSG will give him the funds required to buy 7-8 top quality players without selling first

The CL cash will be there and I'd guess that they stand to get better commercial payments by playing in the CL again. He's not spent too much in three windows and they'll get players like Sturridge off the wage bill.

Should be a fair bit of spending there. Most spent on trash as per usual.

They defo need another tune to play than the attack they have now. A spearhead is essential for them.

 

[Jacob]

It's a fair point, but if I were Klopp I'd use the CL instrumentally: use qualifying for it to get a squad bulked out with either very good or good players then target the PL more than the CL and just use the latter as a way of reintroducing the club to the rigours of that level of play. Two CL qualifications in two seasons should be his goal, because two summer's worth of packing your squad to the gunnels with better players would lead them to a fair tilt at both competitions in a couple of seasons time. That's what a coherent plan would look like anyway.

Yes ideally that would be a reasonable rationale. I guess it all depends on how flush FSG make Klopp...though I dont think Klopp would pee it up the wall like the sailor on shore leave Rodgers.

 

[davek]

Yes ideally that would be a reasonable rationale. I guess it all depends on how flush FSG make Klopp...though I dont think Klopp would pee it up the wall like the sailor on shore leave Rodgers.

he's made two big purchases and I'd say he's one for one: Wijnaldum I'm not fussy on; Mane is a hit.

 

[boris]

Rodgers <----> Klopp. Hmmm.

I know who I'd rather play for if I was a player.

They also have a massive new stand to play in front of.


*only one of those statements was serious.

I think you're seriously over stating Klopps pull.

Which top club doesn't have a top manager, Guardiola, Mourinho, Conte, Potch even Koeman here. That's who they're competing with for players and all them have managers who have just as much pull as Klopp.

 

[boris]

I can easily see them finishing 3rd now. They have no one to play of note. I know that hasn't stopped them dropping points to such teams, but they can almost see the finishing line now and I doubt their resolve will falter, tbh.

Southampton have already beaten them twice this year, gave them a football lesson in both.

Palace generally always do well against them and right now there the type of team they'll really struggle with. They're flying as well.

I don't even know there fixtures outside of those 2 teams but even if they were playing the bottom sides like Sunderland, Swansea, Burnley, Bournemouth and Hull they could well drop points, All of these 5 are in the bottom 7 and 4 have already beaten them with 1 getting a draw.

 

[davek]

I think you're seriously over stating Klopps pull.

Which top club doesn't have a top manager, Guardiola, Mourinho, Conte, Potch even Koeman here. That's who they're competing with for players and all them have managers who have just as much pull as Klopp.

The first four all have CL football to offer and Liverpool's continued reputation - as well as the wages they can pay - will ensure a much better squad for them next season.

I mean, that isn't in dispute is it?

 

[davek]

Southampton have already beaten them twice this year, gave them a football lesson in both.

Palace generally always do well against them and right now there the type of team they'll really struggle with. They're flying as well.

I don't even know there fixtures outside of those 2 teams but even if they were playing the bottom sides like Sunderland, Swansea, Burnley, Bournemouth and Hull they could well drop points, All of these 5 are in the bottom 7 and 4 have already beaten them with 1 getting a draw.

Stoke and West Brom away are tougher challenges than all them. I thought they'd drop a lot of points there.

They've done well and stood up to claim a CL place as things stand.