WITH the ever so pleasing news that Martin Skrtel has signed a new contract, following in the footsteps of Luis Suarez, I think it is about time that somebody came out and said something, so I will!
It is undoubtedly a tough time at Liverpool at the moment with new owners finding their feet with a fanbase largely keeping them at arms length after our last American adventure, coupled with disappointing league performances that have seen us slip away from the Champions League money pot and a squad in transition that at present, cannot guarantee an immediate return this year. Yet, in the midst of this in recent weeks we have seen one world class player in Suarez, and a player, whilst not world class, but certainly Champions League class in Skrtel, commit their long term future to the club.
This is despite consecutive disappointing league finishes; one resulting in no European football and one in 8th, slipping a place, would suggest to most that an exodus of top stars would be looking for the first train out of there. Let’s not forget that Liverpool actually received offers for Suarez and I imagine Skrtel wouldn’t have had to work too hard to sign for a Champions League club.
What does this say? To me this shows that the club is heading in the right direction with a clear plan, as aside from their feelings about the club they have been sold on the future. In previous years, when we lost Mascherano and Torres the club was in a mess and holding a one way ticket to administration. Granted Torres actually left in FSG’s time but I think it’s clear his mind was made up the previous summer and was retained as a saleable asset.
Besides the direction I believe it also shows how special the club is. Take Arsenal for example. They have the fabled Champions League football and this supposed perfect way of playing but have lost Fabregas, Nasri, RVP, Adebayor and Song in recent seasons. Should the mega-bucks owners leave City and Chelsea how long do we think Aguero, Silva, Hazard, Torres et al would hang about? Yet our club with its history, with its fans, with its support welcomes those connected with the club like a family and people want to play for badge, for the fans. Granted we may struggle to attract the cream without the lure of Champions League football but once we sink our teeth in to a player the love affair begins.
If ever a club need patience and support it is now, our top players are doing it, let’s join them as nobody walks alone!
Congratulations Martin, Congratulations Luis!
YNWA
@timdibs
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LFC is so ordinary when compare with Man City and Chelsea. New deals so what? Even ManUtd can offer 250K per week. Get real, LFC is a small club in current days.
I think you miss the point! the amount people are paid in this instance is irrelevant! The fact that top class players want to sign long term deals with a club that in the short term cant offer champions league shows quite clearly Liverpool arent the small club you suggest and furthermore that it is actually a very special club.
I am very dissapointed the way Kops played against
the Wset Brom. It is horrible. I thought Brendan has a magic stick to transform Liverpool FcC as a whole into a great team. After las t Saturday game, the Kops are back to square one again just like last season. I have waited foralmost ten years for the Kops to win the premierships again. Winning the european cup was a fluke. If Brendan plan not work out, I believe he will be sack instantly. Every time watching the Kops lose has made me not to believe in them anymore. No more diehard fan from me. The kops had made lose interest in football.
One game into a 38 game season and we aren’t the finished article, what a surprise! Give the club, manager and players some time.
With some continuity and stability from the owners and the manager the results on the pitch will follow, have some faith and support the club. YNWA
how we any more or any less lucky in 2005 than any team to win the champions league? to be successful a little luck is required. the 2005 win was a result of the club playing as one and having in Steven Gerrard a player that year who was untouchable.
Everyone was disappointed with the result on saturday there is no denying that but the fact that this can waver your ‘diehard’ support raises more questions about you than it does about the club
If you’re so disillusioned with LFC and the fact that Brendan Rodgers doesn’t in fact have a magic wand, why don’t you start supporting City, will probably make you feel better.
or perhaps by a selection of premier league shirts so come 5pm on any given saturday you can wear the top of a winning team!! never lose!
I agree that LFC is boring. I rather watch ManCity and Chelsea. They are the real title contenders for this session.
Hazard + Torres + Oscar + Mata
Aguero + Tevez + Balloteli + Silva
(sigh) Borini + Suarez + Carrol + Gerrard
Hell and heaven apart ~
feel free to watch who you want mate, but I am a red and always will be Premier League, Championship or Conference, LFC are my team!
I am nt jst happy what is going on at Lfc we need world class players pls.
We need world class players?
Gerrard, Suarez, Reina, fully fit agger?
Seems like we even attract a lot of attention from those who don’t even support Liverpool too!! They just can’t help but check to see what’s going on in the Liverpool world. Ken should be ashamed as he sounds like he is saying he will only support Liverpool when they are winning.
Agreed!!
That is the epitome of today’s fan, not willing to support your team through the hard times.
It’s easy to support a team when they are winning.
@papa: Others are checking in to see what a mockery Liverpool fans are making of themselves.
how are we?
making a mockery by getting behind the team and the players when they need it the most?
its easy to support a team when its winning, a true fan knows that the clubs needs support more in the difficult times.
Here here, well said.
The thing about Liverpool is they will always have support. I have supported them for twenty odd years. Man city are sucking the life out of football like Chelsea did. Liverpool might not be great team at the moment but we sure as hell will be some where down the line. If Liverpool are boring and no hopers then people like you lot shouldn’t need to comment.
it sad in one way about City. I know a lot of city fans who have supported them for years and through tough times like in division 1, and the whole fanbase always had a self-deprecating sense of humour, and they are a bit embaressed by the new breed that supported Chelsea the season before!!
Tim Williams, if a mediocre and clumsy footballer like Martin Skrtel can get you all excited then Liverpool is well and truly doom.
I take it you are not a fan? So you think if Skrtel had turned round and said to the club ‘I want to play Champions League and therefore im leaving’ he would have had no offers? Rumours were rife the English Champions wanted him for a start!
Personally I think Skrtel had his best season yet for Liverpool last season and should hopefully build on that and develop into a real rock for us. He was one of a number of players in the squad it was crucial to tie down to continue and build. I would love to hear your actual thoughts on why he is mediocre…
City and Chelsea will NEVER GET RESPECT because the Clubs are owned by Owners who have more money than sense – There were both joke clubs before.
bit harsh calling them joke clubs before the money. City have alwasy been the preverbial sleeping giant and as I said above the core of fans has always been a top bunch in my opinion. wouldnt like to comment on chelsea pre-abramovich as I didnt know any, but certainly both clubs spoilt by ‘glory hunters’
Thank you for this article. We may have hit a rough spot, but the history and atmosphere makes Liverpool one of the most special clubs in the world. For all you bandwagon fans go support City, PSG, or better yet that Chinese club the former blue mercenaries play for.
Football isn’t all about the flavor of the week. It is about sticking with your team and supporting them. When Liverpool finally do win something I guarantee I will be more happy than you fake fans who only come out when the times are good. YNWA
whilst I completely agree with you regarding both Skyrtel and Luis Suarez I cannot help but feel that missing out on Siggusson, Tello, Ramirez and it would seem…Sahin and having players NOT in favour such as; Spearing (3-4) Cole (2-3) Wilson (2-3)Adams (4-5) Henderson (5-7) AND Carroll (15) (maybe Downing) still on the books/not sold is a significant disappointment.
We have sufficient class and ability and depth in our defence and midfield but still need a speedy winger and a proven goal scorer.
Surplus players have a ‘value’ whether they are sold now or later.
Both the owners and us, the fans, knew we had a great deal of catching up to do in bringing in new players due to virtually no spending during Rafa’s last 18 months and Hodgsons short tenure but the net spend is, by far, insufficient.
We have, since FSG bought the club for little money achieved valuable, medium term, commercial deals with Standard Chartered and Warrior, along with others and in the meantime drastically reduced our bank debt/interest repayments to very little.
We know the (imminent) stadium naming rights will also be worth tens of millions, per annum.
Bite the bullet regarding unwanted players wages, be conservative about the value gained from selling surplus to requirement players (£30M+) Recoup their value and save these players wages come January or at worst next July/August but, if we are going to really fight for a champions league place we NEED to spend the asset value of non-performing players NOW and get two, or maybe three top class/finished article players, BEFORE this transfer window closes. Creative midfield, right winger and definately a centre forward.
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