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Why Suarez is like Stoke City and other Transfer Thoughts

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Suarez_2856269Welcome to February one and all!  I am sure I am not alone in harbouring sympathy for Harry and Marv as we lay dazed and confused staring up at a metaphorical paint can tossed from high by a Ukrainian Oligarch shouting something in Russian that Im pretty sure translates to ‘You guys give up yet….Or are you thirsty for more?’.  Quite frankly after that window I am on the verge of tapping out but lets have a chat….

Suarez and Stoke

Granted this is one of the wackier statements I have made but bare with me.  In the Premier League past the Britannia may as well have been Fort Knox what was the likelihood of us leaving with anything.  Throw in the fact that we haplessly surrendered a 2 goal lead and that January day was slowly turning into a farce, yet something strange happened, something the Ring didn’t expect (strenuous LOTR reference I know), we fought back, we were strong and we left with all 3 points.  Similarly (at a push), this summer left us feeling Luis Suarez was buried deep within Fort Knox and the chances of retaining him as unlikely as a free flowing, pass and move victory at Stoke.  Yet the elation felt at winning 5-3 was mirrored in Suarez signing a new deal, all that was needed now was to reinforce our position whilst in the ascendency.  This meant a strong January in the transfer market (like I talk about here https://live4liverpool.com/2013/11/view-from-the-kop/spurs-january-shocker-show-how-champions-league-can-be-achieved) and a solid win at home against Villa, what could go wrong…..

Transfer VILLAins

Our January transfer window resembled that first 44 minutes at Anfield against Villa, and the signing of Konoplyanka would have been the equivalent of Sturridge and Stevie pulling goals back to give us a point meaning the game wasn’t a complete disaster but miles from addressing the 3 points we needed.  Don’t get me wrong, from what I have seen Konoplyanka looks a very exciting prospect (I am a sucker for pace) and without doubt he would have significantly added to our already terrifying attacking options in a Keegan-esque score more than you scenario.  He is certainly a player that whetted my appetite more than the proposed Salah move but this policy as a whole left questions….

Should we have gone to Specsavers?

Im sure I am not alone when I look at the squad we have, injuries and all, and think that the glaring issues lie both at Left Back and in the centre of the park.  Aly Cissokho’s heart is in the right place but it worries me that his feet rarely are, as a small chap without a Champions League winners medal said, he reminds of Djimi Traore.  He makes us yearn for Jose Enrique who, lets face it, when is not in form, is hugely frustrating and unbelievably one footed.  As for the centre of the park, its as if Robert Louis Stevenson used them as inspiration for Jekyll and Hyde.  You would not believe it was the same midfield against Villa that it was v Everton.  Against our neighbours, Gerrard strode across the pitch like a Gandalf, screaming at Barkley and his mates ‘YOU SHALL NOT PASS’, Henderson’s energy and desire was a nuisance all night and Coutinho pulled the strings like The Ventriloquist (random Batman bad guy mention…check).  If we could replicate that performance game on game we wont regret not bringing in reinforcements, yet at the back of our minds are the Hull and Villa games.

Ian Ayre, the fall guy

Being at the forefront of player recruitment, Ian Ayre also finds himself as the central target on a shooting range, particularly following SalahKono-gate.  I think it is tough to lay blame at the feet of anyone without the full facts.  The end game for Salah saw Chelsea sweep in with their bottomless pockets and as for Kono we are led to believe by club and agent that the Dnipro owner breached the contract and didn’t want to give his autograph.  In isolation and specific instances we cant blame one man, yet the questions that must be asked are why were in talks with Salah for 2 months without an impasse?  Why spend 3 days in the Ukraine if we are dealing with an owner like that?  If it was a last minute change of heart and as we are led to believe, why are we and/or the player taking legal advice?  Why were all our eggs in one basket at the end of the window? With the obvious deficiencies and injuries in the squad why were we only seemingly after the one position we seem to be spoilt for choice in?  Rather than focus anger and hatred on one person we need to step back, calm, and ask these kind of questions.

Rodgers

Penny for his thoughts at the moment!  Frustrated must be an understatement, we can but hope in 2 things.  1, he is able to perform miracles and reproduce the ‘Everton’ form to build on our current strong position and 2, that whatever happens in the rest of the season no matter how successful or not we are in our goals that this past month is at the forefront of FSG minds and that we may well have missed a golden opportunity.  This summer should we not get top 4, we need to tie down Rodgers on a long contract and face the fight of our life once more for Luis Suarez.  Our direct rivals have similarly failed to strengthen with Arsenal and Everton only securing loan deals (with injury doubts already), Spurs didn’t act (did more than enough in the summer) and although United signed Mata, the argument can be made that a player of his considerable talents was not actually what they needed first and foremost.  Have we got lucky in that respect?  Time will tell.

Mmmm Doughnuts

With Dunkin Doughnuts, Vauxhall and Garuda, we have taken very VERY important steps this month off the pitch.  Unlike some in the league, we have a financial responsibility and deals like this can secure our future and provide a solid platform to build upon.  Admittedly, in terms of PR, perhaps announcing multi-million pound sponsorship deals in a transfer window where we don’t spend any money was arguably not the best, but their importance should not be underestimated.

Chelsea Chelsea

Just a quickie to finish, nice to see that Chelsea signed ANOTHER player on deadline day just to have him out on loan!  Authorities are doing what??  Those 23/24 players out on loan is pretty much a Premier League squad that would comfortably do well in the league.  Nice to see also that Jose Mourinho has started to question Man City and the FFP compliance? The hypocrisy is incredible…

Please leave you thoughts and come find me on twitter @timdibs

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13 comments

  • Rick says:

    While I have no proof on this, a voice in the back of my head whispered “More Chelsea gamesmanship”. Yeah, I’m talking about Dnipro, and as with Salah and others, I believe that Chelsea has taken to putting a stick through someone’s spokes here and there on the subject of transfers, just to make sure that they don’t catch up, because I’ll bet dollars to donuts that Roman and the owner of Dnipro know each other… how could they not? So how easy would it to have lifted the phone and mutter… “could you block this one?”

  • Yanna says:

    Guys please enjoy the remaining 14 games before the session ends. Suarez definitely goes and LFC finish outside top 4 ! We have the best chance since many years ago to win the title but as usual FSG refusing to back the team adequately. We are just 30m to 40m short to win the title while other top contenders still adjusting to their new managers. No hope for next session as Chelsea and ManCity improving tremendously !

  • Tim Williams says:

    Wow, I have just logged on to witness the barrel load of accusation and filth aimed at me! I write articles to discuss football and interact with people and yet I am accused of being a troll and what’s worse a homophobic one! This is outrageous and this supposed ‘proof’ is little more baseless opinion.

    I have already raised my concerns over ‘realist’ with the editor of this site. I do not know whether or not ‘Realist’ is aware but each and every person who comments on this site can be traced using IP signature, do you honestly believe that if I was all that you accuse me of I would be allowed to continue to write?

    • David Tyrer says:

      Message from the Editor –

      Hi guys, just to make you aware that antagonistic, slanderous comments or activity of a ‘trolling’ nature will not be tolerated. Such comments and actions will be marked as ‘Spam’ and deleted.

      IP addresses can be tracked and traced and if the situation requires it, further action will be taken. I’d advise you to keep any comments on articles to a discussion of the article and refrain from making personal comments or insults as this is contrary to the nature of the site, which is intended for fans of Liverpool FC to discuss and interact with one another regarding their club.

      The site will continue to be monitored daily and activity on the site also.

  • Cyc says:

    You forgot to mention the dodgy ref at the Brit handball dive and all

  • Tim Williams says:

    Let’s hope Realist doesn’t become a detective, any so called ‘proof’ was mere opinion, no supporting evidence, no fact, abusive, derogatory libellous and baseless. I hope nobody else is accused falsely.

    Worth noting that the editor has full access to the site and is able to see exactly who registers to comment via email and more importantly IP address, digital footprints! Suffice to say, if I was commenting under other names, let alone trolling I wouldn’t be asked to write for the site or have articles published.

  • Tim Williams says:

    A message to anyone reading this section. ‘Realist’ and a number of other monikers posted on this article with these baseless accusations when it was first published. As can be seen in other comments, the site editor has reviewed and deleted numerous related comments as the are baseless accusations and in fact that IP address was banned removing comments posted under several different user names.

    • Tim Williams says:

      Believe what you want fella. Fact is only one person (albeit under several monikers) has been banned for trolling.

  • Aaron says:

    Nice article Tim.

  • Aaron says:

    Ian Ayre: why does (I’m not defending/attacking transfers just observing) Ian Ayre get the blame for transfer failings but never any credit for transfers gone right? Especially when we are drip-fed information, sometimes worthy, sometimes not.

    Sturridge/Coutinho/Sakho are all attributed to Rodgers.

    If Alberto (squad/future player) comes good and Mignolet improves a tad more then that’s five signings Ayre will not be credited with yet is lambasted for some missed opportunities.

    You can’t blame Ayre for players wanting to stay/move with teams who are camped regularly in champions league. Or if we don’t want to pay X amount for unproven players. He’s not in sole charge of the budget.

    On a slightly different note:

    It’s almost impossible to respond to Free S Peech’s post above. He’s using the fact that because two people use the phrase ‘well that’s just me’ as meaning Tim and I are the same person. If that were the case then Manchester must have a population of One….. ‘d ya know what I mean’.

    Logic like that is clearly undeniable and even tho I have no idea who Tim is, I feel compelled no obligated to say I am him….. (I’m not tho).

    Fee S Speech… I just checked the Twitter uses of a few people, using your handy Aaron/Tim proof finder guide, above. I have detected that, with your accurate formula, Tim or I and in fact several million people, could all be the same person. If I were you I would submit your proof finding formula to MI5 or at least Scotland Yard.

    • Aaron says:

      How far back has you’re detecting gone free s peech? I’ve posted on most L4L columns, including Tim’s.. (not sure what that proves or dis-proves but I guess that’s why you’re Columbo and I’m not)…. the writer has no significance, the tone and information are the most vital but hey…. ‘that’s just me’

  • pino pino says:

    U guys are cowards Tim Williams and Aaron cos if not why did u remove our post.

    • Aaron says:

      I have no connection to this website.

      Coward: Is this the new buzz word Pino Pino? Just concentrate on the football, no need to take this so personally, it’s just a football fan site. No more no less!

      You say Po-tay-to….. I say Pa-tar-to, we can all co-exist in peace.

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