‘THE more things change, the more they stay the same’.
A famous saying but one that does not apply to Liverpool Football Club these days. In fact, turning the phrase on its head offers more accuracy. At Anfield, the more things stay the same, the more they appear to change.
On the face of it, little at Liverpool has changed since their encouraging opening day win against Stoke but the early sense of euphoria garnered from their deserved victory last weekend has already worn off. Focus has quickly shifted from the positives of that first opening day win since 2008 to the negatives of their transfer dealings this summer.
Willian, their main target for the past couple of weeks, has joined rivals Spurs. The Brazilian becomes the third big name player to reject Liverpool’s overtures this summer, following in the footsteps of his former team mate Henrikh Mkhitaryan and his countryman Diego Costa. Make no mistake; Willian’s deferral to Spurs is a huge concern for Liverpool.
The London club, who missed out on Champions League football by a solitary point last term, have added Etienne Capoue (£9.7m), Paulinho (£17m), Nacer Chadli (£7m), Willian (£30m) and Roberto Soldado (£26m) to a squad that finished 11 points ahead of Liverpool. They are also in the running to add the fantastically talented Eric Lamela to their squad. On paper at least, they appear to be leaving Liverpool behind.
A top four finish is Liverpool’s target this season and realistically, they are not going to catch Manchester United, Manchester City or Chelsea. That leaves Spurs, Arsenal and Everton for Liverpool to overcome in their desperate race to get into the Champions League places.
Arsenal are currently in disarray and Liverpool will fancy their chances of overtaking their neighbours but Spurs could now be over the hill and far away. They are amassing a squad capable of challenging for the title off the back of Gareth Bale’s imminent world record transfer to Real Madrid.
Of course, football is never won solely by who has the deepest or strongest squad on paper, but the quality added at White Hart Lane this summer is disconcerting for Liverpool supporters. So too are the conflicting reports on the failings of the club’s business this summer.
The Liverpool Echo would have its readers believe that Willian had simply chosen Spurs over Liverpool due to his preference for living in the nation’s capital after both clubs had made offers for the player. Conversely, Tony Barrett of the Times and various other journalists have suggested that Liverpool refused to match Spurs’ offer of around £30m for the Brazil international. If that scenario is true (and many believe it is) then Liverpool and owners FSG have some answers to give.
If FSG decided that Willian wasn’t worth the money required to prize him from Russia then who advised them on this? Why bother to publicly pursue a player of that profile in the first place when other top European clubs with financial clout were certain to be in the running as well? Why, with Liverpool’s net spend this summer in the minus column, could the club not dare to pay slightly above their valuation for a player who could potentially transform their already impressive attack into a top class outfit? Questions, questions, questions.
What we do know is that Liverpool have failed again to complete a significant piece of business and in doing so, they have allowed a rival to strengthen and further increase a gap between the clubs that was already going to be difficult to bridge.
Liverpool have conducted some decent business themselves this summer (not least keeping hold of Luis Suarez) but there has been no real statement of intent to suggest that the Anfield outfit believe they can blast their way back into the Champions League this season. They haven’t captured a signing to excite their fans and demonstrate true ambition. They will claim that they have tried, but have they tried hard enough?
Two weeks remain in the transfer window and the Reds are yet to purchase a player for over £10m. Considering how desperate Brendan Rodgers has been to add a top class centre-half and another match winner at the top of the field that just isn’t good enough.
The Reds are an exciting side with bags of potential but to seriously mount an assault on Spurs and the rest of the sides above them in the pecking order this season, a statement is required. At least one top quality player is still required to take them on to the next level.
The way the summer has gone so far that player seems unlikely to arrive.
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Liverpool are not getting top 4 this season, we blew it by not because of Spurs transfers activities, but because our club are unwilling to take that next step that requires extra investment, I have no complaints about Spurs they have really made a statement of intent and I hope it works for them and it might just be necessary eye opener for the penny pinchers at our club.
Very refreshing view,i am so tired of reading childish comments from fans of both clubs recently.Good luck for the season.
spurs can go all the way with this squad from a red
i agree with most of this article, except for the fact that willian hasn’t signed for spuds yet but is “considering his options” according to SSN. Hmmm… I sense a u-turn maybe?
Yes . To Chelsea
Trust me , Spurs fan here..you guys have nothing to worry about..With the current squad you have I think you play some of the best football in the country..That only means 1 thing .Progress..We stilll have to gel as a team and this takes time. Right now we lack that style that you guys have and it wont happen overnight. WOnt be to worried . I think we have more to worry about personally will the major investment and expecations although it wil come good, I dont think that uick as people make out although praying am proved wrong. COYS!!
He hasn’t signed yet. He’s keeping his options open, or, hoping a CL team comes in as I call it.
I unfortunately agree… Remember last summer when they refused to spend an extra 1.5 mil for Dempsey and fell short of a striker. How Dempsey went on to score significant goals for Tottenham and Liverpool could only catch up during 2nd half of the season after they got Sturridge. I hate to say this but I do not see Liverpool finish better than 5th. I think FSG still have a lot to learn about this sport and I also cannot help but wonder how good a job Ian Ayre is doing
Spurs pinched Dempsey and Siggurdson off us which messed up the early part of last season but we then got Sturridge and Couthino. Would you swop with Spurs cos I wouldn’t ! We ain’t got the cash right now so have to be creative, but this squad is far stronger than last seasons and we’ve slashed the wage bill at the same time! Have faith, Rogers is doing a great job IMO.
Its not just buying plays,field tactics are equally important so some of the spurs purchases wont thrive excedingly…lfc only need a good centre back with some pace and a middlefielder but key to all this is mentality..we are better placed than spurs at least if some areas have problems come january transfer funds will stil be available
To be honest i have a sense of embarrassment, Fenway, Ayre and Rodgers have been made to look like amateurs. Five players in, five players out, so where’s the added depth to the squad? Then the players to improve the team? Rodgers words not mine. Feel like we’re being lied to. Not a sniff again this year, we’re a joke.
I hope liverpool can sign more quality player who is team need them.
Unless lfc step up in bringing in gud quality player the won’t smell top 4
Yes if signings and amount spent won the league every season then you would right ,but what you not factoring to your assumption is scouse power! History, passion it gets us above our disability and handicap but the reds are capable of turning anyone over! And who knows maybe you ,ll be choking on your words come may! You might well be right but I’d sit with the reds any day.
What a negative spin on recent events! I personally am happy that Liverpool are not wasting money just to please fans or the press. We agreed terms with the player and made an offer to Anzhi which may have been acceptable until Spurs jumped in. I notice as yet Spurs have still not sealed the deal as they can not agree terms with the player! We kept our star player while Spurs have sold theirs so are flush and happy to pay top dollar, Plus we are still recovering from Kenny’s ridiculously bad purchases two seasons ago, Spurs have had a net surplus for the last 3 seasons amounting to £60m ! Aspas, Mignolet, Alberto, Toure, Sturridge and Couthino are all very astute buys. I have faith that Brendan will bring in a CB, and a left sided attacker that are good value, before the window closes. Also Will Hughes would be a GREAT buy if we can get him. Have faith,
You must be high on crack, 6th place is the realistic position to finish this season. You cant be serious that you are happy with the state of the club. Maybe you’re a happy loser & under-achiever in life.
Don’t understand why some fans are so concerned about FSG bank balance?, no other club talks about their owners finances like Liverpool fans do, I think a lot of it is due to the amount of spin these yanks churn out, surprised at how many fans swallow it.
Ridiculous idiotic viewpoint Mack. So your happy we havent bought any top players yes ?
You would rrather our money be in fsg s pockets than on the pitch ? Clown !!
Why are you so concerned about FSG’s finances, no other clubs fans even mention theirs unless its to complain about how tight they are, I am just curious as to why so many fans are concerned with FSG’s bank balance?, could it be the spin they churn out?.
We are falling further behind ALL the top clubs . No one wants to come here with brendan idiot Rodgers as boss. Our owners are clueless
Stop moaning and support the team as a true lfc fan would we are renowned for demonstrating tremendous support and getting behind the team! I’m sure they are trying to improve the first eleven centre half and a striker would be top of the list
What are you talking about? If this is ‘trying’ to improve the first eleven then we are screwed
I see, so ‘true fans’ mindlessly support the club no matter how little it is showing any effort on their behalf in return?
No. But idiot ‘fans’ like Shaun do
Kop on Shaun. Stop being so naive .
suppose bring back king Kenny you clown?
Whats this got to do with Kenny? FSG’s reluctance to spend is a JW Henrys fault. Put your brain in gear first before typing. You mug.
??????? moron
Doesn’t make sense,Liverpool are aware of the players price bracket so why bother looking to buy such a player if theyv no intention of spending such an amount. We need to show some intent and add genuine quality to the team.it is imperative this season that we make a push for champions league football,to secure the future of the few top players we have and to attract others.FSG need to get the chequebook out,I accept theyv been burnt before but they now need to show serious intent and back the manager.
Rodgers talked more than he should so far
LFC should have signed at least one marquee by now
when? only god knows!!
I believe even God is frustrated with BR and LIVERPOOL owners over their miser policy of not spending
not to mention their attitude regarding Luise Suarez saga that will reverse back on them
just wait and see
I HOPE I AM WRONG
Keep your religious claptrap out of football. God doesnt give a monkeys about football. You brainwashed mug.
Well said Mack, and Dee the Spurs fan. Brendan Rodgers is doing a fantastic job rebuilding the reds and I trust him 100% in the transfer market. Some you win and some you lose where transfers are concerned and what plenty of fans fail to recognise is what really happens during negotiations. In recent years Liverpool have been stitched up in the transfer market, so if the club decide to pull the plug when goalposts are moved or agents suddenly add an extra couple of million at the 11th hour, then it’s thoroughly understandable if LFC don’t follow up their earlier interest. In my opinion the signings of Sturridge, Coutinho, Aspas, Mignolet and Toure are all very shrewd acquisitions. Add to this the youngsters like Ibe, Kelly and Sterling coming through and the signs are good for the coming years. PLENTY TO BE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT !!!!
The signs are indeed good. Patience really is a word that has no bearing on the premier league anymore. Let’s get everything now by using a cheque book. Well I’m afraid we need to build slowly and develop our own players. Develop is another word not associated with the premier league anymore.
BR should stop talking. He should take action. He should buy not only bid. If not We LFC we will really fall behind. We just saw on face book that Willian is having a talk with Chelsea now. He will snub Spurs and will go to Chelsea. BR please buy Damaio now now. Bid should be at least 26Million not lest if not you will not get. Buy Damaio & Arda Turan, the boyhood LFC fan
I’m with Marty on this. The transfer market isn’t a competition to see who can buy the most players at the most amount of money. Yes quality players cost big cash. But LFC is looking really good at the moment. Coutinho, Aspas ( great first outing against stoke), sturridge, gerrard , suarez. With Coutinho, sturridge and suarez all valued above 20 mill !!
We have the players now bring it home !!!!
LOL Bring what home? 6th place!
How is Liverpool looking good ? We are no better than last season. No real quality players have been signed. No money spent despite massive increases in revenues
Willian will rather shine the bench @spurs or chelsea rather than play regular first team for selection for world cup..rodgers is right to only attract players with the right mentality and motive to lfc.some of these big money buys will prove to be yesteryear flops of which we are well to awe..our books are in order financially we are attracting and investing in some good young players the future is bright.
Lol. Another dreamer
lets wait till january and see what is going 2 happen with Liverpool. YNWA
To be honest I was more annoyed we couldn’t get Mkhitaryan. We need a winger who can score goals.
Willian at 30 million is too much money. There are still winger/fwds or even goal scoring MFs out there that can prove to be better value for money.
Gaitan ,Yarmolenko, Griezmann or Dszudask will be better value for money. Spurs have taken a risk spending virtual Bale money. Real can suddenly sh 50-60 million take it or leave it. It’s still a lot of money but they can lowball now because Lerner isn’t a Sheikh and will have to balance the books.
I for one will be excited if we get 2 of Papadopolous, Sakho and Ilori, one of the wingers above and another striker like Leandro Damio to change it up a bit upfront.
We are also chasing the stars of tomorrow: Zivkovic and Hughes.
Loanees such as Suso are doing well and Sergi Canos from the Barca youth setup are all great prospects along with Yesil and Texeira.
Future is bright! Future is RED!!
Well said Craig, that’s the spirit !!! FSG out ????? Short memory, it’s thanks to FSG that LFC didn’t end up like Pompey, Leeds or Glasgow Rangers. LOL at your fickle support !!
Other buyers would have bought the club you muppet, one of the biggest iconic institutions in sport. Its fans like you who idolise and fawn over FSG like lovesick teenagers fixated with them. Stop embarassing yourself.
Yes . Kop on Marty u fool . Fsg saved us from nothing. Wake up. Fsg are ruining our club
ROFL! FSG out and Paul LFC, both you tools are a major pain. Whinging like little poodles, why don’t you sorry lot go back to your PS3 and football manager or better yet support another sugar daddy team, ya toss! Silly you mentioned other buyers would’ve bought the club, why don’t you buy it over frm FSG? Oh still short on a couple o quids? Zip it and get in with the team. Learn to respect other ppl’s opinion and even if you puked radioactive uranium, FSG still owns the club so go cry a river!
You must be high on crack mate. Is this the best intellectual debate you can come up with – ‘go buy the club yourself’? LOL!!!
ROTF . Red Kei , are you 6 yr old ? Your talking s h I t e
Good argument……………not, just ass licking FSG, nothing to see here.
You really believe a club like Liverpool would have been allowed to fold?, you have swallowed the usual yank spin, they are the masters of it, all these yanks have done is stop a real rich tycoon from buying us, Hicks and Gillett made sure of this, we owe FSG nothing, have you forgot how its us fans who pay to watch our team and buy the merchandise. you sound more like an FSG spokesman.