The January Transfer Window has officially slammed shut. In a painful conclusion, every one of Liverpool’s main rivals completed business before the death whereas it was clear a while ago that no-one would be heading through the doors at the AXA. Anger, frustration and bewilderment will be some of the emotions felt and expressed by many Reds and it’s understandable. As much as Liverpool need to improve on the field, it’s hard to believe that attention won’t be diverted towards the ownership and off the field matters.
Ever since the exclusive was broken by David Ornstein back in early November, the majority of Reds felt excitement towards what might be to come. Ownership issues aren’t a new thing for Liverpool Football Club, whilst at the same time the stark reality was that the FSG model wasn’t working anymore for varying reasons. The statement that it would be ‘business as usual’ until then was greeted with mixed reactions from a fanbase where many had long since stopped trusting and briefings from the current custodians.
Fast forward to now and for some it’s a relationship that may now be beyond repair. At a time where everything in and around the club seemed uncertain, it appeared unfathomable that Jurgen Klopp wouldn’t be handed some finance to bolster his ageing and underperforming squad in the January window. The situation seemed even worse than the Covid hit season, due to champions league qualification looking more than difficult and even the return of established players not heralding what it once did.
Cody Gakpo aside no further senior players have arrived through the door at AXA, which has only made a combustible situation even more toxic. The lack of compactness on the pitch appeared to be mirrored off it, judging by a quick sweep of social media accounts and views being expressed. Sentiments against FSG appear to have reached a crescendo and for all the talk of ‘summer spending’ that we’ve heard for many a campaign, it’s hard to see how the trust can be rebuilt.
The questions are starting to stack up against the New England outfit. How can it be business as usual when Mike Gordon has returned to the US to focus on investment and Julian Ward is set to leave at the end of the season? For any talk of minor investment, which appears to be their apparent favoured model, who would want to step into that arrangement? Gerry Cardinale took his millions down the road and now has AC Milan to focus on, whilst a ‘war chest’ of apparently £200m or so will be needed for this summer.
If that is a number that’s possible for a Bellingham, Nunes etc beginning then how would that work with investors? If you’re only putting up cash for a smaller %, then why should you bankroll the full rebuild that’s apparently needed? Are we seriously to believe that whoever invests serious capital into Liverpool Football Club won’t want a say in how the shots are called? Especially as questions exist around the methods and models that are being employed. It doesn’t seem Impossible but it seems a real stretch of faith.
For all the talk over summer funds, if the money was there was it not worth using a portion of it now? For those briefing that Jurgen Klopp is happy with his squad, it’s worth considering why an 18 year old, an injury prone player with less than six months and an injury prone 31 year old appear nailed on starters in a less than compact midfield which has struggled all season. If players like the calibre of Jude Bellingham are to arrive for next season, then it appears hard to believe that’s possible without significant changes.
Calling for ‘FSG-OUT’ brings with it a certain derision from some which maybe understandable due to the context of previous postings and history shouldn’t be rehashed to the point where all their past achievements count for nothing. Liverpool fans will potentially find themselves at a tipping point in the near future and it’s difficult to imagine any future success under the current status quo. Tensions may reach a head one way or the other. Time to strap yourselves in.
Since taking charge of Liverpool Football Club FSG have only invested on average £22.5 Million each season,that is worse than even teams coming up from the Championship…
Klopp out. He should have pushed for players long ago. Instead he defended FSG. He betrayed us as well.
Grow up
Clown, he’s the best manager available so if he ‘pushed’ he knows he could lose his job and where would we be then? Stop watching on a potato, you clueless idiot, it’s down to FSG, the 3rd highest earning club in the world has no excuse for being just 9th in England over the last 10 years for net spend, it’s pathetic
Thamsanqa i wouldn’t make a difference if klopp critized fsg publicly, there shrewd business men who haven’t backed a manger porpely since they took over the club and he’d probably lost his job in the process.
3rd highest revenue in the world and they don’t invest anything like a top club
Fsg spending model is a disaster and klopp was probably the only manager that could make it work, No other top manager would touch us under fsg leadership
Since we won the champion league investment in the team has been a joke
Thamsanqa i wouldn’t make a difference if klopp critized fsg publicly, there shrewd business men who haven’t backed a manger porpely since they took over the club and he’d probably lost his job in the process.
3rd highest revenue in the world and they don’t invest anything like a top club
Fsg spending model is a disaster and klopp was probably the only manager that could make it work, No other top manager would touch us under fsg leadership
Since we won the champion league investment in the team has been a joke
Don’t dare blame Klopp, best manager we have had in a hell of a long time
Thamsanqa are you a manc in disguise why would you want klopp out he best manager around with what he done with spending over the season to have us competed with man city and the other clubs that has the riches we be back next season for sure sometimes we need take rough with bit of smooth
Sick of Klopp defending the yanks
If you’re not from the UK and a season ticket holder at L4 then you have no right to comment on the fortunes of LFC. You contribute nothing to our club. In fact the growing number of tourist fans at L4 have undoubtedly lead to an increasingly poor atmosphere as you seem more interested in recording on your phones instead of watching the game and contributing to the atmosphere. Especially when you don’t know our songs.
If you look up the definition of an idiot you will see your name in a bold font.
Klopp is the best thing to happen to liverpool for many a year.I have supported lfc for nearly 50 years and have seen so many ups and downs.you need to get a life.We all no if you don’t back the club you will be left behind so it’s all down to the owners
John, totally disagree.
The out of towners buy the shirts pay for the tv rights around the world. One day we will have our own worldwide tv rights.you pay for your season ticket and contribute nothing else.
New chant were not inclusive we are scouse.
Things would be a lot worse but for Klopp. Can’t believe he’s getting grief from some.FSG have steadied the ship but now it’s time for someone else to come in and invest the amount this great club deserves
So it’s All Klopps responsibility when fans like you don’t even call for the removal of the owners. Klopp has clauses in his contract of what he can and cannot say and how often, in modern times, have you ever heard a manager calling for the owners removal. It’s like an employee calling for the removal of a CEO. Klopp would be removed and it would be called he wanted it and after that he would be under a NDA just like BR. BR still doesnt answer questions regarding the owners. FSGOUT, support Klopp.
John, massively wrong. Are you saying that unless you go to anfield for every game you can’t have an opinion. That rolls out scouts, coaches, ex players, sports writers, fans who live abroad, etc. so narrow minded.
On the flip side, I’ve heard many a stupid comment whilst at anfield. Mumbling dog Klopp out and abuse of players in poor form and I even include derogatory chants about opposition fans
John, massively wrong. Are you saying that unless you go to anfield for every game you can’t have an opinion. That rules out scouts, coaches, ex players, sports writers, fans who live abroad, etc. you’re so narrow minded.
On the flip side, I’ve heard many a stupid comment whilst at anfield. Mumblings of Klopp out and abuse of players in poor form and I even include derogatory chants about opposition fans.
Sorry about the typos previously
Are you taking the pi-s, the fellas a legend and hasn’t become a bad manager over night, he needs backing not sacking!
You must be a bitter or from the wrong end of the East Lancs Road!
Hello everyone… As Liverpool supporters now is the time we stand behind our manager and this great club. We have had a fantastic run for the past 5 years. We will once again be on top and next season I believe we will be challenging again Agreed Klopp has been one of the best managers we have had in a long time. ( legend) .Liverpool needs new owners who will invest in new players. We definately cant challenge with an aeging squad whilst other teams are investing heavily… YNWA…
You’ll never walk alone ……that is all any Liverpool fan stands for and will always stand for. Might be a bad season but we will be back next season
John, completely shocked by your comment. Probably one of the worst I’ve ever seen. Who do you think buys the millions of shirts and merch over the years? You? Unbelievable. There are some clubs who don’t have global support but Liverpool aren’t one of them! YNWA
You can not win the league and the champions league and nit spend money fsg needs to put up or f@#k off
John you are absolutely clueless about supporting Liverpool, I dont live in Liverpool but I support the club everyway I can from buying the new kits and merchandise every year paying for my official membership annually to travelling the world to watch my beloved team play ,so don’t come at me or others for not living in Liverpool. Also the majorty of the team aren’t even from Liverpool and you have the gull to utter complete rubbish
John, I agree with most of what you say but not everything. There are too many tourists attending for the ‘Anfield experience’ & you’re right it doesn’t add to our atmosphere. I am a ST holder of 28 years by the way & travel in from North Yorkshire & always pay my respects at the memorial before EVERY home game so I disagree with the L4 thing. Kloppo is the best thing that’s happened to us in years & I hope he stays beyond his new contract. I think though for that to happen FSG will have to go & in that respect I am torn. People say they’ve not invested in the club but just look at our fantastic stadium & the facilities at Kirkby. I call in there on CL days to watch the U19s & no expense has been spared. Now here’s the BUT. They have been slow to Invest in the playing staff. I have spoken to Boston fans who say the same thing. So, I think the best thing for all concerned is that they do a complete sale & let the newcomers just focus on getting LFC back to where we belong.
So, you believe that Bellinghamnis enough.. He is a child, there are two leaving with contracts running down and the rest is aging and is prone to injuries and underperformance. Liverpool need 3 midfielders, they let cats out of bags with putting LFC on the market causing a massive inflation plus then regular post World Cup inflation… 200 mil is not enough.. This summer they will need 500 plus for 3, midfielders. And that’s just how it is.
You need a rocket up your rear end, klopp is rhe reason we have what we have no other manager could do what he has. Injury after injury has downed us this year again. The only people who are to blame is fsg and it sits in fsgs lap. Klopp is doing what a manger should do look after the team the fans and the owners. Yes he may feel a let down but he comments must be tight lipped. This is a sign of a good manger. Fsg have down what they say they was going to do when they took over this needs to be said, however they can’t compete against the over spending in football. The rulers in our great game really need to look at the structure of wages and cost of players and need to get a hold of it. It is now out of control. Until this happens the fairness and competition of the game will never be like it was.
No doubt Klopp has done well for Liverpool, he is the best manager we have had in a long time and we need to stand with him through these hard times but there is need to change tactics to suit the crop of players he has as he waits to spend on new recruits.
For instance, He needs to adopt a less demanding but effective new formation and tactics that the aging players will be comfortable with, play them in their natural positions. For example Thiago would deliver more if he is committed to a more creative and attacking role than now when he is in a more defensive one, Hendo would also perform better in a more defensive than offensive otherwise we shall continue losing games the same way if we keep doing the same things that our opponent have mastered and continue to exploit.
I agree FSG needs to sell. True they invested in the stadium and training facilities but these are appreciating investments, more in, more out. Players, especially proven players are by and large are a depreciating investment. PSG are business minded first and foremost, sure they smile and glad hand when they visit but I have never felt any emotional attachment to the club. Just like the Red Sox you get lucky once every few seasons and you have a winning run but for sustainable success on the field or pitch the money ball approach will never work.
Now as to Klopp, in my opinion he is one of the best managers in football and what he has accomplished under the FSG business plan is nothing short of miraculous. For 5 seasons we competed with teams who have spent as much on their bench as we have on the field. Sad fact is money talks and poor business models loose.