Ismaila Sarr, so nearly a Red, looks to haunt Liverpool once again
"Everything was set - the monthly salary and the length of the deal," Ismaila Sarr's agent Thierno Seydi said. "I even asked Sadio Mane to find him an apartment."
That's how close Liverpool came to signing the man who tore their defence, and their unbeaten streak, to shreds on February 29, 2020 at Vicarage Road.
The contract was on the table, but ultimately the Reds would refuse to acquiesce to Watford's financial demands - £25million up front, followed by instalments …
Gini & Emre - The Need to Replace System Players
The summer window is now gone, and the next two windows will require some short and long term thought, with many areas now requiring you attention. Where the defence was strengthened (in the form of giant Ibrahima Konate), we are now witnessing a midfield dilemma, one that should have been avoided. The process of recruitment will have surely taken a hit (given the pandemic), but in order to both maintain and build the playing squad, ways forward needed to be …
Robbie Fowler - God Only Knows
Robbie Fowler - God Only Knows
I recall Robbie Fowler’s first appearance and subsequent first goal for Liverpool in a 3-1 win (he scored in the league cup first leg, away to Fulham), but it was his second leg performance that truly introduced me to the man now known simply, as God.
In 1993 there was very little live football available in the UK, and many games were followed on both radio or teletext. When awaiting updates on latest scores …
The Effects of Newcastle’s Takeover
History points to certain English teams as bonafide football royalty. Over the last three decades (of the Premier League), Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool have been the major players, later been joined on the top table by Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester City in recent years. New money started to infiltrate English football shortly after the turn of the century, and it’s now a common theme for clubs across Europe to be swallowed up by deep pocketed investment groups, or persons. …
Bring Me Ivan Toney
Now and again an opposing side can cause such a stir it has the manager (on the receiving end) look deeply into said team, and more importantly their players. I wrote about the RB Salzburg tie from a few years back and how the intelligence, elegance and work rate of a certain Takumi Minamino, prompted Liverpool to make move for the gifted attacker. Whereas this deal hasn’t worked out from a first team point of view, the low fee paid …
Following in Klopp’s Footsteps
I wrote some words a few weeks back about how Liverpool could replace Jürgen Klopp, and I mentioned the likes of Marco Rose, Julian Nagelsmann and even Mauricio Pochettino as possible appointments. There was one name that I considered, but dismissed due to his current employment status. However upon brief reflection (and due to his current employer being prone to swapping out managers), I am going to look how how the fit could enable continued success beyond the era of …
Alisson Becker - The World's Greatest
Since Pepe Reina best days as Liverpool’s stopper, the goalkeeping situation at Anfield has been inconsistent at best. The signing of Simon Mignolet (as Reina’s replacement), wasn’t entirely dissimilar to Arsenal’s recent acquisition of Aaron Ramsdale. Very busy keepers will always have highlight moments due to the pressure their team is put under, and these moments of perceived talent can often hide the true worth of a goalkeeper. Mignolet was a good shot stopper (much like Jordan Pickford for instance), …
Daniel Agger - Another Great Dane
This past week or so, I’ve seen the form of Joël Matip both questioned and praised. His performances this season have been largely tremendous, with the singular poor outing against Brentford (and an inspired, future red, Ivan Toney). The whole Liverpool side were somewhat shell shocked that day, and every player will occasionally have an off day, so any real criticism is very harsh.
The consequence of his usual great form will always see him compared to other defensive players, …
What is Takumi Minamino's best role for Liverpool?
Takumi Minamino, like so many Liverpool players, is a bit of an enigma.
He caught the eye for Red Bull Salzburg in their 4-3 loss at Anfield, with even some players reportedly singling him out for praise afterwards. When it was revealed he had a £7.25million release clause, a move for the Japan international felt like a no-brainer.
It appeared as though he was the perfect fit for the Reds’ frontline. Some even called him Firminamino due to his knack …
Is this the best version of Mohamed Salah?
Mohamed Salah might be playing the best football of his career right now.
The 29-year-old has eight goals and two assists in eight outings this term. There’s an air of inevitability about him in general. It doesn’t feel as though if he’s going to score, it is more of a matter of when he’s going to score. No matter what happens, it just feels as though he’s going to find the back of the net.
The penalty miss against AC …