Trouble in paradise: Two scandals by Liverpool standards
We've reached the first international break, and so it's time to reflect on the first action of the season. The Reds have rattled off four Premier League wins from four and added another continental crown to their cabinet, but there's also been a rare dose of drama.
First, we had the acrimonious departure of Anfield star-in-waiting Bobby Duncan, and then came Sadio Mane's outburst, directed at Mohamed Salah, after being substituted at Burnley.
So let's take some time to discuss …
Liverpool's Money Factory
Liverpool sold academy striker Bobby Duncan to Fiorentina after the Serie A side made an offer to sign the 18-year-old permanently.
The Reds will reputedly pocket €2million upfront with a 20% sell-on fee for the former Manchester City underage player.
Duncan wasn't the only player out the Anfield exit door on European Transfer Deadline Day. Ryan Kent joined Rangers -- who he spent last season on loan at -- for a fee in the region of £7,000,000. The English duo's …
The lessons to be learned from the Bobby Duncan incident
To an extent, Bobby Duncan had it all. Signed up by his boyhood club, the 18-year-old made his debut for the first-team during pre-season and even scored during the 6-0 win over Tranmere Rovers. He was included in the travelling party, too, as the Reds went on a tour of America for the second successive year.
The fact he was Steven Gerrard’s cousin was the cherry on top. It gave him an immediate in with the fans. Considered one of …
Liverpool's academy now rivals their first-team
The Liverpool academy used to be full of false hope.
For a period of time, fans had high hopes for the youngsters on the books. The ones who’d either carved out a reputation having impressed prior to their move to Merseyside or those boosted by what they eventually turn out to be according to Football Manager.
Ultimately, the Reds weren’t getting the most out of the time and money they put into their academy. Those tipped for greatness fizzled out. …
Liverpool's wonderkid approach will lead to success
It seems to the case every single year now but this summer transfer window had the potential to be the biggest in the clubs history. With Liverpool just needing to make subtle tweaks to a squad that amassed 97 points and a sixth European Cup, it was, on paper at least, a much easier task than in years gone by.
The Reds didn’t need a £60million-rated goalkeeper being courted by many of Europe’s elite. They didn’t need to part with …
Chelsea's Academy: The Gift that keeps on giving… to Liverpool
Is it the red-headed stepchild, the rented mule, the red-headed mule…? Whatever analogy you choose, Liverpool keep going back window after window to raid Chelsea’s academy for standout stars anxious for first-team opportunities.
The London club has been fantastic at recruiting and developing talent to a certain level and has, for all intents and purposes, a farm club in Vitesse that they can use to get players first-team appearances as a stepping stone to Stamford Bridge. On paper, the way …
Liverpool’s Other Fekirs | Transfer Rumour Round-Up
The sudden explosion of rumours surrounding the possible transfer of Lyon's Nabil Fekir has sucked all of the oxygen out of the Twittersphere. In the shadow of an impending mega-deal, stories of Ukrainian backup goalkeepers, heists from rival youth academies and pricy Portuguese B-teamers can barely buy a click. Poor ol' Sega Diallo can hardly get a retweet in the middle of the Fekir furor.
But, at this point, Fekir has already been photoshopped into a rollercoaster with Klopp, we’ve …