Positive Thoughts & Taiwo Awoniyi | Reflecting on Liverpool’s Transfer Nous
In the midst of trying to wrap up an abysmal Bundesliga campaign, reports from German sports outlet Spox indicate that Schalke 04 have lodged preliminary interest with Liverpool in bringing youth forward Taiwo Awoniyi into their ranks over the summer.
But this article, while dancing around the topic, concerns something broader than that simple fact.
Moving on
During a week of roller coaster emotions, it’s time for something lighter. Although this will require a bit of a dreary look into …
The Jürgen Effect
Downing to Mané
Poulsen to Keïta
Carroll to Salah
Above, are just three examples of how the type and profile of Liverpool FC's transfer targets have shifted under Jürgen Klopp in comparison to Hodgson and Dalglish, at the start of FSG's tenure.
After several unsuccessful transfer windows which saw high spending, but minimal real gains in terms of quality and improvements to the team, Liverpool FC's current transfer policy appears to be heading in a very different direction to that …
Liverpool's Two Ways To Build A Squad
Transfers in football often seem reasonably straightforward. Building a squad is easy - you just isolate areas in your squad where you need another player, either because you’re a player short or because your strongest player in that area is a weak link in the squad. Then... you buy a suitable player. But over the last few years, building a genuine squad has proved problematic for Liverpool. Partly because they’ve bought poorly, partly because there was a lot of deadwood …
The Seven Year Itch | FSG - A Review
In October of 2010, Fenway Sports Group purchased Liverpool FC for £300 million. In his first statement as owner, John Henry claimed,
'We're here to win and we'll do whatever is necessary.'Fast-forward almost seven years later, and fans are still divided as to whether FSG have been good owners for the club, and whether the club has progressed, regressed, or simply remained stationary for this period. Under FSG, Liverpool FC have had four managers: Roy Hodgson (sacked January 2011), Kenny …
Liverpool Supporters And The Futility of Transfer Hysteria
The summer transfer window is yet to open, however transfer hysteria has already swept in. Liverpool fans have barely had time to rejoice in the fact that Liverpool FC will very likely be in the Champions League group stages next season, as seemingly that was not enough to satiate fans in the short-term, as now apparently is the time for transfers.
Much of the hysteria regarding transfers has developed because of Liverpool's history in relation to transfers, especially in recent years. Fans are …
Liverpool Must Build on Season of Progress
It's been a season of progress at Liverpool Football Club.
Having ended the 2015/16 campaign in a disappointing 8th place, the consensus was that Jurgen Klopp had done a good job at recycling such a limited squad inherited by his predecessor, Brendan Rodgers - leading Liverpool to both the League Cup & Europa League final respectively in the space of seven months.
The real challenge for Klopp was to transform a distinctly unimpressive side into top 4, and possibly, title …
Where is the praise for Liverpool's transfer committee?
In English football there has always been an aversion to ‘the continental model’ of football management. The likes of Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger and Bill Shankley were such enduring individuals at their clubs that the successes of their teams have been attributed to the all powerful men that ruled them. The great managers of English football dominated every facet of their club, and so, unsurprisingly, the attitude in this country has been sympathetic towards managers who want utter control of their clubs, …
Premier League Proven isn't always a negative
The Transfer Window has been officially open for nearly a month now and Liverpool's two biggest signings have been players from within the Premier League. Both Sadio Mane and Gini Wijnaldum arrived at Anfield for a combined £55 Million. Most Reds fans must have a strong feeling of deja-vu about such deals. Since Fenway Sports Group bought the club Liverpool have spent over £200 Million on Premier League proven players with varied success. Despite the questionable success of this tactic …
The Committee Has Done Some Good at Liverpool
For the sympathisers of Rodgers in the media Liverpool’s problems owed more to the much vilified transfer committee than the Northern Irishman. It is the mitigating factor in Rodgers’ performance at Liverpool and it is spread as a blanket over his own failings. Rather than facilitate the work of a promising young British manager, the transfer committee shackled the Brendan Rodgers, his supporters argue. That does not stand the truth test. The “defence team” have repetitively demonized the structure and …
Anfield Index Fantasy Football Show Extra - Deadline Day Picks
The transfer window is over, Premier League squads have been submitted, time for a bit of consistency in the Premier League? Right? Probably not but one thing is for certain and that is Gameweek 5 will see several new faces take the to field for their new teams but will any of the last minute purchases make their way into your fantasy team? This article takes a look at a few top picks from the long list of new signings …