Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool: A Year of Learning
It is at times required to look back to find focus on what lies ahead. As has been recited in articles, podcasts, and books alike, Liverpool's remarkable achievements last season were unfathomable, especially when one considers the obstacles and interrogations of Rodgers' ability which were met en route.
Unfortunately, many believe 'Brenton Fraudgers' will be found out next year, with a number of fans and pundits citing a lack of preparation time this season due to European competition as one of …
The Long and Winding Road: the origins of fandom Part 1 | Liverpool FC
True football fans - so they say - are born into a team, or if not, then you don't pick your team, your team picks you. A generalised oversimplification, undoubtedly - yet one that will have many nodding gently with agreement or recognition of their own past 'recruitment'. The idea is that this will be the first in a series of potted biographies and insights into individual fans beginnings, from the first dumb adumbrations of becoming a Red, to the …
This Time It's For Real: Loic Remy to Liverpool Makes Perfect Sense
Liverpool are about to sign Loic Remy, which should ferociously ring your mental bells. They've been consistently linked with him since the 2010/11 season when he scored 15 league goals for Marseille, and the yearly reports of a possible move to Anfield have grown tiresome. We've been here before. But it looks like this time the move is for real, and for Liverpool, that makes perfect sense.
Remy is an ideal winger/second striker type, fast enough to beat a defender …
No Moreno? No Problem! | A Look at Liverpool's Transfer Target
This summer's transfer window for Liverpool was always going to be an important one in the club's history. Back in the Champions League for the first time in five years feels like a dream, but for our meagre squad it will be a colossal task to compete in all competitions.
Formed after the departure of former Director of Football Damien Comolli in April 2012 and the subsequent appointment of Brendan Rodgers as manager that summer, Liverpool have decided to reshape their structure …
How Transfers Work, Sometimes Don't - and Why.
I've been thinking about writing something on this for a while, the way transfers work today - or don't in many cases, the seemingly infinite variables and how they differ from those those of yesteryear, and the carefree days of yore - if you believe in all that. There was however an obvious snag, in that although I'm middle-aged, well educated, well versed in all kinds of funding bidding, project management and acquisitions in the arts and education sector, I'm …
Replacing Suarez's Goals
He's finally gone. Weeks of negotiations have seen the third best player in the world move to Barcelona for £75m. Many have said this is too cheap, especially when you consider the 'less good' Gareth Bale, moved for £80m just last season. However, Bale has never bitten anyone, nor (supposedly) racially abused someone and wasn't serving a four month ban. So £75m is probably the best we could hope for, and Barcelona got a £100m player at a discount (for …
Liverpool FC: Shaping up for 2014/15
Liverpool arrive yet again at major crossroads in their path to challenge for top honours. Cries of ‘it’s the bigger summer transfer window’ in years are heard around Anfield and social media is in a frenzy over how the proceeds from the impending sale of Luis Suarez should be spent.
Luis Suarez – the day was always going to come when he would pack up and head to sunny Spain. Thankfully, due to Liverpool’s canny owners and the insert of …
Where To Spend The Suarez Money? Di Maria V Griezmann v Draxler v Reus
You all know the story; Luis Suarez to Barcelona is complete for a rumoured £75 million pounds. The deal has been in the air for weeks as the question of whether Alexis Sanchez would be used as a make-way raged on.
Arsenal came calling and the deal has been done, £35 million will see Alexis Sanchez ply his trade at the Emirates next season but what is next for Liverpool? They must replace Luis Suarez but with who? I have …
Replacing Luis Suarez | A Tactical Affair
Replacing Luis Suarez, like-for-like, is impossible. The Uruguayan brought an array of unique qualities, and equally unique flaws, which can’t be replenished by the simple act of buying another footballer.
Suarez will leave a void when it comes to many aspects of the Liverpool experience, including the tactical set-up, and what follows is an assessment of what he brought to the system, and how the system could help to replace him.
Liverpool flirted with numerous tactical systems during the 2013/14 season, …
The Cost Of Adam Lallana
After a prolonged pursuit, St Albans-born Adam Lallana finally signed for Liverpool Football Club. Initially, there was a standoff between the two clubs regarding the fee, with Bournemouth being an added complication into what is always a difficult time.
Eventually (after a holiday to Brazil) Lallana signed, but how did the deal come about after Bournemouth were rumoured to be due 25% of any subsequent transfer; meaning that the fee that Southampton wanted was prohibitive?
Firstly, the 25% sell on …