The OFFICIAL Liverpool FC thread - Arne to Slot right in?

[seafoid]

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/ken-early-super-league-may-be-best-option-for-europe-s-bill-laden-top-clubs-1.4484808

Liverpool, recently champions of everything, have been reduced to juggling loans in and out to plug gaps in defence. They now look likely to miss Champions League qualification, which would blow up their high-wage model. These developments will have heightened the already conspicuous interest their owners have displayed in breakaway plans.

In this context it was interesting to hear Luis Rubiales, the head of the Spanish FA, talk last week about the ways in which "football is evolving." Rubiales argued that a breakaway European league would be a bad idea, but also said that domestic leagues had to think about what kind of concessions could be made to the big clubs' urgent demands for revenue growth. Rubiales suggested silly-sounding ideas like cutting La Liga from 38 to 33 match days, to make room for "extra Clasicos", which would fit into the schedule in some yet-to-be-explained way.

Arms race
The problem with any such incremental reforms is that they run up against the structural problem described by Arsene Wenger in a recent punditry appearance on beIN Sports.

"The future is to find a compromise between what the fans want and enough financial security for what the clubs need. Because anyway, you put €100 million more into the game, 90 per cent will go for wages." That's the arms race dynamic of European football: if you don't pay the players, somebody else will.

What Wenger didn't say was that the only stable escape from this dynamic is if these clubs band together into an NFL-type super league, creating a centralised entity that can guarantee revenues while making sure nobody cheats on spending.

The big obstacle to the creation of such a league in the past was not that fans don't want it - although they don't. It was that most big clubs were happy with a status quo that allowed them to dominate at home while making money in Europe.

That status quo was already falling apart before it had to absorb the shattering impact of the pandemic. For the first time, we may now have a critical mass of clubs desperate enough to push for an outcome that nobody really wants, because it's the only way they can see to pay the bills.

[J70]

Not sure about the other big European clubs, but its supposedly FSG and the Glazers driving it for the English ones. I guess the owners of City and Chelsea would be less concerned with the fall-out from failing to make the Champions League for a season or two. Liverpool would be in a bit of bother. Especially with the Anfield Road end redevelopment coming up too.

[Milltown Row2]

Thought there would be a least some talk on team selection and so on.

This isn't a home game so not thee we same as normal.

On that,  the thing I've noticed about Klopp he thrives off the atmosphere that is generated by the fans which he fuels back into the team on the pitch. 

[RedHand88]

We're back!

[J70]

I don't know.

Leipzig have played into Liverpool's hands with the high line.

And two shocking defensive f**k-ups haven't helped them either.

Still, if they hold on here, you'd hope it would restore some belief.

[J70]

Upemecano is a strong looking lad.

Geoffrey McGonigle and his "arse like a bag of cement", without the ample waistline, comes to mind.

[J70]

Blessed at the end there.

But couldn't ask for much more than that.

[Captain Obvious]

We're back!

Liverpools Champions league to lose.

[J70]

Good win, I thought they played fairly well.
Two mistakes led to the goals fair enough but you still have to finish off the chance.
Onwards and upwards!

Hopefully, but the main issue is creating chances against teams sitting deep.

[johnnycool]

Good win, I thought they played fairly well.
Two mistakes led to the goals fair enough but you still have to finish off the chance.
Onwards and upwards!

Hopefully, but the main issue is creating chances against teams sitting deep.

1 game at a time....


Everton big favourites surely for the Merseyside derby at the weekend. 22 years is it since they won at Anfield?. They must be fairly confident of ending that this weekend.

It depends what frame of mind the team is after taking a skelping from City tonight.

Liverpool have an extra days rest, Ancelotti will have something to complain about if it doesn't go well..

[laoislad]

We've hit rock bottom now lads,losing to Everton for the first time in 22 years 
It only took a global pandemic, and empty Anfield, hurricane winds and the worst penalty decision you'll likely see.
Now Hendo injured also!
Christ will this season ever just f**king end.

[Gabriel_Hurl]

4 home losses in a row - last time was 1923

The ultimate embarrassment

[J70]

At least Chelsea drew to keep them hanging in there.

Will the return of Keita and Jota make any difference against these parked buses?

When's the last time Liverpool scored from outside the box?

Haven't scored at Anfield from open play since December.

[Milltown Row2]

Has Liverpool changed their training regime? The injuries they are picking up can't be that unlucky

[north_antrim_hound]

Regardless of how we deserved to be beat that ref is a disgrace