LOLiverpooLOL - Next Season

[Sanguine]

I never really hear anyone talk about VVD leaving, as if its just assumed he will get a deal that keeps him there for a few more years.

I predict Salah & VVD will stay, while TAA will leave

I'm leaning towards just VVD staying now. Albeit was unlike him to comment as he did at the weekend that he 'doesn't know how many more times' he will play for Liverpool.

Feels like Salah won't get close to the deal he wants, in terms of money or length of contract.

If they all leave, I think Richard Hughes' position will be untenable.

[Winston Biscuit]

I still struggle to see Salah leaving, just because on the face of it it would be such a mad decision. and I get there are probably various complications behind the scenes that we are not aware of, but surely when someone is that good, and their impact brings in so much money, you find a way to make it work for all parties?!

also from Salah's point of view, why leave? He can earn an extra £150k a week in Europe but it would likely be a slight step down in terms of quality and chances of winning the Champions League. and he could go to Saudi and earn crazy money but thats effectively accepting retirement.

I don't see him leaving works for either party

[Sanguine]

I still struggle to see Salah leaving, just because on the face of it it would be such a mad decision. and I get there are probably various complications behind the scenes that we are not aware of, but surely when someone is that good, and their impact brings in so much money, you find a way to make it work for all parties?!

also from Salah's point of view, why leave? He can earn an extra £150k a week in Europe but it would likely be a slight step down in terms of quality and chances of winning the Champions League. and he could go to Saudi and earn crazy money but thats effectively accepting retirement.

I don't see him leaving works for either party

Trent is different being 26, but there isn't really a footballing reason to leave Liverpool at the moment - unless Salah really has always wanted to play football in Paris.

I still can't really fathom how these decisions are anything but footballing - all three already have more money than they could ever spend.

[From Despair To Where?]

To be honest, most of the Liverpool supporters I know have a very different viewpoint to a lot of the long distance internet/armchair based fans.

I wonder how many of them will nod sagely in appreciation of FSG's strategy when three of the best players in the world leave the club for free.

Whilst they accept that it could happen and it would be a blow, they look at Gravenberch, Gakpo, McAlister, Szoboszlai, Jota, Jones and Elliott as a pretty decent base to build on.

The word is that Virgil will more than likely sign and with TAA, they don't see the point in fretting over a player who's intent on leaving.

They don't think FSG are perfect by any means, but a lot don't see going mental on wages and transfer fees as being "The Liverpool Way". A lot actually have an underdog mentality.

[Sanguine]

Whilst they accept that it could happen and it would be a blow, they look at Gravenberch, Gakpo, McAlister, Szoboszlai, Jota, Jones and Elliott as a pretty decent base to build on.

Some talented players - but strip out VVD, TAA and Salah, and they go from likely champions this season to no more than CL-place challengers. 25 goals and 24 assists between Salah and TAA this season so far - Elliott and Bradley aren't going to replace those.

[From Despair To Where?]

For a fanbase pretty accustomed to success, you'd be surprised how strong the Scouse underdog mentality is.

[BRO_BOT]

Whilst they accept that it could happen and it would be a blow, they look at Gravenberch, Gakpo, McAlister, Szoboszlai, Jota, Jones and Elliott as a pretty decent base to build on.

Some talented players - but strip out VVD, TAA and Salah, and they go from likely champions this season to no more than CL-place challengers. 25 goals and 24 assists between Salah and TAA this season so far - Elliott and Bradley aren't going to replace those.

This is the way I look at it. Bring any of the seven players FDTW mentioned to United and they'd be dragged down to our level, sharpish!

[Sanguine]

I'm a little fascinated how clubs identify players that will fit into their own systems, or excellent players in crap teams. I remember when the rumours started that Liverpool were looking at the Roma keeper Alisson - and then Roma came to Anfield in the CL and shipped five or six goals, and I thought 'really?'

But yeah, coaching, culture, playing system. I think Gravenberch is a future star. But Gakpo totally a product of his environment or how/where he is asked to play. He looked not half the player under Klopp and in a different role.

[Winston Biscuit]

I'm a little fascinated how clubs identify players that will fit into their own systems, or excellent players in crap teams. I remember when the rumours started that Liverpool were looking at the Roma keeper Alisson - and then Roma came to Anfield in the CL and shipped five or six goals, and I thought 'really?'

At the time Alisson was often mentioned as one of, if not the, best goalkeepers in the world, so that wasn't difficult to spot. Agree in general though, I would love to see how a club go about identifying a player that may not be obvious to us, but they are sure has the qualities to really come good in their team

[Sanguine]

I'm a little fascinated how clubs identify players that will fit into their own systems, or excellent players in crap teams. I remember when the rumours started that Liverpool were looking at the Roma keeper Alisson - and then Roma came to Anfield in the CL and shipped five or six goals, and I thought 'really?'

At the time Alisson was often mentioned as one of, if not the, best goalkeepers in the world, so that wasn't difficult to spot. Agree in general though, I would love to see how a club go about identifying a player that may not be obvious to us, but they are sure has the qualities to really come good in their team

I'm particularly interested in how Liverpool do it, given that their chief scout is Barry Hunter. Now, I really don't mean any disrespect to the guy, but - I've spoken to him twice and on neither occasion did he come across as a chief scout, let's put it that way.

[Sutekh]

I'm a little fascinated how clubs identify players that will fit into their own systems, or excellent players in crap teams. I remember when the rumours started that Liverpool were looking at the Roma keeper Alisson - and then Roma came to Anfield in the CL and shipped five or six goals, and I thought 'really?'

At the time Alisson was often mentioned as one of, if not the, best goalkeepers in the world, so that wasn't difficult to spot. Agree in general though, I would love to see how a club go about identifying a player that may not be obvious to us, but they are sure has the qualities to really come good in their team

I'm particularly interested in how Liverpool do it, given that their chief scout is Barry Hunter. Now, I really don't mean any disrespect to the guy, but - I've spoken to him twice and on neither occasion did he come across as a chief scout, let's put it that way.

Doubt it’s just Barry, but a team like Reading used to have, that look for certain types and then do their homework on them to ensure suitability etc. Barry may do the initial negotiations on players identified.

More of interest is how the likes of Bournemouth, Brentford and Brighton continually keep finding “unknowns” which then get sold on for mega £££££s.

[Whore Jackie]

I'm a little fascinated how clubs identify players that will fit into their own systems, or excellent players in crap teams. I remember when the rumours started that Liverpool were looking at the Roma keeper Alisson - and then Roma came to Anfield in the CL and shipped five or six goals, and I thought 'really?'

At the time Alisson was often mentioned as one of, if not the, best goalkeepers in the world, so that wasn't difficult to spot. Agree in general though, I would love to see how a club go about identifying a player that may not be obvious to us, but they are sure has the qualities to really come good in their team

I'm particularly interested in how Liverpool do it, given that their chief scout is Barry Hunter. Now, I really don't mean any disrespect to the guy, but - I've spoken to him twice and on neither occasion did he come across as a chief scout, let's put it that way.

This is a good read. Liverpool, Brentford and Brighton are basically the best in the PL at it.

Always assumed Barry Hunter is the guy who watches the player in the flesh, essentially just to check that the data isn't throwing up a dud.
He's obviously pretty decent at it, but yep, remembering him squirting hospitality guests with a water pistol, it's somewhat surprising how illustrious his career has been post-playing.

[Winston Biscuit]

[Sanguine]

What a great photo. Mere seconds from total despair. Of course many of us watched it from behind the opposite goal, in that weird letter box lower stand at the Millenium Stadium.

[Sanguine]

At the time Alisson was often mentioned as one of, if not the, best goalkeepers in the world, so that wasn't difficult to spot. Agree in general though, I would love to see how a club go about identifying a player that may not be obvious to us, but they are sure has the qualities to really come good in their team

I'm particularly interested in how Liverpool do it, given that their chief scout is Barry Hunter. Now, I really don't mean any disrespect to the guy, but - I've spoken to him twice and on neither occasion did he come across as a chief scout, let's put it that way.

This is a good read. Liverpool, Brentford and Brighton are basically the best in the PL at it.

Always assumed Barry Hunter is the guy who watches the player in the flesh, essentially just to check that the data isn't throwing up a dud.
He's obviously pretty decent at it, but yep, remembering him squirting hospitality guests with a water pistol, it's somewhat surprising how illustrious his career has been post-playing.

Ta, will look it up!

[Whore Jackie]

I'm particularly interested in how Liverpool do it, given that their chief scout is Barry Hunter. Now, I really don't mean any disrespect to the guy, but - I've spoken to him twice and on neither occasion did he come across as a chief scout, let's put it that way.

This is a good read. Liverpool, Brentford and Brighton are basically the best in the PL at it.

Always assumed Barry Hunter is the guy who watches the player in the flesh, essentially just to check that the data isn't throwing up a dud.
He's obviously pretty decent at it, but yep, remembering him squirting hospitality guests with a water pistol, it's somewhat surprising how illustrious his career has been post-playing.

Ta, will look it up!

This is supposed to be very good. Just waiting for it to come out in paperback.

[From Despair To Where?]

What a great photo. Mere seconds from total despair. Of course many of us watched it from behind the opposite goal, in that weird letter box lower stand at the Millenium Stadium.

I was in the second row so actually below pitch level when sat down. I watched it on the big screen at the other end of the stadium.

Wembley's a ball ache but infinitely preferable to Cardiff.

[Silver Fox]

This is supposed to be very good. Just waiting for it to come out in paperback.

Got that for Christmas, haven't read it yet

[BRO_BOT]

This is supposed to be very good. Just waiting for it to come out in paperback.

Got that for Christmas, haven't read it yet

I might get this myself. The other book is written by a journo whereas this one is written by a PhD who led the LFC data team.

I feel it may be a bit too 'pop science' but it might be fun to read!

[BRO_BOT]