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Let's All Laugh At... Let's all laugh at Liverpool thread

Gb160

Well done boys. Good process
Jun 20, 2012
23,646
93,313
"Make an offer for Messi, and invite him to come play with Phil. In fact all of their players that have been tapping him up, talk about how they are welcome to join us to play with Phil."

"And what happens when Messi starts laughing uncontrollably at the thought of playing here making a mug of the club?"

"Why would he laugh uncontrollably at that? Has he done that before or something?"

:rolleyes:
On TS the other day one of them rang up and was serious about instead of a fee for Coutinho, they should do a swap for Tersteggen(spelling), Rakitic, and , you guessed it, Suarez.
All 3, and he was deadly serious.
 

Ionman34

SC Supporter
Jun 1, 2011
7,182
16,793
Yes im aware of the complex transfer process. Very true about city and paying up.. Here i was specifically commending the bin dippers on some astute business in the last 2-3 windows perhaps.... They want that CL position and strengthening their squad.

# they not standing still in contentment. They know whats at stake.
Did you know that Liverpool were £70 million in debt before losing £20 million in 2016? That is with an increase in revenue following the tv deal.

They’ve since spent a further circa £150 million on two players. The Coutinho deal might balance that, but they’ll need to spend to replace his creativity and goals.

All told they could be in the region of £150 million in debt if they need further purchases, maybe more if they need to dip into the market for a quality keeper. CL is not going to make a dent in that with the wages they’re paying out on top.

Whilst I think they could become a force, it is highly dependent on;
a) VVD actually making a difference to their goals against column,
b) Keita doing the same,
c) Finding an adequate replacement for Coutinho,
d) Rivals not strengthening further.

The acquisition of VVD is definitely a statement of intent. The price paid is a statement of stupidity IMO, regardless of the inflated cost of players. I also wonder how the likes of Mane are going to react with having a defender on a higher wage than them. Agents will be knocking on Klopp’s door incessantly if his reported wage is correct, particularly if he has a bit of a mare during his “bedding in” period. A £75 million price tag brings its own special brand of pressure and expectation.

All told I think they are gambling big time, which they’ve been doing for the better part of the last 2 decades. A period that has seen a number of owners bail because they’re a money pit.
 

Ionman34

SC Supporter
Jun 1, 2011
7,182
16,793
The Times are reporting that Coutinho believes he's played his last game for the club and that a £133m offer is incoming. The Express are reporting something similar.

I just cannot understand this move now. Sure - agree a transfer now for the summer, but it doesn't make sense for any party to do it in January.

He is cup-tied for the Champions League and Barca effectively have La Liga wrapped up already so why the urgency to pay over the odds to get the move done now?

It's unlikely that Liverpool will be able to find a replacement that can have a similar kind of impact in January and everyone will know they've got a load of cash in the bank so they're likely to get burned - they surely can't expect to finish the season on a high with Oxlade-Chamberlain or Lallana taking his role in the side? Even if they do get someone like Lemar in who I don't think is a like for like swap, it's unlikely they'd get the ground running as quickly as Salah did, especially without a pre-season.

And for Coutinho - why the rush? Unless Barca have made him an ultimatum which I'd be surprised at for the reasons above, why go now? He's in top form in a settled system, he'll want to take that form into the World Cup this summer. He also currently has nothing to show for his five years in England so I'd have thought he'd want to have one last crack at winning something before he goes, especially with Liverpool getting a favourable draw in the Champions League and the knowledge that he can probably leave with the blessing of their fans if he waits until the summer?

There must be something important that's not public knowledge yet. It just doesn't make sense for this to happen now and not the summer otherwise.

Great news for us if it's all true. I'd immediately back us as favourites for 4th place if this happens.
From Coutinho’s POV, if he joins in Jan and plays the remainder of the season, with Barca winning the title, doesn’t he get a winners medal?

So, bigger wage, playing for Barca (which would pretty much guarantee him a spot in the WC) and a title to his name, against possibly winning an FA Cup (they will not get near the title or CL).

Not really such a difficult choice when you think about it.
 

Ionman34

SC Supporter
Jun 1, 2011
7,182
16,793
I'd agree apart from sanches. Didn't he refuse to play?
According to those bastions of reporting truth and accuracy the Daily Mail, the Mirror and the Sun.

In short, no one really has a clue.

Besides, If he did act up, it’s not proof that we’d tapped him up, after all we’d already had permission to speak to him from Ajax and an offer had already been made.
 

piedpiper

Well-Known Member
Aug 14, 2008
3,758
6,763
Did you know that Liverpool were £70 million in debt before losing £20 million in 2016? That is with an increase in revenue following the tv deal.

They’ve since spent a further circa £150 million on two players. The Coutinho deal might balance that, but they’ll need to spend to replace his creativity and goals.

All told they could be in the region of £150 million in debt if they need further purchases, maybe more if they need to dip into the market for a quality keeper. CL is not going to make a dent in that with the wages they’re paying out on top.

Whilst I think they could become a force, it is highly dependent on;
a) VVD actually making a difference to their goals against column,
b) Keita doing the same,
c) Finding an adequate replacement for Coutinho,
d) Rivals not strengthening further.

The acquisition of VVD is definitely a statement of intent. The price paid is a statement of stupidity IMO, regardless of the inflated cost of players. I also wonder how the likes of Mane are going to react with having a defender on a higher wage than them. Agents will be knocking on Klopp’s door incessantly if his reported wage is correct, particularly if he has a bit of a mare during his “bedding in” period. A £75 million price tag brings its own special brand of pressure and expectation.

All told I think they are gambling big time, which they’ve been doing for the better part of the last 2 decades. A period that has seen a number of owners bail because they’re a money pit.

Not into their finances... Yes i agree the fee paid is crazy for Vvd. I raised my brows at the price they paid for Keita... But they bought 3 players at reasonable to market related prices... Coutinho/Mane'/Salah.

City apart... There are 5 teams vying for 3 CL positions... By seasons end i think they will be in that group.
 

Ionman34

SC Supporter
Jun 1, 2011
7,182
16,793
Not into their finances... Yes i agree the fee paid is crazy for Vvd. I raised my brows at the price they paid for Keita... But they bought 3 players at reasonable to market related prices... Coutinho/Mane'/Salah.

City apart... There are 5 teams vying for 3 CL positions... By seasons end i think they will be in that group.
I think you’re missing my point. Whilst they bought Coutinho at a good price, they look like they’re losing him now, and spent virtually all of it on VVD and Keita at well inflated prices. Add the £40 million for AOC, then whatever they pay for Coutinho’s replacement, the additional wages etc associated with those 4-5 players, plus whatever extra players like Mane et al will likely demand, and you have a money pit that CL participation will not touch. Whilst this might seem like “ambition” at first blush, it is more akin to a panicked gamble to stay relevant rather than a considered build towards competitiveness. They’re not consolidating a top position utilising hard won monies, they’re increasing their debt just to keep up, and there’s no guarantee that they will.

FSG are repeating what previous owners have done and failed with, which was why they bailed out in the first place.
 

'O Zio

Well-Known Member
Dec 27, 2014
7,405
13,785
I think you’re missing my point. Whilst they bought Coutinho at a good price, they look like they’re losing him now, and spent virtually all of it on VVD and Keita at well inflated prices. Add the £40 million for AOC, then whatever they pay for Coutinho’s replacement, the additional wages etc associated with those 4-5 players, plus whatever extra players like Mane et al will likely demand, and you have a money pit that CL participation will not touch. Whilst this might seem like “ambition” at first blush, it is more akin to a panicked gamble to stay relevant rather than a considered build towards competitiveness. They’re not consolidating a top position utilising hard won monies, they’re increasing their debt just to keep up, and there’s no guarantee that they will.

FSG are repeating what previous owners have done and failed with, which was why they bailed out in the first place.

Spot on. They're just throwing money around and hoping it sticks. Trouble is, they're still miles off competing for titles etc. and CL qualification alone isn't enough to finance their spending spree, even after you take into account the money they'll make on Coutinho. Like you say, just smacks of them trying to make a "statement" that they're still one of the big boys.
 

TheChosenOne

A dislike or neg rep = fat fingers
Dec 13, 2005
47,870
49,700
I think you’re missing my point. Whilst they bought Coutinho at a good price, they look like they’re losing him now, and spent virtually all of it on VVD and Keita at well inflated prices. Add the £40 million for AOC, then whatever they pay for Coutinho’s replacement, the additional wages etc associated with those 4-5 players, plus whatever extra players like Mane et al will likely demand, and you have a money pit that CL participation will not touch. Whilst this might seem like “ambition” at first blush, it is more akin to a panicked gamble to stay relevant rather than a considered build towards competitiveness. They’re not consolidating a top position utilising hard won monies, they’re increasing their debt just to keep up, and there’s no guarantee that they will.

FSG are repeating what previous owners have done and failed with, which was why they bailed out in the first place.

AOC will be trousering about £30 million over the expected 5 year contract - that's some serious moolah.
 

piedpiper

Well-Known Member
Aug 14, 2008
3,758
6,763
I think you’re missing my point. Whilst they bought Coutinho at a good price, they look like they’re losing him now, and spent virtually all of it on VVD and Keita at well inflated prices. Add the £40 million for AOC, then whatever they pay for Coutinho’s replacement, the additional wages etc associated with those 4-5 players, plus whatever extra players like Mane et al will likely demand, and you have a money pit that CL participation will not touch. Whilst this might seem like “ambition” at first blush, it is more akin to a panicked gamble to stay relevant rather than a considered build towards competitiveness. They’re not consolidating a top position utilising hard won monies, they’re increasing their debt just to keep up, and there’s no guarantee that they will.

FSG are repeating what previous owners have done and failed with, which was why they bailed out in the first place.

I fully understood your point on the. financial aspect of their transfer dealings. Too much emphasis is placed on Coutinho's move... Which may or not happen. I dont think Liverpool are being reckless financially... They a world renowned club who have their finance guys managing that aspect.

I fully agree on the overspend on the 2 players. You may say that the CL returns are not going to cover for the overspend etc... Im not concerning myself with that. They are going to be more competitive in the league. They would go further in Europe etc and that will bring its own returns.
 

jurgen

Busy ****
Jul 5, 2008
6,710
17,167
69% wages to turnover on the last accounts suggests they're spending beyond their means already, chasing the dream, given that type of number is more associated with financially troubled clubs (and even West Ham are comfortably less). Maybe their new stand has mitigated that somewhat, who knows.

They were in the shit before they got bought out last time so they're clearly not infallible financially..
 

Lilbaz

Just call me Baz
Apr 1, 2005
41,363
74,893
69% wages to turnover on the last accounts suggests they're spending beyond their means already, chasing the dream, given that type of number is more associated with financially troubled clubs (and even West Ham are comfortably less). Maybe their new stand has mitigated that somewhat, who knows.

They were in the shit before they got bought out last time so they're clearly not infallible financially..

Keep saying it. Fsg sooner or later will want their money back.

Think it's massively important that they don't qualify for champions league this season.
 

HobbitSpur

The Voice of Reason
Jun 28, 2013
1,785
3,818
From Coutinho’s POV, if he joins in Jan and plays the remainder of the season, with Barca winning the title, doesn’t he get a winners medal?

So, bigger wage, playing for Barca (which would pretty much guarantee him a spot in the WC) and a title to his name, against possibly winning an FA Cup (they will not get near the title or CL).

Not really such a difficult choice when you think about it.

If we do not make it to the CL final and Coutinho does go I would love a Barca Liverpool Final.

Liverpool up by 1 with 5 mins to go. Bring on Coutinho and he bags a brace (one deep into injury time)

There would be a breakdown of monumental levels
 

wakefieldyid

SC Supporter
Jun 13, 2006
1,560
1,591
This was probably all agreed in the summer when he didn't get his move.
I'd suggest that it's all to do with cash-flow. Liverpool have committed ~ £170 million to the signings of Keita, Ox, and VVD and their lenders will want to see some certainty that the income from the Coutinho sale is safely in the bank. (Don't forget that at the time that they appointed Roy Hodgson as Manager in 2010, the Hicks/Gillette regime was believed to be about 48 hours away from taking LFC into administration, so football finance still makes lenders nervous.)
 

Chris Finch

Well-Known Member
Aug 14, 2012
1,769
7,136
If we do not make it to the CL final and Coutinho does go I would love a Barca Liverpool Final.

Liverpool up by 1 with 5 mins to go. Bring on Coutinho and he bags a brace (one deep into injury time)

There would be a breakdown of monumental levels
An excellent plan sir with just two flaws.
1. Coutinho would be cup tied so can’t play in the champions league for Barca.
2. Coutinho would be cup tied so can’t play in the champions league for Barca.

I know that is the same point but I felt it so important that I’d mention it twice
 

Kspur

Well-Known Member
Jul 13, 2014
498
739
An excellent plan sir with just two flaws.
1. Coutinho would be cup tied so can’t play in the champions league for Barca.
2. Coutinho would be cup tied so can’t play in the champions league for Barca.

I know that is the same point but I felt it so important that I’d mention it twice

Love red dwarf.
 

HobbitSpur

The Voice of Reason
Jun 28, 2013
1,785
3,818
An excellent plan sir with just two flaws.
1. Coutinho would be cup tied so can’t play in the champions league for Barca.
2. Coutinho would be cup tied so can’t play in the champions league for Barca.

I know that is the same point but I felt it so important that I’d mention it twice

We were talking hypothetically

I mean. Liverpool getting to final.............
 
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