17 Dec 2014

Next Manager? - 81% of LFC fans want 'inspiring' CL-winning boss to replace BR

Rafa Benitez remains 5-1 favourite to replace beleaguered Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, and with reports today suggesting that the Spaniard could be on the verge of leaving Napoli, the timing is clearly right for a return to Anfield. Do LFC fans want Benitez back, though?

In November, I conducted a poll on the site asking whether Benitez is a good choice to replace Rodgers:

* 16200 visitors (approx) participated in the poll.

* 81% of fans voted YES for a Benitez return.

Reports today suggest Benitez is 'close to the sack' at Napoli, and when asked recently about his future at Napoli, he made it clear yet again (albeit indirectly) that he'd love a return to Liverpool. He told CalcioMercato:

“My family is distant, my wife and my two daughters live in Liverpool. It’s the first time that they are not with me and it’s not easy. De Laurentiis knows very well how important the value of the family is.”".

The fact that Benitez wants to return to Liverpool at some point is beyond dispute. Last season, he emphatically told reporters:

"I know I will return to Liverpool as coach one day, almost certainly. What I don’t know is when but my wife and children still live there, so I will be back".

If Brendan Rodgers gets the red card, Benitez will - quite rightly - be a major contender for the job. I strongly advocated Benitez's departure in 2009, and I maintain it was the right decision to move him on at that time.

However, five years have passed, which is plenty of time to reflect on his initial six-year tenure, and given his nature, I'm sure Benitez has exhaustively analysed where he went wrong, and how he can improve things the second time around.

As such, he'd probably make a better Liverpool manager now, and despite being one of his biggest detractors, I'd absolutely support Benitez's return to Anfield.

In my view, football opinions should not be inflexible to the point of extreme intransigence; people change, learn, and, most importantly, grow, and with his experiences over the last five years, Benitez - described by Gary Monk in September as an 'inspiring' manager - remains an ideal candidate for the Liverpool job.

Additionally, given his love for the club, and deep connection with the fanbase, FSG will know that Benitez is capable of picking up the pieces very quickly, which may be necessary if Rodgers gets sacked in the new year.

Just to clarify: Benitez is not my preferred choice to take over from Rodgers; I'm merely saying that if FSG give him another chance in the Anfield hot-seat, I won't be too disappointed.

Benitez clearly has unfinished business at Liverpool, and it just feels like he is destined to return, and now may be the ideal time...

Author:


227 comments:

  1. Do you think FSG would even consider him Jaimie?

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  2. These are probably the same 81% who thought hiring the train wreck that was dalglish again..Isn't Rafa the same manager who has "grown" and "learned" enough to be a complete and utter failure at Inter, Chelsea and now Napoli and been shit canned by all 3 after taking the clubs backwards.. Hiring Rafa back will the 3rd stupidest thing FSG has done after Dalglish and Brenda... Stop living in the past.. why should we go from one loser to another... as a fan base we are delusional and stuck in the past and keeps coming back to kick us in the nuts...

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  3. I'm in the same boat JK, I certainly didn't object to Rafa's departure, but I think that he would be a decent choice to take the reigns. I think FSG would be pretty keen on getting him on board, if only to raise fan morale, as Rafa holds a huge spot in so many modern fans' hearts. I also feel like we would be able to attract some big names with Rafa's help, and it would be interesting to see how he would handle the current squad. We'd almost definitely see a return of the old 4-2-3-1 and hopefully more clean sheets!

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  4. The majority of supporters wanted Kenny back as well. Never go back I say. If it had to be Benitez, I'd rather stick with Rodgers

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  5. Kenny did well until he was given the money to spent. And you cannot give Kenny's reference to support your theory of never going back. Its not a rule.

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  6. Sorry but you are talking nonsense.

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  7. Why was KD a terrible choice? He has a massive love for the club, knows what it is like to win a title, knows the game, knows the players and knows how to run the team in Liverpool's style. His results weren't great but that doesn't mean it was a stupid decision. It's all very easy to criticise in hindsight but the owners dont have the ability to project the success or failure of a manager. Was appointing Klopp a mistake for Dortmund because he isn't doing well? Or was it a mistake to hold onto him over the summer? Your argument flawed as it is based on some kind of expectation that our board is psychic and can see how a manager will go after half a season. Likewise with the constant criticism of BR's transfers, I know I beat this drum with the reliable tenacity of a chihuahua on a stuffed toy but whether it is owners, board members, committees or managers, they can't read the future. If I told you that you could sign a versatile attacking midfielder/winger, who is in the peak 2-3 years of his career, is english so adds to the homegrown proportion of the squad, is good with both feet, scored a healthy 10 goals from midfield in a mid table side, was right up there in assists, has played with a sizeable group of our squad at both his former club and England, is a full international, has shown to possess a great partnership with one of our new strikers and loves the club, why wouldnt you go for it? Sure £25m sounds like a hell of a lot in hindsight, but given that bio, I'd say quite a few heads would be turned... Just remember that the owners and manager can't see into the future, they have to use the information at hand to make a decision.

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  8. May be BR is too limited to run a big club every week twice, when the aspiration is high. I do't think he is confident enough to spend 100mn. Rafa was handicapped by the owners & always had to compromise his transfer windows. With this unit, if he is given another 50mn + sales proceeds, I am sure he 'll make a top quality side.


    BR is a good coach, but I am not sure how good a Manager/tactician he is. Almost every time whenever he is facing a top Manager, he was found out, whereas, Rafa is a master tactician - he won La Liga twice over the 2 giants in Spain, took 2 average teams in 3 CL final. At LFC, he didn't have the team for 38 matches, but almost every head to heads, he matched Sir Alex, Wenger & JM. He took charge of LFC when Sir Alex & Wenger had 2 great teams & JM was backed by unlimited Mafia money, yet finished a head of them at least once in league & made 4 CL SF.


    Rafa is around 54 now, he has almost 2 decades left in Football, I 'll welcome him always in LFC.

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  9. Just in case BR is sacked in January, who should realistically replace him JK (& others), without day dreaming (Like JM, Pep, Deschamps, Hiddinks, LVG or Carlo), who among the followings, you think is the best fit


    Rafa
    AVB
    Simione
    Ronald Koeman
    RD Borr
    J Klopp
    Rene Girrard
    M Laudropp


    Or anybody else?

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  10. I was happy when rafa left and my opinion hasn't changed he's not really achieved anything since he left... Yes he won the Europa with Chelsea but I could do that with there squad I think he was lucky had gerrard in the prime of his life when he managed us x

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  11. Bang on. RAFA would sort out the spine. By next season we'd be challenging again. The incessant back passing would die over night. Discipline and a winning attitude would be back.

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  12. He spent half a season with Chelsea ...won a UEFA cup , semis of FA and salvaged a rapidly deteriorating season (nearly as bad as ours is at this point of time) to end up 3rd ..he spent no money (Chelsea bought Ba and sold Sturridge).
    He has been with Napoli for a season and a half...won the Coppa Italia, finished third and they had sold their biggest name Caviani the season before. This season is admittedly going great for them but they are only 2 points of third.
    He failed at Inter but he spent only half a season there( and didnt he win the World club championship) and they havent exactly the world alight ever since he left.

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  13. Rafa wins trophies everywhere he goes.......................simple as that, as well as CL qualification................who wants any of that????................ :-)

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  14. I'm sure Liverpool fans hated going to Wembley 3 times in one season under KD, as well as winning our last trophy!!!.

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  15. Look at his CV then comment.

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  16. Why let facts get in the way of a rant???................. :-)

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  17. No thank you. He is untouchable to some and could be the reason why he will not be brought back because if things go wrong again then everyone else will get the blame except for Rafa.

    Klopp, de Boer, Bielsa, Ancelotti, Klinsmann, Hiddink etc etc.



    Sure we can get one of the above mentioned.

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  18. Klopp, De Boer, Bielsa or Rafa...................any of them.

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  19. It is IMO highly unlikely that FSG will appoint Rafa. Ayre was involved in getting rid of Rafa. Doubt the discussions that have been had about Benitez before and after would have been in favour of him.


    Rafa was not even considered the last time by FSG when Rodgers was appointed so i think people are getting their hopes up far to high. In my humble opinion, Rafa will not manage LFC anytime soon.

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  20. Nevergonnacrackthecode7:35 am, December 17, 2014

    but abrahmovic was involved in getting rid of mourinho
    and then get him back
    ayre needs to get lost as well he is a yes man

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  21. And cautious football will once again reign at LFC.


    Never go back. We saw what happened with KD and it ended in tears. In order to move forward we need a manager who can take responsibility for his actions which is not what some of our managers have been very good at, especially Rafa.

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  22. Nevergonnacrackthecode7:38 am, December 17, 2014

    100% agree
    this would be a Rafa midfield
    ............Markovic..............Coutinho/Lallana....................Sterling
    ..................................Can/Henderson............Lucas


    im sure rafa would scrap Gerrard after he got him the sack
    and he will enver tolerate a player like Joe Allen

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  23. Oh for god's sake. Pete was right, you have a severe inability to comprehend points, and like Jaimie said, you make things go around in circles. You were acting like an arrogant tool. There.

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  24. You are an even bigger tool. If you do not like my comments then do not reply, ok?

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  25. Telling people not to reply isn't any kind of justification for acting like an arrogant douche, Logan.

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  26. I agree with Loganlfc below. Ian Ayres was part of the management that briefed against Benitez and removed him. In fact, if you do the tour of Anfield, there is not a picture of Rafa anywhere to be seen. Other past managers are there in abundance (except, perhaps, Hodgson, but that's understandable). Rafa has been airbrushed from history. He will never be called back while Ayres is there.
    I'd love to see him back

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  27. And who knows is it his real name...

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  28. Arrogant where? I replied to NGCTC talking about spending £200m?


    Are you blind?

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  29. It's the way you said it Logan. Do you really think I'm mad that you're not a Benitez fan?

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  30. Now you are moving away from


    "It has nothing to do with what your argument is".


    There was nothing wrong with what I have said. If you do not like then not my problem.


    And call me what you like, at least i do not have to resort to petty insults to try make myself look superior.

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  31. I have nothing against Rafa as a person but bringing him back will not solve our problems. It will just take us back to square one.

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  32. He didn't take Chelsea backwards at all.

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  33. Two reasons why I am against it- Xabi Alonso and Chelsea. But he is probably an upgrade on Br...

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  34. Dude, you really can't comprehend anything, can you?!


    My issue with your comment had nothing to do with your actual argument, so I'm not moving away from anything- It's the way you put forward your argument. 'Have a good day' is just an ironic demonstration of sheer arrogance to make yourself look superior.



    I didn't call you any petty insults, because I believe you actually were acting like a pr*ck.

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  35. Who cares about Chelsea, I don't think he ever emotionally invested himself into that club too much.

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  36. I cannot comprehend anything? That is your opinion right?


    Like I said, if you do not like what I have to say then rather not reply with petty insults or the dogmatic approach.


    Pete and yourself can go on all you like. If you do not like what i have to say then that is your prerogative.

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  37. 'Look' superior? To NGCTC?!?

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  38. That is my point, he went for the money, disregarding his emotions.

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  39. And I am unable to comprehend anything :-o

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  40. Don't give me the 'don't reply' line. It's not a justification for being a pr*ck.

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  41. Of course he went for the money. He was unemployed.

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  42. Being a pr*ck where? Where exactly?

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  43. I already showed you Logan.

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  44. Yes I heard he lived tougher than I did back than...
    Unemployed, ha...

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  45. Hate this going to Wembley three times nonsense. Just say two finals. Just because new rules mean more trips to Wembley doesn't add anything to the achievement. Also getting close doesn't mean anything so yeah league cup then 21 points in last 19 games. That is a record as bad as now.

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  46. Yes Orme, but all of his savings would eventually begin disappearing, wouldn't they? Football is his livelihood, and 2 years out of a job is a long time.

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  47. Jaimie, good article......


    I dont think it's a matter of the fans more the politics of the vested interests of people who remain at the club.
    Those that advised FSG NOT to pick Rafa when Kenny was sacked are still there.
    Ian Ayre actively pushed for Dalglish's appointment last time around OVER Rafa.
    Rafa in many ways would want control over a number of things which would mean autonomy in areas like player purchases, scouts, academy.
    With the way FSG have conducted this so called transfer committee I can't see Rafa Acquiescing to this format and nor would a Director of Football be suitable.
    The REAL question is not if Rafa would come back, rather is FSG prepared to remove those people behind the scenes ?
    It's obvious that Brendan Rogers cannot attract TOP CLASS talent.
    I've stated on here many times that players DO take note of the Manager/Coach before signing.
    Mourinho, Van Gaal, Wenger, Pellegrini ALL have the status to attract the best players.
    Its no accident that Higuain went Napoli, it was no accident that Rafa was able to attract Torres,Alonso,Arbeloa Mascherano.
    It was Rafa that FIRST wanted to sign Suarez not Dalglish he's been scouting Suarez for over a year.
    It was Rafa that signed Sterling not Dalglish or Hodgson.
    He also signed some terrible players as well I might he's not perfect believe me.
    The difference between Rafa and Brendan is the ability to attract and have enough contacts in enough countries to source players.
    Rafa has the RECORD of success that Rogers doesn't.
    In many ways this is similar to the Hodgson appointment, a man with no real track record of success.


    Don't get me wrong, I'm not calling for Rogers to go and feel he should be given NO EXCUSES, which means he must be given until the end of the season.
    FSG will have to make a decision about how they want to progress.
    Should a new Manager be brought in ? Or do they go Coach and DOF?
    The Transfer Committee is a failure thats for certain.
    FSG may not be able to swallow their pride and give the role to Rafa.
    Can FSG attract a TOP line coach who is NOT Rafa?


    We shall see

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  48. What, telling someone to have a good day when they say 'if Rafa had £200m to spend he would also have equal success' when Rafa spent more than that in his time at LFC?


    Again, what was wrong with my comment? Then NGCTC came with net spend. Excuse after excuse after excuse.


    If there is one thing that I do not tolerate, it is people who make constant excuses.


    There was nothing wrong with my reply. It is YOUR opinion that I was being a pr*ck.

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  49. I'm sorry, but Liverpool's success won't be primarily measured by the Wembley trip tally

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  50. Carlo Ancelotti would be the man to manage Liverpool, but damn it Real are playing to well. That's not to say he could not be sacked by an unpredictable club like Real.
    Re Rafa, I would say that collectively (attack and defence), Rafas team were stable. If you were 3 up you would not feel anxiety like we do currently! Also managers with pedigree attract better players. Something I feel lacking in BR.

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  51. Mate, when he left Liverpool he had enough money to buy food for the rest of his life, right? And a bit more, right? Other things, no I don't give a fcuk. Feel sorry for the millioners, they are used to expensive cocaine? No thanks.
    And nobody forced him to say all those thing about chelski when he was here. If BR goes there, so be it, if Kenny goes there, so be it. But he was big part of the hatric between the clubs, remeber..

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  52. What has Rodgers spent net spend?

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  53. You keep going so far off-topic that I can't be bothered anymore. Another example of why Jaimie and Pete are right.

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  54. I'm not sure what you're saying anymore because Ian Ayre in 2007 was hired as COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR.
    You previously stated on here that going back was a bad idea you advocate send Ian Ayre back to his old job?
    Very odd..

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  55. Oh I get it now, so those who are open to Rafa coming back as manager are not arrogant but those who are against his return are tools?


    F*ck me, now that is what you call being dogmatic!

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  56. What has Ayre got to with going back? There has been nobody working ahead of Ayre at the top other than FSG and Ayre has been there from the start since FSG took over the club. So what is your point?



    My argument is that we need someone at the top with a footballing brain so maybe you did not read my original reply properly?

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  57. ...
    ...
    ...What!? You are hilarious! Do you try to completely misunderstand what people are saying as some kind of unusual joke or something?

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  58. If winning trophies is considered to be a failure than who are the successes.

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  59. There is much argument about who is really at fault. That is because no one 100% understands what goes on behind closed doors.

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  60. rafa till the end of season and tell him "get us top 4 or win the europa league the job is yours" somehow get us back in champions league

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  61. i actually like this midfield!

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  62. he had to buy to sell his most expensive signing was torres at 20 mill

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  63. rafa till the end of season and tell him "get us top 4 or win the europa league the job is yours" somehow get us back in champions league

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  64. You stated on this very thread that going back was a bad idea.
    I clearly stated that Ian Ayre was the Commercial Directors in 2007 only to position.
    Something you stated he should do again despite you saying no one should go back to their previous role.
    I read you original reply and I don't agree with you.
    I hope thats clear enough.
    The reason I don't agree is that I think Ian Ayre is port of the problem in terms of his abilities.
    He has NO PLACE on a transfer committee, PRECISELY because he's NOT a football man.
    Your view that he's good with money is not shared by Huddersfield Town Fans who if you can be bothered to read,will tell you just how poor he was with money.

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  65. spot on analysis especially about suarez and sterling i've been screaming that for years!!!!!

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  66. rafa till the end of season and tell him "get us top 4 or win the europa league the job is yours" somehow get us back in champions league

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  67. rafa till the end of season and tell him "get us top 4 or win the europa league the job is yours" somehow get us back in champions league....

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  68. No, I am making the point that Ayre should not be involved in the footballing side. I did not make the decision to have him part of the transfer committee.


    I said that he should be commercial director. The clubs commercial revenue is on a level competing with the teams ahead of us so credit where credit is due.


    What has Ayre got do do with going back when he has been at the club from the start of FSG's reign and has been running the club in any case from the start?


    Not sure what you are getting at.


    We are talking about the next manager and not bringing someone back from the past. Ayre has been here from the start of FSG's reign so what does going back have to do with that?

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  69. I'm very split between this one to be honest.

    Benitez is Liverpool through and through... I know he has learned a lot through his experiences so that bodes well. But it's not like he has impressed.

    I just think we should consider other targets but if FSG give Benitez £100 then I'm sure he would do a much better job than BR. Then again Benitez did buy some dross...But through a solid 3 years we have one of the best teams around.

    Funny thing is Benitez would probably put Balotelli on the wing like he did with Cisse! Balo will have no chance!

    Still think we should go for other targets like Simeone, maybe even Klopp although he is doing poorly in the Bundesliga this season.

    De Boer? Maybe.

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  70. To us the words of the legendary music group E-Rotic. Max don't have sex with your ex. It will make your life complex.

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  71. Man, if we can get Klopp then i will be over the moon but sadly, I think City already have him lined up.

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  72. I'm sorry but I am relieving you of your position as Director of Football... DerBaumMann you're up!

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  73. That was to illustrate that the majority vote isn't necessarily the right decision. Now in fairness, I agree putting Kenny in place as a caretaker wasn't a bad idea, although I believe Hogdson was treated unfairly, and he did a proper job turning things around. The mistake was to leave him in place.

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  74. RD Borr should be Frank de Boer? If so, him.

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  75. My personal opinion aside, do you believe Benitez would work with a transfer committee?

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  76. That just about describes exactly how I feel about that whole situation.

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  77. No Ian Ayre was the NOTHING to do with the commercial deals with Gurada Indonesia,Dunkin Donuts , Warrior & Subway were all started and done AFTER Ayre was removed from the commercial director role so you cannot attribute these to him.
    Ian Ayre & Michael Gordon have NO place on the transfer committee.
    They are NOT in anyway football related have no understanding of the technical aspects of football.
    My point is that UNTIL these people have their feet held to the fire of WHAT role is and they are publicly accountable .
    Ian Ayre needs to go precisely because he's been there since the beginning while we've had 3 Managers since FSG.

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  78. As chair of the transfer committee, no less. You're right; he displayed all his football knowledge at Huddersfield Town, which wasn't a lot judging by what I read about that gig.

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  79. So who is doing business for us commercially now?

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  80. Given your recent protestations and impression I thought you knew...as I said do some reading before having these kinds of debates

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  81. Liverpool is a British club...

    This comment actually made me chuckle.

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  82. Also because if he didn't get a job he would have been booted from the country, or something.


    The Chelski fans hated him from the word go, which means I don't have to dislike him for going there.

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  83. Here's some juicy Liverpool gossip:


    *Owners are reviewing transfer committee before window opens. They will review how the signings have unfolded, and will pinpoint who exactly decided that they were the players Liverpool needed. One particular player under scrutiny is Lallana, considering he cost 25 million and has yet had no more impact than Coutinho has. Another is Mario, since Bony could have been bought for only 3 million more.


    *This window is back or sack for Rodgers. If you only see loan signings, It's an indication that FSG intend for him to be gone by next season, since they don't want players signed on a permanent basis; players who the new manager might not even want anyway.
    If you see the cheque book opened however- intended for a striker, mid, GK and a couple of loans- FSG intend to have him next season.


    *Of course, the above two scenarios can end in alternate ways. If they back him, but the Jan signings don't perform (and the team flops), then he will be sacked, meaning the new manager will need to clear deadwood anyway. If they don't back him, yet the intended loan signings change LFC's fortunes around, then they might have to reconsider their BR stance.

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  84. I think it's worth looking at the tanking times metric for football inflation. A twenty million player then is like a thirty million player now.

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  85. Apparently Ayre isn't on the conmittee a guy who is FSG rep is.

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  86. I thought that would be your answer.


    Billy Hogan joined the club in May 2012. The warrior deal was announced before that.


    Ayre is MD of LFC but is also part of the committee so he is involved in more than one aspect which will also still involves building the revenue stream.


    Like I said credit where credit is due, he should be made made commericial director and FSG should appoint a footballing brain to run the club. That has been my argument all along so still not sure what you are trying to get at.

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  87. Ibe killed Ivanovic last night, by the way...

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  88. Striker, mid, GK and a couple of loans - sounds good to me.

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  89. Nope, Ayre is the chair of the transfer committee. There is an FSG rep on the committee too, though.

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  90. Ian Ayre is on the transfer committee the following people are on it:


    Mike Gordon, director (non football fsg man)
    Ian Ayre, chief executive officer (non football H&G survivor)

    Dave Fallows, head of recruitment (quasi dof)

    Barry Hunter, chief scout ( very poor one)

    Michael Edwards, head of performance and analysis (fsg money ball stato)

    Brendan Rodgers, manager

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  91. Oh and Konoplyanka, too.

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  92. No credit is not due where it's not merited.
    The Warrior, Standard Chartered, Dunkin Donuts, Garuda Indonesia Commercial Sponsorship deals were ALL done when Ian Ayre was NOT the commercial director.
    You attributing to them while desperately trying to justify your opinion, just doesn't hold up under scrutiny.
    Billy Hogan the Commercial Officer also doesn't sit on the LFC board.
    As I keep telling you do some reading on these issues when debating them in such detail

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  93. Say what?

    Billy Hogan joins Liverpool FC

    24th May 2012 - Latest News

    Author:
    Liverpool FC

    Liverpool FC today announced that Billy Hogan has been named Chief Commercial Officer.

    In this position, Hogan will work closely with Liverpool's Managing Director Ian Ayre and be responsible for all club-controlled revenue and business development, including sponsorships, ticketing and hospitality, retail and merchandise, club memberships, club tours and friendlies as well as Liverpool FC's Soccer Schools.



    Yawn.

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  94. Say what?

    Billy Hogan joins Liverpool FC

    24th May 2012 - Latest News

    Author:
    Liverpool FC

    Liverpool FC today announced that Billy Hogan has been named Chief Commercial Officer.

    In this position, Hogan will work closely with Liverpool's Managing Director Ian Ayre and be responsible for all club-controlled revenue and business development, including sponsorships, ticketing and hospitality, retail and merchandise, club memberships, club tours and friendlies as well as Liverpool FC's Soccer Schools.

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  95. Sooner the new manager comes in, better are our chances of qualifying for ECL next season. Sack BR now and hire Rafa!!!

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  96. 81 percent of voters want Rafa back thats a shock considering his recent poor record ok who voted 6000 times.

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  97. I have to admit this whole transfer committee idea has thrown me off a bit. How do you decide who is responsible for failed transfers? I mean, someone has to "have the D" as they say. Someone has to be the one deciding vote. Otherwise, a manager can quite simply claim that he was forced to work with players he didn't want in the first place. And anyone else on the committee can claim the same. Oh but I didn't want this player but got outvoted.

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  98. Lallana playing with injuries gives him leeway in my book i hope they sell Coutinho i dont see him as a much better player since the day he arrived sell while he has some value.

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  99. One of the reason that I want BR out is we could have saved hell lot of money by avoiding purchases like Ilori, Aspas, Alberto, Markovic, Lallana, Lovren, Sakho by promoting players like Ibe, Wisdom, Suso, Kelly, Teixiera....Am sure they wouldn't have done any worse than the players we have bought. Also keeping Agger was a better choice than buying Lovren/Sakho. Am not saying all these in the hindsight but Agger sale really frustrated me. I was not happy with 99% of BR's signing.

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  100. Recent poor record?

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  101. That's a big reason I'm still fully behind BR, too. If it's true that some of these guys are not 'his' players, then it's unfair that he gets fired for the team not performing to the desired standard.

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  102. It makes sacking people easier as it has continuously stated that it is not down to one person but a combined decision so there can be no finger pointing.

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  103. Inter sacked him and Napoli are just about to didnt you hear that!

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  104. OK Logan so be it .


    A quote from the FT '
    Liverpool has one competitive advantage. FSG, whose majority owner is John W Henry, owns other sports teams, notably the Boston Red Sox, and this helps opens doors to some of its commercial deals.

    US sportswear company Warrior Sports, the baseball team’s kit supplier, is now Liverpool’s kit supplier. Dunkin’ Donuts, was already a Red Sox sponsor and that made the Liverpool discussion an easier one for them.'



    So ...to clarify the discussion with Warrior & Dunkin, were NOTHING related to your view these are Ian Ayre achievements.


    Add to that New Balance who own Warrior, of course you knew this.
    That deal is with all FSG own 'franchises' which include the RED SOX and Liverpool FC as well as Dunkin Donuts etc.


    Let see where you go with this

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  105. Even if you consider the transfers approved or preferred by BR, I don't think the success rate would differ much. BR needs to go, I have made up mind. Not only transfers but the fact that he hasn't been able to sort out defence with 3 years in charge is a joke really. In addition, his insistence on leaving Lucas out of the team and relying on Gerrard for the DM role is another unavoidable factor. BR OUT.

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  106. Well mate then FSG are paying Ayre and Hogan to work at LFC for free.


    FSG do everything for them I guess, even wipe their behinds.

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  107. couinho is awesome maybe his form has dipped but he needs runners to play his through balls like suarez and sturridge but instead we have Lambert! once again we buy overrated british players what has any british players done since 1966?

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  108. Inter Milan was (is) a team in downfall. Even after Rafa, the club continuous to struggle. Rafa's record before Liverpool was outstanding, with Liverpool was great and after Liverpool is not bad either. He is currently my preferred choice as a BR replacement. I hope we don't go for Klopp.

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  109. You don't like the fact that you WRONG.
    Anway what FSG pay Ayre and Hogan is not my concern.
    Your staunch defence of something that was factually incorrect has been proven but we can go round this again if you want.

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  110. Because the Brits are sh#te at international football that doesnt mean they havent produced many wonderful players.
    Coutinho is a liability mate his work rate just isnt high enough he cant defend to save himself.

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  111. what work rate does gerrard do? nobody asks of his work rate he is a number 10 like it says on his boot work rate should be done by Can lucas henderson allen and those type of midfielders

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  112. I've always felt rafa was a chequebook manager. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but I don't think I can recall many transfers which cost a pretty penny that didn't work out. OK, so there was keane, but we recouped most of what we paid 6 months down the line and he scored a few goals for us (special one v arsenal), aquilani (who I still maintain we did not pay the full fee for, was all dependent on clauses, it couldn't not be seeing as he was injured at the time), and possibly babel (scored the winner v mancs, overall I'd say he was probably worth what we paid seeing as we could afford it (we spent £20M on torres and £5m each on lucas and benayoun in the same window).
    FSG will back him (if he comes back) initially, as they've shown with Kenny (£50M-ish on carroll and suarez) and BR (£25M on allen and borini), and im convinced his track record will mean he will be relatively successful and then continue to be backed (and on and on and on...). Also, and I know people will kick up a fuss about this so im raising it now, I prefer rafa's style of play to BR. when we were on song, we scored over 100 goals a season (which people conveniently forget), without looking so defensively vulnerable. Almost certainly means sakho will be in the first team too, which i'd personally be delighted about

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  113. FSG back manager in their second season in charge so I hope we hire Rafa right now!!

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  114. Well think about this Rafa screwed up at Liverpool was great lost the plot not a manager trenown for bringing through young talent.
    If we were to get him may as well scrap the academy and much of the enjoyable attacking football is gone as is many of our overpriced players for bugger all.Leaving Rafa to also waste a shedload on transfers i liked Rafa but onwards and upwards.

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  115. me to rafa rafa benitez!!!!!!!!!!!

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  116. Gerrard has been a legend his time is nearly up hes getting old Coutinho is not a legend and never will be.

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  117. That I am wrong about Ayre having been commercial director before being MD and still being involved with Hogan on the commercial side?


    I want to work for FSG, that way I will get paid for doing nothing! We may as well have nobody in Ayre and Hogan's positions. Will ease the stress on our wage bill.


    I will give you one thing, at least you do not resort to petty insults.

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  118. Or backwards and downwards, which seems more likely at the minute.

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  119. Poor, poor Ivanovic. Ibe finished what Suarez couldn't.

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  120. Yeah his role on the transfer committee is to advise a course of spending and weigh up funds spent wages etc not to analyze players.

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  121. Then he is definitely not coming back.

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  122. Dont worry Ash it cant get much worse lets see how Bournemouth go tomorrow.

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  123. was gerrard a legend at 21? get your head out gerrards backs*de he is finished time to move him on too old and legs gone gerrard is 30% of the problem this season

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  124. I think Coutinho is underestimated in workrate. I feel he does his defensive work. Regardless, he has that swagger about him which is likeable and you need those kinds of players. But, I feel that COutinho is heavily reliant on Sturridge. They both have a telepathic understanding and Coutinho's only good games last season came when Sturridge was there. Remember the Arsenal ggame where Coutinho was all over Wilshere.

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  125. Rafa wont be bringing them kids through he really doesnt fit FSGs policies he wont want to do it their way so i say no Rafa.

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  126. It is a pity that we wasted all that money this season when we could have gone after 3 or 4 really quality players and promoted youngsters from the academy. Pay £25m for Lallana when we already had Ibe. Lallana is not even a regular, money pissed down the drain.

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  127. Cant handle the truth boy no ones a legend a 21 in football Coutinho is 22 anyway and like it or not little fella he will never be a Legend.
    I suggest you check your facts and show a bit of respect sunshine.

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  128. Top of the table in the Championship and are not struggling to score goals. Cannot say that i am too excited about this match.

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  129. Yes a lot of people on here couldnt see it during the transfer window wonder what they have to say now still stunned they bought so many yet no true D.M.
    Can can play there but he prefers the central position we are going to lose a fortune on many of these and i just dont think theres a lot of cash left.

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  130. I wont see it Loges too busy and its not on tv here.

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  131. Can is the best signing this season IMO. Whenever he has played he has steamrolled anything and everything in front of him. Proper box to box player but would even have him at DM right now. His pace, mobility and presence is something that there for everyone to see. He is only going to get better if you give him regular football.

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  132. He is quite good but his prefence is still to play central.

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  133. I am hoping too see Sakho, Can and Markovic in the team for the Bournemouth match.


    Knowing Rodgers he will stick to selecting his mates.

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  134. It will be interesting i hope a few of the kids get a run but with his back to the wall i dont think he will do it.

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  135. For a start people on here arguing to let sterling have his money...why he has no end product ...his shooting is wayward and inconsistent his crosses are terrible. Yes he is fast and nifty but what is the point if you cannot do anything with it.Sterling should button it and wait till Liverpool have no choice but to give him a new deal due to how he is playing not because he says so.So he has scored 3 goals in the league this season and is young - if your good enough your old enough...Sterlings poor league form this year is not to do with his age..Talk of Madrid and Bayern being interested makes me laugh ..he wouldnt get near their reserve team never mind the first team..all paper talk because he is English.

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  136. Sid we need to sell to buy and half the rubbish we have wont bring much money if there is to be a new manager there are certain players who will need to go whilst they still have value.

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  137. Hoping we can win but just cannot see it.

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  138. "If Sterling could finish like brazilian Ronaldo" ...im sure there are hundred of teams saying stupid statements like that around the world...the reality is he cannot and never will. Its like saying " oh if we had messi we would have won" ---utter crap

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  139. It will be close but in reality Rodgers has so many problems with the league it may be a blessing to lose.

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  140. A knew centre half is needed Sahko does not an will not cut it ...Lovern maybe with some protection infront of him, but we will be moaning about Sahko this time next year-looks like a good player does not mean he is.Errors galore in him.Headless chicken comes to mind.

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  141. Origi is raw and looks like potentially a very good talent if not played to death by Rodgers next season. Markovic looks lost and over hyped-fast does not mean good.

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  142. Recent report from James Pearce. Ayre did get a promotion maybe at that point someone else came in. I wi check for the name.

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  143. According to Rodgers he decides who they buy...so maybe its just down to him at the end of the day.Who is to say those players would have wanted to sign for liverpool.Eriksen was close to signing but made the personal option of going to Spurs-nothing anyone could do about that.

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  144. Correct hes a winger that cannot cross---eah houston we have a problem! I know lets give him more money

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  145. I think Coutinho is starting to get too much benefit of the doubt.

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  146. Honesty Ayre is not. Not anymore anyway. A guy Called Mike Gordon is. FSG dude.

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  147. Recent report from James Pearce. Ayre did get a promotion maybe at that point someone else came in. I wi check for the name.

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  148. I do not think BR is to fussed about the result especially when the writing is on the wall for him.


    How much longer we need to be put through this agony is going to be down to FSG finding the best possible solution to replace BR. Hopefully the next appointment/s will finally take the club forward. Fingers crossed.

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  149. Petty insults? Grow a pair of balls. Calling out someone for acting like an arrogant pr*ck is not a petty insult. You've muddied the waters of what it actually means...another hobby of yours.

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  150. Oh I'm not saying Rodgers isn't responsible, just that it's not clear who has the final say. If transfer targets are decided on by the majority vote that is insane because then the manager could be outvoted by the others and end up with a team of players he doesn't want. And who in their right mind coming in would agree to work in those conditions?

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  151. You've lost me now. How does it make it easier?

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  152. It was Rafa who reorganised the academy to make it more effective

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  153. That's what I can't accept though. I can not believe the manager does not at least have to agree on any possible target. Even on the list that was posted earlier there are a lot of players we did sign and who haven't made an impact yet at all. The only problem is that the one that everyone agrees on, Balotelli, is now shoved onto someone else's plate. And that's why I'm having a hard time believing this list is not made up. It's all a bit too convenient to me.

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  154. exactly my point! you answered your own question son...... nobody is bigger than LFC Gerrard needs to go no need for grandads in the team but i suppose rodgers cannot drop his landlord

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  155. I don't think that BR don't have a final say. He took the Liverpool job on the condition that he won't work with DoF. This suggests that BR wants full control of club transfers.

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  156. No i answered your garbage i never said Gerrard was bigger than the club stop ranting.

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  157. How many came through while he was there to be regulars.

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  158. Sweet baby Jebus NOOOO, not Rafa, if FDG have any intelligence they should be trying to secure Klopp asap. It's gonna take a big name like him to bring in a better tier of player to move the club on and his football is exciting to watch. Klopp for the Kop.

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  159. go back to work..... coutinho and sturridge are our only decent signings the rest are garbage need alot of clearing out to do starting with rodgers and his landlord

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  160. Wonder why you never said that last season no guts or what if you cant support us when we lose dont bother while we are winning.

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  161. If FSG had given Rodgers the full responsibility of spending the most money this club has ever seen in one season then sacking him would go against their long term principles.


    Having a committee (more than one person responsible) which Rodgers is part of the decision making gives FSG the ammo to fire at will. Rodgers cannot point fingers at FSG for putting to much pressure on him with that amount of money. FSG would have explained to everyone on the committee what is expected of them? Even Ayre could lose his job now.

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  162. I doubt whether Ayres had any input into the players they got his was more of an accountant i would reckon and a chairperson.

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  163. Ayre would have been part of the process of making FSG sign the cheques. He is the money man after all and loads of money has been wasted this season.

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  164. Yeah but Loges the money is allocated by FSG he has to oversee contracts wages etc he would have no input into who is worth what and how good they are etc.

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  165. But being part of the committee Ayre could have advised FSG that spending £25m on Lallana will come back to bite us. FSG would have had input from all the members of the committee and input such as for instance Ayre being against signing Lallana could save him his job if that was the case. Majority rules and the majority who got it wrong will have to pack their bags and fact is that Rodgers would have had to agree to every signing so he is toast.

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  166. Who says as a member of the committee he votes on who comes i dont reckon he does his job is not on field related.

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  167. It is rather convenient, yes. Even if, say, Moreno, Balotelli, Can and Markovic were signings that BR didn't want, his team selection this season was hindering us. He might have been cutting the nose to spite the face, which I can't entirely blame him for, but still...

    I think we need clarity on this issue, which we sure as heck aren't going to get from Brendan 'Cloak" Rodgers and Ian 'Daggers' Ayre. If/when one of them leaves, they'll probably publish a version of this story in a book somebody else wrote for them. Until then we're left to speculate. My wish is for BR to succeed at Liverpool, anyway.

    It's still an unhealthy situation for a transfer committee to be chaired by anyone other than a manager or a DoF, especially when that Chayre (see what I did there - sorry) is not a football man.

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  168. Ayre is MD, he has a big say on what happens at the club. That is why I have repeatedly said in this thread that we need someone with a footballing brain to look after the club.


    When it comes to discussing money then Ayre should be present. When it comes to running the football side then Ayre should stay clear.

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  169. He still has to be there Loges voting or not he has to be advised on maximum wage to offer maximum fee offered and agents fees.
    Then he must advise how much left to spend and where the moneys going.

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  170. But that is the money side of things. Sending him to Spain or wherever else in the world to try and convince players to join LFC is going to see us fail.

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  171. As we saw with Konoplyanka :-)

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  172. Money is the issue for example if we had paid 3 million for Lovren and 2 million for Markovic and wages to match no one would be complaining much.

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  173. How is that?

    We should not have Rafa back at Helm, he is the past. He is the reason X Alonso(32)and C Bellamy(34) left the club during their peak years.


    He won us champions league and made us a force in Europe, but he is the past. We need a new manager who also brings attacking football, who will not need shambolic transfer commitee that is currently in place at club.


    And the buying into potential crap needs to put to back burner, manager should be able to bring in top class experienced players or world class experienced players to club as we have wasted millions millions on potential over the last two seasons and most of them were abyzmal, shocking and have not made the grade.

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  174. We definitely need to start bringing in some experienced players, yes. This 'buy to sell' mentality is ludicrous and as you say, failing.

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  175. Liverpool is too weak in the transfer market and that has been for so many years. We take ages to sign a player that others sign in days. We need more impetus in the market. We are not taken seriously and that needs to be changed.

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  176. My paradox is that I would love Rafa back but not at the expense of Rodgers.

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  177. Ok Sid youve convinced i will take the job.

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  178. That was never going to happen though. Lovren played for an English club on the up and he was one of their top players so just like Lallana we were asked to pay an arm and leg.


    Chelsea had first option to sign Markovic so just like Bayern Munich, they made money off us on the Emre Can signing.

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  179. Yeah i know Loges just saying all is relative to money isnt it thats the bottom line.

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  180. How can say he's garbage? We never see him. He's never been given a chance at Liverpool.

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  181. Like I said, Ayre's input on suggesting for instance that paying £25m for Lallana could save him his job even though he had to do the convincing that the majority said yes to Lallana.


    Not saying that is what happened but just using an example of what could have happened. That way FSG can sit with every single member of the committee and figure out who needs to go and who does not. Unfortunately for Rodgers he will go first but at least FSG will not look to 'ruthless' by sacking those who 'agreed' with him.

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  182. Really doubt that Lallana had Rodgers written all over him i just had that feeling he wanted him regardless but i may be wrong.
    One thing Loges committees are funny things ive been on a few they all work differently but one things for sure many buy votes by agreeing to fulfill theyre own agenda.
    On the whole committees often just dont work.

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  183. There is no doubt Rodgers wanted Lallana and some would have agreed and the majority vote would have sealed the deal.


    If there was a majority vote on a player that Rodgers did not want then he could have declined on signing the player but if it was his decision to sign the player even though he did not want the player then he is responsible for that player being here.


    Doubt FSG would have sanctioned money for any of the players if they did not get the go ahead from Rodgers otherwise getting rid of him would be egg in the face.

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  184. I have the feeling Werner and Henry may need to take more of an interest in football getting advice like they do is good but you still have to weigh up the advice you get.

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  185. Hopefully the advice they are getting from the outside this time works out better than the advice they got the previous time when Rodgers was appointed.


    You live, you learn but another oops will see this club be brought down to it's knees again.

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  186. Money wise the club will remain stable but performance wise well?

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  187. Once the stadium is revamped then financially the club will survive but if success on the pitch is still non existent then forget about it.

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  188. These guys are smart money men there will be no repeat of H and G mate with the revamp the club is a more saleable asset also much of the debt is going things wont reach them depths possibly ever.

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  189. Like a symbiotic relationship? Or would you prefer to splice Brendan and Rafa together in some hideous genetic experiment
    a la Brundlefly?

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  190. I watched 'The Thing' the other night (not the first time though). The horror from the 80's with Kurt Russel and pretty sure it was 'scary' back then but my word it is a poor film. That is what I would expect from a combination of Rafa/Rodgers.

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  191. Brafa. It's got potential. At least we'd have a fly on the wall in the transfer committee meetings. But it would herald our Doom. I'm overdoing it.

    I had to Google Brundlefly. Monstrous beauty. Perhaps he could play in our midfield.

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  192. Yeah never got scared by many horrors actually but the omen movies scared the bejesus out of me the music and sound effects still give me a chill.
    Now days though the stock exchange news frightens me more.

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  193. LFC Twitter data : David Moyes' Man Utd were four points and three league places better off at this stage last season as Liverpool are right now.

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  194. Hahaha best post of the day..... thanks for making me smile.

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  195. I'm surprised that of the 16 000's and 18 000's who come on here and vote on these polls only roughly 1% care to comment ?

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