5 May 2015

Transfer Update: Liverpool chase 'exceptional' £15m record-setter who almost signed for LFC in 2013

In April 2013, Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic admitted that he was 'happy' to be linked with a summer transfer to Liverpool, and the Reds were heavily linked with Bosnian stopper before ultimately deciding to go with Simon Mignolet. It's an open secret that Brendan Rodgers is actively trying to sign another goalkeeper, and new reports today suggest that Begovic is back on the manager's transfer wish-list.

According to the Daily Express:

* Liverpool, Arsenal and Real Madrid are all interested in signing £15-rated Begovic.

* The 27-year old stopper is allegedly 'far from happy' about being out of the starting XI.

Stoke boss Mark Hughes has dropped 'exceptional' Begovic for recent games, and explaining his decision over the weekend, he told reporters:

"Asmir wants to play every game, but I explained the reasons behind my decision. I'm very fortunate to have three excellent keepers, so whoever I pick I'm going to get a decent performance".

At one point during the summer of 2013, it seemed like a deal had already been concluded, when Begovic told the Bosnian media:

"I want to start preparing on July 10, with all the players of Liverpool”

It seems as if Begovic is experiencing the same thing as Mignolet, i.e. being taken out of the firing line as a result of a middling period of form.

Contrary to the Express report, though, he seems happy at Stoke, and when asked last month about his future, he enthused:

"I’ve always been very settled and satisfied here. I’ve a year left on my contract and so I’m pretty calm with the situation. We will talk when the time is right and see if we can make it a long-term one.”

Things change quickly in football, though, and with Jack Butland seemingly being positioned as Stoke's number-one goalkeeper, Begovic's alleged ire is certainly understandable. How does Begovic compare to the Mignolet:

* Begovic: 209 goals conceded in 172 apps (for Stoke)
* 50 clean sheets (1 every 3.4 games)
* 1.2 goals conceded per game.

* Mignolet: 240 goals conceded in 191 apps (Sunderland and LFC)
* 61 clean sheets (1 every 3.1 games)
* Concedes 1.3 goals per game.

Goalkeeping legend Gordon Banks is a fan of Begovic, and in a recent interview, he raved:

"First of all, let me say he's had a great season and I've said to a lot of people that he's definitely up there now with the top three goalkeepers in this country. He's terrific."

Begovic entered the Guiness Book of Records last season for scoring a goal from the longest ever distance in football association history (91.9 metres), but is he a better option than Mignolet?

Author: Jaimie K


106 comments:

  1. Nicolas Chamberlain2:30 pm, May 05, 2015

    The Guardian wrote that we are going for Neto.
    I hope you're right Jaimie, we should stop buying players from the Serie A. They are cursed.

    ReplyDelete
  2. problem i have with mignolet is he just doesn't fit a purpose. he isn't top 4 first team quality and he isn't young or on a second keeper wage. makes the goal keeper transfer strategy hard. do we sign a number 1? or a younger cheeper number 2? i say sign a number 1 stick around with two wages for a year then sell the one that has the worst season next year. bernd leno is my preference.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Yes need to buy a new #1 GK. Whoever it is needs to be an upgrade on Migs and not another try and buy.

    For me the answer is Cech to provide 3 years of stability.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Frankie Fletcher2:53 pm, May 05, 2015

    Sign him up! If he is reportedly annoyed at lack of first team appearances and Mark Hughes bragging about having 3 quality goalkeepers, this might be a good chance to get a quality keeper at a bargain price. Begovic can command his box and the back 4 better than mignolet can and can perform reflex saves just as good.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Not enough of an upgrade, in my humble yet esteemed opinion. Mignolet's done alright. Just needs to work on his kicking - better still, Rodgers can have us play without the goalie needing to be as good as Reina or Valdes with their feet.

    ReplyDelete
  6. He was my first choice when we bought Simon, now I am not sure it would make sense..

    ReplyDelete
  7. It's so unfair to say last season was solely due to Suarez but then blame Rodgers for throwing it away at the end against Chelsea and Palace. It's either Suarez's season or it isn't. People picking and choosing things to make Rodgers look bad. He gets no credit for getting us to 1st with 3 games left, but takes all the blame for our implosion at the end.


    Rodgers takes a lot of blame for things this season but he deserves one more season to show if he has learnt from his mistakes or not. Can't invest 3 years 'teaching' a manager and then dispose of it. If we are heading nowhere next season, then he has to go. But he deserves to, and will, be here next season.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Coutinho? Italian players never do well but non-Italians from the Serie A do not follow the trend.

    ReplyDelete
  9. He has been excellent over the past few seasons but has been poor this season and made a lot of mistakes. If we need to replace Mignolet, sign a world class keeper.

    ReplyDelete
  10. ..nd disappeared when Louis went to Barca

    ReplyDelete
  11. Didn't see him this season, but even if he stayed on his level, I wouldn't go for him. Even the best keepers need time to settle, that season was good for settling, next season we need to know what to expect and Migs- and I think it is good enough.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Mignolet must have the worst possible distribution stat. totally hopeless in this department.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Well he's not spent as much as rodgers has these past 3 years.
    He's been in the cl for the last 3 years and he might just get in again by winning the Europa.
    He's not jesus but he's better than rodgers. And is the most successful coach who might just be available this summer.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wishful thinking on your part that BR has the tactical nous to be able to do that ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Bosnian, not a serb!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Already edited, Jaimie must be watching closely what are you posting..

    ReplyDelete
  17. Are you proposing to give BR time until X-mas, and if it is not working out, moving him on then?

    ReplyDelete
  18. Agree on the last point. Do not change the manager for change sake, but if we can attract a manager of higher quality/pedigree that now is the time to change.

    The question thereafter is what is the yardstick to be used to determine "better than BR" and do the majority for fans agree with this approach?

    ReplyDelete
  19. Alas FSG will never go for Rafa..

    Additionally there is a sizable contingent of LFC fans who have bought into the negative hysteria and FSW media portrayal of Rafa which has tarnished his reputation.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Well I remember us being linked with him. And he's said more than once he'd love to be back in England. All we have have to do is welcome him with a structure he'll requires and he'll come in. No doubt

    ReplyDelete
  21. Un reliable players he has signed. Because frankly let's be honest we'll never sign any worldclass players without a worldclass manager or a manager who commands respect with his cv alone. He's done his job. He's stabilised the club. But don't u think it's time we kick on an start challenging.
    All those so called richer teams are richer because they consistently compete in the champions league. Something we haven't done in a while. If last year alone we made more tv money than even the winners. Thats should be a cue that we need constant success to be able to compete.

    ReplyDelete
  22. You make two great points in one post.

    1. Currently, LFC financially are at a level where we should expect to finish 5-7 on a regular basis in the EPL. Do the vast hordes of LFC fans globally understand this and therefore set expectations accordingly? I've asked this question many times previously, and the answer I always get back mostly is we should be aiming top 4.

    2. On the rare occasion that we actually managed to over achieve last year and we got a windfall in cash and CL football (excluding the Suarez sale), why o why did BR waste that opportunity, especially as Man U were and still are in a transition state?

    ReplyDelete
  23. I think there are far too many fans think Rodgers is worse than he is. I think we can and have done worse. Hodgeson keeps me.worried.s

    ReplyDelete
  24. Some folks through "blind" loyalty are willing to give BR as much time as is needed to allow him to find his inner strength.

    However, as you rightly have pointed out, if you've not discovered this yet after 3 years, it is ultimately never likely to be found..

    ReplyDelete
  25. As I've said before, Hodgson was a joke - so he does not even register on the scale.

    BR should be given credit for finishing 2nd last year - so he at least registers on the scale.

    The question now is whether to stick with BR, or can we get in someone better.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Son heung min!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Took Ferguson seven years to discover it..

    ReplyDelete
  28. If we can then sound but let's make sure the fella can just walk in. No messing around like we have done before.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Truth is I have no idea how much h they have spent. I think they are bnot uoutspent Roma and Lazio to the degree that City, Chelsea and United are outspendig us. Even Arsenal have a player twenty million more expensive than than Rodgers most expensive signing. He is a top class manager but would have to start again in such a dramatic fashion that perhaps a manager with at least similar ideals of the game may be the way to go. If it came down to it.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I know BR is known for playing footballers in their unnatural position but even he won't be able to pull off this...surely? Son Heung Min as goalkeeper?

    ReplyDelete
  31. There were some public declarstions at the time yes. When the press.asks and they they no that usually means what it means. Feel free it have a look.

    ReplyDelete
  32. So people can type out of there rear as well as talk out of it.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Striker gets lonely doesn't mean it is out of position. He has played lone striker lots of times. We haven't had players playing off him enough I agree but that doesn't make him miss sitters, take ridiculous shots, ignore the right passes etc etc.

    ReplyDelete
  34. When Arsenal won the lwague they had one of if not the most expensive team. Paul Tompkins talks of it all the time.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Absolutely agree - needs to be the best we can get, and an improvement on BR.

    Just note of caution - I am not expecting the new guy to come in spend £100m and then win the EPL. It will take time, but for me we need a new man who will guarantee top 3 if poss - which can then be a launching pad thereafter.

    Otherwise no point swapping out BR.

    ReplyDelete
  36. All I know is everyone has a price. If we are willing to pay the
    Mooted salary well get him. Rodgers is in the top 10 highest paid managers and I can name 15 better managers from cappello to lippi to hiddenk.
    And I haven't even started with the obvious ones. Allegri to Mourinho. We are big enough as long as we payt enough.

    ReplyDelete
  37. As mentioned in the article, Fergy had won stuff with Aberdeen before he arrived at Man U - so he already had the winning mentality.

    BR has never won anything!!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Rafa averaged around 35 million spend a year. That's about what Rodgers was spending until this summer. Rafa found himself already in the CL when he arrived when Rodgers picked up a team in eighth. He brought in world class talent and still didn't win the league and he was competing with a less strong City. Rafa is a legend but the club he left and was a mess, not by his fault of course but it was still basically a mess When Rodgers arrived. Comparing apples and oranges.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Exactly most of our players earn less than Aquillani was on.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Absolutely right. Pointing this out is jot having a go at Rafa or loving Rodgers it is just common sense.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Hahahahahaha well then I suppose we should thank rodgers for Suarez's scoring world cup from south America to the eridivisle. Not to mention the goals he banged in at the 2010 wc. Suarez is an awesome player and it's no one's fault but his. What u have just said is on par with any of the man city managers from sparky to pelli claiming to be responsible for Sergio's scoring record. Lol u crack me up....lol

    ReplyDelete
  42. Stop being a bell end.debate or shut up. Stop hiding behind the lame attempts to discredit people because you haven't got the intellect to actual argue with them.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Mike Aitcheson5:04 pm, May 05, 2015

    But even with that mentality it took him SEVEN years

    ReplyDelete
  44. I am sure Hodgeson had won plenty of things.

    ReplyDelete
  45. I don't think city would still be in the top 4 without Sergio's scoring record.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Highest paid managers where? Where is this from? He is supposed to get ten million if he is sacked which is five a year. That is not more than Moyes was on. In fact wasn't Pardew on something similar?

    ReplyDelete
  47. As previously mentioned, Martin O'Neill won stuff, Hodgson won stuff, Vias Boas won stuff.. do these two view points not clearly cancel each other out?

    ReplyDelete
  48. Taking your point that Rafa was already in the CL, AT LEAST he managed to stay in the CL each year, and at one point we were the #1 ranked team in Europe.

    What did BR do once he earned his place and spent £120+ in one year - something Rafa never had the opportunity to do..

    You make other valid points - so I am not one who cannot see Rafa's faults/mistakes. But please, let try to compare apple with apples.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Again on reflection, I would suggest BR has had the benefit of stability offered by FSG.

    Rafa had to deal with two crooks. And the point Mike is making that Rafa's mojo was lost post 2007 coincides with the arrival of the two crooks.

    I will also add for balance, that Rafa was his own worst enemy - and getting rid of Alonso was not his best hour, and neither was his stubbornness (tactics wise) the 3-4 weeks post the Fergy rant, where we drew dour games that ultimately cost us the title.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Rafa inherited a world class player in Gerrard. He added world class players and kept Gerrard. We no longer have any world class players at the club. Not even a player who can currently score ten goals in a season due to injuries. The failures in the market are up for debate but we had a first team who overachieving with one world class player and another top class striker. Without either and Gerrard not being even close to what he once was then the team that we are seeing today lacks the player with both quality and sheer will to drag the team up. What about those apples?

    ReplyDelete
  51. Stan Dinaround5:16 pm, May 05, 2015

    I don't.

    ReplyDelete
  52. That is definitely a good point. I am on record as saying that is why we dropped off a cliff so far under Rafa. Rodgers has had that stability but it is coming from the wreckage of those crooks.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Absolutely correct.

    And for me YOUR POINT is the damning critique of 3 years of player acquisition on BR's watch. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  54. Mike Aitcheson5:18 pm, May 05, 2015

    That's the point here. OK we lose Suarez, that's 31 goals off the table. Then we effectively lose our new no 1 starker, another 20 or so goals with Sturridge being injured.

    Take the top 2 players out of ANY of the top 4 sides. Hazard And Costa. Rooney and Di Maria . Sanchez and giroud. Augero and Silva.

    They would ALL be on quite a few less points by now. And they have World class players still in their team even after losing the two top players. City have Yaya. Utd have Falcao. Arsenal have Ozil. Chelsea have Fabregas.Or Matic. Or Coutois.

    Yet BR gets real stick for not replicating top 4

    ReplyDelete
  55. It is. I think we suffered as a club post Carroll and Downing as FSG were more cautious on signings and had a change of tactic in going young. Wages offered and Br's lack of a pull as a manager is also most probably reasons behind it. The transfer failings are Rodgers but their is more blame there too.

    ReplyDelete
  56. And for me this is actually Rafa's greatest achievement. NOT the CL victory but keeping LFC as a viable European force/entity despite the turmoil of the two crooks.

    Yep he had a bad last year and he made many mistakes, and BR picked up LFC when we were in a bad place.. but it would have been a lot worse if it were not for the heroic efforts of Rafa.

    We should never forget his contribution to the fans, and his heart will forever be with LFC as it was for Shanks.

    ReplyDelete
  57. We actually agree on quite a lot..

    so what are we disagreeing about ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  58. Well he signed a new contract last season that was worth 5-6 million pounds. Which took him into the top ten last year. Put that into context klopp is on 6 million dollars, pelligrini is on 5 million dollars. And they are in the top ten highest paid.http://www.therichest.com/sports/soccer-sports/the-10-highest-paid-soccer-managers-of-2014-15/2/

    ReplyDelete
  59. I will agree with you that winning stuff has to be put into context.

    For example, what value does one put on Martin O'Neil or McCoist winning the Scottish Premiership when it's been a bit one sided, compared to the likes of Fergy/Rafa/Simeone breaking up the monopoly of two dominant main stays?

    However long it took, Fergy's objective was to knock LFC off top spot.. when was the last time your heard a LFC manager want to do the same back to Man U and have the courage of his convictions..?

    ReplyDelete
  60. Stan Dinaround5:30 pm, May 05, 2015

    2 league titles with Halmsted, 5 consecutive titles with Malmo, 2 Swedish cups, and got offered a lifetime contract with Malmo...Danish Title with Copenhagen, and a Danish Super cup.... Not to forget, made the Europa League final with Fulham, smashing Juve in the semi's on the way....
    Managing some 19 teams over his managerial career.... Enough experience for anybody....
    Thanks Wikipedia.

    ReplyDelete
  61. Hodgson's accomplishments:


    Halmstads BK

    Allsvenskan (2): 1976, 1979

    Örebro SK

    Division 2 North (1) 1984

    Malmö FF

    Allsvenskan (5): 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989
    Svenska Cupen (2): 1985–86, 1988–89

    Inter Milan

    UEFA Cup Runner-Up (1): 1997

    Copenhagen

    Danish Superliga (1): 2000–01
    Danish Super Cup (1): 2001

    Fulham

    UEFA Europa League Runner-Up (1): 2010



    Individual

    LMA Manager of the Year (1): 2010
    Knight, First Class of the Order of the Lion of Finland: 2012[164]

    ReplyDelete
  62. Ditto below.

    My only comment, did not win much for a major big league team.

    Case of big fish in small pond.

    ReplyDelete
  63. Stan Dinaround5:33 pm, May 05, 2015

    If he leaves Real in the summer then there is always a chance, but to be honest, I don'y really fancy him as LFC manager.

    ReplyDelete
  64. Why not.
    Trophies in 4 countries and a prem league title to boot

    ReplyDelete
  65. Context again.

    the hull quote "I don't get paid to panic. We have had plenty of stuttering starts. My greatest challenge is not what's happening at the moment. My greatest challenge was knocking Liverpool right off their fucking perch. And you can print that"

    He said that in the '02-'03 season.
    He was Appointed in '86.


    Context. when was the last time a LFC manager got over ten years to do that then proclaim a starting goal.

    ReplyDelete
  66. Yes we should be aiming top 4 and i would question the clubs transfer policy in not bringing in more talent that was ready to go and first 11 quality.
    Who is to blame i am uncertain i would say the committee as a whole or the clubs transfer policy thats laid down.
    None the less we have a young side squad that should only improve and with the right additions they should be qualifying for C.L in a couple seasons

    ReplyDelete
  67. CORRECTION - it took Fergy 3.5 years to win the FA Cup and then Charity shield in 1990.

    He then won the Cup Winners Cup and Super Cup in 1991.

    Followed by the League Cup in 1992, before winning the EPL in his seventh year in 1993.

    ReplyDelete
  68. Agreed.

    Question is who should be at the helm in the next period?

    BR or a new person?

    ReplyDelete
  69. Folks need to understand that 3 years is enough time to assess the performance of a manager.

    Just think about your own jobs or position at work. I know for one, that my company will not hesitate to sack me if I did not hit my performance targets over 3 years - so why is it so different for BR?

    ReplyDelete
  70. Well who would come and do we write off next season as being in transition again in that way its each to their own.
    I just want some stability sure BR makes mistakes and can be irritating but the club needs to follow a path and see it through this is still a fairly young squad.

    ReplyDelete
  71. Again, I too espouse stability and would normally prefer patience.

    During the summer, when it was clear that Suarez was leaving, many of us pointed to the lesson that we needed to learn from Spurs when they sold Bale.

    Then the first game at home to Southampton, who should have been a mess after the summer they had. We won but got played off the park.

    And it only went further downhill after that. So there is nothing I can take from this season that says it is still worth investing in BR as we're making incremental improvements.

    So stability yes, so long as we're heading in the right direction. Not stability for stubbornness sake.

    ReplyDelete
  72. Well then stop thinking suarez is not the reason we performed so well last season.

    ReplyDelete
  73. Stan Dinaround5:59 pm, May 05, 2015

    I don't have a simple answer to why not really, I just get a feeling about certain people.... the likes of Jackson Martinez and Higuain are the same, just don't see them as a Liverpool player.... Just something about em that I just don't seem to like....at our club that is...just not for me.

    ReplyDelete
  74. I understand that and realistically the likelyhood of us taking giant strides next season are minimal but i do expect some improvement.
    The problem is going to be for a quite a while the ages and abilities of the players i have no doubt we need to bring in proven high performers and things should turn around.
    In saying that the worst gamble i saw in the window was indeed gambling on the fitness of Sturridge and the signing of Balotelli that really killed us.

    ReplyDelete
  75. So as bleak as the outlook is over the next 1-2 years, we have a choice..

    1. Stick with BR, the yes man FSG like, and maybe hope for a turnaround and maybe catch another streak or two (like last year and partial one this year)

    2. Or change direction and find a new man to take the help.

    For me 2 is no-doubt risk, with another transition period. But I am hopeful that in the long run 2 will be better than 1.

    ReplyDelete
  76. Well each to their own, there is a lot of ifs and buts but just remember top managers are not going to fall over themselves to sign up.
    We may get Klopp we may not but there wont be a lot of quality options.

    ReplyDelete
  77. Is manager position is that vital to a team? Yes good manager is important, but not the only reason to deliver success, who is Alex Ferguson, so called Sir, back then before taking charges at MAN UTD? But still he can delivered a success for them, i'm still doubt the ability of other top class young manager such as Pep Guardiolla, even Tony Pullis is better manager (IMO).

    ReplyDelete
  78. Absolutely right - and that's the risk of changing the manager.

    So if we cannot get a better manager than BR, we should NOT change.

    ReplyDelete
  79. Stan Dinaround6:10 pm, May 05, 2015

    I am confused, what are you trying to suggest again?

    ReplyDelete
  80. It isn't... we qualified for the champions league, but also challenged for the title until the last day. AHEAD of schedule, this year were still challenging for top four (as was the goal) with 3 games left. So by your logic it makes sense to let someone go after they have exceeded the goals set, and may make or may narrowly miss out on the set goal. That outcome is still to be determined.

    ReplyDelete
  81. Stan Dinaround6:20 pm, May 05, 2015

    I could take him or leave him to be honest... He's a good GK, but is he an upgrade on Ming, certainly has mistakes in his game like Ming... If I had the choice, I would buy a younger GK like Mattia Perin or maybe one of the many rising stars of the Bundesliga like Horn or Leno orTrapp

    ReplyDelete
  82. Can we agree to re-start this conversation (as you propose) once the 3 games are completed such that we can measure whether the target of a top 4 place has been achieved?

    And with respect, when measuring performance targets some have a range whereas others are absolute. In this case, a top 4 place is absolute, and thus achieving 5th place and losing out on goal difference (for example) still counts as NOT achieving the target.

    ReplyDelete
  83. Stan Dinaround6:23 pm, May 05, 2015

    Hahaha,,,, you must really rate this kid!

    ReplyDelete
  84. haha good shout to come back here in a couple weeks. Question until then though if that specific target is so black and white absolute, Rafa had twice as long, in which the target must then be consistent league challenge, which wasn't even close to being achieved, there was one challenge followed by being blown out to 7th not challenging for a goal of three years ealier, and was let go after. Why then would anyone want to re-hire someone who failed so miserably? 23 points away from the set goal, and 7 away from a three year old one.

    ReplyDelete
  85. I've gone on record to say I would like Rafa to be given a go under a stable environment.

    However, I an not naive to think Rafa would work with FSG, and FSG will never pick Rafa. So for me Rafa is NOT even in the running.

    The only realistic option, and one which would, in my humble opinion, be an improvement on BR, is Klopp.

    If we cannot get a better manager that BR, then we should NOT change simply for changing sake.

    ReplyDelete
  86. On fairness he got money to spend. To a point. Near seventy million when he signed Mascherano and Torres and I have no doubt they were on good wages, more than anyone signed under Rodgers barring perhaps Mario.

    ReplyDelete
  87. How many points off first are City?

    ReplyDelete
  88. It's a no brainer people.CECH.world class.knows the premier league.available.nothing else needs to be said.

    ReplyDelete
  89. To go with the Trend, and incite constructive thinking, isn't Klopp's current season with BVB almost an exact replica to Rafa's final with us, such as failing so badly in current position why should we consider. Instead go after Phillip Cocu or Frank De Boer.


    That being said, if it is decided to part with Rodgers Klopp would absolutely be on my short list of candidates Along with De Boer, as they are of the highest quality and have a similar view of playing the beautiful game as our current model is, so transition in theory shouldn't put us back but undoubtedly go forward.
    I truly shudder at the thought of Klopp being in charge of City, and I believe that is where he'll end up.


    btw I never wanted Rafa to get the sack, I believe in faith stability patience and continuity, but what he has done since and everything he has shown light on since, especially that the Lucas/Masch partnership was his intended master plan, I never want him back unless it's with Pako as his #2, without him Rafa is average.

    ReplyDelete
  90. The great Rafa debate will always rage on - either within the LFC ranks or with fans of other teams.

    I acknowledge all his achievements as well as lament all his foibles. Whether its net spend, having to sell to buy or whether he's spent the most ever in LFC history - it no longer matters.

    He offered LFC loyal and valiant service during a chaotic time, for which we should be grateful.

    Maybe one day he can return under a stable environment in which case will he succeed like Moanio or sink in a media storm of his own making?

    ReplyDelete
  91. Context again.

    the full quote "I don't get paid to panic. We have had plenty of stuttering starts. My greatest challenge is not what's happening at the moment. My greatest challenge was knocking Liverpool right off their fucking perch. And you can print that"

    He said that in the '02-'03 season.
    He was Appointed in '86.

    Context. when was the last time a LFC manager got over ten years to do that then proclaim a starting goal.

    No manager is that arrogant (even though Rodgers is labelled as being it time again) or dumb coming into a job, take even more recently Mourinho just won the CL with Porto, he has now claimed himself as the special one, he is more arrogant than Zlatan, yet when he was hired by Chelsea he said it was going to take him 3-5 years to win the title. The special one said it'll take Chelsea and their billions with a VERY solid starting base squad that long.

    Perspective people.

    ReplyDelete
  92. He did have to sell to buy I think but if we start talking net spend then we have to do that for everyone. What we do know is that Liverpool's wages were not fifth highest and one hundred million away from most at the time. He was competitive in that regard. Well.top.four competitive.

    ReplyDelete
  93. Agree with your choice of successors, and also accept Klopp's current performance is not good.

    But sometimes change is good - and I am hoping that is the case for Klopp. The great Shanks was not a success over night, and after winning the league in 1965-66 there were a number of lean years.

    As for Rafa, I would just hope one day he is generous enough to accept his mistakes and acknowledge the Alonso/Barry one was one of the worst - whatever the reason or logic behind it.

    ReplyDelete
  94. And as previously stated, got us to #1 rank in Europe.

    ReplyDelete
  95. I have this fantasy that he stayed and weathered the storm and new owners. Got Suarez, got the money Kenny got and did much better with it. He gets top.four adds Coutinho and Sturridge and we would have been top.four all this time. I am.not sure we would have had last season though. I can't see him setting up in that way which got the best of those attacking talents.

    ReplyDelete
  96. All ifs and buts.. His last year was really horrible viewing, he'd lost the dressing room and his acquisitions that year (after the event) were woeful.

    ReplyDelete
  97. You pay top.wages and you can get top players. His tactics are perfect for Europe too.

    ReplyDelete
  98. Why are you so freaking outraged kiddo calm the f down.... I am so glad that I am not an intellect like you who thinks BR is the right person for the job and still deserves more time.

    ReplyDelete
  99. I am sure you came out of the rear.

    ReplyDelete
  100. Almost As many points as they are ahead of us. Relax

    ReplyDelete
  101. Not sure why your suggesting I relax I am quite supine as I write. Just suggesting the difference between not getting CL and coming first is as you suggest equidistant. Whereas where we finished las season and not finishing top four was much larger suggesting it may be more than.one persons doing more so than City now. Or something. I actually lost enthusiasm for yhe whole.subject

    ReplyDelete
  102. You can write so you can presumably read. So why is it impossible for you to understand that what you are suggesting is nonsense? But no carry on being obtuse. You seem to enjoy it. Only live once hey.

    ReplyDelete
  103. Im suggesting that having a top striker is the reason city are always in and around the that the coach has little to bearing on special players like suarez. If I'm not mistaken suarez was given a free role to roam and do his thing.
    If that doesn't prove it was all him I don't know what does.

    ReplyDelete
  104. Clearly you haven't read page 179 of le dossier ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  105. Yep - ran out of crayons after page 10..

    ReplyDelete