Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has made no attempt to hide his anger over the the ridiculous scheduling of the club's Carling Cup game with Chelsea, accusing the Football League of being 'irresponsible and of 'devaluing' its own competition. Whilst I'm sure most fans agree with Kenny's stance, there is an unfortunate irony to his comments that many people may have missed.
Dalglish, who has never won the League Cup as a manager, scathed:
"If the Football League want to devalue their own competition, that's up to them, but they shouldn't then be upset if people use these games to help in the development of young players..."
He then fired off a warning to Liverpool fans:
"The one thing I will say to our fans is to think carefully before buying tickets for the League Cup game. We do not want them spending their money and then we decide there is no other option but to use only young players in the tie".
Dalglish talks about the Football league devaluing the Carling Cup but he has arguably devalued the club's young players with his comments.
Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't Dalglish basically suggesting here that it's not worth paying money to watch the club's youngsters? Is he not intimating that fans might be disappointed if Liverpool field a team full of young players against Chelsea?
There can be no other interpretation. He says: " We do not want them [the fans] spending money" if we "use only young players in the tie".
If one of the club's youngster's read that comment, would it fill them with confidence and motivation?
Surely the fans should be encouraged to come and watch Liverpool's young players in action? Surely a big, supportive crowd making lots of noise would be good for their confidence?
Additionally, I think many Liverpool fans would actually enjoy seeing the club's promising young players given a run out, especially if it means getting to see the likes of Adam Morgan and Raheem Sterling in a competitive game.
Let me make this clear: I don't think Dalglish deliberately meant to suggest that it's not worth spending money to watch the club's young players; obviously, he only has their best interests at heart, and he has proved that many times.
Imagine the uproar if Roy Hodgson had made the same comments (!)
Jaimie Kanwar
Dalglish, who has never won the League Cup as a manager, scathed:
"If the Football League want to devalue their own competition, that's up to them, but they shouldn't then be upset if people use these games to help in the development of young players..."
He then fired off a warning to Liverpool fans:
"The one thing I will say to our fans is to think carefully before buying tickets for the League Cup game. We do not want them spending their money and then we decide there is no other option but to use only young players in the tie".
Dalglish talks about the Football league devaluing the Carling Cup but he has arguably devalued the club's young players with his comments.
Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't Dalglish basically suggesting here that it's not worth paying money to watch the club's youngsters? Is he not intimating that fans might be disappointed if Liverpool field a team full of young players against Chelsea?
There can be no other interpretation. He says: " We do not want them [the fans] spending money" if we "use only young players in the tie".
If one of the club's youngster's read that comment, would it fill them with confidence and motivation?
Surely the fans should be encouraged to come and watch Liverpool's young players in action? Surely a big, supportive crowd making lots of noise would be good for their confidence?
Additionally, I think many Liverpool fans would actually enjoy seeing the club's promising young players given a run out, especially if it means getting to see the likes of Adam Morgan and Raheem Sterling in a competitive game.
Let me make this clear: I don't think Dalglish deliberately meant to suggest that it's not worth spending money to watch the club's young players; obviously, he only has their best interests at heart, and he has proved that many times.
Imagine the uproar if Roy Hodgson had made the same comments (!)
Jaimie Kanwar
there's a difference paying and travelling for a match expecting the big players against a big club, with going to the stadium and watch youngsters being probably tortured by the opposition.
ReplyDeleteSo no, he isn't dissing our youths
What's there to devalue. Watching Gerrard and Reina will always be better value for money than watching the reserves. At any price.
ReplyDeleteYou clearly don't get my point, but that's okay.
ReplyDeleteJaimie, tut tut tut, if you got your 'looking for something negative that isn't there' head on again mate? If a young player can't get motivated for a first team game at Stamford bridge in quarter final, then they wanna go an sign on mate.
ReplyDeleteNot suprisingly, I imagine the 99.9999999999% fully understood what KK meant, sadly you need to make a 'story' out of his comments. In no way is he "dissing" the younger reds but giving advanced warning that before fans fork out a considerable amount of money getting to london for a mid week cup game that is sandwiched between to major league games, do not expect most of the 1st teamers to be playing. It really is as simple as that. Ive been to 6 of the reserve/youth games this season and KK was there at 5 of them! KK has been a major part of the youth setup (even when RB was boss) so really no need to make a big deal out of this.
ReplyDeleteIt's you who is making this a negative, not me. One day, people are finally going to understand: This site is about critical realism; I see things in a different way to most fans; I don't allow pro-LFC bias to get in the way of how I interpret stuff. People should expect that by now. I make it clear in my post that I don't think it was deliberate, and I used the world 'inadvertently' in the post title.
ReplyDeleteThe pro-Liverpool bias that you and everyone else seems to have means you are unable or unwilling to see the interpretation I present. Whether you like it or not, it is definitely there, and I am just highlighting it.
Agree totally Chuckyred! I do think that criticism can be good if justified (even critisism of our manager/greatest ever player) but for me, Jaimie is really looking for it a bit too much here! As if Kenny could do anything other than inspire our young players! Look at how much confidence he has given the academy in the last 9 months! Any of our young players reading his comments would not feel devalued at all, if anything, it would further inspire them to read how far our manager has gone to stick up for our club... and make them more determined to get into the first team squad and play under him!
ReplyDeleteI don't dispute any of that but the fact remains that his comments suggest that it's not worth paying money to watch the club's young players. That interpretation is indisputable, irrespective of whether it was intended.
ReplyDeleteMaking stories just to fill up the space.
ReplyDeleteJaimie, honestly mate I'm not biased and can appreciate what your saying, but I call a spade a spade and I think that's what Kenny is doing, I think that you completely over analyse the quotes that appear on here and turn the majority of them into something totally negative or detrimental really. Your asking has he dissed the players? No, if they where as big a draw as the first teamers forgames then they'd play at Anfield. I'm pretty sure young Raheem won't be wondering if Liverpool won't be supported if he gets on at the Bridge.
ReplyDeleteIt's disputable because I read the interpretation like this; 'we may have to play with our reserves so if your coming to the game, don't expect all the big guns to be on show.....but they might be'.
ReplyDeleteIt's over-analysing to you because you don't agree with the view. If, for example, I took a different approach and wrote an article praising KD to the hilt for speaking out against the football league, you would've be saying I was over-analysing then, would you?
ReplyDeleteIt's the same old story with football fans: If you write something they agree with, or your view fit with their expectations, then you're flavour of the month; if you write something that fans disagree with, or doesn't fit with their comfortable expectations of what constitutes a Liverpool fan, then you're slagged off.
It's so predictable, and it's the case here again. There's nothing negative or detrimental about what I've written. Detrimental?! Give me a break - as if one fan's view could be detrimental to anything expect the comfort zone of fans who are unwilling to accept that there is more than one way to look at things.
Since day 1, the purpose of this site has been unambiguously clear: to critically analyse and evaluate Liverpool FC. 5 years later, you would think that people would get it by now.
Aitch, I agree with you. The fact that we will be playing two matches within 48hrs must be the reason why Kenny has gone off his rocker.
ReplyDeleteAlso, if Kenny decides to send out the reserves and they lose then he will be ripped apart by the fans for doing that plus he will have the FA having a swipe at him for playing only youngsters which will be seen by the FA as an understrength side.
Some of the snippets Jaimie missed out on from that interview which makes the world of sense yet the FA told us to f*** off.
"It seems totally irresponsible as well that the Quarter-finals are scheduled in the same week as Europa League games. If Stoke had beaten us in the last round and were through to face Chelsea then the tie gets rescheduled for another date - it's as simple as that. But when we ask the Football League to move our game to a later date, we're told it's impossible. Where's the logic in that? What would have happened if all four of the English clubs playing in the Europa League had got through to the Quarter-finals? If the Football League want to devalue their own competition, that's up to them, but they shouldn't then be upset if people use these games to help in the development of young players.
i do not post on your pages but i have had it every page of yours is bitching bitching and shit stats you seriously need to fuck off you hate benetez you tryin to hate dalglish etc saying he is dissing youngsters well mister know it all do you really think spearing flanagan maybe morgan and sterling lucas bellamy-to give him game time etc you really believe that team would beat torres drogba sturridge mata meireles lampard terry cole luiz etc because if you do you are a idiot this is why dalglish is saying do not buy tickets it would be great if we did win but do us all a favour and fuck off and stop writing articles because there all trash and you know what else i do not give a fuck about the poor grammar
ReplyDeleteThe whole conversation in the first place was Kenny questioning the lunacy of the fixture list where we have to play the best team in England and then play an away match at Stamford Bridge two days later. Kenny mentioned that due to the lack of recovery time for his first teamers, he will have to consider playing kids in the quarter finals of the League Cup. He is alluding to the fact that this devalues the competition and that its no wonder people take it seriously.
ReplyDeleteThe Liverpool supporters most likely would imagine that it would be a strong team that would be out out because it is the quarter finals but he is doing the right thing and warning that it wont be the established stars that people will be paying to see.
Kenny should be praised for looking out for the supporters and how they spend their money, particularly in this financial climate, not criticised for potentially demotivating kids by claiming that they are not as strong as the likes of Steven Gerrard or Luis Suarez.
Out of interest, what is it with picking up on the tiniest statements and twisting them about and building them into something that they arent. What would be better for you?
Interviewer - "So Kenny, you are fielding kids"
Kenny - ".........................................................."
Interviewer - "whats your prediction"
Kenny - ".........................................................."
Interviewer - "Thanks for that Kenny"
Kenny - ".........................................................."
I imagine that we would then get treated to a bi-line like "KENNY SHOWS TOTAL DISREGARD FOR LFC BY SAYING NOTHING"..
Jokes...
How about some positivity for a change, try this one "Manager praised for saving fans £'s".
Yeah detrimental was a bit of an overexaggeration on my part, but as for the rest of it, bad day at the office? If Kenny Dalglish is speaking out gainer the football league and it's obvious he's doing that then I would agree or disagree depending in what I thought, not on the fact it's Kenny Dalglish. I resent the idea that because he is a Liverpool manager that I am some sort of sheep and would not be able to decide for myself if I agree or disagree. But, in this case where Kenny has made a statement saying he may have to play with youths he has not used the words 'don't go' or anything along those lines and if I look from a youth players point of view I would not feel 'dissed' so that is the basis in which I form my opinion, not on the fact Kenny said so. I'm intelligent like that ya see???
ReplyDeleteThe match is on a Tuesday evening at 19.45, 9 days after we have visited there in the league, that's a big ask for fans to go all that way twice, esp mid week, take time off work, 8 hour round trip by car / bus etc
ReplyDeleteImagine if you made that trip expecting an epic encounter, only to then see the starting line up was full of 17 year olds who you can watch whenever you like for the reserves. There would be absolute uproar, Liverpool would end refunding travel costs for irate fans
I think it's pretty decent of Kenny to let the fans know that he may play a youth team, who will probably get hammered if Chelsea play a strong side
If you don't like this site, there are plenty of other sites out there to visit.
ReplyDeleteSimon - I agree 100% with everything you've said; however, suggesting that fans shouldn't pay money to watch young players is not really great motivation for those youngsters. What if everyone takes Kenny's advice, and the youngsters play at Stamford Bridge with no Liverpool support - How would that be good for them?
ReplyDeleteBefore you go ahead and refute whats being said and point out that you are special because you playing devils advocate and say this that and the other because you are not a standard sheep with the same views as everyone else...
ReplyDeleteDont..
I appreciate that you take the time to write articles, I take a look at your site most days but making something of nothing for sensationalism is not good reporting. In fact its down right frustrating at times and utterly misleading.
I don't think you're being objective about KD's comments. You say 'he has not used the words don't go', but clearly, he has used words that mean exactly that:
ReplyDelete"We do not want them spending their money"
That is unambiguous: Do not spend your money.
"and then we decide there is no other option but to use only young players in the tie"
I don't see how the meaning can be disputed. KD has basically said "Don't spend your money on a ticket because we may have no option but to use young players"
He hasn't deliberately said that it's not worth paying money to watch Liverpool's youngsters but that interpretation is definitely there.
He could've said: "We may have to play a young team but I hope the fans can show their support and get behind the boys".
You arent big on constructive criticsm are you... Its not a negative slight on you on a personal level. Why be so inverted and say "go elsewhere". Is it completely impossible that you have made a poor observation? Is it possible that we are all wrong? Its created discussion which is good but admit you are inaccurate with this story.
ReplyDeleteI don't dispute any of that. However, I disagree that the fans would attack KD for playing a youth team in the CC. The competition has been used for blooding youngsters for years, so it's not like it's out of the ordinary. Plus, given the scheduling issue, fans would understand the decision to rest players.
ReplyDeleteKDs is right to complain but it's ultimately pointless. He should just get on with it. He's constantly telling us how great the squad is, and how it's a squad game etc - well, now is the time to put that into action.
I say go elsewhere because I'm sick of people like you saying things like 'write something positive' when I write positive stuff all the time.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, you seemingly cannot appreciate that we are all entitled to different opinions. Just because mine is different to yours doesn't mean it's 'inaccurate', or I've made a 'poor observation'. Have I accused anyone of being wrong with their views? No.
Just because lots of people disagree doesn't mean I'm wrong; it just means they disagree. I basically can't be bothered to deal with people who are unable to be fair in their approach, and you are clearly in that camp, which is why I suggest you go to some other site like 'This is Anfield' or 'RAWK', where herd mentality and groupthink is actively encouraged.
It would be nice for people to be there to see the youngsters 1st team debuts I agree
ReplyDeleteKenny should have elaborated further and said "money and time"
The £25 ticket is nothing really, it's the 8 hours travelling, losing out on sleep that night or missing work the next day that is the major problem here
If I was a young player I would be jumping for joy, snapping up tickets for my family and friends
Kenny's so called disrespectful comment is possibly the biggest incentive to play well in next few weeks they've ever had. They are about to make their Liverpool debuts in Stamford Bridge, scene of epic Champion's League battles in recent years
If Sterling skins Ivanovic and supplies a couple for Morgan, they could end up in first team again soon
But here is the thing
ReplyDeleteWe want to win trophies for a change seeing that we have not won anything going for six seasons now.
We play City on the 27th which is going to be one hell of a match and following that we play Chelsea in the CC 1/4 final on the 29th 48hrs later. It is going to be another big match and in the space of 48hrs?
Surely we want to send out our strongest side in order to actually land silverware this season? If we send out the reserves it is 50/50. If we send out our strongest 11 then we will without a doubt stand a better chance at winning the match. We are also going to the Bridge which aint going to be easy. So do we take a chance with our reserves at the Bridge and face more than possible defeat or could we have been given the oppertunity to send out our strongest eleven to face Chelsea in the 1/4 final?
Please do not pigeon hole me, it is unwarranted. I have been reading your stories for months and havent found a great deal to disagree with so I have stayed quiet, the moment I speak out I am dismissed and told to go elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteShoddy!
Goddamn i hate you Jaimie Kanwar. I really wish this site didnt pop up on LFC news sites. You're the worst, you really are. MIserable, miserable man..
ReplyDeleteIt is apparent to me that what KD meant was that he did not want people paying big money expecting to see senior members of LFC, only for them not to be fielded - thus, people are not getting what they think they are paying for. In no way has he suggested the youth players are not worthy of people's money, and I am sure everyone knows that KD would never, ever suggest that. Suggesting otherwise is disrespectful to the integrity of a legend, not only of LFC, but the game of football itself.
ReplyDeleteJamie - you are clearly looking for an issue that is not there.
ReplyDeleteA - he is saying everything he can to move the tie
B - Liverpool winning against Chelsea is worth paying to see, seeing our U18 get smashed 8 nil in London is not.
Report on real issues - like the fact we need another striker or should play Bellamy more, not on things like this
I think it is a good thing for a manager to warn fans over spending their hard earned and not seeing the quality of players they expect.
ReplyDeleteNot every football is as fortunate as you Jamie and they do want want value for their dollar as with many money is very tight.
Yes the young players do need to be supported but the fans can go to reserve matches or next gen etc if they want to look at the youngsters.
I don't mind people disagreeing with me, bit like so many others, you seem to be too emotionally involved. Attack the argument, not the person., but people very rarely do that.
ReplyDeletejeez, don't exaggerate or anything.
ReplyDeleteI disagreed with the story and the points, I didnt attack you. Reread.
ReplyDeleteThanks, but if it's okay with you, I'll write about the things that interest me.
ReplyDeleteDear Jamie, please explain the what you meant by "jeez, don't exaggerate or anything." Thanks
ReplyDeleteHmmm interesting question Jamie.
ReplyDeleteI think that Kenny is fighting a well needed battle and Kenny is right to say FA are devaluing his own competitions.
Maybe Did He choose the wrong words? Anyway, I do not think that Kenny deliberately wants to understimate our young lads.
It's correct to say that Kenny knows well Our Accademy.
Anyway, A Youth Liverpool side would be not so bad.
Sterling, Coady, Kelly, Flanno, Hendo, Wisdom: most of them are already strong internationals with England youth sides.
Yesterday Hendo (in a CENTRAL ROLE) and Martin were brilliant with England u 21's.
Read the last line of your post. You couldn't exaggerate more if you tried.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I was at first surprised to read those comments by Kenny. But then I thought about it and it made more than one sense to me. i.e.
ReplyDelete- he warns the fans that they should be prepared to see the reserve players rather than the first team. Becase very often we hear that people complain after the match, something along the lines "we paid to see Torres, instead we saw N'Gog".
- second, it could be some sort of a mind game. He said that he is going to play the youngsters to make Chelsea do the same: play the reserve team. And then who knows, he may throw a heavy artillery at them.
- and third... it's just to play it safe in terms of the expectations. We are expected to win no matter what, but if we don't here is an excuse... (something I don't quite like, tbf)
Knowing Kenny and his respect for the players, whether they are old or young, I really don't think that he meant to devalue the young players.
Jaimie you make me laugh , so negative its unreal.
ReplyDeleteKenny is in no way disrepecting the young players, what he is saying is if you come to london to see the gerrards of the world dont be suprised considering people have to travel on a work day and night kick off.
with the youngsters , all he is saying is chelsea are a big team who will most likely put out a strong team , do you think our reserves will beat chelsea first team?? be as critical as you want , but to say kenny is disrespecting the youngsters is wrong.
Did I exaggerate the 'legend' bit. Or was the statement about being disrespectful too much? Maybe I shouldn't have used the word 'integrity'. you opened the debate, you invited comments and that's my comment which you have summarily dissed.
ReplyDeletezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Hodgson this Hodgson that he wasn't/isn't good enough to manage LFC when will you actually admit that, the kids are nowhere near as attrictive to watch as the seniors and that is a fact
ReplyDeleteDear Jamie, why did you remove my post?
ReplyDelete£25 are you sure? Tickets for the league game are priced at between £25(kids,OAPS) to £59 can't see Chelsea slashing the prices for a quarter final against us!
ReplyDeleteJaimie, it says 'we don't want them spending their money and then they realise' it's like me selling you some sweets, an ya not keen on liquorice, an I say 'it may have liquorice in and I don't want ya spending ya money if your expecting pear drops'. Nothing against liquorice, but ya may not like it. See? An why an analogy eh? He's not sayin it how you have understood it mate seriously.
ReplyDeleteI would hope so, else they probably dont aspire to great enough heights. All the youngsters hope that one day they can reach the heights of a player like Gerrard
ReplyDeleteOn official website, http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/announcements/chelsea-v-lfc-ticket-news-1
ReplyDeleteIt's a hell of a trip down there on a midweek evening, Chelsea happy toget whtaever they can I'd say
Controversial sells.
ReplyDeleteGood price.
ReplyDeleteUEFAs fault really moving Europa games to the Wednesday when they are on a Thursday should keep the same format all the way through the group stages.
I thought we had strength and depth thanks to Kenny ...what's the fuss or is it that Kenny is slowly being found out and he doesn't like it and therefore blames every one but him self .
ReplyDeleteDeal with it dalglish or are you cracking up like you did first time. or do you like your donkeys need time to gel with camoli and Clarke . how long before the yanks realise their mistake and Henry boots you out.
ReplyDeleteSorry to be harsh but you are no different than Hodgson and between you have ruined us
Kenny knows his second team will get whooped the same way Rangers strangled us to death a few weeks ago. PLaying a youth team ultimately gives Kenny a get of jail free card. He spent 100 odd million on his 1st team when he should have been improving the squad as a whole. If as reported today we are in for Hugo Rodallega than heaven help us. Whether we pay 2million or 15million it will prove to be yet another KD stagnant signing. NOT LFC QUALITY!
ReplyDeleteThis story of £100ml net spend is an epic liar reverberated by Local & National newspapers and blogs. Liverpool's net spend was almost £60ml and this according to figures provided by the same newspapers which are pointing out now £100ml of net spend in order to put pressure on the manager.
ReplyDeleteDisgraceful post, with a load of useless insults that won't help in any way the Club. Get your grip, realise that We won't change the manager for the next three years, criticise in a constructive way and support your Club.
ReplyDelete"Seeing things differently" does not justify your position or make it worth considering. Clearly you had a deadline to meet and had nothing else to conjure up.
ReplyDeleteNot the point at all red (and jamie).
ReplyDeleteIf I were a manager I would always complain about playing two matches in two days....in the middle of a 40-60 match season over several months. Players break down and this is what we see with the terrible scheduling between different tournaments and these organizers did not need to do this.
Is this too difficult a concept to get?
I would be a professional and it would not bother me the least bit. What KD and the coaching staff do with me on a day to day basis for 8 hours plus is more important than what is trying to be taken out of context in a quote...
ReplyDeleteThis is too simplistic. So I WE disagree with you then there must be something wrong with US? Like you being wrong is not a possibility? Sorry. Try again.
ReplyDeleteAnd...if you have a "right" to see things differently then the readers have that exact right as well in response to your comments. Yes, we "get it".
As we are not involved in Europe this season I am surprised we cant manage to play a mid-week match using our first-teamers in a very important game.
ReplyDeleteThis could be our big chance of a trophy this season and we seem to be giving up without even giving it a go? Surely our squad can manage one extra game?
We are LFC and we should not give up!
I take your point and I agree as Rafa was also tainted with the same brush, but Kenny had the opportunity to shop in Harrods this summer. He instead chose to shop in Aldi but still paid Harrods prices. He should have been far more responsible with the clubs money.
ReplyDelete"We are LFC and we should not give up!"
ReplyDeleteOi! that is really well said. But as we all come back to our senses, the truth is Kenny would never do anything intentionally to make LFC look bad. I have no doubt He'll field a strong team. He's obviously sending a message out to the FA that he's not to be messed with. In the future I doubt the FA will let this happen again.
Can't we pretend that we did shop at harrods if it makes us feel better
ReplyDelete