Topic: In 6 months, the Benitez era will look like a Golden Age

[The G in Gerrard]

^^^ Are you serious?

[Fat Scouser]

Put down the lighter and step away from the crack pipe.

[Stussy]

That doesn't just read as an obituary for Rafael Benitez's management of our club, it reads like a eulogy for Liverpool FC itself.

There are no words to describe this sadness that has defeated the anger in me.

[hoonin]

If Rafa does go - while my first choice is Mourinho (I know! but he is just arrogant enough and will attract top class players CL or not) we could do alot worse than Martin O'Neill - used to working with budgets and with the ability to bring in Young/Milner, Agbonlahor and maybe even Warnock back - which would fill most of our gaps in one go.  If we tried to get Joe Cole too we would be a much stronger team already.

                    Reina

Warnock   Agger   Skrtel    Johnson

Cole   Gerrard  Mascherano   Young

       Torres   Agbonlahor

Wow.

Roll me one please.

[thetonyclifton]

LOL - no am not completely serious - just illustrating that alot is in the balance and our club is more that ever in for alot of change - people seem to be assuming that it will go badly but a few correct decisions and a bit of luck can get us back in the mix.

[The Grinch]

That is a good article - although I think LFCs position is more in the balance than completely negative and things could still improve if a series of things happen.

I like Rafa and would like him to stay if given the resources but I have sympathy with the argument that his hands are tied and he cant take us any further.

If Juve or Madrid come in for him the decision should be down to this...are Gerrard and Torres more likely to stay with or without Rafa - sounds extreme but given we will have more difficulty attracting massive players without CL we need to keep at all costs our prize assets - they need to give us 12 months to see if we can turn it around.

If Rafa does go - while my first choice is Mourinho (I know! but he is just arrogant enough and will attract top class players CL or not) we could do alot worse than Martin O'Neill - used to working with budgets and with the ability to bring in Young/Milner, Agbonlahor and maybe even Warnock back - which would fill most of our gaps in one go.  If we tried to get Joe Cole too we would be a much stronger team already.

                    Reina

Warnock   Agger   Skrtel    Johnson

Cole   Gerrard  Mascherano   Young

       Torres   Agbonlahor

That is a better team than we have an capable of finishing top 4 - crucial tho is that we have a bench 100 times better than we had last year.

If we were to lose a few by choice or if they want to go or a good offer comes in - Babel, maybe Kuyt, Mascherano (would rather not), Aquilani and assuming we get at least some money to spend on top we might still be able to bring in a few more.

I realise there are alot of ifs - but that is kind of my point - while there is the potential for alot of negatives - a few right turns now and things could be back on track soon enough.

I agree completely about signing Cole, Agbonlahor, Young and Warnock, I don't think you have gone far enough though I think while we are at it we should change the kit to a nice white strip and change our name to the England D team.

[rafabenihill]

That is a good article - although I think LFCs position is more in the balance than completely negative and things could still improve if a series of things happen.

I like Rafa and would like him to stay if given the resources but I have sympathy with the argument that his hands are tied and he cant take us any further.

If Juve or Madrid come in for him the decision should be down to this...are Gerrard and Torres more likely to stay with or without Rafa - sounds extreme but given we will have more difficulty attracting massive players without CL we need to keep at all costs our prize assets - they need to give us 12 months to see if we can turn it around.

If Rafa does go - while my first choice is Mourinho (I know! but he is just arrogant enough and will attract top class players CL or not) we could do alot worse than Martin O'Neill - used to working with budgets and with the ability to bring in Young/Milner, Agbonlahor and maybe even Warnock back - which would fill most of our gaps in one go.  If we tried to get Joe Cole too we would be a much stronger team already.

                    Reina

Warnock   Agger   Skrtel    Johnson

Cole   Gerrard  Mascherano   Young

       Torres   Agbonlahor

That is a better team than we have an capable of finishing top 4 - crucial tho is that we have a bench 100 times better than we had last year.

If we were to lose a few by choice or if they want to go or a good offer comes in - Babel, maybe Kuyt, Mascherano (would rather not), Aquilani and assuming we get at least some money to spend on top we might still be able to bring in a few more.

I realise there are alot of ifs - but that is kind of my point - while there is the potential for alot of negatives - a few right turns now and things could be back on track soon enough.

i bet your hands are hairy and you have pics of ferguson

[Shabby]

That is a good article - although I think LFCs position is more in the balance than completely negative and things could still improve if a series of things happen.

I like Rafa and would like him to stay if given the resources but I have sympathy with the argument that his hands are tied and he cant take us any further.

If Juve or Madrid come in for him the decision should be down to this...are Gerrard and Torres more likely to stay with or without Rafa - sounds extreme but given we will have more difficulty attracting massive players without CL we need to keep at all costs our prize assets - they need to give us 12 months to see if we can turn it around.

If Rafa does go - while my first choice is Mourinho (I know! but he is just arrogant enough and will attract top class players CL or not) we could do alot worse than Martin O'Neill - used to working with budgets and with the ability to bring in Young/Milner, Agbonlahor and maybe even Warnock back - which would fill most of our gaps in one go.  If we tried to get Joe Cole too we would be a much stronger team already.

                    Reina

Warnock   Agger   Skrtel    Johnson

Cole   Gerrard  Mascherano   Young

       Torres   Agbonlahor

That is a better team than we have an capable of finishing top 4 - crucial tho is that we have a bench 100 times better than we had last year.

If we were to lose a few by choice or if they want to go or a good offer comes in - Babel, maybe Kuyt, Mascherano (would rather not), Aquilani and assuming we get at least some money to spend on top we might still be able to bring in a few more.

I realise there are alot of ifs - but that is kind of my point - while there is the potential for alot of negatives - a few right turns now and things could be back on track soon enough.

You are aware that we have no money? Young, Milner and Agbonlahor would cost a premium, probably around 20m each.

On top of that Agbonlahor is garbage.

[thetonyclifton]

Yes it is extreme -  no they wouldnt all go into the team - yes it looks like alot of Englishmen - but there are others that would be there to - Jovanovic, Kuyt, Aquilani, Bable, Yossi, Insua, Maxi etc etc.

Not all as ridiculous as they sound tho - Cole is free, Martin O'Neill would definitely bring at least 2 players with him and most of his team is English.

These are the players we will be attracting - people who do not already have Champions league football, people who play for a smaller team than Liverpool or who will get more football at anfield.

Think you are being a bit harsh its not like I think it will happen - just highlighting that alot is in flux and over speculating as to the types of players we might be able to bring in.

[hoonin]

LOL - no am not completely serious - just illustrating that alot is in the balance and our club is more that ever in for alot of change - people seem to be assuming that it will go badly but a few correct decisions and a bit of luck can get us back in the mix.

Agree we're all clutching at straws and second guessing, but that guessing is mainly rooted in recent history so there's little to be positive about. Even the football has been so bad this season as to fail to be a distraction to the circus off the pitch.

[TSC]

Think you are being a bit harsh its not like I think it will happen

Well if it's fantasy stuff you've sold yourself short.  Why no Messi or Ronaldo for example.  You should have a re-think.

[oddball]

Wow.

Roll me one please.

I know, he's got Warnock and Johnson on the wrong sides

Seriously though, as much as I pretty much knew that whole article, I seriously welled up reading it.

[rafabenihill]

Yep you're missing everything.  Any increase in commercial revenue is massively dwarfed by the extent of the debt and subsequent repayments.  It gets swallowed up in the debt hole.

yes we have a huge debt and interest payment but improved commercial revenue would have made them more manageable, not worse.. unless the debt hole gets bigger but i do not recall us taking on new borrowings..

[hoonin]

yes we have a huge debt and interest payment but improved commercial revenue would have made them more manageable, not worse.. unless the debt hole gets bigger but i do not recall us taking on new borrowings..

Any increased revenue does not go back into the club to strengthen it's sporting ambition, it goes to pay off debt used to purchase the club.

It's the Weetabix model.

[thetonyclifton]

Agree we're all clutching at straws and second guessing, but that guessing is mainly rooted in recent history so there's little to be positive about. Even the football has been so bad this season as to fail to be a distraction to the circus off the pitch.

I agree - but thats all I was doing speculating and illustrating that so much is up for grabs.

I know we have no money - which is why I wasnt talking about Silva/Villa whoever else would be on my wanted list.

Cole would be free
Gabby might be 20 million and Young might be 15-18 million but given that we will undoubtedly sell some players this summer and we will have to buy some - I dont think that is shockingly ridiculous - my suggestions/speculations were based on a very specific manager who would undoubtedly given his character and style bring a couple of players with him.  My point is that my speculation is one of many many potential outcomes and was intentionally extreme - I agree with the article except that there is also potential for things to go right - or improve and change drastically from how they now sit.

[hoonin]

Tony - dont make me roll my own

[TSC]

yes we have a huge debt and interest payment but improved commercial revenue would have made them more manageable, not worse.. unless the debt hole gets bigger but i do not recall us taking on new borrowings..

Increased revenue is a mere contribution towards meeting the interest payments.  As is the transfer fund.  I think we make an operating profit.  But a huge loss overall because of the interest payments.

Those figures it should also be remembered are a year old.  So for example don't factor in the re-financing of last summer.  So aren't an accurate assessment of the true state of the club at the moment.  It may or may not be worse today.

[thetonyclifton]

Tony - dont make me roll my own

Maybe we all should and things might look better lol

Seriously tho what do you think is realistic and what do you think would happen if MON did come in?

[The G in Gerrard]

Seriously tho what do you think is realistic and what do you think would happen if MON did come in?

Journeymen footballers brought into club and Emile Heskey to return

[Fruity]

I agree - but thats all I was doing speculating and illustrating that so much is up for grabs.

I know we have no money - which is why I wasnt talking about Silva/Villa whoever else would be on my wanted list.

Cole would be free
Gabby might be 20 million and Young might be 15-18 million but given that we will undoubtedly sell some players this summer and we will have to buy some - I dont think that is shockingly ridiculous - my suggestions/speculations were based on a very specific manager who would undoubtedly given his character and style bring a couple of players with him.  My point is that my speculation is one of many many potential outcomes and was intentionally extreme - I agree with the article except that there is also potential for things to go right - or improve and change drastically from how they now sit.

seriously even if we sold torres and gerrard the likelihood is we still wont have £38 million to spend with our owners.

[thetonyclifton]

Journeymen footballers brought into club and Emile Heskey to return

Might well be true but...

Despite our financial position and 'for sale' status - if the yanks want to get the money they hope for the club - then we cant fall any more and would need to be a more attractive prospect than we currently are - our value will continue to drop if we go the way the previous two posts fear.

Those who are considering buying the club will fall into 2 categories - the first would wish the above to happen in order to devalue the club and pay less - the other would wish to do so quickly in order to avoid the above.

[hoonin]

Maybe we all should and things might look better lol

Seriously tho what do you think is realistic and what do you think would happen if MON did come in?

Dont see any chance of the club turning its fortunes around unless the burden of debt is removed ASAP.

The name of the manager comes a distant second to that, but really my colours are nailed firmly to the mast of not wanting any change in manager this summer.

[MagicB8all]

That doesn't just read as an obituary for Rafael Benitez's management of our club, it reads like a eulogy for Liverpool FC itself.

There are no words to describe this sadness that has defeated the anger in me.

[thetonyclifton]

seriously even if we sold torres and gerrard the likelihood is we still wont have £38 million to spend with our owners.

That figure is based on no sales - if we were to sell any of Babel, Kuyt, Aquilani, Riera, Lucas - whoever - that figure shrinks drastically.

[HELLRAZOR]

should make people appreciate rafa more

[jaffod]

should make people appreciate rafa more

But wont.

[Phil M]

I'm not sure the seriousness of this has sunk in with the majority of our fans at all. Has it?

[HELLRAZOR]

But wont.

not at all

its stuff like this that make me want him to stay

im kinda in the middle in not knowing what i want anymore with this club. obviously i want the owners out but with rafa i dont know anymore. shame as he is a brilliant manager. i just think the damage is irrepairable

[thetonyclifton]

I'm not sure the seriousness of this has sunk in with the majority of our fans at all. Has it?

For some no - definitely not.

Alot is on the line - no question - and alot can go even more wrong than it already is.

Which is why finding 30million for players is not too ridiculous:-

Spending 30 million:-
Gives us potentially our only chance of keeping Gerrard and Torres
Retains the value of our club and helps facilitate a sale (if we are weaker and/or without Gerrard and Torres our value plummets)
Gives us the chance to keep Rafa - or to attract the best possible replacement

If the yanks find 30 million they will be way better off than if they dont - but it is whether or not they are bright enough to realise that.

[John C]

Know any good Martin O'Neill songs John?

Jesus, Gareth.....what will become of us.

[Shabby]

For some no - definitely not.

Alot is on the line - no question - and alot can go even more wrong than it already is.

Which is why finding 30million for players is not too ridiculous:-

Spending 30 million:-
Gives us potentially our only chance of keeping Gerrard and Torres
Retains the value of our club and helps facilitate a sale (if we are weaker and/or without Gerrard and Torres our value plummets)
Gives us the chance to keep Rafa - or to attract the best possible replacement

If the yanks find 30 million they will be way better off than if they dont - but it is whether or not they are bright enough to realise that.

The yanks have shown time after time that they don't give a fuck. They have NEVER provided 30m on top sales and they are not going to start now.

If you think that there's going to be a big transfer kitty this summer, then you're setting yourself up for a massive disappointment.

[hoonin]

Jesus, Gareth.....what will become of us.

What do you mean mate?

[John C]

What do you mean mate?

What will become of the club......I've never felt so depressed for years.

[Skrtels Head]

Liverpool Football Club is well and truly already in the abyss but make no mistake we WILL return stronger than ever, it may take 5 or even 10 years but we will come back. We will never walk alone.

[thetonyclifton]

The yanks have shown time after time that they don't give a fuck. They have NEVER provided 30m on top sales and they are not going to start now.

If you think that there is going to be a big transfer kitty this summer then you're setting yourself up for a massive disappointment.

I dont think there will be - our only hope is that either someone comes in and buys the club or that the Yanks realise that given they are selling up if they invest a further 30 million they may get more than that back out - as with our current squad and current lack of potential - we are not worth what they think.

In short I am hoping that their selfishness and desire to make as much from the club as possible will work in our favour - just this once!

[The G in Gerrard]

Current owners won't invest anything into playing side.... I just can't see it

[silver 5 star]

The only option is to force the issue by boycotting games. All these c*nts understand is money.

It will have to get worse before it gets better.

[Hazell]

Current owners won't invest anything into playing side.... I just can't see it

I'm still clinging to the hope that we'll find a buyer soon. It's unlikely though, which means it's unlikely to get better. And even if we do, fuck knows what's going to happen.

[Purple Aki Fitness Club]

It will be a dark day indeed if that Jumping Idiot O'Neill gets the Liverpool Job.Also, his teams all play a sophisticated version of the Wimbledon Model circa 1987. Considering the money O'Neill has spent recently, I would also suggest that his record is not fantastic.
Sorry for my  negative post, but I'm thinking that we're Fucked.

[MagicB8all]

Liverpool Football Club is well and truly already in the abyss but make no mistake we WILL return stronger than ever, it may take 5 or even 10 years but we will come back. We will never walk alone.

didn't you say that 20 yrs ago about our winning the league?

The only route back involves owners who love the club with great business nous and a manager like Rafa. Could take several generations though.