In short, with this article, we've a prominent Spirit Of Shankly figure saying (and correct me if I'm wrong) that we should forget about building the club within our financial means, operate in the transfer market without any kind of eye on asset or resale value, and build a stadium with a capacity about 20,000 beyond what there's any reasonable demand for, with all concomitant cost. This 11 months after we came within inches of winning the league, when Man City put in a miraculous run of form to pip us at the post, slips and Crystal Palace demises or not. I can remember Neil Atkinson on TAW saying, "I'd love to see this side pitted against the likes of Bayern Munich". 11 months ago that.
I doubt anyone can argue about the issues of ticket prices or the creeping wankification of the game at every turn, not least the ground itself, but if one club suffers less than any other it's Liverpool. But beyond that, it reads a bit like a Spirit Of Shankly volte face to wishing for a sugar daddy with a magic wand.
Totally agree. Think people are just desperate for something to have a gripe about. Under FSG, whatever their ills, we've:
a) mostly cleared our debts - don't forget the club was in real danger of administration;
b) enormously improved commercial revenues - in the era of FFP this is vital, and we only just passed last time;
c) won a trophy, and nearly won the league - I saw someone write this was 'only because of Suarez', FSG sanctioned the purchase of Suarez, if they don't get credit for it then I give up;
d) start work on the stadium - that previous owners promised and failed to deliver on, and done it so that we can stay at Anfield and considerably boost capacity;
e) invested heavily in new players - they may have recouped some of this money in sales but their overall outlay in new contracts and fees is significant.
Our owners live on 'hope' they don't take risk.
They shop at poundland hoping for a steal but don't want to shop at Waitrose for the quality.
Rodger - hope! Players - hope! Stadium - hope! No high quality risk.
Now hiding behind the rubbish FFP to save them.
They can't or don't want to take us to the next level.
All this says is that you've taken a dislike to them beyond what is proportionate.
Rodgers - talented young manager who has nearly won us the league in his second season!
Players - these guys bought Suarez, spent £35m on Carroll (who they didn't identify...), continued to invest heavily in some of Europe's best talent and have tried to buy players who are now very highly regarded, eg. Sanchez/Costa!
Stadium - ACTUALLY WORKING ON STADIUM, expanding it to nearly 60,000, etc.!
The other thing I don't get is that you say they don't take risks, then say they've taken risks in hiring a young relatively unproven manager and young, relatively unproven players. It's not consistent. How is any of that hope?
Everyone has issues with the modern game, and it is full of problems, but they seem to be doing the best they can in the circumstances. If they want to sell in 10 years, then they'll get the best price if we're a financially viable club with massive attendances playing regularly in the Champions League and winning trophies to expand our global fanbase.