PODCAST: Leeds 1 Liverpool 6 - Match Reaction & Bellingham talk

Excellent podcast - a great listen.

The second half on Bellingham was brilliant.

But the conclusion has to be yes, they ARE mingebags.

I see Bellingham is discussed as a possible "generational talent", but the indisputable generational talent is Jurgen Klopp. We actually have him and he's been badly let down many times by our ownership.

We should definitely sign Bellingham and worry about everything else later.  I too haven’t totally ruled out that it’s finished (although it doesn’t look great).
 

However, I’m really disappointed there wasn’t more comment on the fact that City and PSG (and Chelsea too, actually - they’ve done as much if not more harm than the others since Abramovich bought them) have totally distorted the transfer market to the point where we can say, “Mingebags” one second and “£122m on two players in six months” on the other. Our expectations are absolutely ridiculous. The oil cunts have won, PL charges notwithstanding. 

1 hour ago, Paul said:

We should definitely sign Bellingham and worry about everything else later.  I too haven’t totally ruled out that it’s finished (although it doesn’t look great).
 

However, I’m really disappointed there wasn’t more comment on the fact that City and PSG (and Chelsea too, actually - they’ve done as much if not more harm than the others since Abramovich bought them) have totally distorted the transfer market to the point where we can say, “Mingebags” one second and “£122m on two players in six months” on the other. Our expectations are absolutely ridiculous. The oil cunts have won, PL charges notwithstanding. 

We couldn't cover everything, you just say what's in your head and then sometimes afterwards you remember a point you overlooked. Besides, Chris was trying to wrap it up from about 65 minutes but we just kept going!

Also the distorted market is just a fact of modern football unfortunately, there's nothing really to discuss. 

We (as a club) can only control how we deal in and with that environment, which has plenty of scope for discussion, agreement and disagreement.

Enjoyed the podcast once again, thanks fellas.

On their goalkeeper, Dave wondered who the number 2 was and that he must be shite if he can't get in ahead of Meslier.

You know who it is? That Joel Robles bum who was on Everton's books for a while.

21 minutes ago, dave u said:

 

We couldn't cover everything, you just say what's in your head and then sometimes afterwards you remember a point you overlooked. Besides, Chris was trying to wrap it up from about 65 minutes but we just kept going!

I briefly mentioned “cheating” but in this case it doesn’t feel as relevant as it could be as it’s not like we simply can’t afford him; we can. We’re just choosing not to do it.

12 minutes ago, manwiththestick said:

On their goalkeeper, Dave wondered who the number 2 was and that he must be shite if he can't get in ahead of Meslier.

 

You know who it is? That Joel Robles bum who was on Everton's books for a while.

Hahahaha fucking hell, really? Yeah he might be one of only a handful of keepers on the planet who would be worse.

10 minutes ago, Brownie said:

I briefly mentioned “cheating” but in this case it doesn’t feel as relevant as it could be as it’s not like we simply can’t afford him; we can. We’re just choosing not to do it.

Or are we?

15 minutes ago, dave u said:

 

Or are we?

Allegedly.

On the handball, I think the reason is the ref had shafted us to that point, he gave us zero frees in the first half, including a free to Leeds when Rodrygo elbowed Fab in the face. I was waiting for a potential red card flash to appear on the screen but no, same thing with another free they got for a foul by Curtis, I thought that was going our way to. 

In real time it was blasted at him from 3 yards, I think it's justifiable to allow that one stand.

4 minutes ago, No2 said:

On the handball, I think the reason is the ref had shafted us to that point, he gave us zero frees in the first half, including a free to Leeds when Rodrygo elbowed Fab in the face. I was waiting for a potential red card flash to appear on the screen but no, same thing with another free they got for a foul by Curtis, I thought that was going our way to. 

 

In real time it was blasted at him from 3 yards, I think it's justifiable to allow that one stand.

It would also have hit his body if it didn't hit the arm first. Maybe that had something to do with it? 

2 hours ago, dave u said:

 

We couldn't cover everything, you just say what's in your head and then sometimes afterwards you remember a point you overlooked. Besides, Chris was trying to wrap it up from about 65 minutes but we just kept going!

I know. But it’s all part of it. We just accept it as the way it is. Cheating is just a fact that we have to deal with on top of everything else and no allowances are made. 

2 hours ago, Moo said:

Also the distorted market is just a fact of modern football unfortunately, there's nothing really to discuss. 

We (as a club) can only control how we deal in and with that environment, which has plenty of scope for discussion, agreement and disagreement.

 

Enjoyed the podcast once again, thanks fellas.

 

This is what I mean. “There’s nothing to discuss” = cheating has been normalised. 

2 hours ago, Brownie said:

I briefly mentioned “cheating” but in this case it doesn’t feel as relevant as it could be as it’s not like we simply can’t afford him; we can. We’re just choosing not to do it.

I think it’s relevant both to the price and to the discussion about whether the owners are “mingebags”. I realise it can’t dominate and I understand why it was only mentioned in passing, but I feel like these cunts take the piss out of us every time we benchmark how we operate against their cheating ways. Again, £122m on two players in six months is incredible and yet totally taken for granted. The world record fee for Virgil is now old news. 

Dave said that if Bellingham stays at Dortmund for another season, we won't get him then as we will have bought midfielders this summer so won't need them in 2024. 

If we buy 2 midfielders this summer, we are effectively replacing Ox, Keita, (Arthur) and maybe Milner with 2 purchases. Next summer, Henderson will need replacing (some will reply saying that should have happened years ago) and Fabinho will need to be moved on soon also. If we get 4 outfield players (CB, CMx2, RB) in this summer and the price is nearer £80-90m in 2024, we could easily bring him in then. Aside from more midfield reinforcements, depending on the form of Salah and VVD, we may not need any major signings in 2024 so Bellingham in 2024 is not beyond the realms of possibility. 

Great listen, thanks lads. Fucking love these. 

Imagine Salah's face when he was told Sadio was coming back. 

23 minutes ago, Redder Lurtz said:

Great listen, thanks lads. Fucking love these. 

Is right!

What's the top price you'd pay for Bellingham?

I still think being dragged into a bidding war against yourself is madness and taking a step back is the best approach at this point. I'm sure it's just brinkmanship in terms of when we come back to the table but if there is another bidder above what we're willing to pay, you know we'll step away again.

Great pod again lads, I'm now more convinced Bellingham will sign. If I'm FSG I'm fully aware of the small but vocal FSG out crowd and even more aware of the situation up the road. They witnessed first hand the power of the fans when it came to getting rid of Hicks and Gillett. I can't see Henry or Werner putting up with the shit the Glaziers do, first sign of mass protest and they're gone. 

With that in mind they will be all over the analytics, they will know how vocal and engaged the FSG out crowd are, if this looks like the straw that breaks the camels back then they will put up the funds. Certainly a pound shop version will not be accepted, Gravenberch and Nunes walking through the door as the alternative won't go down well. 

As much as we all laugh at the mancs if Bellingham signed for City and they were 16 points ahead of us in 8th place come October the banners would be out. You can't win everything,  raise ticket prices and then plead the poor mouth. 

Jones and Trent could well be the key, if they look good enough to continue long term in midfield then a cheap right back and Bellingham has to be achievable and Bellingham on his own in that scenario would be palatable to most. There are about 45 English right backs of decent quality, someone like Matty Cash would tick the boxes.

My fonal point is what is the expectation next season? Is it the 2nd transition season or is the aim 97 points again? If its the former then retaining both Fab and Thiago makes makes no sense, bank the cash and get Bellingham. 

@Brownie on the subject of big clubs never passing up opportunities like this. That isn't true anymore and plays into what @Paulwas saying about the cheats. All the big clubs ran a mile from Halaand.

6 hours ago, Paul said:

We should definitely sign Bellingham and worry about everything else later.  I too haven’t totally ruled out that it’s finished (although it doesn’t look great).
 

However, I’m really disappointed there wasn’t more comment on the fact that City and PSG (and Chelsea too, actually - they’ve done as much if not more harm than the others since Abramovich bought them) have totally distorted the transfer market to the point where we can say, “Mingebags” one second and “£122m on two players in six months” on the other. Our expectations are absolutely ridiculous. The oil cunts have won, PL charges notwithstanding. 

I'm kinda sick of talking about it to be honest, which I why I reigned Dave in when he was going down the Haaland dead agent rabbit hole. We all know it, at this point it feels like we're labouring the point. 

11 minutes ago, No2 said:

@Brownie on the subject of big clubs never passing up opportunities like this. That isn't true anymore and plays into what @Paulwas saying about the cheats. All the big clubs ran a mile from Halaand.

Only because he was always going to City. The others never had a chance to get him.

The serious clubs don’t turn down these opportunities.

5 minutes ago, Brownie said:

Only because he was always going to City. They never had a chance to get him.

 

The serious clubs don’t turn down these opportunities.

But he was only ever going there because of the amount they were willing go pay. Real, sustainable clubs do walk away and always have unless they can get the player to act the cunt.

1 minute ago, No2 said:

But he was only ever going there because of the amount they were willing go pay. Real, sustainable clubs do walk away and always have unless they can get the player to act the cunt.

Liverpool aren’t suggesting they can’t afford Bellingham.