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Wright: United are a much more attractive proposition than Liverpool right now

Ian Wright believes that Liverpool are coming  to the end of a fine era and will struggle to compete with their rivals in the transfer market.

 

As we move closer to the end of a very difficult season for all clubs, the next question is what kind of business will they be able to do as financial budgets are extremely tight due to the global pandemic.

 

 In his pre-match press conference ahead of the Man United game, Jurgen Klopp again suggested there will be limited transfer activity for the Reds and certainly no big  money deals.

 

 Instead he is focused on internal growth.

 

"I don’t see that (big money moves) happening a lot this summer because the football world is still not in the same place as it was before.

 

“Getting the [injured] players back makes us better already, definitely. That’s how it is. “These are our first transfers.

 

“We don’t know exactly when that will happen, but it will happen at one point, and all the rest we have to see."

 

“Not playing in the Champions League doesn’t help, obviously, but it’s not our biggest problem, because the market will be really strange

 

One player that Liverpool have been linked with over the past few months is Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma as a replacement for Gini Wijnaldum who is likely to depart in the summer.

 

An added complication is the upcoming European Championships. The Reds will have players involved and Klopp will be holding his breath that all return unscathed as a serious injury to one of his international contingent could throw his plans into complete turmoil.

 

Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez will not be involved but skipper Jordan Henderson still has a chance of making it. You can make the upcoming summer tournament a lot more fun by taking advantage of Euro 2021 betting offers.

 

While Liverpool have been a very attractive destination due to their outstanding success in recent years, Ian Wright believes that tide is turning with certain factors part of his view and feels the Mali international will be the perfect fit at a arch rival.

 

The Mirror ( via Ringer FC’s Wright’s House podcast) reported the former Arsenal and Crystal Palace star as saying:

 

“Bissouma’s making it clear now he wants to leave, "Bissouma at United… that fits. He’s very good.

 

"You look at Bissouma, and he’s looking at Liverpool, we know that Liverpool have had their problems this season and you’ve got to choose between Liverpool and United in the current climate.

 

I’m probably going to go with United. At the moment, yeah, because if we didn’t have the pandemic there’s certain things that’s going to happen where someone gets sold so they can finance [another signing].

 

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Wright has some considerable doubts about the age of current Liverpool squad and a team like Man United could well pull away from them in the upcoming years.

 

“What is going on at Liverpool, is there’s a lot of players getting into that 30 age bracket – Van Dijk, Henderson, the three guys up front.

 

“You think to yourself, ‘yeah Liverpool are magnificent with what they’ve done these last couple of years’. But you look at United and what United are on the cusp of doing, it’s a much more attractive proposition right now, much more.”

 

And another factor into his thinking is the age old debate about funding from the owners for the manager.

 

“I’m not being disrespectful to Liverpool, but it seems to me at Liverpool… where’s the funding?

 

“Like when they did Coutinho to get everybody in, when they sold Suarez to get everybody in, where’s that funding coming from for Liverpool for them [potential signings] to say, ‘I can see what they are building’?

 

"You’ve got three unbelievable players who are getting to a stage of their career where they’re like, ‘can I go to Real Madrid’… no, it’s not looking as attractive, with all due respect to Liverpool."

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Hard to argue against much of it, we've an aging squad and we're a club that has to sell to buy. Dumb as absolute fuck not evolving and adding quality to the side each window, taking advantage of riding the crest of the wave. Did everybody at the club think thats it we've completed football. All that aside unless you do have City level money its going to be near impossible to create some kind of dynasty because city can rest 7 players and bring on 500 million quids worth of talent to replace them. But this season hasn't seen us buckle under the pressure of city its seen us just buckle,injuries how we've dealt with them and more than anything players massively underperforming. 

 

Our midfield and forward line needs new blood, we need players closer to the 24 year old bracket, we cannot let the players who we love grow old on our watch or at least not most of them, nostalgia will kill us competitively. FSG should invest some fucking money into their business.

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Yep hard to argue really, can see us falling away now without massive investment which is highly unlikely. This is why I could see some sense to the ESL as it was the only way I could see us competing.

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Hard to disagree with Wright. Still, I think we will be a different beast next season and with Jurgen he can spot the 10-20 million players that can become world class. I can't see Sadio having a season like this again. I actually like nobody will be talking about us next season as potential champions.

The age of the team is the big thing. Really need to target the players that are ripping up trees at about 22-25. We might need to take a big whack on selling the likes of Bobby, but something is better than nothing. They still have a standing in the game. Agree completely about nostalgia being dangerous.

 

Longer term is when I would be worried with FSG because even if they get in a world class manager to replace Jurgen, which I think they probably will, he won't be as good. Personally, I think they are biding their time to sell because with City, Chelsea and United, there isn't much room for balancing the books and getting in the Champions League which is their primary goal. Trophies are a nice bonus for them. They are astute and will know this. If Arsenal get bought, then their model is no longer sustainable, unless they accept we get into the top 4 every few years.

 

Lets just enjoy Jurgen for the next few years.

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Henderson 31in June

VVD 30 in July

Matip (I know, I know) 30 in August

Thiago 30

Milner 35

Firmino 30 in October

Shaqiri 30 in October

Wijnaldum 31 in November (ok probably off but if he stays)

 

Big chunk of squad in that 30 plus bracket at/around start of next season.

 

Add in the permacrocks situation and the dead wood and we really have got a rebuild on our hands imminently, one you'd have expected we would have made more inroads into by now so it is a refresh done progressively  not a rebuild.

 

It does not feel like we have many players who are fit regularly and key now in that sweet spot of about 24-27.

 

Oh and of course we are always skint!

 

 

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The club stands to lose over £100m. The pandemic has fucked us over - it has got nothing to do with 'investment'. And considering most of those fans who are adamant that we are on the downward slide - are pretty much the same bunch of fans who in 2017 were adamant that we would never win the league and never compete, I'll take their comments with the eye roll they deserve. Take the 3 first choice centre backs out of all the teams above us and lets see how they cope. 

 

Ian Wright is making a comment now. United have won fuck all - and spent millions and despite all the plaudits still seem an unbalanced team. City are going to win the league with less than 90 points for fucks sake! Nobody has stood out this year, nobody is brilliant. 

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17 minutes ago, Jockey said:

The club stands to lose over £100m. The pandemic has fucked us over - it has got nothing to do with 'investment'. And considering most of those fans who are adamant that we are on the downward slide - are pretty much the same bunch of fans who in 2017 were adamant that we would never win the league and never compete, I'll take their comments with the eye roll they deserve. Take the 3 first choice centre backs out of all the teams above us and lets see how they cope. 

 

Ian Wright is making a comment now. United have won fuck all - and spent millions and despite all the plaudits still seem an unbalanced team. City are going to win the league with less than 90 points for fucks sake! Nobody has stood out this year, nobody is brilliant. 

You are boring mate, really. If you can't see that the Club has fucked up over a few years then theres nothing we can do for you. The pandemic only happened last year yet we never freshened up the team before that. Theres no fucking excuses.

 

If you know anything about our great Club we always topped up the squad year on year, not necessarily with big money signings, but we kept the team on its toes and we never let the team rest on what it achieved. FFS we had a strike force of Dalglish and Rush, one of the best in World football, but Paisley and Fagan didn't just rest on it, they brought in the likes of Robinson, Hodgson, Wark, Walsh and Aldridge, just to name a few.

 

We've done the polar opposite. Yes we've had success, but what now? This season may have set us back to square one. Theres a lack of options in this team and a lack of quality to come in and do a job. Jurgen did monumental work in phase 1 to get us to the pinnacle. Phase 2 was to keep us there which was the next challenge to the club. They have seemingly failed.

 

I think we are in for a hard slog, personally.

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11 minutes ago, Jockey said:

The club stands to lose over £100m. The pandemic has fucked us over - it has got nothing to do with 'investment'. And considering most of those fans who are adamant that we are on the downward slide - are pretty much the same bunch of fans who in 2017 were adamant that we would never win the league and never compete, I'll take their comments with the eye roll they deserve. Take the 3 first choice centre backs out of all the teams above us and lets see how they cope. 

 

Ian Wright is making a comment now. United have won fuck all - and spent millions and despite all the plaudits still seem an unbalanced team. City are going to win the league with less than 90 points for fucks sake! Nobody has stood out this year, nobody is brilliant. 

Yeah I agree with that.

 

To be fair to United, they have a number of exciting talents but then again Harvey Elliot looks terrific, Jones is a big talent and Kelleher has done very well this season when called upon. Cavani seems to be staying another year which is a pity but thank God he is 34. You do wonder if they then plan to buy Haaland in 12 months time. Var has been worth 10-15 points to them this season, while it's cost us possibly 8-10.

 

City and Chelsea will always be around the top with the money they spend. Being honest, neither scare me. Very good teams but if we have a fit squad come August and normal luck with injury, we can win the league. 

 

I think if there is any manager who can spot the talents that can rejuvenate the team in one or two windows and set us up for the next few years it's Jurgen. He won't be allowed spend 50-60 million numerous times like Pep to sort out their weak spots, but he'll probably pick the lads for 10-25 milliom that can get us there. Kabak has a lot to learn but for 18 million is a great bit of business.

 

We might nick top 4 and have a great chance if we beat United, but I just want the year to end.

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11 minutes ago, BeefStroganoff said:

You are boring mate, really. If you can't see that the Club has fucked up over a few years then theres nothing we can do for you. The pandemic only happened last year yet we never freshened up the team before that. Theres no fucking excuses.

 

If you know anything about our great Club we always topped up the squad year on year, not necessarily with big money signings, but we kept the team on its toes and we never let the team rest on what it achieved. FFS we had a strike force of Dalglish and Rush, one of the best in World football, but Paisley and Fagan didn't just rest on it, they brought in the likes of Robinson, Hodgson, Wark, Walsh and Aldridge, just to name a few.

 

We've done the polar opposite. Yes we've had success, but what now? This season may have set us back to square one. Theres a lack of options in this team and a lack of quality to come in and do a job. Jurgen did monumental work in phase 1 to get us to the pinnacle. Phase 2 was to keep us there which was the next challenge to the club. They have seemingly failed.

 

I think we are in for a hard slog, personally.

Yeah okay. Great points, solid argument, great red. 

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I like Wrighty but he's talking bollocks there. The way he's talking, you'd think players careers end at 29 - 30. That's utter pap.

 

What he's saying is young players shouldnt sign for Liverpool because in 3 or 4 years, some current players will be past their peak.

 

Wait, what, Sherlock? Young players being recruited and playing in a team that replaces older ones? What team doesnt bring in young players?

 

Fucking hell, people will be saying we should be re signing Suarez next and proclaiming what a signing Cavani is for united. Oh, wait on....

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1 minute ago, Ronnie Whelan said:

Yeah I agree with that.

 

To be fair to United, they have a number of exciting talents but then again Harvey Elliot looks terrific, Jones is a big talent and Kelleher has done very well this season when called upon. Cavani seems to be staying another year which is a pity but thank God he is 34. You do wonder if they then plan to buy Haaland in 12 months time. Var has been worth 10-15 points to them this season, while it's cost us possibly 8-10.

 

City and Chelsea will always be around the top with the money they spend. Being honest, neither scare me. Very good teams but if we have a fit squad come August and normal luck with injury, we can win the league. 

 

I think if there is any manager who can spot the talents that can rejuvenate the team in one or two windows and set us up for the next few years it's Jurgen. He won't be allowed spend 50-60 million numerous times like Pep to sort out their weak spots, but he'll probably pick the lads for 10-25 milliom that can get us there. Kabak has a lot to learn but for 18 million is a great bit of business.

 

We might nick top 4 and have a great chance if we beat United, but I just want the year to end.

It isn't difficult - we've been hit by a perfect storm this year. The owners deserve criticism for not having a CB ready on the 1st of January - I don't think the financial aspect is relevant when you end up with Kabak on loan and Ben Davies for a million. But, they brought in Thiago, the Greek and Jota in the summer and Taki in January - so they did invest, they didn't rest on their laurels. One of Matip, VVD, Gomez, Henderson and we would be top four. 

 

There is every chance that 3rd and 4th don't break 70 points this season, United only just breaking 70. It has been a fucking weird season - and not one you should really be looking to closely at for next season. 

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2 minutes ago, dockers_strike said:

I like Wrighty but he's talking bollocks there. The way he's talking, you'd think players careers end at 29 - 30. That's utter pap.

 

What he's saying is young players shouldnt sign for Liverpool because in 3 or 4 years, some current players will be past their peak.

 

Wait, what, Sherlock? Young players being recruited and playing in a team that replaces older ones? What team doesnt bring in young players?

 

Fucking hell, people will be saying we should be re signing Suarez next and proclaiming what a signing Cavani is for united. Oh, wait on....

I like him as well. But yeah, it isn't really a solid argument. Jota is 23, Elliot is 18 and the forward we bring in will be young as well. Same with the middle. Konate is 20, Kabak is 21. You evolve your team - you don't rip it up and start all over. 

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5 minutes ago, joe_fishfish said:

You might need to rip it up and start over if key members of it have turned completely shit, or are constantly injured.

Just deal with them! Who has turned to 'shit'? Mane, Bobby and who else? I thought we'd learned from Souness what you dont' do to a Championship winning team. 

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33 minutes ago, dockers_strike said:

I like Wrighty but he's talking bollocks there. The way he's talking, you'd think players careers end at 29 - 30. That's utter pap.

 

What he's saying is young players shouldnt sign for Liverpool because in 3 or 4 years, some current players will be past their peak.

 

Wait, what, Sherlock? Young players being recruited and playing in a team that replaces older ones? What team doesnt bring in young players?

 

Fucking hell, people will be saying we should be re signing Suarez next and proclaiming what a signing Cavani is for united. Oh, wait on....

Yeah that's it completely. I agree with him about our age profile, but who is to say that in two years time, Elliot might be our Phil Foden level talent and signings we make give us youthful dynamism to go with top class seasoned pros. Nearly every player in the world would want to play for Jurgen. Young players even more so. Liverpool in two years time will possibly have a very young age profile especially if we signed someone like Sancho to replace one of the front three.

 

34 minutes ago, Jockey said:

It isn't difficult - we've been hit by a perfect storm this year. The owners deserve criticism for not having a CB ready on the 1st of January - I don't think the financial aspect is relevant when you end up with Kabak on loan and Ben Davies for a million. But, they brought in Thiago, the Greek and Jota in the summer and Taki in January - so they did invest, they didn't rest on their laurels. One of Matip, VVD, Gomez, Henderson and we would be top four. 

 

There is every chance that 3rd and 4th don't break 70 points this season, United only just breaking 70. It has been a fucking weird season - and not one you should really be looking to closely at for next season. 

It was a perfect storm of shite this season and yet here we are in with a great chance of top 4 if we win tonight. With those lads back and Sadio hopefully on form next season, we will be a different team.

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Ian Wright won his last league title at Arsenal with Adams, Keown, Dixon and Winterburn as the defence - all old, all ageing - he seems to have forgotten that. 

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1 hour ago, Jockey said:

Yeah okay. Great points, solid argument, great red. 

Ok brains, how does Jurgen fix this moving forward? Ox? Shaqiri? Jones? Tsmikas? Minamino? Origi? Davies? Who?

 

He has no options. He's tried switching things around this season but can't either rely on them to perform, doesn't trust them or doesn't want them or they don't fit his system.

 

He has no flexibility available to him. It was all sunshine and roses when his first 12-14 are fit and roaring and available week to week, but take one or two of those away and the engine splutters.

 

You mention some players - Konate doesn't even play for the club yet, id say the jury is out on Kabak, Elliot has hardly played first team footy, Jota has been impressive but gone off the boil, there could be questions on whether or not he's an actual starter. You can evolve your team but you do it over years, building and having a capable squad than can be rotated without loss of performance. You don't do it in one fell swoop, and the club really haven't applied that strategy. 

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16 minutes ago, Jockey said:

Ian Wright won his last league title at Arsenal with Adams, Keown, Dixon and Winterburn as the defence - all old, all ageing - he seems to have forgotten that. 

Title winners generally have a mix of players of various ages. But, I dont think Wright is looking at the whole picture. You dont ship out players simply because they hit 30 which seems to be the underlying thought process of his claim. He's also not taken into consideration the gulf in coaching class between Jurgen and solskjaer. Jurgen has a track record of improving players, who and how many has solskjaer improved?

 

I really dont get why some people are going on about van Dijk, Mo, Sadio and Bobby 'being 30' in a year or two when the same people are harping on about re signing Suarez, bigging up cavani as agreat signing for united and even highlighting the club should be looking at signing Lewandowski who's 32 going on 33!

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1 minute ago, BeefStroganoff said:

Ok brains, how does Jurgen fix this moving forward? Ox? Shaqiri? Jones? Tsmikas? Minamino? Origi? Davies? Who?

 

He has no options. He's tried switching things around this season but can't either rely on them to perform, doesn't trust them or doesn't want them or they don't fit his system.

 

He has no flexibility available to him. It was all sunshine and roses when his first 12-14 are fit and roaring and available week to week, but take one or two of those away and the engine splutters.

 

You mention some players - Konate doesn't even play for the club yet, id say the jury is out on Kabak, Elliot has hardly played first team footy, Jota has been impressive but gone off the boil, there could be questions on whether or not he's an actual starter. You can evolve your team but you do it over years, building and having a capable squad than can be rotated without loss of performance. You don't do it in one fell swoop, and the club really haven't applied that strategy. 

Yeah okay. Great points, solid argument, great red. 

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2 minutes ago, dockers_strike said:

Title winners generally have a mix of players of various ages. But, I dont think Wright is looking at the whole picture. You dont ship out players simply because they hit 30 which seems to be the underlying thought process of his claim. He's also not taken into consideration the gulf in coaching class between Jurgen and solskjaer. Jurgen has a track record of improving players, who and how many has solskjaer improved?

 

I really dont get why some people are going on about van Dijk, Mo, Sadio and Bobby 'being 30' in a year or two when the same people are harping on about re signing Suarez, bigging up cavani as agreat signing for united and even highlighting the club should be looking at signing Lewandowski who's 32 going on 33!

Well City aren't really young. Their team is of a similar age profile to us - same with Chelsea. There will be a few players added this year and they'll all be towards the 20-24 age bracket. I really like Jones and I am confident he'll be a consistent starter next season. 

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12 minutes ago, Kevin D said:

 

See, what they didn’t know was once they got the average TLW poster in touch with his feelings that they wouldn’t be able to shut him up! And then it’s dysfunction this, and dysfunction that, and dysfunction vaffancul!

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Can’t disagree with Wright, reminds me of the early 90’s where we had an aging squad and the replacements that came in weren’t up to the same level. Our front three have been on the decline (Mo excepted) for three years and our midfield is about to undergo changes and our defenders are injury-prone. The only longer term players I see are Ali, Trent, Robbo and Jota. There’s perhaps a role for Curtis in there as he matures as well.

 

If we don’t finish top 4 then it will only be the pulling power of Klopp and the shrewd investment from Michael Edwards that will have us remaining competitive.

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