Liverpool FC Forum

[The Bench]

A lot has been written on these boards and others about the lack of big name signings this summer, People seem to think that if we buy three “World Class!” players then our problems will be over. Some of the names that have been mentioned are just that, names. Liverpool have NEVER been the type of the club that goes out and buys success. Our success comes from buying in players that may be unknown, unproven or just pure potential. What the players we did sign had in common is that the management could see that they could come in and fit into a style of play that would bring success. Players weren’t famous because they signed for Liverpool, they became famous because Liverpool signed them.
From Shanks right up to the days of Dalglish, I can’t think of one player who came in at the height of his powers(Possibly Kenny was the only exception but he too went on to bigger and better things with us)
Todays football is a bit different and a relative unknown is a thing of a past with the media coverage afforded to the game. Clubs now get millions for potentially great players and many of these turn out to be considered average. Sky, the Champions League and the Russian mafia have turned the game on its head financially and a lot of people are caught up in the hysteria that goes with this, like lambs to the slaughter fans scream for more and more money to be thrown at the club in order to compete. 
The truly great clubs have one thing in common, great leaders. Shanks started it and the tradition continued through to Sir Bob, Joe and Kenny. Then things took a downward turn. I hate to criticize anybody who has the clubs best interests at heart but the 90’s are a poor part of our fine history. 
Gerard Houllier should be given massive credit for the job he did in a short space of time, he may not have delivered the title but he took this club from the brink of oblivion and shook it from the foundations in a way no-one has since Shanks. I know he was not the best man manager and was too prone to favoritism when it came to the first team but spotting potential and working with young players are his real forte. Hence the level of professionalism and quality of facilities have never been better. From a purely technical point of view GH was and is one of the best.
This is why I am so excited by the Rafael Benitez’ appointment. He is inheriting everything a manager could wish for and is being given the freedom to stamp his own authority upon it. I am so glad that we’ve not unveiled 3 “major stars” this summer because to me it shows the man has enough faith in his own ability to take what he has and mould it to play a certain way, a way that has already brought him success. He has faith in the quality of player LFC are renowned for possessing, not just first team but the kids too(as was evident by his squad for the wxm game). If after the US tour he doesn’t feel there’s enough there then he will be backed by the board to bring in someone new. If and when he does I’m expecting the reactionary masses to criticize the signing and hark back to the GH signings, because I believe that Rafa won’t go for the big names for the sake of it but he will only bring in players who can fit in to his way of thinking, to his way of playing, to a winning mentality. The Liverpool Way. YNWA.

[madred]

Well thought out post mate.

[azriahmad]

Looking at Houllier's reign over the past 2 years, Liverpool have even lost the hallmark of their game built by Shanks - keep possession and make simple yet effective passes which led the the effective attacks.

Our players lose possession far too easily and on top of that, play way too defensively even at home. I hope with Benithez at the helm, we will go back to our basics and build on the conerstone of our success - the way we used to play.

Looking at Valencia, Benithez's philosophy is to play a solid organised manner. This should be a good start, with or without mega signings. At least we eill statr to play with more purpose and much better passing, not aimlessly with Gerrard giving his all and most of the rest playing like passengers with no pride at all.

[The Bench]

Azri, not sure what your saying. Surely the points you've made where already covered in the original post. If you're detracting from Houliier then I expected that but why only give the negatives of his reign? He did a lot for the club as whole.

[72-1090627431]

A lot has been written on these boards and others about the lack of big name signings this summer, People seem to think that if we buy three “World Class!” players then our problems will be over. Some of the names that have been mentioned are just that, names. Liverpool have NEVER been the type of the club that goes out and buys success. Our success comes from buying in players that may be unknown, unproven or just pure potential. What the players we did sign had in common is that the management could see that they could come in and fit into a style of play that would bring success. Players weren’t famous because they signed for Liverpool, they became famous because Liverpool signed them.
From Shanks right up to the days of Dalglish, I can’t think of one player who came in at the height of his powers(Possibly Kenny was the only exception but he too went on to bigger and better things with us)
Todays football is a bit different and a relative unknown is a thing of a past with the media coverage afforded to the game. Clubs now get millions for potentially great players and many of these turn out to be considered average. Sky, the Champions League and the Russian mafia have turned the game on its head financially and a lot of people are caught up in the hysteria that goes with this, like lambs to the slaughter fans scream for more and more money to be thrown at the club in order to compete. 
The truly great clubs have one thing in common, great leaders. Shanks started it and the tradition continued through to Sir Bob, Joe and Kenny. Then things took a downward turn. I hate to criticize anybody who has the clubs best interests at heart but the 90’s are a poor part of our fine history. 
Gerard Houllier should be given massive credit for the job he did in a short space of time, he may not have delivered the title but he took this club from the brink of oblivion and shook it from the foundations in a way no-one has since Shanks. I know he was not the best man manager and was too prone to favoritism when it came to the first team but spotting potential and working with young players are his real forte. Hence the level of professionalism and quality of facilities have never been better. From a purely technical point of view GH was and is one of the best.
This is why I am so excited by the Rafael Benitez’ appointment. He is inheriting everything a manager could wish for and is being given the freedom to stamp his own authority upon it. I am so glad that we’ve not unveiled 3 “major stars” this summer because to me it shows the man has enough faith in his own ability to take what he has and mould it to play a certain way, a way that has already brought him success. He has faith in the quality of player LFC are renowned for possessing, not just first team but the kids too(as was evident by his squad for the wxm game). If after the US tour he doesn’t feel there’s enough there then he will be backed by the board to bring in someone new. If and when he does I’m expecting the reactionary masses to criticize the signing and hark back to the GH signings, because I believe that Rafa won’t go for the big names for the sake of it but he will only bring in players who can fit in to his way of thinking, to his way of playing, to a winning mentality. The Liverpool Way. YNWA.

Liverpool has Never been the club to go out and buy success??

Your comments seem to be very Immature, bearing in mind that football has changed so much, nver mind the good old days, when you could buy a player from coventry city or Oxford Utd and he became a world beater, those days are long gone! And Dalglish singned some shockers,ie; Jimmy Carter and David Speedie.

basically I think your analogy is pure TOSH!

If Liverpool buy unknown type players as you say, where do you think that will get us realistically? ?

Football today, is all about buying the worlds best players for the right money, and not buying the next best cheaper alternative.
\

Liverpool Fc have spending power, and should use it well, befoe they get left behind.

[Starbridge42]

****** off Hustler

[Santa]

Hustler you idiot, it's the Team not Individuals, get that into your hollow head. Case in point: Madrid v Valencia, France/Holland/Italy v Greece.

So you think just because we've got cash we should splash out and compete with the likes of Madrid & Chelsea? Try tell that to Leeds dis-United...

If you like the excitement of big name signing, go fu-ck-off and support Chelsea. You won't be missed!!!

[thecatsmeow]

I guess from your posts (the bench,santa,etc) you are all over 40....... wake up and smell the coffee boys football has changed since the days of shanks ,kenny etc ...it might not be for the better but it has.. you cannot buy a player and develop him now he has to perform from day one....hustler has it spot on....anyway when did we last buy a "world class player"
you cannot mean Harry Kewell..most of GH's signings were potential unfortunatley some didnt work out...you guys talk about the Liverpool way as though things have changed...i say things have not changed and thats why we have underacheived ... would it be so terrible to go out and spend 30-40 million on one or two players who would score 20-30 goals a season.. theres a team up the road who have done that

[Paul C]

I agree and disagree, football has change and so has the pressure of winning, these days you need world class players as well as the 'smaller buys'.

Hustler: one minute you refer to LFC as 'us' and then 'they', do you actually support Liverpool FC?

[fritzylfc]

world class footballers smaller buys big buys the last bunch of liverpool managers have all delved deeply into the transfer market to prove one thing it does not work. after all its the local boys at present who can hold there heads up and they came threw the ranks,

[kenco]

Lets just get back to the Liverpool way of playing football.Pass and move,play it simple, and we'll by ok!!

[72-1090627431]

I guess from your posts (the bench,santa,etc) you are all over 40....... wake up and smell the coffee boys football has changed since the days of shanks ,kenny etc ...it might not be for the better but it has.. you cannot buy a player and develop him now he has to perform from day one....hustler has it spot on....anyway when did we last buy a "world class player"
you cannot mean Harry Kewell..most of GH's signings were potential unfortunatley some didnt work out...you guys talk about the Liverpool way as though things have changed...i say things have not changed and thats why we have underacheived ... would it be so terrible to go out and spend 30-40 million on one or two players who would score 20-30 goals a season.. theres a team up the road who have done that

Your first post and a good one too!

Santa, if you are referring to Greece winning the Euros which you obviously are, greece were massive outsiders and slightly lucky to beat the teams they did.

Everyone was suprised they won, and they wouldnt repeat the same feat 9 times out of ten.

Even Greeces players are worth millions now.

If you look at what premiership transfers are doing with the likes of Arsenal Chelsea and Man Utd, with the millions they spend  etc. there is reasoning behind that!

Only Everton buy players from milwall etc cause they have no money and look where they'll finish.

Whats worried me so far is Benitez Has just signed Josemi the 24 year old full back or whatever his name is, and Malaga finished 10th in La liga last year.

[stapo1000]

A lot has been written on these boards and others about the lack of big name signings this summer, People seem to think that if we buy three “World Class!” players then our problems will be over. Some of the names that have been mentioned are just that, names. Liverpool have NEVER been the type of the club that goes out and buys success.

the reason people want quality signings is they are sick of the houllier way of buying 'potential zidanes' etc. and frankly so am i. there is now a buzz among fans particularly since the arrival of cisse because he is a quality player with a big name and not only does this give the fans hope but it also gives optimism to the players. dont you think the arrival of players like cisse is an improvement on the cheyros, the dioufs, the biscans, the diaos...?

[115-1073096938]

Liverpool has Never been the club to go out and buy success??

Your comments seem to be very Immature, bearing in mind that football has changed so much, nver mind the good old days, when you could buy a player from coventry city or Oxford Utd and he became a world beater, those days are long gone! And Dalglish singned some shockers,ie; Jimmy Carter and David Speedie.

basically I think your analogy is pure TOSH!

If Liverpool buy unknown type players as you say, where do you think that will get us realistically??

Football today, is all about buying the worlds best players for the right money, and not buying the next best cheaper alternative.
\

Liverpool Fc have spending power, and should use it well, befoe they get left behind.

Ignore Hustler mate, its a good post and a good topic and well said and thought out. He's a know nothing egotisical wannabe airheaded bodybuilder who was banned fr chattin ****** a few days ago then come back and does exactly the same thing.

Buying unknowns is tosh is it Hustler? Well ok, heres a team of unknowns from forgien leagues that where signed over the last 7 or 8 years that i can think of off the top of my head, you had never heard of or seen any of these play before they came over here, tell me weather you think this team has any class at all yeah? Then afterwards, you can eat your words.

GK Cudicini,

RB Melchiot (best i can think of but Hustler rates him)
CB Gallas,
CB Hyypia,
LB Riise,

RM Ljungberg,
CM Vieira,
CM Petit,
LW Gronkjaer

CF Anelka,
CF Baros,

Subs,

GK Dudek
DF Toure
MD Edu
AT Solskjaer

Looks pretty strong that to me. Considering you can't sign "unkowns" and doing so is tosh, yeah totally see where you're comin from lad.

Quote from Starbridge42:

****** off Hustler

Look lad, no-one likes you, no one respects ANYTHING you ever say, an idiot who claims to be some rock hard body builder (we all know they don't exist), better than Murphy and Ballack at football and thinks Matteo and Melchiot are better than Hyypia will never get an ounce of respect on a board like this. You are the weakest link... ****** off!!!

[115-1073096938]

Stapo, the point of this post is simple.

The Liverpool way is to get the right players. Not always the best known players. If they are well known, wonderfull, if not... who cares as long as they are class?

How many here wanted Hyypia when he was signed? Answer... ZERO. I'd never heard of him. What a player he turned out to be. I'd always liked Henchoz, i'd only heard of Babbel, never really noticed him, but he came with a reputation.

If i was in charge now, i'd get my system sorted. It would be based on getting the best out ot Owen, Cisse, Kewell, Gerrard, Riise and Hyypia. The rest i would be looking to replace unless they could convince me they were good enough to keep there places. One by one i'd look for certain types of players that could offer me what i lacked, then intigrate them into the team, perfecting a tactic and making it work.

If Benitez does that using his knowledge of th game, i'm sure he won't go far wrong.