Local Soccer News

I would like to start off this article by confirming that I am delighted to run the Liverpool F.C. section for the website and hope that the viewers of the webpage can relate to my views about the greatest football club in the world.

My twitter timeline went crazy on Tuesday afternoon over the philosophy and model that he club’s American Owners FSG has put in place. The Americans want young quality talent arriving at Anfield on a low salary and can also offer a high sell on value when players reach a certain age. I think the opinion is split as to whether the plan is right or wrong and more question marks have growing over FSG in the last six months as to what they want to achieve at Liverpool. I tweeted my views on the hierarchy and in some way defended the Boston firm. They are businessmen, and have been very successful businessmen in American sports and are only in the Premier League for one thing- to make money. By doing that, they will need to make Liverpool successful therefore it is a win-win situation. Fans will want assurances over the long term future off the club and I am no different but the way football is going now (particularly the Premier League with Chelsea and Manchester City) every owner of every club has the same idea- make money. Clubs like Everton and Wigan may still have an owner who is in it for the right reasons and both clubs have the family image about them however if you compare their success to Manchester City’s since the Abu Dhabi group arrived at Eastland’s, it is a no brainer as a fan who you would want to be owned by.

I also think some of the criticism towards FSG has been unfair and unjustified. For instance, they took over a club in October 2010 in complete disarray. Unhappy fans, lots of debt, poor performances, high wage bill on average players, dropping attendances and a manager that was out of his depth. Since they have took over, we have progressed on the pitch, won our first trophy in six years, reduced the wage bill, seen youngsters come through to the first team and most of the debt cleared. To me in the space of fifteen months, I think it has been quick progress. Then there is the manager issue, they parted company with Roy Hodgson due to fan power and appointed club legend Kenny Dalglish for the same reason as they got to grips with the game by learning and listening to the fans. They have now made a bold move by dismissing Kenny and bringing in a bright young coach in Brendan Rodgers (who we will discuss next week).

I understand fans frustration of not competing with the likes of Chelsea and both Manchester clubs in the transfer market however the clubs safety for the long term must come first and fans have to be realistic and look at were we are. Sensibility is required. The owners made £100million available to Kenny and Damien Comolli and massive mistakes were made with that money; possibly the reason behind both sackings. After we missed out on Clint Dempsey last summer, John W Henry, principle owner of FSG, wrote an open letter to supporters explaining his views. I could never see our previous American owners doing that.

I am prepared to give FSG time and be patient to see were they will take Liverpool over the next few years. I do however believe experienced players are needed at the right price therefore they could adjust their philosophy to accommodate this. They saved our club from administration so I only think it is only fair we give them a chance. I am willing to but are you?

Joe Flanagan
Twitter- @JoeFlanaganLFC

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About Joe Flanagan

My name is Joe Flanagan and I am 20 years old from Liverpool. I am a massive Liverpool F.C. fan and follow the club everywhere. I have been a season ticket holder at Anfield for over 10 years. I am currently studying an apprenticeship in Business Adminsitration and run the LFC section for this website. I am a member of the writing team at www.kopworld.net also.

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