With pre-season training under way and a number of signings in the bag, it's hard to fathom the doom and gloom that I've been tripping over on various forums recently.
The loud minority aiming vitriol at FSG and Rodgers is a symptom of ignorance to the progress the club is making. This summer, LFC have been quick to snap up targets and, with more to come, the reasons to be cheerful are plentiful.
The transfer window is notorious for sucking fans into black holes of random speculation, a futile journey where every muttering and Chinese whisper never receives the legitimate scrutiny they warrant. This leads to obvious disappointment. Clubs, for the most part, treat such stories with the contempt they deserve. Fans on the other hand remain transfixed by the bright, burning fire of a transfer saga and dance blissfully around it until it burns to ash rather than produce the rising phoenix that was prayed for. It’s little wonder that fans are left angry and frustrated. The truth is often far removed from what we read. Failure to rubber stamp a dead lead causes fans to turn on their own.
The most common accusation appears to be FSG’s inability, or unwillingness, to spend money. In terms of income and expenditure, FSG has shown a steady and somewhat surprising level of investment. Since 2011, Liverpool’s player expenditure has outstripped income by around £29 million per season. Given FSG’s impassioned defence of Financial Fair Play, this is a healthy return and shows that money is available. The lucrative sponsorship deals that LFC can still attract shows that the club is moving, financially at least, in the right direction. A structure designed for stability paves the way for success within the UEFA FFP model. The days of drunken spending are numbered and the club is well positioned to make a sustained challenge on the top four whilst keeping within the boundaries of FFP. And therein lies the key. Spend what you earn, not what you like. As a result, FSG is putting structures in place to increase the clubs spending power, not reduce it.
During this transfer window, Liverpool is showing a net spend of £2 million to date. With players ready to move on, there’s still plenty of room to manoeuvre when the ‘big bang’ starts and the global game begins to feel the domino effect of player movement. Market leaders such as Chelsea, Man United, Real Madrid and B Munich have yet to put away their cheque books and with each seeking that subtle yet significant edge, the madness has yet to reach its tipping point. Whether LFC are part of this financial frenzy remains to be seen. The Suarez situation will go far in determining LFC’s participation in more glamorous dealings. But even if Suarez stays, there is still more business to be done. At the moment, I’m happy to wait for deals to be completed away from the limelight with a secure and responsible budget from Boston.
The success of each transfer window has less to do with FSG’s inclination to spend money and more to do with attracting the right players to the club. The revelation this week that Henrikh Mkhitaryan has opted to join Dortmund should come as no surprise. Failure to secure the signature owes more to the modern day footballers search for immediate success rather than FSG’s desire to buy him. Let’s not kid ourselves that players have much sentiment towards their employers. In short, football has changed; players have changed and finally, clubs are starting to catch on to the harsh realities of player power. Whilst LFC will dig deep for the right player, sealing the deal often hinges on things that are beyond the club’s control. This window will be no different.
I’d hazard a guess that most media outlets are in the dark when speculating about possible deals. That’s the way it should be. Rodgers and co will be conducting their business as quietly and professionally as possible. Until a signing is complete and delivered, LFC will be keeping their peace. Rodgers isn’t stupid and has a clear understanding of what is required. Whilst he’s taken on a huge mantle and has been accused of being a small fish in a big pond but he’s determined to get the right players to the club. A coach first and manager second, he will leave the business to more experienced business types but will scrutinize the fluid and ever changing market, dependent upon who leaves and who is available. A resolution to the Suarez yarn is a case in point. Clubs are always busy doing business and don’t run out of steam after one target wriggles away. LFC still has its budget loaded and ready to go. After the mistakes of last summer, the powers that be have been planning this window for some time. Movement in and out is a certainty but let’s not fuel the fire. I’m not even going to hazard a guess at who these players will be. I simply don’t know.
So while LFC fans suffer the ups and downs of this transfer window and many fire broadsides at the management, spare a thought for the players who are already gracing Anfield. Aside from the usual suspects, Sturridge has been an instant hit and looks to have knuckled down to his task. Sterling has shown real potential and received a senior England call up. The exceptional Coutinho, the real star of 2013, has moved seamlessly into the English game and looks set for starring role this season. I’d expect Borini and an injury free Allen to do better and Henderson has still only hinted at his ability in a red shirt. Younger players like Yesil and Ibe and will get their chance. Rodgers has added some exciting talent into the mix with Alberto and Aspas hungry to impress. And we can expect two to three more signings for Rodgers to put his stamp on the squad. That’s a big window with still plenty of room for a high profile purchase.
The key to Liverpool’s success will be what happens on the pitch, not off it. Liverpool’s ability to compete is firmly planted in its technical expertise. Money is all good and well but only if its implementation is responsible. FFP has offered the club an opportunity to compete on a level playing field and it’s an opportunity it is well placed to take advantage of. Evidence suggests that FSG are keen to invest in all areas of the club and are expanding commercial operations with vigour. A redeveloped Anfield is long overdue but maybe, finally, there’s light at the end of the tunnel.
Here’s one final thought for those who seek to undermine this great club. Liverpool FC remains one of the world’s great sporting institutions and is still held in the highest regard. The apparent lack of success that the club has endured should be brought sharply into perspective. Since Arsenal last lifted silverware, Liverpool has contested 2 Champions League Finals, won an FA Cup, a League Cup and the UEFA Super Cup. And that’s hardly ancient history. Even prior to 2005, the incredible trophy haul of 2001 did little to stifle that opinion. Many fans considered Liverpool to be finished, a spent force lost in the entrails of its own history. But success is relative and LFC is never far away from tasting it. With history so often the butt of LFC jokes, it’s surprises me how keen clubs are to write their own. Liverpool FC will continue to do so without destroying itself in the process.
Julian Cosgrove
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