Congratulations on the CL win last night. I didn't watch the game, but read the reports and read quite a few comments on here. Seems like it was deserved albeit being a poor game.
I understand that the CL final has to be the final game of the season across Europe, but no doubt there being a 3 week break between the clubs who were actually taking part had a detrimental affect on the quality of the game itself.
Anyway, on to the point of this article. I don't like Liverpool, as a club they rub me up the wrong way and get under my skin. The reason for that is because they have had the better of the team I support for as long as I care to remember (longer than I have been alive). Wins against Liverpool are celebrated that bit more because they don't happen that often. Especially at Anfield.
I don't like the Liverpool fans on here. I think they are an argumentative and condescending bunch who are quick to go slate other clubs while at the same time slating anyone who has a dig at their club. But that said, that pretty much encapsulates a majority of fans. We all succumb quite easily to hypocrisy if truth be told.
But what I do have for Liverpool is respect. Their achievements in the game are to be envious of, and they are a club that quite rightly is regarded as a special club, and a club that does its fans proud.
I also really like Klopp. I think he is great to listen to and great to watch. His passion for the game is infectious and he deserves this success. The season Liverpool have just had has quite frankly been tremendous. To come back from the defeat against Real Madrid in last year's CL final - and of course the manner in which it happened (which left the club open to ridicule), to come back from that and go on to have the season they have just had is incredible. 97 points and NOT win the league? That is not only testament to Liverpool, but testament to City also for managing to fend them off, at least as far as the domestic league is concerned.
But Liverpool deserved to win something this season. And I'm glad they did. There's been some special games this season, but that 4-3 win against Barcelona at Anfield surely takes some beating. I'm not a fan, but it was incredible watching that game. I envy Liverpool fans for that game alone. Simply outstanding.
So, to sum up, I don't like you as a club, I don't like your fans, but your fans are the same as me! We love our clubs, we don't like rivals, we form friendships with anyone, we debate, banter, slate each other. We're effectively all one and the same. We all share a love for the game and a love for the club we support. So while I don't like you, I respect you, I respect the passion you have for the club you love, and I congratulate the club you support on its latest success.
Good season for Liverpool
posted on 4/6/19
comment by gratedbean (U4885)
The ‘money earned’ one is a bit shady though. Obviously as a city fan I’m happy with my snout in the trough. But Liverpool earned more tv money than the champions this season. Is that money earned? If money’s the problem then the moneys the problem, not it’s origin. And you’re comment about enjoying the success of TAA vs VVD kind of backs that up.
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Sorry but this is a load of crap.
In no industry or sector can it not natter where the money is coming from. The league is a competition and if one entity doesn't have to earn what it spends then the competition will be lopsided. Happens in every situation in the world, whether its sports or business.
While Liverpool were suffering losses every year while feeling from the ownership of the cowboys, City were taking the Sheikh's millions and then taking some more under the table. Basically, apart from doping, City are also FFP cheats.
Our owners are rich enough too but were constrained by FFP and keeping the books looking tidy. They followed the rules mostly while City enjoyed the oil money and took even more of it under the table.
In know this is not the intended direction of the article but you can't dismiss City's petrobillions and cheating just like that. Its the direction the thread has taken
Since the time City were taking the Sheikhs money, Liverpool have recovered from a loss making era and now we are arguably on an equal footing and matching City.
Going toe to toe with a state funded, FFP cheating behemoth after making huge financial losses only 5-6 years ago while at the same time City doped up and cheated FFP.
It's an absolutely amazing achievement and saying the source of money doesn't matter is a bit disrespectful and shows a lack of appreciation you have for your lottery win, taking it for granted, but there are hundreds of other clubs that have toiled since incorporation and would kill to win such a lottery.
You should be more thankful that some guy was willing to just give you all this money instead of dismissing it. You didn't have to work your socks off like other clubs.
posted on 4/6/19
What a load of bollox.
Business is business and professional football is a huge business.
Football is part of the entertainment industry, imagine Hollywood trying to lay down rules about how much studios should or shouldn't spend.
posted on 4/6/19
comment by Boris 'Inky’ Gibson (U5901)
posted 1 hour, 49 minutes ago
What a load of bollox.
Business is business and professional football is a huge business.
Football is part of the entertainment industry, imagine Hollywood trying to lay down rules about how much studios should or shouldn't spend.
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So in your opinion should any club face restrictions on spend or should everyone just be able to spend whatever they like?
posted on 4/6/19
They should be able to spend what they can afford.
What’s better? Money coming into the game, or money being taken out of it?
FFP restricts one while not caring about the other.
And that money that comes in doesn’t exist in a vacuum.
On a slightly different note, Thörgen, there is so much that is factually incorrect in your post.
posted on 4/6/19
comment by Thörgen Kloppinson, First of mine own nameth, h'rald of demise, songbird of Asgard, defend'r/ protecteth'r of the weak and innocent, mast'r of disast'r, king of stingeth, dancing destroyeth'r and counteth of monte fisto (U1282)
posted 2 hours, 17 minutes ago
comment by gratedbean (U4885)
The ‘money earned’ one is a bit shady though. Obviously as a city fan I’m happy with my snout in the trough. But Liverpool earned more tv money than the champions this season. Is that money earned? If money’s the problem then the moneys the problem, not it’s origin. And you’re comment about enjoying the success of TAA vs VVD kind of backs that up.
======
Sorry but this is a load of crap.
In no industry or sector can it not natter where the money is coming from. The league is a competition and if one entity doesn't have to earn what it spends then the competition will be lopsided. Happens in every situation in the world, whether its sports or business.
While Liverpool were suffering losses every year while feeling from the ownership of the cowboys, City were taking the Sheikh's millions and then taking some more under the table. Basically, apart from doping, City are also FFP cheats.
Our owners are rich enough too but were constrained by FFP and keeping the books looking tidy. They followed the rules mostly while City enjoyed the oil money and took even more of it under the table.
In know this is not the intended direction of the article but you can't dismiss City's petrobillions and cheating just like that. Its the direction the thread has taken
Since the time City were taking the Sheikhs money, Liverpool have recovered from a loss making era and now we are arguably on an equal footing and matching City.
Going toe to toe with a state funded, FFP cheating behemoth after making huge financial losses only 5-6 years ago while at the same time City doped up and cheated FFP.
It's an absolutely amazing achievement and saying the source of money doesn't matter is a bit disrespectful and shows a lack of appreciation you have for your lottery win, taking it for granted, but there are hundreds of other clubs that have toiled since incorporation and would kill to win such a lottery.
You should be more thankful that some guy was willing to just give you all this money instead of dismissing it. You didn't have to work your socks off like other clubs.
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Can someone else pick up this mess I’m about to start work
posted on 4/6/19
comment by RipleysCat (U1862)
posted 7 minutes ago
They should be able to spend what they can afford.
What’s better? Money coming into the game, or money being taken out of it?
FFP restricts one while not caring about the other.
And that money that comes in doesn’t exist in a vacuum.
On a slightly different note, Thörgen, there is so much that is factually incorrect in your post.
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So do you give any credence to the idea that such freedom in the current football world would be anti-competitive?
Football is often said to be a business rather than a sport, even businesses are subject to competition law to prevent market dominance.
posted on 4/6/19
I really don’t think it’s worth it grated.
posted on 4/6/19
That freedom in football existed up until FFP was introduced.
All the big clubs benefited from investment.
Was football anti-competitive then?
Is football any more or any less competitive now than it used to be?
posted on 4/6/19
Yes. You only have to look at the dominance of certain teams to see the anti-competitive element pre-FFP. Although in fairness, england saw a lot more competition than parts of Europe in terms of diversity of winners.
The difference between the world we’re in today and (say) 20 years ago is that amount of money in football means that potential gap is bigger than ever.
Tbh I think the horse has bolted on this anyway. I never truly believed a european superleague would exist until recently but I’m beginning to think it’s inevitable. Even without owner income, the commercial juggernauts that are the big clubs mean the spend is inevitably crazily unbalanced for competition.
posted on 4/6/19
comment by gratedbean (U4885)
posted 1 day, 10 hours ago
The ‘money earned’ one is a bit shady though. Obviously as a city fan I’m happy with my snout in the trough. But Liverpool earned more tv money than the champions this season. Is that money earned? If money’s the problem then the moneys the problem, not it’s origin. And you’re comment about enjoying the success of TAA vs VVD kind of backs that up.
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Not sure what you mean here? The money earned from tv rights sold for people to watch you play football in entirely different from money dumped into a club by a rich owner!
The comment re those players means I see more skill in a manager/scouts in paying 8 mil for a player who develops into - £50mil+ player than than buying the finished article. TAA, Gomez, wijnaldum, Robertson, Firmino, Salah all fall into this mould (although the later 2 still cost quite a bit, both appeared a gamble as u knowns or perceived failure in the perm), with only big bucks paid for Allison, VVD and Keita. I don’t know a huge amount about Man City squad but I know that most cost a lot!!
And I’m honestly not having a dig - it’s my personal opinion - I wouldn’t want it to happen to my club, like I say, I enjoy the skill of finding the next best player rather than buying the current best