........At some point there was a shift away a successful formula. It started with Thiago. Jota then arrived, who is different to both Firmino and Mane, but was instantly able to find success in the system, so zero questions were raised. Minamino was signed after putting in one decent performance against us in the CL. That was a bit surprising, as it didn't point to a player we had been scouting and had done a deep dive on. You could explain it as a pragmatic, cheap risk free punt, which it also was, and even rival fans were backing the signing, but maybe it was further evidence of that shift towards Klopp
Thiago to my mind is a simple explanation, A world class player, with huge experience, costing what an average players' package would, to maybe keep us at the top whilst we get us through a transformation to a new playing style and rejuvenation.
How often have we read on this forum, and in the press, that we have been 'found out' our system, formation was going to evolve so Jota was not a surprise and likely in line with the move away from the successful formations of the last few seasons.
We know our scouting dept have files on hundreds of players and Minamino was a cheap pick up to strengthen the squad. It was an entirely reasonable transfer, I don't see any of this as evidence of a move to Klopp having more say/power in transfers - more likely it's evidence of a transition away from our previous style of play, we have to evolve and it's highly unlikely we'd be able to find like-for-like replacements for key players such as Mane, Firmino and Salah.
Diaz was a signing that was more in line with the original ethos and was an ideal long term Mane replacement. It was and is a great piece of business. If memory serves Ward handled the transfer with Edwards still overseeing. All looked well.
So Ward and Edwards handled this but had less input into the signings of Jota, Minamino etc.? That's not logical mate.
Fast forward further and Nunez and Gakpo are signed. Klopp was seemingly convinced of Nunez after watching him play against us from the touch line, which had flashbacks to Minamino, only this time the risk levels were on another level. Personally I like Nunez, but I remain confused about what the plan was to ever integrate him into this side. And then there's Gakpo. Who the fuck knows where this one fits in.
Nunez was/is highly rated and was surely on the radar for multiple teams. It's likely his transfer came about simply because we were looking for a striker with pace, had a large file on him and he (or someone similar, a striker with real pace a la Mane + Mo) was already in our planning.
Gakpo is a strange one - but it's likely he's being looked at long term and we're not privy to what that strategy is - likely a move away from the tried and tested of the previous generation. It's clear he's a good player - just not so clear how he fits into THIS team, though whatever the plan was, undoubtedly he would have had a far gentler integration without our horrendous injury list.
Amongst all that there were clashes between not extending Wijnaldum and Mane, but choosing to back Henderson and Salah.
This seems to be a case of not ignoring the players' wishes (for whatever reason Mane was clearly set on a move and Gini was after more money whilst also being in the Mo & Hendo bracket) and starting the rejuvenation of the squad but with fans disagreeing with the timing and the first players out of the door.
I'm not signaling all of these out for criticism, but taken as a whole the collection of decisions is simply worse than what originally built the side. The signings of Mane, Salah, VVD, Fabinho, Allison were so razor focused they could give you a paper cut just by thinking about them. That's what we have to compare recent decisions to and they've been coming up short.
But this is ignoring the fact that in some cases they became far far more than they were judged to be at the time of their transfers. Either good judgement, good luck or some of each. All transfers come with risks, even those costing £100m plus (most of whom, going by that Top 10 list posted recently, have been failures).
You can argue we have been attempting to evolve and morph the side as teams adapted to us and that is fine. However in signing Thiago, and allowing Henderson and Fabinho to burn out, the club is guilty of dismantling the engine room which everything else be based upon. You cannot evolve and tweak a side when the basic pillars that hold the system together are crumbling. The average fan will tell you that down the pub, so why have so many people who know better neglected it?
As I've said previously, I disagree on Thiago being a mistake and virtually nobody predicted Fabinho's form dropping off a cliff ... Hendo however is the biggest error by far (compounded by not investing in a midfield rejuvenation early enough, though if it is because we're waiting on Bellingham then that is at least partly an acceptable mitigation).
As for the future, there is too much uncertainty around the club to see a reasonable step forward until the ownership issue is resolved. Hopefully that is in the summer and gives time and resources to develop this side, but it's going to be another year or two of transition, and you have to wonder if the likes of Salah, Allison and VVD will be content with that. I think Ali and VVD are essential to get us back into the CL places, whereas Salah is showing little of being the player than can drag us through games when things aren't clicking, which there will be plenty of times to come.
Those players aren't an issue at all IMHO - read their recent statements of being happy and content with life at LFC and living in Liverpool. Salah may be sold but considering his salary and age who would buy him at anything like making it worth our while?
Totally agree on the ownership issue - this would resolve so many issues.
The question is will we have the team in place to give us confidence we can find the next Mo Salah? Announcing a Ward replacement now would give hope, but it's likely our top targets for a DOF role are going to be having doubts about joining a club with the ownership issue up in the air. The club is going to drift aimlessly until that is resolved.
Without knowing what's going on behind the scenes - we don't wash our laundry in public - it's impossible to forecast. Clearly though this position is going to be related to the ownership resolution.
I feel bad for Klopp because he has to deal with all the media scrutiny alone. Its clear there's been significant collective and strategic failings to reach this point. The man deserves continued support, but he also needs some fresh ideas on how to get the best of the players he has.
Abso-fucking-lutely! Total support.
