Official Liverpool FC thread

[Spudboy]

Also there were a few people wearing Red Sox merchandise at Anfield today.

 

A few? That's a start.

[Redguard]

A few? That's a start.

 

No doubt about, in fact the whole team was wearing red socks.

[LFCKEV71]

No.

 

She's a gold digging whore. I don't fault Henry for wanting young talent. Especially with his looks.

 

 

Don't care if She's a gold digging she our lucky charm she's been to two game and we've won two:D

[AJ2010]

Hi guys just checking in etc etc, exciting day yesterday , I guess some of you may have heard via NESN but FSG spent ?57.8 Million on 2 strikers! good times although it was a bit of a shame to get rid of Fernando Torres to Chelsea, however ?50 million softens the blow a bit lol.

[Fuzzy Dunlop]

yesterdays business only cost us a million, aint no thang. Very happy with the owners, if that had have been Hicks and Gillett, that 50 million would be in their bank accounts.

[Will617]

Liverpool improved yesterday. I am a little disappointed Arsenal didn't buy/loan (in) anyone, but I can't say I'm surprised. That front line is strong, but it'd be interesting to see if Liverpool plays 4-4-2 now. Still think that 4-2-3-1 is their best option.

[gazzalfc]

During the transfer window Liverpool purchased a new striker Andy Carroll to replace the marquee player Torres

 

In an act of respect to our new owners and to develop the link with the Red Sox the following will hopefully be sung by fans when Carroll makes his first appearance.

 

(to the tune of Sweet Caroline)

 

Sweet Carroll 9

Oh Oh Oh

Scoring never looked so good

So good So good So good

Goals all the time

Oh Oh Oh

Just like Kenny said he would

[MDF3530]

Torres was a salary issue, right? Shame they had to let him go.

 

You guys think Dalglish will be named the permanent manager?

[Streetlife]

Torres was a salary issue, right? Shame they had to let him go.

 

You guys think Dalglish will be named the permanent manager?

 

Yes i heard Torres earned 7 millon a year our two new players combined earn 6.7 million.And i dont think Kenny Daglish is going anywhere he is staying at the club he loves.

[Streetlife]

And another thing all the fans are so happy with John and Tom NESV they are great owners already smashing the British record transfer fee.

[gazzalfc]

No one really know the reason why Torres decided to move to Chelsea. I dont think we will ever know

 

He had a long term contract with Liverpool and a written transfer request was rejected by the owners. This was not a case of the owners forcing him out of the door due to his high wages.

 

What we do know is that Torres has been acting like a spoiled child on the pitch this season has has not shown any signs of being a world class player. So the fact we were able to get ?50 million (~$81 million) for him is a great victory to Henry and NESV.

 

Kenny Dalglish is known as 'The King' with Liverpool fans. He was one of the greatest ever players for the club and commands the greatest respect from the players.

 

In terms of his long term future I'm unsure. He has a contract til May. Depends on results. liverpool is far from fixed right now. But we are going in the right direction.

 

What we can say is that all Liverpool fans are happy that we have John Henry and NESV associated with our club

[DirtDog]

Torres sucks, glad they got rid of that cancer

[Fuzzy Dunlop]

Letter from John and Tom to the Spirit of Shankly supporters group.

 

January 27, 2011

Gentlemen, We appreciate the considerable time you clearly spent in composing your letter of December 20th. Although getting a letter from a lawyer on the eve of Christmas that reads a little like a deposition generally isn’t considered a present, we’ve taken it in the spirit of the holidays – and especially after the tremendous generosity we have witnessed from everyone who loves Liverpool Football Club.

Many of your core questions are similar to those we receive from many fans of the club on a regular basis. And we have made a very deliberate decision to share our thoughts and responses as widely as we can ever since we have become involved with LFC. Our view is that the club belongs to all its supporters and we want to have our views disseminated to the same wide audience.

In the vein of a question that pops up frequently, your first question asks: “What price was paid by NESV to purchase the share capital from the previous owners?”

Although it has been widely reported what we paid, we believe that it should not matter to LFC supporters any longer. The question no longer should be what was we paid for LFC, but what will come of the purchase. And, as long as the club remains on a sound financial basis – and we paid enough to ensure that we have a vested interest in that being the case – the continual questioning of our finances should be an annual event when results are publicly announced – rather than a continuous, daily one.

Rather than living in the past and with an accountant’s abacus, we have made it a point since our ownership began to try to understand the core underpinnings – ethos – of what made LFC great. Clearly, the spirit of one man, Bill Shankly, carried the Club on his shoulders into the first division and then to trophies driven by his burning desire to win– to do whatever it took to win, and in winning, determined to do it the right way—the Liverpool way.

In the spirit of Mr. Shankly, the questions supporters should consider today include: where do we go from here as a club, as owners and as supporters. What is ownership going to do after taking on this huge responsibility? What are supporters going to do? What must the club do? These are the important questions and that’s where we need transparency. What are our proper roles, responsibilities and actions that must be taken on in this quest to return LFC to the spirit of Bill Shankly?

Indeed, Bill Shankly inherited a club that at least in some respects is like the club we have inherited. On one hand, we have some tremendous advantages he didn’t have. We are in the Premier League. We have substantial revenue. And we have a worldwide base of supporters. But on the other, we compete today in very different world than he competed in and have a different set of obstacles to overcome in order not to be left behind in a very competitive world. The world was not connected in those days. Very little was instantaneous. And revenue generation consisted of selling tickets and not much else. How will four Premier League teams in Liverpool and Manchester ever be able to compete over the long‐term against four teams in London? (Merseyside has a population of approximately 1.35 million people; Manchester 2.55 million. Arsenal and Chelsea have 14

million people spread over a smaller area – the metropolitan area of London. And they have perhaps the wealthiest supporters in the world.)

Manchester United knows what do it. No matter how we feel about them on the field, that club has shown exactly what it takes to be successful in the modern competitive landscape. Although Liverpool FC and Manchester United are the clubs with a truly global fan base and the opportunity to capitalize upon that advantage, over the last 20 years Manchester United has left LFC behind in terms of revenue‐generation and stability. They have been the most aggressive club commercially. They recognized that they couldn’t compete over the long‐term with Arsenal and Chelsea in local revenue. We are gaining ground on them, but currently they have the advantage.

An organization competing at the highest level in the Premier League has to produce sufficient revenue to be a Big Four Club. Because, year after year, a Big Four Club is a Top Four Club (unless you have the wrong people in charge of football operations and we have taken steps to address that issue and continue to evaluate it). That means we must continue to grow "the Brand" of this club. “Brand” is thought by some to be an ugly word but why would that be? This “brand” derives from the supporters of the Club — those in the Kop and Bill Shankly himself – united in a common purpose: to make Liverpool Football Club the greatest club in the world. What club could have a nobler lineage and what brand could better connote heart and resolve – the heart and resolve required to win the toughest league in the world? Increasing revenues worldwide for this club is a prime focus of our ownership and will drive our success on the pitch.

You undoubtedly know even better than us that Mr. Shankly firmly held the following view: “At a football club, there’s a holy trinity – the players, the manager and the supporters. Directors don’t come into it. They are only there to sign the cheques.”

But the world now has changed as directors can drive a team into bankruptcy or provide the underpinnings for success. And it truly takes a substantial organization to produce the kind of players required to win consistently at the highest level in the world. So in the 21st century we must move from a trinity to a square – four equally important sides to long‐term success: 1. We must have more than the right manager for the long‐term – we must have the best football operation in the world. That cannot be based on any one person because if that person leaves, you must rebuild. LFC needs stability. LFC must have a philosophy that endures and is in the hands a group of people devoted to the Club who work together for something much larger than themselves. We will seek a group of professionals who feel what Shankly felt early on – that they are privileged to work at the greatest football club in the world and for this group of supporters who care more than anyone else. They must put LFC’s interests squarely in front of their own. 2. We must have players who feel a responsibility to the Club and the supporters. We must say to them, “Gentlemen, you play for a Club that has an incredible history – where extraordinary events have taken place that captured the hearts of people around the world. It wasn’t chance that created such a huge and passionate base of supporters as far away as Asia where millions root for you each match. They root for you because over the years Liverpool had men like you wearing red who did astonishing things – surprising things – exciting things. Your career has resulted in you – right now – playing for one of the greatest clubs in history – perhaps the most beloved club in football history. You may never again

have an opportunity like this.” We need to know that every player that wears this red is committed to what the club is going to accomplish. 3. We must have ownership that is committed to the principles espoused half a century ago by Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley. They were never satisfied with a draw. They were never satisfied with second place. We must ensure that our football operations have the resources necessary to attract the best players in the world to Anfield. That will not be an easy task. Finally, it is up to ownership to ensure that the atmosphere of the club is permeated by a desire from everyone to be on the same page. Everyone. 4. We must have supporters who support the club. We need every supporter we can attract to our club. 100% of a club’s revenues come directly or indirectly from supporters. The more supporters we can attract to Anfield, we can attract to watching matches on television, we can attract to our sponsors, we can attract to buy and proudly wear shirts and other merchandise – who know that by doing so they are directly supporting the ability to win on the pitch, the more successful we will be on the pitch. Ownership has committed revenues to building the club – not to dividends and not to profits. If there are profits someday – then so be it. But they must come as a result of having built the strongest club in the Premier League and for no other reason. Our manifesto should resonate with that of the supporters. We have exactly the same goal. We want the greatest football club in history – nothing less. And we are going to do exactly that. But we will not be successful – as supporters, as owners, as players or as an organisation – if we are not all on the same page. All of us. Your second question asks “Was any further consideration paid for the Club or any of its assets?” It’s not clear what you intend to ask there but, more importantly, we don’t need to have such a conversation. This, too, is history when we should be concentrating on moving forward.

Respectfully, so many of your other questions and areas of inquiry directly relate back to the period of the prior owners and the fall‐out from that time. We respect what supporters accomplished in demanding change. We indeed understand what you went through in the period prior to our ownership. We went through a small part of it ourselves and it wasn’t pleasant. But those days are over. We have a different agenda. We have won championships in major league baseball and we will win more. And we will win in Liverpool as well.

You know of course we are new here and trying to get a fresh, clean start. You can help us move forward with that agenda—but it runs across the grain to welcome us with a series of long, written cross‐examination questions from a solicitor.

You do bring up the issue of season ticket availability and stadium issues. These are important issues and ones that we want to have a larger and longer dialogue on. But we don’t want to have that dialogue with only one group of LFC supporters. We hope you can understand that.

We believe that good and productive dialogue with our fans is essential, but with all of our constituent fan groups and stakeholders – not with individual entities. Solutions to problems and improvements all around will come from dialogue with a wider group and the recognition for that progress will be the result of efforts to work together for the greater good of Liverpool Football Club. All fans want the same outcome and all fans need to have a

voice. To that end we have proposed a workable solution to create regular, high level dialogue between ourselves and the wider base of Club supporters. Our hope is that you will continue to support our efforts to rebuild this Club in a responsible way for the long‐term and support the way we interact with all Liverpool supporters in our desire to perhaps set the literal gold standard for communication between a great football club and its great supporters.

This club has gone around in a declining circle for much too long now. Damage was done. Let’s square that circle, four equal sides and four oars in the water rowing together as we undertake this massive effort to build the greatest football Club in the 21st century.

John Henry, Principal Owner

Tom Werner, Chairman

PS the article you refer to references someone “a Liverpool man through and through.” Obviously we have no idea who this person was, but as your question as to whether this characterizes the view of the Club, the answer is no. And that is probably why he was an unnamed source.

[Steinsvaag]

I think 35 million pund for Carroll is crazy. As a newcastle fan I am pleased by the enormous sum paid out for him.

[Diaby does Gallas]

I think 35 million pund for Carroll is crazy. As a newcastle fan I am pleased by the enormous sum paid out for him.

 

It is a large sum of money and is over the odds, but there is little risk to LFC, the only risk being he gets a career ending injury.

 

LFC sold Torres who was earning ?110K per week, for ?50 million, and they also sold Babel for ?6 million. With that money they bought Carroll for ?35 million as well as Suarez for ?23 million. The combined wage of these two will not be much more and could even be less than what both Babel and Torres was earning.

 

Torres could flop at Chelsea and because of his age he will not have any sell on value, so Chelsea are taking a huge risk with him. LFC however are just using the exact same money they got in for 2 players to buy 2 more players which do make LFC a better team, LFC have only spent ?2 million for these 2 transfers. Carroll has the potential to become a very good player and could justify his price tag, but if he doesn't he is still a low risk buy. If carroll flops at LFC, the club could sell him on for say ?20 million easily and then he has only cost ?15 million, which isn't a huge amount in football these days.

[Swoop]

I think 35 million pund for Carroll is crazy. As a newcastle fan I am pleased by the enormous sum paid out for him.

 

Dont think your giving enough credit to FSG & Mr John Henry there mate.

 

Essentially LFC told Chelsea that whatever Carroll cost they would have to pay for Torres + 15 million. So NUFC held out for 35 Million, we likewise held out for 50 Million from Chelsea. If NUFC had asked for 30 we would have ased for 45 etc.

 

The Suarez deal was going to be done in any case. The fact that we sold Babel for 6.5 Million meant we only piad out a few million for potentially one of the best forward lines we have seen for some years. We also kept within the new FFP rules that will come into force this year.

 

I still think there is around 20 - 30 million in the pot for new players, assuming that the interest payments on the debt were 30 milion last year. Which all in all leaves us in a very strong position if we can start next season off with a couple more new faces and the King still manager.

[Dojji]

Ownership has committed revenues to building the club – not to dividends and not to profits. If there are profits someday – then so be it. But they must come as a result of having built the strongest club in the Premier League and for no other reason.

 

See? What'd I tell ya about this guy!

[Diaby does Gallas]

Former LFC owner Tom O'Hicks has won the right to sue RBS in the USA over sale of LFC.

[Diaby does Gallas]

update.

 

What actually happened was the judge just clarified the judgement he handed out in October.

 

He said he NEVER stopped Hicks from suing RBS, but he said that should he wish to SUE RBS in the USA then he would have to do it by first going through him at the High Court in London.

So in effect RBS, Sir Martin Broughton, FSG and the former LFC board members were victorios as the anti suit injunction still stands.

[Diaby does Gallas]

Here is the reason why Hicks has basically no chance of winning a case against the RBS et al.

 

From a coporate lawyer:

 

* He can sue for damages in the UK.

* He CANNOT sue for damages in the US.

* He can enter into proceedings in the US to support any claim he may present before UK courts. For example, proceedings to produce evidence. Also, within the scope of a lawsuit in the UK, he can initiate proceedings in the US to seize RBS assets in the US to ensure payment of any damages he may win or be about to win in proceedings before a UK court. Things like that.

 

Basically, hes screwed. Very unlikely hell win in the UK, as there is an actual court ruling stating that the sale was legal and that in fact it was him who acted recklessly to stop it by illegal means.

[Diaby does Gallas]

And some more of the judges desicion:

 

The Boston-based company bought the club after repaying a ?237 million loan Hicks and Gillett took out with RBS and Wells Fargo.

 

Mr Justice Floyd, in his ruling, said the sale of Liverpool came about because of Mr Hicks and Mr Gillett's indebtedness.

 

As the repayment date for the loan approached Broughton arranged a board meeting last October to consider two offers, both of which were opposed by the former owners.

 

The US pair purported to remove some of the English directors of the club and replace them with their own men but Broughton went ahead with a board meeting with the original directors and accepted the offer from NESV.

 

Hicks and Gillett then sought a temporary restraining order in Texas "expressly aimed at stopping the sale" according to Mr Justice Floyd.

 

It was at that time he allowed an anti-suit injunction "on the basis of what appeared to me to be the unconscionable conduct of the former owners in seeking to undermine the English proceedings".

 

Of his decision not to discharge the anti-suit injunction, he said: "The reality of the situation is that the former owners have already started two sets of proceedings and openly asserted their intention to start more.

 

"They will undoubtedly start more proceedings if allowed to do so. There is a real threat that those proceedings will be in the United States.

 

"I still find it difficult to imagine what possible real connection such a claim would have with any jurisdiction in the United States.

 

"The disputes concern an English asset, duties owed by English directors under English law to English companies, and corporate governance arrangements governed by English law.

 

"I think the time has come when they need to state their case or accept that they do not have one."

[LiverpoolRedSox]

Another red here, just thought i would hang around and read the forums and take in what baseball is all about, we are family now and anyone connected with Liverpool FC will never walk alone. The Red Sox can officially add one more scouser to their fanbase

 

I have never really followed any American sports, so i don't have the first clue about baseball, but i will come here from time to time to see how the Red Sox are getting along and over time i will probably learn the rules.

 

Oh, and i like John Henry already, he seems to have his head screwd on.

[LiverpoolRedSox]

Also if anyone wants to understand what LFC is all about, please watch these videos.

 

 

This is what we can do, we love our club here in Liverpool. Football is not just a game for us, it is our religon lol! We are a loud bunch, but we love to have a laugh, and i hear the people in Boston are very similar!

 

 

Here we are taking the piss out of the Mancs, in their own city.

 

 

YNWA

 

Also, could someone please reccomend me some Red Sox videos to get up to date on their history?

[DirtDog]

Red Sox, a quick history

 

1901 - Red Sox Founded

1918 - Red Sox Win The World Series for 5th time

1919-2002 - A few world wars won, a few World series lost

2002 - John Henry group buys Red Sox

2003 - Pedro MArtinez tosses 70+ year old Yankees bench coach Don Zimmer to the ground in playoff game

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jb8Tpt6lEjg only watch first few seconds

2004 - Red Sox win World Series

2005 - A roided out Gary Sheffield swipes at a Red Sox fan before throwing a batted ball back to the infield

2006 - Nothing happened of note

2007 - Red Sox Win the World Series

2008-2009 - Sox fall apart in playoffs, Yankees win World Series

2010 - Everyone and their mother gets hurt

2011 - Sox aquire two Top 15 players in the offseason

[LiverpoolFC_KingsofEurope]

Hopefully King Kenny is giving the job on a permanent basis, if he was in charge before Christmas we'd be up there challenging for possibly a top 3 finish minimum, sad to see Roy messed our season up though, all a case of 'what ifs'.

[snydersminipretzels]

http://www.nesn.com/2011/02/red-sox-owners-considering-liverpool-friendly-at-fenway-as-well-as-baseball-overseas.html

 

That would be pretty sweet. Maybe the Red Sox could play a game at Anfield.

[UKVic]

http://www.nesn.com/2011/02/red-sox-owners-considering-liverpool-friendly-at-fenway-as-well-as-baseball-overseas.html

 

That would be pretty sweet. Maybe the Red Sox could play a game at Anfield.

 

I dont think the dimensions of Anfield would be that conjusive to a game of baseball. It would similar to the game played a few years back at the LA Coliseum .....

[Ride The Walrus]

http://www.nesn.com/2011/02/red-sox-owners-considering-liverpool-friendly-at-fenway-as-well-as-baseball-overseas.html

 

That would be pretty sweet. Maybe the Red Sox could play a game at Anfield.

 

That would be...interesting, to see how they'd change the field around, would like to see it happen.

[DirtDog]

Baseball at anfield would not be possible. Liverpool playing at Fenway is a possibility though.

[jim1987]

I am also a big fan of Liverpool FC.

I like the club most when Owen played for it.I think this time also its doing great.