2024-25 English Premier League Discussion Thread

[wco81]

Mourinho? He already had a stint at Tottenham before having to leave the PL and then a top Euro league.

Why is there no talk of replacing Levy?

[Baseline81]

Mourinho? He already had a stint at Tottenham before having to leave the PL and then a top Euro league.

Why is there no talk of replacing Levy?

I think the issue is he's a part of the board or has a stake in ownership, though I could be wrong.

[wco81]

Calendar hasn't even flipped yet but it's looking like Liverpool is running away.

Chelsea should win at Ipswich tomorrow to close to 7 points behind. But Pool has a game in hand?

Arsenal can get to 6 points behind on Wednesday at Brentford.

But unless Liverpool loses a couple of key players to injury or whatever, they look like a machine right now.

[Baseline81]

Calendar hasn't even flipped yet but it's looking like Liverpool is running away.

Chelsea should win at Ipswich tomorrow to close to 7 points behind. But Pool has a game in hand?

Arsenal can get to 6 points behind on Wednesday at Brentford.

But unless Liverpool loses a couple of key players to injury or whatever, they look like a machine right now.

You say that as if it's a bad thing. Manchester City has won 5 of the last 6 (or is it 6 of the last 7).

Obviously, as a fan of LFC, I'm thrilled to be in the position the club is in. However, I'm not counting my chickens at this stage, especially when a significant injury (Gravenberch, Salah or van Dijk) could derail the rest of the season. For as great as Salah has been, statistically his numbers do tend to fall off in the second half.

[wco81]

I don't even recall City having such a commanding lead and showing such dominant form before the end of December.

[The_Brecht]

At some point the contract situations around Salah, Trent and VVD could cause some problems, no?

[Baseline81]

At some point the contract situations around Salah, Trent and VVD could cause some problems, no?

Why would it?

[The_Brecht]

At some point the contract situations around Salah, Trent and VVD could cause some problems, no?

Why would it?

I think it's an unhealthy situation.
The 3 best and arguably most important players of your squad are nearing the end of their contract.

[danfantastk32]

At some point the contract situations around Salah, Trent and VVD could cause some problems, no?

Why would it?

I think it's an unhealthy situation.
The 3 best and arguably most important players of your squad are nearing the end of their contract.

I think it's the opposite actually. While it might be a little "unhealthy" as you put it....it's not like the team is trying to trade them, or they are asking to leave. So there's no "dis-jointment" (prob not a word) in anyone's head.....just contract negotiations. Nobody is unhappy with the current situation. Everyone wants it to continue. So the headspace is good, which certainly helps the situation on the field, and in the lockers. So if anything....these 3 are fighting to prove that they are worth the $$$ they are asking....and seeking to show the rest of the world what Liverpool might be giving up. I think that will prove to be a good thing.

I hope Liverpool resign all 3, although I have to say that I don't know what VVD and Salah are asking. Are they asking for 5 years?? That's prob too much, even for me. But I bet everyone agrees to a 3-year in the end. What exactly TAA is asking for, I'm not sure. I think the lure of Madrid is calling him.....but at the end of the day, we're right there with them right now. I hope that we give him a great offer, and he takes it.

I understand everyone wanting to sort of feel out this season with the new coach, and see how things looked. But the verdict is clearly in...so I'd like to see these things settled soon. It does concern me a little that things haven't been settled. Even with one player. But as long as everyone is happy with the current situation, I don't see it becoming a major distraction, or unhealthy. It's when a player really wants to go....or something like that, where it causes problems.

[wco81]

The Saudi League money may make stars raise their salary demands.

[danfantastk32]

I will say this though: if Liverpool lose TAA...then I think they really need to consider letting Salah go too. Salah's speed is only going to get slower now, and TAA is incredibly crucial to how Salah does. It's not like he won't score again, but he certainly owes alot to TAA. If they let Trent go...then I wouldn't overpay at all for Salah. I'd give him a contract that's fair to Liverpool, and tell him that's it.

Either way this goes....Salah and VVD will need to be replaced sooner than later. So it will be interesting to see what they do. We can't expect those two to continue top level - for the number of games they play - for more than another season or two. I think the team knows this.....and there are prob some expensive signings coming up. Nunez, unfortunately, is not the answer.

[danfantastk32]

The Saudi League money may make stars raise their salary demands.

True that. Especially since they seem ok with signing older guys. It's like a 2nd life for early to mid 30-year olds over there. If nothing else, it's a new option in the players belt. Something to negotiate with.

I could certainly see Salah walking, if Saudi offers him a 5-year mega contract. Especially if Liverpool wont cross 2 or 3.

[Baseline81]

The Saudi League money may make stars raise their salary demands.

I've never understood this argument. Name me one world class player, not on the backside of his career, that has left for the Saudi League?

There is no way either Salah or van Dijk consider it -- too competitive. Both have said they want to become legends, which would require winning trophies, something that cannot be done over there. In fact, you see more and more players wanting out of their Saudi contracts.

They may "try" to use it as leverage, but Liverpool would likely laugh it off. Dare them to go there.

[danfantastk32]

The Saudi League money may make stars raise their salary demands.

I've never understood this argument. Name me one world class player, not on the backside of his career, that has left for the Saudi League?

There is no way either Salah or van Dijk consider it. Both have said they want to become legends, which would require winning trophies, something that cannot be done over there. In fact, you see more and more players wanting out of their Saudi contracts.

They may "try" to use it as leverage, but Liverpool would likely laugh it off. Dare them to go there.

Well I think Henderson was a bit of a shock to Liverpool. I get he was a couple years older, but it's still that simple "supply and demand" issue. You now have another buyer in the market, and even if they are a little older....your still talking about 100-or so less, good players "in the pool". So more buyers, less players. Throw in the fact that they are willing to overpay for guys at the end of their careers, and I think you will see guys in their younger 30's use it as a bargaining chip. And by virtue of that....you'll see guys in their later 20's realizing there is a little bit of a shortage...and command appropriately.

Will it transform the game? Of course not....but it is another tool of leverage in the hands of the players.

A good example would be this thing called "Cash for clunkers" that the US did about 15 or so years ago. Not sure if your US, but basically the government paid cash for old cars...hoping to get people to sell and then buy newer (more gas/emission efficient) cars. Well, so what happened is all those old cars ended up being sold down in South America, and there was a mass shortage of used cars in the US. It shot the price of used cars up....which of course then shot the price of new cars up. Supply and demand ALWAYS wins. It's like gravity.

[wco81]

Saudi League has only been poaching Euro players for a couple of seasons now right?

So a lot of stars coming off contract this year didn't have the chance to consider going to Saudi for a couple of years, probably make more than they would in 5 years or more.

They may want to make sure they can fly private the rest of their lives, have a yacht in the biggest Mediterranean ports.

[Shaazzam]

Wow, we're horrid.

[Baseline81]

Wow, we're horrid.

[Baseline81]

Well I think Henderson was a bit of a shock to Liverpool. I get he was a couple years older, but it's still that simple "supply and demand" issue. You now have another buyer in the market, and even if they are a little older....your still talking about 100-or so less, good players "in the pool". So more buyers, less players. Throw in the fact that they are willing to overpay for guys at the end of their careers, and I think you will see guys in their younger 30's use it as a bargaining chip. And by virtue of that....you'll see guys in their later 20's realizing there is a little bit of a shortage...and command appropriately.

Will it transform the game? Of course not....but it is another tool of leverage in the hands of the players.

A good example would be this thing called "Cash for clunkers" that the US did about 15 or so years ago. Not sure if your US, but basically the government paid cash for old cars...hoping to get people to sell and then buy newer (more gas/emission efficient) cars. Well, so what happened is all those old cars ended up being sold down in South America, and there was a mass shortage of used cars in the US. It shot the price of used cars up....which of course then shot the price of new cars up. Supply and demand ALWAYS wins. It's like gravity.

Henderson was passed it. His legs, much like Fabinho, were gone. It's why many LFC fans, including myself, were happy to see him leave as well a transfer fee coming back. And then even he wanted out within his first year in the Saudi League. The lack of competition and fan attendance is off putting.

Folks, you can think the money will lure players, and it will for some, but not stars currently at their peak.

[magik9113]

Zirkzee off after 30 mins... this is even worse than what I was worried about when they signed him.
He needs to come back to Serie A asap. He's a poor fit for their "system" but this club is toxic and in shambles. Mourinho and Ronaldo tried telling us.

[Baseline81]

Curious to see if stormi will post on his Chelsea (or on who Boehly should purchase)...

Last three PL matches:
- Drawing at Everton
- Losing to Fulham
- Losing at Ipswich Town