**Official** English Football Season 2023/24

[Molehill]

Yeah but the key thing here is that this "era" is ending with the team in better shape than it has been in years. This is a significant difference between this and the end of the Ferguson/Wenger eras. The Liverpool squad is full of exciting and still-developing players. It's a fantastic gig for an ambitious and talented manager.

The Wenger one I get, Arsenal had been in 'decline' for a while, snatching 4th place in the League and didn't have the resources to compete.

But Fergie left Utd as League winners, he would soon be followed out by a club stalwart centre back (well a couple to be honest). But they still had financial power, more than Liverpool do now.

I'll be astonished if a Liverpool team without Klopp, Salah and Van Dijk are challenging for a League Title next season.....I'm somewhat surprised they are this season to be honest. It'll take a while to find the right manager, it's almost worth taking a fall guy for a couple of years.

 

[sledger]

Fergie got the absolute most out of a ageing squad that was at the end of its lifespan + was able to rely on the awesomeness of RvP. He indeed left as a league winner, but many of the players that formed the spine of that team were past their best and gone within the next year or so (e.g., Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra, Giggs, Scholes).

Him winning the league that year with the squad he had, by such a margin, is actually one of his more underrated title wins imo.

 

[Kraken]

Yeah, that final season Fergie title winning squad really wasn’t good. Take RVP out of it, we barely make the top 4 tbh. No wonder Moyes failed

 

[flibbertyjibber]

United of course didn't help themselves by not signing anyone the following summer. Always thought even though Moyes wasn't the right fit as manager he was given an impossible task by not getting any transfers.

 

[Molehill]

Fergie got the absolute most out of a ageing squad that was at the end of its lifespan + was able to rely on the awesomeness of RvP. He indeed left as a league winner, but many of the players that formed the spine of that team were past their best and gone within the next year or so (e.g., Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra, Giggs, Scholes).

Him winning the league that year with the squad he had, by such a margin, is actually one of his more underrated title wins imo.

But did we think that at the time? Got a feeling this Liverpool squad is over-performing because of the Klopp factor...but time will tell.

Worth noting that Vidic 18, Ferdinand 26, Giggs 12, Scholes 8, were not exactly massive regulars that season. The likes of RVP, Carrick and Evra were the pretty much ever presents. Even Rooney only had 22 starts.

 

[Kraken]

Will certainly be interesting who Liverpool get as a manager for next season - it’ll be an important choice no doubt

 

[sledger]

But did we think that at the time? Got a feeling this Liverpool squad is over-performing because of the Klopp factor...but time will tell.

Worth noting that Vidic 18, Ferdinand 26, Giggs 12, Scholes 8, were not exactly massive regulars that season. The likes of RVP, Carrick and Evra were the pretty much ever presents. Even Rooney only had 22 starts.

Well quite, but look at the remaining players who made up the squad. Not exactly world-beaters by any stretch of the imagination. As I say, most of them were gone within the next 1-2 years, and most of them never really did anything of note ever again and/or spent the rest of their careers playing for mid-table sides.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Seeing more than a few "Arteta for Barca" rumours floating about.

He's taken the time to deny them, so there's almost certainly a grain of truth there too.

Started his career there, but he's a Basque rather than a Catalonian so I dunno.

 

[sledger]

Yeah, a somewhat overly assertive denial for rumours that are supposedly of no substance too. I guess we'll see.

 

[Himannv]

United of course didn't help themselves by not signing anyone the following summer. Always thought even though Moyes wasn't the right fit as manager he was given an impossible task by not getting any transfers.

He went after the likes of Bale and Fabregas and those deals simply didn't materialize for him due to Bale wanting Madrid or nothing and Fabregas being swayed by the new managerial appointment at the time (Martino IIRC). On top of that, there were fake representatives sent to speak to Bilbao about Herrera (who was also on his list).

He ended up signing Fellaini on deadline day for a fee that would have been less if he signed him a month earlier when a clause was in place. That was probably the most shambolic transfer window Manchester United have ever had and the media had a field day with it.

 

[Molehill]

Well quite, but look at the remaining players who made up the squad. Not exactly world-beaters by any stretch of the imagination. As I say, most of them were gone within the next 1-2 years, and most of them never really did anything of note ever again and/or spent the rest of their careers playing for mid-table sides.

And to be honest, that's how I see much of this Liverpool squad. Once the big names go, how is a new manager going to get a Title winning team from what's left? It will become much harder to sign quality players without Klopp there too.

 

[sledger]

I don't think it's a great comparison tbh. Players like TAA, Diaz, Szoboszlai, Nunez, Mac Allister, Jota, Gakpo, Gravenberch are all good-to-great (or have the apparent potential to be), and have plenty of years left on the clock. It is patently a squad that is on the whole on the up, not on the down, even if a few big names do leave. I don't really buy the idea that Liverpool won't be able to, or will struggle to, sign good players post-Klopp either.

 

[Molehill]

I don't think it's a great comparison tbh. Players like TAA, Diaz, Szoboszlai, Nunez, Mac Allister, Jota, Gakpo, Gravenberch are all good-to-great (or have the apparent potential to be), and have plenty of years left on the clock. It is patently a squad that is on the whole on the up, not on the down, even if a few big names do leave. I don't really buy the idea that Liverpool won't be able to, or will struggle to, sign good players post-Klopp either.

You see I look at that list and I don't see Title Winners (I maybe proven wrong this season, but that is what Klopp gives them). How many of those make the City side? 2 at best? I notice you haven't mentioned a defender, not sure what happens if VVD goes.

I just can't see this squad post Klopp winning a league.

 

[sledger]

Well yeah, the defence could probably do with some attention in the next few years, but that'd be the case irrespective of Klopp or VVD leaving. But to each their own, I guess we will see what happens.

 

[Molehill]

Well yeah, the defence could probably do with some attention in the next few years, but that'd be the case irrespective of Klopp or VVD leaving. But to each their own, I guess we will see what happens.

Yeah, probably worth adding that my thoughts are also borne out of hope too. When most of your mates are Scousers, you could do without them winning trophies too often!!

 

[Socerer 01]

But did we think that at the time? Got a feeling this Liverpool squad is over-performing because of the Klopp factor...but time will tell.

Worth noting that Vidic 18, Ferdinand 26, Giggs 12, Scholes 8, were not exactly massive regulars that season. The likes of RVP, Carrick and Evra were the pretty much ever presents. Even Rooney only had 22 starts.

idk about others but i did think they wouldnt finish top 4 in Fergie’s final season

and then he went and signed Van Persie who won them the title on his own

 

[Owzat]

I don't think it's a great comparison tbh. Players like TAA, Diaz, Szoboszlai, Nunez, Mac Allister, Jota, Gakpo, Gravenberch are all good-to-great (or have the apparent potential to be), and have plenty of years left on the clock. It is patently a squad that is on the whole on the up, not on the down, even if a few big names do leave. I don't really buy the idea that Liverpool won't be able to, or will struggle to, sign good players post-Klopp either.

some would throw in Jones, Kelleher, Elliott, Bradley, Quansah, Konate and probably more

BUT just look at last season, granted an ageing midfield needing some work and Jones and Elliott were there but maybe just needed another year to make more of a mark, and Liverpool were all over the shop

many blame that midfield, but actually look at the stats, in I think it was 10 games they scored 45 goals, in the other 28 it was 30 (?) Bigger problem was an inability to beat teams they should have, sure you expect to lose games against rival big clubs but they were losing to Leeds, Forest, all sorts it is forgivable to lose to but not as many times as they did - and for me that wasn't solely down to midfield, the goalscoring that fired in 10 games less so in the rest


could be a key managerial appointment, plenty of talent at a number of clubs but getting them to play is another thing, this isn't FIFA or PES, or a management game (and could point back to their 20/21 season inbetween title winning season and quadruple tilt seasons. There it was a run of something like 3 wins in 14 games, people blamed the defence that season, injuries, yet it was the lack of goals and both Salah and Mane having a lack of goals in said run made it so bad

and funny how either side of said spell they scored goals, wasn't they conceded more goals simply that middle patch of lack of goals was clear....

 

[Owzat]

Haha I think certain elements of the LFC fanbase would rather he left them for Man U or Everton than England!

very much doubt it, they may not care for the national anthem, but think you'll find they would find it harder to swallow if he went to either of those clubs - not that I think he would, unlike Benitez I think he actually feels and knows rather than make gestures like £96k to Hillsborough fund

not that Liverpool fans hate Benitez for going to Everton, he did rely on their respect and gratitude to him

 

[Owzat]

I'll be astonished if a Liverpool team without Klopp, Salah and Van Dijk are challenging for a League Title next season.....I'm somewhat surprised they are this season to be honest. It'll take a while to find the right manager, it's almost worth taking a fall guy for a couple of years.

Van Dijk hasn't quite been as dominant since he was taken out in the derby in 20/21, Salah has been a solid scorer but only had one truly big scoring season, his first at Liverpool (league goals for sure) and around 1 in 2 the rest although 14 in 20 this season a top start.... Has helped ever presence on the pitch more or less, few injuries, so I'd suggest Klopp and maybe Becker might be the tougher ones to replace

Jota has done well, considering he's been more used as a sub and had his injuries, only need Nunez to add a few more goals to his all-round contributions and maybe add a goalscorer which for me Gakpo and Diaz won't be, not 20+ a league or maybe even overall a season

But did we think that at the time? Got a feeling this Liverpool squad is over-performing because of the Klopp factor...but time will tell.

Klopp gets a lot out of them, not sure overperforming is really the case because you could argue that of Pep and others for their teams when successful, it almost suggests it isn't a strong team and squad which it is. Difference for citeh has been goal machine uggo and just plucking a goal from nowhere when they need it, Liverpool do that from time to time but not consistently since 19/20

 

[GIMH]

very much doubt it, they may not care for the national anthem, but think you'll find they would find it harder to swallow if he went to either of those clubs - not that I think he would, unlike Benitez I think he actually feels and knows rather than make gestures like £96k to Hillsborough fund

not that Liverpool fans hate Benitez for going to Everton, he did rely on their respect and gratitude to him

It was tongue in cheek but I think I know a fair about LFC fans mate tbf