Welcome to Issue 294 of Red All Over The Land.
I suppose the first thing I should mention is the exodus of players to the Saudi League and not just those from Liverpool. As the subject gets mentioned elsewhere, I won’t say too much but any player who goes obviously endorses the Saudi regime and if they can live with that, so be it.
Saudi money could throw transfer fees to yet another level. I hope critics of FSG understand that. It could also make current contracts meaningless because if an agent can get a player a Saudi wage, then they’ll surely advise their clients it would be in their interest to go. Not forgetting the agent will get a sizeable chunk as well.
Jürgen’s plans have obviously been hit although rebuilding the midfield was possibly the top priority only now it seems it will be a total rebuild instead of a gradual one. The rumours about who we could sign will be there until the Transfer Window shuts but from my point of view, I only believe we’re signing someone when we’ve signed someone, and they’ve tried the shirt on. I think we need more defensive cover, especially at full back but that’s down to the management but last season we conceded goals at an alarming rate.
I don’t do predictions and I don’t do stats because at the end of the day the only stat that matters is the result. However, I don’t see Liverpool as title contenders. I hope I’m wrong, but I only see Manchester City. A good season would be a top-4 finish and some silverware while a final in Dublin wouldn’t go amiss either. We’re in the throes of putting together an almost new side. If Jürgen can turn it into a side like those when we were one of the top two or three in the world, then it would be an even greater achievement. This season is the one when the likes of Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones have got to become the players, we hoped they would become. Players such as Gakpo, Diaz, Núñez and Jota have got to step up another level, the level of Mo Salah at his best for instance. The new signings Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai the same. I have a lot of faith in some of the younger players such as Stefan Bajcetic and Ben Doak but it’s the responsibility of those around them to help them to the required level. We have a new captain, VvD and we need to him to totally rediscover the form that made him such a huge presence around the team and to be leading by example. Both on and off the pitch. Good luck to TAA, his deputy.
The fans have got to play their part because last season at most games any real atmosphere had gone missing. We expect the players to perform at a certain level no matter what the opposition. We should expect the same from the fans.
As for this Fanzine, well we’re nearly 28 now. How much longer can we carry on? Last season was hard and if this season is as hard then the end could well be nigh. I hope not but I’m not getting any younger. During the summer I met with Paul Khan the new Chair of the SoS. I spoke with Amanda Jacks, Director of Fan Engagement at LFC. I met with the people of the This Is Anfield website. All aimed at spreading the word. Let’s see what response it brings because every sale and every subscription keep the heart of Red All Over The Land beating.
The ‘New Anny’ can’t be opened for a few weeks which is annoying. I assume there will be some compensation somewhere, not that that helps anyone hoping to be sitting in it.
JJP: I booked to see a physic show last week but it was cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.