26 May 2023 13:42:43
Okay, so we made it. How much is Champions League football worth to Man Utd? £50m a year? It's not just additional revenues from TV rights and prize money, but also increased sponsorship appeal. Set against that is higher transfer fees and higher pay. As I understand it though, higher revenues also increase the allowable payroll for FFP purposes. Suffice it to say, despite the Glazers' 18 year ravishment of the club's cash flows, the club used to be profitable.

ECL football changes the value of the club. Now that we have it, let's see how long it takes for a sale agreement to be reached.

On another note. Let's ask the Liverpool supporters what they would prefer. ECL football and a 7-0 loss to United on the way, or no ECL football? They're grasping at straws.

1.) 26 May 2023
26 May 2023 14:42:13
They won the 7up cup shaw, let them have their day.

2.) 26 May 2023
26 May 2023 16:13:48
Klopp said they are after the unity cup today aswell, fair play to them, a double on the cards.

3.) 27 May 2023
27 May 2023 07:53:37
Klopp actually said if Everton get relegated this season it will be better than a league and UCL double win for Liverpool fans.

4.) 27 May 2023
27 May 2023 08:14:51
Reckon if they have another bad season next klop will either resign or get sacked. he has become too much of an idiot and goes over the line constantly on many things.

{Ed014's Note - I see you’re all still blowing others candles out ?‍♂️

5.) 27 May 2023
27 May 2023 10:06:55
Ahmad, Liverpool will bounce back next season and I wouldn't be surprised if they are the side that challenges City for the title.

They had a very tough season this year, on the back of an exhausting season the year before, they were desperate for fresh legs in midfield and never got that.

Klopp seems to have worked out how to get the best out of the team now, ultimately probably a month too late to claim a UCL place.

They have made the sensible decision to move away from chasing Bellingham. He would have been a massive drain on their resources both time and money, ultimately giving them little chance to improve elsewhere. If they can sign 2-3 midfielders then they will be right in the mix next season.

I also wouldn't discount Arsenal, they have a great young squad which they will likely add to in the same sensible manner that has helped them build the side they have. I think the real challenge for them will be whether they can bounce back from the disappointment of not winning the league this season, with the young players they have it will either make them or break them. My feeling is that they will be back stronger next year.

Our success next season will hinge on our summer transfer business, get it right and we will be in the top four next season, get it wrong and we could drop out. We need reinforcements in several areas of the pitch for various reasons. A keeper capable of allowing the side to fully embrace EtH's tactical philosophy, we cannot spend another season of half in half out and expect to challenge near the top. w=we clearly need a striker capable of both scoring goals and creating chances of others. Finally we need to freshen up the midfield, at the start of next season our starting midfield duo will be 31 years old, with players like Fred, McTominay and Donny as back up that just isn't anywhere near good enough. At least two of Fred, McTominay and Donny need to leave with two players coming in to refresh the midfield and create some strength in depth. Beyond a GK, ST and 2 CM's we could do with a CB and a RB, but that's probably pushing it. In my opinion if we don't get reinforcements at GK, ST and midfield then we could risk falling out of the top four next season.

Newcastle I think could struggle next year, there success this year has been built around working harder than everyone else. They have a relatively small squad lacking quality in depth. Next season they will have to fit in European games and the travel that comes with it. They need to add more quality to their squad, but that risks them losing the tight knit togetherness that Howe has fostered at the club. Thy need to decide whether to stick or twist. Do they add 2-3 high quality players to the squad and risk not having the depth to compete in four competitions, or do they try and add 4-6 players to given them that depth and risk losing the squad harmony and work rate that has got them where they are.
Personally I think the long term approach of evolution over revolution is better even if it means dropping back to 5th place next season.

As for Spurs and Chelsea god knows. Chelsea need to restructure their squad to suit their incoming manager, but given the way the team has ending this season he will have a job on his hands rebuilding the confidence and building a united dressing room. Spurs on the other hand cannot seem to find anyone who wants the cursed job, while they are likely to lose their best player, and the squad will need rebuilding with a new keeper and likely Harry Kane replacement as a minimum possibly a Son replacement too, while depending on who finally gets the job they may need to make adjustments to the squad in other areas to suit the new manager.

6.) 27 May 2023
27 May 2023 12:36:50
Shappy

Not so sure about Liverpool. Their recent results and run in is a bit deceiving. For me a he is loudmouth, he steps over the line constantly, whether tapping players up or saying things to refs or even his touchline antics. let's see how they handle Thursday night football.

I have no doubt everyone in the top 8 will be better next year. brighton and brentford might struggle depending on who leaves. Chelsea, arsenal, spurs a maybe should be better so will united.

Looking forward to the FA cup, my tickets arrived and my oldest son gets to see his first cup final.

7.) 27 May 2023
27 May 2023 13:00:13
Ahmad, Klopp definitely oversteps the mark when it comes to tapping up players. Although Sir Alex was no saint for it either.

All managers complain about decisions, but Klopp has taken it too far by questioning several officials integrity. However, personally I feel that his comments are coming home to roost with Liverpool seemingly losing out more and more in those 50/ 50 decisions. Referees are human afterall and they will band together when they feel their friends and colleagues are having their character publicly attacked. It probably won't effect the stonewall decisions, but those six of one and half a dozen of the other clashes are probably less likely to go Liverpool's way.

The change in tactics has certainly seen a big improvement in terms of performance and results. If next season they have a couple of new midfielders such as Mac Allister, who seems like a shoe in, then they will be a much stronger side. I think Gakpo has been promising and could become an improvement on Firmino, Nunez has blown hot and cold and wil likely improve next season, while Diaz coming back from injury has also made a massive difference. If Klopp's new system can truly unlock TAA's obvious talent to its full potential then they will certainly be right up there.

8.) 27 May 2023
27 May 2023 13:31:50
Not so sure about Liverpool being the main threat to Man City next season. Robertson and TAA haven't been anywhere near as effective as they were in their title year, offensively or defensively, and Virgil looks far from the imperious CB of two years ago. But I do expect them to improve in the mid. If they get MacAllister and have a fully-fit Bajcetic they're already massively improved.

9.) 27 May 2023
27 May 2023 15:54:44
The biggest issue for Klopp is still the lack of workrate since Mané left.
It's no coincidence that Robertson now looks no better than Shaw and the midfielders are regularly seen chasing shadows.

The only change that has addressed this issue in some part is moving Trent further up, but that is like placing a plaster on a bruise - while it might disguise the issue, it solves very little. The midfield still looks average.

Without Mané, the midfield has to work harder and this means they're caught out of position more often - creating greater problems for the once imperious Van Dijk and his defensive unit.

A fit and firing Bajčetić and MacAllister would address the workrate issue to an extent and players like Diaz could do more defensive work.

Like United, Liverpool aren't too far away from getting it right.

That said, I don't think either team will push City next season, I would imagine I'm one of very few who believe that Arsenal will be their main rivals again.

{Ed001's Note - that is simply not true. For starters both Diaz and Nunez have a similar workrate to Mane. It is a tactical switch that caused the problems, nothing to do with Mane leaving. His legs were going and he was struggling on the left anyway last season, which is why he was switched central.}

10.) 27 May 2023
27 May 2023 16:27:24
I don't think Arsenal were too far off - they'll be kicking themselves. Many felt early on that if Jesus was injured they'd struggle but Nketiah came in and - without being spectacular - did a decent job and they kept on winning. I know Gunner fans don't see it this way but it can't be a small coincidence that it started going wrong when Saliba was injured. For me Rob Holding is average at best and he was suddenly thrust into the heart of the side for that run of games.
I think if they strengthen their options with 2-3 solid signings they'll be good to go again. Cancelo / Neves would be brilliant for them. Rice is the name on everyone's lips but seeing as their transfer record is £72m (forgotten man Pepe), are they going to blow that out the water? I can't see it.

11.) 27 May 2023
27 May 2023 23:05:16
Imagine if United finish 7 points above Liverpool lol.

12.) 28 May 2023
28 May 2023 08:07:38
Really could care less what Liverpool does. I reckon we will buy 4 or maybe 5 quality players and will be way better next year. its just starting folks. I think arsenal, nc and then chelsea are the teams that will be better next year.

One wild card is Greenwood, if he is back we will smash teams. None of the top clubs have anyone remotely close to Greenwoods ability missing or sitting on the bench. If he was nit such a stupid boy he is 100 mill player based on ability. Our right wing is weak with antony no cutting edge. Rash and garnacho run at players and ask questions, antony is the opposite.

I have us challenging next year and finishing second at worst.

13.) 28 May 2023
28 May 2023 16:01:01
Ahmad, I think your rose tinted glasses might be getting the better of you.

It would take other teams to regress as well as a massive improvement from us to have any chance of seriously challenging for the title next season.

As for Greenwood, it's best to consider him gone I think.