Meanwhile In A Parallel Universe…

Liverpool Announce A Reduction In Ticket Prices

Liverpool FC today  stunned the footballing world by announcing a reduction in ticket prices starting in season 2016-17. Ian Ayre said: "Liverpool is a special club, we lead rather than follow. As Shankly said it's really all about the holy trinity of fans, manager and players. After a lengthy consultation we've reduced the average price our fans will pay as a reward for their loyalty. In many cases generations of fans have followed the reds. We want that proud tradition to continue, particularly for the local fans. Anfield already has a special, unique atmosphere that lifts the team. In Jurgen Klopp we have one of the best managers in the world. We plan to build a team, inspired by the Anfield crowd, that will win trophies ".

I Read The News Today Oh Boy

Future Shock: Klopp Wins First Title

"If someone wants to help they have to change from doubter to believer… If we sit here in four years I think we win a title, I’m pretty sure." Jurgen Klopp, first press conference

Jurgen Klopp (the normal one) says he can win the title in four years. We believe Kloppo :-)...

That future image of Liverpool winning the title with Klopp and Sturridge performing the dance off on the pitch is sweet.

Welcome Kloppo

"The Wild One" is ours. Wow. "The Normal One" my arse. Good luck with writing the next chapter, we believe Kloppo. Make the people happy.

Acknowledgements

Mainz 05, Borussia  Dortmund and Jurgen's mum.

Being Liverpool Manager

Earlier this evening Liverpool Football Club announced that Brendan Rodgers has had his contract terminated. The full announcement is here.

"At a football club, there's a holy trinity - the players, the manager and the supporters." Bill Shankly

I've been watching Liverpool since the early 70s. I stood on the Kop and watched the end of the Shankly era and the beginning of the Paisley era. I watched the best team in the world defeat all before them. This was the time when, to paraphrase Shankly, the bond between fan, team and manager was strongest. I grew up giving the manager my full support and I was richly rewarded. Support for the Liverpool manager is in my DNA. At least it was until Roy Hodgson. I was uneasy with that appointment and I was carrying a metaphorical pitch-fork by the end. I'm saddened that Brendan Rodgers has been sacked. He is a talented coach who gave his all to the cause.

Inspiring Transfers

Tuning The Red Ferrari?

Image: Ferrari F40 by Günter Hentschel, licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

The summer transfer window is now closed so let's take a look at Liverpool's transfer activity for the last 5 seasons using the data from lfchistory.net. FSG purchased Liverpool in October 2010, so this period covers all the seasons under the control of John Henry and Tom Werner.

This summer's activity has seen purchases of £86M*, sales of £70.4M giving a total net spend of £15.6M. Liverpool's average transfer net spend since the summer of 2011 is £24.7M per season. This average net spend figure is a useful, though limited, measure of the change to the baseline squad per season. Depending on your point of view, you can think of the net spend as some fine-tuning to the red Ferrari or the next set of parts for the kit car.

*This includes an estimated fee of £6M for Danny Ings, with the actual fee still to be agreed by a tribunal.

This article was first published here on lfchistory.net on 2nd September 2015.

The Elite Strikers

Can Christian Benteke Join Liverpool's Elite Strikers?

"I know Liverpool is a big story. They’ve won league titles and the Champions League five times..." Christian Benteke.

Image from @bentekechris20

A warm welcome to Christian Benteke. All Liverpool fans hope that Christian will join the elite group of Liverpool strikers that have scored 20 or more league goals in a season.

Liverpool have been blessed with some great goal scorers. Even 'God' played up front. However, as you will see, it is a big challenge to join the elite strikers.

This article was also published here on lfchistory.net on 27th July 2015.

A Striking Trio

Barcelona's Treble Top

Congratulations to Barcelona (especially Luis Suarez) on winning the treble of La Liga, Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions league in 2014-15. Barca's front line of Messi, Neymar and Suarez have been hailed as the best ever striking trio. In La Liga the trio scored 81 goals, with Messi scoring 43, Neymar 22 and Suarez 16.

This got me thinking: who were Liverpool's best ever striking trio in the league? I analysed the data from lfchistory.net to find the total goals by a striking trio in a top level league season. The graph shows a summary, with the top 10 scores highlighted.

 And the winner is (drum roll)…