Liverpool
have been one of the highest spending clubs in the English Premier
League since the take over of the club by John W. Henry and Tom Werner.
However, those massive millions have not done for the results what we all expected they would.
Huge amounts of cash were spent on players that should have cost far less in the minds of many.
Maybe my fellow Americans forgot that they were spending British pounds and not American dollars.
Giving their knowledge and previous success with sports franchises, I would have no room to doubt as I am far from having the financial means to ever run a football club.
My yearly salary couldn't pay the weekly wages of even a mediocre footballer, but nevertheless even I at times feel I could have found a much better way to have dropped over £100 million.
With this year over with, and a frustrating disallowed goal having stopped Andy Carroll from being the hero we Liverpudlians always dreamed he would be, it is back to the drawing board.
Only this time, I cannot see the Reds throwing out so much so fast without careful consideration.
Charlie Adam and Alexander Doni were perhaps the most budgetary signings for the club at a total combined cost of under £10 million.
While Adam was far from impressive, he was more impressive for £7 million than Jordan Henderson was for £20 million, to say the least.
With cost effectiveness coming into play more than ever with the new financial fair play rules, here is a look at some moves that the Reds could make.
However, those massive millions have not done for the results what we all expected they would.
Huge amounts of cash were spent on players that should have cost far less in the minds of many.
Maybe my fellow Americans forgot that they were spending British pounds and not American dollars.
Giving their knowledge and previous success with sports franchises, I would have no room to doubt as I am far from having the financial means to ever run a football club.
My yearly salary couldn't pay the weekly wages of even a mediocre footballer, but nevertheless even I at times feel I could have found a much better way to have dropped over £100 million.
With this year over with, and a frustrating disallowed goal having stopped Andy Carroll from being the hero we Liverpudlians always dreamed he would be, it is back to the drawing board.
Only this time, I cannot see the Reds throwing out so much so fast without careful consideration.
Charlie Adam and Alexander Doni were perhaps the most budgetary signings for the club at a total combined cost of under £10 million.
While Adam was far from impressive, he was more impressive for £7 million than Jordan Henderson was for £20 million, to say the least.
With cost effectiveness coming into play more than ever with the new financial fair play rules, here is a look at some moves that the Reds could make.
Last week I suggested that AZ Alkmaar and Swedish midfielder Rasmus Elm would be a great signing for the Reds at around £8 million.
This week I remain true to that belief as the 24-year-old has the experience and determination to be a positive addition to the club.
This week I remain true to that belief as the 24-year-old has the experience and determination to be a positive addition to the club.
There are plenty of naysayers that will call me a fool for saying Kalou would be a good signing at around £10 million.
However, his pace down the wing would be a welcomed addition, and he has a knack for being a supersub that can change games off of the bench.
With Dirk Kuyt likely to move on this summer, why not bring in his former Feyenoord striker partner to take his place?
Most people also forget that Kalou is still only 26 and is yet to hit the prime of his career.
Besides, as many players as Chelsea have taken off our hands lately, who not take one back?
However, his pace down the wing would be a welcomed addition, and he has a knack for being a supersub that can change games off of the bench.
With Dirk Kuyt likely to move on this summer, why not bring in his former Feyenoord striker partner to take his place?
Most people also forget that Kalou is still only 26 and is yet to hit the prime of his career.
Besides, as many players as Chelsea have taken off our hands lately, who not take one back?
Athletic Bilbao right winger Markel Susaeta has quietly been sensational this season for the Basque club.
With 13 goals and 12 assists in 54 starts and six substitute appearances for the club between La Liga, the Copa Del Rey and the UEFA Europa League, the 24-year-old has been the club's secret weapon of consistency.
Despite his excellent season, he is only believed to be valued around £6 million, according to transfermarket.uk.
The Reds could probably get their hands on him for £9 million and with a possible loan of Dani Pacheco in the other direction.
With Xabi Alonso having become a much missed memory, perhaps it is time for another Basque-born midfielder to wear the Liverpool No. 14.
With 13 goals and 12 assists in 54 starts and six substitute appearances for the club between La Liga, the Copa Del Rey and the UEFA Europa League, the 24-year-old has been the club's secret weapon of consistency.
Despite his excellent season, he is only believed to be valued around £6 million, according to transfermarket.uk.
The Reds could probably get their hands on him for £9 million and with a possible loan of Dani Pacheco in the other direction.
With Xabi Alonso having become a much missed memory, perhaps it is time for another Basque-born midfielder to wear the Liverpool No. 14.
Liverpool have signed two high-profile Uruguayan players in the last 18 months with Luis Suarez and then Sebastian Coates.
The Reds could fancy the addition of a midfield Uruguayan to complete their emergence of the South American nation into all parts of the club's outfield cache.
Ramirez has been the midfield heart of Italian Serie A side Bologna FC all season with 32 appearances for eight goals and five assists.
At the age of only 21 he still has plenty of time to get even better, and his South American winning mentality would be a welcomed addition.
The Daily Mail claims he would cost Liverpool £16 million.
However, he truly should be able to be freed from Italy for £10 million.
The Reds could fancy the addition of a midfield Uruguayan to complete their emergence of the South American nation into all parts of the club's outfield cache.
Ramirez has been the midfield heart of Italian Serie A side Bologna FC all season with 32 appearances for eight goals and five assists.
At the age of only 21 he still has plenty of time to get even better, and his South American winning mentality would be a welcomed addition.
The Daily Mail claims he would cost Liverpool £16 million.
However, he truly should be able to be freed from Italy for £10 million.
Alberto Aquilani
Aquilani was the last truly high-profile signing of the Rafael Benitez era.
He joined the club injured in August of 2009 from AS Roma, much like Andy Carroll joined injured from Newcastle in January of 2011, for £17 million.
However, Aquilani was never given the time to heal and grow into the squad like Carroll.
Roy Hodgson loaned him out to Juventus for the entire 2010-11 season, where he scored twice and managed an 80 percent passing percentage.
After Juventus passed on signing him permanently, he returned to Liverpool and was sensational throughout all the Reds' preseason friendlies that he participated in.
Then once again, despite the proof of full fitness and form there for all to see, he was loan back to Italy. This time to defending champions AC Milan.
With 25 appearances and a goal for another Italian super power, has he not proven he is worthy of getting a chance at Liverpool if he returns?
Doesn't it seem odd that the two clubs that have won the last two Italian Scudettos are willing to take on the player of his ability, but the Reds—who have been completely devoid of midfield creativity—failed to see his value?
There is no better signing for the Reds than 27-year-old "El Principo," who still has two years left on his contract and wont cost the club a dime to bring back to Melwood, other than his wages.
DERREN EMSLEY RAMIREZ HISHAM
Still young, just 3+ years old. Very passionate about Liverpool. First 3 words...Mommy, Daddy, Li..Ver ..Pool. Just need to enrolled him into the academy @ melwood. A Very hard working & Smart. He is a Future direct replacement for Gerrard. At the moment he is come at a very reasonable fee as he is still very young and have a great potential for the future. It is fit with the club policy to recruit young with great potential, ambitions, loyal & passion to the club.
Liverpool have to bring in better and more creative talent this summer or else risk getting nowhere in the league.
Lucas Leiva will be returning from injury, which is a huge boost, but he will likely take a few weeks to get back to full game fitness at the start of the season and should be protected.
However, even keeping Aquilani when he comes back is not enough.
The Reds need to be more creative on the pitch and in the transfer market, and an outlay of £50 million for five quality players to make the club better is a much better investment than £55 million for two overpriced Englishmen.
He joined the club injured in August of 2009 from AS Roma, much like Andy Carroll joined injured from Newcastle in January of 2011, for £17 million.
However, Aquilani was never given the time to heal and grow into the squad like Carroll.
Roy Hodgson loaned him out to Juventus for the entire 2010-11 season, where he scored twice and managed an 80 percent passing percentage.
After Juventus passed on signing him permanently, he returned to Liverpool and was sensational throughout all the Reds' preseason friendlies that he participated in.
Then once again, despite the proof of full fitness and form there for all to see, he was loan back to Italy. This time to defending champions AC Milan.
With 25 appearances and a goal for another Italian super power, has he not proven he is worthy of getting a chance at Liverpool if he returns?
Doesn't it seem odd that the two clubs that have won the last two Italian Scudettos are willing to take on the player of his ability, but the Reds—who have been completely devoid of midfield creativity—failed to see his value?
There is no better signing for the Reds than 27-year-old "El Principo," who still has two years left on his contract and wont cost the club a dime to bring back to Melwood, other than his wages.
DERREN EMSLEY RAMIREZ HISHAM
 |
| He is watching Liverpool Game @ 3.30am |
Still young, just 3+ years old. Very passionate about Liverpool. First 3 words...Mommy, Daddy, Li..Ver ..Pool. Just need to enrolled him into the academy @ melwood. A Very hard working & Smart. He is a Future direct replacement for Gerrard. At the moment he is come at a very reasonable fee as he is still very young and have a great potential for the future. It is fit with the club policy to recruit young with great potential, ambitions, loyal & passion to the club.
Liverpool have to bring in better and more creative talent this summer or else risk getting nowhere in the league.
Lucas Leiva will be returning from injury, which is a huge boost, but he will likely take a few weeks to get back to full game fitness at the start of the season and should be protected.
However, even keeping Aquilani when he comes back is not enough.
The Reds need to be more creative on the pitch and in the transfer market, and an outlay of £50 million for five quality players to make the club better is a much better investment than £55 million for two overpriced Englishmen.
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