CaptainXabi

Just to be clear, I don’t want this Super League because of what it means for Liverpool and the PL (which I like warts and all). But I think you’re being way too dismissive of what it could be and how resilient the member clubs are. The 12 clubs have positioned this way for a reason. First, let’s face it - the product is going to be plenty good. F1 is a good product if you like motor racing, the NBA is a good product if you like basketball. I wasn’t the slightest bit worried that Haas can’t be relegated when watching the grand prix this weekend. The best players playing against each other in a sport you like usually means a good product. Second, most viewers are casual viewers in the broader context. I don’t want Liverpool (or our PL competitors) in a Super League, but as a casual La Liga/Serie A/Bundesliga viewer, in a vacuum, I actually wouldn’t mind a super league of those 3 leagues if I’m being honest. I actually would prefer to watch Barcelona, Real, and Atletico play each other loads of times rather than watch Eibar vs. Elche. I am sure someone in Germany is thinking the same thing about the Premier League/La Liga/Serie A and so on. And therein lies the problem. The structure that is being proposed is probably going to be really effective in capturing casual viewers, which is where the money is. And the reality is that most of us are casual viewers outside of one or two clubs and the league(s) they play in. This is going to be much trickier to stop than just “choke them until they’re desperate”. I don’t see any of those clubs being brought to their knees. Realistically this ends with the 6 English clubs with more power than ever, either because they actually go though with the Super League or because they get offered a lot to not do it. This power asymmetry is the logical conclusion of the premier league/champions league setup.

The English clubs are the only chance of anything happening, and even then it’s close. Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atleti are probably worth more than the rest of La Liga combined. Same with the Italian trio. Their asset values are going to be just fine.

No crowds in the ground? No sponsored? How would you impose such a rule? Do crowds even matter that much if the Super League is tailored to a global audience? Most of those actions you mentioned help the super league. PSG (who will join anyway) and Bayern (probably will too) can only sign so many players. Virgil isn’t going to sign for West Ham. Players will still want to play for the big clubs who can offer the most money.

I don’t plan on thinking about this season ever again after it’s done.

Why do you think the 9 clubs not owned by Americans went along with it?

City, Spurs, and Chelsea deny oxygen to the rest of the clubs. City, Chelsea (if they were outside), PSG, and Bayern are the only clubs that can realistically stop this or create an alternative. PSG will join after the World Cup. Bayern basically already have all the trappings of a Super League, including just signing everyone good when their contracts are up as noted above.

Well that’s the point, England and Germany are the only countries with anything resembling an actual relegation threat for the top clubs. Everyone else is defacto in the “American” model anyway.

Yeah, there you go. My guess is that PSG (after World Cup) and Bayern get permanent slots too.

The lack of promotion/relegation is obviously the big sticking point. Wouldn’t surprise me if they are holding that back as a chip to throw that in (let’s say 1 place per year). Otherwise I don’t see the backlash lasting too long if the clubs are smart and chuck the extra money into new players in the early years.

If anyone wants to kick it into the net lads

HOOF IT LADS

Incredible save, great goal

Boss

That was a glorious pass and buildup though

FFS Sadio

Fabinho has changed so much for Thiago

Him deciding to leave is a big worry. I really think the lack of recognition/closure to our title pursuit has been a big issue. It makes it hard to put things into perspective, and it certainly makes it hard to go again. The reality is that after 30 years, winning the title last year was worth it even if it came at the cost of an implosion this year. That said, I do not think all is lost, but we almost certainly need to find some sort of way to properly recognize and celebrate that achievement even if it looks small time to other clubs. Re: the rebuild, given where we are now I think we almost certainly have to move 2 of the front 3 on to turn the page on this. We also need to get rid of most of our midfield. Essentially we can keep Henderson, Fabinho, Jones, Milner (just because he’s probably more of a coach than a player at this stage), and one other. Depending on how Gomez and Virgil recover, we might even have to move Henderson to the back on a permanent basis to allow more investment in other areas.

It’s obviously a long shot, but if we survive Leipzig, the spacing of the matches will help us. Hopefully lots of neutral ground matches too. Djimi Traore has a Champions League medal so...

We need a CL run to save not just this season, but next season. At least semi-finals, if not the final or a win.

Why would he tell them he is leaving at the end of the season though? Seems like a bad move on many levels.

Remember when we gave Sterling a holiday mid-season? Maybe that, but for the whole squad>

Would love a once-in-a-career worldie from Nat.

Oh come on Sadio

I’m trying not to be prisoner of the moment, but he really frustrates me.

We hit the post!