Liverpool owner John W Henry commented on twitter about the club’s transfer strategy:
“Speculation on players shouldn’t include those of a certain age. We are not going to be successful by merely filling short-term needs at LFC. Everything in sports is overpriced now – especially the cost of winning. But you make your choices based on a plan. Some things happen early and some late. The important thing is that things happen. Sometimes what you avoid is important.”
Comments about the club not buying players of a “certain age” is unsurprising, considering it was apparent from very early on that FSG subscribed to the “Moneyball” approach. The appointment of Damien Comolli very shortly after the takeover of the club was all but confirmation of this strategy.
This rumoured strategy was further reinforced by the signing of 20 year old Jordan Henderson and the genuine interest in 19 year old Phil Jones and 18 year old Connor Wickham. Questions remain however over how effective the approach will be.
As Henry mentions in his twitter messages, everything in football and in sports in general are “overpriced now,” and he no doubt was referring to some of the transfers fees being paid by Liverpool as well as other clubs. What Moneyball effectively boils down though in its most basic conception is the aim to get “value for money.” Younger players maybe overpriced but their value in the future will only go up while those in the latter stages of their careers will only depreciate in value. It makes financial sense to invest in younger players.
The fundamental belief then is that in the long term the strategy can only be to the Reds advantage. The concern from my point of view, and other fans have voiced their concern too, is that it could harm the Reds in the short to medium term. If you look at the players the Reds are interested in they are all 25/26 or under, which can generally be assumed as Henry’s age limit. Charlie Adam (25), Stewart Downing (26), Gael Clichy (25) and Scott Dann (24) are all said to be the Reds targets while the likes of Raul Meireles (28) is apparently surplus to requirements.
The big worry for many is that these considerations of value and age may take precedence over the ability of players and the mix which makes up a good team. Kenny Dalglish will surely be the driving force in getting the players he wants and although the Reds may have a younger looking team next season with Henderson (21), Carroll (23) and other youngsters around, let’s hope it has minimal effects on how the team performs.
As Ian Ayre said today, the owners don’t only want to win once, but over a consistent period. The choices being made are “based on a plan” and hopefully they will bear fruit not only next season but for many seasons after that.
Written by David Tully. Read more of David’s articles at Live4Liverpool
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Henrys vision will work as long as the coaching staff get the potential of the lads and put it on the pitch fast. My worry is the lack of playing time the youngsters will get. Rafa was one for buying young ones too but none came to fruition. Then theres the young lads coming through? Are we to beleive that many of these aren’t good enough, because they ain’t gonna improve playing reserve games and 45 mins in the league cup
If you can believe what you read as regards LFC targets J.H. appears to be trying to bring in a mixture of proven players and young players for the future. Adam, Downing and Enrique all supposed targets are ready made prem players, and the young players like Henderson and other young players that are supposedly being looked at being for continuity although the club would have to see new youngsters as being a bit special as we already have a good crop coming through. future young aquisitions would have to be “current value” versus “risk of making it” Obviously Connor Wickham was regarded as too expensive for his age when measured against his possible development. So yes I agree!
Is this vision spending huge sums on deeply average players.
Shouldve gone to specsavers.
Let’s be honest, we have not had a plan for years. What I saw last season with Kenny in charge getting the best out the players, then he is the perfect man to push this through. I for one will be right behind the club on this.
Yes i do agree however two big names is required as this will benefits the players and club income in addotion it will attract excellent players to join the club.
was hoping for more signings by now but lots of time to go in the window. totally trust FSG and KK to get the job done.
Players like Henderson and Adam are simply not worth the amount that they are being sold at.
The policy is a long term policy, but there is only so much money Liverpool can spend on unproven British youngsters. At some point they sacrifice better imports, the £20 million on Henderson could have prized Juan Mata from Valencia. I know who I’d rather have.
george yer righth why not buy euro youth more talented half the money please buy mata turan or someone who will give us an edge
hi ya i am steven G for lfc so u khow king kenny said henry will nt to buy anny players this summer bkz we have projet 2 do aboute the new stedium and good news 4 us bkz we hav better players than we targeting so we hope next seasson we will use it players like raheem starling and robhinson kelly adam morgan henderson and also John Flanagan but y we will buy more players so if we need players we will buy but nt in the summer kz we want 2 see if wee do bad start n then will take good more players we cant waste monney 4 nothing and i dont thing so we r dad than others teams wi will fiht 4 z title thanks lad
At least we seem to have a plan now. Kenny motivates me and I don’t hear him everyday. He proved last season he gets footballers footballing more than anyone else at Liverpool has since well err Kenny in the 90’s.
My only worry is that if that is our policy, then like the Policy of Chelsea and Man City, it will become known to rivals at selling time. Everyone knows to charge over the odds to Man City and Chelsea cos they are as thick as pig sh1t when it comes to true value – I want it Daddy is the usual strop. With us, folk will know we want to offload after a few years and won’t offer much maybe? We are almost agreeing that at a certain age their value to us will drop, so why would someone offer more than we paid (or as much) if we no longer fancy them ourselves???
Hansen was right about not winning anything with kids really, look at Arsenal – great talent, no on field experience of what is involved with getting over the winning line – easy answer: loads of different skills and tricks.
You have to admit that what Ferguson knew he with his young team was not ‘kids’ but exceptional talent – even though he had Hughsie, Robson, Keane, McClair and Cantona etc to keep the young heads guided to get them all started off.
Basically we need a good mix but not paying millions and millions for over 25’s is good sense. Rafa never did well with his under 15million purchases in general – if Kenny can, BINGO!
anybody still remembered manchester united’s young team? how they clinch their title?
scholes, giggs beckham and nevile have remained an important part of their team for many years to come.