Are Liverpool Just Tottenham Lite?
For many Liverpool were the surprise package of last season and Luis Suarez was at the heart of everything they created, although he missed the start of the season it would take a brave man to suggest Liverpool’s success was down to much else than Suarez’s performances which at times were not of this world. So what now? Liverpool have sold the Uruguayan to Barcelona for a fee in the region of £70 million it is always a challenge replacing the irreplaceable.
Liverpool’s dilemma is almost a carbon copy of Tottenham after the sale of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid last summer the most important thing is how you react in the transfer market. Tottenham as many remember went with the approach of using the Bale money to bolster the squad rather than find a replacement, the problem with that was they bought unproven for the most apart with the exception of Christian Eriksen. Liverpool appear to have done the exact same thing.
Brendan Rodgers has been linked with many of the world’s top forwards but has still been found wanting in his pursuit, the problem is top players don’t want to join clubs they see selling their top talent. They were confident in signing Alexis Sanchez but he did not want to be included in the Suarez deal, which would have seen the Chilean arrive at Anfield as part of the deal. Alexis only had eyes for Arsenal and the rest is history. Liverpool have already spent £89 million so that already eclipses the Suarez money. Adam Lallana has been the biggest buy so far for £25 million which is a lot for a player that flattered to deceive at the World Cup he is a good player but the price tag would have been a lot less if he was not branded by the England tag. The addition of Rickie Lambert is an interesting one especially since last season many England fans (Liverpool fans included) saw him as a bit of a joke someone who at Southampton (with the greatest respect) had found his level. The joke could be on them as he could end up being Liverpool’s replacement for Suarez.
Unless Brendan Rodgers has a majestic transfer up his sleeve it could be a very long season for Liverpool who will face a longer season due to the return of European football this season, that was a big factor in their League title charge last season. They played a lot less than Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City which showed at the tail end of last season. Luis Suarez will be a huge loss to Liverpool just as Bale was to Tottenham a year before. To quote Rodgers ” Suarez is not bigger than Liverpool” only if he had said that a year before when they fought tooth and nail to keep him and defend his abhorrent and appalling racist behaviour. What a difference a year makes.
