Agreed! No shame in liking a team with lots of money (state owned teams the exception of course). But just own it instead of trying to paint a picture that isn't accurate.

Is financial backing not how much finances a club uses to back their manager/team? How much they COULD spend is a different matter, I think. Newcastle COULD outspend every team on the planet (The Saudi PIF is worth something in the region of $700 Billion). They're currently limited by the farce of PSR but I digress.

Yes Liverpool is a very big club and are extremely valuable. But the ownership group does not make the finances available to the manager/transfer committee to spend on transfers. I know I'm coming off as whiny, but I think the majority of Liverpool fans are grateful for John Henry and FSG for rescuing the club from the disastrous ownership of Hicks and Gillett in 2007. FSG has done a wonderful job in steering the ship to financial safety and security since then. But they are, by all accounts, more stringent with transfers. Which I think also frustrates the majority of Liverpool fans. We have our best manager in Jurgen Klopp since Shankly, Paisley, and Dalglish in the 70s and 80s and we clearly have money (4th most valuable club like you said). Yet he has not been backed like City, Chelsea, etc. and consistently does more with less in comparison. That's all I am trying to say. Liverpool have had to HIT with every transfer because they can't afford a MISS. If we whiffed on as many transfers as United, we'd be battling with Chelsea in mid-table.

Looking at the top 50 record transfers in the Premier League: Chelsea, City, and United dominate the list with 12-13 entries each
List of Premier League Record Transfers

YNWA.2013 said:

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But they are, by all accounts, more stringent with transfers. Which I think also frustrates the majority of Liverpool fans. We have our best manager in Jurgen Klopp since Shankly, Paisley, and Dalglish in the 70s and 80s and we clearly have money (4th most valuable club like you said). Yet he has not been backed like City, Chelsea, etc. and consistently does more with less in comparison. That's all I am trying to say. Liverpool have had to HIT with every transfer because they can't afford a MISS. If we whiffed on as many transfers as United, we'd be battling with Chelsea in mid-table.

Looking at the top 50 record transfers in the Premier League: Chelsea, City, and United dominate the list with 12-13 entries each
List of Premier League Record Transfers

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They are more stringent with transfers because they have better people making those those decisions. People who can assess talent, understand value, and don't overpay because overpaying even for a phenomenal player means that you will always be asked to overpay again in the future. They aren't more stringent because they are poor, and not because Klopp hasn't been backed. Would you feel better if Liverpool paid double what they have paid over the last 5 years for the same players? Triple? Would you then feel like Klopp is being backed?

Even City, for all of their mega petrodollars are waaaay back in comparison to Chelsea and United in terms of net spend (City's net spend is 1/2 of United's and 1/3 of Chelsea's!). Their net spend is almost identical to Liverpool's over the last 4 seasons. Would you or a City fan complain that Pep hasn't been backed? Of course not. They just make really, really smart decisions and don't pay more just because they can. And they also sell their 2nd team players for a ****load more than United and Chelsea do. They have really really good people above Pep making smart decisions with the money. And that's a good thing (for them)! And Liverpool do all those things well too! What's the point of having good people above your manager making smart decisions with the money if you're just going to complain that they should be spending more and making dumb decisions like overpaying?

Liverpool and City could absolutely afford not to hit with every transfer (City moreso of course but Liverpool...3rd largest revenue of any club in the world is not too shabby). Their owners would absolutely spend more if they felt they had to in order to compete. But they put in a really good system with good people and thus don't have to.

(Apologies to all for going all Dre...I shall now slink back into the shadows from whence I came)

Enough money talk. City and Arsenal are still in their QF ties and Liverpool will hopefully take care of business tomorrow so all eyes can be on the weekend for Matchweek 32. Ready for the next twist and turn of this season!

Go Liverpool and C'mon Aston Villa!!
(Not holding my breath on Luton getting anything at the Etihad, but stranger things have happened!)

Matchweek 32 Update

Another week, another twist in the tale. This weekend is proof that this title race isn't quite over and may still offer a few more turns left before it's all said and done. After starting the weekend in 3rd, Manchester City ends it sitting atop of the pile.

Manchester City
The Cityzens did what they always do at this stage of the season. As they have seemingly done for the last 6 or 7 years, City just goes up another gear. After an enthralling 3-3 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu in midweek, Luton visited the Etihad. And they dismantled the Hatters with relative ease at the end, but the game was very much in the balance at halftime. City were rather fortunate to be in front through an early own goal in the 2nd minute but Luton never really threatened. Pep appeared to make some adjustments at the half (or maybe he just stuck into his players), but they took care of business with Kovacic adding a second and Haaland converting from the spot for his league-leading 20th goal of the PL season. Barkley got one back for Luton before Doku added City's 4th and Gvardiol finished the 5 star display in stoppage time. City rolled out as 5-1 winners, looking to keep the pressure on Arsenal and Liverpool. How would the Gunners and the Reds respond on Sunday?

Liverpool FC
Liverpool were first up hosting Palace for Klopp's antepenultimate PL game at Anfield. A moment's silence was held for the 97 total lost at Hillsborough in 1989 prior to kickoff, as it is done every season on the match closest to April 15th. After a calamitous showing on Thursday versus Atalanta (arguably Liverpool's worst performance under Klopp), Liverpool were looking to right the ship with Alisson making a much anticipated return between the sticks. Palace, however, had other plans and came firing out of the gates. They high pressed and forced numerous early Liverpool mistakes in the opening fifteen. A well worked passage of play in the 14th minute set up Eze for a relatively easy goal. And the nerves around Anfield were palpable. Liverpool found themselves behind for the 21st time this season. A position they don't want to be in, but one they have been in numerous times before this season and managed to escape. No team has recovered more points from losing positions than Liverpool's 27. And the chances came. Endo hit the crossbar from close range and Diaz's acrobatic karate kick was saved in the first half. In the second, Nuñez hit the the keeper from 7 yards out, Diogo Jota's shot from the same spot was blocked by Clyne, Curtis Jones missed the goal entirely on his breakaway, and Mitchell blocked Salah's shot from 3 yards out. The woeful finishing continued for this Liverpool team. It wasn't all Liverpool either, Palace had two clear chances to pull away. Mateta chipped Alisson in the first half that forced Robertson into an incredible goal line clearance an then in the second period, Alisson's right paw denied Mateta again from point blank range. Liverpool players looked dejected at the final whistle as they know that any points dropped will make the title that much more elusive. With this result, all eyes were on Arsenal for the late Sunday game.

Arsenal FC
After welcoming Bayern Munich in midweek to a 2-2 draw, Arsenal hosted Aston Villa for the last game of the weekend (Chelsea v Everton play today to close out the Matchweek) with Villa slowly returning to full strength with Watkins, Tielemans, Diaby, and McGinn all in the starting lineup. Arsenal dominated the opening 25 minutes. Havertz, who has been in rich goal scoring form, drew two early saves from Martinez, Jesus misheaded a golden chance, and Saka hit a shot at the side netting. Odegaard, as he so often does, unlocked the Villa defence and played a superb ball to Havertz in the 30th minute but Villa defender Carlos was able to recover and get the right side of Havertz to nullify the attack. The real golden chance of the first half for Arsenal came in the 40th minute when Jesus picked up the ricochet from Odegaard's shot and played Trossard in who saw his effort from 6 yards out saved by Martinez. Soon after, Gabriel mi**** a pass off of Zinchenko which Ollie Watkins recovered and then proceeded to hit the far post. The first half somehow ended 0-0. A lackluster start to the second period turned in the 60th minute when Villa had a corner. Arsenal did well to deal with the incoming cross in the box but Zinchenko tried to do too much in keeping possession and lost the ball. Tielemans then hit a wicked shot that rattled off the crossbar, then bounced off the inside of the base of the post, and somehow did not cross the goal line. Arsenal then pressed harder, but it was Villa who broke the deadlock in the 84th minute. Digne's low cross to the front post made it past Pau Torres and a couple Arsenal defenders, including Raya, and found a wide open Leon Bailey at the back post who made no mistake in giving Villa the lead. Arsenal proceeded press from the kickoff seeking an equalizer but Jorginho gave the ball away to Tielemans who found Watkins on a breakaway. With only Smith-Rowe and the keeper to beat, Watkins delightfully chipped the lot (replays show it might have deflected off ESR) and assured Villa would leave with all three points.



What a difference a week makes. Liverpool have had a truly dreadful week. Their performances as of late have been terrible and their form in front of goal atrocious. The draw with Manchester United and the losses to Atalanta and Crystal Palace leave Liverpool with the very real possibility that their only silverware this season is the League (Carabao) Cup. The schedule does them no favors as they now have 4 consectuive games away from home, starting with the 2nd leg of the Atalanta tie before visiting Fulham, Everton, and West Ham. Arsenal, on the other hand, have been in good form and, after a draw with Bayern, just had the misfortune of meeting an Aston Villa team at the wrong time. I honestly think this is just a hiccup for them. But has it come at the worst time? Wednesday's away game to Bayern could shape what the rest of their season looks like. Win and everything is still available to them. Their confidence will have returned and they'll be eager for the next game. Lose and get knocked out of CL, and cracks in the Gunner armor will start to show and maybe waver their confidence a bit. A home game with Chelsea and visits to both Spurs and Manchester United still remain for the Gunners. And then there is Manchester City. The machine that just keeps on churning. I expect them to dispatch Real Madrid this week before turning their attention to an FA Cup semifinal tie with Chelsea (which I also expect them to win). The only real threats I see left on their PL schedule is the away game to Tottenham (in their five visits to the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, City has lost all five and failed to even score a goal) and a home game to West Ham to end the season. What zig and zags are left in this exciting title race?

Stay tuned! SIX games to go! For now, the PL table reads: Manchester City in 1st on 73 points, Arsenal in 2nd on 71 points, and Liverpool in 3rd also with 71 points, behind on Goal Difference.

Matchweek 33 Update

Inching closer to the finish line and we are no closer to knowing where this season's Premier League Trophy is heading. All three title contenders exited their respective European competitions in midweek. Manchester City did not have a Premier League game this weekend as they focused on advancing in the FA Cup. So it was Arsenal who were first up this weekend and had a tough road game at the Molineux while Liverpool FC travelled to Craven Cottage the next day.


Manchester City
Manchester City now have a game in hand as they were at Wembley putting Chelsea away this weekend en route to booking a place in this year's FA Cup Final. Pep bemoaned after the final whistle on how they were not given the Sunday semifinal game after playing in midweek. Now I am the last one to have any sympathy for Manchester ****ty, but he is not the first coach to question fixture congestion and timing. Regardless, they will now play Manchester United, who controversially defeated Coventry City (still not sure Coventry's 121st minute winner was offside, those lines looked sketchy) and set up a Manchester Derby at the end of May. Manchester City's next game is a Thursday trip to south coast where they take on Brighton. Meanwhile, Arsenal and Liverpool had an opportunity to apply some pressure to City and to each other in this intriguing title race.

Arsenal FC
Arsenal travelled northwest to Wolverhampton to face a Wolves team they have beaten 5 times in a row, although they have lost twice in their last 5 visits to the Molineux. Mikel Arteta made 3 changes to his side that lost to Bayern midweek with Gabriel Jesus, Kiwior, and Trossard preferred to Martinelli, Tomiyasu, and Jorginho and Havertz dropping into the midfield. Without a win in their last three games, Arsenal started off on the front foot to try set things right. Arsenal had two clear chances in the opening 25 minutes with Havertz's shot right at the GK and Rice's shot from outside the box whizzing past the post. Joao Gomez, however, had the best chance who picked Kiwior's pocket before working his way inside the six yard box. His point blank shot was pushed onto the post by David Raya and the score remained 0-0 until right before the half. Trossard picked up Jesus's stumbling in the box in the 44th minute and sent a floating shot in off the post for a 1-0 Arsenal half-time lead. The second half started with wave after wave of Arsenal attack as they pushed for a 2nd. I don't remember a single threatening Wolves attack in the second half. Saka had some intricate footwork inside the box in stoppage time but sent his shot over the bar. Odegaard, however, was able to double Arsenal's lead where he was able to put in a close shot from a difficult angle after his initial cross was blocked. Overall, Arsenal responded well to their European disappointment and handled what could have been a difficult away game with some poise. Arsenal can now put all their time, energy, and focus to lifting their first Premier League in 20 years. Next up for the Gunners is a London Derby visit from a rising Chelsea on Tuesday.

Liverpool FC
Liverpool FC, for their part, responded to their lacklustre defeat to Palace by winning 1-0 at Atalanta through an early Salah penalty. The rest of their display on Thursday was mediocre as they never really looked at threatening Atalanta again and after the abysmal display in the first leg, crashed out of the last European competition Jurgen Klopp will be at the helm for. Liverpool made the trip to London to visit Fulham and their wonderfully quirky stadium, Craven Cottage. Last time out versus Fulham in December, Liverpool needed a 2 late goals to overcome the Cottagers. On that day, TAA scored a wonderful free kick (went down as a Leno OG as it did technically go in off of him) and Mac Allister had a goal of the season contender from a good 30 yards out. For this game, Klopp shuffled his pack after midweek, making 5 total changes, including all three midfielders. Former Fulham player, Harvey Elliott, was preferred along with Endo, Gravenberch, Jota, and Quansah as Nunez, Mac Allister, Salah, and Szobozlai all started on the bench. In the 32nd minute, TAA hit yet another delightful freekick past the hapless Leno who had no chance to give Liverpool a 1-0 lead. Liverpool's question mark defending reared it's head yet again as they conceded before the half through a Timothy Castagne goal. Gravenberch scored his first Premier League goal 8 minutes after the restart to settle Liverpool down. The tireless and relentless Diogo Jota added a third in the 72nd minute. Shortly thereafter, Klopp turned to his bench to bring on the trio of Nunez, Mac Allister, and Salah, but with the game mostly settled, served to just see the game out. Liverpool's next game is a midweek Merseyside Derby at Everton. This will be Klopp's 8th visit to Goodison Park in the Premier League where he has never lost but has only won twice (2W, 5D, 0L). Everton is always a tricky outing for the Reds so this Wednesday game is sure to provide nerves and entertainment.



Another chapter in this race has been written. 5 games to go each for Arsenal and Liverpool with Manchester City set to play their game in hand at Tottenham as their second to last game of the season on what is hopefully a miserable Tuesday night, May 14.

Hope everyone has a good week! With a game each on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, I am hopeful for a quick week.

Matchweek 34 Update

And the first knockout blow has been delivered. Everton recorded their first Merseyside victory at Goodison since 2010 to all but ensure thir PL safety while simultaneously delivering what is most likely a fatal blow to Liverpool's title chances. Arsenal and Manchester City made easy work of their midweek clashes.


Arsenal FC
Arsenal were the first title challengers to play as they faced what looked like a difficult match on paper against a rising Chelsea FC. Chelsea were dealt a blow when Cole Palmer was ruled out with an "illness." Mauricio Pochettino made the ill-fated decision to come out before the match and say they were prepared for the game and were ready to prove they were not "Cole Palmer FC." The scoreline tells you all you need to know. From the first whistle to the final one, this was all Arsenal. Chelsea never laid a glove on Arsenal. The Gunners visit Tottenham on Sunday. If they manage to take care of business, Arsenal will be looking pretty good to end the season. One slip from City and they will be right there.

Liverpool FC
Liverpool were up next on Wednesday as they travelled across Stanley Park to Goodison to take on an Everton team that was looking to create space between them and the relegation zone. In recent years, Everton typically play terrible for 37 games a season. The one game they always seem up for? At home to Liverpool. And Goodison was rocking. Liverpool had their chances, but their woeful form in front of goal continued. Branthwaite opened the scoring after Liverpool failed to clear a set piece on three different occassions. Nunez had an open shot in the box that he hit right at Pickford as Liverpool's best chance in the first half. Calvert-Lewin was left open at the back post on a corner and made it 2-0. Luis Diaz hit the post for Liverpool's closest chance in the second half. Diaz was the lone bright spot for Liverpool as everyone else was beyond poor. Everton deserved the win and are likely now safe. Liverpool round out this three game road trip by traveling to London and taking on West Ham at the early kickoff on Saturday.

Manchester City
The 2nd half of the season City train keeps chugging along. KdB had a ridiculous header to open the scoring with a Foden brace and a late Alvarez goal gave City all three points. Next up for the Cityzens is a trip to Nottingham Forest who will be fighting for the Premier League lives on Sunday.



I think it's safe to say this is probably a two horse race now. It was always going to be that one loss would likely knock one team out and the first to stumble was Liverpool. They have had an absolutely terrible last 4-5 weeks, exiting every competition and only collecting 4 points of the last 12 on offer. Let's see what the weekend brings for the latest chapter in this tale.

Matchweek 35 Update

And then there were two. Liverpool are not mathematically out of the race but for all intents and purposes, their hopes of sending Klopp out with a Premier League title are all but over. Manchester City control their own destiny. Win out and the title is theirs. Slip up just once and Arsenal are well positioned to pounce.


Liverpool FC
Liverpool were up first and once again conceded the first goal of the game, an unwelcome theme of this season for them. Domination on the stat sheet once again did not translate into all three points. 72% possession and 28 shots to West Ham's 11 were not enough to overcome the Hammers. Liverpool were able to come back from the goal down to eventually take the lead, but West Ham made they most of their one shot in the second half with Antonio connecting on a great header. Controversy arose when Areola was fouled in the box and Anthony Taylor waved play on as West Ham kept possession of the ball and could have initiated a counter attack if they so chose. Instead, Areola took his time and placed the ball on the ground. An alert Cody Gakpo made a dash for the live ball before Anthony Taylor blew the play dead. Gakpo should have just scored and taken the yellow and let VAR intervene. But alas, poor refereeing costs LiVARpool yet again this season. They are not the only club affected by the quality of referees but it has seemingly hit Liverpool especially hard this season. The other headline was a spat between Mo Salah and Jurgen Klopp before the former came on as a sub with 10 minutes to go. Salah then declined comments after the game and Klopp minimized the incident.

Arsenal FC
Arsenal made the trip across London to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and took an early lead through a Hojberg own goal off a set piece. A back and forth open affair continued as Romero hit the post a few minutes later. Shortly thereafter, Spurs had a goal disallowed for offside. It looked like Tomiyasu blocked the initial shot that then bounced off of Gabriel backwards landing at Van De Ven's feet who put the ball away. VAR ruled Van De Ven was offside in the buildup. Spurs continued to push when Trossard tripped Kulusevski in the box before Maddison clearly dived. Arsenal quickly countered when Havertz found an open Saka with acres of space who dispatched Davies quickly and curled the ball into the net for a 2-0 Arsenal lead. VAR deemed the Trossard contact incidental and the Saka goal stood. Arsenal continued to show they are the kings of the set piece this season as Havertz added a third for a 3-0 halftime lead. David Raya offered Spurs a lifeline when he cleared the ball straight to Romero who punished him for 3-1. Ten minutes before full time, Spurs won a penalty and Son brought Spurs within one. Arsenal, however, were able to hold on for the North London Derby win and, more importantly, keep pressure on City.

Manchester City
To be honest, I did not watch this game as I figured City would make easy work of Forest. The incredible depth of City appears to have played a role as they continue to rotate their squad and not miss a step. Haaland returned to the lineup and scored to continue his quest for a second consecutive Golden Boot.



The title race is effectively down to Arsenal and Manchester City. Arsenal continue to score goals for fun and I think they have successfully navigated the hardest part of the remaining schedule. They host Bournemouth, travel to Old Trafford, and finish the season with a home game against an already safe Everton. The Man U game is the hardest on paper but I expect Arsenal to take all 9 points. Conversely, Manchester City host Wolves this weekend before back-to-back away games to Fulham and Tottenham, the latter of which is their game in hand, before ending the season at home to West Ham. The trips to Craven Cottage and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium could be a little tough and where Arsenal fans will be hoping City slip up. As I have spoken about before, since Spurs' move to their new stadium, Manchester City have not won there and that is the dropped points the Gunners will be looking for.

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Manchester City

To be honest, I did not watch this game as I figured City would make easy work of Forest. The incredible depth of City appears to have played a role as they continue to rotate their squad and not miss a step. Haaland returned to the lineup and scored to continue his quest for a second consecutive Golden Boot.

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City could have very much have lost or drawn this game if Chris Wood hadn't been the worst striker on the planet at the time of the match. Forest really **** the bed in front of goal

Nottm Forest (2.07) 0-2 (0.89) Man City

— The xG Philosophy (@xGPhilosophy) April 28, 2024

Ah see, sometimes the scoreline doesn't show everything. Shame Forest couldn't capitalize as they continue to be in a relegation fight. I could, and probably should, have watched the highlights to give a better recap of the weekend's events.