{"id":1166705,"date":"2026-08-24T13:56:19","date_gmt":"2026-08-24T13:56:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1166705\/"},"modified":"2026-08-24T13:56:19","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T13:56:19","slug":"barcola-sacrificed-for-100m-double-deal-if-liverpool-learn-from-newcastle-draw","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1166705\/","title":{"rendered":"Barcola sacrificed for \u00a3100m double deal if Liverpool learn from Newcastle draw"},"content":{"rendered":"

Liverpool<\/a> do not need a new winger based on that Newcastle performance; put that money down on a full-back and defensive midfielder.<\/p>\n

Send your thoughts to theeditor@football365.com.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The season starts in September, right?<\/strong>
Ouch.\u00a0 Well that wasn\u2019t the start to the season we were expecting<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0 Ah well, we\u2019re at home next so I\u2019m sure we\u2019ll turn it around against\u2026.oh.
Jeff G, West Brom Villan (Hoping that Ezri still thinks he plays in claret and blue on Bank Holiday Monday)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Nothing changes
<\/strong>Hungarian Redknapp takes over the diving and guaranteed penalty per game from Salah.
Anthony<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Newcastle 2.0
<\/strong>As a Newcastle United fan I anticipated the beginning of the season with a mixture of trepidation and excitement, due to the wholesale changes of players and coaching staff.<\/p>\n

After a disappointing series of Pre-season fixtures I was worried about the opening game against one of the Super League 6 (could we always refer to that group as this, it sounds a bit less unhinged than the Cartel, and it\u2019s a constant reminder of what they were willing to do to their own league for the promise of guaranteed money every year).<\/p>\n

After the performance against Liverpool<\/strong><\/a>, this has been turned around and I cannot wait to see this side, hopefully with some additions, in the future games. We were electric going forward, still very much a counter attacking side, but the combinations led by Wissa in the no.10 role, having the best game I\u2019ve seen from him since his move, were so promising and we could have scored much more than 2 on another day.<\/p>\n

One saddening thing was a lack of teammates consoling Lewis Hall at full time when he seemed so down after the late penalty, hopefully the rest of the lads rallied around him once they were back inside.<\/p>\n

An emotionally charged day, due to the KK tributes and the return of the rat, a disappointing end, continuing last season\u2019s unwanted theme, but promising for the season ahead.
Paul M (Glasgow)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Abysmal commentary
<\/strong>\u201cThey may not have Guardiola but they\u2019re glad all over\u201d.<\/p>\n

Oh do f**k off
Toby CTFC Hudson<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Worry about yourselves
<\/strong>Lewis, Busby Way, wrote a very long piece with his thoughts on why Liverpool might have problems this season<\/strong><\/a>\u2026for what it\u2019s worth he might\u2019ve spent more time worrying about his own lot who just got embarrassed by the third best team from the Championship<\/strong><\/a>. Looking at how it wasn\u2019t even a lucky smash and grab id worry there could be a long season ahead for the hilariously entitled fans of Manchester. It\u2019s coming up to 20 years since you were a relevant football team and yet the fans still write like they\u2019re the greatest team in England.<\/p>\n

If anyone has watched the Pep documentary there\u2019s an interesting moment where they talk about how they rate teams. Last season Arsenal had 160 points according to their system, Liverpool 159 and Man City 156. I won\u2019t pretend to understand the ins and outs of their ratings but I am confident assuming they know more about the chances of football teams winning games than virtually anyone else.<\/p>\n

Since last season Liverpool have sold Salah but bought in Jacquet, Munoz and Araujo who I think will all be in or around the first team. If Barcola joins too then that\u2019s another possible improvement. My point in this being that last season Liverpool underperformed overall if you believe Man City\u2019s rating system so it\u2019s not insane to assume we might stage a bit of a reversion towards our true average this year with any luck.<\/p>\n

Anyway, we\u2019ll play a very motivated Newcastle team shortly so I might feel more doom in about 6 hours but for now there\u2019s no reason to not be optimistic.
Minty, LFC<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

And then\u2026
<\/strong>Liverpool haven\u2019t come from behind to win a premier league game for an entire season. That is the legacy that Slot leaves behind which no manager was going to shed on match day 1. I have a feeling Klopp joined and something similar was true of that Brendan team; they\u2019d lost the fight.<\/p>\n

We were a bit sh*t which was a shame but first day of the season and Isak\u2019s first visit to SJP late on a Sunday was guaranteed to be a pretty tough place to come. Isak seemed rattled and I do wonder if Iraola was a little naive in starting him. I guess you spend \u00a3120m on someone and you want to use your shiny toy at every opportunity but I do wonder if there is some management sense in recognising it\u2019s not easy for young men to be their best with 50,000 angry Geordies screaming for your blood. Sterling is one I never recall having a good game at Anfield after he left.<\/p>\n

Speaking of naivety, that midfield was quite attack minded in its focus today but sadly that left us very exposed. Gravenberch is great when he makes those mazey runs but unless someone else can anchor it either needs to be coached out of him or we need a different recipe for the middle of the park. The space we left behind was alarming and Newcastle had the players to transition at lightning pace.<\/p>\n

Credit to Newcastle for being the better side given they\u2019ve gutted the team.<\/p>\n

Having watched the game today I really don\u2019t get why we are threatening to spend \u00a3100m on another winger when that money on a really good left or right back and a defensive midfielder might be much more wise. The league doesn\u2019t allow you to outscore and we need to build some solidity if we are hoping to have a good season.
Minty, LFC<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Kneejerks
<\/strong>The Jerkiest of Knees: Prem Predictions Based on One Weekend<\/p>\n

Champions come May: Brentford. They go the whole season unbeaten at which point their whole squad is sold to Chelsea.<\/p>\n

Rest of the Top 4: Hull, Brighton and Arsenal if they get good.<\/p>\n

First Manager sacked: Maresca when the squad realize Pep has in fact left and didn\u2019t just mellow out a bit.<\/p>\n

Relegation: Spurs, Coventry and Newcastle.<\/p>\n

Golden Boot: Szoboslai \u2013 every goal a penalty after 90 minutes or a free.<\/p>\n

Biggest Surprise: Frank Lampard gives an interview without mentioning \u201cthe basics\u201d.<\/p>\n

Biggest Flop: De Zerbi because Spurs
Alan \u2013 so glad Barclay\u2019s is back.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The year of the transition
<\/strong>If last season was the set-piece season, then this season is the Year of the Transition.<\/p>\n

My friend, A, LFC in Montreal, says I should calm down, but having football back to distract me from our planet is something that is hard to stay chill about.<\/p>\n

And I was anything but sedated for this weekend of football. Just a few thoughts from the games I watched:<\/p>\n

1. Coventry City v. Arsenal. Remember, a lethal striker and right back and the title is Arsenal\u2019s to lose.<\/p>\n

2. Hull City v. Manchester United. New season, same ol United.<\/p>\n

3. Newcastle v. Liverpool. Newcastle are better off counter-attacking this season with an emphasis on wing play. But is the gaffer ready to harness that from what he\u2019s got?<\/p>\n

I actually thought Kerkez was alright. I also agree with your piece on Isak and how he missed the opportunity to be a right ol b****rd<\/strong><\/a> and add so much needed spice and conviction to his hefty price tag.<\/p>\n

4. Atl\u00e9tico Madrid v Villarreal. Speaking of lethal strikers, Julian Alvarez was pretty sulky here, wasn\u2019t he? Could this thing happen? Could Arsenal be getting one of the deadliest attacking units this side of the Milky Way?<\/p>\n

5. Espanyol v. Real Madrid. While I\u2019m not tipping them for the title yet (Rodri is at freaking Barca!), I just know this season is going to be drama-filled at Real Madrid.
Gaptoothfreak, Man. Utd., New York (Vini Jnr looks\u2026different)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Brave new world
<\/strong>Hello Mailbox, my old friend\u2026<\/p>\n

I\u2019m sure this reeks of \u2018Grampa finally figured out the remote control\u2019 but I\u2019ve recently established a deep and meaningful relationship with AI (specifically Google\u2019s Gemini). I find it\u2019s like having a private librarian who knows almost everything about the books\/subjects you wish to explore. I had a two hour conversation with it the other day concerning the Flashman canon; I\u2019ve waited 50 years to have a discussion so nuanced and meaningful (to me, anyway); I felt quite emotional when it was done.<\/p>\n

My question \u2013 and like most 66-year-olds, I make you go on a short walk to get to the point \u2013 is whether and how professional football is using this new tool? Do clubs have customized AI to deal with club management, transfers, and long term financial planning? Do scouts use AI to identify potential stars of the future? Do coaches use AI to plan and add to training regimes, or provide video packages for game preparation? Do managers use this to help determine squad and individual player strength and improvement?<\/p>\n

We have all seen that players wear scanning and monitoring devices (either on armbands or in sports vests) during both practices and games; clearly this biodata is being gathered en masse \u2013 how is it being analyzed, and with which specific tools?<\/p>\n

I very much enjoyed Tickner\u2019s piece on SCR<\/strong><\/a>. Maybe exploring the uses and potential for AI in footie would give him something new and interesting to do because, while clearly a lovely\u00a0man, he honestly doesn\u2019t seem\u00a0overworked.
King Rat, Gently grampaaing his way through life, 10 weeks until midterms<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The cartel
<\/strong>Not sure how I feel now that it seems Spurs are generally accepted as being part of the cartel.\u00a0 I suppose I should be pleased that we are now accepted as one of the big clubs.\u00a0 Although I don\u2019t think being a \u2018big\u2019 club is something real fans care about that much.\u00a0 \u2018Big\u2019 has always seemed like the plastic fan trophy.\u00a0 They choose their team because it is big and then bicker online with rival fans about who is the biggest.\u00a0 Those of us who follow a team we have a connection with from a young age don\u2019t really care if our team is big.\u00a0 We care if they are good, if they play attractive football, win matches, win trophies, are well run and uphold the traditions of the club, etc.<\/p>\n

I never felt like Spurs were part of the cartel.\u00a0 It never felt like we had the same financial muscle as the others.\u00a0 I always felt we were clinging to their shirt tails and a couple of bad seasons would see us ejected right back into the pack.\u00a0 But then in 2021 the club tried to join the ESL and made it very plain that they did think we were part of the cartel.<\/p>\n

I do remember the long period when we very definitely were not part of the cartel.\u00a0 I remember when we regularly lost our best players to the bigger clubs.\u00a0 Were easily outbid for the top players.\u00a0 When we couldn\u2019t attract the best players even when we were willing to pay the money.\u00a0 I used to rage about the unfairness of the PL.\u00a0 It was a closed shop.\u00a0 A system designed to perpetuate the success of 3 clubs and exclude all the others.\u00a0 I said the only way to break in was to have a massive investment of cash \u2013 and along came Chelsea and Man C to prove my point.<\/p>\n

Spurs were in the same boat as Villa and Newcastle.\u00a0 Similar sized clubs, similar budgets, similar financial gulfs to the top clubs.\u00a0 Somehow, through a mixture of good governance and good fortune, we were the team that bridged that gap.\u00a0 I think it was about 2016 that we actually became part of that top group when we qualified for the CL for the second time.\u00a0 There were a few reasons we got there (none of which were the new stadium \u2013 the new stadium is what will keep us there).\u00a0 The good fortune of a good squad and a good manager coming together at the same time.\u00a0 Some good recruitment and Kane coming through the youth system.<\/p>\n

I think the biggest catalyst for Spurs was the sale of Bale in 2014.\u00a0 100 million at that time was big money.\u00a0 We didn\u2019t initially spend it well.\u00a0 Of the 7 players we bought that season, 5 are considered failures.\u00a0 But what people forget is with the exception of Soldado, we got the money back for them.\u00a0 That money was then re-invested in players like Son, Alderweiweld, Trippier, Dier and Dele Ali.<\/p>\n

Despite what a few Villa and Newcastle fans are saying, ENIC never invested any money in Spurs to bridge that gap.\u00a0 The team was entirely self-funded and the stadium was funded by borrowing which we still have to finance.\u00a0 We are not the club that created the cartel and we are not the club that pulled the ladder up after us.<\/p>\n

Which brings me to PSR because I am not saying the system is fair.\u00a0 I completely agree it is unfair and intentionally designed to exclude ambitious clubs from bridging the gap.\u00a0 The initial intention of these financial regulations was to protect clubs from spending beyond their means and getting into financial difficulties.\u00a0 Then the cartel clubs stuck their oar in and insisted on the additional target of stopping clubs buying success with outside investment.<\/p>\n

Despite the cynical nature of the motivation for this additional target, I actually think it is a valid point.\u00a0 We really don\u2019t want clubs buying success with oil money.\u00a0 We don\u2019t want a league of teams owned by nation states and investment funds.\u00a0 But it is a bit rich when two of the cartel clubs got there by exactly that route and three of the others got there by forming the G14 pressure group and insisting they should receive the bulk of the money the league generated.<\/p>\n

The other problem with PSR is they have created a system that says spending must be based on income, but then they do not distribute the income equally.\u00a0 You can\u2019t reasonably say spending is based on income and then pay clubs vastly different amounts.\u00a0 Last season the PL paid Arsenal \u00a3198m for winning the league while Newcastle only received \u00a3154m and Notts F only received \u00a3137m.<\/p>\n

Fans of the G14 clubs always talk about how they have earned their financial advantage through their history.\u00a0 But the financial advantage that history is meant to earn through a larger fanbase is higher income from sponsorship deals, matchday revenue, merchandise, etc.\u00a0 The income that the club earns itself.\u00a0 The big clubs already have that financial advantage.\u00a0 They are not meant to also get a bigger share of the income the league generates.\u00a0 Other major sports do not do that.\u00a0 It just becomes a self-perpetuating guarantee that the other clubs cannot compete with them.<\/p>\n

I hope Villa and Newcastle can find a way to break through.\u00a0 I would love to see the PL have a big 8, or even a big 10 or 12.\u00a0 But Villa and Newcastle fans aiming their frustrations<\/strong><\/a> at Spurs are aiming at the wrong target.
Jim (THFC)
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