Liverpool being maligned for their summer transfer spends: Are we all just hypocrites when it comes to the amount of money in football?
A FEW months ago, I got into an argument with my partner.
She was watching some reality TV shite where two people who meet at the altar realise they annoy each other and either decide to persevere or call it off.
I’m of course talking about Married At First Sight, and I’m pretending to hate these types of shows in true boyfriend fashion, before inquisitively asking questions and going all in on the ensuing scandal.
There was a moment when the newlywed wife was talking about expectations in the relationship, citing her own ambition of wanting to have $500m to her name. I took umbrage to such a statement, saying that people who desire that amount of wealth for themselves were both greedy and obscene.
This sparked a “gotcha” moment for my girlfriend, quickly pointing out how my morals and virtues in this moment were completely at odds with the millionaires I fawn over on a weekly basis under the football umbrella. I think nothing of demanding millions be given to young men in Liverpool red, she pointed out, so how can I soundly apply a different value set outside of football?
Anyone aware of my written work for The Anfield Wrap will know that I’ve long been an advocate of less money in football and absolutely despise anyone justifying it by telling you it’s not their cash being spent.
But you can see how my better half had me pegged. You can also therefore assume that I must be mortified by the eye watering sums Liverpool are currently laying down on some of the top football talents in Europe, which is currently nudging them over the £300m mark.
It’s not just the spending. Liverpool are currently the rich, good-looking, asshole boyfriend in the high school romcom where many in football are concerned. Alexander Isak seemingly wants out of Tyneside due to the overtures of the Premier League champions. But who is going to stick up for the Saudi Arabian, state-owned teenage dirtbag that is Newcastle United? Have mercy.
Facts don’t really have a home in today’s news sphere. But the fact remains that for three transfer windows all Liverpool had to show was Federico Chiesa. Nobody wants to look at PSR and how Liverpool is and will remain healthily inside its tight-fisted demands.
There is understandable elation this is happening. It’s always worth remembering that people love transfers. It’s the quickest thing supporters reach for when contemplating how to evolve, to fix and to magic pill your way out of a situation.
That Liverpool won a title based on the elite coaching of Arne Slot and a resolute attitude from the club not to spend for spending sake doesn’t fit the narrative of how you attain success at this level.
To this end, Liverpool are cementing themselves as the best. A clear, purposeful strategy of excellence which extends to all aspects of the operation. But doing so by only taking what they need, not as much as they can get (another phrase I try to live by).
Identifying the true villains of the transfer world is quite complex. Manchester City’s Premier League ruling remains ominously absent. Chelsea keep finding ways to circumvent the rules which would restrict spending. Manchester United will keep robbing Peter to pay Paul where everyday jobs and efficiency is concerned.
The truth is that money in England’s top tier is obscene and makes fools of everyone. Liverpool fans in their droves couldn’t wait to cite how Trent Alexander-Arnold was wrong for behaving like an obscenely wealthy young man with an over inflated ego when we (the collective football we) have literally facilitated this.
For two decades, we’ve become accustomed to success being aligned to skullduggery of some form. This started with Roman Abramovic and has been continued by City. If you win, you must be bending the rules. Liverpool have lived so far within the rules that people are now finding their own way of tarnishing them to contextualise their success.
There are no right answers. This transfer window has thrown out a lot of the norms we associated with the club under Fenway Sports Group. If our contradictions about Jurgen Klopp’s past comments or ‘the Coutinho money’ are now commonplace: great. We are now the alpha in the market, a reflection of our current place in the food chain.
And if you were wondering. I’m incredibly excited by the club’s summer business. And yes, I know I’m a hypocrite.
