Yeah I'd definitely agree with this. What I've admired about Pool in recent years is they've shown how to attack a transfer market. They've played no games and gotten in the players they (Klopp) wanted with minimal fuss. Whenever I see them linked with a player it often seems like the player is in their shirt within a week. They've even concluded deals before outside of a window, meaning their new signings can get straight down to business the moment it opens and they can be registered. I want us to have a similar approach, Poch often had to wait far too long for his preferred targets and at times didn't even get them. I don't want Jose going through that in the summer, we need as many in as possible before pre-season starts so that he can get down to business with his own players and really implement what he wants to do to take us forward. I completely appreciate Levy's had to be astute over the years to get us into a strong financial position but the time of haggling over a few £m is gone. I'd hate to see any more Grealish situations, he could've made such a difference to us last season (and this!) and as we've seen this campaign, he's been one of the best performers in the league and will probably join Utd for north of £50m in the summer.
Hardly original, as Arsenal were doing it years before them while Man Utd had the exact same idea But somehow their fans think that we're the disgrace for strip-mining their team...
We know from bitter (bitter!) experience that Bayern are a very good team. Should you progress, I think they'll give you a decent game if you draw them.
It's pretty scary how well they've done in the transfer market. I don't think another club has matched them in terms of success with regards to how well their 'good' signings have done. They've had a few duds as most clubs do but their good signings have been phenomenal. Many of them have turned into world class players: Alisson, van Dijk, Robertson, Salah, Mane and Firmino especially. Whilst Matip, Gomez, Wijnaldum and Fabinho have been very, very good additions too. In comparison with us in that same time frame, only Son and Alderweireld went on to be world class in my opinion (Toby's since declined). Alli had a couple of fantastic seasons, as did Dier but both have faded badly in the past two or so years.
I think the ace in the hole for Liverpool was the purchase of van Dijk. I would think most of the PL are kicking themselves for missing that one...us included.
I'd have to add Allison too Smithy, those two together have transformed our defence and made a real difference.
You know your team better than I do, but I would argue that Robertson and TAA have made just as much of a difference not just to the back line but to your entire method of play.
They also don't have equivalent backup, whereas their reserve keeper and centre-halves can do a job for a while. They haven't missed a league game this season and have only missed one Champions League game between them. Barely missed any last season, either. They went out of both cups last season without them and one this season, too.
Oh yes you cant not include them, but i was just more on about Alisson and VVD's instant and obvious impact and the fact both cost fair chunks. Robertson took a while to get used to the system enough to be put into the side which isnt unusual for most players who've come in in the last 3 years. Fabinho ox to name a couple. Obviously trents been integrated into the 1st team since before klopp, his debut was at 17yrs old if i remember rightly. Both are great athletes and you have to be yo keep up with the way klopp wants his fullbacks to play, robbos better defensively and trent is miles ahead now offensively imo, hes already equalled his record of assists from last year and its bloddy February Gomez also deserves a huge mention for how much he has learnt from playing with vvd for me hes one of our most improved players under Klopp. He and matip when he was playing regularly are perfect players to cover trent on that right side when he gets one sent over his head which happens often enough due to him being the more attacking of the two fbs. When lovren plays there his lack of pace shines out like the sun Weve struck gold at the moment, owners, manager, players, down to coaching staff all humming the same tune, it can only last as long as klopps here so ill enjoy it while i can