Transfer Deadline Day: In Conversation with a Liverpool Fan

I thought I'd share with you the email bant I had with one of my mates, a Scouser, regarding yesterday's fascinating action in the transfer market. An interesting read...

From: TheCockneyRed

To: Luke

Date: Tue, 1 Feb 2011 10:12:14

Subject: Well, well, well...

Mate...what the FUCK happened yesterday?? 

So the way I see it, as a bitter Scouser, probably gobsmacked at all the attention your team has received (seeing as your sitting seventh place and noone gives a fuck about you anymore), your trail of thought can go one of two ways:

1. We've got ourselves 2 strikers for the price of 1. We've bought 2 young strikers: 1 proven already in this league and 1 proven on the world/european stage for the same price that we shifted our old one. Plus, let's face it, Torres wasn't in it anymore was he? He couldn't be fucked anymore. So uve got rid of a petulant, bored striker who wanted to be elsewhere - trust me, if a 50mill bid came in for Rooney (assuming we could instantly replace him with two strikers like you've done) then I'd do it.

2. 'We've lost our Nando!!!!' Remember how in the 2nd/3rd year u banged on and on about 'this is the player of my generation - my Fowler, my Rush...'? Well now he's gone. Why? Because he didn't want to play for you anymore. Because the 'vicious rumours' of him going to Chelski have finally come into fruition. That can't be nice - remember, I've been there with Ronnie. And who did u replace him with? A cannibal (have u seen the video of him vs PSV??) and a chav who costs as much as...wait for it...Ozil, Khedira, Van der Vaart and Hernandez put together. More than fucking David Villa cost Barca. Something can't be right.

So sir...which one are you? The positive number 1, or confused, bemused and dissapointed number 2?

Can't WAIT to hear back from u!!

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From: Luke

To: TheCockneyRed

Date: Tue, 1 Feb 2011 13:01:44

Subject: Well, well, well...

Well put mate.

You've definitely put a more positive spin on it.... which I REALLY LIKED hearing! So yeh, I guess there are some positive points to consider…I mean if you forget about the Carrol transfer fee…and in context we did receive £50 million yesterday, so Newcastle knew they were in a very good bargaining position.

I was at the Wolves game recently (yes, the ‘Sian-gate’ game) where people were saying “oh Torres is getting back to his best...” BULLSHIT. He didn't look interested. He did have his moments, and did occasionally look dangerous, but he just wasn't going for it and wasn't hunting the ball down. As for the goals? He scored two totally mediocre tap-ins. So yeh…the reality is we have received 50 million……but it doesn't feel quite so great, when we've wasted most of it on a new generation, 21st century long haired CHAV – in place of a petulant, whinging prick (oh wow…I just said it…this really is the end for me and El Nino).

He hasn't been at his best for over a year and clearly didn't want to play for the club…

But now he's gone, he was my Rush, my Dalglish. He was EVERYTHING TO ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And now he's gone to fucking Chelsea, which is so so sickening. At least Ronaldo left the country. So that fact alone is deeply upsetting.

We do feel betrayed, but me and Toby [Geordie mate of ours] ranted about it all last night…it really does make you consider the merits of modern football. For me, if it carries on deteriorating for the next 5 years (we’ve got Qatar and the World Cup to look forward to remember?), will I remain passionate and committed? I don't know mate. With fewer and fewer Carragher’s, Gerrard’s, Giggs’, Neville’s and Scholes’ ‘the game's gone mad’ to quote a now unemployed Sky anchor. I mean, look what Andy Caroll has just done...from a Newcastle point of view.

I also feel this is such a complete and utter panic buy. We just signed Suarez, we still have Ngog.... yeh ok, shit. But this season is a write off any way. Why go out on a limb, risking all that money on a non-proven scorer? Remember other hot debut seasoners?? Andy Johnson, Kevin Phillips, Michael f*cking Ricketts…NOT HAPPY MATE..

But as Toby reminded me, we football fans have short memories, and we are some of the most fickle people out there. If Carroll comes good, then who will be complaining? What gives me a bit of hope is that Capello obviously really rates the lad....the fact he has already made a commanding debut for your favourite team [England. Sarcastic, of course] is encouraging.

So yes, you do raise the point about these two as people (it's not like we're welcoming Mother TEE and Nelson Mandela to pastures new at Anfield!), but in summary, I remain positive. We’ve lost a disinterested, out of form and injury prone striker and replaced him with two young, keen bastards. Yes, it’s a risk, but is it a bigger risk than keeping a devaluing Torres? 

We grit our teeth and trudge on.

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From: TheCockneyRed

To: Luke

Date: Tue, 1 Feb 2011 16:00:18

Subject: Well, well, well...

Hold on to the positives lad. That's all I'll say.

It’s not YOUR money at the end of the day. If Liverpool can justify spending that sort of money on that sort of player, then fine. And more importantly if he can do the business for you then who gives a fuck? Just look at Berbs? A lot of money yes, but he won a title in his first season and scored/contributed to most of our goals this season - a season that has so far seen us flourish. So what's the problem re his extortionate fee?

The problem is however the underlying ongoing issue of MONEY = POWER. Will Chelsea win the league now after they've spent over 70mill on 2 players? Will u get in the CL cos you've spent 50mill on a couple of goalscorers? Answers to both questions is 'yes, very possibly'. And that's not right.

But the bottom line in this case: he's not worth 35mill. He's not better than Villa (obviously) - he's not even better than any of those 4 players that I mentioned who combined are worth 35mill. Its a shocking shocking move that, combined with 'massive loyal Liverpool fan' Torres going to arguably ur most hated club in recent years, has made me, and a lot of other football fans, look at this sport and laugh. I tweeted yesterday: '31st Jan 2011: the day football died' and amongst all the responses agreeing with me, one guy replied saying 'football died a long time ago, mate'. And that's that.

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