Transfer tidings

Much angst and bile about LFC's summer transfer dealings have already been spilled on social media.  Yet the context that is missing from most comments is the near total lack of verifiable information from clubs about the exact goings on during these dealings, meaning that complaints about clubs not doing this or that or having one motive or another are probably close to being pure speculation, usually in accordance with one's pre-conceived notions about the club.

Having said that, I do want to wade into the Virgil van Dijk affair, specifically to address the insistence of many on a moral equivalence between Pool's approach to VVD and Barcelona's courting of Coutinho (which was accompanied by what could only be construed as rather severe harassment of LFC).

While I have no first-hand knowledge, most public accounts point to several important differences between the two courtships. First, Southampton were initially unopposed to selling, while Pool have maintained their opposition throughout. By pulling the plug after at first signalling to VVD that he could move, it is probably not surprising that the player's relations with management soured after that (especially with reports that Pool was willing to pay £60-70 mil, a ridiculous amount for a player even in this day and age, much less a defender).

Second, Pool did not make an approach after that alleged tapping up incident (as per its statement after the incident and supposedly because it had made a promise to the Saints) and also went radio silent in the media, quite unlike Barcelona who not only tried using the media to unsettle Coutinho and the club but also, by coincidence surely, submitted its bids just before LFC games.

Third, VVD told his club months ago (as early as April, according to some accounts, but certainly by the beginning of summer) that he wanted to move. Coutinho handed in a transfer request the day before the season's first game, having not given any indication before that until perhaps a few days prior to the request. Obviously, Coutinho's actions were clearly something much more difficult for any club to accept.

Whether the above comparison proves to be accurate, what does seem certain is that comments about transfers inexorably reduce players to property or assets (which is disturbing on one level), failing to consider the intangible aspects that managers and club officials, who work closely with players, inevitably have to take into account. Things like social bonds, player comfort, loyalty or morale.

That is particularly the case when fans talk about outgoings at a club. Ultimately, football is a team sport and such intangibles count. I believe that's the case for LFC, especially under the intense, team focused Klopp, and also since when we've never been a club that could go out and drop £100-£200mil at the tip of a hat.