The American Gerrard Transfer News and Rumors
To the Music of “We are the Champions” by Queen
We beat the blues
By 20 points this time
Coutinho suffered his penance
After committing his crime
And bad mistakes
Lovren made a few
I’ve had my share of Ederson kicked in the face
But I’ve come through
(And I need to go on and on, and on, and on)
LFC are the champions, my Reds
And we’ll keep on winning in the Kop end
We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for Man Users
‘Cause we are the champions of the world
We’ve taken our fouls
And shady ref calls
Klopp brought them fame and fortune and everything that goes with it
We’ll win them all
30 years no title trophies
got close then we’d lose.
I consider it a challenge before the whole title race
And LFC ain’t gonna lose
(And I need just go on and on, and on, and on)
LFC are the champions, my friends
And we’ll keep on winning in the Kop end
We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for Man Users
‘Cause we are the champions of the world
Congratulations to the Champions of England
“The name’s Gerrard, Jordan Gerrard“. Also known as “the American Gerrard” or as my millions of music fans may now know me, Reddie Mercury. Today’s article is a very special Champions of England Edition of the American Gerrard. Typically I only talk about the latest transfer news and rumors, but before I get to the tasty tidbits of transfer traffic heading down the Premier League highway, I thought it only right to say a few words about what Liverpool Football Club winning the title means to me. If you are only here for the latest rumors and listening to me talk about Liverpool sounds boring, then by all means skip ahead…
A little background information for all my readers: I am 33 years old. I want to say I have been a lifelong Liverpool fan, but I honestly cannot remember being three years old, and needless to say I do not remember when Liverpool last won the title 30 years ago. I was too young to really have a serious relationship with Liverpool at that age (we may have held hands behind a few jungle gyms but we didn’t start really dating until middle school). Like many others in my generation, I have spent my entire “Liverpool fan resume” waiting for Liverpool to win a Premier League title.
I was there for the dark times: the heartbreaks of losing some of our best players to other teams, and the times we came so close to greatness and just missed it once again. The Liverpool I knew were not the dominant force of the 60s/70s/80s – my Liverpool were perpetual underdogs, a team that could defy expectations once every few years and inspire hope to keep us all going. This season has felt unreal – it was like a dream you relived in your head for 30 years before it finally came true.
I could not be more happy for the results this week because the wait is finally over! The pressure is off – after 30 years we finally did it! A deep wound inside my heart has finally healed over under my Jurgen Klopp-themed band aid (the ones with Jurgen’s face on them). The 30 years of suffering has made this title mean more to Liverpool fans then other clubs’ supporters. As fans we have earned it through our unwavering loyalty. I wanted to write something that really expresses my feelings, but it would end up being about five (Ed: more like fifteen 😉) pages too long and feature the “F word” a bit more then I am allowed to use. So, congratulations to our beloved team, to the staff big and small, the city of Liverpool overall (even the blue half), and of course to us, the fans all over the world. We are Liverpool and this really does mean more.
Trent & Todd
This week, Liverpool fans were quick to demand LFC make a move for Norwich city midfielder Todd Cantwell. This comes after Cantwell was noticed posting a special message to Liverpool right back and Scouse hero Trent Alexander-Arnold, congratulating Trent on his Premier League triumph. Cantwell went a step further in the post proclaiming Trent to be the best right back in the world, describing him as the “GOAT RB.” The two players are friends from their days playing together for England at youth level. Could Trent be using their connection to tap up another one of Michael Edward’s undiscovered diamonds. Or is Cantwell kissing up hoping to engineer an escape route from the Canaries?
Todd Cantwell has had an impressive debut season in the Premier League scoring six goals and assisting two for bottom of the table Norwich City. At 22 years old Cantwell has a bright future ahead of him and could be a cheap replacement for a player like Adam Lallana. Todd is good on the ball with a talent for getting in the right positions at the right time. I have stated before Liverpool like to target talent from relegation threatened teams. This is a deal I could see happening, but only if Liverpool move quickly – as I imagine more then Liverpool will be looking for bargains in the current market.
Red Suits Sancho
This week, while speaking at a live event for Bild Sport, Jurgen Klopp admitted he thinks English attacker Jadon Sancho would look very good in a Liverpool jersey. Although Klopp is considered to be an admirer of the Borussia Dortmund star he was quick to dismiss any such transfer from happening this summer stating if Sancho moved to Liverpool, Jurgen himself would be the most surprised of them all. After starring in the Bundesliga for two seasons, Jadon Sancho is thought to be in favor of a move back to his homeland to play in the English Premier League. I’ve said before I don’t think Sancho is in our price range this summer and the Boss Klopp is backing me! Atleast I’m pretending he is.
Traore Transfer Update
Liverpool Football Club are one of many clubs, Mundo Deportivo claims, have made an offer for 24 year old Adama Traore. Any Liverpool fan can see why this would be a great signing for the Reds (and I have already professed my desire to sign the bulldozer known as Adama); however, at this moment in time this is all speculation with no actual sources or evidence reported. Don’t get your hopes up just yet. Adama Traore was left to come off the bench in Wolverhampton Wanderers’ first game back after the pandemic break. Once brought onto the field, Adama made a huge impact playing a part in influencing both of Wolves’ goals. Rumors began to circulate that Traore had been left on the bench in attempt to reduce focus on a player already sitting on so many of Europe’s top team’s transfer short lists.
Traore is arguably one of the paciest players in the premier league. He recently revealed that during the Mandatory Coronavirus lockdown, Traore had been working on improving his speed even more with specialized training regiments. Can the Premier League’s fastest winger get faster? Will this eventually inspire FIFA Ultimate Team to increase Pace Stat ratings pass the 99 limit? Only time will tell.
Reds “All About” Alaba
According to the Daily Telegraph, Bayern Munich are open to the idea of selling Austrian Left back David Alaba this summer, with Liverpool Football Club considered one of the interested parties. David Alaba naturally plays left back, but also can play center back and more advanced roles as a wing back or as a defensive midfielder. Jurgen Klopp is a known admirer of versatile “utility” players and could lead to LFC targeting Alaba for a backup role at Anfield.
I would love for Liverpool football club to sign Alaba as he is a great player, however, I just do not see it happening. Although Alphonso Davies seems to be nailing down the first team left back spot at Bayern these days I do not see Bayern getting rid of Alaba just yet. He often features as a center back for Bayern when Davies gets the nod a left back. I also don’t think Alaba wants to come play backup to Andy Robertson. If Alaba is open to leaving Bayern for a new challenge and potentially more first team opportunities he will not be short of options. I am not going to lie though, Alaba’s got decent pace and defensive abilities. In my personal opinion, playing under Klopp, Alaba could easily challenge Matip or replace Lovren in our centerback pecking order.
Home James and Don’t Spare the Horses
Leeds United are looking more and more likely to secure promotion from the Championship this season and their promotion could create a nightmare situation for some Liverpool fans. In the past Liverpool Midfielder and Premier League Benjamin Button James Milner has hinted at a potential move back to his boyhood club Leeds if they were ever able to secure premier league promotion. Leeds are currently top of the Championship league sitting eight points off of third place and the playoff positions. With seven games remaining in the season, anything is still possible.
Having finally completed his mission of helping Liverpool win their first title in 30 years, will James Milner feel his work is done and push for a move to Leeds for some unfinished business? It is currently too early to call, and I think Klopp will do all he can to convince Milner to stay. In the long run, though, he may look for one last move while he still can compete at the top level and play regularly. Milner has even mentioned interest in moves abroad. If Leeds come calling, Milner may go, but he will certainly leave an LFC cult hero.
Thiago Likes Liverpool
Stories emerged this week suggesting Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara will turn down all offers of a new contract. Bild in Germany and Spanish Football Expert Guillem Balaque claim the 29-year-old will seek a new challenge at the expiry of his contract with many sides circling the talented Spanish midfielder. The Mirror have reported Thiago has told team mates he is interested in a move to newly crowned Premier League Champions Liverpool. With Thiago’s contract expiring at the end of next season, Bayern may be convinced to sell this summer for the right price, to raise funds for Manchester city’s German winger Leroy Sane.
Would Liverpool be interested in Thiago? In the past Klopp has admitted an interest in the player and his work ethic. I don’t see Liverpool signing Thiago unless Milner leaves and they get desperate or Thiago becomes available for a cheap price. He doesn’t fit the age group FSG’s transfer team tend to target. In the long term Liverpool need replacements for our aging midfielders like Gini and Hendo, but we won’t be replacing them with someone who is himself already 29 years old.
Premier League Prize Money
Now that the title has been confirmed I’m sure many of us are asking how this will effect Liverpool’s transfer budget. After doing some research I found some very interesting information. There is no guarantee that these numbers have not been somehow effected by the pandemic, but at the start of the season in August Goal.com reported the immediate prize for winning the 2019-2020 Premier league was currently in the region of 150 million pounds. A large portion of the prize money is drawn from broadcast revenue – something that was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the games are now being televised, it remains to be determined whether the same contracts and payments will be honored.
My best bet is that FSG are waiting to see if they get the full Premier League prize money before committing to any transfers this summer. With all the uncertainty still remaining over financial ramifications, Liverpool are smart to use a cautious approach. The season may yet still be halted due to a second outbreak which could still see any potential prize money or overall payments made to the 20 Premier League sides reduced for failure to complete the season. Any future signings may be forced to wait for the January transfer window. Keep in mind FSG have never been unwilling to reinvest in the side and if there is money available it will be spent to maintain the long term success at the club.
I’m Jordan Gerrard and as always, I thank you for reading.