12 Jan 2018 21:10:42
Just to wade in on this, i don't want Alexis Sanchez. He sulks too much, and as a player who relies on explosiveness coming up to 30, he will be in decline shortly. Maybe he already is and we're just mistaking it for a lack of effort? The worst thing is his wages demands. He will want massive wages, a massive signing on fee, and a contract for at least 3 or 4 years. Did we learn nothing from Joe Cole? He was also a top class player at Chelsea who helped them to league titles, and we stupidly took him on at the back end of his career on huge wages. We've done the same with Milner who has been bang average for us despite being a great player for Manchester City. We even did it before them both with Maxi Rodriguez who spent most weeks injured and only gave us 6 decent months.

We need the next Sanchez. Not the one who will be falling to pieces on our treatment table whilst pocketing £300k+ a week.

Even Man Utd have been stung by doing this when they signed Van Persie and Ibra. They had one good season and then bled the club for a huge amount of money whilst they're careers came to an abrupt end. They didn't even get that, out of Falcao! Unlike United, we can't afford a huge financial hit and then a ridiculous wage bill, for one season of decent service. Sanchez is perfect for their conveyer belt system. They can take him for a year or two, and then pick up Ronaldo or Bale in 2020 as they fall to pieces.

Wenger is getting a lot of stick for letting Sanchez's contract run down, but so what? They've had 4 great years out of him and now he's in decline. If they signed him to a huge contract, they'd have to deal with his decline. Players like Sanchez should go to Italy, MLS or Turkey for their final pay cheque. I don't want him at Liverpool. The only mistake Wenger has made, is not selling him for £50m last season, like how we git shot of Torres at the perfect time before his legs went.

Just to add, i have no problem with signing older players, but it has to be a player who doesn't rely on physical attributes, or it has to be a player who will take a humble salary on a short term contract. Perfect examples? Kolo Toure, Craig Bellamy, Gary McCalister etc.

We're not a retirement home. Bob Paisley was the best manager in history because he knew exactly when to get rid of players, and was ruthless in doing so. Some players can play at the top into their 30's, but Sanchez is not one of them in my opinion.

This is exactly why we should be looking at moving on Lallana, Milner and Sturridge. Their games are all built on either running power or speed and that will soon desert them if it hasn't already. It's big wages for very little return.

Sorry for the rant.

1.) 12 Jan 2018
12 Jan 2018 21:22:41
Can’t say I disagree with you MK. Well said.

2.) 12 Jan 2018
12 Jan 2018 21:33:55
Decline?

His form is because he has wanted out for a long time, and being human it can have that effect.

As a club and fans we should well be aware of this, as our transfer dealings have had a massive effect on Van Dijk and Keita, and possibly Coutinho (and even Origi to some extent) .

There is a massive problem and disharmony at Arsenal and I don't necessarily think a club in receipt of one of their players should necessary worry about the players recent Arsenal form.

There are some serious morale issues there and a player shouldn't be blamed, whether or not they are expected to perform as a professional.

3.) 12 Jan 2018
12 Jan 2018 21:34:11
Cheers Dennis. Another great example is Adebayor who caused Spurs all sort of problems on a stupid salary.

It has to be assessed on a case by case basis, but Sanchez seems like a bad move to me. Expensive, potential for rapid decline, and a lot of attitude. Avoid like the plague for me. Maybe 2 years ago it would've been a good proposition. It's not anymore though in my opinion!

4.) 12 Jan 2018
12 Jan 2018 21:46:07
I do get the argument for signing him DaveyBootle. He's arguably been world class in the last 6 or 7 seasons prior to this one.

For all we know, his attitude could be all because of his current situation, and he might not start declining for another 5 years yet. However, at the salary and singing on fee he wants, plus the transfer fee Arsenal want, i really don't think it is worth the risk to us. If he starts to decline or gets a knee injury in the first season for us, that is an absolute fortune straight down the toilet. At his age he will have no resale value, or adequate time to recover. If we were really short up top and struggling to get anybody in, then maybe we could make a case for taking a high risk player like Sanchez. We're not short at all though so i personally can't justify the massive potential risk with the minimal potential reward.

5.) 12 Jan 2018
12 Jan 2018 21:57:19
Mk Van Persie won Man U the title in the first season didn't he?

6.) 12 Jan 2018
12 Jan 2018 22:08:20
Sanchez in decline now? Really? Well I’ve seen nothing to suggest that. If he were on a 5 year contract at Arsenal now he would cost £60-£70m in today’s market. If someone picked him up for £25m now and have him £250k a week, it would be a good deal IMO. Premier league proven finished article.

7.) 12 Jan 2018
12 Jan 2018 22:16:52
In the last few weeks LFC fans have come up with we don't need Coutinho and now we don't want Sanchez and Griezmann. Have I missed something. Are we like no longer 4th and are dominating leagues and winning titles. Suppose we'll just continue raiding teams like Southampton then for their players. That seems to keep us LFC fans happy 🤦🏻‍♂.

8.) 12 Jan 2018
12 Jan 2018 22:33:52
He did mark, but then he cost them a fortune to off load. £30m and £10m a year on wages fir one good season was a ridiculous outlay for the start of this decade. It'd be like spending £70m for one season in todays market.

Stand-United, that may be a great deal for your lot, but if Liverpool sign a player who is worse than all of our current first choice forwards, and put him on £250-300k a week, they will all be knocking on Klopp's door asking why they are earning half of that figure. Especially if Sanchez continues to sulk whilst they're all running into the ground for their money. At Man United, that barely puts him in your top earners bracket, and you can afford to take a financial hit if he flops, unlike us. We're in different places financially, and squad wise. You are cash rich and have a terrible attack. We are financially restricted and have the best front 3, man for man, in the Premier League. Trouble is, we have a midfield lacking ideas and creativity.

Jayden, why has everyone suddenly forgotten where our issues lie? 3 days ago we all agreed we need to sign a keeper, and a creative midfielder to replace Coutinho. Yet all of a sudden, we should be adding more forwards? I've not seen anybody say they don't want Griezmann by the way. A few, including myself, have questioned if it is the best signing we could make in terms of the type of player he is, but nobody has said they don't want him, full stop. If they have, and I've just missed it, my apologies.

9.) 12 Jan 2018
12 Jan 2018 22:48:35
£30m for one season in 2012 was absolutely extortionate, mark. Not to mention his ridiculous wages and how hard it was to shift him afterwards. That is literally like spending £70m on a player for one season in todays market. It was a terrible deal for them. For £30m back then, teams were literally landing players like Suarez, Aguero, Higuain and Cavani who gave them years of goals and in some cases sold for profit.

Stand, we're not Man United buddy. You can afford a financial hit if it goes wrong. Plus, £250k is a standard salary for you. If we give that to Sanchez, all of a sudden we have Salah, Mane and Firmino asking why they are earning half that despite all being better players who work harder for the team.

Jayden, nobody has said they don't want Griezmann. Only that he is the wrong type of player and we should be prioritising other areas. We need a keeper, a right back, another centre back, a creative midfielder, and maybe even a DM before we start thinking of spending £80m on our strongest position; attack. I'll be excited for the signing if it happens, and I'll back him to do well as he's a really classy player. It would make me a hypocrite to sit here for the last 12 days saying we need a midfielder and a keeper, and then conveniently forget about that when i hear our top target is another bloody forward though! Wouldn't it?

Sanchez is not what we need, and even if he was, there are better options than an aging, baggage carrying, mercenary. That's just my opinion though. I appreciate he's generally a very highly rated player. I think even Ed001 likes him. I did a couple of seasons ago, but he's noticeably playing worse for whatever reason.

10.) 12 Jan 2018
12 Jan 2018 23:03:36
Mk I totally agree that other positions are a priority for the side, with keeper being the key one for me. I didn't say we should sign Griezmann or Sanchez but I just find it funny how when I've caught up with the site today I've predominantly read that Sanchez is crap or past it and Griezmann wouldn't get into our side. This is after having weeks and weeks of people saying we no longer needed Coutinho. Yet the same fans are happy with or rave about Henderson and Ox etc. Both players are top top class and although we don't desperately need them if Klopp brought either in i for one would be over the moon.

11.) 12 Jan 2018
12 Jan 2018 23:37:39
I thought I was the only one who didn't want Sanchez, totally agree with you mk, well said mate.

12.) 13 Jan 2018
13 Jan 2018 00:36:48
Ey up, we've got another Harry Redknapp who's top and who's top top thing happening all over again. MACCAAAAAA! No, but seriously I thought top top was Traore and above right?