Originally posted by Shaggy
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http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...686540264.html
What Now for Liverpool?
By GABRIELE MARCOTTI
He has also stated that a new stadium for the club is a priority, which if anything is an understatement. Liverpool's 45,000-seat capacity Anfield Road stadium is permanently sold out and the waiting list for season tickets numbers in the tens of thousands. In fact, Liverpool hasn't had any new season ticket-holders since 1996, largely because they are such a prized commodity that, rather than relinquish them, fans who pass away, move elsewhere or can no longer afford to go will simply turn them over to friends and family.
The club could probably sell out a ground twice Anfield's size and this, coupled with the current antiquated luxury boxes, amounts to serious lost revenue. Last year's gameday take of $68 million is dwarfed not just by Manchester United (a half hour down the road and with a comparable fan base) and its revenues of $163 million, but also Chelsea $115 million, whose Stamford Bridge stadiums actually smaller than Anfield.
Figuring out what to do with the team itself is a trickier proposition. Sunday's defeat leaves Liverpool squarely in the relegation zone with nearly a quarter of the season gone. It's nothing short of an aberration for England's most successful club, one which hasn't finished lower than seventh in the last 16 years.
Thus far, manager Roy Hodgson, who took over in the summer following the departure of Rafa Benitez, has generally escaped criticism. Mr. Hodgson is a likeable grandfatherly type and much of the blame has fallen on his somewhat spiky and introverted predecessor, whose five-year tenure was marked by highs (winning the Champions League in his first season and taking Liverpool to second place two years ago) and lows (a slide to seventh place in 2009-10 and a difficult relationship with the media).
Mr. Henry pledged his support, saying, "I think we have done everything we can thus far to assure [Mr. Hodgson] that we are not here to make changes, we are here to build." But unless things turn around – and quickly – Mr. Henry's hand could be forced and his next move might necessarily involve a change of manager. Dropping out of the Premier League would be nothing short of disastrous, both financially and in terms of morale. And, however popular Mr. Hodgson is with the English media, there is no escaping the fact that this is largely the same group of players who did far better under the watch of Mr. Benitez.
What Now for Liverpool?
By GABRIELE MARCOTTI
He has also stated that a new stadium for the club is a priority, which if anything is an understatement. Liverpool's 45,000-seat capacity Anfield Road stadium is permanently sold out and the waiting list for season tickets numbers in the tens of thousands. In fact, Liverpool hasn't had any new season ticket-holders since 1996, largely because they are such a prized commodity that, rather than relinquish them, fans who pass away, move elsewhere or can no longer afford to go will simply turn them over to friends and family.
The club could probably sell out a ground twice Anfield's size and this, coupled with the current antiquated luxury boxes, amounts to serious lost revenue. Last year's gameday take of $68 million is dwarfed not just by Manchester United (a half hour down the road and with a comparable fan base) and its revenues of $163 million, but also Chelsea $115 million, whose Stamford Bridge stadiums actually smaller than Anfield.
Figuring out what to do with the team itself is a trickier proposition. Sunday's defeat leaves Liverpool squarely in the relegation zone with nearly a quarter of the season gone. It's nothing short of an aberration for England's most successful club, one which hasn't finished lower than seventh in the last 16 years.
Thus far, manager Roy Hodgson, who took over in the summer following the departure of Rafa Benitez, has generally escaped criticism. Mr. Hodgson is a likeable grandfatherly type and much of the blame has fallen on his somewhat spiky and introverted predecessor, whose five-year tenure was marked by highs (winning the Champions League in his first season and taking Liverpool to second place two years ago) and lows (a slide to seventh place in 2009-10 and a difficult relationship with the media).
Mr. Henry pledged his support, saying, "I think we have done everything we can thus far to assure [Mr. Hodgson] that we are not here to make changes, we are here to build." But unless things turn around – and quickly – Mr. Henry's hand could be forced and his next move might necessarily involve a change of manager. Dropping out of the Premier League would be nothing short of disastrous, both financially and in terms of morale. And, however popular Mr. Hodgson is with the English media, there is no escaping the fact that this is largely the same group of players who did far better under the watch of Mr. Benitez.
Now please Roy, step down so we can move on.
from now on I will skip talking about our finances. That is a promise and will save myself from looking like a 
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