Liverpool Managing Director, Ian Ayre monopolises Liverpool news ahead of the biggest match of the weekend against Man United at Anfield on Saturday lunchtime.
Although the directors of the football clubs have a responsibility to the shareholders of their clubs, surely they also have a responsibility to Football and the whole of the Premier League, not just their own elite clique? Almost 20 years ago, the likes of Liverpool and the other top clubs, including today’s opponents collaborated to take the lion’s share of TV money through the formation of the Premier League, and now Mr Ayre wants to accelerate the elevation of 4 or 5 super clubs, by grabbing more money for his own club and creating a bigger divide between the haves and have nots. A penny for David Moyes’ thoughts on the matter.
I do not want to watch Liverpool, United, City and Chelsea just play each other in a “Super” league. I want to see a competitive league with 20 teams playing each other, with the variety, contrasts and the unpredictability that it brings.
Having spent over £100m on new players since January, something the majority of Premier League managers (let alone other leagues) can only dream of, Ayre wants Liverpool to do their own television deals abroad, and not share the foreign TV rights equally amongst all Premier clubs.
Ayre’s wishes, remind me of my youngest child (just turned 3 years) screaming “MINE, MINE, MINE” as he tries to prevent his older brother taking his favourite toy out of his hands.
Mr Ayre says: “If we carry on sharing that international revenue equally, you are disadvantaging us.”
Wake up and smell the coffee Mr Ayre, read the newspapers, watch the news, take a look at what is going on in the real world, read the history of the football league and don’t forgot the vast riches that TV and the Premier League have already brought you and your club. Ian Ayre’s previous work experience in TV, including streaming and PPV indicate why he may have been brought in to the Liverpool management team and the direction that football may take in the future.
Hat’s off to Sir Alex Ferguson who takes a mature, long term and equitable view: “We’d love to have our own (TV rights) but I don’t think it should happen that way. It’s quite fair to have all equal shares.”
Before the match kicks off on Saturday, in the common sense and fair play stakes -Liverpool 0 Man United 1
Perhaps Mr Ayre should keep quiet and let Kenny and his players do the talking on the pitch?
Liverpool, 5th in the league, have not really been tested at home yet, drawing to Sunderland on the opening day, with victories over bottom half opposition in Bolton and Wolves.Liverpool have lost two of their last six, both away, 0-1 to Stoke and the embarrassing 0-4 away defeat at Spurs.
United remain unbeaten this season, scoring 22 goals and only conceding four goals in their last six, compared to Liverpool’s 9:7 goal ratio. United will be looking to continue their winning ways following a disappointing 1-1 draw away at Stoke and their surprise 3-3 draw at home to Basel in the Champions League, before their 2-0 home victory over Norwich.
Liverpool have won the last three league matches at Anfield, but this was preceded by 5 United victories at Anfield and one goalless draw. Between December 2002 and March 2008, Liverpool won only one of their 12 league meetings, 1-0 at Old Trafford, losing 10 and the 0-0 draw mentioned above.
Rooney will be keen to put his England moment of madness behind him and give the Kop something to cry about. Welbeck continues to evolve into a confident, powerful striker. The youngsters at United are pushing the more experienced players, I can’t see United scoring less than 2 goals.
Gerrard and Johnson may start for Liverpool, but neither will be at their sharpest. Vidic should be back after coming through Serbia’s exit from Euro 2012 – not sure why he took a penalty (he missed).
Man United away win, correct score 1-2
Best odds for the away win, are currently 2.40 with Bet365 and for the correct score of 1-2 the best odds are 10.00 with Blue Square
Laith Amiry, weekendfootball
