Liverpool's mammoth 25m-a-year Warrior kit deal rewrites the record books | Mail Online

Liverpool's mammoth 25m-a-year Warrior kit deal rewrites the record books | Mail Online

Could this be the future?

More on this deal, which looks to be the biggest kit sponsorship in the UK (the world?). I know a lot of people who would say that this beats Man U's nike deal, but the competition is on the field. So let's wait for January 25 rather than play petty parlour games.

Liverpool's poor showing has cost them kit deal, claims Adidas chief | Football | guardian.co.uk

Liverpool's poor showing has cost them kit deal, claims Adidas chief | Football | guardian.co.uk: Hot

Looks like Liverpool will be wearing New Balance from next season on. What Adidas say is quite true, Liverpool's worth has been in decline, but the real worth cannot be fully appreciated if you just take into account results on the field. History and presence counts as well. I wonder what Adidas might think if Liverpool win the League Cup, FA Cup and qualify for Europe.. Food for thought. Replica shirts are a big deal, especially in Asia, but if you go to Liverpool or UK, not many people can afford them. This is something we might want to consider, to support the team in spirit. You can still support the team if you wear a red shirt with a club patch on it.And why should we promote Standard Chartered anyway? These banks are worse than leeches!

Gary Ablett laid to rest

John Barnes, Alan Hansen, Kenny Dalglish and Mark Lawrenson leave Liverpool Cathedral after Gary Ablett's funeral. Photograph: Dave Thompson/PA

Former team-mates and current professionals were among the mourners who attended the funeral of Gary Ablett on Tuesday.The 46-year-old – the only player to win the FA Cup with both Liverpooland Everton – died on New Year's Day after a 16-month battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.The current Liverpool and Everton managers, Kenny Dalglish and David Moyes, were present at the city's Anglican Cathedral along with many of Ablett's team-mates – including John Barnes, Alan Hansen, Mark Lawrenson, Duncan Ferguson, Matt Jackson and David Unsworth – and other contemporaries from the 1980s and early 1990s.The likes of Everton players Phil Neville and Tim Cahill were joined by the club's former managers Joe Royle and Howard Kendall and also the former Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez.Roy Keane, who briefly worked alongside Ablett at Ipswich Town just before his illness was diagnosed, was also present along with the England Under-21 manager, Stuart Pearce.The coffin of Ablett was carried into church to You'll Never Walk Alone and left to Everton's anthem Z-Cars.He leaves behind a wife, Jacqueline, and five children.

from The Guardian

A month in the suburb… – Telegraph Blogs

I rest my case...

A month in the suburb… – Telegraph Blogs

Liverpool fans' raging at anyone daring to criticise Luis Suarez or the club is typical of angry times we live in - Telegraph

Finally, an article that makes sense of all that;s going on. The ongoing drama is just a sad reflection of British society. The incivility displayed is shocking and the regression of the society on the whole leads them to behave in manners deemed inappropriate just a few years ago. Economic decline and poor parenting skills are just two important factors. Just watch the crowd behind the players and you'll be shocked by the disgusting gestures and mouthing going on. Britain is in decline...

Liverpool fans' raging at anyone daring to criticise Luis Suarez or the club is typical of angry times we live in - Telegraph

10 Coolest Soccer Balls in Soccer History | Bleacher Report

1. Adidas Tango España | 10 Coolest Soccer Balls in Soccer History | Bleacher Report:

'via Blog this'

Shylocks

It’s been some time since Liverpool toured South-East Asia and from all accounts, it was quite successful. On the surface, it would have seemed the ultimate experience for me, a life-long Red (if you count life starting at 14 back in ‘74) fan, to see my heroes playing in my home. But I had felt misgivings and second guesses abounded from the time the tour was announced, and became stronger as the day approached to see them in the flesh. Why did this happen? I will try to put my feelings into words, although something as intangible as one’s love for the club is hard to formalize accurately.

                In the past long time ago, it felt that the players were a part of the community and you felt you knew them and felt for them, even if you were geographically displaced, like me. But then, in the 90’s, commercialism came along as a means of survival, initially, and later, as a mark of success. Now the players are hauled off at each opportunity to appease the sponsors, who, indirectly, pay for them. The Shylocks want their pound(s) of flesh. The team has become less and less a part of the community and more a part of a business. This was abundantly clear to me close up in Kuala Lumpur. The players and staff had their movements scheduled by the whims of corporate clowns, and every opportunity grabbed for crass promotion of their products.

                I am not sure that supporting this club with some ridiculously paid players, in the words of some, “mercenaries”, can fulfil the primitive urge of belonging anymore. Once again borrowing from geographical vocabulary, there has been erosion. Of support, feeling and belonging. Granted, this may be the way to go to guarantee long-term success for the club, which would then translate into trophies, which is what we all want. But at what price?

                I think that Liverpool Football Club has to rethink their role with their fans and maybe pull back a little. Rather than every moment being counted in fiscal terms, some time has to be given to connecting with the human side. Come this Saturday though, the next generation of Liverpool Football Club supporters and their dad will be in front of the LED screen, being as passionate about the club as before. Nevertheless, the doubts still linger.

Hanif Khan

Malaysia