Liverpool are getting ready to face Brighton for the second time this week and one well-known Seagulls supporter hasn’t held again in his opinion of FSG.
Arne Slot‘s facet received 3-2 within the Carabao Cup fourth spherical on the Amex Stadium on Wednesday, with either side much-changed.
One other conflict with Brighton arrives within the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, in one other vital match in Liverpool’s title quest.
Forward of the sport, we spoke to Brighton fan and soccer finance knowledgeable Kieran Maguire (@KieranMaguire) to debate life beneath Fabian Hurzeler, points round FSG and way more.
How would you assess Brighton’s season thus far?
Encouraging.
It’s taken time for the brand new gamers to acclimatise to the calls for of the Premier League, however the outcomes have been good – higher than performances – and it has helped to have three opposition gamers despatched off thus far this season.
The membership proprietor, Tony Bloom, has authorised an enhanced price range this season, off the success of earlier years by way of promoting gamers for good charges.
The purpose is to attempt to sneak right into a European place, though clearly not by way of the Carabao Cup now!
How is Fabian Hurzeler faring as supervisor?
Initially it was high-press, high-risk soccer, with catching the opposition offside loads.
It didn’t take different groups too lengthy to arrange for this, although, and we have been effectively overwhelmed by Chelsea, for whom Cole Palmer scored 4 and will have had seven.
We have been additionally run ragged by Tottenham for 45 minutes on the Amex, however they fortuitously determined to go full ‘Spursy’ within the second half and snatch defeat from what ought to have been a simple victory.
The pleasing factor about Hurzeler is that he does appear eager to study from errors and adapt, whereas with Roberto De Zerbi, it was very a lot ‘my approach or the freeway’.
Nonetheless, too many unforced errors are on present, as we noticed in opposition to Liverpool on Wednesday, and if we will take away them, we really feel that we may give most groups an honest recreation.
Have there been any standout performers? Anybody struggled?
Danny Welbeck is displaying that, when match, he’s each a canny and dependable finisher.
I used to be amazed by his England goalscoring file of 16 in 42 matches, but he has by no means managed double figures in a single season within the Premier League.
He’s additionally one of many real good guys within the recreation, so I’m delighted that he has made an excellent begin to the marketing campaign.
Carlos Baleba is having a superb season, too.
Shedding Yves Bissouma, Alexis Mac Allister, Pascal Gross and Billy Gilmour prior to now couple of seasons meant there was a probably huge gap within the centre of midfield, however he’s sturdy, assured, an excellent tackler, can rating targets and runs continuous.
In typical Brighton model, he was recruited for £20 million on the age of 18 however is now price three or 4 occasions that quantity within the present market.
Georginio Rutter seems to be very promising, and regardless of the file signing tag at £40 million, he’s each younger sufficient and ok to progress at Premier League degree.
Jan Paul van Hecke at centre-back has made the place his personal and would most likely even edge out captain Lewis Dunk if there was a straight struggle for one place.
The strugglers this season have been new signing Mats Wieffer, signed from Feyenoord, who managed to show a four-against-one breakaway in opposition to Wolves final Saturday within the final minute into an efficient help for the opposition!
The Albion have a patchy file by way of Dutch signings, with Ali Jahanbakhs and Jurgen Locadia each arriving from the Eredivisie, solely to flounder within the Premier League and depart quietly after a few underwhelming seasons.
Julio Enciso has not pushed on from his breakout season when he scored some spectacular targets, and appears a bit misplaced by way of the place he’s presupposed to play.
What do you consider Arne Slot?
Jurgen Klopp is nearly inconceivable to prime by way of charisma, humour, tradition and emotional intelligence.
However Slot has proved to be the protected pair of arms that Liverpool most likely wanted in changing such an iconic supervisor.
I believe he’ll go beneath the radar, as he simply needs to get on together with his job, whereas another golf equipment within the North West appear to get pleasure from being a cleaning soap opera first and a soccer membership second.
How do you price the matchday expertise at Anfield?
It’s okay.
There’s at all times a heat welcome within the pub earlier than a recreation and the core Liverpool fanbase are each extraordinarily educated in regards to the recreation and have a superb set of values, by way of the significance of membership and metropolis concerning historical past, heritage and id.
What I discover miserable is the choice of FSG to chase the vacationer pound.
It is sensible financially, and with Undertaking Large Image and Tremendous League it’s simple to see the place their loyalties lie, with revenue extra vital than soccer.
There are too many selfie sticks and half-and-half scarves to create the actually intimidating ambiance that Anfield used to create again once I first began going there as an away fan.
The growth of the stadium with a give attention to non-season ticket holders is a logical strategy to maximise revenues, however in doing so, one thing has been misplaced.
As a vacationer expertise, it is extremely efficient at separating followers from their wallets, however the uniqueness of Anfield as an affidavit to the greatness of the town has been diluted as a consequence of FSG’s priorities.
What’s your opinion on Liverpool’s begin to the marketing campaign?
I believe Liverpool have been very spectacular – extraordinarily good each out and in of possession.
The squad seems to be to have depth, too, and the ahead line is frightening. I’ve the Reds as favourites to win the Premier League this season.
Rodri being out for the season, together with Kevin De Bruyne being good however usually injured, places big stress on Erling Haaland to proceed his wonderful goalscoring file.
Man Metropolis usually are not beating opponents by 4 or 5 targets repeatedly as they’ve achieved lately.
Arsenal have already dropped quite a lot of factors and can’t be relied on to complete a recreation with 11 males on the pitch, whereas Chelsea have improved however their defence is a matter, particularly with Brighton’s former third-choice goalkeeper between the sticks.
In the meantime, Spurs are Spurs!
What’s your favorite and worst reminiscence from Liverpool vs. Brighton video games?
The very best was the 2-1 win within the FA Cup in 1983.
It was an incredible recreation with an incredible successful purpose, and nice grace in defeat from Liverpool followers in respect of Jimmy Case and Jimmy Melia, who have been a part of our victory.
The worst was most likely the 4-0 defeat within the League Cup again in 1985, when Paul Walsh scored a hat-trick.
I don’t suppose we bought the ball over the midway line aside from kicking off after every purpose was scored.
The place will the important thing battles happen on Saturday at Anfield?
Out extensive, we’re very weak to crossfield balls and counter-attacks, so if Liverpool’s extensive males are on type, will probably be a torrid expertise.
I anticipate to see Welback, Baleba and Rutter again, however suspect it won’t be sufficient.
Lastly, what’s your prediction?
I’ll go for Liverpool 3-1 Brighton.
