Moneyball originated from Billy Beane, General Manager of the Oakland A’s baseball team. The Oakland A’s lost three of their star players and they did not have the money to compete with the bigger teams in the league such as the New York Yankees. In a football sense it could compare to Liverpool trying to compete with Manchester City on a financial basis. The reason Liverpool are trying to use the moneyball system is because John W.Henry (the Liverpool Owner) is a huge fan of this system and has introduced it to the Boston Red Sox, another team he owns. The moneyball system looks at players in a different way and uses a sabermetric analysis. Sabermetric analysis looks at the statistics of the player. This system will ask objective questions, such as who is the best offensive player in the Premier League. The common answer to this could be the leading strikers are Luis Suarez, Sergio Aguero or Robin Van Persie. But the sabermetric answer would be Leighton Baines, because he created the most chances in Europe last season, 97. Another question which might be asked is who is the best passer in the Premier League this season, again fans might say Steven Gerrard, Juan Mata or Tom Huddlestone. The sabermetric answer is Mathieu Flamini, due to hiis high pass completion rate, 93.17%. Another question could be who is the best defensive player in the league? Again, fans would answer John Terry, Vincent Kompany or Gary Cahill. But the sabermetric answer would be Michael Carrick as he currently has the most interceptions in the league, 49. The moneyball system is trying to introduce a cheaper way of buying players in. This does not just mean the transfer fee, but it also means the wage structure. So, Liverpool will be trying to reduce both transfer fee paid and player wages. The sabermetric analysis is trying to look at players in a different way rather than just goals and assists. The transfer policy, especially under Kenny Daligish, did not fit the moneyball system. Liverpool spent a vast amount of money under him with the likes of Andy Carroll (£35 million), Luis Suarez (£23 million), Stewart Downing (£20 million), and Jordan Henderson (£20 million). Some of these transfers have been highly criticised by many pundits and fans. The worst signing was Andy Carroll. During Carroll’s time at Liverpool he managed 6 goals in 44 appearances and was sold on for £15 million to West Ham. Stewart Downing was another major transfer failure. He was signed for £20 million and sold on for £5 million. However, during his time at Liverpool he did create chances, 66. This made him the third most creative player at Liverpool, with only Suarez (89) and Gerrard (92) ahead of him. By only paying £5 million for Stewart Downing West Ham has a real moneyball signing. The Brendan Rodgers era has not all be plain sailing regarding the transfer policy. He has not spent the vast amount his predecessor did. But there are some signings where he has paid what could be regarded as over the odds, this includes the signings of, Fabio Borini £11.5 million, and Joe Allen at £15 million. Both of these players have struggled to settle at the club and Borini has found himself being loaned out to Sunderland. There has been some evidence of successful moneyball signings. Perhaps the most impressive has been Luis Suarez for £23 million, but they also include Jordan Henderson (£20 million), Daniel Sturridge (£12 million), Simon Mignolet (£9 million) and, possibly the best value, Phillipe Coutinho (£8.5 million). Luis Suarez has been one of Liverpool’s most successful on field signings in the last decade. He has proven he can score goals. Moreover he can provide that little bit of magic which can win games for Liverpool. In addition, if Liverpool were to sell Suarez they would make a vast profit, so this fits in with the moneyball philosophy. Another great signing was Daniel Sturridge. He has a great understanding with Suarez and together these two men have become one of the best strike forces within the Premier League. Both players enjoy playing with one another and they will try and get in behind the opposing defence which cause all sort of problems. Phillipe Coutinho has been another great signing. Rodgers identified that Liverpool did not have a flair player who could provide world-class service for Sturridge and Suarez. Coutinho has found himself playing in the number 10 role for Liverpool. His role is to find himself in the gap between the opposing midfield and defence and provide the required service to the Liverpool strike force. One area Brendan Rodgers wants to promote is a youth policy within the Liverpool team. Promoting from the youth team can be the most effective moneyball system, because although the club has invested in the player’s youth development, if he shows real potential they will be able to contract him without paying a transfer fee and will probably be able to offer a less generous wages and benefits package. Some of the most notable younger players to be promoted through the youth system are Andre Widsom, who was playing regularly last season in the Premier League with Liverpool; he is now on loan at Derby. The two players this season who are playing regularly are Raheem Sterling and Jon Flanagan. Both of these players are having very good seasons for Liverpool, and Sterling has a chance of making the World Cup squad this season. The sabermetric analysis has been a very successful scouting tool in baseball, but does it work in football? The sabermetric analysis is very subjective and the parameters set must look at specific needs. In football one might look at who makes the most attacking runs in a game? So, this system can work, but the parameters must be set to your own team’s needs, and rather than looking at just players statistics it is important to see how the prospective player would fit into the team. Another area it does not take into account is whether the player has the right mentality to play at the required level. Charlie Adam is a good Premier League player but failed at Liverpool because he did not have the required mental strength. Liverpool are definitely going in the right direction and have a clear plan. Brendan Rodgers is a very good manager who really understands football and knows how to make Liverpool a better team. In addition Rodgers wants to make people better, he said “I started coaching for one reason and that was to make a difference for people, not just as footballers but as human beings.’’ The strategy in place at Liverpool can be justified on numerous levels. But they now have a manager who knows how to achieve what the club requires. For the moneyball strategy to work time is an essential tool which must be used. Moreover, it requires a manager who understand it, but more importantly a manager who will be given time to implement this plan.
Posted on: Sun, 02 Mar 2014 11:40:27 +0000
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