Make or break- Liverpool under Comolli

Pre-season- it always ends somewhere in the middle of August at 3pm for most clubs, but when it actually starts is up for question...

This is meant to be the period of rest and reflection, but instead, you just feel like there's something missing. Thankfully, this feeling comes and goes over the weekend, the void filled by the round-the-clock action of the transfer window. Since fees have risen, player power has increased, and, more importantly, with FIFA's new Financial Fair Play rulings set to come into effect, the window has become a worthy substitute for matches. The ruling is huge news for the market; prohibiting clubs from operating with money they haven't got. As a result, Premier League teams looking to strengthen were expected to be going for broke this summer on youth prospects. Well, that's what was meant to happen, and still could, but it seems only one club has truly seized upon this opportunity. Ladies and Gentleman, introducing the team that just keeps giving. Liverpool Football Club.          

Dalglish: pro-active in the window

Pessimists and Mancunians seem to have struck up a sturdy friendship this summer, with both parties writing off a title challenge from the red half of Merseyside before the seasons even started. Why? Jealousy, perhaps. Fear is another possible factor. But again, why? When looking at the key differences between the clubs at the top of the pile and the ones down at the bottom, it often comes down to the quality of players. After being allowed to spend over £100m on his squad over the last one-and-a-half transfer windows, few would argue that Kenny Dalglish hasn't been given at least some of the tools to succeed. Following January deals for front-men Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll, this summer saw more arrivals in the form of Jordan Henderson from Sunderland, the inevitable capture of Charlie Adam from Blackpool, as well their newest recruit, Stewart Downing, from Aston Villa. Accounting for the money spent, the caliber of the signings and the key positions that they fill, this is it. This is Kenny getting what he needs to compete with the best.

Of course, there's pressure to deliver from all angles. Not only from the board, but the players themselves have probably been promised a little more than a top six finish. But as far as the new signings are concerned, Dalglish talking up their chances of a title assault in the near future could work their favour; they may all believe it could happen this season. Baring that in mind, there's every possibility they could be the dark horses for the 2011/12 Premier League crown, and for the money spent, you'd have thought so too. Still, whether they sink or swim, the upcoming season will provide the neutrals with numerous talking points, as this summer already has. With every signing, every press conference and every pre-season performance from one of the class of last year, there's a talking point. This week, there was just the one: the signing of Downing for £20m.

Although the price-tag of Dalglish's latest addition to the Reds midfield has already raised a few eyebrows, the more important issue at hand is the signing of Downing adhering to Liverpool's new-found transfer policy. I'm sure many have already picked up on the strategy employed by the club in the last couple of windows: the purchasing of leading British individuals from smaller English clubs. Different? In some respects, yes. Original? Not so much. In fact, the system has worked on a number of occasions for clubs all the way down the league pyramid. One of the firm believers in this strategy is even a key member of Liverpool's board. Enter Damien Comolli.

Clichy: found by Comolli

Deciding to bring an end to his playing career in 1992 following a release from Monaco's youth squad, Comolli continued his relationship with the club in a coaching capacity, leading the French clubs U16 side to a state championship during his three-year-stay. After gaining a degree from the Nice school of law (the school in the city, not just a nice school) and obtaining his French coaching license, it wasn't long until then newly appointed Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger appointed him European scout in 1996. Bringing to light the talents of Gael Clichy, Kolo Toure and countless other future first-teamers during his time at Highbury, he left to seek pastures new in 2004. Following yet another successful stint in the French league during the 2004-2005 season, this time as Technical Director at AS Saint-Ettiene, Tottenham Hotspur came calling. The scout with a reputation for success was made Director of Football, and this was where it all gets interesting.

In a market without inflation for English players, the strategy at first was clear: buy British from clubs willing to sell for the right price. Looking back, it seemed to have worked. Future members of Spurs' 2010-2011 Champions League squad, Micheal Dawson, Jermaine Jenas, Alan Hutton, Jermaine Defoe and Gareth Bale were all players signed by Comolli for modest figures, while the sale of Micheal Carrick to Manchester United generated £15m profit for the club. As always, there were a few that didn't quite make the grade, however, Spurs and Comolli only managed to make minor losses on those that failed to make an impression. The signings of Darren Bent for £16m and David Bentley for £15m stand out as poor deals, but, as an example, Calum Davenport, who only made 15 appearances for Spurs during his three-year-stay at the club, was actually sold for just under £2m more than the amount he was bought for. Similar to the purchase of Luis Suarez, top European players like Luka Modric and Dimitar Berbatov were also brought in to provide balance whilst Comolli was at Tottenham, and should the likes of Bale and Modric either continue to realise their potential or be sold on for £30m+, Liverpool fans have every right to be optimistic about how things could pan out under Comolli.

In a job described as 'having everything to do with the football side of running the club', Comolli has gradually become a valuable asset. Working with a manager seemingly revitalized by modern football, the role of the Frenchman upon arrival in November 2010 was limited a under then boss, Roy Hodgson. Coinciding with the departure of Hodgson and investment from new owners, Fenway Sports Group, Comolli has played a big part in the rebuilding process at Liverpool. Dalglish picks the squad and oversees training, Comolli deals with transfers and oversees scouting, as well as public relations. Although its common for members of the board from a football club to leave the manager to do the talking, Comolli is ever-present in the media. He always talks highly of their transfer policy, goals and long-term plans. Why? Probably because they're part of his model- the one that worked so well at Spurs. As mentioned before, Comolli has a proven track record with signing players, but the risk element is much higher this time around.

Adam: a 'Comolli signing'

Lingering in mid-table following Hodgson's departure at the start of the 2011 January transfer window, the demands of Comolli's job expanded. There wouldn't be time to find the next Clichy or Thierry Henry in the depths of the French academies; they needed players to step right into the side to provide solutions. Everyone knows what happened next: Andy Carroll and Suarez arrived for £22.8m and £35m respectively, with Fernando Torres' departure completing the make-over up-front. The Reds continued to stick to the plan with the arrivals of Henderson and Downing for £20m each, in between the transfer of Adam from Blackpool. Overall, at £7m, the deal for the Tangerine's former captain seems like the only one reminiscent of a Comolli signing at Spurs, only because it carries less risk. So, if the price hike for 'home-grown' players is so apparent, why buy British in the first place?

A debate further stirred by the national teams failings at recent major tournaments, British football isn't currently in a great place. Our home nations are constantly being showed up by the competition in various tournaments, with the FA's plans to 'revamp' English football scheduled to take effect way past the likes of Downing's playing career. With no clear asking price, its natural for fans to wonder how much rumoured targets Juan Mata and Ezequiel Lavezzi would have cost should Liverpool have declared an interest and pursued. Although generally pleased with their summer signings, the same group of supporters will be thinking just what other players could have been bought for the £47m it costed to bring in Henderson, Downing and Adam. Is it a coincidence that all three of Liverpool's top summer targets were British? Not at all; it must have been part of the plan. Sure, there's the 25-man-squad-rule to think about, but with the likes of Jamie Carragher, Glen Johnson and Steven Gerrard already making the starting line-up, Liverpool stood to already meet the quota. On the other hand, when you forget about nationalities, Adam, Downing and Henderson all had great 2010/11 Premier League seasons. Maybe its just another attempt to speed up the process- buying players already capable of performing in the league. Either way, results in the next few seasons will be the only way to determine whether it worked.

Make no mistake about it, Liverpool have gone all in for their talent, but if there's one man that can pull this off, its Comolli. He seems confident without seeming deluded, bold without being too expectant; he's Liverpool's youthful board member that they've been looking for. As many are predicting, however, Henderson and Downing could both very easily turn into Bentley and Bent, but that's the fun part, you just never know. Should all not go to plan.. well, its best not to think about it.