Harry Ngata: Money makes the EPL go round

Opinion

Doesn't it make you wonder that in a climate of economical uncertainty clubs continue to throw money around at players?

There was a hint of desperation from Chelsea however as the January deadline fast approached. Roman Abramovich had been after his toy for a while and finally got want he wanted in a record breaking deal that is reportedly giving Fernando Torres a financial headache. How on earth is he going spend his 170,000 pounds a week pay packet!

How ironic that his debut in a blue shirt was against his former club. They didn't look like winning and lacked that spark or urgency of previous seasons.

Ancelotti looks like he may persevere with his diamond formation in accommodating the Torres - Drogba combination up front.

Liverpool was the other club that hit the transfer headlines in snaring new boy on the block Andy Carroll from Newcastle. Again strange circumstances surrounded this one after he had recently penned a new five year contract with the Geordies to turn around and want to leave.

Kenny Dalglish is a Liverpool legend. I grew up in the day watching Big League Soccer religiously with Liverpool, Manchester United, Spurs and Everton being the big clubs. Liverpool was my team and I idolized Kenny Dalglish. I had the team pictures plastered all over my wall from Shoot magazine and it took me ages to save up every year to buy the new kit with the number seven on the back.

There's no doubting Dalglish's managerial attributes and knowledge of the game but the most important thing he has bought to the club is stability, hope and a sense of harmony that I think comes from being such an inspirational figure in the clubs history. He is ingrained in the historical fabric of Liverpool Football Club.

If you throw the great names around Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley & Joe Fagan, Dalglish doesn't look out of place. His name alone has lifted the spirits of the players and more importantly that of the Kop. After the American ownership disaster there is a sense of belonging in the stands again.

What is so inspiring as a fan is that one of your own is back leading the club. It's only been a matter of weeks but four wins on the trot has steered the club out of the relegation waters to those pushing for European football next season.

Playing at a World Cup was always an ambition of mine as was playing for Liverpool. Although I had to settle for second best I am extremely grateful to have played World Cup qualifiers, Confederations Cup football and a few years as a professional footballer.

However one of my greatest memories was back in 1988 playing for Hull City at Anfield albeit against Liverpool reserves. I was packing myself as we walked out onto to the pitch and I actually touched the 'This is Anfield' plaque - an unbelievable feeling as a kid growing up supporting the club. At the time their reserve team could've played first division football.

Kenny Dalglish came on as a second half substitute and I couldn't believe it. There was this 17-year-old Maori kid from Wellington running around on one of the most hallowed football stadiums chasing Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish.

For me that's a priceless memory that you can't put a monetary value on.