On Wednesday on our last day in Liverpool we went in search of breakfast on Albert Dock. Being the number one tourist destination you might expect the Dock prices to be high. But I had crushed avocado with two poached eggs on a muffin and Anne had a bacon bagel. We had two medium sized cups of coffee and it all came to under £8. We also had meals for six people coming to less than £50.
I know some venues have decided to continue to offer special Monday to Wednesday eating deals once the Government subsidy has finished. By my calculations next Monday will be the last day of the initiative and that's a Bank Holiday. So long 50% off we will miss you.
I mentioned yesterday that anyone wanting to employ the world's greatest footballer Lionel Messi will have to pay wages of approximately £45 million a year. Some say this is an obscene amount of money for somebody who plays football, but I say it is money well spent.
Messi has just asked Barcelona for a transfer as the fortunes of the Spanish team seem to be seriously on the wane following that 8-2 humiliation at the hands of German team Bayern Munich in the Champions League. After decades at the club Messi has decided he needs a change of scenery and it is just possible that change might bring him to Manchester where Manchester City are keen to sign him.
He will leave on a free transfer which means his only cost will be his weekly wages which will be approaching £1 million per week. "Nobody is worth that amount of money." I hear you say. But American sportsmen get it and prize money is now so vast that successful sportsmen no longer need the money but can play for the love of the sport.
I know that sounds ridiculous, but think about it. If your net worth is almost billions of pounds what is another couple of million to you - probably the same as £5 is to you or me!
And the bottom line is sign Messi and the spin offs through merchandising will be astronomic and probably eclipse his wages. Our trip to Liverpool showed this in action. Cafes have renamed themselves after Jurgen Klopp the Liverpool manager. The Liverpool shops are doing a roaring trade and there are images of the Liverpool players everywhere. Liverpool FC have brought a feelgood factor to the city and that is priceless.
Messi is one of the two outstanding footballers of our generation - Christiano Ronaldo being the other. They are head and shoulders above everyone else. Wouldn't you just love to have a piece of their magic in your team - at whatever the price?