Personally speaking , I had never expected Mata to make a move to Liverpool FC. Don't get me wrong guys. I like his playing style and would love him to be part of Liverpool FC. But after considering some details , I think he would never sign for Liverpool , at least for now.
1. Valencia is going to play Champions League football next season. So if he tp move to another club , I believe he will want to move to a club that is also offering Champions League football.
2. Since we know that so far Arsenal and Liverpool is the top two clubs interested in him , I sense that he would choose a club who have better track records in terms of playing the youngsters. Arsenal and Arsene Wenger have a good history of buying young talents and giving that player a chance in the first team. Whereas before King Kenny came back to Liverpool's hot seat , most of the youngsters were given up to the Reserves level before they either stay at that level only or being shipped out to another club.
So far these 2 reasons makes me think that Juan Mata is not coming to Liverpool soon. Not now at least. Financially , I dare say that we can compete with the likes of Scums , Spurs and Arsenal but the only minus point that these clubs can use against Liverpool is the lack of European football. Not many players like to be a part of a building process of a team. Most would want instant success. So I think the we should grab whatever is the best available to us at the correct level. Stewart Downing is a good example. He is not world class but in this league he has proven to be one of the best in his position...
Just My Thoughts
YNWA...