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Rebuilding More Important Than Results

11 Oct

Rebuilding More Important Than Results

They football management is a result’s based business, and mostly it is, but in Liverpool’s case this season, the rebuilding of the team is the most important thing if Liverpool want to get back to where they should be.

The owners have brought in a new young manager in Brendan Rodgers and they need to stick to their promise of giving him time, regardless of how results go on the pitch. The American owners have went for a different approach for success after previously bringing in the legend that was Kenny Dalglish, and also by giving him money to spend for instant success.

The success they looked for wasn’t achieved by Dalglish and now they are looking at a different approach with a young manager who likes to play an attractive type of football that suits the Liverpool support.

Brendan Rodgers has endured a tough start to his Liverpool career in the Anfield hot seat as Liverpool has made their worst to a season since 1911. But the supporters are magnificent at Liverpool and they are still backing him and singing his name during games.

The style of play Rodgers is trying to install in his team and the use of many youngsters in the first team has encouraged the supporters to back their manager. Players like Sterling, Wisdom and Suso, who all started against Stoke last Sunday has excited the Kop even if the results haven’t.

Many other youngsters have received game time from Rodgers too this season, Robinson, Coates, Pacheco, Morgan, Assaidi, but to name a few others. There is a wealth of talent coming through the youth sides at Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers is going to give these players a chance in the first team.

But it will take time for the youngsters to step up to the rigours of Premiership football on a consistent basis and everybody has to appreciate that as results will fluctuate. But the experience and the gelling of this new Liverpool team will be invaluable for the future as Liverpool aim to get back to where they should be challenging for the Premiership title.

The problem at a club like Liverpool is that they should be challenging every year and only positive results will do and in recent years the poor results has cost managers their jobs as the managers door at Anfield has become a revolving door.

There is a change of attitude by the owners in hiring Rodgers and now I think they realise that they made need to take one step back to go two steps forward, and for once Liverpool will sacrifice results to achieve long term progression in this team’s style of play and introduction of youngsters.

Liverpool supporters are intelligent enough to realise that this is a new era under a new young manager in Brendan Rodgers, and he will be here for a long time to see his footballing philosophy flourish.

Liverpool In Crisis

4 Sep

Liverpool In Crisis

 

As a Liverpool supporter it pains me to say it but “Liverpool are in big trouble”. Last Friday’s debacle to sign a last minute striker highlighted the mess the club are in.

 

Liverpool is falling further behind the top teams in the Premiership as confirmed with a lowly 8th position in the league last season.

 

But matters are so bad now with only two recognised strikers in Liverpool’s squad. It amazes me how we could let Andy Carroll go on loan to West Ham without a replacement for him. Brendan Rodgers stated that he would not have allowed that to happen, so it seems he has been let down somewhere.

 

Would the club not pay the money for target Clint Dempsey ?

 

Or, does the club not have the money ?

 

Either way, it is quite amazing when not so long ago Liverpool’s American owners was willing to back former manager Kenny Dalglish with so much money, especially as they was not prepared to give Dalglish the time to gel his team together.

 

Dalglish brought in many new players and one season was never long enough to see how they would do. Dalglish took Liverpool to two Cup Finals, winning one of them, and he had his team playing some of the best football Anfield has seen in years.

 

But the panic button was pressed at the end of the season by the American owners and Dalglish was sacked along with Damien Comolli, who was the orchestrator of the Liverpool’s transfer dealings.

 

Liverpool did pay over the odds for many of their players like £20 million for Stewart Downing, £20 million for Jordan Henderson, but the biggest expenditure was for Andy Carroll who cost £35 million.

 

It was extremely trustworthy of the owners to put their faith in Dalglish and Comolli with their money. But to let them spend so much of it and then sack them at the end of the season was ludicrous.

 

Now the owners have brought in new manager Brendan Rodgers with the task of bringing back Liverpool to the summit of English football.

 

Rodgers has come in with a fresh approach and great ideas on how he would like Liverpool to play, and he has been given some money to bring in a few of his own players to the club.

 

But since Rodgers has arrived he has not fancied Andy Carroll and has wanted rid of the big man, eventually getting his wish last week.

 

But although Rodgers wanted rid of Carroll, he looked keen on signing Clint Dempsey from Fulham. But for whatever reason Liverpool failed to get their man as Spurs nipped in to steal him from under their nose.

 

It looks like Liverpool’s owners was not wanting to make the same mistake expenditure wise as they did with Dalglish, or they just don’t have the money now. But surely for the sake of an extra one or two million it was worth it to get Dempsey.

 

Liverpool’s problem in recent years has been in the striker department even since the days of Torres. Dalglish at least gave himself striking options, although goals was still hard to come by, but Rodgers is left in a seriously desperate position with only two strikers, Luis Suarez and new signing Fabio Borini.

 

None of those two players will score enough goals and if Liverpool get injuries to any of them it will be even more disastrous with only young Adam Morgan to call upon, unless Rodgers can bring in a free agent.

 

It is no secret that Liverpool needed strikers and for the hierarchy at the club to allow this scenario to materialise is a disgrace and John W Henry’s letter holds no substance with his excuses.

 

After spending all their money on Dalglish they should have gave him time for his team to grow, after all they have said it will take time for Liverpool to get back to the top.

 

But now they have said Brendan Rodgers will get time, with no money and no strikers, I am not holding my breath. We’ll see.

 

 

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Liverpool 0-2 Arsenal Match Report

3 Sep

Liverpool 0-2 Arsenal Match Report

 

Always one of the most important fixtures of the season, but with Liverpool still looking for Brendan Rodgers’ first league win in charge, this match took on added importance.

 

An encouraging draw against Manchester City last weekend followed by qualification to the group stages of the Europa League against Hearts on Thursday, has renewed optimism with the Anfield faithful.

 

The Team

 

The big team news for Liverpool was the selection of new signing Nuri Sahin to make his debut in a Red shirt. Agger came back into to the side at the expense of Coates after serving his suspension. Enrique slotted back into his familiar left-back role, with Johnson moving over to right-back to replace Martin Kelly. The exciting Raheem Sterling started on the left with Joe Allen and Gerrard in the middle, with Borini down the right and Suarez up front.

 

The Match

 

Liverpool made an encouraging start to the game as Borini flashed the first chance of the match wide after bursting through the middle.

 

Moments later Suarez tricked Mertesacker into hacking him down on the edge of the box, earning Liverpool a free-kick. Unfortunately for Liverpool Suarez couldn’t repeat his free-kick of the previous week as he blazed over the bar.

 

Then Joe Allen broke up an Arsenal attack which ended with Borini firing a shot into the Anfield Road end.

 

Arsenal slowly grew into the game and Cazorla almost put the visitors in front, but Reina stood firm. Arteta and Cazorla started to influence the game and Liverpool found it hard to gain possession.

 

Raheem Sterling made a dangerous move towards the Arsenal penalty box only to be halted by Arteta just outside the box. However, Gerrard fired the free-kick straight into the wall.

 

Then Arsenal broke the deadlock with a lethal counter-attack, when Gerrard lost possession just outside the Arsenal box. The move orchestrated by Cazorla ended with Podolski firing past Reina and stunning the Kop.

 

Liverpool almost levelled immediately when Sterling turned inside the box, but his fierce shot shaved the outside of the post.

 

Liverpool had a shout for a penalty but replays suggest Howard Webb was correct as Mertesacker stretched to stop the lightning Sterling as he burst into the box.

 

But Arsenal should have doubled their lead after a tremendous break by Diaby which ended with Giroud shooting into the Kop with only Reina to beat.

 

5 minutes after the re-start Liverpool thought they should have had a penalty when Suarez was bundled to the ground by Mertesacker inside the box after a low cross by Gerrard. But Howard Webb waved away Liverpool’s appeals.

 

With Liverpool chasing the game Brendan Rodgers brought on Downing for Borini  and Shelvey on for Sahin to freshen things up and Downing made an instant impact with a clever back heel to set up Suarez but the Uruguayan’s effort was palmed over the bar by Mannone.

 

Then in the 68th minute Liverpool was undone for a second time when Cazorla exchanged passes with Giroud on the edge of the box before ploughing into the Liverpool penalty area and hammering the ball under Reina for 2-0.

 

Liverpool huffed and puffed to get back into the match and Suarez  and Shelvey having chances late on but Liverpool could not break through a stubborn Arsenal defence, as the visitors held on for a deserved 3 points.

 

Summary

 

Pleased to see Sahin finally starting for Liverpool in a side that looked about as strong as Rodgers could field. Liverpool started the game brightly, as Liverpool created a few chances, but was opened up far too easily on the counter-attack as proved by the first goal. Sterling looked dangerous, but was paid a lot of attention by Arsenal’s defenders. Joe Allen was once again superb in midfield, but Gerrard’s passing was surprisingly poor. Worried about the number of goals Liverpool is conceding and with no strikers on the bench, there doesn’t seem to be a plan B. I have to blame Reina for the second goal, he should have saved it, and he is making far too many mistakes all of a sudden. Liverpool played some nice football without a cutting edge and never looked solid defensively either. Deservedly beat.

 

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Rodgers Been Let Down

1 Sep

Rodgers Been Let Down

 

 

The Transfer window has now slammed shut, and Liverpool is now left to work with the players they have left, which is not very many.

 

There has been an exodus at Anfield this summer, with many players leaving and not so many coming in. The American owners probably have a lot to do with it, as they gave former manager Dalglish so much money to transform the team.

 

Unfortunately Dalglish’s signings never fulfilled their potential. Players like Adam, Downing, Henderson and the much criticised signing Carroll.

 

It is easy to blame Dalglish or Comolli of their transfer strategy, but the owners have to take most of the blame for allowing silly amounts of money to be spent on overpriced players, and with the result of this summer’s transfer window, it looks like Liverpool have very little money left.

 

Brendan Rodgers has come into Liverpool with a massive job on his hands to try and make Liverpool challengers again. Rodgers has his own strategy and knows what players he wanted to bring in to improve his side, but I can’t believe he is very happy with the way the transfer window has turned out for him.

 

I’m sure Rodgers was instructed to reduce the wage bill, and this has been achieved as many players have been shown the exit in one way or another.

 

Liverpool have lost players like Kuyt, Maxi, Aurelio, Craig Bellamy, Charlie Adam and Eccleston, with Danny Wilson , Jay Spearing and Andy Carroll going out on loan , to mention a few, and not so many have arrived at Anfield to strengthen a depleted squad.

 

OK so the American owners have spent around £29 million on players to bring in, but Liverpool still look very short of players.

 

Striker Borini has been brought into the club, along with Joe Allen from Swansea, winger Assaidi and Sahin from Real Madrid on loan.

 

But the most obvious position that Liverpool look short in, is in the striker department, Liverpool only have new signing Borini, and Luis Suarez as recognised strikers, with young Adam Morgan who has no experience at all.

 

Liverpool letting Carroll go on loan to West Ham looked like it would be a certainty that Liverpool would bring in another striker. But it didn’t happen.

 

Chelsea’s Sturridge was rumoured to be a transfer target, and it was no secret that Liverpool wanted Fulham’s Clint Dempsey, who also wished to come to the club. But as it turned out Spurs nipped in and stole him from under Liverpool’s nose, and now Liverpool are left very short of strikers.

 

Liverpool has a lot more games to play this season too, with the inclusion of the Europa League. So having two recognised strikers for the whole season just does not look enough.

 

Suarez will pick up bookings and receive suspensions and will need to be wrapped up in cotton wool to protect him from injury, but will he be able to provide the goals Liverpool need to have a good season ?

 

So far Borini looks like he has never played up front as he has been guilty of missing a few chances in his fledgling Liverpool career.

 

Liverpool struggled to score goals last season and most people thought they needed another striker back then, when Liverpool had the services of Andy Carroll, Luis Suarez, Craig Bellamy and Dirk Kuyt.

 

But now Liverpool look as if they are going to struggle for goals and with all their rivals like Spurs, Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City and Man United improving their squads, it looks like Liverpool could finish another season in mid-table.

 

I just feel Brendan Rodgers must feel he has been let down by the likes of Ian Ayre and his American owners as I’m sure although he didn’t want Andy Carroll he still wouldn’t have allowed him to leave without being certain of getting another front player in.

 

Time will tell if Liverpool can cope with the players they have but I fear the worst for the club I love.

 

 

Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City Match Report

27 Aug

Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City Match Report

 

 

Liverpool’s first match of the season at Anfield could not have been any tougher than facing the Premiership Champions Manchester City.

 

 

Liverpool hoping for their first points of the season , after losing at West Brom last weekend in a disastrous 3-0 defeat.

 

 

Manchester City won their first league match 3-2 at home to Southampton last weekend.

 

 

Brendan Rodgers would be hoping for a response from his players after last weekend’s poor show.

 

 

The Team

 

 

Rodgers made a couple of brave decisions in his team selection for the visit of City, with the young Raheem Sterling making his full league debut.

 

 

Martin Skrtel was partnered in defence with Sebastian Coates, with Agger serving a suspension. Martin Kelly and Glen Johnson served as the full-backs.

 

 

Lucas, Joe Allen and Gerrard were deployed in the middle of the park with Borini out on the right with Suarez up front.

 

 

 

The Match

 

 

Gerrard set the tone with an effort just wide inside the first minute as Liverpool started on the offensive.

 

 

Moments later Liverpool was dealt a blow when Lucas had to be replaced by Shelvey after picking up an injury.

 

 

Liverpool made a lively start to the match and looked dangerous on the attack. Sterling created a great chance for Borini but he could only poke the ball wide of target.

 

 

Moments later Tevez looked to have given City the lead, but his effort bobbled of the post and into Reina’s grateful arms.

 

 

The game went from end to end in a pulsating match, with both teams going for it.

 

 

Then Gerrard whipped in a dangerous low cross from the right which was diverted over the bar by Kompany. Liverpool took the lead from the resulting corner when Skrtel smashed a header past Joe Hart from a Gerrard corner.

 

 

Liverpool almost doubled their lead when Borini played in Suarez, but he could only poke his effort wide.

 

 

City bounced back in the 62nd minute when a Tevez cross was deflected over the diving Reina at the near post, only to bounce off the surprised Kelly falling kindly to Yaya Toure, who swept the ball into the empty goal.

 

 

Minutes later Liverpool took the lead again when Suarez brilliantly curled a free-kick around City’s defensive wall and low into the corner of Hart’s goal.

 

 

Liverpool looked comfortable defending their lead until Skrtel passed the ball straight to Tevez who intercepted Skrtel’s attempted pass back to Reina, before rounding Reina and passing the ball into the Liverpool net.

 

 

It was a huge blow to Liverpool after a huge effort to overcome City, but they showed great character in their quest to find a third goal, and almost nabbed a winner but substitute Carroll’s headed effort was cleared off the line as both teams had to settle for a draw.

 

 

Summary

 

 

A terrific performance from Liverpool who should have taken all three points, but like last week , defensive mistakes proved costly.

 

 

Brendan Rodgers picked a very young but exciting team and his selection was proved right in the performance they produced.

 

 

So many great performances, but special mention to Raheem Sterling who showed no fear, and looked to run at defenders all day long. Joe Allen was immense , breaking up the play and his passing was superb as he never gave the ball away.

 

 

Disappointing not to take all 3 points, but so many encouraging signs for the future after this passionate and exciting performance.

 

Hearts 0-1 Liverpool Match Report

24 Aug

Hearts 0-1 Liverpool Match Report

 

 

Always great interest when an English club are drawn against a Scottish club in European competition, and this tie in the Europa League proved no different.

 

 

Liverpool travelled to Edinburgh for the first leg. Hearts won last season’s Scottish Cup against their city rivals Hibs, and Liverpool would not be underestimating the difficulty that Hearts would provide.

 

 

The Team

 

 

Liverpool sent a mix of experience and youth up north to face Hearts, but star players Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez, Martin Skrtel and Glen Johnson did not make the trip as Brendan Rodgers decided to give them a rest before Sunday’s visit of Manchester City to Anfield.

 

 

Andy Carroll was due to start, but was not risked as he felt a twinge in his hamstring. Liverpool started with experience in the form of Reina, Agger and Jamie Carragher captaining the side.

 

 

Youngsters given a chance to shine were the talented Raheem Sterling, Martin Kelly, Jack Robinson, and Jonjo Shelvey.

 

 

Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson and Fabio Borini were also given a chance to impress Brendan Rodgers.

 

 

The Match

 

 

With a vocal and passionate home support roaring their favourites on, Hearts started on the front foot with intent on unsettling Liverpool out of their passing game.

 

 

Hearts made it difficult in the opening stages without really threatening Reina’s goal. As the half wore on Liverpool started to grow into the game, with Sterling looking the most dangerous.

 

 

The best chances in the first half for Liverpool were a drive from Sterling which stung MacDonald’s hands after he cut in from the left.

 

 

Borini was thwarted by the Hearts stopper after being played through by Shelvey. Then a lovely pass by Henderson put Borini through on goal but the striker missed his kick completely.

 

 

The best chance off the half fell to Borini just before half-time when he hit the post after a great interception on the half way line by Sterling before unselfishly squaring to Borini who should have scored.

 

 

The second half started with Callum Paterson volleying close from a tight angle for the home side. Liverpool responded with Charlie Adam shooting into the hoardings at the other end.

 

 

Liverpool looked to take the sting out of the game as they knocked the ball around in defence for most of the second half, with only the exciting Raheem Sterling looking to provide a threat.

 

 

It wasn’t long before Brendan Rodgers made changes with Stewart Downing coming on for Jack Robinson, then Spearing making way for Joe Allen.

 

 

With the game looking very likely to finish without a goal, Martin Kelly made a great run forward in the 78th minute, before delivering a low inviting cross along the 6 yard box, which the unfortunate Andy Webster diverted into his own net after Fabio Borini had failed to connect in front of him.

 

 

Liverpool was grateful for the good fortune and Sterling tried to make it 2-0 after a tricky run on the edge of the box, but his shot was weak.

 

 

Liverpool survived a late scare when a good effort from Paterson was brilliantly palmed away by Reina to keep Liverpool’s slender lead intact for the second leg at Anfield, next week.

 

 

Summary

 

 

As expected Brendan Rodgers mixed his team with youth and experience. The game never turned out as comfortable as some experts predicted, as Hearts made it difficult for Liverpool.

 

 

Liverpool never looked convincing all night, and never created enough chances with only Borini up front. Liverpool’s defence looked solid enough, with Agger and Carragher in commanding form. Kelly and Robinson looked assured alongside them.

 

 

Some of the passing in midfield from Shelvey, Adam and Henderson was poor at times, with attacks breaking down too often.

 

 

Borini worked hard on scraps, but poor finishing let him down on a few occasions, when he should have scored.

 

 

But the star of the night was Raheem Sterling, who looked to take players on at every opportunity. He was dangerous cutting inside and also made some good runs to the bye-line. Liverpool supporters will want to see a lot more of this kid, as he looks a tremendous prospect.

 

 

A good away win against a team that was well up for the fight, especially with Liverpool fielding a makeshift team.

 

Europa League Is Important

23 Aug

Europa League Is Important

 

 

Many teams don’t rate the Europa League very highly, and many teams who have worked hard to qualify for it the previous season, look as if they want out of it as soon as possible with the team selections they make.

 

 

Liverpool will be the same to a certain extent, as I don’t see Gerrard and Suarez and maybe a few others featuring much in this year’s competition, maybe until the latter stages, if Liverpool get there.

 

 

But with the large squad that Liverpool have, I feel the competition will be so valuable to keep players match fit, and will also give some of the younger squad members some great experience.

 

 

Last season was a strange season with Liverpool not featuring in Europe, so this year will be a bit more interesting with the extra competition of the Europa League to participate in.

 

 

OK so it’s not the Champions League but the European experience will serve as a good apprenticeship for many of the youngsters that I am sure will get a chance from Brendan Rodgers.

 

 

The likes of Raheem Sterling, Martin Kelly, Flanagan, Robinson and Adam Morgan but to name a few, could very well feature along with experienced players in these matches.

 

Liverpool continue their Europa League journey tonight in Edinburgh against Hearts who won last seasons’ Scottish Cup against city rivals Hibs.

 

 

A capacity crowd at Tynecastle will welcome Liverpool tonight in what could be a difficult game as Hearts will be pumped up for this “Battle Of Britain” match.

 

 

First team regulars Steven Gerrard, Martin Skrtel, Luis Suarez and Glen Johnson have been rested for the trip north as Liverpool have one eye on Sunday’s match at Anfield against Manchester City.

 

 

But Liverpool has still sent a strong squad to face Hearts, with the likes of Andy Carroll, Daniel Agger, Charlie Adam and Pepe Reina travelling along with some of the youngsters.

 

 

Liverpool should be too strong for the Scottish Cup holders and if they manage to overcome them, then they will qualify into the group stages of the Europa League.

 

 

Liverpool will also be looking to bounce back from last weekend’s mauling at West Brom, as Brendan Rodgers and his team will hope for a confidence booster ahead of a very tough run of fixtures starting against Manchester City on Sunday.

 

 

So progression in the Europa League is vitally important for many reasons, as success in these games can boost confidence for League matches, and the squad will all get game time.

 

 

First things first and hope for a good performance and result from the Redmen tonight.

 

 

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