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Injuries Give Others Opportunities And Origi Could Benefit

15 Oct

Injuries Give Others Opportunities And Origi Could Benefit

Liverpool supporters are buzzing ahead of Saturday’s trip to London as the Reds face Tottenham Hotspur in Jurgen Klopp’s first game in charge. But although the German is only a few days in charge he has already had some sobering news regarding two of his players sustaining season ending injuries.

Joe Gomez has looked a good addition with some impressive performances earlier in the season but the news that he has ruptured his cruciate ligament is a real blow for the youngster and limits Klopp’s defensive options.

As if the youngster’s injury wasn’t a big enough injury blow Klopp will also have to do without the services of striker Danny Ings too after the forward injuring his anterior cruciate ligament in training yesterday.

Ings has impressed in recent weeks and scored in the 1-1 draw with Everton before the international break and his energetic style of play looked to be ideal for Klopp’s pressing game.

But injuries are part of football and Klopp must and will deal with the disappointment of losing two squad members but injuries give others opportunities and suddenly Divock Origi in particular is looking like a very important player for Liverpool with Klopp only having two fit recognised strikers available for the trip to Spurs at the weekend.

Origi and Sturridge are the only two forwards available with Christian Benteke still unavailable through injury.

Ings injury could just be the break Origi needs to make his mark at Anfield.

 

2 Wins From 2 Games Is All That Matters

18 Aug

2 Wins From 2 Games Is All That Matters

 

Liverpool scraped past Premier League newcomers Bournemouth on Monday night thanks to a first-half Christian Benteke goal. The Premier League new boys were no push overs as many Liverpool supporters turning up for their favourites’ first home game of the season anticipated.

 

In fact Liverpool were extremely grateful for referee Craig Pawson getting the game’s two major decisions wrong. Bournemouth’s Tommy Elphick headed past Simon Mignolet from a corner early in the first-half but his effort was harshly ruled out for apparently fouling Dejan Lovren.

 

But to rub salt into the wound Liverpool’s winning goal by Benteke was allowed to stand despite Philippe Coutinho clearly being in an offside position and attempting to make contact with the ball prior to Benteke netting.

 

Two wins out of two games to start the season is the most important thing for Liverpool despite the Reds struggling to find their best form but two clean sheets is encouraging after much criticism of their defence during the last couple of seasons.

 

Brendan Rodgers deciding to play a back four is making Liverpool look more solid defensively but the new signings of Clyne and Gomez are playing a massive part in the defensive improvement with their natural defensive play and pace helping their two centre halves.

 

The disappointing thing for Liverpool supporters has been the lack of attacking play despite the talented players included in their eleven. Coutinho is the one player that is creating chances for the Reds and Benteke has the look of being a great signing and his first Anfield goal will only help his confidence.

 

It is still early in the season and tougher tests will come and next week will be Liverpool’s first real examination at Arsenal but you would expect Liverpool to improve with their attacking play with each passing game as their new players begin to gel.

 

However Liverpool play this season the most important thing is finding a way to win and in the first two games they have did that so we shouldn’t be too critical of their performances this early in the season.

 

Moreno Is Not First Choice Left-Back

27 Jul

Moreno Is Not First Choice Left-Back

 

Liverpool had problems at both full-back positions last season and the addition of Nathaniel Clyne from Southampton is certainly an upgrade from Glen Johnson for the right-back berth, but many people believe that Alberto Moreno will be the man to fill the left-back berth.

I’m not so sure, for the amount of money spent on Moreno last summer, so far the money hasn’t been justified. The Spanish full-back has pace and started last season impressively but as the season progressed he looked vulnerable defensively and was guilty of defensive errors that led to opposition goals.

Moreno’s pace should also provide more for the Reds in the attacking third, but he offers very little despite getting into attacking areas as he regularly fails to find an end product.

Liverpool have signed Joe Gomez this summer and manager Brendan Rodgers has used the 18-year-old at left-back in the club’s recent tour and he has impressed.

Like Moreno he has pace but although it is only pre-season Gomez has been one of the stand-out players in Liverpool’s tour and his pace to get forward but also help defensively has caught the eye playing on the left side of defence.

Gomez has looked very comfortable in possession and used the ball well in attacking positions and although he hasn’t been playing against the strongest of opponents, early impressions of the youngster make him a serious candidate for the left-back spot.

I’d like to see Rodgers start Gomez against Stoke City instead of Moreno to see how he copes with the Premier League because I think he is good enough.

 

Encouraging Signs For Liverpool

26 Jul

Encouraging Signs For Liverpool

 

After missing out on a top four place last season, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers can’t afford to miss out again or he will be looking for another job. The Reds’ boss has been busy in the transfer market again this summer and he will be hoping that his new recruits will do better.

The biggest problem for Liverpool last season was scoring goals and with the arrivals of Danny Ings, Christian Benteke and Divock Origi Liverpool have more striking options.

It remains to be seen if last season’s striking failures Mario Balotelli, Fabio Borini and Rickie Lambert will remain at the club for the new season, but if they do move on to pastures new Brendan Rodgers should still be happy with his striking options.

Daniel Sturridge should hopefully come back fitter next season and play a major role in Liverpool’s strikeforce too.

I think Rodgers will just play the one striker despite his striking options because he has so many attacking midfielders in his squad.

Rodgers has to fit players like new signing Firmino, Coutinho, Lallana, Ibe and Markovic into his eleven and he will be reluctant to play a front two.

The pressure is on Benteke to hit the ground running after his big money move to Anfield and Rodgers will be hoping he can find the back of the net regularly.

Clyne, Gomez and Milner have also looked good in pre-season after making the switch to Liverpool and although it is early days there is encouraging signs for Rodgers ahead of the new season.

 

Supporters Are Right To Be Excited About New Signing

30 Jun

Supporters Are Right To Be Excited About New Signing

 

On Wednesday morning Liverpool officially announced the imminent arrival of Brazilian Roberto Firmino from Hoffenheim for a fee that could make the player Liverpool’s second-most expensive buy at over £28million.

The deal has excited the majority of the Liverpool support despite not many knowing too much about the Brazilian. But the fans are right to be positive about Liverpool’s big money signing after nothing up 49 goals in 153 games for Hoffenheim.

Firmino has already become a regular in Brazil’s national team and his pace and impressive dribbling ability combined with his ability to score goals from midfield will be an added bonus in a midfield that has struggled for goals in recent seasons.

The Brazilian has created more chances from open play than any other player in the Bundesliga and his ability to create chances will make Liverpool an attacking force alongside fellow Brazilian Coutinho.

Having watched video footage of Firmino I can’t help but be impressed with what I’ve seen with his ability to beat a defender and his eye for a defence-splitting pass, never mind his finishing.

Firmino is also not scared of a tackle and looks strong in the air and without putting too much pressure on the youngster, he reminds me of a certain Zinedine Zidane, and if he’s half as good as the great French Legend then Liverpool have signed a gem.

 

Clyne Can Sort Out Liverpool’s Right-Back Problems

29 Jun

Clyne Can Sort Out Liverpool’s Right-Back Problems

 

The news that Southampton have accepted Liverpool’s offer of £12.5million for Nathaniel Clyne will be very pleasing for manager Brendan Rodgers who has found the right-back position a problem area for most of last season.

Southampton’s England international defender has been granted permission to discuss personal and expected to sign for the Reds subject to passing a medical when he returns form his holiday next week.

Rodgers tried many different players last season to fill the right-back berth, the Reds boss tried Lazar Markovic, Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling and Jordon Ibe on the right after deciding loan player Manquillo wasn’t up to the demands of the Premier League, Emre Can was also played out of position on the right side of defence and hopefully he will now be used more in his more natural position in central midfield.

Long-term right-back Glen Johnson’s form has been poor the last couple of seasons and Rodgers probably knew for a while that the England international would be leaving in the summer after a breakdown in contract talks.

Clyne has been one of Southampton’s stand-out performers last season and his pace and energy to get forward but also defend will improve Liverpool’s right side of defence.

Clyne is a big improvement on Johnson and Liverpool supporters will be pleased to see the club sign a player that should rectify a problem position, instead of just signing a player to make up the numbers.

 

 

 

Glen Johnson Silenced His Critics With Brave Goal

1 Dec

Glen Johnson Silenced His Critics With Brave Goal

 

Liverpool finally won a game at the weekend against Stoke City at Anfield, the win was the Reds first in over a month and the winning goal came from an unlikely source, Glen Johnson.

 

The England defender put his body on the line with an extremely brave headed goal which resulted in a bloodied head for the right-back as he reacted quickest to Lambert’s header rebounding off the crossbar.

 

Johnson has been severely criticised this season and most of last season for his lacklustre performances and he has been a target for most Liverpool supporters.

 

The speculation regarding Johnson’s future has not helped matters with his current contract running out next summer and Liverpool only offering a less valuable contract extension that the player is understandably unhappy with.

 

But regardless of Johnson’s future, Brendan Rodgers has continued to play the former Chelsea defender despite his poor performances that have bordered on Johnson looking like he can’t be bothered.

 

So the commitment from Johnson to go in where it hurts in the final few minutes of Saturday’s game was totally out of character from what we’ve seen and surprised many, but what a valuable goal it could turn out to be in the context of the rest of the season and maybe now we will see more commitment on a regular basis from Johnson if he wants an improved offer of a new contract by Liverpool.

 

Ignoring Striking Problem Coming Back To Haunt Liverpool

19 Nov

Ignoring Striking Problem Coming Back To Haunt Liverpool

 

Liverpool supporters were looking forward to another exciting season after manager Brendan Rodgers transformed the Reds last season into the most exciting team to watch in the Premiership, but more importantly into title challengers again.

 

Ultimately Rodgers’ men fell at the final hurdle in the race for the Premiership after being pipped by Manchester City, but the transformation in such a short space of time was quite remarkable from the season before that resulted in Liverpool failing to qualify for European competition.

 

Expectation levels have been raised after last season’s heroics and the return of Champions League nights at Anfield has also been a welcome return for Reds’ supporters.

 

Supporters were also buoyed by the amount of money spent in the summer as Rodgers strengthened his squad despite the loss of Luis Suarez.

 

But although Rodgers added strikers Rickie Lambert and Mario Balotelli to his squad, they have not come close to replacing Suarez.

 

Rodgers still has the other half of the famous S.A.S. strikeforce in Daniel Sturridge but he has been unavailable for most of the season through injury and the news that he could be out until Christmas is a hammer blow as the Reds boss sees his team struggle for goals.

 

It was a big mistake by Liverpool to rely on Sturridge with his already poor injury record and they had to buy a top class striker in the summer to provide an attacking threat after losing such a great player like Suarez.

 

Rumours circulated during the summer that Liverpool were after Sanchez, Falcao, Cavani, Reus, Remy but in the end they only signed Lambert and Balotelli, whom not many clubs would touch with a barge pole in a massive gamble that so far looks like being a massive failure.

 

Rodgers has to try and keep Liverpool in the hunt in the league until January and then spend big on a striker or last season will count for nothing and the Liverpool boss will be lucky to keep his job.

Reds’ Summer Signings Report Card

17 Nov

Reds’ Summer Signings Report Card

 

Liverpool spent well over £100 million in the summer as Brendan Rodgers tried to strengthen his squad to take his team to the next level, but things haven’t worked out as well as planned.

 

Here’s my analysis of Rodgers’ signings so far –

 

Alberto Moreno – The Spanish left-back has probably settled in the best at Anfield out of Rodgers’ summer signings and has become a regular in Liverpool’s defence. Moreno likes to bomb forward and his pace helps him out defensively as well. Looks like a good signing and will improve with age and games.

7/10

 

Mario Balotelli – I think the controversial striker was a panic buy by Rodgers and so far the gamble hasn’t paid off. But in fairness to the Italian international, Rodgers insistence in playing Balotelli is a lone-striker is not helping his cause and maybe Daniel Sturridge’s return from injury could be just what he needs. The jury is still out on Balotelli.

 

4/10

 

Adam Lallana – Rodgers spent £25 million on the Southampton captain but injury in pre-season hasn’t helped his cause as he settles into life at Anfield. Lallana is a very talented player but at the moment it looks like Rodgers is unsure of how to get the best out of him. There is a lot more to come from Lallana and he will prove to be a good signing.

 

6/10

 

Dejan Lovren – Is possibly the most disappointing of Rodgers’ signings as he tries to justify his huge transfer fee by playing him regularly in Liverpool’s defence. He needs to turn things around quickly or Rodgers will run out of patience.

 

2/10

 

Emre Can – Like Lallana injuries have set him back but in recent weeks he has shown what he will bring to the team. Looks to be a promising signing and will add strength and power to Liverpool’s midfield that has been lacking in recent years.

 

6/10

 

Rickie Lambert – A strange signing by Rodgers but even stranger why the Reds’ boss doesn’t give the big striker a chance. Doesn’t suit Rodgers’ style of play, looks to be a waste of money.

 

2/10

 

Javier Manquillo – On loan at the moment but featured regularly in the right-back berth due to Johnson and Flanagan’s injuries but his industrious performances have warranted a regular place in the team and supporters have appreciated his efforts. His move to Anfield could become permanent if he keeps up his form.

 

7/10

 

Lazar Markovic – Rodgers paid a lot of money for the youngster with a big reputation, but so far looks to be waste of money other than a few glimpses against Real Madrid the other week. Markovic Needs to start proving his worth.

 

2/10

 

Positives For Liverpool After Real Madrid Defeat

6 Nov

Positives For Liverpool After Real Madrid Defeat

 

Liverpool lost to Real Madrid in the Champions League again, but Brendan Rodgers’ much criticised team selection could provide a few positives for Liverpool in the future. The Reds’ boss decided to rest a number of first team regulars for the clash with the Champions League holders, and many supporters feared an embarrassing defeat, but the makeshift team produced a hard-working, disciplined performance that filled most supporters with pride with their gutsy effort.

 

Rodgers obviously showed a lot of faith in his fringe players by selecting them for such a tough game and although I didn’t agree with his team selection, he can take many positives from the performance.

 

Kolo Toure has struggled during many of his appearances for the Reds with some high profile mistakes, but the experienced defender showed what he is capable with a commanding game at the centre of Liverpool’s defence and his organisational skills were impressive as he constantly barked the orders to keep his defence tight. Toure deserves to keep his place in the team after this performance.

 

Lucas is another player that has struggled to feature this season and injuries looked to have taken their toll on the Brazilian midfielder, but his display in the heart of Liverpool’s midfield proves that he is still an important player and he is the best defensive midfielder at the club.

 

Two other player that are worth a mention are Emre Can and Lazar Markovic, the pair have suffered injury problems since arriving at Anfield and have struggled to show what they are capable of, but against Madrid Can produced a strong performance in midfield and Markovic made some penetrating runs with pace and confidence that impressed and the two players must have impressed their manager.

 

It is encouraging to take so many positives from players performances in a defeat and Brendan Rodgers must have learned a lot from a few players.

 

 

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