http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/tomkins-cautious-12-13-optimism Prior to the commencement of a new season, we all search for clues as to what we can expect. In essence, we're looking for things on which we can pin our hopes, writes Liverpoolfc.com columnist Paul Tomkins. If your team has just had a good season, it's almost impossible not to see a continued upward trajectory. You feel you're on a roll. And if you've fallen below expectations, you're looking for things that signal you can get back on track. Right now, I'm trying not to align all my expectations with the Anfield performance against FC Gomel, but it was precisely the kind of fast, incisive, pass-and-move football Brendan Rodgers' promised. While the opposition was modest, they were at least match-fit; and it has to be noted that home games against inferior opposition can sometimes result in the flattest performances, especially if there's a first-leg away win already in the bag. The pressure was off, of course, but it was encouraging to see such an effervescent display. Bayer Leverkusen - managed by the modern legend that is Sami Hyypia - are obviously a far better side than Gomel, but after less than 72 hours, and as a mere friendly, Liverpool were never going to be as sparkling. Even so, a Liverpool team only at 70 per cent full-strength cruised into a 2-0 half-time lead, before the mass of substitutions, which resulted in a 3-1 win on the afternoon. Some very good players have left this summer, mostly due to age, personal circumstances and contract situations. Liverpool have retained plenty of experience - Gerrard, Carragher and Reina in particular - but it looks like being a younger squad, as some evolution takes place. Only Arsenal had a younger average age for their starting XIs than Swansea last season (although Liverpool's was fairly young already), so clearly Rodgers likes to use youngsters. At the same time, you can't eschew all experience in the process. Liverpool's players aged 23 or younger with Premier League experience include new boys Borini and Allen, plus Henderson, Coates, Carroll, Kelly, Spearing, Sterling, Shelvey, Robinson, Flanagan and Wilson. And of course, two of the star men, Suarez and Lucas, are only 25. But even without making signings, new players naturally emerge from the edge of the squad. Coates has immense potential, but as I frequently note, young centre-backs tend to be punished for their mistakes (due to their proximity to goal leaving no leeway), and Coates isn't the pacy type who can easily atone for his own errors. Indeed, the young Uruguayan is in the Sami Hyypia mould: very tall and intelligent, with good technique, but not the quickest. At Coates' age, Hyypia had been rejected by Newcastle and Oldham. At 21 he was still in Finland, and he didn't move to a big club until reaching Liverpool at 26. Hyypia spent four seasons in Holland, at Willem II, but Liverpool got him very cheaply, without any serious competition. By contrast, Coates - a Copa América winner at just 20 - is miles ahead at the same stage of his career. Of course that doesn't mean he'll go on to emulate the great Finn; but it helps puts Coates' progress into context. Jonjo Shelvey, signed in May 2010, has started to look the part over the past few months. His tackling can still be too aggressive for the modern game, but he plays like someone beyond his 20 years. Raheem Sterling, signed around the same time, and who began making late substitute appearances towards the end of last season, really announced himself as a first-team player against Bayer Leverkusen. A televised prestige friendly, and within three minutes he'd scored a quite brilliant goal. It is already a trademark type of goal: similar to a couple of the five he scored in one youth team game. He will frequently look to cut inside when stationed on the left, and once in the area, the curler into the far corner becomes the most obvious finish. But the way he used strength as well as pace to get in front of the full-back, the weighting of his touch taking him clear of the covering defender, and the inch-perfect execution of the shot, showed that even if teams know what he wants to do, it can be hard to stop. (Teams know that Lionel Messi will try and shoot left-footed if he can, but they can't stop it.) But of course, Sterling is still very raw and has a lot to learn, and indeed, faded away after that amazing start. That said, his left-foot cross in the second half was the kind of thing I like to see, along with the times he tried to beat his man on the outside. Even though he (narrowly) failed to find Carroll's head, and lost the ball when dribbling, it's important to keep defenders guessing. And of course, Lucas is fit again. Several external observers seem to note that he was only appreciated by Liverpool fans once he was seriously injured last autumn; but he had been voted the player of the season in 2010-11. He is, however, the epitome of the young, new recruit who struggles to adapt to a new club, country and system, but improves steadily for a while, and then dramatically. It can also be about stepping out of the shadow of world-class players, with his best only coming once Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso had moved on. It can't be easy when you are still learning the game and are expected to step in as cover for such players, against whom you will inevitably be judged. And hopefully Steven Gerrard, who missed so much football in the previous couple of seasons, can return to his devastating best. I'm pleased to see that Rodgers has returned him to a more advanced role, which is where I feel he can best influence games. As he gets older, he needs to rely on picking up clever positions to create and score goals, rather than being expected to go box-to-box, and tearing into tackles. He still has good stamina and a turn of pace, but he remains one of the best players around when it comes to making an decisive impact in the final third. Joe Allen and Fabio Borini will both add new dimensions. Borini can offer Kuyt's goals and work-rate but with added pace, although he lacks the experience (but then a 21-year-old can represent the future in a way that a 32-year-old can't). The Italian is particularly good at hitting his shots on target, and that's an improvement the Reds need to make on 2011-12. And Allen is the kind of tempo-dictating player Liverpool haven't had since Alonso's departure (although Lucas is showing increasing capability at relentlessly retaining possession). Will Stewart Downing perform better in a new role, as a left-footed right-sided attacker? He'll perhaps be under less scrutiny a year on from his transfer. That said, he started last season very impressively, but a failure to score or gain a league assist (despite creating several gilt-edged chances) seemed to dent his confidence; this season he already has a goal, so he's under less pressure already. Andy Carroll showed against Leverkusen that he's lean and fit, and the cleverness of his turn when working space for his goal showed that he's no mere target-man. When he's confident his touch is good, and while Rodgers may favour exceptionally mobile strikers - and at times, with them dropping deep and wide to create space for midfielders, no strikers - I don't think you can say that the big No.9 cannot play fast-moving football kept on the deck. He has also shown a good work ethic. The worry can be that defenders use him as a panic ball, and the fact that, as he's not a sprinter, he can't run in behind defences. The price tag has also never helped him, but he showed towards the end of last season that he was coming to terms with expectations. Finally, Jordan Henderson seems to be underrated by a lot of people. His movement and first-time passing is very good, and though he didn't look too comfortable out on the right last season, that time spent in the team will have helped him progress as a player, just as Lucas had to endure some stick at the same age. It's all a learning process. Sometimes when a manager changes things his team can struggle for cohesiveness and a shared wavelength. But equally, when things go well very quickly, it can have a surprise quality that diminishes with time. In football, the constant evolution of any side's play is countered by opposition knowledge. You can't stand still. While some early season impacts may prove to be mere temporary highs, a passing style of football often relies on increased understanding, which comes with games and training sessions. All in all, Liverpool look in pretty good shape for the season ahead, and if everything clicks, top four shouldn't be impossible. For me, top six, but racking up close to 70 points, should be a realistic aim; but overall, a sense of improvement - be it gradual or instant - and of heading in the right direction, has to be the main objective.
Pleased with the performances so far, not expecting any miracles though. Utd, City, Chelsea and Arsenal all look set for the top 4 challenge. I would be happy with 5th/6th with a lot of praise on the way we play rather than be surrounded with criticism and cynicism of falling short.
The bit on Coates is especially correct. CBs like Keepers cannot hide on a pitch like say Rooney or Carroll when they have off games.
Iv'e always liked alot of what Tomkin's writes,it's both knowledgable and well written. He combines praise with,as he say's,'cautious optimism'. I think we will surprise a few people this season.
This is a well written piece thats for sure. However what it failed to mention is Martin Skrtel possibly just possibly the most improved centre-back in English football in the last 18 months. He's a threat for set pieces something that he's added and his reading of the game has come on leaps and bounds. He can give strikers a a 5 yard head start and still catch them. He's quicker than he looks and still is as aggressive as ever and is not afraid to clatter strikers. The 'Slovakian Skinhead' is going to be one of our most valuable players this season. Brendan Rodgers has said he's priceless.
^^This^^ With all the rumours surrounding Agger and rightful recognition of his talent,some have forgotten just how good our other regular CB is. Player of the season last time round and rightfully so,Skrtel's awesome!
If I could pick our MVP's this would be them. However this is it. 1. Lucas. 2. Martin Skrtel. 3 Luis Suarez. Gerrard is not as valuable or important as he once was. I believe he would take that as a compliment.
I would say our core players are: Reina Agger Lucas Suarez These are players that if you were to take them out of the team, the whole area they occupy is significantly weakened. i.e. Take Suarez out of the attack, and the attack is toothless. Take Lucas out of the midfield and we generally leave our defence exposed Take Agger out defence, Skrtel doesn't look at composed and we lose the ability to play from the back.
Interesting that skrtel is mentioned by comments here... I think he is a perfect parallel to Lucas in many ways... started bad got criticised by the masses then improved dramatically... OK... he got better much quicker than Lucas... but does anyone recall his game early on against Havant&Waterlooville? The single worst performance I have ever seen by a man in red. Lucas and Skrtel should be an inspiration for younger players not performing... and a point of learning for fans that young players can take time to adapt.
Personally I think Skrtel is good enough without Agger, all this 'without Agger he is exposed' malarky is rubbish imo.
Is it just me, but is Jordan Henderson the new Lucas? Loved by some, hated by many and laughed at and ridiculed by our rivals. I hope he eventually becomes what Lucas currently is. Lucas was nicknamed ''Lord Lucas'' by some due to his ability to disappear in games. Henderson had a tendency to do that. More often when he was played on the right.
he had a 97% passing completion rate on Sunday. Not bad, keep things simple as he has the technique for it, just needs to translate from training to the match.
Jordan Henderson is actually the best short passer at the club in my opinion, however his passes just need to be a fraction more incisive. The recruitment of another livewire in Fabio Borini may help him in that respect.
He has all the physical traits, he has the technique as shown in the videos ( crossbar, juggling, etc) he needs to hit that confidence, find his correct position, and impose himself on the game.
Also a lesson for owners that it takes more than a season to turn a club around from near-administration to top four but two finals was a bloody good start sadly not recognised in kneejerk reactionism and Chicken Licken panic-sacking. I'm disappointed Tomkins has gone back to the official site. Maybe he needs the regular dosh and I can't blame him for that but it smacks of an FSG PR exercise. "precisely the kind of fast, incisive, pass-and-move football Brendan Rodgers' promised." That'll be the incisive pass and move of Kenny. Rodgers appears to have promised something more languid and considered, more pass less move. And probably fewer attempts on goal that hit so much woodwork last season. There are never two seasons that are the same and the law of averages says we were going to reap far more this season from the seeds Kenny planted. It seems the rush to apportion credit to Rodgers for all that has already started but so far I've seen nothing that can be specifically called Rodgers football.
I agree with that. Its like saying that FSG pulled off a masterstroke by recruiting Brendan Rodgers. Its 50/50 on whether it was a good decision, as it was and lets be fair a calculated risk. Its also like saying Kenny signed bad players, will they suddenly become good players under Brendan Rodgers? Is it that they were always good players not used properly? I can remember people saying that Rafa Benitez won the champions league with Gerard Houlliers team. This doesn't make any sense, Rafa won the champions league through good management. Kenny was accused of inheriting a super side and winninng the double in 1986 was the minimum requirement. Again the reason why Liverpool won the double in 1986 was down to good management by Kenny. It was Kenny the player that won Liverpool the title in 1986, he turned the season around by knowing when to pick himself. If Brendan Rodgers is successful and I hope he is, he's going to benefit from the work Rafa Benitez did in rejuvenating the youth/reserve side, he's also going to benefit from the work Kenny did. He's acknowledged that already, the owners have recognised that too. Kenny's fault was being a traditionalist and I believe it was the formation and tactics that were wrong. I don't believe it was that Kenny signed flops.
I'd like to think we're all educated fans. I appreciate the work that Houllier, Rafa and Kenny did - they all did something positive to contribute to this club, in some way, shape or form. It may not have fully worked out for Kenny did he save us in his first 6 months after Roy's stint. That was a phenemonal achievement and he struggled to emulate that success.
A very good article on Tomkins' site from a Swans fan outlining Rodgers' strengths and weaknesses. http://tomkinstimes.com/2012/08/brendan-rodgers-from-the-tawe-to-the-mersey/ Second best possession in the league last season to City. Scored fewer than relegated Blackburn and Bolton with all that possession. Made home a fortress but struggled to win away. What's the difference between educated and patient? Because apparently now we've got to be patient. All I hear is Rodgers deserves patience and he'll need time. You'll see it again in that article. No patience for Kenny was a criminal way to treat a club legend, I can educate you on that, especially when the stats say we were heading in the right direction, even if results were disappointing. John Henry made the excuse for Kenny's sacking that we had the form of 17th in the 2nd half of the season. it's true we fell off a cliff but getting 8th (and that only because once 4th was gone and we had European football there was no point in risking injuries and trying for **** all) suggests the first half of the season was much better, a continuation of that success but with more bedding in of new players. Kenny could've stuck with Kuyt and Maxi, both a big part of his first six months, but he chose to do the hard miles first, foolishly believing he had the patience of the men who'd just given him a three-year contract based on the merit of that early success. John Henry said 4th was realistic last season but not this. What utter ****e. If patience wasn't available for a club legend trying to rebuild and getting silverware along the way then it's not going to be deserved by the Jonny-cum-lately who has the benefit of all those new signings being a year redder. I'm educated enough to know that.
