So here we are… On the cusp of a new Premier League season… and the “this will be our year” brigade seems to have been replaced with more muted hope than expectation. As Liverpool fans we know we’re no longer on the verge of greatness… no longer one or two signings away from a title winning team (as we legitimately were under Benitez having finished second before the rug was pulled from under him by the American cowboys; and arguably were under Houllier, also having finished second, before illness and poor judgment ended our dreams there too). Instead we’re on the back of three appalling (by our admittedly high standards) seasons that have seen an equal number of managerial changes, a change of ownership and a playing staff that failed to live up to lofty transfer fees. So what now? Are we content to finish sixth? Do we simply want a higher points total than last time around? Or is a Champions’ League place a realistic prospect? Here are a few realistic reasons to be optimistic… WE’RE NOT AS BAD AS PEOPLE THINK (OR WISH)… As a stumbling (I refuse to say “fallen” giant, people are quick to stick the knife in: deride our players, tell us how rubbish we are and generally revel in our mediocrity. Yet those who now tell us that we’re battling with the Fulham and Sunderlands of this world (no disrespect meant) and that all we can dream of is to finish above Everton, should really get a reality check. Liverpool hit the woodwork a whopping 29 times in the Premier League last season; they also dominated the vast majority of those ridiculously frustrating draws at Anfield: no serious Norwich, Blackburn Rovers, or even Manchester City fan could honestly claim they deserved the points they left Anfield with – and don’t get me started on the Arsenal game. At the halfway stage I remember being seriously optimistic that given the way the fixtures had fallen and the fact that we were “in reach” of the Champions’ League spots, fourth was a realistic ambition… but then things fell apart. Point the fingers where you will: from Dalglish’s poor team selections (I’m looking at you, Stoke at Anfield) to the Suarez affair, Liverpool were as atrocious as home defeats against Wigan, Fulham and more suggest. But such a dramatic fall from grace is more reminiscent of a side that had lost the plot, rather than one that had turned poor over time. Something needed to be changed: and those changes at management level have been made. What remains is the core of a side that played most off the park during the first half of the season and I remain hopeful that with the right guidance it can find its way again. If nothing else, surely the misstep that was the Suarez affair can’t occur again. CAN THEY BE SO BAD TWICE? We all know the stat about Stewart Downing: how he didn’t make a single Premier League assist all season. It speaks volumes to his disappointing campaign. However, what’s overlooked is that when Liverpool signed him he was the TOP assist maker in the Premier League: and voted as his club’s player of the season. For Downing, clearly, the only way is up: and at the very least he shouldn’t be so poor again. Then there’s Charlie Adam, whose “corners alone are worth £10million”, but whose set pieces were abysmal last year; Jordan Henderson, who Sunderland fans will be quick to sing the praises of, yet was played out of position and too often during his first season at Anfield (he is still a youngster and WILL improve); and a certain Andy Carroll, weighed down by his price tag and injury and who only found his form at the end of the campaign. This year I EXPECT Downing to improve; and Henderson should revel under Rodgers’ guidance. Carroll appears motivated to prove a point, while Adam is likely to be moved on. There are others too who were well short of form last season… not to mention the fact that the key figures of Gerrard and Lucas are starting the season injury free… suggesting the only way is up. A CASE FOR THE DEFENCE I remember opposition fans berating Agger and Skrtel as poor players… but now they are wanted by the top clubs in the league and across Europe: yet both have expressed a desire to stay. It’s no coincide that Liverpool had the best defence in the league before their partnership was broken in January. Carragher has been moved into a bit-part role (as he should, as age has taken its toll) but remains an able under-study and Coates is touted as the best young defender in South America. Then there’s Reina in goal; Enrique, who was probably Dalglish’s best signing not named “Luis Suarez”; and two England right-backs in Johnson and Kelly. Add to that a crop of good youngsters who can fill in during the cup competitions or who could push-on with loan spells – Robinson, Flanagan, Wilson, etc – and it’s clear Liverpool have that solid base to build from. Keeping Agger and Skrtel together may well be our best bit of business all summer. FINALLY A GOALSCORER How often did we think last season that Liverpool were just a goalscorer away from being a really good team? Well now we have that goal poacher in the form of Borini. Is it a certainty that he’ll revel in the Premier League? Of course not: but given his background in the English leagues and history with Rodgers, it’s fair to say he is a “calculated” risk. There’s no doubt the forward line is weakened by the loss of Kuyt, Maxi and Bellamy: but all three were in the latter stages of their career. Though the jury is out on Borini and Assaidi, there’s no reason to think they won’t be able replacements… and it appears more than likely that there is more to come. STRENGTH IN DEPTH I often raised an eyebrow at the poor quality of Liverpool’s bench last season… frustrated by players like Adam and Spearing getting games (neither of whom I rate); while Aquilani and Cole were out on loan (not saying they’d have been great either, but we could have used the options). Now I take a look at the likely team sheet for Saturday’s game against West Brom: Likely XI: Reina, Enrique, Agger, Skrtel, Johnson, Lucas, Gerrard, Allen, Suarez, Borini, Downing. Subs: Jones, Carragher, Kelly, Henderson, Shelvey, Cole, Carroll. Not bad is it? Bear in mind that this team has no place for Adam or Spearing; doesn’t include a rising star in Raheem Sterling; ignores a new signing in Assaidi (and it’s almost certain more will follow); and finds no place for the crop of talented young defenders. WE SALUTE YOU MR RODGERS It’s far too early for an “In Rodgers We Trust” bandwagon to begin… but every time he opens his mouth he is impressive. Unlike Hodgson who was overwhelmingly negative and seemed to have a “small club” mentality; and Dalglish whose approach to the media was churlish and embarrassing; Rodgers speaks with confidence, sounds like a motivator, and offers a no-nonsense approach with passion and intelligence. He speaks realistically and also with ambition – clearly outlining that Liverpool MUST improve, albeit one step at a time… but that the ultimate aim is to be back on top of that perch. I’ll have some of that. SO WHAT WILL HAPPEN? Opinions are like backsides: everyone’s got one, and everyone thinks everyone else’s stinks. My opinion, for what it’s worth, is that Manchester United and Manchester City are streets ahead of the rest, with Chelsea likely to be too good for third. But, the rest? I am not so sure. Tottenham appear weaker – there’s as many questions about AVB as there are about Rodgers, if not more so; they’ve lost a lot of their squad depth including their leading goal scorer, best midfield player and, when fit, best defender; and their signings, while decent, aren’t spectacular. Arsenal have a little more “meat on their bones” in terms of players signed, but are once again compensating for the loss of their biggest star, this time in Van Persie, with Song likely to follow. Can Newcastle meanwhile, replicate last year’s success when they were certainly the surprise package? And will Moyes be given the Rodwell money to spend on a thread-bare but solid Everton squad? Point is that fourth appears very much up for grabs and Liverpool are in with a shout. I’m of the opinion that fourth with 70+ points really is “feasible”. REASONS TO BE OPTIMISTIC In conclusion then, let’s look forward to 2012-13 with optimism: there are plenty of reasons to feel positive. And let’s anticipate a season in which our pride, at the very least, is restored.
I certainly have faith in BR. Being linked with names like Tello and Sahin shows you the type of player that we are likely to bring in, in the future - young(ish), hungry, hard working AND technical.
Its been well documented that Brendan Rodgers does want to sign technical players He does instill me with more confidence that Hodgson did and even Kenny did. Even though Kenny is a club legend and will also have a place in the hearts of all Liverpool fans. Overall the OP has provided a well balanced article.
Very good piece, tho I might say QPR left Anfield with zero points. I was at the game, and they could have nicked something in the last ten minutes but this was one of the few occasions we weren't robbed!
fallen giant? my fav ones are comparing us to Forest and Leeds, when it couldn't be further away from the truth if they tried (not necessary view on here just saying i have come across it on other forums) or the other is, spurs who have had a couple of good seasons in 20 odd years are now miles above us. good post, we cant be bas bad/unlucky as last season with hitting the woodwork can we?
I'm very optimistic too. Defensively we were already pretty good and we already passed the ball well. No doubt in my mind we were one of the poorest teams in the final third last season though and whether or not Rodgers can solve this is going to be the difference between top 4 or 5-8th. Reina,Johnson,Agger,Skrtel,Enrique is as good on paper as any back 5 in the league. You could argue Man City's is better but there's not much in it in terms of the quality of the 5 players in my opinion. Midfield 3 of Lucas, Gerrard, Allen seems pretty good to me aswell. There are still question marks over the front 3 though. Suarez is a fantastic player, but is he clinical enough? Borini hasn't done anything yet. Downing has been shocking since he's been here. Personally I think Suarez is going to be alot better this year, I can remember when Anelka started playing in the premier league for Arsenal, he couldn't hit a barn door. Ronaldo too, look how he turned out. Well over 20 goals this year I think, especially if we get Gerrard playing closer to him than last year. I've also been impressed with Borini so far and his record last season was good with Roma so I think he is good enough. Downing though I think isn't quite good enough. He should be benched. I'd be happy to see Sterling play instead of him though, or this Morrocan guy.
Like an ocean liner, it takes a long time to turn the attitudes of the media (and hence the general public) around. After all the media have invested a lot of their time proving their opinion that our club is in disarray, our side lacks class and that their 'favourites' are miles above us. They will continue to do so. However, even if you were pro or anti Kenny, we knew in our heart of hearts that we were not as bad as the media were making us out to be and that our points tally did not reflect our performances. With the experience of last season and with the additions that we have made so far then I believe we are well placed to make a strong showing this season. I think that secretly Rodgers believes that we could snatch 4th place. He will play it down but that will be his target. So who am I to nay say that idea.
