Why Liverpool’s Summer Transfer Activity Will Be A Challenge, But Should Not Consist Of Total Overhaul

If you have ever suffered from an addiction to Football Manager (or Championship Manager if you were a child of the nineties), you will understand the situation that Kenny Dalglish will find himself in this summer.

Having taken over as manager of the club, you peruse the squad and identify some areas that require strengthening. Within 12 months, you’ve attained a ‘wheeler-dealer’ status that would make Harry Redknapp fume and your squad is unrecognisable.

Although Dalglish and Comolli will have significant financial backing, they should avoid a complete overhaul of this Liverpool squad.

The Europa League acted as a clear indicator of the areas in which Liverpool’s squad is lacking. Although victories over Chelsea and Manchester United have shown that the strongest eleven is not as weak as many would have you believe, the defeat to Braga has exposed the limitations of the squad as a whole.

Foremost, the two fixtures against Braga highlighted the severe lack of pace within the squad. Without the injured Steven Gerrard and the ineligible Luis Suarez, the only attacking outlet with any pace was Glen Johnson. Whilst Meireles, Kuyt and Lucas all have a role to play in Liverpool’s future, they are players that need to be surrounded by pace. Endeavour, technique and cunning are all vital components in a Premier League footballer, but the trait that defenders fear the most is pace.

Everything in football works best when it happens quickly. Taking Barcelona as the model for a successful team, everything happens at pace. They move the ball quickly to stretch defences, they press the ball quickly to recover lost possession and any runs they make happen at full pace. A lack of pace will not ultimately limit one player’s career, but it can limit an entire team.

Luis Suarez is doing a fine job of proving the point. The Uruguayan international is making key contributions in each game he plays due to his pace, trickery and footwork. It isn’t easy to find players of Suarez’s quality but Liverpool desperately need players with similar attributes to support him. If Suarez were to be injured, Liverpool’s attacking impetus would be severely reduced.

An accusation frequently aimed in Liverpool’s direction is that this squad doesn’t have any depth. Although Jay Spearing’s performance against Sunderland has put a significant grain of doubt into the minds of those who thought he was a Championship level player (admittedly, myself included), the area between the first eleven and the developing youngsters in the reserves is still not populated by players of the necessary quality.

During his time at the club, Rafa Benitez repeatedly tried to plug this gap with affordable players who could act as back-up to the first team. By the end of his reign, the sum total invested in poor squad players would have been enough to buy at least one top quality player. Although Dalglish is expected to have more funds than Benitez did at the end of his spell as manager, he must adopt a different strategy for strengthening the depth of the squad.

Rather than shopping for players to act as back-up, Dalglish must target players who are better than those who are already in the first eleven. As players are displaced, the subs bench and squad roles will be filled by those who Dalglish knows can hold their own in the first eleven at this moment in time. This is the way that managers create depth to their squad.

There is plenty of dead wood to be shifted from the squad and some of it receives an unfeasibly high wage in proportion to their contribution. If Dalglish can build an impressive eighteen man match-day squad, players with no long-term potential can be sold rather than acting as substitutes. These players are an obstruction to the progression of talented youngsters and also soak up money that would be better invested in other areas.

The key question for this summer will be whether Dalglish can attract the necessary quality to Liverpool. At this moment in time, European football looks unlikely, although not impossible. Whilst many will believe that the reduction in fixtures could benefit next season’s domestic campaign, the impact on the willingness of players to join the club is yet to be seen.

Damien Comolli believes that the Liverpool name still acts as a major attraction to top players. Although accepting that the club should be involved in European competition, Comolli was confident that a failure to qualify for Europe would not hamper the long-term strategy. It is difficult to speculate on the individual demands of players, but if Liverpool need a manager to sell the club to prospective signings, there is nobody better than Kenny Dalglish.

A further obstacle in the transfer window will be other clubs, each of whom will have European competition as a selling point. If Liverpool are in for the top talents in European football as has been suggested, there will undeniably be competitors.

I recently asked Liverpool fans for the names of the players they expected to sign in the summer. It was interesting to see the calibre of player that was mentioned. For each of the names mentioned, whether it be Eden Hazard, Alexis Sanchez, Ashley Young, Gary Cahill or Yann M’Vila, there will be other clubs chasing their signature. Whilst fans will cite the signing of Suarez as proof that Liverpool can sign the best players on offer, it is important to remember that business was conducted in the January transfer market. Very few clubs have £20 million available mid-season and as such, Liverpool’s only opposition was Ajax’s demands over the transfer fee. Deals in the summer will be more difficult with selling clubs keen to spark bidding wars and a lengthy period in which to hold out for offers.

One response emphasised the significance of the age of targets, stressing that they didn’t believe a player over the age of 27 would join the club in the summer. Buying for the future is a major part of the long-term club’s strategy. However, Europe’s top clubs have scouts scouring the leagues for the top young talent due to the benefits of buying young. Players who are still developing are easily moulded into a team’s playing style and can be acquired for a sum significantly less than their potential will eventually lead them to be worth. Like any of Liverpool’s targets, these will not be straightforward deals. It is vitally important that FSG, Dalglish and Comolli act quickly and concisely if they are to secure targets of the quality desired.

Despite a lengthy list of potential targets, Dalglish should be wary of a total overhaul of his squad. As Manchester City’s have shown, all the money in the world can not buy you guaranteed success and importantly, the necessary team spirit and understanding to succeed. Dalglish’s Liverpool have developed a formidable spirit in recent weeks and thanks to Steve Clarke, have also become a well organised unit. Rather than tearing this squad apart, Dalglish must attempt to add quality in the areas that have been identified and remove the players that do not form a part of the club’s long-term future, whilst maintaining the core of the squad.

Nobody believes that this summer is going to be easy but it will certainly be a hugely important transfer window in regard to Liverpool’s future. The first step in the rebuilding process must be finishing in the top four next season. If Dalglish is successful in the transfer market, there is nothing to suggest that Liverpool can not mount a challenge for a Champions League place, at the very least. Having seen the manner in which Dalglish has conducted himself thus far, there is little doubt that he has everything under control.

How Do You Solve A Problem Like Joe Cole?

Following the defeat against West Ham, the growing expectations of Liverpool fans have been hit with a dose of reality.

The improvement under Kenny Dalglish has, in the most part, been considerable. However, the previous two fixtures have reinforced the belief that key aspects of the squad will need strengthening in the summer. Whilst this team is not as bad as was claimed in the first half of the season, the development has perhaps been less substantial than victory at Stamford Bridge had suggested.

The immediate challenge for Dalglish remains getting the most from the players at his disposal. One of the greatest challenges in this squad is the enigmatic Joe Cole.

Although Cole’s arrival was greeted with optimism, the subsequent months have been a struggle for the former Chelsea and West Ham midfielder. Early suspension and injury – as well as a less than enthusiastic mentor – ruined the first part of Cole’s career in a red shirt.

However, Dalglish’s arrival signaled a new opportunity for the summer signing. With the Europa League acting as a foothold for Cole to show what he has to offer, the door is far from closed. As has been the story of Cole’s recent seasons, the key question remains where he should be played in order to obtain maximum results.

Cole’s finest seasons in a Chelsea shirt came early in his time at Stamford Bridge, before a serious knee injury away to Southend stopped him in his tracks. In this period, Cole was offered a roving role in a balanced Chelsea side, offered the freedom to search for space between the lines.

Problematically for Cole, this is an area in which Liverpool have strength in depth. Raul Meireles’ increasing goal threat has justified his selection as the most advanced midfielder in Dalglish’s 5-3-2 formation. We also know that Steven Gerrard is capable of filling the role, although his presence is more urgently required in the middle of the pitch.

With Cole at the back of the line for his preferred position, he has found himself deployed from the left side of midfield – a position that he has previously expressed his displeasure towards. Whatever his starting position, he is naturally inclined to move inside with the ball.

Joe Cole is not the kind of winger to hug the touchline before beating his marker for pace to reach the byline on his weaker foot. Nobody expects Cole to play the role of a Gareth Bale but his desire to move centrally leaves Liverpool lacking width on that side of the field, especially without a natural left back. When both Cole and Glen Johnson are attempting to cut inside, the pitch becomes narrower and Liverpool are forced to attack a congested central third. The return to fitness of Andy Carroll should help to an extent, allowing Luis Suarez to roam the flanks before attacking isolated defenders one against one.

Joe Cole’s greatest problem is that he remains a man without a clearly defined role in the team. At present, he is a bit-part utility man who slots into the side when he is needed. Wherever Dalglish chooses to play Cole, he must stick by his decision and allow his player to develop an understanding of how he contributes to the team’s strategy rather than changing his job from week to week.

There is a myth that has appeared in several national newspapers that Joe Cole will struggle at Liverpool due to the fact that he is a Londoner. Whilst a simplistic few may hold this against him, from my own experiences it is clear that the vast majority of Liverpool fans would love to see Cole do well. Furthermore, it is clear that the player is desperate to live up to their expectations.

If the Europa League game against Sparta Prague revealed anything, it was that Cole is giving his all to succeed, putting his hands to his head after misplacing a pass and busting a gut to get on the end of last minute counter attacks. If anything, Cole is guilty of trying a little too hard and allowing himself to be overwhelmed by the expectations placed upon him.

Joe Cole’s game relies upon natural instinct and ability. It is when the player tries to force the issue that his performance becomes erratic. Although Cole’s early years at Chelsea were hugely successful, we should not imagine that he was a lone-ranger winning matches left, right and centre. At Chelsea, Cole was one important cog in a highly efficient machine.

This is a player that is not judged on his overall involvement in the game, but his key contributions. Whilst many of his actions will be unspectacular, it is the goals, assists and interplay in the final third that have defined his career. This can be seen by looking at the chalkboards below (click to see in full-size), contrasting Cole at Liverpool and Chelsea.



In Chelsea’s fixture against Derby County in 2008, all six of the home side’s goals came during Cole’s 74 minutes on the pitch. However, over the entire game, Cole’s pass completion rate (76%) was only one percent superior to that against West Ham on Sunday. It is the arrows in and around the opposition penalty area that determine how successful Cole’s performance was. Despite a somewhat erratic end product in the Derby County fixture, Cole contributed heavily with two assists and six successful passes to teammates in the final third of the field, allowing his team to attack the area. Unfortunately, against West Ham Cole failed to complete a single pass into the penalty area. Furthermore, the area around the penalty area is fairly empty; illustrating Cole’s failure to get into the game in the areas where Liverpool needed him most.

So what do all these arrows and percentages tell us about Joe Cole’s future in a Liverpool shirt?

Despite being a free signing, Cole’s large wage packet dictates that we should not be dismissing him as an immediate failure. While Joe Cole remains a Liverpool player, there is no point in giving up and ultimately writing him off as a hugely expensive mistake. The only way Dalglish will get any value for money is by finding a way to rediscover and utilise Cole’s talents. Fortunately for Cole, Dalglish is not the kind of man to shirk a challenge.

If Cole’s audition is to be in the Europa League, initially at least, his teammates must learn how to get him into the game. Primarily, this means discovering where Cole wants to receive the ball. As we can see, Cole struggles to force the play from deep. The vast majority of his passes in the central third maintain possession by moving short distances from side to side. Furthermore, any attempts to hit more direct passes tend to fail to reach their intended target.

Cole is not the sort of player who will provide a 100% pass completion rate so it is important to make sure that the passes that are completed make a difference. He needs to be looking for space in and around the area where his natural instincts can dictate how he plays the game. It is when Cole has to force the play through two organised lines of defence that he will struggle.

Although his form has dipped significantly, we must assume that Cole still knows how to unlock a defence. Unless Liverpool can get him into areas where he can create opportunities for like-minded players like Suarez and Meireles, we will be left remembering Joe Cole as a player that tried hard but never managed to make a difference. Liverpool have a squad full of players that will work hard. It is the players with a streak of quality that are needed to step forward. Potentially, Cole is one of these.

We can’t portray Cole as a victim and nobody will be keener than the player to stress that he hasn’t performed to his maximum this season. In terms of his performance, a lot of improvement is needed on Cole’s part. However, if Liverpool and Cole can’t learn how to work as a cohesive combination, it is inevitable that the former England international will continue to live life at Anfield on the periphery.

An Oxford Boy in Liverpool - The Anfield Experience

In recent weeks, the trend of football fans abusing journalists via Twitter for reporting facts or merely presenting their opinion has become more prominent. Having seen Guillem Balague and Rory Smith on the receiving end of fan fury, I’ve taken it as a compliment that I have been the recipient of similar treatment.

As this website continues to expand and attract new readers, it is worth reiterating that I am an Oxford United fan. Always seeking to be the minority, I’m the only Yellow in a family of Reds. I’ve grown up in Oxford and it was the natural thing to do. However, family connections assure an affinity with Liverpool and 9 of my first 10 football matches were Liverpool games.

Oxford fans are not overly keen on my tendency to ‘Tweet’ about events on Merseyside and would be tempted to disown me if I were to attend a game. Bearing in mind my appetite for aggravation, in January I purchased a ticket for the Stoke game.

My last visit to Anfield was in 2002 for the 5-0 victory over Ipswich Town. Considering the time that had elapsed since my last visit, it is impossible to deny that I was ridiculously excited about the trip. Writing for this website is an enjoyable experience but I always feel slightly guilty that I preach about events that I don’t witness first hand. It’s a little like road-testing a car by looking at a picture of it and I was glad to have the opportunity to address the issue. Train tickets and a bed in a city backpacker’s hostel were organised well in advance and on Wednesday lunch time, I left university for Cardiff Central, checking my pocket every ten yards for reassurance that I’d remembered my ticket.

The journey from Cardiff to Liverpool takes you through mile upon mile of deserted countryside before a change at Crewe. Much of the journey was spent moping about Oxford’s inability to defend the previous night and wasn’t helped by an inadvertent game of League Two bingo. After stops at Hereford, Shrewsbury and eventually Crewe, I’d completed a row and had moved on to newspapers to forget about the previous night’s events.

The newspaper in question had a large feature on Liverpool’s transfer activity and helpfully focussed the mind on the task in hand. I found some Liverpool fans at Crewe station and sought to discover their thoughts on the events of the previous week. As expected, there was a deep-lying disappointment at Fernando Torres’ decision to cut ties with the club but also a real sense of optimism at the purchase of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll. We quickly established that Carroll was overpriced but as we agreed, when making an offer to a club who know you have £50 million to play with and only a day to do business, it’s very difficult to achieve value for money.

At Lime Street we parted ways and I located the hostel with surprising efficiency. I’m not sure exactly what I’d envisaged but I was pleasantly surprised to find a friendly establishment with good facilities. If any fans are searching for affordable accommodation in Liverpool after a game, you could do far worse than giving the International Inn a call.

From conversations with travelling Reds in the hostel, it is clear that the new era at Liverpool is being greeted with optimism. However, my favourite conversation of the day was with the taxi driver who described himself as a “lifelong Red married to a Blue…but not a bitter one”. Whilst topics covered Benitez, Hodgson, Dalglish, Torres and even Bruno Cheyrou, one theme was prevalent throughout. Across the city, football is a massive part of Liverpool life. Very rarely do you see a community in which the vibrancy can be affected so greatly by the fortunes of the football club. That is not to overlook the considerable Evertonian presence but this is a city that deserves a successful football club, if not two.

The first time I visited Anfield was in 1999 at the age of 9. Understandably at this age, having only been to Oxford United’s Manor Ground once before, I was blown away by the Anfield experience. The aura surrounding the stadium didn’t diminish by the time of my most recent visit at the age of 11 and that left me wondering whether I’d still feel the same way at the age of 19. Nothing had changed.

I arrived at the ground two hours before kick off and spent the first hour walking around the stadium taking in my surroundings. I was greeted by a large cheer as I walked past the club reception and before I could turn to thank the Scouse public for being so welcoming, the vertically blessed Andy Carroll dashed into the ground for the first time. After taking the necessary photos of Anfield’s exterior features, including a sobering moment at the Hillsborough memorial, I made my way onto the Kop.




With an hour to go before the match began, I had plenty of time to speak to a London based fan in the row behind me. It was his first visit to Anfield and he reiterated many of the thoughts that were going through my head. The old ground remains a very special place to watch football and if Liverpool Football Club ever move to a new home, it will be a sad day. The financial power of modern football demands that ticket revenue is maximised and eventually, this will prove to be crucial. However, it will be impossible to replicate the history and unique qualities that Anfield possesses.

When looking onto the pitch, especially from the Kop, it is impossible not to be taken in by the past. Generations of Liverpool fans have watched great players become heroes and history made on the turf below.

Returning to my own club, I saw one Oxford game at the Manor before moving to the three-sided Kassam Stadium. Granted, the new Anfield will be fully-constructed but the theory remains the same. I can’t relate to my club’s past and the formidable atmosphere that used to be generated at a small ground with a sloping pitch. When Liverpool leave Anfield, there will be future generations who will be unable to relate to everything that has gone before. I feel immense sympathy for these fans. The loss of Anfield would be a great loss for football.

One thing that Liverpool will never lose is the anthem that has tingled the spines of so many. Like Ian Holloway earlier in the season, without ever intending to, I found myself singing along to Gerry Marsden. Very few clubs possess an anthem of such heartfelt magnitude and a rendition of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ will always be one of the greatest sounds in football.

The Kop itself has seen more raucous days but joining the heart of the Liverpool fan base was a privilege. I was surprised to discover that the crowd are seated during games and horrified to discover that the Kop is not the place to sit if you happen to have legs. Cramp, however, would not spoil the experience.

The first half became more exciting as the interval approached and only a brilliant save from Begovic allowed the visitors to reach half time on level terms. Raul Meireles’ goal early in the second was deserved and allowed Luis Suarez to enter the field with Liverpool in the ascendancy.

Before getting his first touch on the ball, Andy Wilkinson kicked the Uruguayan into the air. As a fan near me said, “Welcome to England”. If Suarez was desperate to impress, the crowd were equally desperate for a new hero. 16 minutes into his debut, Suarez provided. Although the finish won’t make it into any textbooks, the pace, movement and skill to break clear and round the goalkeeper suggest that the new signing has the qualities needed to succeed in the Premier League.



The game moved to a fairly uneventful conclusion and as the stadium emptied, I found myself thinking about how the Anfield experience compares to what I enjoy week in week out with Oxford.

Watching football with another set of fans was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Whilst you can only have a true love for one football club, I found myself taken in by every aspect of Liverpool Football Club. Whatever snide comments come in from fans of other clubs, I truly hope Liverpool fans realise how fortunate they are to have a club that emphasises tradition as a fundamental principle. Liverpool Football Club is a special institution and, as shown previously, the day that this is taken for granted is the day that substantial damage will be done.

I won’t be swapping away days in Lincoln and Torquay for Premier League football any time soon but having enjoyed interacting with knowledgeable and passionate Liverpool fans, you’d be more than welcome to try League Two football in Oxford at any time.

Why the 'Dalglish effect' is bringing Liverpool FC together

Desperately seeking to occupy a sofa in each hour of the day as all good students should, I found myself watching LFC TV in the final hours of Wednesday night. A tempting trip to the fridge was narrowly defeated by the chance to watch Lucas’ 60 minute interview with Claire Rourke.

The interview was an interesting one. In a sport littered with foreign youngsters who prematurely believe that they have made it, Lucas’ attitude towards training and his personal development was refreshing. Whilst attempting to learn English, the Brazilian was forced to stop reading newspapers due to the criticism that his presence in the team received. Having seen a great deal of progression since those days, it was impossible not to feel happy for a timid youngster who has turned into a fiercely determined, yet impeccably polite man. Lucas’ performance in the interview was impressive and when next repeated, I suggest it is a must for all Liverpool fans.

However, one part of the show stands out above any other. When asked by Rourke - relaying a viewer’s email to her guest – which Liverpool player from the club’s esteemed past he would like to play alongside in the current team, Lucas took a moment to sink into deep thought. Suddenly a smile broke across his face and he uttered two words - Kenny Dalglish.

Lucas’s interview was recorded in 2010, before any suggestion of King Kenny’s return had built any serious momentum. Looking back, however, Lucas’ reaction explains the renewed optimism that is surrounding the club. Whilst opposition fans (and some pundits, if we should credit them with the term) are poking fun at Dalglish’s return and as yet, modest results, Liverpool fans have been taken in by the knowledge that their club is in safe hands once more. As a football fan, there is no better feeling than the knowledge that from board room to boot room, everybody is striving to achieve the same thing.

Whilst Dalglish’s results are not yet impeccable, it would have been foolish to expect an instant turnaround. Crucially, Dalglish has excelled in the areas that many critics will have missed. Although we are only approaching the fortnight marker in Dalglish’s new era, it is hard to deny that the football club has been united by the change of manager.

A glance at Twitter showed the regard in which Dalglish is held. Some foolishly suggested that the foreign players may not have heard of him but were swiftly put in their place. Ryan Babel referred to ‘the King’ whilst the excitement of the numerous young players on the networking site spoke volumes.

If the younger players on Liverpool’s books had felt distanced from the first team previously, they should appreciate the change of mentality under Dalglish. Earlier in the week, the manager spoke to everybody involved in the academy, from players to staff, to assure them that Liverpool was to be a cohesive unit from top to bottom. Although progression to the first team will require quality, the glass ceiling that has been strengthening over recent years has been shattered by Dalglish’s return.

Dalglish is not a man who goes back on his word. His encouragement for the academy has been reinforced by his appearance in the dugout at a youth team friendly in midweek and his personal touch. Every player at the academy can rest assured that the manager knows their name, qualities and will watch them first hand whenever possible. The first team remains the Holy Grail for every youngster but it looks set to become a more accessible target.



Suso and Conor Coady have been the first recipients of Dalglish’s personal touch. The policy of allowing promising youngsters to join the first team at Melwood for several days has been in force since Rafael Benitez’s days. The impromptu car sharing offer from the manager himself is something a little different. Both youngsters have been testing themselves against the club’s finest and are likely to travel with the squad to Wolverhampton on Saturday in order to sample the away day experience. Every player speaks warmly of their first day of training with the first team squad when they look back on their career and Dalglish has ensured that for these two talented players, their accounts will be no different.

With optimism throughout the club enhanced, another of the manager’s significant challenges has been to take care of the media. Without wanting to kick Roy Hodgson while he is down, the Liverpool press conference experience is a totally different one under Dalglish. Gone are the dry, apologetic and uninspiring sermons about the formidable task confronting the team in the next game. The press conference is a difficult theatre in which to perform but Dalglish has hit the nail on the head. He has been brutally honest at times but has stuck by his players. He has reiterated his desire to bring back that Liverpool aura to the club and has continually exhibited an ability to use his own brand of humour to deflect unwanted questions. What you see is what you get with Dalglish and it appears to be a recipe that the media are enjoying. He has got the balance between honesty and intrusiveness entirely correct and has the media eating from the palm of his hand. For Liverpool fans, press conferences are now something to look forward to rather than avoid in fear of embarrassment. This is how it should be.

The impact of Kenny Dalglish’s return on the support was always likely to be unifying. There have been no surprises with the positivity that has surrounded the three fixtures thus far. What is refreshing is the manner in which fans have reacted to transfer speculation. January is undeniably a difficult market to operate in and the fans understand that. When rumours spread of a deal with Luis Suarez (weeks before official contact was made), many were a little taken aback. “Us? Suarez? Really?” Liverpool fans have become accustomed to rumours being replaced by far less exciting fact. The realisation that despite current position, Liverpool are attempting to attract the top talent worldwide is immensely reassuring. Dalglish and Comolli are targeting the right players and even if some bids are unsuccessful, their positive intent will keep fans on their side.

For all the talking, planning and encouraging, Dalglish will ultimately be judged on the pitch. Although one point and a cup exit looks underwhelming, the style of football has done enough to convince the fans that progress is likely. The pass and move motto has been a feature of Liverpool Football Club for a long time but it is slowly being dusted off and shown the light of day once more. Accompanied by pressure on the ball high up the pitch, Dalglish’s basic theories are what fans want to see.

Whilst people suggest that Hodgson wasn’t given the necessary time to shape his ideas, they fail to realise that his ideas were not suited to the establishment that he managed. Hodgson was never going to be offered time to build an ideology that nobody wanted to buy into. Dalglish’s plan is aligned with the club’s traditions. Fans will always be willing to support a man striving to achieve their dreams rather than overrule a club’s history with his own brand of football.

Ultimately, Dalglish will be judged on results. However, his work behind the scenes is everything that fans could have asked for and a little bit more. Over the past few years, Liverpool Football Club has become increasingly unfamiliar to those who have grown up supporting it. From top to bottom, Dalglish is trying to unite the club in order to allow it to achieve. If he is allowed the time to do so, Dalglish can turn Liverpool into an organisation more closely resembling the one that he played for. The worst thing for a football fan is the feeling that they can’t identify with their own club. Until the end of the season at least, these fans can thrive in the knowledge that they have their club back.

Why Ralf could be the man to lead Liverpool out of Roy's misery

At the time of writing, Roy Hodgson is still manager of Liverpool Football Club.

Unfortunately for Roy, his continued presence is more closely linked to his team’s performances leaving those connected to Liverpool in need of a stiff drink and a period of shut-eye to forget these very real nightmares, than his own success.

By the time that Liverpool walk onto the Old Trafford pitch on Sunday, the feeling is that they will see a different, less frequently rubbed face in their dugout. Whether that face is the same one that will manage the club for the foreseeable is a different matter.

Kenny Dalglish will understandably be cited as a potential replacement, in a temporary capacity at the very least. In a previous article, Mike has outlined the various problems associated with such a move. If he does well, how do you move him out? If he were to be moved out, would fans clamour for Dalglish at the first sign of trouble in the new regime? Dalglish is a great man to have involved in the club but his role within the managerial structure continues to pose questions.

The murmurings from FSG would suggest that they would ideally like to appoint a manager for the long-term who would be capable of working in tandem with their strategy. If this is the case, a little known German could be the way forward.

When Ralf Rangnick quit his post at German side Hoffenheim, most Liverpool fans wouldn’t have noticed. Why would they? A manager of a side who aren’t particularly well publicised quits over a transfer dispute and the Kop is supposed to rise in anticipation? It’s unlikely.

Several informed analysts took a deeper interest in the 52 year old. Although perhaps feeding off the ‘anyone but Roy’ attitude that has grown throughout Hodgson’s reign, the summaries of Rangnick’s credentials from those with a knowledge of German football seemed to promote something more substantial than fantasy.

When looking at the style of Rangnick’s management at Hoffenheim, his methods seem to interlink nicely with FSG’s strategy for Liverpool.

Despite fairly unsuccessful spells at Stuttgart and Schalke, Rangnick’s spell at Hoffenheim was spectacular. Arriving at a third division side based in a German village with a population of just over 3,000, Rangnick utilised the wealth of the club’s billionaire owner to propel Hoffenheim into the Bundesliga. In their first season in Germany’s elite division, Rangnick’s side finished 7th, a position that may have finished higher had it not been for a major injury to striker Vedad Ibišević. This was followed up by an 11th place finish last season, providing two very reasonable finishes for a side that only turned professional in 2007.

With a substantial budget, Rangnick could have built a team in any style that he felt appropriate. Significantly, he opted to play attacking football. A 4-3-3 system with two natural wingers provided a platform upon which to play fluent, quick football. Rangnick’s sides played scintillating football and backed their ability to play the ball on the floor. Although there is no saying that he would adopt the same formation in English football, his mentality is very much offensive. Ian Holloway has showed that attacking football can work in the Premier League. Rangnick would promote a similar style.

Following the negativity of Hodgson, the free-flowing football exhibited by Rangnick’s sides would be a welcome relief. Even if results were not to be immediately in line with the hopes of fans, there would be a greater tolerance if it was clear that the manager’s ideology was an attractive one.

Rangnick is also accredited with a transfer strategy that focuses upon the recruitment of young players with the intention to develop them through first team exposure. What with a youthful recruitment strategy, an eye for a bargain and a desire to play attractive football, comparisons with Arsene Wenger are inevitable. Nicknamed ‘The Football Professor’ – reportedly due to his tactical explanations using only a blackboard on German TV – Rangnick should expect this. However, such comparisons are not to be taken lightly. Wenger is a manager who has succeeded in English football to the highest degree. If Rangnick offers potential to do the same, he could be a shrewd appointment.

The usual concerns when appointing a foreign manager often regard communication. Having studied in England in his youth, Rangnick has no such problems. A fluent footballing style and the ability to convey it to his players would mark the German out as an impressive candidate. The fact that his agent has already stated his client’s interest in the Liverpool job, were it to become available as it surely will, highlights an ambitious streak that must appeal to the Anfield hierarchy.

FSG are seeking to rebuild Liverpool both on and off the pitch in order challenge at the top in the years to come. If they are looking for a manager to build a squad with potential to develop, obtaining value for money and providing football that the fans will enjoy, they could do a lot worse than to employ Ralf Rangnick.

Although there will be demand for a Dalglish return or the hiring of a ‘big name’ manager, Rangnick provides a feasible alternative. It is easy to see ways in which Rangnick and FSG could be compatible. If John Henry and his team see Rangnick in the same way, Liverpool’s future will be an exciting development.

Rafa's return? Why Christmas dreams highlight the importance of getting the right man

I can’t avoid talking about it anymore.

Having buried my head in the snow for a few days, it appears that Rafa Benitez’s exit from Inter Milan has only just been confirmed and as such, the inevitable speculation has peaked at a time when I had hoped it would have disappeared into the realms of Christmas fiction.

The fact that a manager sacked at the end of last season is being affectionately requested only halfway through this one says a lot about the current manager. Although absence certainly makes the heart grow fonder, a mediocre successor has had a far greater effect.

While Hodgson continues to convince people that he is not the man to implement NESV’s vision in the long-term, the sudden availability of Benitez has only acted to make Hodgson’s position even more uncomfortable.

The calls for Rafa’s return are very much symbolic of the ‘anyone but Roy’ attitude that is growing amongst supporters. However, Benitez’s suitability to retake the role should be considered in isolation. The question is whether Benitez would be the right man to take Liverpool forward under NESV, not whether he would do a better job than Hodgson.

Despite a tarnishing of his managerial reputation in the past 18 months, Rafa Benitez continues to boast a strong CV. At Valencia, Benitez won the Spanish Championship as the underdog. At Liverpool, he won the Champions League in his first season, once more as the underdog. With success both domestically and in European competition, it is ridiculous to suggest that Benitez is a manager who does not know what he is doing.

Benitez’s continued popularity in Liverpool is also a substantial feather in the Spaniard’s cap. ‘Rafa’ the man was far more popular than ‘Benitez’ the manager in the final year of his time at the club. Whereas a less popular manager would have been deemed incapable for his record in the final season, the fans warmth towards Benitez meant that they were always willing him to succeed. It is this continued warmth that has allowed Benitez’s reputation to remain intact. The blame for a mediocre final season has been firmly placed with the former owners and as a result, the belief that Benitez could be successful in the stable environment provided by NESV will remain strong.

Benitez also possesses a key card in terms of the current playing squad. Whether playing internationally or at club level, Fernando Torres’ best form has come under the stewardship of Benitez for Liverpool. With Torres struggling to replicate his best on a regular basis under Hodgson, a Benitez return could potentially increase the chances of keeping Torres in a Liverpool shirt after this season.

However, there are considerable obstacles that stand in the way of a successful return.

Firstly, it would be wrong to assume that the support for Benitez is universal. Although he remains popular, there is a 50-50 split in regard to the fans’ attitude to his potential return. A failure to produce instant success would result in a clear split in the support and this goes against the united attitude that NESV are seeking to create.

If negative relations with the fans could be problematic, the reaction to Benitez in the press would be far more significant. Benitez received a substantial amount of criticism during his tenure and the good will afforded to Hodgson in the British media would not extend itself to Benitez. Indeed, if Benitez were to replace Hodgson – one of the darlings of the British media – then a backlash could be expected at the first opportunity. While NESV continue to stress the long-term nature of Liverpool’s recovery, the appointment of a manager to whom a period of development would not be allowed doesn’t make sense. As such, now may not be the time for a Benitez return.

We should not overlook Benitez’s failings on the pitch either. In his final season at the club, Liverpool were a poor side. For every bit that Benitez’s team progressed over the preceding years, it is impossible to overlook the fact that a side that finished second in the league was considerably damaged in the months that followed. Although the ownership saga made working conditions at the club very difficult, flaws in player-relations and tactics were clear.

Benitez was always perceived as cautious. The use of two holding midfielders was almost universally criticised, not to mention the disillusionment with his rotational system. Benitez’s style is not to be dismissed as a failure, it clearly isn’t. However, whether it is what Liverpool fans truly want at this time is another matter. Many of the supporters who criticised Benitez last season are now those who see him as the saviour. Hodgson isn’t right for Liverpool but is Benitez?

His judgement of players must also be questioned. Benitez’s transfer record has already come under scrutiny, but the treatment of Xabi Alonso highlights Benitez’s failure to manage his players on a personal level. The touting of a replacement for a player who remained under contract was unprofessional in the extreme. In hindsight, the fact that Rafa wanted to replace the exceptional Xabi Alonso with the lumbering Gareth Barry is every bit as worrying. This may have been a one off mistake but it is one that many are overlooking as they clamour for a return.

While it appears that Rafa Benitez isn’t suitable for Liverpool at this moment in time, it is also fair to say that the job isn’t suited to Benitez at this moment in time.

Since Benitez left Liverpool, the structure of the club has changed. The arrival of Comolli to oversee Liverpool’s transfer dealings is something that Benitez would not be a fan of. Benitez likes to work alone in the transfer market and any deliberation is done with his closest staff. The advice of a middle man, however well intended, is something that Benitez could not work with.

We have already seen how Benitez reacts to working conditions that he does not approve of. His willingness to enter club politics at Valencia, Liverpool and Inter Milan is admirable but in reality, ill-judged. NESV need a manager to embrace their vision, not one who could oppose their ideas in the public sphere.

Rafa Benitez is an excellent football manager and one who will do a great job at a club in the not too distant future. However, he is not the answer to Liverpool’s problems, the crucial point being that the two parties are not compatible at this moment in time.

In truth, Benitez needs to take a break. Although his absence from the game need not be prolonged, he appears to be a man in need of a few months away from the rigours of football management. A complete overhaul of his managerial technique is not needed but if Benitez can make minor adjustments to his approach whilst waiting for a suitable job to become available, he will return to the game a better manager.

We should not rule out the return of Rafa Benitez to Liverpool in the future. At a later stage in NESV’s plan, Benitez’s style could be compatible with the club’s needs. This is football, we can’t rule anything out. However, the clamour for his immediate return is being hugely overplayed due to the current manager’s failings.

In reality, the Benitez to Liverpool rumour is likely to be a non-event. However, due to the desperation of many fans to replace Hodgson and the continued admiration of the previous manager, the story has received surprising levels of support.

Although Benitez is not the right man for the job in the short-term, Hodgson isn’t the man for the long-term. When the time comes for NESV to choose a new manager, whenever that may be, it is important that they choose the correct manager. If Benitez is still unemployed, Henry and Werner shouldn’t allow sentiment to cloud their decision.

Despite the club’s current position, the Liverpool manager’s job is one that can attract top names who can bring a fresh approach to the club. The chance to take Liverpool to where the club wants to be is an attractive proposition to any manager. When the time comes for a decision to be made, NESV must get it right.

Whilst this rumour has been fun for the media, increasingly exciting for the fans and a clear irritant to Hodgson, the truth is that the rumour has grown because Benitez is a popular man.

Liverpool fans must keep the club’s interests closest to their hearts. They need not worry about Rafa Benitez. Deep down, we all know that he will be just fine.

George Dugdale – You can find George on Twitter here.

Do you believe that the rumours of a Rafa Benitez return are anything more than that? Would his availability have been mentioned within the club? Do you actually think that Rafa could be the man to replace Hodgson? Let us know your feelings in the comments section below.

I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of all at Micro LFC, to wish each of our readers a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

Why Steven Gerrard's absence may have shown Liverpool the way forward

When I heard that Steven Gerrard had sustained an injury whilst away with the national side, my immediate reaction was to consider the impact that this would have upon Liverpool’s midfield. Although the removal of a player of Gerrard’s quality will always be detrimental, there was a feeling that Raul Meireles may benefit from his captain’s absence.

The signing of Meireles following Javier Mascherano’s departure was greeted with enthusiasm but only now is the Portuguese international showing his true credentials. Having been forced to play from a wide position early in his Liverpool career, Meireles has stood out in a more central role. Rather than being viewed as a direct replacement for Mascherano, Meireles is better suited to attempting to fill the void left by Xabi Alonso.

Since Gerrard was sidelined, Meireles has developed an understanding with the impressive Lucas. Rather than having two rigid defensive midfielders, as seen previously, Liverpool now have a fluid midfield pair that understand their individual contributions to the team. When one ventures into the opposition’s final third, the other is willing to sit deeper to protect the back four. As a result, Hodgson’s side are looking a far more cohesive unit when attacking.

This system is clearly bringing the best out of Lucas. Heavily criticised under the previous manager – despite a vastly improved effort last season – the Brazilian is relishing the freedom to attack. In the last two games, Lucas has been a vital creative influence, always looking to utilise the pace of Babel, Ngog and Torres by turning defences. Whilst also proving to be a formidable destructive unit in defence, Lucas is obviously enjoying his football.

However, it is the role of Meireles that will be up for debate once Gerrard returns to the team. By studying the chalkboards below, we can see the subtle improvements in Meireles’ game.



In both the defeat to Everton and the victory over Aston Villa, 9 Meireles passes were unsuccessful. Somewhat surprisingly, he completed 7 more passes in the away defeat. However, it is the nature of his completed passes that has marked the vast improvement in his performances.

Since being asked to move more centrally, Meireles has been able to keep the tempo high whilst initiating attacks. From the Villa chalkboard, it is clear that Meireles was successful at both ends of the field.

Working with the combative Lucas, Liverpool’s midfield was able to win a lot of second balls. The impressive feature of Meireles’ distribution in this respect was his willingness to send his team on the attack with his first touch. Although many of the passes within his own third may seem unspectacular, they were crucial in Liverpool’s fluid counter-attacking play. With his first touch – often the first Liverpool touch following a tackle – Meireles would spread the ball wide to Maxi and Kuyt. With two quick strikers willing to run in behind the opposition defence, Liverpool’s midfield were able to capitalise at key moments.

Furthermore, Meireles was effective in the attacking third of the field. The Portuguese international is very good technically and this is clear in the way that he links play when attacking an organised defence. The passes that failed against Everton – mainly passes into feet on the edge of the area – are now finding their mark and allowing the likes of Ngog, Torres and Babel to threaten the goal directly.

Admittedly, Aston Villa’s midfield was limited in the extreme but this should not detract from an impressive midfield performance. The fact that Stephen Ireland has slightly less determination than he has hair should not be used as a way of discrediting Liverpool.

Meireles is very good at keeping the ball moving and relying upon his instinct to direct operations. The last player that Liverpool had with these qualities was Xabi Alonso. Nobody is expecting Meireles to match Alonso – and there are very few players in the world who can land a football on a postage stamp in a neighbouring postcode with the precision of the Spaniard – but Liverpool have missed an instinctive ball playing midfielder since his departure.

Steven Gerrard had his best seasons playing ahead of Xabi Alonso. The captain trusted his midfielder’s ability to provide him with a quality supply and as such, Gerrard remained higher up the field, where he is most dangerous. If Liverpool return to a 4-4-1-1 when Gerrard returns, it must be Meireles partnering Lucas and Gerrard occupying the role behind Torres. It is unfortunate for Joe Cole but Gerrard’s return must not be an excuse to send Meireles back to the flanks where his ability is wasted.

Admittedly, a return to the bench would be harsh on David Ngog. The Frenchman has improved by the game as part of a front two and no longer looks as if he is outclassed by opposition defences. He still has some way to progress but with plenty of time on his side, the signs are encouraging. Ngog and Babel have shown their manager that they are a capable pairing and give Liverpool options should they need flexibility in formation throughout the season.

Game by game, Hodgson’s Liverpool are becoming more enjoyable to watch. Fans are enjoying watching the more attacking, fluid Liverpool and the Meireles – Lucas partnership is a considerable factor in this. Steven Gerrard’s return will be welcomed but the Hodgson must build upon the lessons learned in the captain’s absence.

Liverpool looked a good side against Aston Villa (who were admittedly poor) and if managed correctly, the return of Gerrard and Torres can only enhance Liverpool’s dynamism.