Inconsistency is a word that is, unfortunately, now synonymous with Liverpool Football Club. It ranks alongside history, tradition and success. In all fairness, over the last five or so years it has probably replaced the latter of the above trio.
From less than enthralling purchases, disappointing departures and a near fall to extinction due to a catastrophic borrowing fiasco from the deadly duo of Tom Hicks and George Gillett, the club has been on a steady decline in terms of performances and competition finishes (a few obvious anomalies aside).
The task of returning Liverpool to challenging at the summit of the Premier League, along with fiercely fighting for silverware in domestic and European cup competitions, has now fallen to one of the super-coaches in world football today in Jürgen Norbert Klopp. The man who led Borussia Dortmund to back-to-back Bundesliga titles and a Champions League final appearance is now entrusted with building a strong enough squad to make a trip to Anfield something of a nightmare for opposition sides. Although his biggest challenge of all will be to rid the club of the inconsistencies that have lumbered them for many seasons.
We’ve already seen a slight shift in playing style and mentality in his short few months in charge. We no longer attempt to play fluid, possession based football that was the norm under Brendan Rodgers. This style was aesthetically pleasing, and completely unstoppable in 2013/14, but when we lost Luis Suarez to Barcelona and Daniel Sturridge to injury, this style became completely toothless.
The team looked lost in possession and void of any creativity due to a disappearance of movement at the top end of the pitch. Klopp has introduced a much more aggressive style to our play, with less emphasis on maintaining possession. The team do still control games, as would be expected from a Liverpool side, but it’s not as stale and frustrating.
The biggest adjustment is we now look a lot more dangerous on the counter attack. Even from Klopp’s first game in charge against Spurs, we saw the pressing and organisation – foundations to win the ball back high up the pitch in place, which shows he can get his point across to his players. This increased reliance on solid defending and organisation to allow our counter attacking to blossom will need dedication. I have no doubt Klopp & co. will easily be able to coach this into the squad, but their playing staff will need to be upgraded.
The departures of Jamie Carragher, Xabi Alonso, Pepe Reina, Javier Mascherano, Fernando Torres, Suarez and Steven Gerrard over the last few seasons have demolished the previous spine of the team. The last Liverpool team that was a real force domestically and in Europe.
Let’s compare that to our current full strength spine of Simon Mignolet, Mamadou Sakho, Dejan Lovren, Jordan Henderson, Emre Can, James Milner, Sturridge. The biggest difference in those two lists is without doubt the goalkeeper. Mignolet strikes fear and worry into us supporters, so imagine what sort of feeling he emits to his team mates.
I wouldn’t put my worst enemy through 90 minutes of playing at centre-half with Mignolet in goal behind them. He’s currently ranked the 13th best goalkeeper overall in the Premier League by squawka.com, which is pretty embarrassing for a Liverpool stopper. It’s an obvious area that needs improving with a new acquisition this summer. That will almost certainly work to aid more consistent performances.
In terms of the rest of the spine, the alliance of Sakho and Lovren at centre-back is developing attractively. I’ve always said once Mamadou develops his English to a fluent level he’d lead us at the back. The apparent rebirth of Lovren beside him, along with no Martin Skrtel, gives me tremendous optimism. In midfield, I’d love to see us go after Miralem Pjanic. I really rate him, maybe not defensively, but he’d add another dimension to our side going forward.
I can see Emre Can being a stalwart in this Klopp side who will develop over a couple of seasons into a top central midfielder. Rumours of Mario Gotze are definitely mouthwatering, but I’m afraid they will probably stay as just that – rumours. In attack, with Danny Ings to return from injury on top of Sturridge and Divock Origi (I don’t see Benteke being a Liverpool player next season), I don’t see us buying a big name striker to lead the pack, but we may add one striker to our ranks. That does depend on Sturridge staying fit and also staying put, considering the PSG rumours recently.
I want you to now think about Liverpool’s most expensive transfers. Try not to sob at the amount of money we have squandered on mediocre footballers. Players in this list include Robbie Keane, Alberto Aquilani, Mario Balotelli, Stewart Downing et al. Top of the list is Andy Carroll. Yes, Liverpool’s most expensive transfer of all time is Andy Carroll. Now, compare it to the list of players who shattered our hearts into tiny pieces when they left for big bucks. Literally heartbraking. This must change. If Klopp is to be king of the Kop, he must sign big players. We cannot afford any more second-rate, uninspired, inferior players leaning against walls at Melwood. Big players bring excitement, which will get the fans behind the team, something we’re begging for at Anfield in Premier League games against the ‘lesser’ teams where we tend to struggle. Big ask though.
It’s not going to be an easy task for our new(ish) manager. A few have failed in recent years, even after coming close. He has a great reputation and is probably the best manager we’ve had since Benitez (no offence to Brendan Rodgers, who, regardless of what is though of him now, done a brilliant job over three years and gave his all to help us succeed). One thing is for certain about Klopp’s reign though; if he can’t get this club lifting the Premier League title and competing seriously in the Champions league, I doubt anybody ever will. No pressure, Jürgen. Good luck.
Comments.
Loading comments…