Like many Liverpool fans, Anfield legend John Aldridge is becoming more despondent by the week, and who can blame him? A defeat against Everton tonight would mean four league defeats in a row for Liverpool, and that hasn't happened in decades.
Speaking to the Liverpool Daily Post, Aldo - who won two league titles with Liverpool - put the club's current form into stark perspective:
"If you look at our form since Christmas then it is relegation material"
Relegation material? It sounds like a gross exaggeration, but when you look at the facts, it's clear Aldo speaks the truth:
* 5 league points out of 24 in 2012.
* 5 defeats, 2 draws and 1 win in the last 8 league games.
* Only 6 goals scored (5 if you discount the Arsenal own-goal)
* League points average in 2012 (i.e. last 8 league games): 0.6 points per game.
Let's compare this to the teams in the relegation zone at the moment:
* QPR: 5 points from the last 8 games
* Wolves: 5 points from the last 8 league games
* Wigan: 6 points from the last 8 games
When the bottom club in the league (Wigan) have more league points than you in 2012, you clearly have a major problem.
Aldo accepts that 4th place is now 'out of sight', and he's called for Kenny Dalglish to start blooding young players ahead of next season. He argued:
"I watched the reserves play really well against an experienced Everton side last week and was impressed with a number of the lads. Why don't we give them a taste of first team action?"
I totally agree; this season is a write-off when it comes to the league so lets see the likes of Sterling, Suso, Morgan et al given a run of games in the first team. It's not like they could do any worse, is it?
Jaimie Kanwar
Speaking to the Liverpool Daily Post, Aldo - who won two league titles with Liverpool - put the club's current form into stark perspective:
"If you look at our form since Christmas then it is relegation material"
Relegation material? It sounds like a gross exaggeration, but when you look at the facts, it's clear Aldo speaks the truth:
* 5 league points out of 24 in 2012.
* 5 defeats, 2 draws and 1 win in the last 8 league games.
* Only 6 goals scored (5 if you discount the Arsenal own-goal)
* League points average in 2012 (i.e. last 8 league games): 0.6 points per game.
Let's compare this to the teams in the relegation zone at the moment:
* QPR: 5 points from the last 8 games
* Wolves: 5 points from the last 8 league games
* Wigan: 6 points from the last 8 games
When the bottom club in the league (Wigan) have more league points than you in 2012, you clearly have a major problem.
Aldo accepts that 4th place is now 'out of sight', and he's called for Kenny Dalglish to start blooding young players ahead of next season. He argued:
"I watched the reserves play really well against an experienced Everton side last week and was impressed with a number of the lads. Why don't we give them a taste of first team action?"
I totally agree; this season is a write-off when it comes to the league so lets see the likes of Sterling, Suso, Morgan et al given a run of games in the first team. It's not like they could do any worse, is it?
Jaimie Kanwar
The situation is critical. There is no plan B. Liverpool have looked clueless since Day 1 of the season. Play Henderson in the middle or sell him. Giggs and Scholes can play for 90 minutes but can't even keep Bellamy cannot. Shame on us - no European distraction and we cannot keep up a challenge. Teams with lower budget s have no choice but to blood youngsters - thats where talent is found. We have frozen in that department. Shame on us.
ReplyDeletegreat article again... its not just last eight games, we looked relegation material since start... we were saved by the brilliance of one or two player... hope daglish realises it fast and step down...
ReplyDeleteI would love to see Sterling get some decent game time in the first team. Adam Morgan too. I wonder how Henderson, Adam, Carroll and Downing would feel if these young whippersnappers had an immediate and telling impact on the club's fortunes. Hopefully, they'll get to make their full debut next season.
ReplyDeleteim with u. finally soeone calls it as it is. lets start preparing the youngsters for next season. i would give them TIME TO GEL. i mean ,wasnt his the crap we were fed that the summer signings had to gel yet they all played in the premier league before. did suarez need time to gel ? that how you know class from crap. sterling for downing. suso for adams . morgan for carrol. coady for henderson. . come summer we buy marko marin , shaqiri and cavani. we are good to go
ReplyDeleteI think Sterling is a good player can play in our first team
ReplyDeleteSSack sack sack him ......Rafael benitez back and jobs a good one
ReplyDeleteJaimie although i haven't really made comments I've closely followed these forums and I would really like an article on how LFC official website is closing comments all of a sudden after bad defeats or generally when they know fans are unsettled... I just want to bring it up wanted to comment on the rubbish line up we were putting up for the everton when i realised what do u know comments closed... argh so upset!!
ReplyDeleteHi Yjm - Yes, I know exactly what you mean. The Official site does that a lot, and the forum is run by dictatorial idiots. It's censorship, pure and simple; they just want positivity all the time, and won't allow opinions that don't stick to the 'Liverpool are amazing' party line. Steer clear of their forums if I was you.
ReplyDeleteCant believe Carragher is starting tonight,looks like we will need to score at least 3 goals now to beat Everton.
ReplyDeleteFancy Jamie carragher on the score sheet tonight? own goal
ReplyDeletethanks for the response and the only forums i follow are yours, blecher report and goal.com but alas the times of free speech are dead and gone i guess... all i could do now is hope for a victory tonight if otherwise hopefully it will finally finally open up kenny's eyes
ReplyDeleteIt was thanks to the youth that Kenny got the job last season and everyone assumed that he would give the youths a chance but guess not.
ReplyDeleteFor a long time now there only seems to be be a few defensive players coming through.
Sterling,Suso and Morgan could really make an impression if giving the chance and I think Shelvey is also a far better player than Henderson or Adam.
I’m very dissapointed in Kenny, I thought when he took over people would be played by merit and that is clearly not the case.
Kenny should for the good of the club step down I think the owners are a bit worried about sacking him because he is such a legend.
He has spent more on rubbish players in one summer than Rafa did during his whole reign in charge.
Even Suarez cant be considered a good signing with his shooting accuracy he is a striker after all although with better players around him I think he would improve drastically.
Get rid of that waste of space Comoli too.
Rawk forum is worse. Its like you can't even say one bad thing and if you do, they kick you out!
ReplyDeletecarragher has still got it! his legs may be gone but his mind is just as sharp
ReplyDeleteUtter rubbish. Relegation material since the start? Do you even watch any of the games?
ReplyDeleteI don't understand the sack Kenny comments posted up here. We've already qualified for Europe (ok Europa league, not Champions League but still it is better than last year) and we've won our first trophy since 2006. We're still in with a shout for the FA Cup and 4th place is not out of the question either. That's not too bad if you ask me.
ReplyDeleteConstructive criticism is one thing, wallowing in negativity is another. Whatever happened to fair and balanced comment?
Delegation material? Where the hell does that leave Everton after tonight"s result. Oh ye of little faith. Luis Suarez was involved in all three goals, enough said!
ReplyDeleteWake up dalglish is a better man for liverpool benitez will just start bringing spainish players in and ruin the young talent we've got coming through our ranks.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think of that rubbish line up now ?
ReplyDeleteAre you still up set?
Reina,Arbeloa,Alonso,Torres,Mascherrano,Sissoko.Crouch,Bellamy,Benayoun,Kuyt,Garcia,Agger,Skertle,you wake up.
ReplyDeleteGreat article. I was only talking about this earlier. It's unlikely we will get champions league football this season. Arsenal are on a good run and we still need Chelsea, Newcastle and Spurs to drop a heck of a lot of points. I heard Sterling is unsettled over a lack of opportunities. Why not try and integrate him abit along with the Morgan's and the Suso's, even if it's 20 minute run-outs. Look how Owen started out for evidence that these youngsters can burst on to the scene. I'm sure like the majority of other Liverpool fans, we are waiting with baited breath to see how these youngsters fair stepping up.
ReplyDeleteThe season is far from over, 4th is still possible and we really don't want to be losing games because we gambled with kids when we still have so much to play for including the FA cup.
ReplyDeleteOn the bench tonight we had Flanagan and Shelvey and on the pitch we had Kelly, Henderson, Spearing and Carrol, all young or inexperienced players. Surely it would be nonsense to throw more kids into the mix?
I thought maybe Shelvey and Flanagan would have been given 10 minutes at least tonight, but we were desperate for the 3 points so I can understand Kenny not wanting to take any chances, after all it was 2-0 right up to the 90th minute and Everton still had a few chances on the counter attack.
I think the problem this season with no European games and us never being in a coasting position in a match has been costly for the younger players development, but their time will come.
i would like like to see sterling and suso get some time but they are so young and small that they might get man handled.
ReplyDeletei'd be more happy to see Shelvey and Flano getting a go then maybe give sterling and suso a few 10min sub runs.
but as much as i respect kenny, he is incredibly frustrating when it comes to squad selection and using his subs whether it be bringing on carroll and bellamy for the last 5 minutes or not doing anything at all.
Especially when a team takes a lead on us at 50minute mark and we play the same style for another 20-30 before we try get a goal back.
Aldo could be right. our Puki Mak performances merit it.
ReplyDeletei totally agree that no euro football has really cost us a good opportunity at blooding some young players.
ReplyDeleteoh no guys we won a game, please change this story before everyone comes on saying we told you so and how we are great again.........Remember one win when everyone is getting upset means a complete U-Turn
ReplyDeleteit simple liverpool need to either get a new manager or give daglish atleast 200 million in summer 2012. or liverpool will struggle next year.
ReplyDeleteliverpool problem this season is the same it as been since torres was here, lack of quality strikers. to compete at the top , you need atleast three world class strikers or you fall short. and atleast three world class players on thw wing or middle, and that just to start with.
solution: if you cant sell adam henderson downing carrol and they dnt improve. then we have to just cut our lose and count them as very expensive squad players. but that what they are, and we need to remember that.
daglish with the exception of alan shearer as a shit record of buying players. especially at high prices. why is we teh fans new henderson downing adam wernt the level we need and carrol, but yet liverpool manager didnt.
solution : get some black players, liverpool startign to look like a bnp meeting
m'villa he availble at the end of season 15 million max
marin,diego,sahin, three world class play makers all availble at cheap deals.
lucus.gotze,bastos, etc
cavanai, munian... no champions legaue football no good buys...why aint liverpool playing for the champions league,players and manager dnt seem bothered, dnt they knw champions league football means bette rplayers coming to the club..
if we dnt buy world class , well never mover ahead- suarez will leave and well ust end up buying another world clas splayer- who will then wann aleave three years lata- due to broken promises and lack of ambition.. aint that why torres left..
wake up LIVERPOOL OWNERS. tell daglish to fix up or ship out. stop buying slow un proven players- why spend 20 million on mini when u can have a m3 convertable.
some of you with the carroll comments honestly, wake up will you, he's a good young player for the future, lets face it he gets a good run of games going and shows determination to prove himself and kenny drops him? i dont understand that at all, keep his momentum going and keep playing that way his confidence will come and maybe a run of goals to come with? same with downing, he had a good run of game going and kenny dropped him for the sunderland game, i mean ok i get the rotating side of things because we have much bigger squad now than we did last year but players like downing and carroll are trying to prove there critics wrong and get a good run of a few decent games going and kenny drops them? i think henderson maybe a player for in the future, its clear he's not for the present because he hasn't showed anything what so ever and another thing stop playing his as a winger, he drifts in and out of games, hes just no good there, and for me charlie adam just frustrates me, he can have a boss game and then his next 3 will be shit! poor signing i must say, squad player if that, need some decent blood in summer. YNWA
ReplyDeleteand another thing i thought andy carroll and luis suarez and gerrard where awesome against everton, its clear suarez cant play upfront on his own, keep playing all them together and it will soon come, made up with the result! blue and white shite! YNWA
ReplyDeleteJamie are you related to Glenn Beck?
ReplyDeleteWake up....the current youth system is set up by Rafa!!
ReplyDeleteYou missed out Lucas and Maxi!!!
ReplyDeleteWe spent RM110 mil to win a cup that won by Birmingham in last season?
ReplyDeleteYes we watched and shock to find out that so far only 12 league goals in total scored by the RM110 mil signings!!!
ReplyDeleteYes we watched and shock to find out that so far only 12 league goals in total scored by the RM110 mil signings!!!
ReplyDeleteKenny is installing CM1 and Window 3.11 in his pentium qua core computer!!!
ReplyDeleteKenny is installing CM1 and Window 3.11 in his pentium qua core computer!!!
ReplyDeleteWe must do this over 38 matches.....not one or two!!!
ReplyDeleteKenny is installing CM1 and Window 3.11 in his pentium qua core computer!!!
ReplyDeleteSo much short termism these days. We played well *again) last night and got what we deserved. The majority of performances this season have been good, but results haven't It happens. We have a great squad, great manager, great owners and great fans. Let's enjoy it see where we go!
ReplyDeleteThe reason why we play well and don't get what we deserve is a sever lack of quality
ReplyDeleterafa never had any of the support kenny has got, he also gave kelly, spearing etc their debuts. brought in sterling, suso, adorjan etc to the club. im not saying get rid of kenny and bring back rafa just a bit of perspective is required
ReplyDeleteI have been watching the younger players especially in the next gen series and yes there is plenty of talent there but I feel they are still somewhat off premiership level. I do agree that blooding them is the way to go but I am sure the management know when best to do that. Lucas was critisized for 2 years solid and has begun to show the talent the club knew he has however not every player is mentally as strong as him and maybe the weight of expectancy will weigh heavily on their development. I think we should be looking to bring in a creative central midfielder to play alongside gerrard and lucas and also another suarez type support striker to form a front 3 of luis big andy and another. build a strong squad and allow the younger players to gently intergrate as apposed to pining our hopes on potential and detroying careers before they begin
ReplyDeleteI have read JK column and comments for a while now and you (JK and pals) are lost so deep in a mire of negativity that you are incapable rational thought. You know it is still acceptable to engage your brain and memory when writing this stuff.
ReplyDeleteThe bad performances have been far outweighed by the good. How many times have we had goal chances in the 20’s? Correct...all is not perfect. We are struggling to put teams to the sword when totally outplaying them. But it could be worse, we could be being out played as well. So stop looking at the poor performances (which inevitable come with lack of confidence) and start looking at the defeat to Arsenal, draws with Spurs, ManU and ManC. All games when we should have got 3 points and understand why we are struggling for 4th without it being an absolute disaster of KD’s making. That’s not to say then all is well, but it is not the sort of situation that has you and your pals crying for Rafa (who I would not have got rid of by the way, but suspect this is not the same for some others, JK et Pals, now shouting for him)
The problem is there for all to see and therefore will be addressed (probably with someone from the youth setup) in due course. KD has had to rebuild last summer and it all takes some time.
I am sick of people slagging off the Carling cup. What are we meant to do...lose? If we had, the S"%t storm from you and your pals would have been intolerable. No it is not CL or EPL...but it is better than anything we have won since 2006 or indeed anything anyone else has won so far this season!
Relax. Enjoy the good, look forward to the better and appreciate that we were rock bottom 12 months ago and we are not anymore. Silverware has started to arrive, the squad is stronger (remember the ‘if Gerard and Torres are not playing we were screwed’ brigade...now one gone and the other only started 7 matches this season, not forgetting LS ban and Lucas injury, and still we are doing OK), the youths are coming through (2 on field and one on bench last night) and will continue to do so at an increasing pace.
Now stop giving LFC fans a bad name and cheer up you miserable bunch. I’ll bet you can’t even enjoy last night’s win! SHAME!!!
So somehow we play well because we lack quality. Great insight, wow
ReplyDeleteAldo was only pointing out FACTS. That IS relegation form, he's not saying we're going down. Kenny bought in crap for good money, now he has to stick with it (unfortunately for us we have to watch it) should have bought in decent striker in jan even on loan, how many points have we lost by non existent finishing. Can't see Fenway putting much cash in next season, Kenny might be in for a shock exit. Please don't bring Rafa back either, he made over 80 signings so you would expect a few of them to come off would'nt you? Go forward not back.
ReplyDeleteP.S Fuck comolli off too! Arsenal and spurs did.
ReplyDeleteAbsolute twaddle.
ReplyDeleteAgain, total twaddle. Stick to playing FIFA 12 and Premier Manager.
ReplyDeleteWhat makes me laugh is the people saying "Play Suso, play Coady, play Sterling etc" - when they know nothing about them! Have you seen them play? EVER? We have enough youth in our current squad to be "integrated". Kelly, Robinson, Flanagan etc.
ReplyDeleteIf KK played those youngsters and we lost, you'd all be crucifying him, wouldn't you?
True LFC fans are supportive - not blinkered, I hasten to add - we all know when it's not going well - but constructive criticism is the way forward. In my opinion, that is.