GUEST POST: It's a very long time since I've been this positive about being a LFC fan. Brendan Rodgers' tenure reminds me so much of the Roy Evans era, when pure attacking football was the order of the day; the boot room still played its part, and some of the most talented local players progressed through the ranks. Football is different these days, but the feel-good factor is back, and there are many reasons to be positive.
Liverpool finished in the top four every season under Evans, and no Reds manager since has matched that feat. LFC fell out of the top 4 starting from the 2009/2010 season, and then fourteen years after Gerard Houllier replaced Evans, Brendan Rodgers arrived at Anfield.
The Liverpool ob comes with massive expectations, and after years of decline in the Premier League, Rodgers was always going to be up against it, and this was evident in his first season in charge, when LFC finished 7th in the league, only one place better than the 2011/2012 season. However, there were big positives:
* LFC's goal difference increased significantly.
* Despite adapting to a new style of play, the team put in some truly great performances.
* in the second half of the season, LFC averaged two points a game, which is top four form.
That great form carried on into the current season, and with a mix of different formations and tactics, the positives continue to stack up:
* 46 goals scored so far, which is just ONE less than the entire 2011/12 season!
* The team is averaging 2.3 goals per game (up from 1.87 per game last season)
* LFC are already 11 points better off this season.
* LFC currently average 1.95 points per game, but a major positive going into the second half of this season is that Arsenal, Chelsea, City, Everton and Spurs all have to visit fortress Anfield, where the team has collected 27 points from a possible 30.
Considering the disappointing performance in the three seasons prior to his arrival, Rodgers deserves immense praised for turning things around in just one-and a half years. As for the manager's performance in the transfer market - Some argue that he has failed to consistently buy effective players, but I totally disagree.
* Rodgers has signed a total of 12 players permanently. Coutinho, Sturridge, Allen, Sakho and Mignolet have all had a positive impact, and have a huge part to play in the plans going forward. Toure is another good signing and brings much-needed experience to the squad.
* Borini and Assaidi are on loan and nobody knows whether they still have a future at the club. Yesil is far from ready for first team action and is plagued with injuries.
* Aspas is, admittedly, looking a bit lightweight for the EPL but is clearly lacking confidence. He may need a proper run in the team to prove himself, but right now, it looks like he's not cut out for Liverpool.
* Ilori and Alberto are very highly-rated youngsters, but none of us know the reasons why they're being held back. What we do know is that they are very young and the Premier League is totally different to the previous leagues in which they played. I still believe there is a future for both at the club, so we might have to have some patience with these two. The good thing is that Rodgers has faith in youngsters, which bodes well for their future careers.
* Overall, six of the twelve permanent signings players have already had a positive impact, which is a creditable result. Normally, there are more failures than successes when it comes to the transfer market, and a 50% success rate is pretty damn good if you ask me.
* The loan signings of Sahin, Cissokho and Moses are not that impressive, but they are not permanent. Both Cissokho and Moses were possibly panic buys as a result of LFC being turned down first choice targets (who probably rejected Anfield due to lack of first-team football).
The club showed major ambition by pursuing the like of Mkhitaryan, Willian and Diego Costa, and although Rodgers missed out, Champions League football will allow LFC to attract this caliber of player, and avoid suspect loan signings.
Finishing in the top four is extremely important for LFC this season, and Rodgers is well aware of that. There is also the Suarez situation to consider. If the club does not qualify for CL football then he will surely leave, so it is basically do or die...
Ultimately, the thing that impresses me most about Rodgers is that he never folds under pressure. He concentrates purely on football, and doesn't - like previous managers - involve himself in the club's politics.
Going forward, I see only positives for LFC at the moment. The top 4 is finally within the club's reach again, and all the signs point to the continued reawakening of a sleeping giant.
The future is bright!
YNWA
Author: Loganlfc (Site Regular)
NOTE: Guest posts are always welcome, especially those that take a different POV and/or directly disagree with me. If you'd like to submit an article, please contact JK.
Liverpool finished in the top four every season under Evans, and no Reds manager since has matched that feat. LFC fell out of the top 4 starting from the 2009/2010 season, and then fourteen years after Gerard Houllier replaced Evans, Brendan Rodgers arrived at Anfield.
The Liverpool ob comes with massive expectations, and after years of decline in the Premier League, Rodgers was always going to be up against it, and this was evident in his first season in charge, when LFC finished 7th in the league, only one place better than the 2011/2012 season. However, there were big positives:
* LFC's goal difference increased significantly.
* Despite adapting to a new style of play, the team put in some truly great performances.
* in the second half of the season, LFC averaged two points a game, which is top four form.
That great form carried on into the current season, and with a mix of different formations and tactics, the positives continue to stack up:
* 46 goals scored so far, which is just ONE less than the entire 2011/12 season!
* The team is averaging 2.3 goals per game (up from 1.87 per game last season)
* LFC are already 11 points better off this season.
* LFC currently average 1.95 points per game, but a major positive going into the second half of this season is that Arsenal, Chelsea, City, Everton and Spurs all have to visit fortress Anfield, where the team has collected 27 points from a possible 30.
Considering the disappointing performance in the three seasons prior to his arrival, Rodgers deserves immense praised for turning things around in just one-and a half years. As for the manager's performance in the transfer market - Some argue that he has failed to consistently buy effective players, but I totally disagree.
* Rodgers has signed a total of 12 players permanently. Coutinho, Sturridge, Allen, Sakho and Mignolet have all had a positive impact, and have a huge part to play in the plans going forward. Toure is another good signing and brings much-needed experience to the squad.
* Borini and Assaidi are on loan and nobody knows whether they still have a future at the club. Yesil is far from ready for first team action and is plagued with injuries.
* Aspas is, admittedly, looking a bit lightweight for the EPL but is clearly lacking confidence. He may need a proper run in the team to prove himself, but right now, it looks like he's not cut out for Liverpool.
* Ilori and Alberto are very highly-rated youngsters, but none of us know the reasons why they're being held back. What we do know is that they are very young and the Premier League is totally different to the previous leagues in which they played. I still believe there is a future for both at the club, so we might have to have some patience with these two. The good thing is that Rodgers has faith in youngsters, which bodes well for their future careers.
* Overall, six of the twelve permanent signings players have already had a positive impact, which is a creditable result. Normally, there are more failures than successes when it comes to the transfer market, and a 50% success rate is pretty damn good if you ask me.
* The loan signings of Sahin, Cissokho and Moses are not that impressive, but they are not permanent. Both Cissokho and Moses were possibly panic buys as a result of LFC being turned down first choice targets (who probably rejected Anfield due to lack of first-team football).
The club showed major ambition by pursuing the like of Mkhitaryan, Willian and Diego Costa, and although Rodgers missed out, Champions League football will allow LFC to attract this caliber of player, and avoid suspect loan signings.
Finishing in the top four is extremely important for LFC this season, and Rodgers is well aware of that. There is also the Suarez situation to consider. If the club does not qualify for CL football then he will surely leave, so it is basically do or die...
Ultimately, the thing that impresses me most about Rodgers is that he never folds under pressure. He concentrates purely on football, and doesn't - like previous managers - involve himself in the club's politics.
Going forward, I see only positives for LFC at the moment. The top 4 is finally within the club's reach again, and all the signs point to the continued reawakening of a sleeping giant.
The future is bright!
YNWA
Author: Loganlfc (Site Regular)
NOTE: Guest posts are always welcome, especially those that take a different POV and/or directly disagree with me. If you'd like to submit an article, please contact JK.
Good article :) YNWA Logan
ReplyDeleteThanks :-)
ReplyDeleteGood article Logan! I am excited also.
ReplyDeleteSuso is doing well in Spain so when he comes back it will be like we've signed a new player.
Assaidi is doing well also, if he is deemed surplus at Anfield then we may be able to get £5M min for him if he carried on his form.
Moses and Cissokho won't get permanent deals (I hope not)
Wisdom is gaining valuable experience.
With a one or two good signings this Jan we may cement that 4th spot!
With Gerrard being back, although we did well enough without him, it will surely be a boost. After all he has 6 assists and a few goals for the team, specially now with Allen out that spot is Gerrard's again. Still skeptical about his partnership with Lucas though, not mobile enough.
Hopefully we can beat Oldham at home and finally hand Alberto a start. Playing Teixeira would be good too.
I enjoyed your post mate.
And thanks Jamie for being open.
Ex-Spurs/Egypt international (Mido) has confirmed today on Twitter that his friend Mohamed Salah is signing for Liverpool, he is now a football pundit on Egyptian TV..................It appears the whole of Egypt knows about this deal....... :-)
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeletePlease let this be true! We need that flair on the wing Ganz!
ReplyDeleteGood article, but I disagree with your 50% success rate for transfers.
ReplyDeleteA loan deal is still a transfer; you can't just excluded it from the mix because LFC didn't pay a transfer fee. In terms of consistent, specific, measurable, positive impact on the club, only Sturridge, Coutinho, and Mignolet have been unqualified successes so far.
Rodgers has acquired 15 players since 2012, and that (IMO) gives him a success rate of 20%.
Sakho has been okay, but his good performances have been punctuated by some very dodgy moments on the field.
PS you got the link?
ReplyDeleteMido Twitter!!!!
ReplyDeleteCool! Will check it out now! Thanks Bud
ReplyDeleteI guess sometimes we just see things differently which is not a bad thing otherwise it would be a very boring world if we agreed on everything ;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting my article!
Mido saying that Salah goes straight into the team!!!!
ReplyDeleteGood article logan But somehow i agree with jaimie .
ReplyDeleteGood analysis. I think Sakho has been a great signing...at least as well, if not as flashy, as Coutinho. Yes there have been some scary moments with him, but I could say the same for Coutinho. The difference being when Sakho has a scary moment there is a goal at stake. When Coutinho has a terrible moment it is usually a missed opportunity which doesn't have the same 'stomach-in-the-throat' feeling about it.
ReplyDeleteAgree about Assaidi. He's scoring goals and getting more comfortable. If he continues this pace, he could be that third striker and we could use the money saved to bulk up the MF.
ReplyDeleteAnd Suarez flourished under BR.Got to give some credit to him.
ReplyDeleteRefreshing article. I hope we can get exciting and proven quality this transfer period. We will make top 4! I have NO doubt whatsoever...
ReplyDeleteThanks
ReplyDeleteCredit to Rodgers too for the handling of Suarez when wanted to jump ship. I actually wanted Suarez to leave but things have turned out for the better.
ReplyDeleteNow we just need to make the top 4 and then many doors will open from there!
Salah will add depth to our squad and looks like quite a sturdy player too so if we do sign him then hopefully he adapts quickly to the pace and physicality of the EPL.
ReplyDeleteOn the back of this article it is also worth pointing out that due to Rogers and his team Henderson finally looks like a 16 million pound player and the handling of Sterling, Suarez and our superstar loaned Suso further demonstrates that Rodgers is building for the long term.
ReplyDeleteIt's about time Rogers had his own song - I love what this guy has done for the club. He has restored some much needed pride in the liver bird crest YNWA
A very good well balanced article for this site and then I realised it wasn't Pseudo Fan Jamie Kanlad! Let's see more from this contributor please
ReplyDeleteI concur. Still a good read and some very good points. Makes you wonder why we let go of Evans in the first place..
ReplyDeleteFirst and foremost, contrary to what many medias and people are saying I certainly believe that Suarez will remain a minimum of 2 year and half at
ReplyDeleteLiverpool. The negotiation I believe was like this "Liverpool telling Suarez : Listen, as you could have seen in the previous summer, legally we can keep you at this club for 2 1/2 years. But we want to keep you happy as well. Hence get an increase in salary. And we will consider offers as from 2 1/2 years." Simple. Why would liverpool offer a contract that can allow him to go easily next summer when they made their all to keep him last summer? A big buy out close? Yes maybe after 2 years it can be activated as they know full well that even 100m won't bring another Suarez.
Good to see he is getting playing time and starting to score and get confidence. However, I don't see him coming back. If we get CL place I still don't see him being at the level we need to push on - and I think we will be able to attract better quality. But at least we should turn a profit.
ReplyDeleteHopefully we will see best of Sakho next season - look at change in Mertesacker after a season in the Prem. He's still young and can learn/develop
ReplyDelete'Sleeping Giant rises'; but seriously, which other team in the world can still possibly win the champions league while they're still sleeping?
ReplyDeleteGood point :-) It's only the last 4 years that LFC has been dormant...?
ReplyDeleteAre you gunners or a gunner?
ReplyDeleteHmmm. I don't know. I'm not convinced.
ReplyDeleteI really needed 11 reasons.
Rodgers out.
I find it funny how similar Sakho is to Coates in terms of some of his performances. Clearly both have excellent physical attributes for centre backs. Coates is obviously slow, but being so tall is (in theory) a great attribute. Both are excellent slide tacklers and have been made captains of their respective sides at a young age, which speaks well to their leadership. Both though seem to play well for most parts of a game and then have some type of major brainfart.
ReplyDeleteWhat stands in Sakho's favour is that he is quicker and has more chance of recovering and, generally speaking, is better on the ball. What goes against him is that whilst he is young for a centre-back, he has had more experience than most defenders of his age and still makes these mistakes.
Ah Logan...Our online relationship has been hindered by Joe Allen...
ReplyDeleteBut this was a good read, well done and thanks for submitting! :)
I guess the general consensus is that they've been dormant ever since Souness.
ReplyDeleteYou are crazy man :-)
ReplyDeleteYour article is positive thats good to see and you have done your homework, well done all round also great to see Jamie posting these articles i hope to see more in the future.
ReplyDeleteYep-yep-yep.
ReplyDeleteIt was 50% Jaimie is wrong. Good article.
ReplyDeleteThe brainfart goes for Skrtle too much older yet it still happens. It's hard to be a perfect CB I think.
ReplyDeleteTrue, but if you want to be a top side, you need defenders who keep it to a minimum.
ReplyDeleteIncidentally, I'm not a huge Skrtel fan either!
No CB is perfect, but if nothing else we need an organiser. That is what the sides with the best defences have: Mertesacker at Arsenal, Terry at Chelsea and Distin at Everton.
I agree. I think Toure is the closest we have right now but he is on the fringe.
ReplyDeleteI'm inclined to agree with you.
ReplyDeleteBulk up which Motherf****r?
ReplyDeleteYou're right - Toure is solid and keeps everyone together - shame he's in his twilight. Bigger shame though is that Agger is so brain-fart-prone of late. We do however stack up better defensive results with him in the team - I think that's because he is a natural leader and organises well, getting the best out of those around him - if he could just do that and avoid his own clangers....oh, and not get injured / sold / discouraged by competition.
ReplyDelete