Liverpool FC legend Kevin Keegan has been running the rule over the club's summer signings, and despite the massive amount of money spent, he believes that Jose Enrique is the only player who has really 'hit the ground running'.
Keegan says that Kenny Dalglish 'still hasn't found his best combination yet', and the former Newcastle manager urges Carroll, Henderson, Adam and Downing to step it up a bit:
"Stewart Downing and Charlie Adam need to step up. Andy Carroll needs to force his way in, as does Jordan Henderson. Of the new signings, only Jose Enrique - who was actually the cheapest arrival - has really hit the ground running, they've all just done okay".
In my view, Stewart Downing has been underwhelming so far this season, and Keegan has also been disappointed in the winger's performances:
"I was a bit disappointed with Downing against Norwich and I think Adam needs to start believing that he can influence Liverpool in the way he did Blackpool. When you go to a big club it's different - the pressure is there, the crowd is bigger, the expectations are greater. Some players come through it. Some don't. Downing and Adam are experienced internationals and if they can replicate their form of last season, Liverpool will be looking good".
At least Charlie Adam has had a specific, measurable creative impact so far with one goal and 4 assists; Downing's end product has been zilch.
Keegan also acknowledged that, starting with the West Brom game, Liverpool need to start putting their chances away:
"Suarez and Liverpool need to be a little bit more ruthless against West Brom. Last week, they should have been four or five up against Norwich.
"Kenny will have got in his car to go home thinking 'how the hell did we not win that game'. But he'll know that, with the players Liverpool have got, if they keep on creating that many chances they'll score a lot of goals in a lot of games".
Jaimie Kanwar
Keegan says that Kenny Dalglish 'still hasn't found his best combination yet', and the former Newcastle manager urges Carroll, Henderson, Adam and Downing to step it up a bit:
"Stewart Downing and Charlie Adam need to step up. Andy Carroll needs to force his way in, as does Jordan Henderson. Of the new signings, only Jose Enrique - who was actually the cheapest arrival - has really hit the ground running, they've all just done okay".
In my view, Stewart Downing has been underwhelming so far this season, and Keegan has also been disappointed in the winger's performances:
"I was a bit disappointed with Downing against Norwich and I think Adam needs to start believing that he can influence Liverpool in the way he did Blackpool. When you go to a big club it's different - the pressure is there, the crowd is bigger, the expectations are greater. Some players come through it. Some don't. Downing and Adam are experienced internationals and if they can replicate their form of last season, Liverpool will be looking good".
At least Charlie Adam has had a specific, measurable creative impact so far with one goal and 4 assists; Downing's end product has been zilch.
Keegan also acknowledged that, starting with the West Brom game, Liverpool need to start putting their chances away:
"Suarez and Liverpool need to be a little bit more ruthless against West Brom. Last week, they should have been four or five up against Norwich.
"Kenny will have got in his car to go home thinking 'how the hell did we not win that game'. But he'll know that, with the players Liverpool have got, if they keep on creating that many chances they'll score a lot of goals in a lot of games".
Jaimie Kanwar
You're very negative Jamie..Stop it please.it is very disheartening. Are you sure you are a Liverpool fan?
ReplyDeleteIts not an overly harsh comment by "Mighty Mouse" but I do think its an irresponsible one at best .
ReplyDeleteMuch as I like Keegan he isnt comparing like for like .
To even question the new additions to the squad while we still have players at the club who have gotten two very competent managers the sack is ridiculous .
He makes a fair comment about them joining a big club & needing to adjust to the expectation & other pressures quickly however he is living in yesteryear & comparing their performances to Liverpool sides who didnt make the worst start to a season in over 50 years & had gotten a manager sacked inside only 6 months .
In almost any other circumstances you could argue its a fair comment by Keegan however in this instance we are a side without a trophy in 5 years , without Champions League football for 2 years & without any European Football this year .
I have watched 90% of our games so far this season & I have been very impressed by the expert , disciplined way in which our new signings have integrated their way into our team .
They look like they have been at the club for years which is probably why people think they are under performing .
Fact is they are setting their ego aside & playing within our tactics which are geared toward getting results 1'st & entertaining 2'nd & as such we have been moving along quite nicely when you look at our fixture list & consider the results already on it & our proximity to the top end of the table while still being in the League Cup .
Personally I dont want to see Charlie or Stewart or Jordan going Gung Ho , Hell for leather trying to put sides away & grab personal headlines .
I want to see them play their parts in a tactical formation that will evolve with trophys into one of the most blisteringly exciting sides in all of Europe .
We can not put the horse before the cart if we want a return to Champions League next season , we have to be big , strong , stubborn & hard to beat 1'st & foremost , secondly we have to entertain .
Personally I'd like to win every game 1-0 as long as we won the league , but in professional sport there has to be entertainment also which is why I'm typing here & Kenny Dalglish is managing LFC .
Like when Kenny took over at Newcastle he stripped away the veneer of so called success , namely lightweight nearly men who could entertain but had no guts & he instilled a steel & grit into them that laid the foundations of a title challenge .
Newcastle fans dont like that , they dont like cake they only like icing & they turned on Kenny , the board used him as a scapegoat , undermined him & cashed in on some of their best players & the rest is history .
He is doing a very similar job with us , quietly changing the happy loser attitude at the club into a constantly hungry winning attitude .
I think he has done a great job so far & I think that although they havent played 10 games together yet that all the new signings are doing fantastic so far .
If fingers are to be pointed its to be pointed at those proven to be content to under perform , proven to be content to finish outside of the European places & proven to be content to betray their manager .
BUT only if it is necessary at all , which I dont believe it to be at this time & fingers most definitely dont need to be pointed at either our young inexperienced players or our new arrivals .
Shame on You Keegan !
Keegans right on this one. Henderson and Carroll are young lads, they need that attitude to force themselves in the squad like Gerrard and Owen did when they came through the youth ranks. A little more arrogance and effort goes a long way for young players. Downing, and Adam are already experienced it is the time for them to step up a notch just like Enrique has.
ReplyDeleteMore player bashing again Downings seems to be chief scapegoat this year wondered who it may be, sigh!!
ReplyDeleteThe malcontent is non rationale when failing to remember:
Downing has been played on the opposite wing and its quite annoying to see defenders keep jocking waiting for him to try an switch to his better foot and disrupt his rhythm with relative ease.
I can see the sence in switching him sometimes but its baffling to watch on a regular basis.
To early to slate just yet more time for adjustment new squad needed, the knives came out way to soon for some.
I agree with brehons law post here also good points there lad,
More player bashing again Downings seems to be chief scapegoat this year wondered who it may be, sigh!!
ReplyDeleteThe malcontent is non rationale when failing to remember:
Downing has been played on the opposite wing and its quite annoying to see defenders keep jocking waiting for him to try an switch to his better foot and disrupt his rhythm with relative ease.
I can see the sence in switching him sometimes but its baffling to watch on a regular basis.
To early to slate just yet more time for adjustment new squad needed, the knives came out way to soon for some.
I agree with brehons law post here also good points there lad,
usual crap comment from keegan, great player, shit pundit and manager.
ReplyDeletehe just comes accross as a bitter man with nothing ever good to say.
how about some of the new signings are starting to gell and will take a bit of time. its not like they have all been bad 2 or 3 games in a row.
thought the plan was were building for the future and a simular team to be together for the long hall with a new addition here and there. sorry (like united).
we cant grumble to much, im sure it will all come good.
this time last year just think how bad things were and it really looked doom and gloom for the club.
I wouldn't call this a player-bashing. It's a fair criticism, and Keegan is totally entitled to his opinion.
ReplyDeleteDowning, I believe can, and will do better than he did so far. I am not sure about Adam.
Henderson improved a lot. It can be seen in his body language. It was like he was constantly guilty of something in the first few games of the season, and now you can see that he is becoming a good part of the game, and there are less of the meaningless back passes, and he shows more positive aggression.
And I agree with what Keegan is saying about Kenny not having found his best combination yet. But neither have Arsenal, Chelsea and Utd. We have to hope and pray that Newcastle starts to slip up eventually, and same for Spurs. Like always... hope for the others to slip up instead of being clinical ourselves and kill off the games. By the time it's a bit too late we will find our killing combination and will be regretting that the season is almost over, and there's not much we can do about it.
Yer time of the month is it eh luv ?
ReplyDeleteI only ask coz er readin kinda weepy & depressed .
Now, now.. no need to get personal. I say what my intuition is telling me, I will be happy to be proved wrong. Hopefully we win tomorrow with a big score.
ReplyDeleteFinally somebody has said how things really are. why pussy foot around . whether we admit it or not kenny has messed up with Henderson Carroll Adam and downing. its all bull about signings for the future. a dog born in a stable is still a dog ...
ReplyDeleteEnrique . Suarez . coates and bellamy are excellent signings
Bellamy our best signing thus far. Can't see any weaknesses in his game.
ReplyDeleteTo play for Liverpool you need to be skilful and mentally strong.
Carroll hasn't shown mental strength, his attitude stinks.
Henderson also lacks mental strength but has the right attitude.
Your name explains all , next time they let you out stay off the internet .
ReplyDeleteNothin personal about it , I never met a womin yet who wasn’t weepy & depressin when it was her "Monthly" .
ReplyDeleteHHa ha go on keegan how dare you criticise KENNY signings . they will come good one day . If you believe hard and long enough then and only then they will come good.
ReplyDeleteHave you not had your medication today , shame on you .
ReplyDeleteWould that be pedigree dogs then in Henderson,Carroll and Adam born in that stable?
ReplyDeleteNo i just believe in King Kenny and things Will turn out alright.
ReplyDeleteYOU JUST GOT TO BELIEVE and convince others to see the light as well.
Sorry I got you wrong , I believe we are on our way back god help woy tomorrow .
ReplyDeleteDowning has been creating chances in every game, he has put in plenty of crosses but no one is finishing them off.
ReplyDeleteHow many crosses has Downing put in this season?
The team has had 151 shots on goal this season!
People are saying Adam,Henderson and Downing are n't playing well, so who is creating all these chances then?
Its us who needs help..but just believe in KENNY and every thing Will be alright. . How deluded can people be. kenny can do nothing wrong then what are Henderson Carroll Adam downing.?? 83million wasted wasted wasted.
ReplyDeleteWhen you grow up you will see that I am not weepy, I am realistic. Sorry for depressing you though. What can I do to make up for that? lol... say that Carroll is better than Messi? Or Hendo+Adam are better than Meireles + Aqua?
ReplyDeleteI'm liking tha cut of your jib JJ !
ReplyDeleteHe's aroused by your approving comments!
ReplyDeletein case you havent noticed were not man city or chelsea so the theory is were building for the future. could we attract players like they have signed for the right reasons. you may also have forgot we wont pay mega wages they will and most importantly we dont have champs league football!!
ReplyDeleteso the players we have are at our club for the club.
id rather see a fellow brit fail and try than some johny forigner just here for the wrong reasons and weve seen plenty of them.
the odd exception in kuyt pepe agger lucas suarez etc
time will tell obviously. early doors. who said everthing would be an instant success? be realistic man.................
but wat red are you.......................?
ReplyDeletetry watching a whole game or treat yourself and go to a game. dont just watch a bit of match of the day and give it all the negative. so fill us in who kenny was supposed to sign? with 83 mill? who would come to liverpool and be proud to wear the shirt etc ?
ReplyDeletewake up
henderson will be a top top player anybody with a bit of a brain can see the lad has it carroll has the talent the physique but its up to him to push it if he does i think hes another drogba with better aerial skills
ReplyDeleteI was thinking more along the lines of you making me a bite to eat while me & tha rest of tha lads get on with discussing a MANS GAME , therefore yer opinions on who has the nicer skin tone or better hair do doesnt affect me one wee bit , I just commented on yer weepy depressing post if ya dont like it hows about ya get involved with THA WOMANS GAME !!!
ReplyDeleteThats a low blow Liv ,
ReplyDeleteI have JJ pegged as an outstanding youngster & even if he isnt a youngster his comments are all very valid & are of great benefit to tha club .
I love it if Adam Morgan could represent us as well on tha pitch at senior level as JJ is doing on here .
When will you learn to punctuate correctly? It's so visually irritating to see a spacing in between a word and a full-stop/comma/exclamation and question mark.
ReplyDeleteYou can suck and munch on my manhood. That would brighten your day for sure.
ReplyDeleteAs least Downing is anytime much better than some of the purchases recently like Diouff and Diao.
ReplyDeleteKeegan is entitled to his opinion, but I don't agree with his criticism of Charlie Adam.
ReplyDeleteKeegan obviously hasn't seen many of Liverpool's games this season or actually attended one, whereas I have. By actually going to a match Kevin, as opposed to sitting in the ESPN studios and being paid for saying something controversial, you are better placed to observe a players all round contribution. I think Adam has settled into the midfield very well and has improved with each game, scoring a couple of goals as well. He was excellent against the Mancs.
Kevin, I loved you when you wore the red shirt, but then you walked out on us to go to Hamburg!!!!! (Who!!!!) and have never displayed any affection or concern for LFC since. Your comments are unhelpful and tinged with bitterness, because it was Kenny Dalglish who replaced you at the club and went on to be part of the most successful side in the clubs history. What became of you? You went on to play for giants such as Southampton and Newcastle, winning nothing.
Go home to Spain kevin and stick yo playing golf.
Are you a pervert?
ReplyDeleteThats just sick .
ReplyDeleteGo & do some housework or something & dont post again until you arent disgusting us with yer perversions .
I can see this Ashfah kid making the Squad too !
ReplyDeleteI'd sit Carroll down & show him videos of Christian Vieri & then compare them to videos of himself for the 1.5 seasons before he joined us , then I'd give him a kick in tha ass & tell him to quit moping around like a faggot , get out on that pitch & fulfill his outstanding potential !
ReplyDeleteSort it out Carroll , yer swinging tha lead ya cnut & ya kno y are , yer way better than this !
If he gave me any lip ?
I'd loan him to Blackpool .
Any chance we could ban this prick?
ReplyDelete