Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy believes that Liverpool 'lacked something' under Gerard Houllier, Rafa Benitez and Roy Hodgson, and despite the trophies won, he feels that the style of football being played under Kenny Dalglish is what fans should be expecting from Liverpool FC.
Bellamy, who has scored two goal in 5 appearances so far this season, argued:
"Over the last 10 years, the club has won trophies, and we've had good managers who've done very well, but it still wasn't Liverpool for me; it still lacked something for me.
"Maybe that's just my tint on it, but to watch Kenny come back, and watch the football that's being played, it's exciting to be around, and it's something that I'd expect from Liverpool football club".
Bellamy didn't think he would get a second chance at Anfield, but he's glad he did:
"Did I feel I was going to get this opportunity again? Probably not. These things can happen in football. When he [Kenny Dalglish] was in charge in January, I got to see his team and it just felt so refreshing watching Liverpool".
Jaimie Kanwar
Bellamy, who has scored two goal in 5 appearances so far this season, argued:
"Over the last 10 years, the club has won trophies, and we've had good managers who've done very well, but it still wasn't Liverpool for me; it still lacked something for me.
"Maybe that's just my tint on it, but to watch Kenny come back, and watch the football that's being played, it's exciting to be around, and it's something that I'd expect from Liverpool football club".
Bellamy didn't think he would get a second chance at Anfield, but he's glad he did:
"Did I feel I was going to get this opportunity again? Probably not. These things can happen in football. When he [Kenny Dalglish] was in charge in January, I got to see his team and it just felt so refreshing watching Liverpool".
Jaimie Kanwar
Im so glad Craig is back, a true Pro. He is incredibly fit and still very quick, Im amazed City let him come to us???. I agree the football is very easy on the eye now, the club is much more like Liverpool once more!!!!..............well done FSG, KK and Clarkey.
ReplyDeleteI would ask what exactly is so exciting about this brand of football we are currently playing? We pass the ball around but are teams really being torn apart by this "excitement" Craig is seeing. If you take Suarez out of the equation then we look extremley average.
ReplyDeleteVery early days yet, but one curiosity I have is how KD will play if we get back into CL. Will it be the same as now? We played cautiously under Rafa at times and it guaranteed results. Defensivley we were brilliant under him and deadly when it mattered in front of goal. KD is not a tactician - CL football I believe will expose this
And a side note - 08 / 09 - We scored more goals than anyone that season (and also second best defence) ... I would say that was pretty exciting and the only thing we lacked was 4 more points. When we get back to that level, thats when I will say we are more like LFC
The season that we came second was just as much of an outlier as the season we came 7th - neither should be remembered as if they were the standard under Benitez...
ReplyDeleteWe create many chances so stop being silly!!!!!................look at the stats for this season!!!
ReplyDeletePoint is being top scorers and finishing second is pretty "exciting" so for Craig to say we lacked something in previous seasons that we have now is strange...
ReplyDeleteAll due respect but the key players are still about the same. Reina, Gerrard, Carragher, Agger, Kuyt, Lucas, Johnson, some minor changes on the team members are also meant to improve the squad. In fact I just hope KK can do it better than Rafa (or he should) due to money and the supports he had from the owners.
ReplyDeleteStats on creation or goals actually scored? We have scored less than 6 other clubs thus far. It is not the end of the season so we maybe topscorers yet but like I said for Craig to say something was missing in previous seasons when we did achieve that is ludicrious
ReplyDeleteObviously You've never seen a single match of Liverpool this season
ReplyDeleteCreation=goals............without one you can't have the other........as i said don't be silly!!!!...........not many teams create the chances we do!!!!
ReplyDeleteI have watched all of them. And in conclusion if Suarez is not playing we do not look exciting at all.
ReplyDeleteYou maybe missing the point. A player has implied we have something we didnt have in previous seasons. We were the topscorers in a previous season and on top of the table - can we brag about that at present? like I have said 6 other clubs have scored more goals so how are we not lacking something now that we did lack before
Short memories....
So we are more like the LFC we want to be because we create a lot of chances?
ReplyDeleteI would rather be top scorers in the league than be the highest chance creators if that is the basis of your argument.
Again point is we have been more deadly in previous seasons than now - so nothing has been gained to make us more like LFC like Craig has implied.
08 / 09 - LFC top scorers -That is what this great football club should be
Boring!!!
ReplyDeleteCompletely agree, Madness. Creating chances is great but actually scoring goals is what wins points and trophies. If Liverpool don't finish in the top 4 this season I sincerely doubt the fact we created the most chances in the league will be any kind of consolation.
ReplyDeleteNothing for hard luck stories and squandered chances,gentleman. Shoulda,Woulda Coulda are the last words of a fool says Beverley Knight and it's hard to argue against
ReplyDeleteMy point is that you are picking out one single standout season, rather than what has been typical of Liverpool over a sustained amount of years, and that this one season was as much of an aberraration as the following season where we ended up 7th. Just as it would be foolish to look at the last 2 years and conclude that we have long been a midtable team, it is silly to look at that one season and conclude that we have long been title contenders or proponents of exciting, attractive football.
ReplyDeleteBesides, the quality of results doesn't always accurately indicate the quality of football on display anyway
you keep saying 'previous seasonS' as if Liverpool being top scorers in the league was a regular occurence, rather than happening once or twice when the attack clicked over a 10 year period.
ReplyDeleteI do not think that the brand of football this season has consistently been of the level suggested by many fans, but Bellamy's point was about the STYLE of football being played anyway, not the results or number of goals scored. And contrary to your argument, Madness, it is possible to improve performances, play more in 'the Liverpool way' (pass and move, fluid attacking football vs pragmatic, cautious, counterattacking football) and still achieve lesser results than we may have done previously
Coming second in the league but being top scorers was no consolation to me either...
ReplyDeleteI want us to play an enterprising brand of football and become champions - whether we score the most, concede the least or lose the least games doesn't really matter to me.
Jayone, I take your point but you must agree over that period of time we were a top four side, CL football and the latter stages was an expectation that was consistently met.
ReplyDeleteThe reason I pick out one season is that Craig is indicating something was lacking in previous years that we somehow possess now. It doesnt make sense, if we are playing more flourishing attacking football why are joint 7th highest scorers? Where is the end product of this brand of excitement?
I dont buy this argument that we have moved to a better brand of football, IMO we are technically not as good as we were over that period.
dude.. dont forget .. rafa was unable to bring the premier league to anfield, this way it can be said that he too lacked stratergy when it comes to the premier league.. with king kenny 1 thing's for sure... premier league is coming home sooner or later.. and be it CL or any other league... In Kenny I trust!!
ReplyDeleteI am not saying it should count as a consolation - But Bellamy's words were in previous years it wasnt Liverpool for him - I argue if we ended up top scorers in the league then it was LFC as we were the best that year in front of goal bar none, and if you argue about the period we were rated as Europe's top club - this sound like LFC to me.
ReplyDeleteI see where you are coming from, at times the caution taken in some games was frustrating but I do believe we won games by keeping a very tight defence and then punishing in front of goal when it counted, presently we do neither and the stats show it.
Our football at the moment is in danger of being overhyped, it may have seemed very refreshing after the beggining half of the 10 / 11 season. You have to admit we look very frail as a defensive unit, I think the Chelsea and Man City games coming up will be a good test for us but to play an enterprising brand of football and be champions may require a bit more cash - Just look at what Man City have had to spend to get to that type of football.
I was not making a pro Rafa argument - rather attempting to play down the hype about the current style of football we are playing - like I have said take Suarez out of the situation and how do we honestly look?
ReplyDeleteI hope I am wrong but I do not see KD delivering the title - it may be due to the circumstances as when Rafa was in charge the challenge of Tottenham and Man City was not there so arguably KD has a much bigger challenge.
Jayone the fluid attacking Football you and Craig Bellamy refer to was also played by Roy Evans in the mid 90s - they were fantastic going forward, absolutley brilliant but only a league cup to show for it.
ReplyDeleteHoullier / Benitez (as did most of the Premier League) moved to more of a continental style that yes was more pragmatic but did it not bring success to LFC ?
I am a football purist and would love to see us playing pass and move football - but I think what is being played at the moment is very overhyped and I do believe you need quality in order to do that, IMO in previous years we have been technically better on the ball.
I agree, Jay. People go on about the 08-09 season like it defines Benitez's reign; it doesn't. That season was the exception rather than the rule. Still, we scored a shedload of goals, and whilst it's no consolation (If Benitez hadn't made his usual mistakes that season, the league title would've been ours), I'd much rather have that than have chances-created as the defining stat of our season.
ReplyDeleteAgree, Madness. I think you're right about the football we're playing being overhyped. If you listen to the hype, it's like we're playing like Barcelona. A prime example is the West Brom game - the hype over that is incredible; apparently it was an amazing performance, but anyone who is honest knows it wasn't. West Brom are the worst footballing side we've played this season, and they were ripe for a spanking. Liverpool couldn't do it though, and the second half in particular was disjointed and frustratingly inept from both sides.
ReplyDeleteJaime, the latest results of WBA were not so bad. Albion are a good mid-table Club and They are doing well. Instead of put any good things in a dark light, Yoi should try to do your work in a proper way. I can't understand why so many trying to be negative at any cost during these times.
ReplyDeleteSo Often You tried to throw the doom & gloom attitude, but it seems that You're now a new prophet of this attitude.
In add, We're talking about a good side wich is playing good football, I've never seen the hype somewhere. NEVER.
Kenny Dalglish's Liverpool side has played just ten games of the league but it seems that so many called fans are hoping for an impressive failure. Why? Why? Why Liverpool should fail? It's a young team which is playing best football in the league, alongs with Tottenham. Why Liverpool should fail? Liverpool are battling against other Clubs to get the CL's spotlight just now. Why Liverpool should miss the target 100%? Why any sentences are surrounded by negativity? Why? I'm not so sure that most of comments here comes from Liverpool supporters. A Liverpool supporter normally looks at the positives and hopes for the best, instead of opting for a blatant doom & gloom agenda. Too many If follow the sentence: "If". "If We fail", "If We missed the target" ecc ecc eccc .
In my view We can easily fight for the target until the end of the season and there's no reason to doubt it, but If We missed the target DOOM & GLOOM FACTORY SHOULD REALISE THAT WON'T HAPPEN ANYTHING. KENNY WILL STAY, FACT. BECAUSE KENNY HAS 3 YRS DEAL: FACT. KENNY IS REBUILDING THE CLUB: FACT. RAFA WILL NEVER COME BACK: FACT. NO OTHER MANAGERS TOOK THE REINS: FACT. KENNY PLAYED ONLY TEN GAMES IN A THREE YRS DEAL: FACT. THE CLUB IS IMPROVING: FACT.
So, hang up your weapons and try to support Liverpool.
IMO it doesnt make sense not to view our club with a critical eye, you need to understand opinions will differ but it is equally redundant to "blindly" follow this club as it is to surround it with negativity so you claim.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the WBA comments, yes we won but how convincing were we as an attacking force over the 90 mins? I agree with Jaimie on the WBA game as it was worrying to watch against that opposition, a second half performance never came.
Yes things may improve in the next few games, but lets not start saying things like "Its a young team which is playing the best football in the league" under the pretence that this is supporting the club when it is simply not true.
I didn't write that my own Club is playing Barca footie, I think that my own Club is playing good football, obviously the best football in the league just now, alongs with Spurs. So many friends Who supports other Clubs this season often told me that They appreciate Liverpool's football (and They're not Liverpool fans). Any views are welcomed, any views are different, but if You use your views in order to say "ehi!!! We are in 5th place after ten games!! Sack Him!!!" or "Ehi!!! After just one season in a three yrs deal, We're not in the Champions League!! Sack him!!!" for me You're not a Liverpool's fan, maybe You can firmly believe that You're a Liverpool fan but it's false, You're a FICKLE FAN, not a Liverpool fan!!!!!A FICKLE FAN!!! And We don't need a fickle fan!!!!!! So, I could suppose that Carroll & Henderson are overpriced (I don't think so), and ok, They are overrated, and now??
ReplyDeleteNow?? They are two young Liverpool players Who have talent adn They deserve support and love!!!!! I dislike these so called fans Who are openly hoping for a failure of these two players!!!!!!!!!!! We must support every player as a Liverpool fans!!!!!!! Price tag means nothing for me when a Player is fighting with a Liverpool's shirt in the ground!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fickle Fans!!! I hate them, I hate the fickle fans!! I have no problems with different opinions!!!
No one has argued what you are insinuating regarding the sacking of managers etc etc. You should read the posts before you bash your keyboard.
ReplyDeleteBut just as you may dislike fickle fans, I dislike blind ones. We are not playing the best football in the league. Man City are and if you argue otherwise back it up if you can.
77 goals scored
ReplyDelete34 goals in the last 11 matches over 3 goals game
33 goals in the first 27 matches 1.5 goals a game
Why did n't we start the season the way we finished it?
Why play defensively early in the season if we could finish the season like that?
Why could n't we score at home against Fulham,Stoke,Fulham and West Ham?
Rafa to many tactics not needed in the league get a winning formula and keep it!
You could say the same, for other teams?, take Messi out...take Rooney out, take Aguero out.......and so forth. Need i go on?.
ReplyDeleteusually agree with jamies critical views but kenny is trying to instill the old way of pass and move with a lot of new players to bed in and we are doin okay heading in the right direction it will come good it wont happen overnight but liverpool will be back as aworld power we will need more quality players to push us on kenny knows this .YNMA
ReplyDeleteI think the point here, that has been over-analyzed, is that instead of Rafa's more defensive football or Hodgson's plain ineffective football is that Liverpool is at least attempting a more offensive approach. That may or may not be positive, as leaky goals against United etc. have proven, and it may not even be successful in every match, but the fact that KK is trying to win games instead of trying not to lose them must be exciting to a player.
ReplyDeletethe first form of defence is attack and this is what KK and liverpool done for years when we where succesful. we went for the other teams throat from the off. We have been doing this and creating chances, the only problem at the moment is the finishing, but that will only get better the more the team plays with each other.
ReplyDeleteUnder Houllier there were these French players milling around the squad and with Benitez it was the Spaniards and now Dalglish insisted to go for British. In contrast those days, in early 80's Malaysian PM, Mahathir told us to "Buy British last". I, Ashfah for one dont agree with Mahathir.
ReplyDeleteMadness....still waiting, for some sort of a reply?.
ReplyDeleteMy point is that we were always a top 4 side anyway. The difference is the perception of this being regarded as success in recent years (due to the Champions League being extended for also rans), as opposed to being deemed as failure previously when Evans was only managing to achieve those same standards.
ReplyDeleteAnd as I said, Bellamy's comments were in reference to style rather than results. Over the last 10 years or so Liverpool have become known for defensive solidity rather than attacking fluidity. We haven't been able to maintain our performances over 90 mins so far (which Dalglish should take blame for seeing as he refuses to use the subs at his disposal to freshen things up when we continually lose control of games in the second halves), and haven't been as good as some have made out, but early returns show that the team is clearly taking a more adventurous approach to attacking than we have consistently seen in recent years.
yes, and Roy Evans was the last time that I reeeally enjoyed being a Liverpool fan. Definitely under Houllier and to a lesser extent under Benitez I could only enjoy it when we were winning.
ReplyDeleteThe priority for me has always been the league, so this move to a more pragmatic style has not really paid off for me - we were a top 4 team back then, and remained a top 4 team under Houllier & Benitez. Achievements in Europe are not really comparable due to changes in situations over time (most notably in the easier qualification, enhanced financial standing of the Premiership and the increasing skewing of the CL towards the bigger clubs).
I agree with you that a lot of our play under Dalglish is being overhyped though (he seems to do an awful lot of the same things that I criticized Benitez for tbh), but there definitely does appear to be an intent to move to a more fluid style of football in the final third. There's a looong way to go to reclaim our status as the best footballing team in the land