I got up on Sunday with a sense of optimism. It was a feeling I hadn’t felt for the best part of two years prior to a Liverpool match. The last season and a half has seen the club slip inexorably down the pecking order in English football and the standard of football, especially away from home, has been absolutely abject at times. If Roy Hodgson was still in charge for the match against Manchester United yesterday, I would have probably let it out a long sigh on waking up, knowing that another defensive, lifeless away display was on the cards.
Although we still lost to Manchester United, there was enough in my mind to tell me that something was slightly different to previous displays away. There was some spirit. Certainly the players are still lacking in confidence, and the hardworking but disappointing performance by Fernando Torres is testament to that, but it was clear from the outset that they were not going to lie down without a fight like they had done against Blackburn just a few days before. That 3-1 defeat had cost the previous manager his job but any such display would be unacceptable to a personality such as Kenny Dalglish.
There can be a case to be made that the spirited display was down to just the change of manager, and we will come down with a bump against Blackpool on Wednesday night, but I think it is plain to see that King Kenny has an ability to get more out of players. He has that X Factor: Charisma, to inspire confidence in people where no inspiration seems apparent. In his post match press conference and his unveiling as manager today, it was clear that the old flame still burns brightly, and his enthusiasm for the game hasn’t diminished since his last managerial role ten years ago.
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This week it is former Liverpool WAG Jennifer Ellison!
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the away game at blackpool will be his first real test…hope to see some gud attacking football..
awesome article…playing gerrard behind torres was the most encouraging sign to see with meriels beig a box to box player…this would boost the confidence of torres cos he once stated gerrard s te best strike partner he ave ever played with..sad to see he misses next 3 matches…hes not scared to substitute under performing or tired players which hodgson failed to do…he also bought some arrogance and drive which u can notice with his comments..three good signings and we are right in the path to the way back…ynwa
kk
give the player’s the freedom to play under far less pressure and can ensure them the 100% backing of the Anfield support without side issues of the owners or the manager getting in the way. The Kop can now finally focus on football rather than on any other burning issue.
Good point and by far and away the most important aspect of Kennys appointment. Any other bridges we can cross in due course and, more importantly, cross together. Much respect must go to FSG. For the first time in our recent history we’ve directors who’ve displayed the initiative to make tough decisions with the clubs best interest the sole motivating factor. Not just Kenny and the team, I think the board can expect the same level of support from the fans here on in. There were howls of derision from the media due to our perceived lack of support for Roy Hodgson. People have to take into account the journey the supporters of this club have been on over the past two years. We’ve been let down and let down badly by people who should have been working in the best interests of the club. A lot of bridges needed rebuilding. Roy was the man the previous ‘owners’ bequeathed to us. Our previous ‘owners’ knew precious little of what it means to a Liverpool supporter, let alone a Liverpool manager. Our new custodians said they’d listen and I believe they not just have but share our point of view in what the club desperately needed. Anyway, we’ve had enough talk and debate over the past few turbulent months. It’s down to business now. Best of luck for the rest of the season to everyone involved with the club, top to bottom. See you all in May.
What amazes me is the question of “been out of the game for 10yrs”, I know that when I sit down to watch a lfc game, from a supporters prospective, you see a lot of things that you would not look at as a manager, saying that I firmly believe Dalglish knows where this team is, whats required and who needs to stay. I have high hopes that there will be a different side on wednesday and Everton are going to get one hell of a game, be it without Gerrard. Not expecting miracles but anything better that what we were doing under Roy is 100% better. Finally looking forward to watching some Liverpool games.
Losing 1-0 to Manutd was disappointing but I thought the team performed very well, especially if you consider we had 10 men and they had 12 (of course I’m referring to Howard Webb). The penalty was nothing more than a joke and Steven Gerrard’s tackle did not deserve a red card. King Kenny got the team playing some good football and very much motivated the players. He used the correct tactics and was much more positive while his team selection was much more reasonable. Also, I thought Martin Kelly did very well, I can see him being a regular in the future for both the club and England. It also looks like Kenny’s willing to give Babel a chance and both he and Shelvey did alright when they came on. Losing to the scums is disappointing but the performance we put in was good. I can see good times ahead with Kenny.
The return of the king. Most people on this blog have voiced their opinions in the return of the king – me included 🙂
We now have what we wanted so come on LFC our season starts now. Forget the past let’s do this the kings way which IS THE TRUE LIVERPOOL WAY.
Good luck Kenny your return is most welcome and all should kneel before you lol.
If they wanted a steady pair of hands then this what LFC should have done from the start for so many reasons.
One line from the article stands out for me – finally being able to look forward to games.
Come on lads – YNWA
Dont let yourself be fooled by sundays performance. Indeed it looked encouraging, but so was the display against Chelsea and after that game performance went downhill. And how often are we told that wining the next game could help liverpool turn a corner.