AS we enter the height of the summer most of us are planning our annual jaunts to pastures new for a bit of R&R in the sun. For Brendan Rodgers and LFC this is a time for intensive planning for the road ahead, fact finding, problem solving and getting to know the staff.
The management will be frustrated that in this important time when conditioning and coaching of their new methods is key they will have to share custody of some important members of their staff.
The Euros lot are behind on their recovery time but more awkwardly are our Olympic representatives who will be on duty for their countries. But is this such a big issue or can we take positives from their extracurricular activities?
Football in the Olympics has had its critics with games struggling to sell out and detractors adding that Olympians should be at the peak of their powers when the games come by rather than having a basis of players under 23 years old and a trio of experienced players to add to the mix. I don’t buy into this mentality. We have Luis Suarez and Sebastian Coates as our representatives for Uruguay alongside hot prospect, versatile midfielder Gaston Ramirez, who the lads can cajole into possibly signing for us. More importantly these players will have genuine competitive games to compete in rather than corporate kick-abouts loosely disguised as mini tournaments. For players who had varying levels of inactivity last year this could be the launch pad they need to come into the season all guns blazing.
With Craig Bellamy getting the nod for the Great Britain set up we can only hope that he has had sufficient recuperation time to rebuild his ageing limbs in time for action. This will be a big moment in the Welshman’s career as it is his first and only opportunity to experience an international tournament albeit not for his beloved Wales. I worry more for Craig as he will be busting a gut to impress Rodgers to show him he has a future at the club. But he is certainly in a perilous position where he will be keen to prove that he is experienced rather than past his best and one of the club leaders rather than an ageing brat.
We will soon see how much carrying a poor midfield through 4 exacting games and extra time has done to Steven Gerrard. He will need to be treated carefully when the hard slog of pre-season begins as we all know he will stretch every sinew and sweat to the last drop in fighting for the clubs cause. With past injuries and the potential for more in his ageing body a sensible mixture of conditioning and rest will be key.
[ad_pod id=”unruly-video” align=”center”]
Glen Johnson and Dan Agger should be bouncing during pre-season after their reputation enhancing summer with a new boss to learn from, this will keep their minds fresh pushing them to push themselves further for next year.
All our representatives came back from the Euros unscathed physically and psychologically this was our major success story, rather than any collective glory, our individuals are our key interests.
Rodgers and co will have a contingency plan to work with less players at his immediate disposal will give him the opportunity to run the rule on his charges on a more intimate basis, getting more of an insight into whether or not these are not just players but men he will want to work with. He has already had a productive meeting with Luis Suarez before his Olympic adventure, opening talks about signing a new contract. While these players are/were away I am sure contact will have been made to them directly or via advisors in regards to pressing issues like contracts, training and diet. For this reason I do not see it as too much of an issue with players being away at these times.
Live4Liverpool is recruiting columnists. For further info contact the site editor at live4liverpool@snack-media.com
Follow us on Twitter here: @live4Liverpool and ‘Like’ us on Facebook
