Would This Exciting Triumvirate Fire Us To Top 4 & Beyond?

FOR a lad born in the mid 80’s, the 1990’s was the first decade in which I had any idea of what was happening around me. The 90’s could have been enough to divert me from supporting Liverpool all together, but once you get that first kit on and receive words of direction from family members, the choice of which team to follow is made for you.

Despite the heartbreak and emptiness of the trophy cabinet during those years, there were some truly memorable moments and spells.

The Spice Boy era was one that we will always look back on with regret and wonder. How could such a talented, exciting, young side, never quite fulfil their potential? The fact that the goalkeeper couldn’t catch a cold and the defence often resembled that of a Sunday League outfit might have had something to do with it, but the sheer vibrancy of the offensive play had us all trapped in hope.

For most, and quite understandably, Robbie Fowler was the main man. A local striker of sheer class and personality, the Toxteth Terror soon became a living legend at Anfield, and it was easy to see why. ‘God’, helped to keep Liverpool fighting at the right end of the table with many a beautifully crafted finish. My most memorable Fowler goal came in one of my first visits to Anfield. That stunner against Aston Villa. Turning Steve Staunton inside out before unleashing an express train of a shot past Mark Bosnich, all from 30 yards out. In just a couple of seconds he showed two of the assets that made him one of the most feared strikers around. A deft, elegant touch, followed by a ruthless, unforgiving finish.

Despite this, the player who stole my heart was his best mate, Steve McManaman. My ultimate footballing hero, McManaman’s relationship with the fans was unfortunately tarnished slightly by the manner of his departure. However, it should not be forgotten what a phenomenal talent he was.

The League Cup win of ‘95 was my first conscious awareness of Liverpool silverware. The way he took that game by the scruff of the neck and scored two of the most brilliant individual goals ever seen at Wembley sparked inside of me a love for old fashioned, tricky wingers that has never died. His exceptional goal against Celtic put the icing on the cake. Like Barnes and Beardsley before him, the man was a magician and could create opportunities out of absolutely nothing.

Since Fowler, Liverpool have had temporary striking heroes in Owen and Torres. Needless to say, neither will go down as fans favourites, but for a few seasons, both showed an exceptional talent for putting the ball in the back of the net.

Now to my biggest frustration as a Red. I would argue that since McManaman, who left 13 years ago, Liverpool have not had the inclination or persistence to find someone similar to replace him. Luis Suarez is similar in terms of his ability to wriggle out of impossible trouble, but those situations are often in the penalty area.

The misuse of Dirk Kuyt stunted the team in many ways I believe. Bought as a striker, the Dutch International consistently showed an ability to score scrappy, yet valuable goals. There were very few pretty goals but who cares, they all count the same.

The constant decision to play him as a right sided midfielder was infuriating. Put there for his exceptional work rate to help the full back, the copious occasions Liverpool looked to break from deep with a lightning counter attack, only for the ball to be played out right to a player who was never particularly fast and very rarely a decent dribbler, were excruciating. The attacks often petered out, with opposition defences able to get back and sort themselves out.

It’s a testament to Kuyt’s ability that he was able to chip in with decisive goals, including many highly pressurised penalties. In my opinion, he should have been used exclusively as a striker, not necessarily playing every game, but in the modern age where squad depth is vital, the option of a Dutch international as a second or third choice, particularly against the smaller teams should have been used far more effectively.

I have been screaming from the rooftops Liverpool’s need to buy a dynamic, pacey winger for seasons now. Alex Ferguson’s early and mid success at Old Trafford was helped by the direct trickery of Ryan Giggs, committing defenders and causing all sorts of confusion, as McManaman used to do. Not to mention the likes of Kanchelskis, Ronaldo, Nani and Valencia. Arsenal had Pires, Reyes and Ljungberg, Chelsea Robben, Duff and Malouda, and Tottenham’s recent rise has been massively influenced by both Bale and Lennon.
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Who have Liverpool had since El Macca that can do a similar job? Smicer was more of an inverted winger, cutting in from wide. Gonzalez had the physical attributes, but after expending so much effort in signing him, he was cast aside after a season. Garcia was quite brilliant at times but also was more of an inverted winger, looking to cut in and shoot rather than burst past a defender, get to the by line and cause confusion in the six yard box. Kewell wasn’t the same player as the one at Leeds, Diouf was a disaster, Riera was skilful but had no pace. Pennant was more in the David Beckham mould of being unable to beat his man, having to rely on his (often poor) crossing ability. Downing has not been a success, largely due to his unwillingness to take a chance, get his head down and run at defenders.

I was desperate for someone at the club to get hold of Ryan Babel and instruct him in no uncertain terms to wake up and realise the vast potential he had. He had the pace and strength to pick the ball up out wide and aid Liverpool’s transition from defence to attack by flashing the ball 10 yards ahead of himself and leaving the defender for dead. Unfortunately we didn’t see his hunger anywhere near enough.

So, for the above reasons, I believe that Theo Walcott would be a much needed and long awaited signing for the club. Granted, the lad can often be wasteful and sloppy in possession but he does have the incredible pace that Liverpool have lacked for far too long. Nobody who saw it will forget his incredible run at Anfield in the Champions League that set up the near catastrophic Adebayor goal at the Anfield Road end. That goal came from a Steven Gerrard shot on the edge of the Arsenal penalty area. The Arsenal transition from defence to attack was frightening and all caused by Walcott’s drive and burst. Even if he’d won a free kick or throw in half way through that run, as will often be the case with any winger, the benefit to the team is massive, allowing the pressure to be taken off the defence and teammates to readjust in support of the new possession.

Whether or not his signing is even being thought about by the club we don’t know. Transfer speculation is so often misleading and unfounded so we will just have to wait and see. In Raheem Sterling however, Liverpool already have a player who can do the same job. Whether or not he is ready for regular action yet remains to be seen, but his attributes are key to what Liverpool need. The departure of Toni Silva to Barnsley is typical of the reluctance Liverpool have shown towards integrating this type of player over the past few seasons, but with Brendan Rodgers’ famous Swansea system containing both Scott Sinclair and Nathan Dyer, a return of the dynamic winger could be on the cards. Along with the likes of Sterling, youngsters Jordan Ibe and Jerome Sinclair are showing massive signs of promise and hopefully can be symptomatic of an increase in exciting youth being given a chance at Anfield.

With Manchester City basking in recent glory and with the stability of their manager signing a new contract, it is difficult to see how others will come close to them in the next few years. Currently Liverpool do not have the finances to compete with the likes of City and Chelsea at the top end of the transfer market. This means that a real emphasis on teamwork is going to be key for the Reds if they are to break back into the elite places.

Rodgers has shown his ability to mould his individuals, many used to playing only in the Football League, into a highly effective Premiership force. His exciting brand of football is likely to involve a 4-3-3 formation. Many are expecting new signing Fabio Borini to play in the centre of a front three, with two skilful, probing attackers either side of him. If this is the case, suggestions are that Suarez would appear on the left with A.N. -Other on the right. Whether this will be Theo Walcott remains to be seen. If not, a player of a similar mould should be slotting in there if Rodgers’ Swansea template is anything to go by.

I wrote previously that all I have seen of Borini is his goals compilation from last season. He appears to be very similar in style and stature to Suarez, a pest to defenders, a terrier nipping at their heels. When at Swansea, Rodgers employed Danny Graham in the central striking role. Graham’s build makes him more of a target man than Borini or Suarez and is more similar to Andy Carroll. By the looks of things, it appears that Rodgers feels he can implement his plan by using a variety of smaller forwards rather than a larger target man.

Ever since the arrival of Gerard Houllier, practically every season we have heard that Liverpool are in a period of transition. This Summer that sentiment is particularly true, no more so than in the attacking third of the field. With Kuyt and Maxi Rodriguez exiting, plus talk of Carroll and Craig Bellamy soon to follow, our new manager must be thinking outside the box in terms of how he is going to improve our fortunes in front of goal.

Rodgers must be trusted. He will not willingly begin the season with what he believes is a weak selection of offensive players. Despite the fact that Suarez has not been prolific since his arrival and the fact that Borini has scored only 16 goals in his young career, Rodgers feels that they can strike up a dangerous partnership. In conjunction with the new tiki-taka system he believes that they can thrive on increased amounts of possession and pass and move football.

With regards to Theo Walcott, his signing should be welcomed with open arms; a few years too late, but definitely better late than never.

The early indications are that Rodgers does not want to make too many other new signings. Now more than ever, with an effective new system and the inability to compete at the highest end of the transfer market, emphasis will be on the team rather than the individuals. Rodgers is an intelligent, young student of the game, and whoever he chooses to be in Liverpool’s front two or three will have been carefully selected to fit in with his particular style of play. Let’s just hope that this time next year we are discussing how the team have succeeded in converting possession play into more goals and more points.
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