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View from the Kop

Return of the Speed Merchant at LFC?

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I have previously discussed our club’s need for a ‘plan B’. This is not solely having a big target man or a “fox in the box”. This can be a change in strategy, an adjustment in the play when the impressive possession play centred around the instantly impressive metronomic give-and-go merchant Joe Allen fails to penetrate a deep-lying defense.

Sure it’s great having the ball and having cerebrally quick players to implement a high tempo game of keep ball, but what we have lacked since a player with the languid dribbling style of Steve McManaman took advantage of the Bosman ruling by taking himself off to Madrid, is genuine pace.

Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid use the long diagonal ball expertly partaken by the great practitioner Xabi Alonso, to instantly release their pacy talent on the flanks behind the over-worked opposition full-backs. Our rivals across the East Lancs also use this, and have the likes of Nani and Valencia bombing on, causing untold problems for their opponents.

Having players with genuine pace is nothing without game intelligence, but combined can open up the most rigid formation and with the style we are now getting accustomed to playing, sides are staying deep and searching for an individual error or chink in our armoury; then they hit us on the break.

Our outlet has changed under Rodgers, and before transfer deadline day we suspected it might be. Now with Andy Carroll out and our unfathomable lack of activity coming in, we now look to young Raheem Sterling as our ace in the pack; our answer to who can take their man on, run at his opponent and upset our adversaries game plan. If you haven’t seen the video that leaked out over the web from the upcoming documentary of the Reds pre-season trip to America, it’s well worth a look. Rodgers scolds his young prodigy for a flippant off-the-cuff comment and gives him a lecture about respect. This is a nice example of a father-figure not letting a kid think he has made it. This was also reiterated by Rodgers when Live4Liverpool.com spoke to him in a candid interview a few days ago. Sterling still has a lot to learn and if he listens to the right people he will go far.

What we witnessed at Anfield against Arsenal was a Liverpool side with plenty of huff and puff but with little end product. When our main attacking threats of Gerrard and Suarez are miss-firing we are now looking to Sterling, more and more, to make the difference. His spin and shot off the post was impudent, his hunger to attack at every turn was fearless, but support was lacking. This squad is going to be stretched to breaking point this year and without further recruits in January. Any more injuries between now and then our youngsters are going to be pushed to their limits.

We need to be wary of over-using such a talent at the tender age of 17. Previous experience with our former “boy wonder” and fellow speed merchant Michael Owen and his injury ravaged career means he will need to be heavily monitored as his physique will not be fully developed as yet.

We wait and see what we are going to get with fellow recruit Oussama Assaidi, who by all accounts, is no slouch. Please don’t count me as a person who judges players by Youtube, but we can see by the footage (amazingly, all positive!) the Moroccan displays pace, awareness and a bit of trickery – standard Youtube fare for an attacking player I caution to add. We pray that he will show similar promise to Sterling but the jury will be out until he pulls on the red shirt and is given some time to shine.

With the technical nature of the play in the Premiership improving and the wonderful chaotic nature of the game remaining intact, players who can break away from the chaos and leave opponents in their wake is an attribute which will never be obsolete – as long as it is accompanied with a footballing brain (Usain Bolt would be the world’s best if that wasn’t the case!)

Comments welcome.
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I've been following the Reds ever since I set eyes on the majestic sight that is the Kop in full voice with flags aloft, albeit from the television with my dad as a 5 year old in my hometown of Dublin! He would tell me about the Irish contingent, the likes of Heighway, Whelan, Beglin and Houghton, he is a Leeds fan due to his hero Johnny Giles but I had to go against the grain on this one, his 3 year old grandson will not be afforded the same opportunity!
I completed a Higher National Diploma in Print Journalism back in Dublin where I briefly worked for the Irish Independent on a placement, covering Rugby, obituaries (including the great John Charles) and some sub editing. I then made the short journey to Liverpool, where I currently reside to undertake International Journalism at John Moores University. Some will say that over the years I have picked up a Jan Molbyesque native twang but I'm not so sure!
I was also lucky enough to have worked for the socialist publication "Morning Star" covering the Reds at Anfield which allowed me gain access to the press box and press conferences, I covered about 10 games and loved every minute of it!
I am excited to be joining the team at live4liverpool.com. From what I have seen so far the standard of articles have been first class, I hope to contribute to this by publishing pieces which create opinion and debate.

9 comments

  • jonesey says:

    A speedy winger – what like Thompson, Heighway , Callaghan. Hall. Barnes Mcmanamman. Liddel – NO – it will never catch on – we did away with them 20 yearsd ago and look what happened since – by coincidence Fergie usually has 4 of them and look whats happened to them – NO IT WILL NEVER CATCH ON – BUT IF IT DID ????????????

  • TG says:

    By all accounts Assaidi could be a real star, he looks a real player for sure!!!

  • YOUNGR3D!!! says:

    Cannot wait for assaidi’s debut. He is going to be electric. It would be an amazing ocassion if he could make his debut against the mancs at home. Perfect time for fernandez SUSO to show just how good he is aswell. YNWA

  • YOUNGR3D!!! says:

    Sorry to go off topic but, this new “show” on espn about liverpool is an absolute disgrace. Rodgers tactics are being exposed. Our weaknesses will be exploited. Even though they already are. This show is just made to make money out of it. I don’t like the way when rodgers got ticked off by a certain comment made by raheem and suddenly there is speculation that he is going to leave the club. For someone as fragile as sterling to receive these kinds of media attention will surely not be good for his development.

  • Mick says:

    I think Rodgers recognises what we are missing and what we used to use to devestating effect. Speedy wingers who can get passed their man and play some football. We haven’t really ever been lacking in the middle of the pitch, we’ve been screaming out for some proper wingers for years. Looks like we are taking steps to address this issue. Is right!

  • sleeps with angels says:

    I agree we need speedy skillful wingers as in the golden years “Dont let me hear you say lifes taking you nowhere”Raheem could just well be our new “Starman”

  • Wilson Matilda says:

    I’d like to see assaidi and yesil soon. With sterling and Suarez it has the potential to be a potent forward line but they need to be given a chance sooner rather than later. Still have a fair degree of optimism for borini but he’s not a winger

  • J757 says:

    Always thought it was a shame Vegard Heggem couldn’t keep fit the problem of blistering pace is hamstring problems!
    In this country we might not know who Assaidi but Ajax wanted him and the Dutch national team wanted him so their must be something about this player. Sterling and others aren’t really wingers anymore they’re LF and a RF supporting Suarez we are playing 433 not 442 the full backs are the wingers now!

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