The best signing Rodgers could make this summer
WHEN Sami Hyypia left Liverpool FC for Bayer Leverkusen, there was a huge gap left not only on the field, but in the dressing room and also in the backroom staff.
Sami should have been told he was part of becoming something brilliant at Anfield, and there were even rumours that if FSG were to approach Rafa as manager before Brandan Rodgers was appointed, then Sami was the man he wanted by his side.
Even more bizarrely was the decision by Roy Hodgson not to pay whatever it cost to get Hyypia back from Leverkusen when he first joined, as the whole deal fell apart from a financial backing standpoint.
Sami has gone onto Bayer and not only did he play consistently for two whole seasons (something he might not have been guaranteed at Liverpool), he then joined the staff when he retired, becoming assistant manager to Robin Dutt. When Dutt was sacked, Sami, being the calm-headed but authoritative figure he is, was chosen to be a co-manager of Leverkusen alongside Sascha Lewandowski.
So far it has worked wonders, with Bayer in the top 3 of the Bundesliga and playing some brilliant football. Both managers have been similarly praised for their tactical astuteness and being able to get the best out of the players at hand.
Liverpool simply must not make the same mistake with Jamie Carragher. Carragher knows the game inside out, and in the 700 (and counting) games he has played, has organised more defences than a Vietnam war Major. Carragher breathes football, he lives football, he probably has more scouting knowledge than most scouts do, such is his passion for the game that has seen him win every major and domestic honour except the Premier League title.
Whereas Gary Neville has gone into punditry, albeit whilst coaching with England, Carragher also has the same option. Neville has been a revelation for the Sky pundit team but if Carragher were to follow suit, Liverpool would be losing out on all his knowledge and potential. Carragher is a future manager of this club, make no bones about it, and to steady his progression he should be convinced to join the backroom staff and be one of Rodgers’ main men as soon as his boots are hung up.
Carragher is respected by every single Liverpool player from the under 18s to the first team. When he speaks, they listen; they might need him to slow down a little when he speaks due to his Scouse shrieking, but they listen and take on board all the advice and knowledge that comes from his Bootle husk.
Carragher is the type of personality that will put his body on the line for this club, and will not rest until we are back where we belong. His value to Rodgers goes further than being “the best defender at the club, even at 35, as Rodgers said this week. Rodgers should be tapping into Carra’s experience and knowledge even now, before inviting him to his round table.
Liverpool have lost that local “boot room” feeling that we used to have; Fagan, Paisley, Evans, Moran et al were the driving force behind the managers, whether it was Shankly or Paisley, and as a club so heavily steeped in tradition and “The Liverpool Way” then inviting Carra (and indeed Gerrard too, when he sadly decides to hang up his boots), to join the coaching staff will do wonders for any player, seeing two absolute legends of the club in the dugout or just around Melwood or Anfield, for advice or to help them train.
Dalglish wanted to bring back the ‘Boot Room’ feel when he rejoined the club for his second managerial stint, but he never truly got it working. Rodgers can and should do everything in his power to bring back such a fantastic part of LFC’s history. Carra and Gerrard can be this millennium’s Paisley and Fagan, given the chance.
Hyypia has shown what an excellent asset to football he has become, and Carra can surely follow suit. It might even give the same effect as when Steve Clarke managed to drill the defence into becoming a unit again. Something is not right at the back lately, with Skrtel and Agger both becoming nervous and error-strewn in front of Reina, who isn’t a beacon of consistency himself this season.
Liverpool cannot simply afford to make the same mistake again, so sign him up Brendan for all our sakes, not least your own.
You can follow Liam on twitter @Jolly_Conductor
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February 20th, 2013
This must of already been discussed between them surely B.R isnt that stupid to let him leave ?? omg i hope im right !
February 20th, 2013
The best signing Liverpool FC can make this summer is Jose Mourinho . if FSG have any brains at all they will already be doing the deal in private .
February 20th, 2013
Agreed ;LFC need Carragher’s experience!Having Sami there would be good too,but RAFA should also be brought back!
February 20th, 2013
Why sack BR, he has got us playing better football and we are showing glimpses of how good we can be.
Yes consistency isnt there but we have got a lot of young players and we need some more experienced players who can help with consistency and assist in developing the younger players.
We have one of the best strike pairings in europe currently with Suarez and Sturridge. If we can get just improving our defending we can challenge for the top 4 next year.
Then the moment we get into the champions league we can attract better players.
For now Rodgers is doing well if he can sign: Mat Hummels / Diakate or 2 similar CB’s, maybe Diame to challenge Lucas, Turan and Adrian Lopez then we will be even stronger.
February 20th, 2013
PS. There are no young kids in the team now . All experienced internationals. No excuses
February 20th, 2013
1. Mourinho. 2. Hyypia 3. Rafa. 4. Hiddink . Any of them would do nicely ,but yea we should pull out all the stops to try and get Mourinho
February 20th, 2013
Benitez had his chance, 2 trophies in 6 years hardly makes him one of the greats, what next, bring back Houllier followed by Roy Evans, stop this nonsense, if they change manager then somebody else should be given a chance. Van Gaal & Capello wanted the job last year or if they wanted young up and coming coaches they could have looked at Rijkaard, Klopp or AVB, all trophy winners but they went for BR….
February 20th, 2013
This could be our only opportunity to grab Mourinho – FSG must try . im not saying he would win the league , but he would defo make us a top 4 team again
The chance to lead one of the worlds greatest clubs out of the doldrums would be something Mourinho would love
Anything though is better than Bullsh!t Brenda
February 20th, 2013
yep . Jose will do for me
February 20th, 2013
Guys, seriously when are we all going to realise we’ve been done again? Does anyone seriously think these owners who are tighter than the proverbial duck’s arse would go for a Mourinho or a Rafa? They went for BR cos he’s cheap and thanks his lucky stars he’s here and puts out bullshit statements about the owners being fantastic, when they * him in the summer. Let’s wise up, and smell the coffee, we have a CEO who states for public consumption we won’t sign anyone over 24 and owners continually moaning about financial fair play (as if citeh and the chavs won’t just get a £2 billion sponsorship from their owners for 5 years). Liverpool FC were set on the road to destruction by the loathsome hicks and gillet and the job is being finished off by fsg
February 20th, 2013
Rodgers has 7 more points than in the corresponding fixtures from last year.
He’s already got within a point of Dalglish’s brilliant caretaker run. After the dismal points return of the first 5 games we collected the 4th most pints in the league for over half a season.
We’ve score the most goals in 2013.
Have the most one clean sheets in the league.
We’re near the top of the list for goals scored and clean sheets all season.
He’s getting there, people forget out poor we were for the 2nd half of last season.
February 21st, 2013
Do any of you realistically believe Jose Mourinho, manager of Real Madrid, will leave them and come here?
He can have his pick from United, City or Chelsea so why would he come here?
February 20th, 2013
Yes . MOURINHO or Rafa would be fine . Maybe Carra could be their number 2. Either way we must dump BR asap
February 20th, 2013
Lol . Because Rodgers has given us our worst season in 60 years . Statistically he is the worst manager in our modern history. He blew 30m on total craps in the summer. The guy us out of his depth.
February 20th, 2013
Thats just lies , simply NOT true . Check your facts . We have 39 points from 27 games – same as last season
last season we wer in 2 cup finals , and we DONT have anywhere near most clean sheets
STOP LYING
February 20th, 2013
Thats just NOT true . Check your facts . We have 39 points from 27 games – same as last season
last season we wer in 2 cup finals ,and we DONT have anywhere near most clean sheets
GET YOUR FACTS RIGHT
February 21st, 2013
Where have you randomly plucked those figures from!
FALSE!
Liverpool exist to win trophies and King Kenny won 1 out of 3 that we were involved in missing out in the final of another! We hit the woodwork more than any team in premier league history and couldn’t put away a spot kick to save our lives! FSG made a massive mistake not giving the King another 6-12 months to enable them to accurately measure his performance! However that is now not going to happen so we need to fully support Rodgers! I definitely have my reservations but he is manager of LFC rightly or wrongly so he should have our full support!
YNWA
February 21st, 2013
Needed to add King Kenny bleeds Liverpool Red and has done more for Liverpool FC than almost anyother. People with short f$@king memories need to remember this! He came in when we were near relegation and steadied the ship! As I’ve said above Rodgers deserves our support (for now at least) and at least another 6-12 months to enable us to fully assess his suitability (something the King was not afforded) but for now let’s leave the King’s legendary status in tact shall we!!
YNWA
Remembering our glorious past, looking forward to a more glorious future!
February 21st, 2013
will – everything you said is not true . stop making stuff up . agree with aussie kenny deserved better , but rodgers deserves the sack
February 21st, 2013
I know how many points we have, it’s in fact been the same for the last 3 years at this stage.
I’ve an autocorrect typo that this site wouldn’t allow me edit, euere it says one instead of home.
Read gain more carefully what I’ve said. It’s ll accurate I can assure you
I can’t believe all you guys would accuse me of lying without checking your facts.
Al those come from prominate LFC bloggers who use opta and other recognised stats providers in their research. Check out basstunedtored for examples
Very poor form to call someone a liar with being 100% sure and double checked they were incorrect.
The only decent argument put up against what I’ve said is the exist to win trophies one.
That’s okay if LFC are in the CL. If not its more important get back there. FSG showed us last year how much domestic cups matter towards the health of the football clubs finances and getting back in the CL, not much at all.they are nice to win as a bonus, great day out etc. but CL is where the money is to drive a club on to ever win the league again.
Lastly, defending Rodgers from the vulgar unliverpool like attacks does not stop The King from being my favourite football person ever, so save me the indignation based on your somehow reading something I haven’t written
February 21st, 2013
The fact is you the one who have no brain at all. Do you think the special one want to join the club that out of champion league competition? and how much money LFC has to pay him? One of the reason why BR is appointed because of his cheap salary. moron….
February 21st, 2013
Well said and ALL true
BR OUT- FSG OUT
February 21st, 2013
Rafa would have been a much cheaper option than BR.
Swansea were paid a huge compensation, Rafa was idle at the time and available for no fee except wages.
February 21st, 2013
Top comment Andy !
February 21st, 2013
Cheap managers = Poor results
Poor results = No Champ league
No Champ league = No profit
How dumb are FSG ??????????
February 22nd, 2013
Stop being so biased to Rodgers
yes Mourinho would come . Utd and Arse are NOT changing manager FACT .
Chelsea no chance as RA wont even speak to him
That only leaves Spurs , Liverpool and City ( if they sack Mancini)
Liverpool have every chance if they do it early in case City sack Mancini
iF FSG were smart – they would have it done secretly already
February 22nd, 2013
and it already is a FACT that he is leaving Madrid at end of season ,No matter what happens
February 22nd, 2013
1 – How in Fowlers name can what I said be attributed to being biased towards Rodgers???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
2 – If you seriously think Mourinho would come here, give me your address and I will be around shortly to section you. The man needs millions upon millions to build his squads, you think FSG would sanction that? Along with his 100k a week wages as well? Accept the fact we’re not an attractive proposal to anyone at the moment, and unless we get new owners with A-rab money to throw about, we’re all going to have to be patient. Jose will not come here, it was between Rodgers and Martinez in the summer ffs.