WE’VE probably all heard the one about the Scouser, the lamp, Thatcher and Ferguson by now but there can be no doubt that there was a huge out-pouring of joy mixed with relief when Liverpool’s 26 year nemesis retired last week.
I’m not one to write about or even mention the affairs of other clubs but the impact of Ferguson’s retirement will have a much wider impact that your run-of-the-mill managerial retirement.
In the short-term, the likes of City and Chelsea will benefit the most but in the long-term we may well be seeing the beginning of the end for Manchester United. One can only hope, anyway.
As for what it means for Liverpool, well only time will tell but my biggest concern is that, despite all of us having had the man retiring at the top of our wish-lists for many years, it may have come too soon for Liverpool to be ready to pounce.
Much has happened since the Reds finished 2nd in 2009 and they’ve fallen drastically behind since narrowly missing out winning the title. That season, and once or twice since, it has appeared that Ferguson has been ready to retire but a Benitez, Mourinho or Mancini has always given him a reason to stick around for a season or so more.
This time around things are different – City have been well off the pace in 2nd for months and in truth, nobody has looked like touching Utd since Christmas. He picked his time well, from a personal point of view, as this is easily the weakest Manchester United side in a decade and it’s going to take a lot to improve on over the summer. I don’t envy Ferguson’s new replacement in the rebuilding job he’s facing.
Which is what make it all the more disappointing that Liverpool are in such a weak position when it comes to taking advantage of fact that the Premier League will literally be up for grabs next season.
I’ve spoken many times over the past 8 months about how I believe that, when everybody’s fit, Liverpool have a strong first 11. Sure, there are some players that we might want to replace if better alternatives became available but our first XI has shown that it can match most other sides in the Premier League.
[ad_pod id=”unruly-video” align=”center”]
Over the long haul of a season though, the fact that we’re currently sitting in 7th shows that we’re light-years off the pace, at the moment. The optimist in me though refuses to believe that we’re out of the running for the title next season.
Provided Liverpool retain some degree of stability through to next season, we’ll be one of the few top clubs not under-going major changes.
Moyes is in at United and has a major rebuilding job to under-take, Benitez will be leaving Chelsea and whoever replaces him will have to look to replace a number of senior player. Similarly, it’s clear now that Mancini will be leaving City and whoever comes in there will want to stamp their own mark on that squad too.
Another major out-going is likely to be Gareth Bale from Tottenham, leaving a 20-goal a season shaped whole in a team built around his direct-running style.
Basically, all I’m saying is that, while we’re currently in no position to jump into that race, a good summer of spending and sensible additions to this squad and not being in Europe may well prove to have been the right move.
I have to say, I don’t agree with Rodgers and I’m still unsure of his ability to lead us back to the top. But if he’s still in charge come next season then he really will be under the spotlight as he has a golden opportunity here to gate-crash the title-race.
His claims that Liverpool would benefit more in the league next season without the ‘distraction’ of Europe may well come back to haunt him if our league position doesn’t improve greatly but in my opinion – and this is only that, my opinion – Alex Ferguson’s retirement may well have presented Brendan Rodgers with a chance to show that he has what it takes to knock Manchester United off their bloody perch.
[ad_pod id=’pubsquared’ align=’right’]
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
I think you are right. SAF’s retirement with the major changes that will be taking place in other rival teams should place us in a vantage position as one of the strong contenders for the top honours next season.
Not until we get a decent manager
Is this a joke ? we are nowhere near the top clubs – and never will be until we get a decent manager and some investment
Hear hear!
We wont get a decent manager or investment until FSG pack up and go
I don’t think that will happen in the near future
I am seriously disappointed by the fact that we haven’t won a league title in 23 years, and more so because we haven’t been able to do it while Alex Ferguson was here.
I couldn’t care that fergie has gone . It means nothing to LFC now. We arent even competitive any more
We need serious change at our club. We are going nowhere under this management
It gives us a better chance of a top four finish, but a title challange is another 23 years away.
A title challenge wont happen until FSG sell up FACT. that wont be 23 years. Hopefully 3or 4 and then someone will have the opportunity to turn us around
The only thing Brendan Rogers should’ve taken advantage of is the back door, and quietly leave.
Yes. But it won’t happen. 6 more months and then he will be sacked
See the stupid Spanish Waiter has only gone and “ruined” another club eh? Top 4 from 6th last season Plus a European trophy -pathetic stuff.
Are you watching Aldo, Whelan, Lawrenson and other know-all LFC Leg-Ends?
No doubt the usual suspects will be out trying to convince us that success is actually failure or that the credit is due somewhere else (it was Houllier’s team -right?). Presumably these are the same people who make out they prefer the “fresh approach”, top 8 finishes and European incompetence of Hodgson, KD and now Bodgers – not to mention their obviously superior transfer dealings.
Have it your own way boys. With a bit of luck we could achieve a stirring (or should that be “woeful”) 61 points this season. Enjoy the open top bus tour.