If Liverpool had had a poor season in the 2008/09 campaign rather than last season, the future of the club may have been totally different in my opinion. Not only would Rafa Benitez been under tremendous pressure, but Liverpool’s top players would have had the best part of three months to think about their futures. As it is though, the problems came this campaign, and with the World Cup on the horizon, players have had little time to reflect on their club’s campaign and have gone straight into international mode. Steven Gerrard has talked about this in recent days:
“There has been speculation about my future for the last two or three months, but it seems to have been that way for a long time. But I won’t consider my future or think about what is going to happen to me until after the World Cup. I feel as if I am experienced enough now to park issues like that. If other people want to talk about my future, I can’t control that. For me I am really focused and determined to put all my energy into playing for England.”
With many players focusing solely on the biggest prize in football, their futures have been delayed until after the tournament. Of course, this could work both ways. For some players, the World Cup could be the opportunity they need to shine on the grandest stage, while for others the disappointment of an early exit could not only affect their chances of moving to a new club but also damage their own form in the subsequent season.
In Liverpool’s case there are many players going to the World Cup with something to prove as well as those whose futures are still to be decided. After a poor season, you could say the World Cup is the last thing Liverpool needs, especially considering the amount of work needed to reorganise the squad. It gives Rafa Benitez one less month to really sort out who he wants and what targets he wants to go far. As in the past, potential signing prices could rocket in the World Cup if the player does well but such things maybe the least of the manager’s concerns.
If say England crash out early from the tournament, it will no doubt lead Steven Gerrard to question his future at Liverpool. His desire to win a league title after falling short at the World Cup may mean he wants to leave Liverpool for a better chance of achieving the only domestic honour still not on his CV. The same could be said of Fernando Torres, and he might be tempted to move away from a club that under current owners cannot show the ambition required to win the Premier League. Success in the tournament could have the opposite effect though, and this is where my optimism comes in, that I believe both England and Spain will have a good tournament in South Africa. Final appearances for either team or perhaps even winning the World Cup could give them such a sense of elation and positive energy that they shrug off the sense of disappointment from their club season with the Reds. They may come back from the World Cup determined as ever to make Liverpool as successful team once again.
The tournament could also allow other player’s to shine and to resurrect their confidence after a poor season at club level. If he is fit, Ryan Babel could finally realise his potential and demonstrate his abilities on the biggest stage. A good tournament for him could do wonders for his confidence, as it could for both Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger. It could also allow the Reds to put some of their players in the shop window and provide the club with much needed cash to spend on new players in the close season. If he is still intent on leaving, a good tournament by Argentinean captain Javier Mascherano could up his valuation by £10-15m giving the Reds a much needed boost in transfer funds.
It is of course speculating to the extreme what will happen after the World Cup as a variety of different circumstances after the tournament could lead to a manner of different results. However, for me, the World Cup is a wildcard that throws a spanner into the works to any club’s ambitions to buying one of our players, and rather than having a month of June with rampant speculation of players’ futures, it will be delayed for a while and by that time the attitude of players and clubs might have changed. It could well be a piece of good fortune for Liverpool FC.
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why all the speculation gerrard said hed be here for atleast the next 3 seasons who was actually surprised when a journalist asked him whether hed be here. yet the bbc and some papers decide to edit it out. same with mascherano he said all year long how the only club hell go to after liverpool is boca jrs or river plate one or the other an thats when hed finished same with torres hes not going anywhere.
still baging on about selling mascherano,,, do you not get it,, thats not the right direction to go to… what is it with you? we sell our best players and a signal that sends out the wrong image about lfc, its hard getting players to the club as it is? sell masch! another joke,,, yes if he wants go , then go, but we should be keeping our star names,,,, he is captain of argentina,,,,what type of message does that signal to other players from that part of the world…… its time we go forward and that means keeping the good players adding 4-5 top class players, thats why we hate the yanks, because its sell to buy, no top club does that,,, so do you really know why and what we are fed up with?
Feeling mighty optimistic there David. You hit bulls eye when you said “speculation to the extreme”. However i have to disagree, first and foremost our beloved club is still in dire financial state because those two greedy idiot Yanks is taking their time selling our club. Secondly, we’re still not going to be in the Champs League next season and regardless of the WC results, it will be hard to get back to top four especially if we have to compete with the bottom less financial power of Man City. It will be hard and i hope i wake up one day & found out some rich oil tycoon have bought LFC. Then only then i can smile again.
Sell Mascherano? Are you insane – not only is that the last thing we need but it would defo ensure Lucas starts every game next season, in that very role. That would not be good.
Gerrard & Torres have indicated pretty strongly that they are staying (one more season anyway in my humble opinion) so the tide is with us – keep Mascherano ditch Yossi,Babel and Riera & go for broke on the top players we need (David Silva/Mata etc)