It was interesting to read John Aldridge’s comments in his column in the Sunday World, an Irish based Sunday newspaper, his comments that Liverpool are in safe hands under Roy Hodgson rather then bringing in a international manager are intriguing to say the least being that a poll two weeks before suggested that 66% of supporters didn’t agree with the appointment, 15% were unsure and 17% agreed that Hodgson was the right man.
With top names linked with moves away his analysis that keeping both Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres in the club and giving them some top supporting players seems a little too late being that most players linked to Liverpool over the last two years are either not interested or have been snapped up by big spending clubs, David Silva being the last player to follow the cash to Man City.
Seeing some of the cash Rafa Benitez and the owners have wasted over the last few years beggars belief, Robbie Keane brought for £19.3 million and sold for £16 million within the same season, regardless weather or not your opinion of him was good was a total disgrace. Peter Crouch sold, a proven goalscorer 22 goals in 85 appearances and many as a substitute and Craig Bellamy, 7 goals in only 27 appearances, all these players had proven premiership credentials only to be shown the door because Rafa didn’t fancy them.
A year ago when Xabi Alonso was forced out, Liverpool and Benitez were offered Wesley Sneijder plus cash for his services, instead they paid £17.1 million to Roma for an injured Alberto Aquilani, what great bit of shopping on our behalf!
So where does that leave us now? The great debate now is that Hodgson wants to bring in experience, great news if that comes in the shape of quality players, Joe Cole, Stephen Ireland and Michael Johnson these are names that have international and Premiership experience, but rumours suggesting “B” players like Steven Taylor and Gilberto Silva that are being touted are a joke and a disgrace, even without us having money.
Bringing back the good old days seems light years away, with the way Benitez was allowed total control has set us back years, the majority of the backroom staff are all Spanish and are probably good at their job but they not Hodgson choices.
John Aldridge sums his article up by suggesting the only way to reignite the passion of the club is to re-introduce the old guard into prominent positions within the club, bringing back Steve Heighway would be a start, what he did with the youth team will not be repeated, but we would need to build on this, Ronnie Whelan and Ray Houghton have great contacts in Ireland, Jan Molby in Scandinavia, Craig Johnston in Australia and Africa, even Aldridge comments on his base in Portugal.
It is interesting to know the longest serving player in Liverpool’s great history was Elisha Scott who played for us between 1913 and 1934 followed by Ian Callaghan who played for 20 years and holds many a record for us.
When will we say in this day and age that another born and bred player commits his self for life, without the lure of money being a factor? I used to think that winning medals was the main reason you look elsewhere but you take a look at Alan Shearer, probably the greatest Premiership goalscorer, he kept faith with Newcastle, rather then join Manchester United. Jamie Carragher will undoubtedly end his professional career with us but the big question is, will Steven Gerrard?
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i am of the strongest opinion that Benitez was out to destroy Liverpool as seen in his consistently high number of blunders in off-loading good players that you have mentioned. He just run out of time in off-loading babel and riera but he was successful in helping to push Yossi to chelsea. He definitely has a problem with creative players.
Every manager makes mistakes… Rafa was and still is a good manager, he will just be doing his thing for another club while we move on with a new vision. However, us fans still want the same thing because we never change what we want!!!!!! YNWA