The past few years have seen an exodus of creative players who have been replaced by mules and workhorses. Even those who could frustrate the Kop at times could often use a little imagination to swing a game in our favour. Alonso, Aquilani, Garcia, Riera and Benayoun have all been shipped out and not replaced adequately. They were players who tried things, and who were dangerous in the final third. Now Liverpool rely on Suarez and Meireles to pull something out of the bag and for two players who don’t have a year between them in the Premiership that’s too much to ask on a game by game basis.
Liverpool need a model. A constitution which defines what Liverpool is in the long term and how we play and ultimately, who we sign. We’ve a team full of scrappers starting from the back and if you want a team to be an effective unit at breaking down defences instead of breaking down attacks then you need to look at ball players throughout the team. Of course every team needs a bit of steel, all the greats have it. Even Barcelona have Puyol and Busquets, but both can play too. Liverpool have persisted for too long in buying players with no brains and no willingness to adopt the famous ‘Liverpool Way’.
There are players in the reserves and youth teams who’re definitely being groomed in the right way, but by the time they reach maturity Liverpool could be in Premiership oblivion. Trapped between Europa League and Nowhere. The time, as ever in football, is now. Let’s hope Mr Comolli, along with Kenny Dalglish are planning a proper inquisition into the fundamental problems that exist at this club. Dalglish identified it after the Braga game when he said we have no flair, but I hope that despite all the calls for wingers, which is of course necessary, attention is paid to creativity that starts at the back.
We already have the most creative goalkeeper in the world, now we need to strengthen the most important part of any team that wants to compete at the top, the brains.
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INTRODUCING PORTAL 2!
This week it is former LFC WAG Abigail Clancy!
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This is very true, I am not a football guru but plays little these guys are professionals they should have some creativity and quick thinking pass.
On the mark 100%! We need players who have the confidence to play the ball. The majority of players in the current squad do not have the confidence to hold the ball and release it at the right time. One touch football is great but if the opposition can predict the next move, it is no good. Yes EPL is fast and furious but then anyone who wants to play in that league should have players that can deal with the physicality and speed while having the confidence to hold the ball and dstribute it effectively (Essien, Malouda, Lampard, etc. do it everyday)! Thank you for highlighting what is at the core of LFC’s current problem.
Just hope K.D. is still there at the end of the season when he would be able to bring in the right type of player, We certainly need one more quality central defender, we are ok at right back (Kelly) and I think Johnson is a better left back than right and would settle for him there given that we also need to strengthen up front still another striker plus a left winger, as for creativity I am just hoping Juv won’t afford Aquilini.
The five players whose loss and subsequent inadequate replacement is being moaned in this article, were ALL brought in by Rafa, and somehow people still are out with daggers to prove that he was a bad manager.
Agree 100% with the article though, the lack of imagination sometimes in our play is so excruciatingly visible that it pains to see us playing this way at times. The Braga game was pure torture for a LFC fan.
the only defender who knows what to do with the ball is agger he can bring the ball up and he can pass the ball i see skytel and carra every week they cant pass the ball and when they do they just give it away and they so nervous with the ball in theer feet agger is our best defender
Totally agreed with you,carra,skertel,kuyt,cole and carrol are decent player and i dont think even with their passion can help liverpool,there’s no creative in these player,sometimes i really wonder how on earth these players playing for so long and still they only know how to kick a ball high and long but never used their head to ogarnise a passing game.I almost pull my hair out when i watch these so call professional keep on hitting high and long to carrol against Braga,it break my heart seeing these kind of player in what shank dream of pass and move game have end up differently.SAD
very good article,i agree 100&1%