Liverpool ended their Barclays Premier League campaign with a whimper yesterday. The first half display was pretty dire but they improved significantly in the second half, and they should have equalised through Raul Meireles who failed to convert a clear cut opportunity with Villa keeper Brad Friedel spreading himself to make a save. It’s difficult to know where the free flowing football of a couple of weeks ago has gone, but it could be attributed to some extent to the amount of injuries the Reds have sustained.
Glen Johnson, Andy Carroll and Maxi Rodriguez were not fit to start while Jay Spearing had to go off injured early on, to be replaced with only a half fit Jonjo Shelvey. No doubt, this had an effect on how the game played out and the lack of bite in Liverpool’s midfield after Spearing’s departure was all too evident. At some points, dare I say it, it reminded me of some of the limp displays that were a regular occurrence under Roy Hodgson at the start of the season.
Still, two defeats at the end of the season cannot mark down King Kenny for the remarkable turnaround he has inspired in the club’s fortunes. Flirting with relegation back in October, and struggling in mid table after he took over, Dalglish’s march to sixth place in the league has been characterised by terrific results against Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City, and a style of football more befitting the turf of Anfield.
There can be no resting on our laurels though. The inconsistent performances of the last two seasons have generally been down to a lack of quality and depth in the team. Although both Kenny and his assistant Steve Clarke, feel the Reds’ squad only needs a bit of tinkering to compete for a Champions League place next season, with the departures of ten plus players likely, a big overhaul of the squad will inevitably happen.
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We are never going to get 10 players in. Players like Degen, El Zhar, Insua and Darby are not missed now so we dont need to replace them.
We do need replacements for Kyrgiakos, Konchesky, Poulsen and Ngog.On top of that maybe 2 wingers. So maximum of 6 players. We need to get our wages down.
@Mike, I’m pretty sure that Hodgson brought in something like 7 players for the first team this summer, and that was in a shortened window, so bringing 10 in to undo his sabotage attempt isn’t beyond the realms of possibility.
6 players in and even more out would be reasonable though…
Losing 1 nil away at Villa with a couple of good chances that could have equalized or even won the game for us on a more lucky day. This despite Villa being on a great run of firm with their best players available and us without 4 starting 11 players, missing several of our first choice back up players and having to play a few semi fit players such as shelvey and with aurelio and meireles recent returns from injury. Forgive me if I’m not too devastated/panic stricken by this result!
now… liverpool must thinking about a team future…
please..
from EPL
1. downing 13m
he have a good ball passing.. more good from young.he can cut inside and shoot the ball from left or right leg.. very good buisness for his servis.. of coz he will get ( NO.6 )
2. cahill 15m
the good defender with tackle and body contact.he can score a goal from connerkick.( NO 4 )
3. enrique 13m
he was matured player.. can oprate wing-back roll.
he know how to sent a ball into penalty box(NO 2)
4. jones 10m
This boy is good to play vs big team. he can on-run shoot. thats what we not have.( NO. 10 )
from europe
1. dsuzcak 18m –
very tricky winger.we must pay more to get her service. more good from matt jarvis with scoring record and assist.( NO 11 )
2. bojan krkic 13m
if we can get him, i like to gIve him PLAY FROM 65 MINUTE ) EVERYGAME. look what he can do..
NO 14
we play like this…
…….johnson..cahill..skertel..enrique…
…downing………gerrard……….dsuzcak
……..suarez…………..bojan……….
………………jones………………..
4 of defending lane.. awful …
downing and dsuzcak will play wide line.. cross or cut inside..
enrique and johnson are both player must defend..and they can play roll of winger.. cross only.. do not cut inside..
this 7 player will give us a new demension.
Shows that crap like Lucas should be sold, not kept
We don’t need such a radical overhaul so forget about signing 10 players. Liverpool just need to sign 5-6 quality players but before signing anyone, Kenny and Comolli should get rid of all the players who are just a waste of space. These players not up to the task of playing for Liverpool and should be sold as soon as possible. As many as 12 players need to be sold this summer to make space and boost funds for new signings. The following players should be sold:
Jones
Darby
Degen
Soto
Konchesky
Poulsen
Ngog
Jovanovic
Ngog
El Zhar
Aquilani (no less than the agreed price)
Liverpool should be looking to buy the following players. They are all relatively young, can still improve and fits in with FSG’s transfer policy:
Baines – quality left back. Very solid defensively and excellent going forward with great crossing ability. Good free kick taker as well.
Moussa Sissoko – young defensive midfielder. Lucas has done a great job but we need one more player in that position. Sissoko fits in perfectly with the transfer policy and a hard tackling midfield destroyer like him is what we need.
James McCarthy – for now and for the future. Easily one of the best midfielders in the league in 2 years time. At 20, he can become a great player for us for the next 10 years. A quality all round centre midfielder, I would have him over Aquilani. Liverpool should do everything they can to get this guy, and before Chelsea come sniffing around.
Ashley Young – for the right price. He will provide the ammunition for Carroll with his crossing while he can also play behind the striker.
Charlie N’Zogbia – I rate this guy highly. Has been fantastic for Wigan for the past 2 seasons. He’s got the pace, can dribble, can cross, can shoot, just an excellent left footed attacking player. Can play on the left if you want him to cross, on the right to cut in and shoot and also as an attacking midfielder. He’s single handedly rescuing Wigan from relegation and is an excellent player overall.