There was a very popular saying, spoken, sung and written during Rafa Benitez’s reign: In Rafa We Trust. Rafa is long gone, for better or worse; that debate is for another day but since his departure, we’ve seen old Roy come and go and be replaced by Kenny Dalglish. A legendary figure; our greatest player and last manager to win the league. Now, that mantra – at least in thought – has carried over and there is emerging a sense among a very vocal set of fans that Kenny can do no wrong. Not so much ‘In Kenny We Trust’ as in ‘In Kenny We Trust Absolutely’, almost blindly in some cases.
For the record, I think Kenny has done a fine job. He has turned us around – more so in performances – and we clawed our way out of a veritable mire in the last 3 months of last season, as much because of the elation at his appointment as from the managerial and tactical experience of him and his backroom team. But either way, he earned his permanent contract and I would never have anybody else say any different.
However, he can not be let off the hook regardless of the decision, particularly during this summers’ transfer window: perhaps the most important for any Liverpool side for the past few years. So far we have made a very questionable signing in Jordan Henderson. A promising young England midfielder, of that there is no doubt. But the fee we spent on him? Extortionate. Like most fans, though, I was prepared to let it slide, trust in the men at the top and keep my mouth shut. If it works out, we will have been vindicated, if it doesn’t, then isn’t that the whole point of potential, of promise? Like a rough diamond, you know there is something there, you just have to do what you can to make it shine.
What has transpired in the past week or so though, has raised some more questions from me than I am comfortable with. A prolonged attempt to sign Charlie Adam is fine by me, he seems a useful player. But to let Jonjo Shelvey go on a years loan, when – in his brief appearances so far – he’s appeared at least as good as Henderson? This makes no sense. Nor does allowing Blackpool to haggle us higher and higher from the initial £6 million bid (if you believe what you read). I believe in signing the players you want and need but not at any cost. And certainly not when that player has just been relegated and has 12 months left on his contract.
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we would have an idea where liverpool will reach next season by the end of the transfer deadline day!it would really hurt if kenny/comolli doesnt sign quality players..and see players like mata,honda,turan who we were linked with such a long time, go to another clubs!
The growing discontent among fans is probably because first half of last season was a shocker and we knew we needed quality. In January we had to move because Torres forced the issue after John Henry had spoken about not being too keen on January transfer window and intimated activity should be more pronounced over the summer.
So now its summer time and we have only got one in while the reigning champions have got 3 in and will continue to buy but Liverpool fans are now resigned to saying lets wait and see what we get at the end of the window despite the manager having previously stated he wanted transfers in early.
A precedent has also been set were we have always not got players after procrastinating too long, remember Dani Alves and Barry. Many fans console themselves by saying such players did not really want to come or were not loyal but forget that while playing for another team, the loyalty lies there. Liverpool has to show they want the player not believe they have a devine right that makes players come.
The argument about lack of European football does not really cut it. Lack of European football did not stop Berbatov and Modric joining Spurs even though teams in the champions league wanted them. At Spurs they also dont pay obscene wages and quite possibly Jovanovic and Joe Cole earn more than Modric.
The arrogant approach of saying we are Liverpool prove to us you want to come works for the likes Madrid, Barcelona and United who have a tradition of winning just like Liverpool but more importantly have been winning in recent times too.
Liverpool is in the same position as another fallen giant in Juventus but Juve seem more proactive in approaching players and showing they mean business which in turn persuades many others they may become part of a winning formula.
Fans are generally unsettleted because it has not been even a year when the previous owners were running the team into the ground so any procrastination raises tension thats been simmering for years but I am sure another statement of intent even on one player soon will calm a lot of nerves. Not many want to go through a season where our top players want to jump ship. Arsenal is in a state were we could be without being careful. all their top players see their chances of winning titles elsewhere which is why they all want to go.
In Kenny we trust….im glad you are not our manager!. Typical B.S here. Judge once its done, not on rumours!
Exactly, well said!!!
Say it once more, Nick! Letting Raul go will be more popular(UNPOPULAR)than that CYANide kit. lol
yes we trust kenny but i am angry here with the rumour that he wants to simply buy british players.why not get mata,cavani or lavezzi,zapata,arda,.why buy downing for 20m,adam for 8m,why let raul go? i hope the old man will not be a returning hero who fails.watch out
Yawn!!!!!!
thot I was d only one bored of reading d same stories everyday.
Carroll should be traing very very hard now – did nothing last season so should be running half marathons now daily. Do not want to see him with a beer AGAIN
Excellent article. It mind sound like heresy but I agree that nobody should be blindly backed and constructive criticism is a basic right that all fans deserve. The mantra that no single person is bigger than the club is still true of Liverpool.
The only thing I would say is that we should avoid judging Kenny/Comolli from the rumours/lies the media are spreading on a daily basis!
Yes pliz
Kenny Dalglish has a tendency to shock people; remember Andy Carroll’s signing? He will shock us again with at least two very positive signings.
I am already shocked by buying Henderson for 15-20 million pounds, who’s next? Adams for 8 million and Downing for 18 million? Absolutely shocker
its amazing weve been linked with so many players and yes some is all just paper talk but we have been heavily linked with adam and others like enrique ,and what have go to show for it a lot of money spent on a un proven young talent ,while our greatest rival man united doesnt stuff as about they needed a keeper they go buy one they wanted ashely young no stuff arsing about got him and central defender got him as well we are way to slow in transfers and thats why we end up payng over the top when we do get of our asses to buy players ,never were we liek this back 30 years ago when we were succesfull ,end of the season we should of known what we needed and who we wanted and bought and put a warning to the teams above us watch out liverpol mean bussiness ,
Transfer window not open yet deals will be done in July start of august let’s make judgements then and no on hear sat if who we might and might not be getting
Youre talking out of your arse lad! Kenny was appointed to the managers position, not you or any of the other idiots who cant wait to have a pop at every opportunity. He’s got the job because he knows a thing or two about the game! Before he came back every idiot who could punch the keys on their laptops were writing him off for being out of the game for too long….. hmmmm how did that work out then? Everyone knows that because weve finaly got our hands on some money any selling team will try and take the piss with the players fee, just like they did with Chelsea and then City… Unfortunatly its something were saddled with at the moment, more so because we dont have euro footie to offer. Mata is a great player with bags of potential but its not like hes only got eyes for us! To get him would be a major coup, especially now Real Madrid have started sniffing around him, so players like Downing could be all thats available, Kenny knows the score and thats what drives his signings. Raul was a great player last term but only when he played in Stevies role, with the skipper back hed be moved around and be less effective than previously, the likes of Adam have been selected to fit in perfectly with the shape of the team playing when all the best players are available fit and ready, Its not BLIND FAITH we have, its comfort in the knowledge that the King will do whatevers needed to get us back at the top… How about writing something helpful in future eh!!
Putting too much faith in a human being who has his own weaknesses….. ha ha ha ha. I thought I was the only one thinking along those lines. Arsenal have done so with Wenger and they have f”k all to show for their blind faith. Kenny is not a demi god
No one is above criticism correct. Man U are Champions and in the Champions league next season, everyone wants to play for them, transfers easier. Kenny turned around our fortunes and the way we played for the latter half of last season, that is fact, acknowledged by most rival clubs. This together with his record makes him a demi-god, Edwin you plum. He has never not delivered for LFC and is in a different category to Winger Wenger.
Will someone please gauge my eyes out so I can stop reading this tripe?
The worse thing is I cant stop myself from reading it because I am so excited about the reds resurgence that these plums will all witness soon. YNWA.
ha ha ha! Point taken
Rubbish article… It is all specultion, BS and rumour. What is this the Sun? I think it is clear that Kenny and Comolli have a plan of who they want and a plan of who they want other clubs to THINK they want.. I think there is plenty of gamesmanship going on!! The right deals will be done ..AT THE RIGHT PRICE!! Keep the faith (or in your case, get some faith)
I stand somewhere in the middle of this argument. Kenny said at the end of last season that we would be getting into the market early so that all the new signings would be at Melwood to begin preseason together (next week if I’m not mistaken?) and so far we just have Henderson.
But, I also think that we may very well see some action next week because as far as I know most contracts run until June 30th so perhaps Commoli/Kenny think they will be in a stronger bargaining position if they wait. Having said that Man Utd have gone out and bought 3 players already in positions they wanted to strengthen so what’s the hold-up?
Like the author I am very underwhelmed by a lot of the players being linked, such as Adam and paticularly Downing. Plus there’s no sign of the vast amounts of deadwood being shipped out yet.
Let’s give it another few weeks and see what transpires, eh.
Although the time we should be judging Kenny is in May 2012 once he’s had a full season……..
Agreed! IN FULL!
It’s the same every year. We only bring in 3 may be 4 players, so don’t expect any overhauls nor do we need any! But we must strenghten in the weak areas and address issues like the Johnson/Kelly issue, because Johnson does NOT belong on the left! I’m hoping that we don’t only bring in English players! We can use our youth for those positions! However, with Wickham now gone and expected for that 3/4 striker, there is a better youth player out there in Adrian, who would cost us less! I know we’ve had a spanish exodus of late, but the best players in the world are from Spain (look at the way the national “teams” play) and eventhough I think Mata (and Downing-not worth it) is too expensive there are options if he’s not bought! Turan, Guardado, N’Zogbia (considered homegrown). The bit thing is, I haven’t seen players with a huge wage bill been bought out or sold! (Jova, Aquilani, Cole, N’gog, Poulsen, Konchesky should all be gone!!! and that will help with buying the players with the money recouped! I trust in Kenny as I did with Rafa, but hopefully no more outrageous buys like Henderson for 16m and Carroll for a whopping 35m!!!..Thats why I grind my teeth when we didn’t take Sturridge (5m at the time) in the Torres deal!
What is not rubbish is that just after getting to a champions league final man utd go and buy 3 new players without any fuss and the blink of an eye!.
What is not rubbish is that the mess that surrounds the club still with the raul situation and the fact that before we can talk about selling our dead wood raul gets talked about being sold 1st, – can you even dream this crap up??
What is also not rubbish is that we have not made a single contact wit mata’s reps – agents? what s that about, if so then we really are crap at doing deals.
What is also not rubbish is that we have signed a over rated player for 16 mill and not backed that up buy signing players that we really need, i.e left back, center half and wingers.
for me liverpool and the owners unless are doing things the old liverpool are heading for major problems, how much longer can liverpool fans stay loyal, every f***** summer is the same, empty promises and the same old crap.
i just hope that there are things cooking if not liverpool will not even come in top 6 next year, our squad is far from getting there. joke transfer window so far, – just disgusting
Strong words from an expectant fan. Red at heart
United have got players they wanted from england as its only the domestic market thats open till july 1st. Weve brought 1 and are in the final knockings of another (Adam)with the possible move of Downing anytime soon. As for no fuss with united, theyre Champions and in the CL next year, a lot of players would go there at the drop of a hat, we’re dealing with Blackpool who we know are going to hang on for the best price possible from us, hoping someone else will step in at the 11th hour to start a bidding war (more dosh in Holloways pocket remember!)and Villa who hate us with a passion and wouldnt give us the drippings off of their noses, ever since Barry saga! As for selling Raul, Id rather he stayed as hes proved hes class but thats the problem… The other DEADWOOD players youve mentioned are not exactly Top Notch are they and thats why were thinking of selling him, because hes worth something and it will leave space for the new signings. As for not talking to Mata’s reps….How do you know that? Have you spoken to him, did he tell you that himself???? Henderson has been bought for the future, next season he probably wont feature full time but a lot of people in the know have spotted that hes going to be a class player, thats the sort of deal we want to be doing, hoovering up all the top future players so that when they do mature itll be in our team, not uniteds or chelseas! Why everyone has to moan at every possible opportunity escapes me, Kenny said Our deals will be conducted in private and theyll only talk about it when theres something to say, so until then just chill and enjoy the sunshine eh!!!!!
Nick, u made a lot of sense, but then, how many clubs buy players for the future at 15m (maybe higher)?
I’ll wait till August before I pass my verdict though.
Well the teams that can afford to will… Sunderland have little choice but to blood Conner straight away but teams like united (£17M for Jones) can afford not to rush them straight into first team action, theyve bought him in to evenyually replace Rio, i cant see old whiskey nose, dropping him if hes fit can you? We’ve been told Henderson is Stevies eventual replacement, again if fit the skipper is the first name on the team sheet every week, Chelsea have done this in the past but the players have never been brought on through. Its the best way to go TBH, weve got Carroll who I never thought we’d ever be able to afford. He’s miles from the finished article but he’s raw and wants it badly and WHEN not IF he matures into what we all expect him to become, thank god he’s gonna be playing for us! The Academy Kids look awesome too, lets face it, if the manager of the worlds most in form team comes out and says that ours is the only one in the world as good as Barca’s then the futures very bright indeed!!!!
Of course in Kenny we trust! I’m sure the club is stealthily working behind the scene under the radar, bidding 5 million pounds for Messi and 20 million pounds for Torquay’s reserve English 15 year old. Remember Comolli said that we will only be going for big time players?
must have trust rafa instead of kk as rafa who build lfc.
You have a short memory… look at the clowns he brought to Liverpool & we still have some of them!! Wise up!
I agree with a lot said above but my key question is why we haggle over 1 million for Adam and take frickin ages about it when we straightaway handed 20+ million over the odds for Carroll.
Some things never change, we take fricking ages in the transfer market faffing about over loose change only to blow our wad on transfer deadline day.
should have signed wickam as delaying to have a crosser for the lazy chap (caroll) very very lazy footballer and what kk has seen in him.Will need a crosser for only him ,will sacrifice all the players for the lazy footballer.I as an athlete think he is a lazy chap like ngog.should feed him ball by other footballers ,why not be like suarez , gerrard,kurt,lucas,johnson,meireiles.
I am disappointed in missing out on a number of players Wickham being 1 are the club going to fork out 40 mill or more if he fulfils his potential?
I will reserve my judgement until at least the end of the transfer window but do not have high hopes, and do consider Henderson a good start.
I’m saddened by the constant bickering on websites regarding ‘LFC fact’. So many fans jump on the press’ rumours regarding stories either about our players or our potential signings. The old Liverpool values have been restored, and our laundry is once again cleaned in private. 3 months ago no one expected our first summer signing to be Henderson, however, at that point he was clearly on our radar. It was a surprise to me, but I’m not expecting to be in the know! However, at this point I understand that the young lad has shown some very mature, promising performances as a Sunderland player and I’ll leave the experts to judge how good he could be, and therefore his value. In time he may prove to be a bargain, or an overvalued signing, but right now my support is fully behind the club. As one of our own I wish him luck, development and success, and in return I expect him to work as hard as everyone else in order to achieve it. With a role model such as Gerrard, he had a great figure of experience and talent from which to draw support and guidance.
With regards to current speculation, leave it at that, and judge the club on the decisions they make and the performances on the pitch over the forthcoming season(s). I for one remain optimistic that the improvements seen, since KK and SC took charge of the first team, will continue. I’m happy to have my opinions, recognising that I’m not an expert, and trusting in the men that are. YNWA.
Nice one Horace, hit the nail on the head with that!!!!!