It’s OK To Have Hopes & Dreams…But Don’t Forget The Realism

THE international break (yawn) is upon us again, meaning that we’ve had no Premier League action to look forward to. We’ve also, from the usual outlets, had to listen to how wonderful England are, and what a “nice man” or “great coach” Roy Hodgson is, after England trounced those World beaters from San Marino. Oh, what to do…

Alternatively, if the thought of that nauseates you as much as it does me, we can talk about Liverpool Football Club, the season so far, the season yet to unfold and realistic hopes for the future.

Much more interesting eh? I should like to think so.

Before the Stoke game I wrote an article, published on this site, which flowed on a tide of optimism for the future – this season and beyond – based on what I’d seen from Brendan Rodgers and his “group” over the course of the three months since pre-season began in North America. Whilst many fans share my feeling of hope and understand the reasons that underpin it, some clearly don’t, and see Brendan Rodgers’s side as “the worst Liverpool side in years”.

Everyone is, of course, entitled to their own opinion, and looking at the early season league table (if you wish to pay credence to it after less than a fifth of the fixtures have taken place), we can perhaps see why some fans hold this pessimistic outlook. The Stoke result added fuel to this particular furnace of melancholy frustration, however it still remains obvious, to me at least, that fans are right to be optimistic because the future appears bright.

Why is this my contention? Looking back to the summer, Liverpool Football Club were saddled with a number of high-earning players who, for different reasons, were no longer of use to the club and were hogging the wage bill. Aurelio, Aquilani, Kuyt, were all moved on and their wages cleared off the books. Carroll was moved on because Rodgers didn’t fancy him one bit and he was high earner, Maxi and Bellamy were allowed to return home for personal reasons – both were great players and might have helped Rodgers’ “group”, but both were also over 30 and on big wages so it cuts both ways.

The wages being freed up and the squad thinned out meant that new contracts were able to be offered to some of our best players. Suarez was tied down to a deal worthy of a player of his stature, as was Skrtel – the fans’ Player of the Year last season – and now Daniel Agger, who many feel is one of the best centre-backs in the world, has penned a new deal committing himself to the club. Some of our best young talent was also recognised, with new a new contract for Jonjo Shelvey – a player who has come on by leaps and bounds in the last year – and now Suso, who is set to sign an improved deal.

Most of the work done in the transfer market has also proved to carry wisdom. Joe Allen has proved to be an excellent addition to the group and will, no doubt, go on to be a vital cog in the Liverpool machine over the coming years. Nuri Sahin, although initially a loan deal, has begun to show his class in the centre of the pitch as well as displaying a handy knack for arriving late in the box to score goals, a la Maxi. Oussama Assaidi, who’s been used sparingly so far, has displayed good pace and strength, excellent dribbling skills, a willingness to take on his man and the ability to look up before crossing the ball – something so often lacking from our wingers in recent years. The only new signing not to have made a real impact in the Premier League yet is Fabio Borini. It has been tough for the Italian, who’s often been forced to play slightly out of position, however he has scored Europa League goals and has been denied by some good goalkeeping in the Premier League. The goals will come for the 21 year old, of that I am in no doubt, his movement is excellent and his shooting accurate, it will just be a matter of time.

So, onto the downside of the transfer window and Liverpool’s failure to sign a striker after letting Andy Carroll move to West Ham on loan. The malaise surrounding the club and particularly the fanbase following the deadline day disappointments was palpable. The performance against Arsenal in the following game was fitting, as the whole occasion summed up the mood around the Anfield club in an elegantly succinct manner: doom and gloom. On that day things were looking bad, there can be no question about that. The squad looked thin, the attacking options scant and it seemed as if the senior players simply were not getting Rodgers’s message; however, what has come since has been a breath of fresh air.

The blossoming of Raheem Sterling into a regular first team player, the seamless step-up of Suso, the introduction of Wisdom, the “Europa team” battering Young Boys and then becoming the only team, so far this season, to win at the Hawthorns. In fact, the “second string” has done so well that many have made their way into the first team. LFC has become a meritocracy with competition for places – this is what Rodgers means when he speaks in terms of the group. Are we short a striker? Arguably, however since the Arsenal defeat LFC have registered sixteen goals in seven games – not too shabby at all. Are we conceding too many goals? Yes, we look vulnerable on the counter-attack there’s no doubt about that, but in the area we’re missing Lucas – his return to full fitness can’t come quickly enough.
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In the Premier League too, the performances have been excellent, the domination of games has been there for all to see. The philosophy is coming to fruition, thanks in no small part to the youngsters coming through, and it looks like the senior players are all buying into it now too. Some fans were very disheartened by the Stoke result, seeing it as a step backwards. I can see their point of view but, again, I’d beg to differ. Leaving aside the weakness and general ineptitude of Lee Mason, Liverpool should have won that game.

Control of possession was almost absolute for large periods of the game, enough clear cut chances were created to win the game-bearing in mind that one goal was always going to be enough. Perhaps a worrying point was that the build-up play became more rushed as the game progressed, which defeats the purpose of the system and played into Stoke hands at points. However the crowd inside Anfield must take a healthy proportion of the blame for that. They must be more patient and allow the team to build-up methodically, even late in games, because when teams defend deep against you and try and cling on for a draw the latter stages are when the system really comes into its own.

How many games have Spain won 1-0 over the years, scoring late on when the other side is knackered, mentally drained and consequently slower or out of position? I can think of the semi-final and final in the last World Cup, and against the Czechs in arguably their biggest test of Euro 2012, just off the top of my head.

What is plain to see when looking at the Stoke match is that they were scared of us and not just a little – they were petrified! That’s why they used any and all means necessary to stop us playing and that’s why they made no effort to come forward after the first fifteen minutes; they knew they’d be torn to shreds if they left any space in behind. One final point on Stoke, they’ve only lost once all season, conceding just five goals in seven games. In that time they’ve managed to pick up points against Arsenal and City, and only just surrendered at the last to Chelsea, in a match that they had enough chances to win; a little perspective goes a long way.

Now, on to the league table which, granted, doesn’t look very good for Liverpool at the moment but tables, especially early season tables can be very deceptive. Take Chelsea for example, flying high at the top of the table with nineteen points from seven games, pretty impressive to the naked eye. However, despite beating Arsenal, consider that of those seven games, four have been against teams that we’d expect to find in a relegation battle this year: QPR, Wigan, Norwich and Reading. Perhaps not so impressive after all. It’s like looking at Liverpool and despairing that we’ve taken only six points from seven games, without considering that the games have included opponents such as Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and West Brom. (included because of their 100% home league record), and that we’ve been playing without Lucas since the opening minutes against City on August 26th. Yes, we would like to have more points on the board but the league table, at this point, doesn’t come close to telling the full story and is not yet worth getting bent out of shape over.

This leads me nicely on to my next point about expectations and hopes for the season and beyond. As I alluded to earlier, some fans are perturbed by the club’s league position and have cited the fact that Liverpool are thirteen points off the leaders as things stand. This is of course true however, it begs the question; is this relevant for LFC this season? What I’m saying is: does anyone in their right mind expect Liverpool to be challenging for the title this year? I certainly don’t. I would love to see the club challenging for the top four this season, and whole-heartedly believe that it is a definite possibility, but anything more would surely be a bonus far beyond imagination.

There is no reason why, if things continue as they are and Rodgers is allowed to take charge of this long-term project as we’re led to believe he will be, Liverpool can’t become a title challenging force within the next three years, but why get hung up about that now? It makes much more sense to concentrate on making progress – incremental if needs be at first – game on game and month on month, before we start worrying about titles again. Surely the number one aim is simply to move forwards and to be seen to be doing so.

Looking at the fixtures ahead, there are no easy games – it may be a cliché but it’s true. However, there’s only one match against a recognised top four team before January, so fans can expect to see some points on the board sooner rather than later. Results need to come but I believe they will, beginning with a first home league win of the season against Reading next week.

The long and the short of it is that Liverpool Football Club are on the long road to recovery, a process which started under Kenny Dalglish during his spell at the helm. The path is not without its obstacles, nor without its potholes, but there are certainly signs that Rodgers and the group are developing and perfecting the wherewithal to traverse it nonetheless. The journey will likely take time, and no small amount. Cries of “are we nearly there yet” will doubtless ring out at various points, but patience and belief is required because we are heading in the right direction. Remember, nothing worthwhile is ever easy but, by the same token, nothing that comes easy can ever really be truly appreciated.

You can catch up with Neil on Twitter @Neil1980 or on his blog http://itsallinthegameblog.wordpress.com/

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