Why Liverpool FC need ‘Dads Army’ inspiration

THE kids are alright – an article I wrote the beginning of the season about the plethora of youths at our manager Brendan Rodgers’ disposal.

Since then Raheem Sterling and Jonjo Shelvey have both been capped by the England national side, Suso has been capped by Spain under 21s, Andre Wisdom and Jerome Sinclair have both been capped by English youth set-ups, as well as featuring for the first team.

Yet it isn’t enough. Why is this?

Gerard Houllier saw enough in a young Steven Gerrard to trust him with the captaincy from an early age, but not before surrounding him with players he would learn from every day in training, as well as on and off the pitch. Houllier signed Didi Hamann, who might not have been classed as a veteran at the age of 25 when he was brought to the club but he was enough a level head to really give Gerrard that shoulder to lean on.

Houllier topped that with the signing of Gary McAllister; many eyebrows were raised at the signing of a 35 year old who many had thought had seen better days. Houllier was no mug, and the Scot’s influence not only on the team, but on Gerrard himself, transformed the young Scouser into arguably the club’s greatest ever player.

McAllister and Hamann were perfect role models for Gerrard, curbing his aggressive nature into one where he could use it to his advantage. McAllister was exceptional for the two seasons he enjoyed with us, and led the side to 5 cup triumphs were Houllier described Gary Mc as his “most inspirational signing”.

The Liverpool side of 2012-13 has enough talented kids to make the most ardent fan happy, but they now need experience to accompany them, to help them, as Gerrard and Carragher probably do, but is it enough?

The team is set up nicely for the most part, but in the defence especially, someone is needed to calm down the youths and talk them through a game. Give them a heads-up, in a constructive way of course, and also a few more experienced heads would do the dressing room wonders.

Bellamy, Kuyt, Maxi Rodriguez all left this summer and whilst the freeing of wages was nice, their leadership qualities have not been replaced. It has led to both captain Gerrard and manager Rodgers coming out in the press, making cases for the fact older players with proven experience are needed to help the club progress along the line.
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There are certainly some players out there who could fit the bill. You may laugh at some suggestions, but with the form Frank Lampard is in, would it not be wise to try and entice someone of his calibre and experience to the club? I hear the Gerrard/Lampard debate already beginning to type itself into your keyboard, but with both approaching the twilight of their careers, rotation is not such a bad idea, surely?

Defensively there are plenty of players who can come in and do a job, as well as helping the kids onto the next level of progression and upfront, could Raul not be tempted to ditch the sacks of money he gets and have a season in the Red of Liverpool? I’m sure you all will have names you can muster up, but these are just some examples of experienced players the club could look towards. Alonso being the biggest and best pipe dream I can imagine (did I tell you he once congratulated me on how nice my beard was? Well he did!)

Point being, yes the kids are doing well so far but imagine how much better off we would be if they could learn from players a bit further on in their careers, advising them and giving them the confidence and maybe even the bottle certain players are guilty of lacking.

The results and performances would improve tenfold (a 5-0 hammering of a second rate Swansea team resting players for their Wembley day out doesn’t mean 4th place is ours) and would also improve the sheer inconsistency that the club suffers from top to bottom.

Bring in a Goalkeeper who will actually challenge Reina rather than keep Jones – an actual real life butterfingers who wouldn’t be at the club were it not for a heart-breaking personal trauma. Someone who will show Reina that the gloves aren’t his for granted, giving him the kick up the backside the Spanish stopper has needed ever since his head has seemingly been turned by Barcelona and Atletico.

An experienced central defender to replace the retiring Carragher, and a left-back capable of challenging Jose Enrique. A central midfielder to take the pressure off Gerrard and a forward to give Suarez, the impressive Sturridge and the poor injury-ravaged sod that is Fabio Borini, a hand. The squad would look better and the likes of Sterling would not be burnt out after being overused and called on too much by December.

So yeah, the kids are alright but a few members of Dads Army would inspire the troops on the battlefield even more so.

Follow Liam on twitter @Jolly_Conductor
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