The crescendo with which the Reds have romped from limbo to a four match winning streak, culminating in a disciplined, tactical and quality victory over Chelsea is nothing short of astonishing. Yet taking a closer look with a more detailed perspective, perhaps this turning of the tide is not as surprising as one would be lead to believe.
There are three fundamental steps in this revolution and sudden resurgence of the Reds: the dismissal of Roy Hodgson, the appointment of Kenny Dalglish, and the addition of Steve Clarke. We did away with Hodgsons style of play, Kenny brought back the passion and desire, and Clarke set to ring the tactical changes which we had been lacking for ages….even in the final days of Rafa’s reign.
So Kenny came in and immediately Agger and Kelly were given starting berths, and kept them. Konchesky was put on the back burner, Johnson was given the added responsibility of playing on his unnatural left side and the team started to move the ball around, keeping possession and adding to the tempo of the match game after game. Then we were introduced to a game-plan that surprised many and terrified others. We went from a traditional 4-4-2 (which in our case looked more like a 4-4-1-1) to an ‘outrageous’ 3-4-2-1. The game against Stoke proved the experiment could work, and then the match with Chelsea was a resounding confirmation!
Now I follow the Italian Serie A almost as much as I do the Premier League, and there is one team that plays this style of game: Napoli play with three centre backs, two fullbacks placed on the half way line, two midfielders, one attacking midfielder just behind the forwards, and Cavani and Lavezzi as a tandem attacking line (which will probably be our case when our two newest additions are fielded together). Napoli is the only team to opt for this system, and unsurprisingly, they are currently second in the Serie A just a few points off AC Milan who are momentarily leading the pack.
I will not enter into the merit of why this system has worked even if we hit the ground running in adopting it. But there is no doubt that this tactical change has had huge benefits, one of which is that we’ve managed to keep four clean sheets in a row. However, the fact that we are tighter at the back, wider in our play, more committed and with a higher all round work-rate, and the possibility of multiple players having a shot at goal is all part and parcel of the master plan. Congrats Steve Clarke!
I will not say we will make the top four, I don’t feel confident enough to make such proclamations, no because I don’t believe in our play, no because I think we don’t have the quality, but just because we have had so many disappointments in the past few seasons, that it will take me some time to be an outright optimist. Yet, now there is light at the end of the tunnel…..!
I do not even want to think who Kenny will drop out of last Sunday’s starting eleven to accommodate both Suarez and Carroll: thinking about it is mind boggling. What my gut is telling me now is that Liverpool are on their way to become a feared side. We are starting to command respect. Until a few weeks ago we held no respect from any team that played against us, everyone took us on for the kill.
On a final note, and as a special thought dedicated to King Kenny, I smile every time we score and see him celebrate, because the way he does it is exactly the same way he used to do it when he was our idol and scored countless goals for the Reds! We love ya Kenny!
Right on as usual,Tonio.This has been the most bizarre season iv’e ever known:outright nightmare and complete and utter joy.Something akin to an acid trip.All i want from this season now is for Liverpool to carry on attacking teams while keeping the ball at all times.I mentioned the other night about what a buzz it is to see pass and move once again,and the current three at the back system pleases me no end.Keep on attacking these teams because they’re fucking TERRIFIED of us now.All the Liverpool haters in the media see it too,this recent Hose Reina cock and balls only goes to prove that…MAHALO
And just about every pundit kept saying that nobody can do a better job than Hodgson with the players that Rafa left.I allways knew that enybody could do better job than him even my mum could better job than Roy with those players. Thanks FSG for geting rid of him and giving the job to Kenny. Thanks Rafa for bringing the King back to LFC and thanks King Kenny for making us happy and proud again. Even the reporters are carefull with their questions now. Nice to have you back King. 4 th place here we come. YNWA
‘Lead to believe?’
I am led to believe your spelling might lead your writing to go downwards, not unlike a lead balloon!
Long reign the King, the passion for the game has truely returned and all LFC is feeling it. It is beautiful football and we have the King to thank for that. Yes we do have a dream again, not just 4th spot for this season… but the ultimate dream… A Prem Title with our name on it. YNWA.
pretty fair write up… however i disagree with you when you state “we are starting to command respect…”. i think its to early to say that… i would say that only happens when a team has gone on a long winning streak (10+ games)or have the ability to control a game for the 90 minutes (like a man u team can)… but we are showing glimpses of it… its definitely a lot more positive thats for sure. What i do agree with you is the fact that we are using the same squad as Rafa and Roy had. People say we had a weak squad, which i couldnt agree with. we had a good squad… we had so many good internationals playing for us. Its just that we needed someone to show the guys how to play, and put players in positions that they felt comfortable in. (Kuyt is not a winger yet managers played him there…) This is what King Kenny has been able to do… play the liverpool way, show respect, unit the team, club and supporters, and given the team confidence in what they do… In King Kenny We Trust…
renia kelly carr sktel agger Gerrard kuty meireles johnson carrol suarez the killer squard when carrol is avaliable and kenny daglish should get replacement for renia in time good keeper like given man city/skeleenburg ajax/hugo lloris lyon/
Am I the only one that has been wanting our squad to play 3 at the back for a while now? The fact that kenny and clarke have decided to go with it makes so much sense with the squad we have. People are probably going to hate me for this but has anyone noticed how easily kelly was getting beaten at right back in a 4-4-2? It seemed everytime the left winger attacked they got the byline on him. I know he is only nineteen, but I believe that is another reason Kenny has gone for 3 at the back as it takes the pressure off Glen and Kelly. We have no wingers as every Red has been saying for years and finaly we are playing a formation that will get the best out of our squad. My biggest complaint with Kenny is that I think that whoever he drops is irrelevent but Fabio Aurelio absolutely deserves a spot in this team. NOBODY (including Gerrard) can Cross the ball like him, he is very solid in defense, and he brings composure to the team because he controls the ball quickly and keeps his head up. Personaly I would play this formation;
————————–Reina—————————-
———Carra————Skrtl———Agger————-
Johnson———————————————Aurelio
—————–Lucas———Gerrard———————
————————–Mierles————————–
——————-Suarez———————————-
——————————-Carrol———————–
Also for me I am more excited about Pacheco and Suso then Shelvey and Kelly but at the end of the day there isn’t a manager that I trust more at the moment than Kenny, He could play reina center Mid and Suarez at keeper LOL, and i’d respect that. the Future is bright the future is RED, YNWA
Thanks Rafa for bringing the king back.
The same squad?? I don’t agree, since our prolific striker playing against us >,,<
Yes it’s so refreshing to have Kenny in charge. You can go into games actually expecting to win. I went on to a Chelsea website before our last game and predicted a 2-1 win for the reds. Partly that was to irritate the blues’ fans but largely it was because I actually believed it. Ok, so I got the score wrong but now I go into games actually believing we will beat the opposition. Under Hodgson it was complete trepidation before games- firstly because I expected us to get beaten even by the weakest opposition and secondly because I worried just how embarrassing his post-match interview would be. That’s all gone!
Apologies damo for the typo no spelling mistake. Waiting to read your perfect article soon. Pointing out an error is legitimate and acceptable, beings sarcastic about it isn’t. But then some people……….
I do not even want to think who Kenny will drop out of last Sunday’s starting eleven to accommodate both Suarez and Carroll:
This one may be simpler.
Suarez on Maxi and unfortunately Carroll on for Kuyt. However, when Carroll is available, I am not sure if Kenny would play 3-4-2-1 or 3-5-1-1 or whatever the exact formation is. :)
Great Article, Spelling no problem if you write an article like that, anybody who has a problem F yours. I agree with the team and has stated numerous times in comments that we had the making of a good team with the guys we have, but we were playing them out of position
Touché! Or touchy? ………
:-) @ Damo! Anshuman i think you might have got that right…it would be Kuyt and Maxi making way for Carroll and Suarez. I agree with Aquaman on Kelly, he did leave his flank exposed at times, but you will agree with me his level of commitment and work-rate betray his age!
I still think we will begin to command respect again, because I don’t know if it was a question of tactical genius or outright hunger to win, but I can safely say Chelsea almost never worried us! The win at Stamford Bridge commands respect.
Agree the lineup except I’d put Kelly into the centre back position in place of Skrtl, who is a disaster waiting to happen. I think Kelly would be clas as a centre-back, not facing a winger in a 1 on 1