No Match Report from The LFC File following Saturday’s performance if it can be called such. After all what was there worth writing about?
Was it the fact that Liverpool had virtually twice as much possession as their hosts (35% / 65%) for a return of less than half as many shots (15 / 6)? Was it the fact that none of the Liverpool side featured among the player influence stats?
The sum is there wasn’t and isn’t anything worth writing about other than the fact that Brendan Rodgers and Liverpool threw away a great opportunity to capitalize on last season’s exploits even before a ball was kicked in anger this term. It’s clear that despite the £100m spent the return has been minimal, and that’s being kind about it.
Yes, Daniel Sturridge has been injured thus far and his efforts last season have largely been overshadowed by the dearly departed Luis Suarez. This is clear and accepted. However, Rodgers and his much lauded “Transfer Committee” have spent a not insignificant amount over the summer so logically speaking, this should not be an issue.
What I don’t understand about the whole situation is that this seems to be missed on Rodgers. He bemoans the fact that Sturridge is out until December or whenever it is and that Mario Balotelli needs time. “It will fall for him” we hear. Now he’s defending him when less than a month ago he was saying the big Italian needs to work harder. I don’t see his work rate has really improved if I’m honest.
This vast sum I’ve mentioned, One Hundred Million Pounds, One Thousand Grands, Two Thousand Monkeys, whatever you want to call it has been largely wasted in my eyes. Of that, I can only point to Emre Can, Roberto Moreno and Javi Manquillo at a combined and reported £26m who have lived up to their price tags with any kind of consistency. Dejan Lovren has largely been disappointing. Adam Lallana has shown glimpses of his quality, nowhere near enough and Balotelli has been asked to play against his attributes. Then we have Lazar Marković.
I mean £20m?! Where the hell did that valuation come from? “He needs time…” We’re told. Excuse my French but Fuck time! If you want to buy players that need time, you don’t spend that amount of wedge on them. If Rodgers and his committee want to buy players that need time then why not buy a youngster for a fraction of the price and bung him the reserves like the club used to do. Or send him out on loan? If that was any other business there would be serious questions asked.
I’d bet a princely sum if I had one that the 20 year-old Serbian international will leave the club in the next season or two for a fraction of that amount.
Suarez was one of about five or six players on earth with his ability. However, I’m equally sure there about another 20 who would probably give you the same work rate and perhaps 15-20 goals a season. It would have made more sense to splash half of the £65m on a similar kind of player. Not Balotelli who, bless him is taking a lot of stick for the wrongs of others. Keep Jordan Ibe, develop the boy and save £20m squid too. He offered the side more on the few occasions he’s featured than I’ve seen from Marković this is for sure.
So, in summary, it’s time Rodgers stopped banging on about Balotelli and Sturridge and wondering why the team isn’t playing to the level it was last season. The answer is simple, Brendan. You’ve gone and replaced a silk purse with some sow’s ears. Go figure. Rant over. Bring in the odds-on arse-whooping in Madrid.
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