Well after a busy month or so at Liverpool, it seems that finally we are seeing the team play with passion and vigour after some disappointing performances that left many fans despondent after a poor start to the season.
Much has changed at Liverpool. Roy Hodgson has been replaced a man known to the fans as the King. After poor results the board decided to replace Hodgson with the club legend in a hope to improve the morale amongst fans alike. Since the change in manager has occurred so has turn in Liverpool’s fortunes. The confidence is back the team is playing the brand of football associated with club and everything seems rosier than it did just over a month ago.
It wasn’t the easiest of starts for Dalglish starting with a FA Cup tie with Manchester United. The game didn’t go as he would have planned but there was much more about the performance a real determination to get something out of the game. The following game was against a Blackpool side who had earlier in the season picked up 3 points at Anfield, and they were victorious once again.Not exactly the way many thought the return of Dalglish would have started.
However it was clear to see that what ever Dalglish was doing was starting to gain shape. The squad was starting to look better and play for each other and there was much more determination amongst them to climb the table. Since then Liverpool have managed to draw one and get four wins in a row.This has done much to restore the confidence of the fans and players a like and the biggest result amongst all these was the 1-0 win over Chelsea after the departure of Fernando Torres and the new arrivals of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez.
Many fans was shocked at the departure of Torres became even more irate at the Spaniard’s comment at that we was now moving to a what he describe as a “top club”. The one thing fans really wanted to know was the reason why ‘El Nino’ had departed Anfield. He had since come out to say that he didn’t have the time to wait as Liverpool was going through a transitional period and wanted to be challenging at this moment conceding he had joined a smaller club.
We shouldn’t hold no grudges against a man who has decided the move is best for him. At the end of the day we have seen players leave before for pastures new in a hope of enhancing their career. We should be grateful for what he has given us and shouldn’t forget the records that he has broken while being at the club while the part he played in some important games against Manchester United and his new club Chelsea.
It is now however the start of a new era and it’s just starting to take shape. The arrival of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll and recent results have got everyone associated with Liverpool excited and looking forward to the coming months. Luis Suarez was introduced to the Liverpool fans in a cameo performance from the bench in which he managed to find the net, while fellow new boy watched in the stand. It was clear to see from the celebration of Damien Comolli that they felt they had secured the services of a top player.In just a brief glimpse we saw what he would bring to the team, clever movement, a good first touch and great technique on ball.
On to Andy Carroll, Liverpool secured the front man’s services for a club record £35 million in a transfer deadline day which saw the club break the record twice with the earlier signing of Luis Suarez in a £23 million move. Many may feel that this is a big gamble to take on a player unproven in the Premiership. However only time will tell how good of signing Carroll is but it’s clear that there is confidence in the player to become a top player for Liverpool.
Amongst all this we are also seeing players come to front who before were coming under criticism one being Raul Meireles who has scored 4 goals in his last 5 games his last coming in the win against Chelsea. Even though the home team dominated much of the possession through out it was Liverpool who fashioned the better openings with Meireles getting on the end of a Gerrard cross.
While much of the hype was surrounding Fernando Torres facing his former club after his record transfer fee, Chelsea’s new £50m signing did not have the impact he would of liked, just restricted to two attempts, the first a missed place pass from maxi rolled to his feet he skied it over and the second when he was pick out only for his shot to be blocked from an outstanding Jamie Carragher who had just returned from the should injury that has sidelined him since the game against Tottenham in November.
It’s clear to see the impact Dalglish has had on the team and he has made probably the most important signing in securing the services of assistant Steve Clarke. The team look much more balanced and organised on the pitch, and actually playing for each other. We have also seen removal of the long ball tactics used by Hodgson to the ball being played along the ground and out from the back and more one touch passing.
Martin Kelly who has started every game under Dalglish has excelled with each game and it’s clear that he will form a big part of Liverpool’s future. Steven Gerrard is looking like the player we know him to be, no longer the frustrated figure under Hodgson, he look to be revitalised with the appointment of his childhood hero as manager. Not the finished article but Liverpool will be happy with the progress made under Dalglish and be glad to be watching the type of football they have longed for.
Liverpool are currently just 6 points off a Champions League place and with Chelsea’s form far from convincing and fixtures this season causing surprises it may not be a forgone conclusion that Liverpool may just sneak in to the top four and back in to Europe’s elite competition. Things have changed the dark clouds and doom and gloom has gone there’s a brighter outlook for all concerned. Should Liverpool qualify for the Champions League ahead of Chelsea it would certainly leave a bitter taste in the mouth of the departed Fernando Torres. Time for optimism?
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