By Savesh Chetty
21 May 2011
I write this as the referee is about to blow his whistle and bring the 2011 season to an end. I have this horrible picture of Sir Alex in my mind with him repeating the word “perch”. I have also not looked at my facebook page for the last 2 weeks to avoid reading about the victorious Man Utd team.
As a whole after introspection I think even the most positive of LFC fan would have to say that the 2011 season has been a failure. Yes there are lots of positives since the king has returned but our season’s exam has been failed. A failure as our short term goal of fourth place was not achieved nor did we even come close to staying on the perch which now belongs to Fergie. As much as we hate them we have to concede that the Man Utd team are the benchmark in terms of football in England.
But I am not despondent. I remain positive as I have for the last 20 odd years at the end of each season. I also annually wonder:
- Will this be our season?
- Who do we need to sign or what do we have to change to return to the perch Fergie likes talk about these days? Who would I sell?
“Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be” – John Wooden. What’s in the past is in the past let’s now look forward and be positive. But let’s learn from our mistakes and make the correct signings. Let me say that the king has started the change and that is clear for all to see.
Do I want 2012 to be our year? Yes more than anything. Do I think 2012 will our year? No, realistically I don’t think we will win the league in 2012. As far as finishing fourth provided we make at least 3 key signings I am confident we can do it. If the 3 key signings work we might go close for the title. I am not being a pessimist by saying we won’t win the league but history tells me when you bring in new players a period of time is required to achieve cohesion. Man City being the obvious example. They have signed the biggest names who would sign for them in the past 2 seasons. Arguably on paper Man City should win the Premier League but football is not played on toilet paper. Although some may say Mancini’s brand of football is worthy of toilet paper. Let me add after watching the champion’s league “El Classico” games Mr “Special One” Jose Mourinho’s football should be also played on toilet paper. In fact I think I have discovered a new sleeping aid, video of a match between Mancini’s team versus the Special Ones team. You will get a trial of this product in next season’s champion’s league if Madrid happens to meet City.
I don’t think many LFC fans would disagree with me when I say we need signings to strengthen the team. Man United, Chelsea City, Arsenal and even Spurs have more depth in their squads than us.
I am going to imagine that I have the 100 million Martin Tyler was saying King Kenny has to spend. Quality in my view can obtained without big cash outlay. My view is finding the players with the right attitude and attributes to address our shortcomings. I am just going to give 3 areas and give 3 suggested players for those areas. These players have been linked to us in transfer rumours. We may or may not sign them but I think if we sign we should sign players of similar style to the ones I suggest.
Most people would say the first area would be left back but for me this is not in my critical 3 areas. All 3 areas relate to offence. If there is one thing we can learn from Fergie is that offence wins you titles. He didn’t lie before the season deciding game against Chelsea when he said “we won’t play for a draw so let’s not waste time talking about draws”. My prediction is that Ferguson will also attack Barcelona in the Champions League Final. Let’s see if I am correct.
For the past 6 years I have watched Rafa Benitez play a game of patience waiting for our winning goal even against the most inferior of teams like Stoke Rugby Team. LFC was renamed Drawpool and we were sponsored by Crayola in this period.
My 3 signings are explained in 3 words “Attack” “Attack” “Attack”. This is the “change” in style and mentality that I think we need to adopt. In midfield I would go for Ashley Young (Aston Villa) and Charlie Adam (Blackpool). Proven players in the Premier League are a better bet than a foreigner coming to the Premier League for the first time in my view.
Upfront I think we need one more quality striker or an attacking midfielder. The current Liverpool squad is predominantly a legacy of Rafa Benitez’s style of play which focused on discipline and structure but not creativity. I would go for Arshavin. Poor season at Arsenal but something tells me he could be the right fit. I find him to be an extremely intelligent artist like our Saurez is on a football pitch.
We need to strengthen offensively. If the king was to phone and ask for my view this is what I would tell him. In fact let me tweet this to @kennethdalglish.
My 3 signings would not spell the end for the energizer bunny Dirk Kuyt, Marvellous Maxi, Magnificent Meireles, Lion man Lucas, and the Legend Stevie G. Remember it’s a squad game and these attacking options are what we have not had in the past to break the back of the likes of Stoke Rugby Team. However I also see roles to be played by youngsters like Spearing, Flanagan, Kelly, and Pacheco. Defensively I think the king will probably sign a left back and another central defender. However I am not sure who the right men are to serve the king in these areas are. I leave it to you my king. Skertel, Agger (when fit) ,Johnson and Carragher have been pretty solid this season
As for players I would sell I have to say Joe Cole, Ngog, Konchesky, Degen, Insua and Aquilani have been disappointing and should all be sold and banished by the king and be requested never to return to Anfield.
Let’s wait and see who we do in fact sign but I hope we focus on offence in our signings. In closing enjoy the champion’s league final neutrals. I however want to say “Come on Barcelona, knock him of his plastic perch”
All LFC fans can follow me on twitter @saveshchetty. Feel free to tweet me your views comments or email at savesh@live.co.za