Let’s get things straight right now; the transfer window has closed, Liverpool’s new manager is implementing classy football that fits the Liverpool way; so instead of knee jerk reactions each time something goes wrong, it’s time for all of those who really love Liverpool Football Club to take a deep breath and enjoy what is likely to be an interesting period in the club’s history and hopefully a return to the glory days.
Losing Andy Carroll on a season long loan and not replacing him with at least one other recognized striker is far from ideal; but it has happened and there is no point in moaning, because this is the reality.
The Anfield faithful should accept that the club are implementing a long term project, from which the club will emerge far stronger and in a position to challenge the teams at the top.
Some facts; as hard as it is to accept, Manchester United have built a dynasty, largely thanks to a manager who intimidates everyone within the world of football. When his reign comes to an end, there is every chance that United will lose their apparent favoured status.
Both Chelsea and Manchester City are currently stronger than Liverpool; their success built entirely on money invested by mega rich businessmen. Throw unlimited resources at a problem and it would be massively incompetent not to succeed. City will finish above Liverpool; but Chelsea look fragile and their performance against Atletico Madrid suggests that they could implode.
Arsenal always seem to finish top four; but as they continue to lose their best players, their position will become increasingly vulnerable. They spend within their means, they play good football; but their manager’s stubbornness is their Achilles heel. Catching up and replacing Arsenal in the top four should be Liverpool’s immediate target.
Competition is fierce and other teams vying for European places include Tottenham, Newcastle United and Everton, while Sunderland has the potential to join this group.
It was very disappointing that Sigurdsson and Dempsey signed for Tottenham instead of Liverpool; but the good news is that Spurs under Andre Villas-Boas are a very different proposition to last season’s team, with splits already appearing even at this early stage of the season.
Pardew did a brilliant job for Newcastle last season and has managed to keep most of his squad together. They look well balanced, but repeating this success without significant additions to the squad, will be more difficult second time around.
The Blue team from the other side of Stanley Park picked up maximum points in their first two games, but were comfortably beaten by Steve Clarke’s West Brom. Moyes has made a couple of shrewd purchases and not lost any key players, so Everton may be in the better position to challenge for a top four place. But their squad is thin and if they lose a couple of key players they are likely to struggle.
So while it looks like a real tough ask for Liverpool to break into the top four this season; there is every reason to believe that there will be a significant improvement on last season’s 8th place finish.
FSG are clearing out the deadwood and reducing unnecessary overheads. They’ve brought in a manager who understands the Liverpool way and who realizes that there is no overnight solution to the club’s problems.
In the early days of his tenure Rogers has shown the players that he is the boss. His style of football is classy and elegant and following the match against Manchester City it is clear that Liverpool can compete with the best. Now it is time to see consistency against all opponents, not just against the best teams.
Liverpool Football Club is on the way back to the top.