Liverpool Football Club – Hope is on the Horizon!

The Defence…

is the foundation required, to build a successful team. Liverpool has strengthened with Clyne, Gomez and the return of Ilori, all extremely positive signings. Those three bring pace, strength and much needed composure to a back line, which was in dire need of a calming influence. The fear understandably remains over the centre back pairing, with Lovren being the main source of panic. Skrtel also remaining a mainstay concerns, with his often erratic and overly reactive defending. However if he’s paired with our best defender in Sakho, he can be successfully led, his strengths can be  highlighted and weaknesses hidden. The key to the defence is consistency both in terms of personnel and approach. I have faith that if the right players are chosen, we can go onto concede far less. There is despite the negativity, the right quality at the club in my humble opinion.

Until last season, he was incredibly undervalued by many supporters. His unorthodox stance on the ball, confused by many as clumsy, has been proven as anything but. He’s cool, calm and composed, often using his skill to elude, even embarrass opponents. His distribution so positive, accurate and precise; has proven so vital in building from defence, triggering attacks and setting a high tempo. His strength unrivalled in the team, with a mindset to match his physicality so he positively imposes himself in each game, leading by example. Sakho’s rise to fan favourite, is of the players own making. He’s fought off any misconception’s and shown, he’s not only Liverpool’s best defender, but one of it’s strongest leaders. To me he’s the rock you need at the spine of the team, the lynchpin. Without him, you’ll find those around him quickly begin to unravel.

Signed as a future prospect, the teenage defender has impressed so quickly since his £3.5 million move, that he’s in line for his first start just weeks after joining the club. A player with good physical attributes and pace, what’s impressed me most is his composure and tactical awareness. He’s comfortable playing across the back four and whilst yet to be tested by high calibre opponents, he’s settled in extremely quickly and has shown already he’s come to play. I love that ambition in a player and whilst I can’t claim to be an authority on Joe, if the management believe he’s ready, I trust them.  He has an extremely bright future at the club and I see reasons to be excited by that.

is the heartbeat of any successful team. This is the area of most concern for me, because we’ve only truly added Milner, who whilst experienced with good qualities, isn’t the defensive minded player I feel we most required. That said, Milner, Henderson and Can (finally stepping into the right area of the pitch), bring energy, pressing and enough presence to compete against nearly all challengers. Crucially they need to develop discipline and build strong relationships, because we’ve been lacking cohesion in that area for many years. Where they’ll also need to excel is the contribution at the business end of the pitch. Each of those mentioned, along with Coutinho, need to contribute a significant number of goals and assists.

Undoubtably Liverpool’s best footballer, Coutinho has grown immeasurably since he joined the club. Initially a player with moments of the sublime, he’s developed into a player that’s rarely anything but. He has effortless control, eagle eyed vision and the weight of pass, any player in world football would be proud of. He’s determined, with great drive and glides past opposition players like they aren’t even there. The best part is he’s still not reached his true potential. I’m expecting Coutinho to go up a level this season, to a become the player we’ve not yet seen. Not only to dictate games, but be the regular game changer, the player opposition players fear and rival supporters crave. A world class player, of realised potential.

Described as the best young player to break out of Valencia’s academy in recent years. Pedro was a coup signing for Liverpool’s academy. Described as a player of intelligence, with strong technical ability and control. A great passing range, both short and long, with great temperament. Pedro is naturally a deeper midfield player, with strong positional discipline. Given Liverpool’s reluctance to pursue a player in that position, Chirivella may find himself in a position to challenge for the first team in the not to distant future. I for one truly hope he does, because he’s a very special talent indeed.

Liverpool’s most drastically changed area of the squad. With not just 1, or 2 but 4 new players who’ve been brought to revamp last season’s limp and lacklustre attack. Origi and Ings, bring energy, pace and potential impact from the bench. Benteke brings raw power and physicality, an element new to our team and despite my reservations on the price, we do need a different option. He can be a focal point for the team and if he brings goals, he’ll happily be embraced. Firmino brings class, he oozes ability. An excellent dribbler, he arrives with a top class reputation and his goal/assist record more than speaks for itself. But for me it’s not just the ability, he has a work rate and physicality, that makes him a perfect acquisition for the club. Considering we also have Markovic and Lallana who’re likely to make a stronger impact this season, there is reason to be genuinely optimistic.

The broken man, the perpetually injured number 14, who was the hope of all supporters last year, will be back. I respect the concerns, I have them too. But even with the worst odd’s Daniel has to play more this season. I think his true potential has been forgotten, clouded by his unrecognisable performances of last season. The player is an instinctive, goal scoring machine. The most natural and clinical striker in the Premier League, with pace, power and no shortage of intelligence to boot. I can’t wait to have Daniel back and I predict goals, especially now he has a partner. That support just lightens the weight of expectation, ever so slightly and that’s no bad thing. Sturridge much like the club he plays for suits the underdog tag. When he’s the star attraction his usually unnerving confidence falters. With Benteke now, the heat will be softened, but the expectation will remain. We just have to hope he comes back fit and firing.

A fearless young winger, Jordon has all the raw attributes to make it to the very top. Ibe is a confident player, one that excites supporters. When he receives the ball, his ability to drive at the heart of the opposition beating his players for fun, creates a level of anticipation amongst supporters. His end product whilst raw, is developing quickly and his all round game vastly improving each time he steps onto the pitch. He’ll have opportunities to play this season and without doubt, I expect to him to make the most of his chances. It must be remembered that he’s a young man, just 19, so patience is required. However with his physical attributes and limitless potential, supporters are right to be excited by Jordon. A star in the making.

The End Game

I respect that although the players are stronger. The success of the club does fall on the man that picks the team, develops the talent and ultimately holds the cards. I have concerns over Brendan Rodgers, which I’ve voiced in the past, but I’m willing to give him one last chance. Last season, I expressed that our title challenge, wasn’t solely down to Suarez, but he was the catalyst. My hope is that we now have significantly more quality in the squad; game changers such as Coutinho, Firmino and Sturridge, can be those catalyst’s. I have to respect that when he’s armed with the right talent, Rodgers can build a dynamic attacking side. Where he falls down is in building a solid defence; the backbone of any truly successful side. With the back room changes however, it feels like a fresh start. A chance at redemption and to learn from previous mistakes, one I hope Rodgers grasps firmly with both hands.

If the management fails, what’s left is a wonderful squad, primed for the next manager to harness. We’ve brought down the average age of the squad considerably and ultimately for me talent wins through. So whether Rodgers learns to embrace the potential at his disposal, or he’s displaced by someone who does. You can’t deny the future at the club is very bright indeed. If we allow the core of this young team to learn, grow, develop and ultimately gain success together; then we could finally re-establish ourselves amongst the Premier League’s achievers, then begin to talk about Europe once more.