What a massive difference 5 lost points can be; even more so when it’s just from two games (and when it’s in the closing stages of the Premier League season, and when it’s crucial to get every point possible in the race to Top 4, and when it’s against teams Liverpool should be winning against, and when it’s …… argh, you get what I mean!). When stacked on top of the disappointing exit from the semi-finals of the FA Cup, it’s no wonder why Brendan Rodgers has received a lot of criticism – much of which he deflects, by the way, but that’s for another piece.
What’s also for another piece is simply how abysmal the season has been in the grand scheme of things – the failure to overcome some of the big games this season, unimpressive performances in should-win games, being eliminated in both the Champions League and the Europa League fairly early, being knocked-out in two semi-finals of domestic cups, missing out on Champions League football for the next season (well, almost) – it’s almost too painful to list them all out.
Liverpool, as a club, should take this season as a (very harsh) learning experience, but it also comes with a little bit of a silver lining. Next season sees a new era of Liverpool players taking the front seat and starting off with a clean slate, especially with the Reds no longer being sentimentally “committed” to a certain legend of a player who leaves the club to venture abroad.
There are 4 games remaining for Liverpool in the entire 2014-15 season as a whole, and with virtually nothing to play for anymore, there’s no better way to use this next month than to start building for the future, beginning with these few things.
- The System – Keep It Consistent
The ever infamous indecisiveness of Brendan Rodgers. Apart from the much-loved 4-4-2 formation with a diamond midfield and the 3-4-2-1 formation which made fans have split opinions, Rodgers has swapped the formation and system of the team oh-so-many times. It’s always been trivial as to why the 4-4-2 diamond that saw success last season did not make an immediate return to this season; could it be the new faces, or that we’re missing some old ones? To switch formations in-line with tactics for certain oppositions is fine, but to switch for the sake of switching, it’s not. Name almost any structure or system, and you can bet that Rodgers has already deployed it. Even on a game-to-game basis, a constant switch in formations disallows the squad to get truly comfortable in a system on the training ground, let alone on the pitch during match days.
Regardless, the Reds should use these last 4 games to play in a formation, structure, and system that will most likely be used in the long run. This would increase the players’ familiarity and experience within the system as well as to reintroduce some sort of consistency and stability to the side. Of course, this is in hopes that it will be eventually carried forward into the next season and not just tossed aside.
- The Stars – Let Them Shine
I figured that speaking about some of the bright spots of the team would be an easy segue from the ever-changing formation, structure, and system of the squad. It’s not all dark and gloomy in Merseyside, that’s for sure, so there isn’t any reason to keep them in reserve and play them (too) conservatively. In all truthfulness, there’s really only been two major stars within the squad this season (maybe three if perimeters are being stretched a little bit).
Source: www.liverpoolfc.com
Raheem Sterling has certainly come under immense pressure after his contract negotiations broke loose, while his inconsistent displays have not helped either. However, his bright start to the season showed that when he is consistent and when his minutes are managed well, he can almost single-handedly carry a whole team on his back and get the result. On the other hand, Jordan Henderson (after said perimeters have been stretched) has also been a sporadically crucial member of the Reds, especially as captain of the side due to Steven Gerrard’s absence. Again, he did have some sound performances, scoring crucial goals in the process – like the ones against Manchester City and Swansea, for example.I saved the best for last of course, with Team of the Year inductee Philippe Coutinho being Liverpool’s best player by a mile and a half. His creativity and the ability to change games have not come in vain, and his newfound long-shot ability is also slowly finding its place in his arsenal.
With that said, these players should definitely get a continued run in the side, being played in their absolute best positions so as to develop them further. That means, no more Raheem Sterling at right wing-back, please!
- The Youngsters – Give Them Minutes
Source: liverpoolfc.com
Something I can give credit to Brendan Rodgers is his willingness to play some of the youngsters when the situation is appropriate. We’ve seen it with Sterling and Suso in the past, as well as Andre Wisdom and Martin Kelly, among others. This season, in one way or another, is no different.
Jordon Ibe, who was recalled from his loan at Derby County, has been the major influence among the Liverpool youngsters. He’s been a staple in the Reds’ side ever since, and has shown a lot of promise – hitting the post twice in the process as well. Jordan Rossiter has seen himself given the chance to start for the Reds in the FA Cup tie against Middlesbrough, where he had his dream debut by scoring the opener in that match. He was then replaced by another academy product, Jordan Williams, in that same game; Williams went on to score in the penalty shootout. Cameron Brannagan has also seen a chance in the first-team, despite being merely a substitute.
Then there are the newly-acquired youngsters – Emre Can, Lazar Markovic, and Javier Manquillo. While the first one has had a prolonged and overall, impressive stint in the first-XI, the latter two have not. Markovic has been sub-par at best when he’s played, though a lot of the time, he’s been wasted as a right wing-back rather than being played in his natural position as a forward. Javier Manquillo has suffered worse, though – he’s not even being given the chance to start!
With top 4 virtually out of arm’s reach, perhaps it’s time to drop players who have no foreseeable future with the Reds in favour of those who potentially do. Give some of the youngsters (such as Harry Wilson, Samed Yesil, and several others too) an extended run with the first-team, play them in their optimal positions, and let them further develop their abilities. Experience with the first team is vastly different from that of the youth side as well, and all-in-all, it will be extremely invaluable for them.
Leroy
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