After watching Liverpool’s game with Spurs one issue seems upper most in our supporter’s minds with regards to next season. Not how will we cope if we don’t qualify for Europe, not when we announce whether we will move to a new stadium or develop Anfield; not even when will Howard Webb replace his Manchester United underpants next season. No, I think the burning question in most Koppite minds will be how do we get the best out of our new £30 million investment?
When we signed Andy Carroll on transfer deadline day I think the loss of Fernando Torres to Chelsea really outweighed his arrival for a club record fee. This together with the fact that the big geordie striker was injured, which was to delay his debut by just over a month, meant that we would not be able to gauge how quickly he would settle into the Liverpool system and how we would be able to give him the service he so readily got at Newcastle United.
The answer, I think, was inevitable in that Andy needs more games to recapture his sharpness and he also needs quality balls played into the box from the wings and through the centre before we will see him at his brilliant best. Liverpool currently don’t have the type of players who can provide this service and therefore against Spurs, apart from one far post headed chance, Andy played a lot deeper going looking for the ball himself, which detracted from his main attacking strengths.
There is no doubt whatsoever that Liverpool have an immense talent on their hands as we have seen with his performance and 2 goals against Manchester City but unless we buy players who can put the ball on a plate for him, he may struggle to vindicate his inflated price tag.
I am not suggesting for one minute that our big number 9 is a one trick pony because he also has the shooting prowess of an Alan Shearer and the hold up skills of a Peter Crouch. However, for Andy Carroll to become a Liverpool success I feel that we must play to his strengths more than him adapting to our type of play.
So who do we sign in order to facilitate Andy? Well he already has the ideal striking partner in Luis Suarez and I’m sure the more they play together, the more their partnership will flourish. Then there is Steven Gerrard who he hasn’t had much chance of playing with and who could eventually bring about an understanding similar to the one he had with Fernando Torres.
In regards to new team mates it is no secret that players such as Ashley Young, Adam Johnson, Aaron Lennon, Charles N’Zogbia and Charlie Adam have long been on King Kenny’s radar as possible Carroll goal suppliers. These are exactly the type of players that Andy would relish playing alongside because they are already a success in the Premiership and therefore they would be able to hit the ground running as far as assists are concerned.
The Under 21 European Championships should do Andy Carroll the world of good because he will make up for the games he has missed in the second half of this season and therefore he will be able to regain his sharpness. By the time Liverpool kick off next season he should be physically spot on and and he will have the players around him who will be able to take his game to the next level. His problems off the field seem to have been sorted out with his move and he has the right type of people around him who will keep his feet firmly on the ground. He is also at the right club to be at when you’re going through a barren spell in front of goal; the fans will never get on his back and he will get nothing but encouragment and backing from his Manager.
I have ever confidence that Liverpool’s Number 9 will be up there in contention for the Premiership Golden Boot come this time next year.
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Nice one. I do hope Kenny irons out Carra’s penchant for hoofing the ball up to Andy. Once that is sorted we should be fine.
simple – give him the right crosses to run on to- give him the right long balls to his chest – dont give him long balls to head on to nobody – in quick breaks use him only as a one touch man – use him far post to head back in – or put someone else far back post to head back to him. use him to hold up play. other than these things let him play the way he knows.
I don’t think you can build a team around one man, he has to become part of a team, and Kenny thinks he has the talent to do so. These days though its a squad game more than a team game so even at 35 mil he could be part of a squad and not nescesarily an automatic first choice – it realy depends on the performance of others – for example if Mireles had been fit would you change a winning and exciting team for the game against Spurs?
If we build a team just around him we will be in same boat we were in before as in 1 man team. If he gets injured or has a bad game then we lose. If we want to win trophies then we need to build the team as A TEAM as in no matter who is injured or underperforming we still crush the opposition.
I believe KK will do something to rectify the problem and put the team back on track as title contender once again.
TAY7579 WLE3113
It’s £35m problem…
Without him we played class 1,2 touch football the last month, demolishing teams!
I think as someone commented above it’s a squad game and for certain games we will need his type of player to give us something different….
But as you can clearly see without him we were awesome!
Does anyone know why KK played Johnson left back against spurs, after he had brilliant performance in defence and attack against fulham, playing in his natural RB position??
What hold up play from Peter Crouch…
Lfc4life – Think KK played Johnson left back to stop Lennon – dont think he wants Flanno getting roasted to build confidence. So depending on who is on the wing he swaps them over.
One point that I noticed against Spurs .. we didnt have one left footed player on the park (maybe Reina)! Think KK will sort this in the summer .. so if you hear any left footers on their way in the press – maybe!!!!
Terry – if my memory serves me correct , when we played Arsenal walcott never had a sniff against Robinson and that match was away…
This was a home match, if what your saying is correct then solution was available in Robinson…..
No that Lenon has done much this yr anyways.
Good point regarding the left florets though Suarez is 2 footed I’m sure, but still there is a shortage no doubt!
Give Him a Tea trolly and some scones, watch him go. COYS!
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