Since Kenny Dalglish took over at Liverpool, it hasn’t just been points flooding back into Anfield, but the faith of the masses. With the Roy Hodgson ordeal becoming a distant memory, we watched the climax of the season in awe at the rebirth of Liverpool, ascending the table with notable wins over Birmingham, Manchester City, Chelsea and league leaders Manchester United. A miraculous turn around both on and off the pitch seemed too good to be true, with the Fenway Sports group injection resulting in the arrival of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll and even seemed to bring the best in Raul Meireles and Maxi Rodriguez who’s late run of form cemented Liverpool’s sixth place finish.
The question does remain however; how did he do it? How did Dalglish transform a flailing inherited Liverpool side into formidable force in just under 6 months. Without the services of Gerrard or Torres I might add.
Hodgson was a curious affair, Liverpool were not really a depleted side. They had signed a respectable and much needed left-back in Paul Konchesky, the Premierships greatest super sub before Benayoun with Joe Cole and two midfield Internationals, Christian Poulsen and Raul Miereles. Not bad business it would seem.
However, after Liverpools worst start to a season since the 50s, a frustrated lower mid table Liverpool did away with Hodgson and brought back former messiah Kenny Dalglish on a prayer that he could salvage them something respectable. Dalglish almost went a leap further and came within touching distance of a Europa League place. Dalglish had the same players as Hodgson did, what was it that Dalglish did that Hodgson missed? Dalglish tapped into a source almost forgotten by Liverpool of late, the youth.
With several key players missing such as the injuries of Glen Johnson and Gerrard, the selling of players such as Fernando Torres, Benayoun and Babel, the fans complete lack in faith of Konchesky and Poulsen, and such limited time in the transfer market, Dalglish turned to the neglected, almost untouched Liverpool youth system. Brought forward were young players who more than held their own in the Liverpool side.
What came forward it seems is a vital part of the future of Liverpool FC; players that will prove to be instrumental in the Liverpool uprising, young British players on the verge of a hopefully long and successful footballing career. Demonstrated best against Man Utd in Liverpool’s suprise 3-1 win, Jack Robinson, Jay Spearing and John Flannegan caught the headlines with stand out performances while their former Reserve counterpart Martin Kelly was credited with the Liverpool February Player of the Month award after solid games against Chelsea and Stoke.
Straying briefly away from the first team, we mustn’t leave out Daniel Pacheco’s successful loan spell at Norwich or new on the scene Raheem Sterling fast making a name for himself in the Liverpool Youth team, credited with 5 goals in one game against Southend United this season.
With the regular season over now and the transfer window ready to open, we know who will be probably go at Liverpool, but it’s still unclear who they’re going to bring in.
Rumour has got round that Dalglish’s first move will be securing two young English talents in Jordan Henderson and Connor Wickham, and others are inclined to believe that Dalglish is also looking into Charlie Adam and Scott Parker, it’s clear Dalglish is gunning for a robust and young homegrown team with sprinkles of foreign talent that is critically essential in the modern game. With names like Gervinho and the prolific Fernando Llorente being thrown into the mix, it would appear Liverpool are rebuilding a team for the ages, one that will mature with trophies and finals galore, though such a prospect is ultimately overshadowed by the promise of attractive football at Liverpool again that goes through more than two players.
Personally, I can only praise Dalglish’s regime that is revolutionising Liverpool, it’s utilising the youthful aspect Liverpool needed in the same way I cannot condemn Hodgson’s logical signing of Konchesky. We all loved the way Torres and Gerrard played together like a two man army of class, but it was never going to be a lasting tactic with injuries and marking such a prominent factor.
Dalglish at the moment can only do right at Liverpool, then again we are in the off season, therefore he should do well to keep the groundswell in check in the run up to the new season to keep the players heads in the right place and the fans aspirations realistic for now, should Kenny make the right moves in the market this summer, we could well be seeing some familiar faces next season with a totally new game plan.
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Its jordon you twat
I’d rather see liverpool not buy anyone than see them buy henderson for 18 mil. WTF!!!