Liverpool have embarked on their Europa League adventure this week, traveling to Belarus to play their first leg qualifier against FC Gomel in what will be manager, Brendan Rodgers’ first competitive game. Their recent tour of America may have ended without a win, but this is a Liverpool team adapting to Rodgers’ philosophy and style of play and remain undoubted favourites to progress to the next round. Could it be that progression potentially damages their chances of securing the much sought after top 4 finish though?
In a recent interview with the official Liverpool site, Brendan Rodgers stated he believed the early start could “have an advantageous impact heading into the opening of the Barclays Premier League season…We are still finding our fitness and our match fitness, but of course I think playing these games helps us and will give us that edge going into the beginning of this season.” It is hard to argue with him that these games will give his side the competitive edge come 18th August away to West Brom as in theory his side should be sharper and better conditioned.
Not only this but it will give his team a chance to adapt to the new style of play he has brought with him from Swansea and for new signing Fabio Borini, and potentially Joe Allen, more time to gel with their new team mates. Rodgers has also indicated that despite them taking the Europa League seriously, the League will always remain their priority as they aim to better last season and re-claim their position in the top four.
As Rodgers pointed out, this early fixture will benefit his side as they still find their fitness, but having come off the back of a pre-season tour of America which will have been played in largely hot conditions, fitness and conditioning may not be the top priority. Perhaps Rodgers is just doing the media rounds and knows full well that Liverpool could have done without this draw? Let’s also not forget, some Liverpool players such as Gerrard and Johnson have just come off the back of Euro 2012 where Gerrard in particular looked jaded and fatigued going into the last 20 minutes of matches.
Would a rest have been more advantageous or even another low key friendly? Presumably the likes of Gerrard won’t feature in the early fixtures, but as they progress, how will his body hold up playing all the extra matches? It is well known that he has had some pretty serious injury problems over the years and the likes of Agger, Carragher and Lucas have all had well publicized injuries. Will these players be risked in the Europa League or will the challenge fall to the likes of Joe Cole, Raheem Sterling, Martin Kelly and Jonjo Shelvey who may not necessarily start in the Premier League?
With Dalglish departing and Rodgers coming in, this is very much a transitional stage for Liverpool as he looks to put his own stamp on the team and bring his own players in. Borini has already arrived and as previously mentioned, Joe Allen could be on the way with a potential £15 million move from Rodger’s old team Swansea. There have also already been departures from the old regime too, with Kuyt and Maxi leaving and Carroll, Stirling and Skrtel linked with West Ham, Spurs and Manchester City respectively.
In Rodgers’ eyes the squad is far from complete and with more players coming and going, it could be a while before they firmly gel as a unit and the Europa League may well become an unwelcome distraction. If Rodgers is going to rest his top names, or even play a mixture of experience and youth, all the travelling to the away fixtures still disrupts the preparations on the training ground. This early in the season, can Liverpool afford for 18 or so players flying out to Belarus, whilst the others remain in England awaiting their return so they can carry on training together? This will become increasingly more disruptive as the squad starts to take shape and the new players arrive and need time to settle into their new surroundings.
It has been well documented how other teams that have taken part in the Europa League have struggled in the latter part of the season as the fixtures start to build up, think Stoke last season or Aston Villa under Martin O’Neill. With this already being a transitional season for Liverpool, I for one believe the Europa League could potentially drive their season off the rails if they continue to progress further as the fixture list starts to pile and fatigue kicks in.
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