The More Things Change, the More they Stay the Same for Liverpool FC
Seven points from three games represented an excellent start to the new season for Liverpool Football Club and, its embattled manager, Brendan Rodgers. A battling if blunt display against Stoke, followed by an unconvincing showing against Bournemouth had delivered 6 points from 6, before the Reds turned in an impressive display away at the Emirates. Things were looking decent-ish, at least in terms of results, and the performances seemed to be improving. Step forward West Ham at Anfield! Saturday's absolute …
The Importance Of Emre Can
Emre Can is not just a classy beast with magnificent hair or one of those people with a certain magnetic charisma about them, but he could also be a very influential player for Liverpool this season and hopefully, many more to come.
Prior to the Arsenal game, Brendan Rodgers spoke of a need to "dominate the space" and given his propensity for middle-management jargon and buzz-words, he often finds himself a target of derision when he speaks. However, Rodgers' comments proved to …
Arsenal v Liverpool: a Gooner’s view
As a prelude to the upcoming Arsenal v Liverpool match at The Emirates on August 24, I thought I'd try and give us Reds fans a slightly different perspective on what is a big game for both clubs by speaking to Arsenal fan, Stephen Lewis. I've known Steve for around ten years and can not only vouch for his knowledge and understanding of the game, but also his fairness in assessing players, teams and matches. So, we sat down for …
How Liverpool Shaped Up In Possession Against Bournemouth
Against Stoke, we concentrated on how Liverpool played in possession. Here again, for different reasons, we will do the same, focusing less on the execution of Liverpool's attacking game plan and more on the implementation of their shape when on the offensive.
Line up
Rodgers opted for the same team that had started against Stoke. At this early stage of the season, where performances are often not at their most fluent and coherent, it's generally important to keep some type of …
Good Signings but Where is the Defensive Plan?
Christian Benteke, Roberto Firmino, Danny Ings, James Milner, Nathaniel Clyne, Adam Bogdan, Joe Gomez and the returning Divock Origi have all been added to the squad this summer in quick time. Great credit must go to the club for quickly bringing in their chosen targets. Whilst many will debate on whether these signings represent good business, the club have certainly backed Brendan Rodgers with his objectives.
The names above cry out goals. Goals from headers, goals from sublime skill, goals from …
Are Liverpool in a Perpetual State of Transition?
Evolution is inevitable. In football and in everyday life you change to adapt. So what's the difference between transition as a club and evolving? Why are some teams praised for adapting whilst others use being in transition as an excuse?
Since Brendan Rodgers took the helm of Liverpool FC it feels like 'Liverpool are in transition' is one of the most overused sentences for fans and pundits alike. Many pin this on Brendan Rodgers, others like to associate the blame …
James Milner - Adding Another Level to the Liverpool Midfield
James Milner's move to Liverpool was a poorly kept secret.
It was more of a matter of when and not if he'd sign for Liverpool. His signing once again split an already fractured fan base. Yes, he arrived on a free transfer but wages and signing on fee were rumoured to be a fairly handy bit of money and this didn't sit well with some fans who felt this could've been used elsewhere. However, if you put that to one …
Sean O'Driscoll - Similar but Different
It's finally here. Pre-season officially began on July 6th. The 'big' news many ITK's predicted never actually arrived. Despite Callum 'credential' Wright saying a Dubai based company would buy the club they inevitably didn't. The manager wasn't replaced by a certain German. It was kind of nice how straightforward it was in the end after a summer of conspiracy theories.
The first team coaching staff got two new additions, the playing staff has been aided by the additions of James …
Signing Nathaniel Clyne - Another canny move by Liverpool?
So it looks like Nathaniel Clyne will be Liverpool's sixth summer signing of the season. The infamous 'transfer-committee' have worked tirelessly this summer to ensure that Liverpool's transfer dealings get done early before the start of pre-season. James Miner and Adam Bogdan (free transfers), Danny Ings (Tribunal fee), Joe Gomez (£3.5 million) and Roberto Firmino (£22 million + £7 million add-ons) have already been added to the Reds' squad with the club yet to sell any of the deadwood around …
Does Milner's arrival condemn Can to another year in defence?
For the most part of the 2014-15 Premier League season, Emre Can was selected as part of a three-man defensive unit, despite playing in midfield for the majority of his career. The 21-year-old, who made 40 appearances in his maiden season at Anfield in all competitions, is neat and tidy in possession, while he isn’t afraid of throwing himself into tackles. In fact, the German loves the physical side of the game but knows the importance of remaining disciplined, particularly in Brendan …