One-Paced Liverpool's Need for Speed
When great attacking sides are mentioned, one quality above all springs to mind - pace. Barcelona’s front three of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez are synonymous with bursting runs past labouring defenders, while Alexis Sanchez and Eden Hazard lit up the Premier League last season as they left hapless opponents in their wake.
So when the Liverpool lineup for the West Bromwich Albion game was announced, I was more than a little concerned by our front three.
Christian Benteke, …
Klopp Carving Out Results With Rodgers Tools
Does He Really Need New Pliers?
When interviewed following his third from last game in charge of Liverpool, Brendan Rodgers identified a lack of quality ‘tools’ as the reason for his poor managerial record in 2015. “Give me the tools, I’ll do the work” were his exact words in the aftermath of September’s 3-2 victory over relegation-threatened Aston Villa.
There was a particular implement in question: the brilliant Daniel Sturridge, whose brace had just extended Rodgers’ doomed reign into what …
Liverpool and the lack of quality goals conceded
I know it sounds like an odd title. Of course any goal conceded is a bad goal but my disappointment and anger subsides when a goal is of good quality. The sort that annoys you even more because you can't even moan it's that good. You're left speechless and quietly impressed by it. The type of goal that leaves you looking at your mate and shrugging.
Liverpool have a knack these days of conceding soft goals. Firstly, these goals are …
Back To The Future
When forced to abandon something one loves for a while, there are clear stages of grieving for that lost object of affection. Initially the pain is sharp, like that of a parent whose only child has just flown the nest. You battle the overwhelming impulse to reunite, interfere, intercede. Eventually, however, the severity of the need to remain connected lessens, and one assumes the demeanour of a fond observer, like, say, a sidelined podcast host watching a succession of his …
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 …
What type of left back do Liverpool really need?
It's an unwritten rule that managers tend to like two players for every position within their squad. The Liverpool squad as a whole hasn't looked this healthy for years but we seem to be lacking a second left back. The links to Lucas Digne may have stemmed from this. It's easy journalism. Liverpool need a left back + Lucas Digne wants to leave PSG for first team football = Liverpool want Digne.
Did a deal for Digne ever seem to …
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 …
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 …