Dalglish has gambled in the transfer market
Liverpool fan Chris Jordan gives Premier League Blog an insight into the season to come for Kenny Dalglish’s men…
How happy are you with your side’s summer transfer business?
There’s a sense of restlessness amongst some fans, given the cost and therefore exposure that each of Kenny Dalglish and Damien Commoli’s signings have accumulated. The fact that there isn’t a champagne signing amongst the new additions means many fans have found themselves having to defend the motivation of each deal, with people questioning the price of Henderson and Downing in particular. Most debates will have no doubt trailed away with the old adage; ‘we’ll have to wait and see’, amongst other variations, with Liverpool fans appearing quietly confident but with much to anxiously consider. The first eleven is far from predictable, with nearly every position and formation up for debate, a fact that will no doubt cause some consternation come the first team list of the season. Should Dalglish’s invincible glean fade slightly, with dropped points early on in the season, there will be a flood of fan philosophy, papers, call ins and TV punditry all ready to offer up the definitive ‘solution’. Whether it be Andy Carroll, Steven Gerrard, Charlie Adam, Dirk Kuyt, Glen Johnson, Raul Meireles, Jordan Henderson, Jose Enrique, Alberto Aquilani, Luis Suarez or Jamie Carragher’s role within the team that is being questioned, fans should note that the squad can now boast two proven performers for each position, something which has not been the case for many years. Dalglish may have bought in wine for champagne prices, but the prospect of having players genuinely fighting for their place in the team, and a willing replacement dying to step into their boots off it, provides more dependable expectation than all the Joe Coles, Fernando Morientes and Harry Kewells rolled into one, ever could.
What do you expect from your team this season?
With Manchester City not yet world beaters, Arsenal dallying and Chelsea ageing, there may never be a better chance for Liverpool to reach the Champions League again. There is a whimsical certainty amongst fans that Liverpool will regain their place within the European elite and that it is only a matter of time. The sad fact is the competition’s recruitment leaves no room for sentimentality and will only ever be available for those who are good enough to enter. You don’t often hear Nottingham Forest fans waxing lyrical about their entitlement to European football, despite the fact they are ranked third in Britain for honours won. Liverpool fans need to start appreciating the fact that there are now a number of teams capable of fighting for our third or fourth spot, which we held for so many years with malingering mediocrity. The idea of Tottenham or Manchester City challenging for these places would have been laughable a number of seasons ago, but the fact that Liverpool remained ignorant to these potential challenges have left them as the outcast of the ‘Big Four’. Thanks to the genius of Gerrard and the bumbling of Gerard Houllier and Rafa Benitez, most fans were lulled into a false sense of security, where we were just ‘one little leap from the title’. The reality was that we were just one small step from mediocrity. Dalglish has definitely aquired a squad now capable of regaining Champions League football, but if he is to succeed, Liverpool must dislodge Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal or City to get there, as well as outperform Spurs and any other club who may enjoy an ascendancy this season. With most of these teams victim to some sort of controversy or frustration during pre-season, Dalglish may never get a better chance, to achieve what Liverpool fans so stoically want returned to Anfield. Fourth place when I’m optimistic, fifth when I’m not.
Who will be your star man?
Much has been made of the madcap Luis Suarez; the man who can slalom through world class defences, only to fire a blazing wayward shot, high and wide, finding its way into the back of a woman’s head, rather than the net. But the hype, may for once be well placed. Suarez will return home from a brilliant Copa America, in which he starred, an eerily reminiscent achievement to Fernando Torres’ campaign in Euro 2008. The distinct difference for Suarez, will be that he is not the lone striker. There will be no excuses for poor distribution to rely upon or outstretched arms on the turf having failed despite ‘giving it his all’. To search for his ‘best bits’ on youtube is an absolute delight, with a number of brilliant finishes, which range from the acrobatic to the speculative. But most enjoyable of all, are the highlights of him attempting the ridiculous and somehow managing to pull it off, the marauding runs seemingly going nowhere, the aimless flicks and tricks which find their way to a teammate and the perpetual grin which follows each whether successful or not. The team thrives upon the fact that he is a non-sequitor; unlikely to stick to a winning formula or trusty finish, a quality which rains mistakes from defenders. There was a moment in the win against United, which endeared Suarez to Liverpool fans indefinitely and it was nowhere near the goal. As a melee broke out between players of both sides following a dangerous tackle from Rafael, Suarez found the United player amongst the horde and gave his hair a sharp pull, incensing the Brazillian who could be seen looking around for the guilty party. This crazed approach to forward play and a history of colourful antics, has endeared Suarez to fans immediately, who can most probably look forward to another season of brilliant unpredictability.
What young player do you expect to emerge and make an impact?
The emergence of Martin Kelly as a first teamer was better than any signing made last Summer, though this feat was more than achievable given the fact Joe Cole was our marquee transfer. Regardless, a product of the academy making it through to the starting eleven was a major achievement for the club last year and it was followed by the emergence of Jay Spearing, John Flanagan and Jack Robinson who had previously only enjoyed bit part roles in the likes of the league cup. At the time of writing, Liverpool are agreeing terms with Jose Enrique which may mean Kelly falls behind Glen Johnson in the fight for right back. A long term aim for Dalglish may be to groom Kelly for a place in central defence, a progression similar to that of Carragher’s. In the long run this may be more beneficial as both Agger and Skrtel have their critics, and it is only a matter of time before Carragher swaps the pitch for the dugout. It seems unlikely that Spearing will dislodge the midfield starters and Kelly seems the only youngster capable of making a legitimate stake for first team football. Having spent big bucks on young British talent, the board should be quite relieved that a potential defensive star of the future, is already at the club.
