Letlhogonolo Mothiboseng takes us on trip down memory lane, then tells us how shit Liverpool are.
Then tells us Liverpool will finish fourth.
The Original “This is Anfield” sign has been re-mounted in the tunnel, The red Goal nets last seen in the 90’s return and the ‘’punters” return with the usual “ this year is surely ours ‘’.
Times have changed, Liverpool FC are no longer the perennial title challengers they once were there’s no John Barnes tearing down the left flank, Graeme Souness isn’t bossing the midfield for the reds anymore Kenny Dalglish isn’t threading delightful through balls for Ian Rush to bullet into the net leading Liverpool FC to yet another league title. Expectations at Anfield have changed, Liverpool FC’s recent change in fortunes has led the club to dogfights with teams like Tottenham Hotspurs, Newcastle and Chelsea for just the privilege to participate in the UEFA Champions league, a dogfight we (bias) have been recently losing . To put it in perspective, the last 20 years has seen Liverpool descend from the undisputable kings of England and perennial title challengers to top four hopefuls.
Liverpool now have a new manager in Brendan Rodgers who promises attacking football and a return to the Liverpool ethos, signalling yet another transition phase. Brendan Rodgers loves tiki-taka which is not an alien brand of football but rather a more refined version of liverpools own ‘’pass and move it’s the Liverpool groove’’ which brought them much success under Paisley and Dalglish (King Kenny 1.0 not king Kenny 2.0). It will take time before it bears fruit, the playing personnel left behind by King Kenny left much to be desired and Charlie Adams’ corners are worth 10 pieces of hake. Dirk Kuyt an industrious mainstay at Anfield has left leaving behind Joe Cole’s wages, the fantasy of Aquilani has left but then did he ever really arrive? Who is Joe Allen? Well Brendan Rodgers seems to think he is hybrid football cross of Xavi, Paul Scholes, Gerrard and some famous welsh footballer I’ve never heard of. Joe Allen is the man Rodgers will intrust with making his midfield tick to his tactics (TIKI TAKA). The system will need patience because frankly when tiki taka works its beautiful when it fails ala Chelsea bus vs Barcelona it looks depressing and you end up wishing you had an Andy Carroll in your team to hoof the ball to.
Finally, what was clear for all to see last season was that Liverpool’s problems lay upfront. Ever since a certain tattooed fella with blond locks left the red #9 for a blue #9 liverpool have lacked a consistent goal-scorer a 20+ goals a season striker, no matter how much you stack the midfield as long as your attack continues to shoot blanks or continues its fascination with the oppositions wood…..woodwork then this season will just mirror last season. For me Liverpool's fortunes this year will rely on that sole factor you can bring in as many midfield tickers as you want but if the attack is lacking the Liverpool fan will continue being frustrated. As it stands Liverpool only have Andy Carroll, Luis Suarez and Fabio Borini there is space for at least two more attackers considering the departures of Dirk Kuyt and Maxi. I still fancy Liverpool’s chances ahead of Tottenham who seem to only have Jermaine Defoe as a striker, Newcastle and Arsenal (if RVP leaves whenever he wants).
Like a true Liverpool Fan I sign off and say this will be our year, sadly not to win the title but to sneak into the top 4.
Footiecall's response:
Well done Lee. Good post. Unlike others, I agree with 100% everything you have to say. No bias. I promise.
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