Why have Liverpool failed?
By Paul Hampton
Why have Liverpool failed?
The defeat against Newcastle saw Liverpool complete their worst league run for 58 years, loosing 6 out of 7 games. From a club that has spent in excess of £100 million it is far from what is expected. But what has happened to make Liverpool fail so badly?
The Suarez row.
This was a distraction; it was a problem for the club as a whole and not just one individual. Suarez muddied the name of Liverpool football club when he was suspended for racial abusing Patrice Evra, and the distraction it caused the players and the coaching staff started the rot. From the t shirts at Wigan, to the disgusting gesture made towards Fulham fans from the man himself, it has taken the focus from the team and on to him. This situation could have been handled so much better and more professionally; but instead Kenny stood by him and defended him religiously. If not for the intervention of Fenway Sports Group one does wonder how long it would have lasted.
Injuries.
Injuries have played a big part this season, Agger, Lucas, Johnson, Gerrard have all missed large parts of the season. Agger and Skrtel were the best defensive partnership in the league and without him at the heart of the defence Skrtel looks lost and unsure of his surroundings.
The defeat against Newcastle saw Liverpool complete their worst league run for 58 years, loosing 6 out of 7 games. From a club that has spent in excess of £100 million it is far from what is expected. But what has happened to make Liverpool fail so badly?
The Suarez row.
This was a distraction; it was a problem for the club as a whole and not just one individual. Suarez muddied the name of Liverpool football club when he was suspended for racial abusing Patrice Evra, and the distraction it caused the players and the coaching staff started the rot. From the t shirts at Wigan, to the disgusting gesture made towards Fulham fans from the man himself, it has taken the focus from the team and on to him. This situation could have been handled so much better and more professionally; but instead Kenny stood by him and defended him religiously. If not for the intervention of Fenway Sports Group one does wonder how long it would have lasted.
Injuries.
Injuries have played a big part this season, Agger, Lucas, Johnson, Gerrard have all missed large parts of the season. Agger and Skrtel were the best defensive partnership in the league and without him at the heart of the defence Skrtel looks lost and unsure of his surroundings.
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Injuries to Glenn Johnson haven’t been felt so much due to the impeccable cover available in Martin Kelly. But now with them both injured at the same time, young Flanagan doesn't look up to the job. He was caught out of position a few times on Sunday and his rash slide tackle in the box allowed the ball to find its way to Cisse unmarked. At the start of his career Lucas was a player no Liverpool fan wanted to see on the pitch, he was clumsy and often his mistakes proved costly.
However this season he has become one of the best holding midfielders in the league, without him sitting in front of the defence breaking up play there is a big hole and Spearing doesn't fill it. Gerrard has been the biggest miss. His absence at the start of the season was felt and since he has come back you can clearly see he has not been 100%. Is it time for him to call his England career to an end and focus on his club football? Surely after this summer's competition it is a big consideration. |
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Poor signings.
The signings made by the current Liverpool management read like a who's who of flops. Carroll, Downing, Henderson, Adam have not lived up to expectations. Downing, Adam and Henderson have scored 5 goals between them; pre-season you would have expected 25-30 goals easily.
Carroll just doesn't look the same. At Newcastle he feasted on long diagonal balls; this is not the way that Liverpool play, they play with the ball on the floor and it doesn't suit him.
Jorden Henderson was supposed to be the player who ended Liverpool's right wing woes. Instead he has just added to them. He has been played ahead of Dirk Kuyt time after time and failed to deliver and doesn’t look like doing so anytime soon.
Cup distraction.
Liverpool had a long Carling Cup run that only ended at the top of the Wembley steps and they are in the semi-final of the FA Cup against their city rivals Everton. With the focus on silverware this year it has allowed players to focus all their energy on the cups and not on the league.
When all is said and done an uncertain future lies ahead for the Reds. John Henry has invested heavily in the squad and has backed the manager in every move he has made, but only has a Carling Cup to show for it. The Aston Villa game is now vitally important to the future of Liverpool Football Club and their manager Kenny Dalglish, could defeat see the end of the kings reign?
(c) Copyright 606v2 2012. Please do not reproduce without permission
To discuss this article, please visit the 606v2 forum here
The signings made by the current Liverpool management read like a who's who of flops. Carroll, Downing, Henderson, Adam have not lived up to expectations. Downing, Adam and Henderson have scored 5 goals between them; pre-season you would have expected 25-30 goals easily.
Carroll just doesn't look the same. At Newcastle he feasted on long diagonal balls; this is not the way that Liverpool play, they play with the ball on the floor and it doesn't suit him.
Jorden Henderson was supposed to be the player who ended Liverpool's right wing woes. Instead he has just added to them. He has been played ahead of Dirk Kuyt time after time and failed to deliver and doesn’t look like doing so anytime soon.
Cup distraction.
Liverpool had a long Carling Cup run that only ended at the top of the Wembley steps and they are in the semi-final of the FA Cup against their city rivals Everton. With the focus on silverware this year it has allowed players to focus all their energy on the cups and not on the league.
When all is said and done an uncertain future lies ahead for the Reds. John Henry has invested heavily in the squad and has backed the manager in every move he has made, but only has a Carling Cup to show for it. The Aston Villa game is now vitally important to the future of Liverpool Football Club and their manager Kenny Dalglish, could defeat see the end of the kings reign?
(c) Copyright 606v2 2012. Please do not reproduce without permission
To discuss this article, please visit the 606v2 forum here