 Friday, 17th May 2013 00:34 by Clive Whittingham It's been a season of small gains points and position wise for Liverpool as the eccentric Brendan Rodgers attempts to get the club back to regularly challenging for the Champions League places once more. Overview"My biggest mentor is myself because I've had to study, so that's been my biggest influence." "For me it’s not a choice. Do you come in every day and do you work hard or not? No, that’s the obligation." "You can see in their performances it hasn't affected them and, if anything, we have grown from that." "I always say it's like a good meal - I'm not a great cook but a good meal takes a wee bit of time but also to offer a good meal you need good ingredients." "All I'll ever do is all I've ever done in any job, and that's promise to fight for my life." "I will leave no stone unturned in my quest - and that quest will be relentless." It's a source of some considerable amusement that it's so difficult to complete the Huffington Post's quiz on whether David Brent or Brendan Rodgers came up with a variety of outlandish management-speak bull shit. The above, in case you were wondering, are all gems from Rodgers. While listening to Rodgers you'd be forgiven for thinking you've actually tuned into a very well put together sitcom. One of those, like The Office, that tricks the gullible into believing it's actually a documentary. When Fox produced a behind the scenes series on Liverpool that aired on these shores on Channel 5 it was one of the funniest things on television. During one long, lingering shot of Rodgers and his coaching staff sitting cross legged in a circle discussing the day of training ahead a dramatic voice over, after a pause even the X Factor may deem excessive, said: "these are the men of Liverpool ." A clip of Raheem Sterling being called up on his training ground behaviour went viral but cut off the best bit – for five minutes before Sterling muttered under his breath, Rodgers had stood before his players with his hands clasped together in front of him saying: "Team. Collective. Unit. Together. As one." No wonder Sterling got bored standing there listening to that while the women of Toxteth waited for him at the gates of the training ground for maintenance payments/more sperm. And so this strange character is the man entrusted with turning around what was once the finest cruise liner in the world but has been drifting lifelessly for some time. Once league champions 11 times in 17 years Liverpool now haven't won a title for nearly a quarter of a century; once regulars in the modern day Champions League, winners in 2005 and finalists in 2007, they now haven't qualified in four years; once an establishment steeped in history, tradition and doing things the right way they're now onto a second American ownership after a disastrous first and a fourth manager in little over three years. So how's Rodgers doing? Well last season under Kenny Dalglish they finished eighth, made both domestic cup finals winning one, finished 37 points off the title and 17 points off fourth. This season they're one place better off, but still 30 points behind Man Utd and 12 away from the Champions League spots. Progress can kindly be described as slow and steady. Rodgers though seems to have the fans on his side, and Roy Hodgson will tell you that is the most important thing at Anfield. The faithful seem to recognise just how much damage was done during the almost-criminal reign of Tom Hicks and George Gillett where at one stage it looked like Liverpool could be the most famous footballing name ever to collapse into administration. The locals would never say it, but a second spell under the charge of Kop darling Kenny Dalglish didn't help a great deal either given that he and director of football Damien Comolli jizzed more than £100m on players – while admittedly recouping £50m for a physically shot Fernando Torres – and really only had Luis Suarez to show for it. Rodgers inherited a team full of expensive signings like Jordan Henderson, Stuart Downing and Andy Carroll playing a totally different way from his preferred style. This was always going to take some time.
Much like the documentary and Rodgers, the team almost became a parody of itself in his early days. Joe Allen arrived from Swansea and Liverpool were seemingly more intent on completing 50 passes in their own half than scoring an actual goal. But the team has evolved: Daniel Sturridge is fulfilling potential, Coutinho is impressing, Suarez would have run Gareth Bale close for the Player of the Year trophies but for his angry child-like behaviour. Liverpool have, on occasions, been good to watch. There's plenty still to do. Failure to qualify for the Champions League regularly will only be tolerated for so long. Jamie Carragher retires this summer, Steven Gerrard is approaching his shelf life, Pepe Reina is no longer the colossus he used to be and that spine of the team is headed by Suarez who has been given free reign to pretty much behave how he likes by the club's ceaseless backing – which would never have been afforded to a player of lesser ability and transfer value – but is surely on a final, final warning after munching a chunk out of Branoslav Ivanovic's shoulder. The initial signs say the ship is finally in a very wide circle heading back to the right course. Plenty of work still to do for Rodgers though. Friend first, manager second, probably entertainer third. InterviewThe farewell tour of our regular Premier League contributors concludes with Liverpool fans Shane Thorne. We thank him for his time and thoughts as always. Incidentally, if anybody does know a Barnsley season ticket holder… No Champions League, no Europa League, finishing below Everton – surely it’s been a disastrous season for Liverpool and yet the impression given is that the fans are reasonably happy with the direction of travel. Give us an honest assessment of the season? The 2011/12 season ended with Liverpool in 8th place, 37 points behind the top spot and 17 points behind the prized Champions League places. There was however a consolation prize in the Carling Cup which earned a Europa League spot. This season sees us approach the final game of the season one place better off in 7th place, still 30 points off this Champions and 12 points from fourth place. If you look at these statistics you would argue where is the improvement? Funnily enough, all real positives this season have come since the turn of the year and the signings of Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho which has bolstered our goal scoring ability. Finally we are starting to see a small sign of consistency (we previously went nearly a year without stringing together two league victories in a row) and the goals for column looking much healthier. In my honest opinion, it was always going to be a rebuilding process and our league standing is about right for the depth of squad we currently have. Still hurts to say that all the same.... And what is your opinion of Brendan Rodgers after his first year in charge? What has he done well and not so well? Brendan Rodgers was seen as a somewhat dubious appointment and from day one had big shoes to fill replacing none other than King Kenny. Our owners, FSG, were trying to bring the approach of their sports group across the Atlantic with a focus on youth, rebuilding and hunger for success. Rodgers arrived following an impressive first Premier League campaign at Swansea City and having worked closely with a string of top class coaches at Chelsea . Apart from that you could argue his managerial calibre and whether he really was capable of what is still seen as leading a big club on a downward spiral. Personally I think he has seen the importance to the fans of the clubs history and taken to that aspect very well. He also spoke cleverly from the outset and earned the respect of the owners, staff and players - he is clearly a people person and truly cares. What we have seen is a complete transformation on the pitch with the style of football he is trying so desperately to implement. The idea is right but lack of consistency has been the downfall at most times this season. At the start there was no deviation away from the one tactic so if that wasn't working we lost or drew the game. Later on there was a willingness to change, most likely due to the arrival of new creative players taking the burden off of our very young and inexperienced lineup, and our form has improved. Overall, the passion for the club and city is there, the hunger to succeed is there but there has to be an open approach to try something new when the original game plan is not working. Presumably much more is expected next season? Realistic aims for 2013/14? Liverpool fans take a bit of stick for relying on our history and having a belief of "this year is going to be our year". Yes, we are proud of our history (but who wouldn't based on our accomplishments) but the expectation of winning the league is an urban myth, especially on the basis of most supporters I spend time chatting with or share a stand with. As per my earlier assessment of this season, an improvement of seven and five points respectively is not much to shout home about. The club are still two or three players of real quality off having a realistic Champions League qualification chance and much further from the title. If we get our summer transfer business completed early and a real blend of experience with potential then there will be further improvement and a chance to break back into the top four. The worry is over the last five years how far have we fallen behind the ever presents as well as the emergence of those other clubs finishing about us. Likely position for 2013/14: fifth place. No Luis Suarez this weekend for well documented reasons. How many more of these incidents can he be involved in and not be kicked out of the club? Is it simply the case that he’s so brilliant and Liverpool so reliant on him that he can pretty much behave as he likes? Where do you stand on the whole situation and how do you think it will end? Luis Suarez or El Pistolero (The Gunfighter) is adored by the Liverpool fans as is our way. There is no doubt that this season Luis has proven he is not only one of the top strikers in the Premier League but the world. That being said, his antics are bizarre and unacceptable. If you read anything about him off the field, he is described as quiet and a devote Husband/Father. Put him on a football pitch then his pure hunger (no pun here please) to win each time drives him to outrageous actions - a la Jekyll and Hyde. The whole racism thing can be argued until the cows come home and I personally think he should have got the benefit of doubt given how shockingly inconsistent the FA have been in recent years. The biting incident on the other hand left me gobsmacked, appalled and outright angry as a football fan let alone of supporter the club. The punishment of a 10 game ban was about right and decision not to appeal also. I obviously want to see Luis in that Red shirt for many years but one rule will always remain, no one player is bigger than Liverpool Football Club. This latest incident has to leave him in last chance saloon but I still feel there is a chance of him being sold this year if an offer of £35m or more is received. The emergence of Daniel Sturridge shows that we have a more than capable second striker and that type of money could be very well used - which leaves the question, is there any club willing to spend that type of money and take a risk? Who have been the leading contenders for Player of the Year? After another poor start to the system, you have to look towards the end of season for me in a player of the year perspective. Suarez has had an outstanding season football wise from start to finish but there are players in other areas who stand out. Since Carragher was brought back into the team there has been a real sense of leadership at the back and much more stability defensively. The Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard has been as consistent as ever chipping in with goals and assists from a deeper lying midfield position. Daniel Sturridge has come straight into the team and gone on an immediate scoring streak proving that he a very competent striker. Philippe Coutinho has earned rave reviews for his creativity with countless assists already and a couple of goals of his own. And more surprisingly to some, since coming into the team Jordan Henderson has been outstanding, has stamina in abundance, is real workmanlike and has even shown an eye for goal that we have never seen before from the young man. My top 3 are: 1. Luis Suarez 2. Philippe Coutinho 3. Jordan Henderson Where are the weak links in the team? What areas need strengthening this summer? How much will Jamie Carragher be missed? Weakness is maybe a strong word but there are certainly areas that need improving. An experienced centre back is needed desperately and we also have no cover at left back so those are the two keys areas from a defensive position. We are missing creativity in the middle of the park which leaves a need there for a box to box midfielder. Finally, any top club should have three high quality strikers. Suarez and Sturridge have shown that they are more than capable and although unfortunate in his first season with injury, Fabio Borini is regrettably not good enough. Whether we bring in another striker or an attacking midfielder who can play across a forward line of three or off the striker, this should be seen as a priority. I saw an article on Twitter this week after the Fulham game. It was about a group of supporters who stood at the side of the road with a banner that read something like "Carragher Merseyside's Working Class Hero". What happened next was the Liverpool team bus driving past and stopping a short distance away. Off the bus came Carragher who approached the group, posed for photographs and emotionally thanked the fans for such a kind message. That sums Jamie Carragher up in a nutshell. The man always has time for the fans, is a leader on and off the field, has a true love for the club and will forever be remembered in the club's history as one thing - a legend. Not bad for an Evertonian originally...... Scout ReportThe perceived failure of Brendan Rodgers to come up with plans B, C and D when A has failed may begin to subside if the form from the back end of this season continues into next. Against Chelsea at home a lacklustre first half with Jordan Henderson furthest forward in support of Luis Suarez was transformed immediately after half time when Daniel Sturridge was added from the bench, a more conventional two strikers-two wingers formation was employed and the direction of play changed entirely. Liverpool equalised almost immediately. Of course during that game Suarez committed his infamous bite on Ivanovic and has been banned ever since – six goals at Newcastle and three at Fulham in the two subsequent away games suggests they’ve adapted well to his absence, although the poor quality of the opposition undoubtedly helped. The absence of Suarez isn’t quite as keenly felt as it would have been in the first half of the season with Sturridge now able to operate through the middle when the Uruguayan is out and the excellent Philippe Coutinho adding dangers from wide areas.
The system does largely remain unchanged though. A lone striker – usually Suarez but Sturridge currently – plays through the middle with support from two deeper, wider lying players. That’s usually Coutinho and Stewart Downing of late but in the trendy new style where the right footed player goes on the left and vice versa enabling them to cut in and support that main striker whenever possible. Behind them sit two more conventional central midfielders – always Steven Gerrard and then sometimes Joe Allen, sometimes Jordan Henderson – and then a deeper lying holding midfielder like Lucas further back still. A reasonably conventional back four protects Pepe Reina. Anybody who saw Rodgers’ Swansea team, or watches the Spanish football on a regular basis, will recognise Liverpool’s structure in possession immediately. When playing out from the back they will almost always go short, usually to one of the centre halves, with Lucas or the man in his role then dropping very deep to receive a short ball from them. While that’s going on both full backs will have bombed on down the line and similarly as the attack builds the lone striker in the Suarez role will also drop deep with Gerrard and his central midfield partner spreading wide and moving beyond him. It took Liverpool some time to get to grips with this and early in the season it was quite common to see them suddenly find three or four opponents rushing towards their goal in possession with only one defensive midfielder and two centre halves between them and Reina – both full backs committed and out of the game down the field. The key, as ever with such systems, is to pick out the man they’re using to collect the ball from the defence and direct the attack and shut him down quickly and as high up the field as possible to either force rushed or long passes, or to win the ball back and spring counter attacks on an outnumbered defence. Beware though, because Liverpool are more than willing to do the same themselves when defending. Taking their cue from Sunderland’s performance in a 3-0 win at Newcastle they pressed the home side very high up the field during a recent trip to St James’ Park and were able to win the ball back on the halfway line or better and spring quick counters of their own with Sturridge and Coutinho running amok as the striker and support act. They also weren’t afraid to go ever so slightly longer with their passing in that game as Newcastle’s rusty offside trap invited balls in behind. A side with more strings to its bow than it had eight months ago certainly. Links >>> Official Website >>> This Is Anfield – blog and forum >>> Liverpool Echo – local paper >>> LFC Online – blog and forum >>> Anfield Red – blog >>> Anfield Online – blog and forum >>> Kop Talk – blog and forum >>> Anfield Road – blog >>> Paisley Gates – blog Tweet @loftforwords, @shane84thorne Pictures – Action Images< Photo: Action Images Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.
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