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Five Reasons Why Liverpool Have Been On A Decline Over The Last Two-To-Three Years
Srinivasan Mohan ponders as to what went wrong with one of the most successful English clubs in recent years...
15-Nov-2011 1:21:00 PM
By Srinivasan Mohan
Getty Images
18 Premier League titles, 7 FA Cups, 7 League Cups, 5 European Cups, 3 UEFA Cups and 3 UEFA Super Cups – That’s the trophy cabinet at Liverpool FC. But that has been a thing of the past as the Reds have failed to win any major trophies lately. They are fast becoming a club that relies too much on past glory to justify their inability to churn out results week in week out.
Just when all Liverpool fans thought that they could continue the good work from last season, the wheels have come off from the Reds wagon after many unconvincing results. They were heavily involved in the transfer window by making many expensive purchases like Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson in addition to Jose Enrique, Craig Bellamy, Charlie Adam and Doni. After winter signings of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll found their feet at Anfield, these signings were deemed a move in the right direction to bring back laurels to Anfield. They have instead brought widespread criticism to both manager and club.
Let’s analyse some of the reasons why Liverpool have been seen on the decline in the last few years:
The First Step In The Wrong Direction l The Sale Of Alonso
Xabi Alonso’s departure: He was one of the key players for Liverpool and an automatic choice in their starting XI. His range of passing and defensive abilities were of paramount importance so that Gerrard could function freely in tandem with the forwards. However when Benitez began courting Gareth Barry, Alonso realized that his time was up at Anfield despite not losing form and rarely on the injured list. He joined the Real Madrid revolution under Florentino Perez and his supposed replacement – Alberto Aquilani – spent more time in the medical room than the pitch. Charlie Adam has been brought in to cover that position but the ‘Xabi’ class is missing.
The Fernando Torres conundrum : January 2011 was a very eventful month as the winter transfer window saw the most expensive player in British history being unveiled at Chelsea. Fernando Torres made a last minute transfer request to Liverpool that facilitated his long rumoured move to Chelsea. The man, Liverpool fans thought would become an Anfield legend, left for London citing lack of trophies during his glittering Anfield career. While many would consider this transfer as a clear example of greed and disloyalty a look on the other side of the coin would also reveal the frustration that was growing in Torres’s mind.
Do Not Blame Torres l Lack Of Ambition Frustrated Him
Despite being Benitez’s pet along with Gerrard and regularly scoring goals, a player of his caliber deserves to win trophies especially after he had been part of a squad that conquered the world in South Africa. Instead he was part of a Liverpool squad that was battling for relegation and a club that was debt ridden. According to Torres, Xabi Alonso’s departure to Spain affected him drastically and further intensified the idea of him wanting to leave Anfield. His choice to leave for London was under a belief that he would win with Chelsea. Even though Liverpool may have won numerous accolades in the past but the situation that Torres was in and his subsequent transfer to Chelsea was more of a case of Liverpool messing up than his lust for trophies.
Suarez Isn't A Machine l Over Dependence On The Uruguayan
Over-reliance on Luis Suarez: He was regarded as one of the signings of the season. Luis Suarez took to Anfield like a duck to water. His trickery up front along with his pace and power was too hot to handle for many a defense. His arrival along with Andy Carroll to Anfield sort of extinguished the flames of hate towards a certain Spaniard. His sublime form till the end of the season cemented his place inside the heart of every Scouser that he would be a success. Suarez has not dipped in form at all and continues to be the thorn for every opposition that Liverpool have faced this season. However Suarez, like Messi, is human and it was seen that if he could be shut out then Liverpool had no influence in the game. The other players in the team have resorted to the tactic that Maradona used with Argentina in the World Cup, i.e., Pass the ball to Messi and he would do the rest.
Carroll’s erratic form and injury woes have not helped Liverpool’s cause as it was assumed that his power and aerial ability would help beat defenders leaving paving a way for Suarez. Gerrard’s absence has been felt as there is no one to supplement Suarez so that he can weave his wand. Instead the other members of the team pass the ball to the No 7 and say ‘go on. Give us a chance or a goal’. Torres’ success at Anfield was attributed to Gerrard’s supply from the midfield. Suarez does not have the same luxury and sometimes has cut a frustrated figure up front. If Liverpool wants to entertain any hopes of getting results then they have to find a way to feed Suarez with the passes he thrives on.
Lack of squad depth and quality: The arrival of Henderson, Adam, Enrique, Doni, Bellamy, Coates and Downing to Anfield added numbers to Dalglish’s squad and also reinforced some positions that needed filling. However their transition into the Liverpool way hasn’t been smooth sans Enrique and Adam as they have been ineffective in most of their time in the famous red of Liverpool. None of them provide the creative spark that Gerrard brings to the team. This spark is needed in order to increase Suarez’s effectiveness as he needs some help in breaking open defenses.
The Worst Decision By Dalglish l To Let Go Of Meireles
The Sale Of Meireles: Liverpool erred this season by letting Raul Meireles go to Chelsea as he was very effective filling for Gerrard when the latter was missing for quite some time during the second half of the 2010-11 season. His ability to function as a ‘regista’ along with his booming drives and arsenal of passes would have been ideal for Liverpool this season especially now that Gerrard is injured again. Instead they chose to let him go. Aquilani despite his nightmare with Liverpool during his debut season looked very lively during their pre-season tour. His presence at Anfield would have given Kenny some depth and quality. Henderson, after his expensive move, has failed to live up to his potential. Downing was brought to feed Carroll with the crosses he needs but it has backfired as the latter is short on form.
Their depth is exposed as Dalglish does not possess any game changers when Liverpool are looking stale and in need of someone to work their magic and create chances. The winter transfer window would be the time when Kenny needs to take a good hard look at his squad and decide who would be staying and who won’t.
Despite all these shortcomings Liverpool will always be one of the top notch sides in English football. They can take a lesson from Juventus who after the Calciopoli scandal never recovered that aura of power they had before it. However Juve, under club legend Antonio Conte, have begun to take steps in the right direction.
Liverpool are in a similar sort of situation and would need a little more tweaking before the team starts to function like a well oiled machine.
Can Liverpool Get Back To Winning Trophies Under Kenny Dalglish?
Just when all Liverpool fans thought that they could continue the good work from last season, the wheels have come off from the Reds wagon after many unconvincing results. They were heavily involved in the transfer window by making many expensive purchases like Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson in addition to Jose Enrique, Craig Bellamy, Charlie Adam and Doni. After winter signings of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll found their feet at Anfield, these signings were deemed a move in the right direction to bring back laurels to Anfield. They have instead brought widespread criticism to both manager and club.
Let’s analyse some of the reasons why Liverpool have been seen on the decline in the last few years:
The First Step In The Wrong Direction l The Sale Of Alonso
Xabi Alonso’s departure: He was one of the key players for Liverpool and an automatic choice in their starting XI. His range of passing and defensive abilities were of paramount importance so that Gerrard could function freely in tandem with the forwards. However when Benitez began courting Gareth Barry, Alonso realized that his time was up at Anfield despite not losing form and rarely on the injured list. He joined the Real Madrid revolution under Florentino Perez and his supposed replacement – Alberto Aquilani – spent more time in the medical room than the pitch. Charlie Adam has been brought in to cover that position but the ‘Xabi’ class is missing.
The Fernando Torres conundrum : January 2011 was a very eventful month as the winter transfer window saw the most expensive player in British history being unveiled at Chelsea. Fernando Torres made a last minute transfer request to Liverpool that facilitated his long rumoured move to Chelsea. The man, Liverpool fans thought would become an Anfield legend, left for London citing lack of trophies during his glittering Anfield career. While many would consider this transfer as a clear example of greed and disloyalty a look on the other side of the coin would also reveal the frustration that was growing in Torres’s mind.
Do Not Blame Torres l Lack Of Ambition Frustrated Him
Despite being Benitez’s pet along with Gerrard and regularly scoring goals, a player of his caliber deserves to win trophies especially after he had been part of a squad that conquered the world in South Africa. Instead he was part of a Liverpool squad that was battling for relegation and a club that was debt ridden. According to Torres, Xabi Alonso’s departure to Spain affected him drastically and further intensified the idea of him wanting to leave Anfield. His choice to leave for London was under a belief that he would win with Chelsea. Even though Liverpool may have won numerous accolades in the past but the situation that Torres was in and his subsequent transfer to Chelsea was more of a case of Liverpool messing up than his lust for trophies.
Suarez Isn't A Machine l Over Dependence On The Uruguayan
Over-reliance on Luis Suarez: He was regarded as one of the signings of the season. Luis Suarez took to Anfield like a duck to water. His trickery up front along with his pace and power was too hot to handle for many a defense. His arrival along with Andy Carroll to Anfield sort of extinguished the flames of hate towards a certain Spaniard. His sublime form till the end of the season cemented his place inside the heart of every Scouser that he would be a success. Suarez has not dipped in form at all and continues to be the thorn for every opposition that Liverpool have faced this season. However Suarez, like Messi, is human and it was seen that if he could be shut out then Liverpool had no influence in the game. The other players in the team have resorted to the tactic that Maradona used with Argentina in the World Cup, i.e., Pass the ball to Messi and he would do the rest.
Carroll’s erratic form and injury woes have not helped Liverpool’s cause as it was assumed that his power and aerial ability would help beat defenders leaving paving a way for Suarez. Gerrard’s absence has been felt as there is no one to supplement Suarez so that he can weave his wand. Instead the other members of the team pass the ball to the No 7 and say ‘go on. Give us a chance or a goal’. Torres’ success at Anfield was attributed to Gerrard’s supply from the midfield. Suarez does not have the same luxury and sometimes has cut a frustrated figure up front. If Liverpool wants to entertain any hopes of getting results then they have to find a way to feed Suarez with the passes he thrives on.
Lack of squad depth and quality: The arrival of Henderson, Adam, Enrique, Doni, Bellamy, Coates and Downing to Anfield added numbers to Dalglish’s squad and also reinforced some positions that needed filling. However their transition into the Liverpool way hasn’t been smooth sans Enrique and Adam as they have been ineffective in most of their time in the famous red of Liverpool. None of them provide the creative spark that Gerrard brings to the team. This spark is needed in order to increase Suarez’s effectiveness as he needs some help in breaking open defenses.
The Worst Decision By Dalglish l To Let Go Of Meireles
The Sale Of Meireles: Liverpool erred this season by letting Raul Meireles go to Chelsea as he was very effective filling for Gerrard when the latter was missing for quite some time during the second half of the 2010-11 season. His ability to function as a ‘regista’ along with his booming drives and arsenal of passes would have been ideal for Liverpool this season especially now that Gerrard is injured again. Instead they chose to let him go. Aquilani despite his nightmare with Liverpool during his debut season looked very lively during their pre-season tour. His presence at Anfield would have given Kenny some depth and quality. Henderson, after his expensive move, has failed to live up to his potential. Downing was brought to feed Carroll with the crosses he needs but it has backfired as the latter is short on form.
Their depth is exposed as Dalglish does not possess any game changers when Liverpool are looking stale and in need of someone to work their magic and create chances. The winter transfer window would be the time when Kenny needs to take a good hard look at his squad and decide who would be staying and who won’t.
Despite all these shortcomings Liverpool will always be one of the top notch sides in English football. They can take a lesson from Juventus who after the Calciopoli scandal never recovered that aura of power they had before it. However Juve, under club legend Antonio Conte, have begun to take steps in the right direction.
Liverpool are in a similar sort of situation and would need a little more tweaking before the team starts to function like a well oiled machine.
Can Liverpool Get Back To Winning Trophies Under Kenny Dalglish?
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