A Review of Liverpool's Season by poster, Mikey LFC

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Here is my review of Liverpool's season. First of all as Brendan said that this year was all about transition. I feel as this year has been great learning curve for Brendan with the expectations of this club week in week out and his first taste of european football albeit the Europa league. 

I think as the season has progressed we have got significantly better and the turning point for me has to be January with the acquisition of Coutinho and Sturridge. They both brought different dimensions to our squad which we have lacked for years i.e.pace, power and goal threat of Sturridge and the samba brilliance from our no. 10. need i say more!

Positives: 
More attacking brand of football
Youth players coming through
More goals throughout the team
Wage bill reduced

Negatives:
Our defensive capability in the air is shocking. I'm afraid anytime we concede a free kick or especially a corner, I'm bricking it!. This season to me. nobody bar Carra actually attacked the ball to clear the lines. I don't know if this is due to ball on the ground in training 24/7 and not practiing with the ball in the air but this certainly must be fixed. 
I'm not putting Suarez as being a negative. Yes, it was wrong what he did to Branislav but he is a LFC player and every true genius has their flaws. 


I think our start to the season cost us a lot but is understandable. Brendan was trying to get a feel for both, systems and players. Chopping and changing lled to inconsistency i.e. 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, 5-2-2-1, 4-4-2 etc. 

As the season progressed especially after January, conisitency and goals started to come. 

I see fellow supporters on here saying bring through this player and that player from the academy. Being straight, only a couple will make it at this club like Carra, Stevie, Owen. Now because of LFCTV, which is great, means the youth players have more publicity and I respect fellow fans have their favourites but only a handful will make it unfortunately. 

Before people start naming players they would like to come in, I think we should look at what we have in our squad first of all. Whoever leaves, they must be replaced with better quality.  Kolo Toure, who might I add is a very shrewd buy, is a league winner, as few said from an Invincible Arsenal Team, was bought firstly by Man City and captained the side, has pace, power and at 32 great experience and is real laid back type of person off the pitch but focused on it which we need. It drives me mad seeing fellow supporters slate the guy before he has even put on the shirt and played. Give him a chance. We should support our players!

To me this how I would line up our squad next year
For me: 4-2-3-1
...... ?...... 
Kelly... ?... Agger... Johnson
... Gerrard.. Lucas..... 
?..... Coutinho... Suarez.. 
..... Sturridge...... 

...... Jones...... 
Wisdom.. Kelly... Toure.. Enrique
.... Henderson... Shelvey... 
Downing/Borini... Allen.... Sterling/Ibe
...... Suarez...... 

The likes of Suso and Jack Robinson (for me promised so much against his debut vs Walcott for Arsenal a couple of seasons back but hasn't done it from then on) should be loaned out to Premier League new-comers i.e. Hull or Palace if possible. 

People might think what he's doing, Kelly won't play both RB for 1st team and Cb for 2nd team but to me he is our best RB and if needed Liverpool can just play Glen - RB and Jose - LB. i think there would be great competition between the two for LB and would definitely strenthen up the defence. Also, i see that Jonjo has being linked with a move away but I would keep him. He knows he's not going to get games week in/week out but is a good squad player. The resaon I have him paired with Hendo is think back to last game at Anfield under Kenny at home to Chelsea. The pair dominated midfield!. Now put Joe Allen into the mix and play him in the hole as he did vs Zenit. He swivelled on a 6 pence and has great vision and goal threat in him. I think he could blossom in this position and learn from Coutinho. 

Also with the first team we need an out and out winger who will drive at defenders and  stretch the play. that in turn will create more space inside for coutinho, suarez and sturridge to work their magic. In that position Suarez is not fixed and leaves him tofloat and that would leave Glen or Jose to roam up the left flank. CB to marry with Agger has to be a powerful, commanding player. It's a pity because I thought that was Skrtel a couple of years ago but Jamie stepped in this year. Martin is seemily sticking in his feet and is not bothered and if thats the case, let him move on!. It kills me to say it but Pepe Reina will be big blow to us if he does go. Yes it wasn't his greatest season but I for one will be sad if he does. As a replacement we need a keeper who will put his defence at ease, be commanding and who attacks the ball. 

Regarding transfers:

I stated a couple of months ago that it would be extremely hard with no champions league to attract the best young talent i.e Eriksen and so forth. But being linked with Papadoplos from Schalke is massive. Yes, he is injury prone but I think he is worth it. Old style, young centre half, tenacious, pace, attacks the ball and only 21! He is not Carra but I would take him in a heartbeat. 

Regarding possible departure of Reina. As i said a commanding keeper who will put his defence at ease, attacks the ball so forth. I can see why we are linked with Begovic but Vorm would be right there along with Mignolet. To me they're not up there with Pepe yet but if one of them did come in, I think they would step up to the plate.

Winger/Forward. We still seriously lack pace on the wing. we need to stretch play more. For people crying out for Plan B, yes at times i think we need it but under this philosphy, PLAN B is more pace and width on both wings to stretch the play for players inside. Downing has improved and I would still keep him. He is a useful squad player but we need an upgrade with pace, power and directness. Somebody in the Jesus Navas mould maybe, even though it's highly unlikely. Yes we have young sterling/Ibe but to me they are best on left wing cutting in, more comfortable in that position. Unfortunately for Assaidi, the league just hasn't suited his play and will probably move on. You can see why we also have being linked with Ben Arfa. Yes injury prone but our medics could work wonders on him as they did with Agger and Stevie this year. He is devastating on his day but will he produce it week/week out. For me Balasz Dzusadzak is the guy that can play both flanks, Free kick specialist and is a goalscorer. We were close in january and was the next big thing at PSV before he moved but has not worked out in Russia and I would definitely take him. 

GK - Begovic
CB - Toure ( great buy)
CB - Papadopolous
Wing/Fwd - Dzusadzak

Along with any other outgoings i.e. Coates, Pacheco, Wilson who is already gone etc. bring in young players with more ability. 

I have a feeling you will see how shrewd Brendan is in the Transfer market this summer again, touch wood. It is a massive season for us next season. With new coaches at all big clubs, we have a great chance with a fast start which we have lacked for few years and consistency. No Europe so no excuses. We nowhave a great opportunity of firstly getting Champions league back to Anfield and then push from there. 

A lot to look forward to and would appreciate what fellow supporters think and can't wait for Brendan to make our next acquisition. Hope we get our business done early. 

YNWA JFT 96

Mikey LFC

29 June 2013
Coutinho and sturridge cost 20 million.

at no point this season was liverpool 4 points behind top 4.are you dreaming?

03 June 2013
We were only 4 points behind top 4 and Rodgers went out to splash another 26M+ on sturridge and coutinho, from 4 points went downwards to not only missing champions league which was looking likely at that stage but completely out of europe, what progress was there from january?

29 May 2013
Good review Mikey, I agree with most of it. I just get the feeling thought that Suso and Robinson won't make it at Liverpool, which is a shame. I know they both have talent, especially Suso, however his performances this season weren't that great for me. Maybe I'm just being a little too judgemental too early.

As for transfers next summer, agree with Begovic or Vorm, but Mignolet is not for me. Also, I would like to see a winger coming in, but not Dzusadzak. Off the top of my head, maybe Jeremain Lens, however there just aren't too many orthodox wingers around.

Cheers,

El Pi**edolero