'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAIAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgf/2gAIAQEAAAAAmj//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAECEAAAADf/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAF/9oACAEDEAAAAH//xAAgEAACAgEEAwEAAAAAAAAAAAABBAIDEgAFEWEGBxMh/9oACAEBAAE/APIFFqE0NmuXYqt28zlOyWOM/rxInIdjgdDSvrnc21aWaEmDVdAWQOEj+HX/xAAXEQEAAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAAIS/9oACAECAQE/ALLqf//EABoRAAICAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAxIABCH/2gAIAQMBAT8ASCMawevbEZ//2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
On 13 May 2012, when the Premier League season came to a shocking end with literally the last kick of the season leading Manchester City to the title, somewhere in Merseyside, Liverpool fans were staring at their lowest league finish since the 1993-94 season and their lowest ever points tally in the Premier League. On 16 May 2012, Kenny Dalglish, club legend, was sacked after the owner John. W. Henry decided that a League Cup triumph was not enough.
June 1, 2012 marked the unveiling of Brendan Rodgers as the new Liverpool manager. In his first interview he spoke about the work that lay ahead and why he had decided to leave what he built at Swansea and join the Merseyside club.
“This is a club that is historic for the identity, style and DNA of its football,” he said. “They are an educated group of supporters at this club and, OK, there might be watered down versions of the style of play, but you can’t come to Liverpool Football Club and play a direct game of football, lumping-it style. It is going to take a bit of time. That’s the reality of it. It is going to take a lot of hard work to play that way. It took a lot of hard work to get that at Swansea, to get the tactical structure of the team and the possession and the position. It took a lot of hard work on the training field. That is why I am here.”
Fast forward to February and Liverpool have just demolished an Arsenal side 5-1 at Anfield. This is after having previously beaten Everton 4-0 the month before and Tottenham Hotspur 5-0 the previous month. The club currently sit fourth in the coveted Champions League play-off spot and the fans are dreaming of a late challenge to the title. Rodgers has certainly worked his magic at the club and while he’s made mistakes on his way, you would expect that of a young manger still learning his trade. But he is learning, and so are his players. This Liverpool side are getting better every week. Infact, many reckon Liverpool along with Manchester City are the most delightful team to watch, and this writer, a Manchester United would have to begrudgingly agree.
In terms of points total, Liverpool already have a point more than they managed in the entire 2011-12 season in the league. They are matching Manchester City in the goals scored department(66 to City’s 68) having played a game more. Considering the threadbare nature of the Red’s squad which has been hampered by injuries, this lofty position and dreams of a title challenge have come as somewhat of a surprise. They are not perfect yet, and as mentioned before Rodgers has made errors this season as well, which has cost the club games. Playing a two man midfield against Southampton in the last season, or four centre-backs this season against the same opposition were mistakes that can be attributed to the losses suffered by the club. His judgement in buying players hasn’t also been perfect but the buys of Sturridge and Coutinho along with Mignolet and Sakho can be considered successful. Ian Ayre cops blame as well for not being able to complete deals, and that has left Rodgers depending more on the players from the academy. Not that Rodgers is complaining. Raheem Sterling who tailed off in the second half of last season has lit up the Premier League since December and has formed a formidable and dangerous combination with Sturridge and Suarez.
The Fantastic Four? They certainly seem to be gelling well together
That is where one of Rodgers’ biggest successes lie. He has managed to create new stars and even improve quite a few of the players at the club. Under the Northern Irishman, Henderson has managed to re-create himself and is finally showcasing the Liverpool faithful, why the club decided to splash 16 million Pounds on the English midfielder. He has been an important player in midfield and the performances of Liverpool’s forward line has somewhat overshadowed Henderson’s performances. Steven Gerrard has also found himself in a new role as a deep lying playmaker and is slowly getting better at it. Martin’s success has also seen himself improving as the season has gone by. Rodgers has been adept at making do with what he has. Raheem Sterling as mentioned has also added a better end product to his game and is now being talked about getting a possible inclusion in the England squad to the World Cup. Daniel Sturridge was on the fringes of the Chelsea side, and a forgotten man when Rodgers brought him in, and he has been an instant hit with his clinical goal scoring ability and somewhat with his dancing moves as well.
Rodgers and Liverpool’s biggest triumph in the Summer window!
Talking about success, one key success was achieved before the season even began. That success was convincing Luis Suarez to stay at Anfield and not allowing him to leave for Arsenal. His ability to forgive Suarez for his antics over the summer and move on have been key to Liverpool enjoying such a successful season with the Uruguayan forward leading the way. Infact the need to repair his relationship with Suarez has according to Rodgers made him a better manager. He added, “You don’t get these scenarios when you’re doing your badges and coaching courses. Man-management is a big part of it. I’ve always been on the training field all my life but man-management is a big part of things. You always have to respect your players but hopefully you can also find common ground with the great players we have. With Luis, I always knew it would be fine. I’ve never known a player like him in training.” He has helped Suarez improve as well with the Uruguayan forward, now, more willing to trust team mates around him rather than trying to do all the work on his own.
Rodgers has also shown tactical flexibility and that has been an important part of his success this season. In the beginning, having been shorn of Luis Suarez, Brendan decided to be more rigid in his set up and that led to quite a few 1-0 victories. On Suarez’s return a 3-5-2 set up was experimented with, which was another example of his dynamic quality. He has transformed the team: players hunting in packs, breathtaking counter attacks, relentless work off the ball, all of it has the Brendan Rodgers stamp. Against Everton, Rodgers had Suarez and Sturridge interchange between the left side and the centre playing in a 4-3-3. Against Arsenal he decided to switch over Sterling to the left to control Sagna.
While the demolishing of Arsenal showcased the new found attacking impetus in offence, the Fulham game provided further insight. For one, it showed that Rodgers still had a long way to go in not only improving squad depth but also improving the clubs porous defence, something which he has not been able to tackle sufficiently since his time at the club. Infact Liverpool conceded more goals in Rodgers’ first season compared to the one before his arrival. This season as well they have only the ninth best defensive record in the league. Another aspect which was showcased against Fulham was the player’s ability to keep on going till the end, looking for a winner. In the past, the Fulham game would’ve ended as a 2-1 victory for the London club but here it was a late victory for the Merseyside club.
Brendan Rodgers is daring the Kop to dream once more!
When Rodgers in a recent interview with Roger Bennett was asked what would happen if Liverpool missed out on Champions League once again, the manager replied ,”I signed a contract here for three years and the plan was for Liverpool to break into the Champions League in that time,” he says. “Last year we finished seventh. I would expect this year to be better.” The feeling around Anfield seems to be that the club can do better than fourth, but given a fourth spot, they would take it happily. This is still a young squad with Henderson, Raheem Sterling, and Coutinho still learning and improving just like their manager.
Brendan Rodgers has certainly brought the positivity back into the club that can last be remembered to have been felt during Rafa Benitez’s reign. He looks well on his way to bringing back those famous European nights back to Anfield. He, well and truly deserves a new contract as he continues to not only improve the club’s fortunes but also positions himself as one of the best young managers in the league. Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers are growing, together, and if they continue on this path, the Northern Irishman may truly be signing many more contracts at Liverpool.
