Liverpool: The Season Ahead

Guest post: James O’Shea

Last season was far from what was expected from Liverpool FC. The owners clearly set their targets and they just weren’t achieved, hence why manager and legend in the eyes of LFC fans, Kenny Dalglish, was sacked.

But now a new dawn is rising at Liverpool under the young Brendan Rodgers. He has made it clear he wants to return Liverpool to it’s glory days and emphasised this with such acts as reinstalling red goal nets and the old school ‘this is anfield’ sign.

He is a pioneer of passing football, telling his players to keep the ball on the ground as much as possible and his diverse tactics accompany this creative way of playing. He is a fan of the Spanish philosophy. Pass, move, retain and if lost win back as fast as possible and with the players he has at Liverpool he can make it work even better than it did at his former club Swansea.

Players like Steven Gerrard and Alberto Aquilani could have very important roles next season, that is if Aquilani doesn’t leave the club for one reason or another. They will be important because they are brilliant passers of the ball, as well as La Masia trained Pepe Reina. It’s a perfect team for him: great passers of the ball, players who give natural width i.e Glenn Johnson, Stewart Downing and fast skillful players like Luis Suarez and new signing Fabio Borini. He also likes his wingers to press high up the pitch, which Liverpool are already exceptional at, something Steve Clarke implemented in his time at LFC. For these reasons, Liverpool fans could be in for an eventful season.

Last year winning the League Cup and getting to the final of the FA Cup were reasonable returns, however finishing 8th in the league with 52 points and 14 losses, below local rivals Everton, was far from acceptable for a club where £56 million were invested at the start of the campaign.

But this year the future looks far from bleak. Rodgers can make his mark in the history books if he can reach anywhere near success this season. Correctly, when he was first named as manager people were sceptical, but in his press conferences and interviews he has done nothing but impress and many Liverpool fans are feeling optimistic.

One thing that is guaranteed under Rodgers is that he will give youngsters the chance on the big stage. He made this clear when he selected players like  Raheem Sterling, Adam Morgan, Jordan Ibe, Suso and more promising talents to come on the pre season tour to America. ‘If you’re good enough you’re old enough’

Success will not be immediate and targets should be realistic, but if Brendan gets enough time to drill into the players his type of play we will be seeing attractive, fluid, free flowing football which is effective yet enjoyable to watch.

However, there are still areas which need to be improved, for example a right winger is needed, with Maxi Rodríguez and Dirk Kuyt departing the club this is a weakened area. Perhaps it paves the way for Sterling on the left with Downing or Cole switching to the right? But even in that case, back up is important.

But now, we must watch and support Liverpool through the Pre Season and Europa League Qualifying Round 3 – which potentially could pose a tricky draw with team like Inter Milan, Athletic Bilbao and Anzhi Makhachkala possible fixtures.

So lets stand by the team and believe. All masterpieces take time and Liverpool FC can become a masterpiece.

Are you excited by the season ahead? Do you think Rodgers will be a success? Get involved in the comments section.