Those of this mind would undoubtedly feel that their view could only be enhanced by the murmurings of discontent circulating from the Anfield faithful in the wake of Sunday’s 3-2 defeat at Charlton. The main gripe from fans only too used to the sterile football served up by Gerard Houllier in recent years is quite simple; Liverpool, they cry, are now attacking too much!
At a first unsuspecting glance, this comment could be seen as a fine example of the almost impossible tasked faced by Gerard Houllier in winning over a set of fans becoming increasingly suspicious of his ability to bring the league title back to Anfield for an unprecedented nineteenth time. For a man lambasted for his negative defence-first tactics during his tenure at the club, it must be both bewildering and greatly disappointing to see that his first embryonic steps into the alien world of progressive, attacking football have been met with a mixture of mistrust and fear at the first sight of failure.
While Houllier does deserve understanding and, most importantly, time to construct his plans for his side, it must be remembered that his sole task at Liverpool Football Club is to bring consistent success to a club becoming worryingly used to being a mere also-ran when the major prizes are handed out in May. It is greatly encouraging for Liverpool supporters to finally witness a side full of attacking intention and creative guile, but, ultimately, success is measured only by silverware, not plaudits. As harsh as such a statement may seem, Houllier knows only too well that his remit at Anfield will not be accomplished by simply winning praise for enterprising football from vacuous TV pundits. Until the league title resides proudly on Merseyside once more, the Frenchman cannot, and will not, rest easy.
Houllier will undoubtedly be given a great deal more patience from both the board and the club’s supporters now that it appears that he has finally relinquished the shackles he had placed so forcibly upon his players. Supporters will accept high-scoring defeats such as took place at the Valley if they are given the feeling that success will soon follow given time and experience. Despite the many positives surrounding the club’s start to the season, though, the many questions that still surround Houllier’s ability cannot be discarded as the ramblings of supporters who refuse to be pleased. The Liverpool manager clearly still has much to prove over the rest of an increasingly intriguing campaign.
For many, the main concern comes from Houllier’s apparent inability to integrate the solid foundations of good defensive play with the more expansive style of football introduced in recent weeks. A team that relies too heavily on its defensive acumen will undoubtedly fail to complete regularly with the seasoned campaigners of Arsenal and Manchester United – as the Liverpool side of the past four seasons has proven – but a side built that shows too little regard for its defensive duties will also be doomed to failure. The question that Liverpool fans are currently posing is a fair one; can Houllier strike a balance that can ultimately bring success to Anfield?
The Frenchman, if he is to fulfil his long-held dream of leading his beloved Reds to the hallowed championship glory that has eluded them for thirteen long and frustrating years, must integrate the solidity of Hyypia and Henchoz that marked his previous sides with the attacking potential so evident in the likes of Kewell, Diouf and Owen. Completing such a task, of course, will be the ultimate test of his managerial skills.
Houllier must cultivate a system that brings the best out of the three players who have become the backbone of the Liverpool side in recent years. If the tantalising dream of success is to be ultimately realised, Hyypia, Gerrard and Owen must be at the forefront of the charge to glory. At this point in time, only a revitalised Michael Owen can truly be happy with his role in the Anfield revolution.
With the able support of the adventurous trio of Harry Kewell, El-Hadji Diouf and Vladimir Smicer, the 23-year-old striker is enjoying the best service of his career. Eight goals in eight games is testament to the effect that a midfield encouraged to support the strikers has had already. Other players, though, have not met such a change in tactics, so eagerly. Most notably, captain Sami Hyypia.
Without the protection a previously more defensive-minded midfield offered him – the absence of Hamann proving particularly troublesome for the giant Finn – Hyypia’s chronic lack of pace has been cruelly exposed. A player so authorative, cool and composed during the club’s historic treble season now appears as a sad shell of the player he once was. While the stoic strategy of years gone by starved Owen of the support he desperately craved, it did offer Hyypia much-needed protection.
Houllier must somehow manage to offer his captain defensive protection whilst maintaining sufficient support for his prolific striker, Michael Owen. While Steven Gerrard has performed admirably thus far, he cannot protect his central defenders with the sublime efficiency of Didi Hamann. The dynamic midfielder is much more comfortable when he is driving his team forward with energy. As a purely defensive midfielder, his unlimited talent is wasted.
With the visit of Premiership pacesetters Arsenal this week, Houllier will face a great test of resolve. Will he continue to flood numbers forward against a team that excels at quick counterattacks based on the skill and speed of Henry? Or will the Reds boss, as he did at the start of last season following a run of three consecutive 2-2 draws, return to the pragmatic style that he knows best? Finding the correct balance will be the true test of his suitability as the man chosen to return Liverpool to the heady heights they once took for granted.
The return to fitness of the consistent Stephane Henchoz could offer Houllier the perfect opportunity to integrate defence and attack. Sami Hyypia can only profit from the return of his Swiss partner while Igor Biscan, high on confidence after a fine start to the season, may finally fulfil his promise as the rightful successor to Dietmar Hamann. Placing the Croatian in the defensive holding role would allow Steven Gerrard to orchestrate attacks while also adding extra support to Biscan and the Liverpool defence.
To bring Henchoz back in the team without removing the impressive Biscan from the starting line-up would, of course, mean dropping another regular first team player. At this moment in time it is simply unthinkable that any of the sparkling trio of Diouf, Smicer or Kewell could be dropped. The ultimate test of Houllier’s mettle would be tested by the decision to tell miss-firing striker Emile Heskey that he has no place in the Liverpool team.
With Owen revelling in the chances created for him by the supporting-cast named above, Heskey would clearly be surplus to requirements. Kewell, Diouf and Smicer – who have all played as strikers – would be the perfect foils for the goal-hungry England striker.
A 4-2-3-1 system, if implemented correctly, could well offer the flexibility needed for Liverpool to excel in all areas of the pitch and finally mount a title challenge that will not falter as the finishing line approaches. Houllier may not have unlimited time to perfect his plans for the future, but he finally has a squad capable of repeating the trophy-laden days of Anfield past. Potential and inexperience can no longer be offered as an excuse. Will the murmurings grow into a vocal dissenting voice? For Houllier, the chance to silence his last critics is fast approaching.