Where Exactly Are We Right Now?

Last updated : 19 February 2013 By Rob Ursell
Having read Ian Salmon's recent post, The Luis Suarez Show, the term 'Schizophrenic' is extremely appropriate when talking about both Liverpool's performances this season, and the reaction to said performances from a large percentage of the fan base. 
 
I prefer to think of it as gradual progression, rather than a false dawn every couple of weeks.
 
I have a confession to make: I wanted rid of Champions League winning mastermind Rafa Benitez at the time he was relieved of his duties. (With hindsight, the grass isn't always greener.) Under Benitez, we were often fairly dull to watch. I respect fans who say the result is the only thing that matters but I'm afraid it is a view I do not share. I became a (London based) Liverpool fan at a very young age because I loved football and not vice-versa. For years I have watched the often pragmatic approaches of Ged and Rafa. I want to watch a team with a style which opposition fans both admire and envy.
 
I also advocated the disposal of Kenneth Dalglish at the end of his trophy winning return. I respect the man immensely and miss his goal celebrations on the touchline, but I had strong misgivings about trusting our greatest ever player with control of the team in 2012.
 
Brendan Rodgers' appointment filled me with excitement. The anti-Liverpool brigade's attempts to discredit him with David Brent comparisons would not be so worrying if I hadn't observed some supporters actually falling for them. Ricky Gervais' brilliantly embarrassing slacker hardly resembles the knowledge thirsty Ulsterman we have at the helm.
 
My main fear is the Kop not giving Brendan the time he needs to do his job effectively.
 
One of Rodgers' traits is not getting carried away with performances at either end of the spectrum. He is looking at the big picture as he attempts to actualise his vision of a Liverpool team.
 
So where are we right now?
 
Goalkeeper is an interesting position at present. Pepe Reina's use of the ball with his feet will be difficult to replace and is a big part of the way we play. At what point will Rodgers decide the former Barcelona stopper is making mistakes too frequently though? I think we will see a decision in the summer one way or the other.
 
In defence, Glen Johnson is undoubtedly excellent and looks completely settled at the club and Daniel Agger, despite a few worrying displays of late, is one of the finest ball playing centre backs in the game. 
 
Jamie Carragher has performed admirably recently, but as we all know, he is hanging them up at the end of the season, and Sebastian Coates looks slightly too sluggish on the ball to be relied upon in a league full of forwards who press so intensely. 
 
Despite his brilliant last season, Martin Skrtel is prone to periods of bad form more than is acceptable from a central defender. We could probably benefit from two new players in this position, although maybe Andre Wisdom is one of those.
 
The area I think we are currently in most need of an upgrade is left back. Jose Enrique has everything you need to be top class. His technical attributes are matched by his phenomenal athletic ones. The brain, however, is not quite up to those standards. If I were to describe his decision making as questionable I would be biting my lip. He invariably takes too many touches leading to problems for either himself or the team mate he eventually offloads the ball to. The constant wish to find a difficult long ball behind the opposition defence is not a weapon for a team trying to build through the zones, regardless of whether it came off once against Newcastle or not. There is a reason he hasn't played for Spain and it was certainly not inferior technique. At least until the emergence of Jordi Alba.
 
Central Midfield looks fine at the moment. Joe Allen may be out of sorts but form is temporary and I have seen his quality, whilst Lucas is slowly regaining form and sharpness, and Steven Gerrard has adapted better than I'd expected to the short patient passing football.
 
Jordan Henderson. I've been sticking up for the lad since his signing, amid hostile derision from neutrals and Liverpool fans alike. Being a Henderson advocate may have been almost as difficult as being the player himself in a first season where he looked as frightened as I've seen a player on a football pitch. He is well and truly over that fear and we now look a better team when he is playing.
 
I've even grown to like Stewart Downing in recent weeks. Like the Tin Man in The Wizard Of Oz, he lacks heart, but he is certainly a clever footballer, and I no longer see a need of Joe Cole proportions to get him off the wage bill.
 
Raheem Sterling and Suso are wonderful prospects. I have a special affinity towards the young Spaniard. For me, he is the most aesthetically pleasing player we have already. While he has struggled to influence games in the Premier League until now, he has the swagger and style of a Silva or a Mata. He will blossom somewhere, I just pray it is at Anfield.
 
I should clarify, I don't believe either young starlet is ready to shoulder the burden of regular football just yet, but they fill me with hope.
 
A front three of Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho looks mouth watering. I find it difficult to imagine not carrying a threat in any game with these three talents.
 
In summation, I honestly don't feel we are a million miles away.
 
We need greater quality in the depth of our squad as shown when Sturridge missed out against West Brom and Zenit.
 
But the most important building block this club needed to put in place, at playing level at least, was the right manager.
 
I am firmly in the camp who believe we have got that man.
 
In Brendan We Trust.
 
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