When Ryan Bennett deflected Raheem Sterling’s cross into his own net, Liverpool notched their fifth goal of the game against Chris Hughton’s admirable but ultimately outclassed Norwich City. Not only this, at that point Liverpool registered their 40th league goal of the campaign. Last season the Reds didn’t hit that mark until the 33rd game, specifically Andy Carroll’s injury time winner against Blackburn in that wacky 3-2 epic at Ewood Park. Last Saturday’s fixture against the Canaries was, in contrast, only the 23rd game. Further than this, last season Liverpool only scored three or more goals on seven separate occasions in the league. Again, that mark was equaled at the weekend.
At the other end of the park, a defence many claim is performing worse this season have registered 9 clean sheets so far. In 2011/2012, after the full 38-game campaign was said and done, only 11 clean sheets had been recorded.
Now, of course, statistics like this aren’t everything. Ultimately points are the most valuable currency, but I think you’d have to be especially cynical to deny that the above represents progress for Brendan Rodgers’ men. More goals, and on more occasions, and a tendency to shut the opposition out with greater regularity. What’s not to like?
The performances, too, are getting better. Since Jordan Henderson’s reintroduction to the team it seems there’s been a real surge of increased cohesion on the pitch. That’s not a sly dig at Joe Allen, a fine player who’s just off form at the moment, but right now with the England Under 21′s captain pressing ahead of Steven Gerrard and Lucas, the team is ticking nicely. Lucas mops up, Gerrard rolls back the years with his distribution and all action displays, and Henderson links the play together.
The weekend’s game was grand for Kopites; goals for Luis Suarez and new signing Daniel Sturridge prompted joy amongst the fan base. Some suggested Sturridge would be too selfish to work alongside Liverpool’s top scorer, but it seems to be going well so far. In defence, Carragher returned to offer a commanding performance, demonstrating the leadership abilities Rodgers had recalled him for.
Perhaps the nicest part of Liverpool’s victory, for me, was the performance and goal by Jordan Henderson. First of all, of course, what a cracking finish it was. You could see by his celebration how much it meant to him. Under the surface, and less obvious but equally impressive, was his overall game. Pressing, energy, availability, regaining possession, recycling possession – all very important elements in Rodgers’ system. Many seem to have made their minds up on the lad and don’t want to change it come hell or high water. To them he’ll always be a £20m anonymous flop and that’s that. It certainly isn’t that black and white, but don’t let that stop them.
Last season he was played far too often in a struggling team, almost always out of position and subsequently out of his depth. Rumours of a swap deal for Dempsey surfaced at the tail end of the summer transfer window, but he’s since pressed on with a fantastic attitude and dragged himself back into the manager’s plans. Tributes must be offered to Rodgers on this. Henderson, Downing and Enrique had pretty low stock after last season. Enrique had started very well for Kenny Dalglish after a transfer from Newcastle but, by close of business in May he was looking like a liability, and fans questioned his future alongside the side’s other new boys.
Since then Rodgers has, as he said so himself, restored value to them. After a wonderfully wacky period in the forward line, Jose Enrique was completely re-energized and looking back to his best. Sadly injury sees him out of action right now, but he’s back on song. Henderson meanwhile is coming into his own with a series of great performances; he’s been key to the recent run of comprehensive victories. Perhaps the most heartening thing for him, aside from the lovely and much deserved standing ovations, is just how many fans were baffled and disappointed to see him left out of the starting lineup against Manchester United. And then there’s Downing who, quite clearly, is as good as he’s ever been for Liverpool. Of course, he’s still a bit anonymous and probably doesn’t have a long term future at the club, but for better or worse he’s never been more productive or useful in a red shirt.
The acquisition of Sturridge has proved a swell move, with very encouraging performances to go alongside three goals in his first three games. Rumour has it there’s more fresh faces on the way, too. Wesley Sneijder was a strong possibility but, after contract negotiations failed to reach a happy compromise, he’s signed for Galatasaray. I hereby offer my approval of FSG’s resolve on this one. All things considered – age, injuries, lack of playing time, MASSIVE WAGES – it was going to be a big risk. Might have been great, but so long as we bring in somebody else we shouldn’t regret it too much. Coutinho seems to be the next target, but you can never be sure. I remember how many medicals Gaston Ramirez had!
Even when – or rather, if – we bring in more new players, I still don’t expect to see Liverpool’s inconsistencies being fully eradicated. It’s much too early for that. I do, however, see potential for a very strong finish to the season, which will likely see the club pull away from the likes of Swansea and West Bromwich Albion (two great teams this year) and finish in the top seven. Where exactly, is far too close to call, but I wouldn’t bet against the Reds finishing higher than many anticipate.
Liverpool’s inconsistencies, alongside their apparent mental fragility, have seen numerous unacceptable results this season. In manner, if nothing else. Defeat away to Stoke wasn’t the biggest shock, but the gutless manner of it all was certainly a very big disappointment. Elsewhere, a home defeat to a struggling Aston Villa and that opening day defeat to WBA stick in people’s minds. To the casual observer they operate as a barrier, birthing hesitance when it comes to offering Brendan Rodgers or his Liverpool team too much praise.
It’s still early days in his reign but, for me at least, the seeds of real progress are beginning to sprout. Call me naive, optimistic, deluded – whatever you like… I’m too busy enjoying a replay of Jordan Henderson’s goal to care.
What a hit, son. What a hit.
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7 Comments
Spot on article, whatever else happens now I think we need to do a “lucas” and keep jordan and allow him to develop as well as joe allen. We bought these young players to develop for the future and unfortunately we cant always have them perform week in week out. Back in the day of shanks and paisley the kids were bought and played in the reserves for a few years to mature. Now when we buy them everyone expects an instantly finished article. Some players need time to develop.
Conversely the players who flourished immediately aka fowler owen and rob jones all sustained injuries early on meaning they peaked at 25/26 and then faded. You cant always have your cake and eat it!!
Alot of fans want us to rush out and snap up everything on offer but I see a pattern emerging where brendon is patiently waiting and slotting in the pieces of the jigsaw as they become available without breaking the bank. He’s spent almost as much money as anyone else when you tot up the total spending, sturridge for 12 million could well be the bargain of the decade if the lad keeps playing like he is and I think other players will soon cotton on that under the noses of our rivals were building a team that will compete with anyone and will want to come and join the revolution
I fully agree, Paul. Rodgers is moulding things nicely and I’m really looking forward to seeing how it all continues as we move towards the latter parts of the season.
I totally agree, it’s all about the consistency now. We’re showing the level of performance in fits and starts, but there was always going to be a step back along the way.
You always have to look at the bigger picture. I just wish we held on to that £50m and didn’t spend it on Carroll, it could have advanced us a good season or two in terms of building the squad up.
Consistency certainly is key for us right now. It was always going to be tough because the shift in system has prompted a rise in individual mistakes and a general uncertainty in the squad. Slowly but surely, however, the mentality grows stronger and consistency should come with that. It will also help if we bring in more quality players too, of course.
Looking back I really don’t mind that we brought Carroll into the squad, it’s just the fee that we paid for him. Carrol? Fine, give it a go. £35m? Um, think twice!
100% agree, signs are good for a strong finish. Think over time some of kd and dc’s signings will prove to be good but think br is the best signing we could have made…he’s made for us…he’ll build us a great team or die trying. Fsg and br will learn together and build a squad and a team that will get us there…gotta remember that h and g nearly crippled us, we could be a leeds or a portsmouth right now if not for them and fans need to realise that. They are our saviours not our nemisis, they have spent big under kd and dc’s advice and it’s not fair to judge them on that period. The big mistake was letting torres leave…together torres and suarez would have been the best attack in the epl bar none…everything beyond that has been reactionary to try and accommodate Andy carroll. Hindsight a wonderful thing but the torres/carroll transfer has been jinxed…no party has made except nufc, everyone else has suffered badly. Fsg and br are trying to correct this while being prudent and building for the future…It may not be the speed some would like but letting torres go was the crux…we would have got cl that season if he’d stayed, the who knows. Andy carroll is a good player in the right team but we weren’t set up for the guy without further signings.
I agree, FSG saved us and are learning as they go. I think they have our best interests at heart. Even IF there plans are to sell on in a few years, they’ll put us in better shape on the way towards that goal so I don’t see the great worry on that front.
With Torres, it’s tricky for me. He wanted to leave, was sulking and off his best form. £50m at that point was a phenomenal amount for him. I would agree that only Newcastle came out of the Torres/Carroll saga as a true winner. Good point.
I agree with you totally. Progress is on the rise. The signs are there.