Liverpool FC: Is It Time To Sack Kenny Dalglish?

If the past few years has taught us only one thing, it is this: Premier League football is now driven by the currency of immediate success. Pre-season directorial statements of intent and objectives are far more set in stone than in earlier years that saw Sir Alex Ferguson allowed to ride out an unsuccessful period before striking it rich. In short, if you fail to meet expectations at any stage in your managerial career, the axe will now usually fall, cutting the average tenure of a manager drastically, and making previously untouchable names like Arsene Wenger far less invincible. Past successes count for nothing. The fact of the matter is: Kenny Dalglish has never been quite the infallible genius that certain elements of the footballing world have previously proclaimed him. Especially not since leaving Newcastle United under a dark cloud having effectively dismantled Kevin Keegan's Entertainers, and turning the former attacking force into the second lowest scoring team in the league inside a single year. Celtic was a disaster for all concerned, and his return to Liverpool has now taken a very sour turn, despite the supposedly messianic influence he has had since replacing the much maligned (and cruelly scape-goated) Roy Hodgson and that Carling Cup win. Since scraping a victory in that final against Cardiff City, the wheels have come off Liverpool's season, and though Dalglish's men were mooted as potential Champions' League place contenders long after their form had deserted them and fellow European chasers Newcastle and Chelsea started to pull away, they will now do well to finish in the top six at all. Yes, they remain in the FA Cup, with local rivals Everton to come, and Europe might well come from that avenue, but the league table will make for uncomfortable reading for Liverpool fans who saw their team spend a staggering amount during the summer transfer window. So, has the time come for Liverpool to admit defeat and move Dalglish aside for a new face? To decide that fact, we first have to consider just why Liverpool aren't winning at the minute...

Transfers

The acquisitions made in Dalglish's name (I phrase it that way because of the known factor of Damian Comolli) since the Scot took over look on paper to include some potential future stars, as well as a number of players who could bring immediate impact as well as Premiership experience to the team. But in hindsight, spending £35m on Andy Carroll, £16m or so on Jordan Henderson and £20m on Stuart Downing was a massive error, and cumulatively, the three have failed to live up to expectations and cumulatively have a far lower value than the £16m Sunderland got for Henderson. Those three expensive flops have not been the only mistakes - Sebastien Coates has hardly set the world ablaze, Jonjo Shelvey looks out of his depth, Charlie Adam has failed to recapture his Blackpool form and Luis Suarez has scored too few goals and inspired too many column inches to make his signing a success. Admittedly, the sanction of Fernando Torres' £50m move to Chelsea was inspired, but that probably had very little to do with Dalglish and more to do with businessman Comolli, and who is to say Dalglish's "legendary" player skills wouldn't have had a better effect on the Spaniard than grumpy Englishman Andy Carroll. Of the incoming players, only Jose Enrique looks to have made the team actually stronger, while Craig Bellamy probably comes in second thanks to some spirited performances, but too much of the money Dalglish has spent looks like money wasted, especially in comparison with thriftier business models at upwardly mobile rivals Newcastle and Everton. All in all, Liverpool's transfer business under Dalglish has been a failure.

The Gerrard Factor

No single player in the Premiership has had more of an effect on any one club in the past ten years than Steven Gerrard, and as the twilight of his career comes hurtling into view like a burst into the box from Gerrard of old, his influence on the pitch for his team is beginning to wane. While there have been flashes of brilliance - like single-handedly turning the home game against Newcastle in the Reds' favour, the England man has also been a non-entity in matches this year - something unheard of in his career - like the return game at St James Park. Injuries have had an effect this term almost certainly, but the decreased influence of the scouse talisman has taken significant toll on the overall success of the team, and replacement Charlie Adam has simply not been up to the job at times. But then, who could be?

Game Plan

At times on the pitch this season, Liverpool have looked far less the sum of their parts, no matter how over-priced they might have been, and when games are escaping the team, Dalglish looks at a loss to change things up. Decisions like bringing Craig Bellamy or the industrious Dirk Kuyt off the bench for the last ten or so minutes seem the only options available at times, and the lack of a plan B is a major weakness in the Liverpool armoury.

Luis Suarez

Last year, Suarez looked a bargain, especially stood next to over-inflated striking failures like Andy Carroll and predecessor Fernando Torres, but the goals have dried up and excitement regarding the South American's ability has been replaced by controversy and disgust. Not all Liverpool fans would welcome a transfer away from the club for the man who has offered the most potent (if not always successful) attacking threat in the past eighteen months or so, but some would surely like to see a line drawn completely under the despicable Patrice Evra incident. The striker's behaviour surrounding the alleged racist incident (regardless of your judgement), was badly misjudged, and Liverpool's blinkered backing off their man, up to the point he refused to shake Evra's hand was just as misguided. Not only did it polarise fans, it also resulted in a smear on the good name of the club, and a perception from opposing fans that Liverpool were trading on the "victim club" label that crueller commenters have thrown around.Dlaglish

Is King Kenny Too Old-Fashioned?

One accusation that keeps rearing up recently, in the wake of Liverpool's terrible run of results is that Dalglish is out of touch with the modern game. When he came into the club, heralded as a knight in shining armour, riding in to save the wounded club, his legend and iconic status based on the past was fore-fronted as a means to potential success, but now, with the team badly faltering, questions have appeared over the manager's out-dated methods and manner. His legend surely cannot be called into question, because he remains one of the most successful single names associated with the club, as player and manager, but on current form and circumstance, his legacy is hardly promising. If he were to leave now, or at the end of the season, which is more likely, his successor would be forced to lead yet another rebuild, from the ground up - a new coaching set-up, new scouts and chiefly, new on-pitch talent. Because Liverpool simply cannot trade on the successes of the past anymore, when they are sitting in 8th in the table, with European qualification through league position (the very least aspiration any Liverpool manager should have) a distant dream. Unfortunately, the solutions to most of Liverpool's current problems involve either massive investment (and the last outlay has so far returned comparatively few success stories on the field) or the removal of the legendary former player and manager. But to give him his dues, Dalglish does offer some invaluable assets to his club - he is a huge draw for potential new recruits, especially those familiar with the historical significance of the club, and few managers currently working in the top flight can compete with his big-game experience. Without that, Liverpool may not have overcome Cardiff at Wembley, and might not be looking forward to the very real prospect of an FA Cup Final. But is that enough? Whatever happens, the season 2012/13 will have to start with a reconstruction of the team and the club, because on the strength of this year - all cup success aside - Liverpool are a million miles away from competing with their so-called rivals Manchester United. So, Liverpool fans, what do you think? Is King Kenny still untouchable?