Recently Liverpool agreed a fee with AS Roma for the transfer of John Arne Riise to the Italians. It was approximately £4 million. It came as a shock to some—some welcomed it, some didn't.
But it wasn't the sale of Riise that piqued my interest, it was what it meant to the club as a whole.
It is also the imminent transfer of Xabi Alonso to Juventus that caught my eye. Firstly, John Arne Riise has been a great servant to the Anfield faithful, delivering years of consistent quality up and down the left flank. Who can forget one of the most potent left feet to enter the game?
I think however, that Riise's performances did drop considerably in the last two years, culminating in his own goal that effectively signed his death warrant at the club.
The same could be said of Xabi Alonso. A great player who could be ranked up with some of the best passers of the ball in the world alongside Andrea Pirlo and Riquelme. However, like Riiise, his form also dropped from his best in the last two years.
My point is, is Rafa Benitez finally showing a ruthless streak by shipping these players from the club? To sell a seven-year servant, who at 27 could still offer three to four years service? To transfer from the club Alonso, who could still prove to be useful?
I think personally Benitez is finally starting to overhaul the club, and weed out those who are not at the required level anymore. Although many may be sad to see these players leave, it could be the start of something special for Liverpool.
Last season, Liverpool came very close at one stage of being overtaken by local rivals Everton and I think this put a bit of fear in Benitez that, despite the tag of the "Big Four", teams below are starting to reinforce and are slowly but surely catching them, and first in line to for the chop by the likes of Spurs, Portsmouth, Aston Villa, Everton, and Manchester City are Liverpool.
I can't see the Anfield faithful settling for fifth place and another trophy-less season. That's why I think Benitez is finally going to make a burst for the league this year.
For the first time in a while, you can look at the Liverpool team and see a world class spine running through it that is vital to any team looking to compete in Premiership.
Pepe Reina is a very capable goalkeeper, Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger, along with Martin Skrtel can handle anything thrown at them. Steven Gerrard needs no introduction, and Javier Mascherano has proved to be the perfect foil for Stevie G, letting him bomb forward effortlessly.
And of course, there is a certain "El Nino" up front.
Its true that Liverpool need some work out wide, with pacey and creative wing backs needed along with a world class winger. But Rafa seems finally to be taking ruthless action in selling both Riise and Alonso.
If Rafa can make some smart moves in the transfer market this summer, acquiring someone to take the weight of the goalscoring from the shoulders of Fernando Torres and a winger to give the strikers some quality service from out wide, it could be a very fresh and rejuvenated Liverpool next season.
There is a major problem when it comes to Liverpool though. To make these major signings needed, you need money to compete with the overflowing wallets of Chelsea, Manchester United, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid.
There lies the problem for Rafa. No doubt he would like to match up David Villa with his national strike partner Torres to form one of the most fearsome forword lines in the world; however, with Villa in red hot form for Spain at Euro 2008, his price has no doubt rocketed up another £15 million. So Benitez may have to look elsewhere.
Rafa Benitez has been reasonably successful since he joined Liverpool, but the fans want to see progress in the league. The Liverpool fans are a patient lot and many don't expect success in the league overnight, but what they will want to see is progress. They will want to see the team make a burst for third, then the following year for second.
If Rafa can overcome the constant bickering between Tom Hicks and co. and achieve success in the league on a limited budget, then he really will become a part of Liverpool's shining history.
Rome wasn't built in a day as they say, just ask Sir Alex Ferguson how long it took for him to erect his empire. But Chelsea and Manchester United are becoming stronger everyday, while Arsenal seem to be just waiting to burst into life.
If Rafa doesn't make strides this year or the following then it will be very hard to make an impact after that. However, as I've said, Rafa has the squad. It needs minor tweaking and he himself needs to have more ambition in the league regarding his rotation.
Liverpool on a good day can demolish anybody. The problem is those good days are as rare as Hicks and Gillette sharing a joke.
I for one, even as a Manchester United fan, would love to see the "Old Enemy" competing for the league along with a few of the up-and-coming teams that are sniffing behind the "Big Four".
If Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard can keep up the devastating partnership they have formed, then I believe Liverpool have a very bright season ahead of them, and Manchester United and Chelsea will now have to keep a close eye behind them as well as on each other.
Bring on next season.
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3 months ago
I think any of the top four on their day can demolish their opponents.. but the fact is that Liverpool have looked the weakest (although, on paper, they aren't) - that's because of Rafa Benitez's policies and the strange decisions he makes. If he continues his rotation policy, you can expect a similar season next year to the one that has just gone by.
Rafa may be building a squad - but my feeling is that his time is running out - this season or maybe at most next season and if he still doesn't achieve the EPL.. he can't do it with Liverpool.
3 months ago
How many times have we discussed this ?
Im a bit bored
3 months ago
Tell you what then Kiran maybe we should post another article about Man U?? You dont like it then dont respond.....simple as that.
Thanks to Keith, makes a nice change to see an article about Liverpool that isn't just ripping them....especially from a Utd fan!!
As you say Liverpool's spine is on par with any of the other big teams, it's the rest of their squad that is their downfall. As it stands right now Liverpool cannot compete with Utd or Chelsea and their financial power, that is just a fact. They both have 15-20 million pound players on the bench, we on the other hand have around the 6-7 million mark players.
When you think that Micheal Carrick cost just 4 million less than our biggest ever signing and you lot dont even play him all the time, that should sum it up.
I hate the rotation excuse, Benitez is in a no-win situation. If he plays his best 11 all the time then as the end of the season approaches and they tire and falter then all anyone will say is "he should of rested players earlier" (See Arsenal 08 for a prime example)
If he rotates and they drop points.......well we all know that story
Like Keith says, this year is going to be very intresting.
from 3 months ago
hey hey!!!
All im saying is that we have discussed this same topic far too many times........discuss liverpool, im not against it, but discuss something different.
from 3 months ago
Thanks Gary.
Intresting point about Carrick. Im looking forward to seeing how Degan and Dossena perform as I have never watched them. Have you seen much of them?
If Liverpool can turn all the draws into wins, then I believe they really will be competing. But like I said that sort of progress does not happen over night, but the sooner he looks to make an impact the sooner this approach will bear fruits.
Benitez must do it this season though, or it may be too late.
3 months ago
Whats Kiran on about..nice to hear a honest opinion from a Man Utd supporter. Being a Liverpool supporter dont think you can get a better judge of football then a supporter from Britains second most succesful team lol
Think this season will be make or break for Rafa even though hes achieved a fair amount in his time at Liverpool, he still needs the League Title to establish Liverpool as a true force in England. Just like Man Utd never expect less then a top finish its the same with Liverpool..even though the Liverpool supporters have been waiting patiently while Man Utd have dominated the scene the last 15 years or so, Liverpool really need to be back were they once were.
If Man Utd can keep hold of Ronaldo, I cant see them being overtaken this season but Liverpool have the spine in the team but think theyre still missing a Barnes on the wing and a beardsley behind the new Ian Rush chippin in with the goals as Kieth rightly states.
Last season liverpool closed the gap to 9 points if we convertd all them draws into wins maybe the table may have been a little different but Rafas definately heading in the right direction. His record in Europe is second to none he just needs to shadow that form in the league.
Looking forward toanother great season
YNWA
3 months ago
Lads get a grip theres no such thing as the Top 4 its the Top 3 and it always will be all you scousers stop living in Dream land Champions League Maybe a possability but while Fat Boy Rafa or the scouse Tele Tubby as he is known as is in charge ya`s havent get the slightest chance off winning the league... And El Nino or Nando or whatever ya wanna call him up is defo a one hit wonder and signing players like the 28 YEAR OLD Gareth BARRY & the Silky skills of James Milner hahahahaha he must be having a laugh!!!!! And your garunteed another handfull of No Name Players like the CRAP he has already bought Voronin , Crouch, Pennant hahaahaha im SORRY to fill all you POOL supporters in but its gonna be a waste of another season... EVERTON , SPURS & VILLA are all knockin on the door for that 4th spot i think its time you opened up & let them in............
from 3 months ago
Well Irish, aren't you the wise one eh? Not really where did you get this Top 3 thing from because as far as I know this is based on the 4 Champions League Qualifying places and if it isn't then Chelsea for one with their 3 titles in 100+ years wouldn't be there and in their place would be Everton who are a much bigger club than Chelsea. Rafa Benitez is a great manager and like all coaches he buys some players or should i say acquires some players (Voronin cost nowt) and they don't work-out. Crouch on the other hand since joining Liverpool has become an England regular and his valuation has increased by at least £ 3million, not bad for a dud? I gather that you are another bandwagon jumper as you are Irish and therefore don't support your local team i.e. Shamrock Rovers or the like............Whereas I do support Liverpool FC and regularly sit on the Kop for the last 22 years and have seen many great sides. I believe that given Rafa's budget compared to say United's that he has done relatively well. Ferguson signed Rio for £ 30+ million about 6 seasons ago, Rooney for £ 20+ million, Carrick for £18 million & Hargreaves not to mention Nani and Anderson. Hardly a genius is he, I mean give me those sums of money and I will write the cheques. Do us a favour leave your crass comments about Liverpool FC where they belong - in your head (deluded).
3 months ago
I dont think he's having an overhaul. Its because he needs funds to buy the umpteenth "final piece of the jigsaw", and sign the englishmen he needs for UEFA's rulings.
For years, Liverpool have been a cup team. I believe they cannot and will not win the league with Rafa Benitez. His policies in general are dodgy, and tactically he makes too many mistakes against lesser sides. In a cup, he gets it right 90% of the time, and thats why the trophy room isnt empty. Also, despite selling some players, the players he REALLY needs to get rid of, he doesnt. There is an excess of mediocrity at Liverpool (I mean mediocre for supposed potential champions, btw...not in general)
I hear fans say "he needs money". What? Hasnt he spent like...£150m or thereabouts?
I hear fans say "he needs time". What? Hasnt he had enough yet?
I hear fans say "we need this player". Havent you said that about the last god knows how many players you've signed?
I believe Liverpool are the bridge between the top three and everyone else. They're still far ahead of the likes of Tottenham, Villa and Everton....but they're simply not on the same level as Chelsea, Arsenal and Man Utd. On paper, they should be, but they never seem to cut it. The only explanation I have is Benitez's failings and over-reliance on the few genuinely world class players he has at his disposal.
3 months ago
Good article Keith, nice to see a bit of perspective from the enemy for a change.
I disagree partly because I think the sales of Riise and (should it happen) Alonso are as much to with raising funds to buy, rather than wanting them out per se, but in selling them Rafa is clearly signifying a bit of a new direction.
Alonso has struggled in the league for the last 2 years, you are quite correct, and I think his game is just too deliberate for English football, excellent player, but just not suited to the ridiculous pace of the Premier League.
Guillem Balague, confidante of Rafa and regular man 'in the know', suggests that Rafa has a surprise transfer up his sleeve that will excite Liverpool fans, so lets see what happens in the next few weeks.
Whoever it is will not be the media friendly 'final piece of the jigsaw' that gets thrown around everytime Liverpool make a new signing in the last decade, but Rafa's plan might be nearing the final stages, and I agree that now is the time to deliver a genuine title challenge (not victory neccesarily, just a genuine contention).
3 months ago
I really do think whether or not people accept it or not the rotation policy of benitez is and always will be the main reason why liverpool WILL NOT be able to challenge for the Prem league. No beef against liverpool but its a plane and simple fact- logical as u like. And thats why they'll continue to ooutdo in the league cups and champions league. Its simply reaping the advantages and disadvantages of rotation.
Personally I think Benitez has to set his priorities, and if he honestly wants it to be the prem he has to adjust his policy somewhat.
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