Eighteen years. That is the statistic echoing around Anfield. Eighteen years since Liverpool last won the league title.
Back in 2004, when Rafa Benitez replaced Gerard Houllier as manager at Anfield, he was instructed to do what the Frenchman could not—win the Premiership.
While still England’s most successful club, the lack of championship silverware in the cabinet underlined how far the club had fallen.
Four years later, Benitez has so far failed to deliver on his remit. Nevertheless, the Spaniard’s popularity on Merseyside is high—due in no small part to his Champion’s League successes.
While domestically the club had waned, Benitez’s triumph in Instanbul in 2005 cemented the club’s place amongst the European elite.
Another final appearance in 2007, where the Reds were unlucky to lose their rematch with AC Milan, did little to harm Benitez’s relationship with the fans.
Unfortunately, in the league, the much-hyped ‘Rafa Revolution’ has so far failed to materialize.
Last season, improvements were made, giving the fans cause for optimism.
Unfortunately, a very public spat between Benitez and his chairmen, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, meant that Benitez’s position was under more threat than ever before.
Whatever the ‘In Rafa We Trust’ brigade may think, the fact is that a poor 2008/09 campaign will more than likely see the end of the Spaniard at Anfield.
But this is by no means certain. There are many reasons to indicate Liverpool could well mount a strong title challenge.
First among them is the squad itself.
Fernando Torres appears to be the goal-poaching No. 9 that the Reds have been crying out for since Michael Owen left in 2004. Last season the majority of his league goals were scored at Anfield—this season he should take his goal-scoring talents on the road as well.
Another bonus is the return to fitness of Daniel Agger. The Danish defender, who missed most of last season with a persistent metatarsal injury, adds to a solid defensive core of Martin Skrtel and Jamie Carragher. Sami Hyypia, for whom age is finally catching up, will not have to be relied on so frequently.
Age is not a problem for most of the Liverpool squad, however. The Reds have one of the most promising youth squads in England—with the likes of Emiliano Insua, Mikel San Jose, Sebastian Leto, and new acquisition David N’Gog turning heads for the reserves.
Seventeen-year-old striker Daniel Pacheco has played a part in every one of Liverpool’s preseason games so far, drawing widespread praise. He looks like he could do a job this season.
Benitez’s transfer additions also look useful. Andrea Dossena, signed for £7 million, will replace the outgoing John Arne Riise. The Italian, formerly of Udinese, brings with him a reputation for playing best in the big games—something that should help the Anfield club against top four opposition.
Free transfer Phillipe Degen should cover Alvaro Arbeloa at right-back. Diego Cavelieri should do the same, behind Reina, between the sticks.
In the press however, the big stories have surrounded whom Liverpool have so far failed to sign.
Gareth Barry, subject to a protracted approach, now looks unlikely to move to Anfield. After months of disagreement between Liverpool and Aston Villa, it finally looks like Benitez has given up on the move.
This is great news for Liverpool fans.
The Red’s need is certainly not in central midfield. With Mascherano, Lucas, and Damien Plessis able to play the holding role, and Gerrard a lock further forward, the limited resources available should be used elsewhere.
Selling Xabi Alonso to bring in Gareth Barry is not worthwhile. Offloading Peter Crouch to finance a move for Robbie Keane, on the other hand, certainly is.
In attack is where Liverpool really need to purchase some quality.
Analysing the squad, it looks likely Benitez will move to the 4-3-3 formation increasingly popular in the Premiership. Reina will continue as ‘keeper, with Dossena, Agger, Carragher and Arbeloa likely to be the starting back four.
In midfield, Mascherano will sit deep—with Xabi Alonso and Gerrard slightly further forward. The club captain will undoubtedly have license to roam forward, with Alonso’s distribution exploited from deeper.
The weakness, therefore, is in the front three. While in defence and midfield Benitez has an array of options, in attack the squad looks thin.
Torres will lead the line, giving defences across the country headaches with his sublime movement. Playing deeper and wider, Ryan Babel should be employed to cut in from the left and support ‘El Nino’.
But who can do the same from the opposite side?
This is Benitez’s quandary. No one in his squad can excel in the position. Yossi Benayoun could do a job, but little more. Pacheco, while promising, is not ready yet.
Hence the club’s attraction to Keane, David Silva, and Ricardo Quaresma.
Quaresma, a true winger, would be unlikely to contribute the number of goals required of the position. While the Portuguese international has great delivery, Torres prospers more from through balls and short, intricate passing—something that the Porto player is less adept at.
Silva, the Valencia youngster, would thus appear to be the perfect fit. Technically gifted, with a good cross and an eye for goal—he appears to tick all the boxes. Unfortunately, his stellar performances at Euro 2008 have priced him out of Liverpool’s range. The American owners just do not have the £30 million required to sign him.
This is the problem Benitez faces. He cannot pursue elite talent like his main rivals can.
So the focus turns to Keane. The Tottenham forward, while unlikely to operate as wide as Babel, has the touch and guile to provide the perfect foil for Torres.
He will also chip in with more than a few goals himself—forcing opposition defences to divide their attention between him and the Spaniard. He can even contribute defensively if required.
Crucially, at 28-years-old, the Irish international should be reaching the peak of his career—with three to four quality seasons ahead of him.
At £18 million, the sale of misfit Crouch for £11 million should provide Benitez with the funds to recruit Keane. It could prove a bargain.
While Tottenham are unhappy with Liverpool’s underhand approach, they have privately resigned themselves to losing their No. 10.
Alan Hansen, Liverpool legend, told the Times yesterday he thought his former club were nearing a title challenge.
“They are getting closer, but they still need three or four players,” he said.
If Keane signs on the dotted line, they will need one less. Hopefully for Benitez, his much-heralded youngsters will fill any remaining gaps in his squad.
Eighteen years of hurt on Merseyside—could Keane prove to be the missing piece in one of English football’s longest running puzzles?
10 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
David Ward 11 months ago
"While domestically the club had waned, Benitez’s triumph in Athens in 2005 cemented the club’s place amongst the European elite.
Another final appearance in 2007, where the Reds were unlucky to lose their rematch with AC Milan,"
I would contend that this should be reversed. A once in a lifetime performance from his captain, and complete ineptitude from Milan allowed Liverpool to sneak it in 2005. Milan didn’t give Liverpool a sniff the second time.
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Alex Dimond 11 months ago
Having not mentioned the actual events of the 2005 final in the article, I would agree that Liverpool were fortunate to win - it was an unbelievable comeback that Shevchenko (and others) had more than a few chances to crush.
In 2007, however, I felt it was a much more even match and I imagine many of the Liverpool players walked off the pitch feeling they were unlucky. Obviously it is a matter of opinion though.
Cheers for the comment David!
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Gary Nolan 11 months ago
Actually it was Istanbul 2005, and as for Milan not giving Liverpool a sniff in 07 I'm wondering if you were watching the same match? Liverpool were the better team by far on the day but didn't capatalise on their chances.
As for the actual article.....I wish if people would STOP writing about "our year" and just let the lads play and we will see where we are come March or so. All these articles just make us look foolish and as though we are trying to believe it ourselves. We need alot of things to go right this year, so does every challenging team.
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Alex Dimond 11 months ago
Cheers for the comments Gary. I thought Liverpool were unlucky in 2007.
As for the 'our year' part, I am not even a Liverpool fan (a Palace fan actually - so a neutral to all intents and purposes!) so I don't think I am making you look foolish - I hope not anyway!
I genuinely believe that, if Robbie Keane signs, Benitez will have made a MASSIVE step in the right direction. It should at least propel them to a genuine title challenge - something that hasn't occurred for nearly the 18 years since their last title.
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meeny choudhry 11 months ago
they said the same about torres last season!
hopefully we should get somewhere this seson i think that the player positions shud go like this
reina
carragher skrtel agger dossena (agger is a great player but skrtel is jus as gud)
alonso mascherano
gerrard babel
keane torres
or sumet like that! lol
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Jeff Harbert 11 months ago
I'm sorry to say, but it's not gonna be Liverpool's year. United and Chelsea will finish above them once again. Maybe they can get above Arsenal, but thats about it. Rafa has a lot more work to do.
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illya mclellan 11 months ago
nice article, i really hope they can do it, but i'd rather see portsmouth up there, cmon crouchie and defoe!
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Alex Dimond 11 months ago
Ha, ha why not? Although the sale of Muntari is a massive blow I fear.
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Edgar Paz 11 months ago
Very well written article. Im wondering if when you say 4-3-3 you are referring to the same kind of system he was using at the end of last season which has been for the most part referred to as a 4-2-1-2-1 or a 4-2-3-1.
As for Keane, I think he's a great player however I don't see him doing that well out wide. I think he would do excellent playing as a second striker to Torres but the problem with this would be that it wouldnt let gerrard push up as often as he has through the center not only because there will be one more striker but also because he will probably have more defensive responsibilities with only one holding midfielder (masch) behind him instead of two (masch and alonso). The other two midfielders would be widemen. This is the problem area as you said. I think Babel did well last year in the advanced left midfield/winger position however as a left midfielder it would be a different story. Pennant on the right has been a mystery; I guess it all depends on how he feels on the day. Simply put this whole Keane thing seems to complicate things. I think a title winning side would be same as last years side (the 4-2-3-1 side) except for Silva>Kuyt, Dossena>Riise, Agger>Skrtel (theyre both fantastic), and keep Alonso, he's the best passer of the ball in the world except for maybe Xavi & Pirlo.
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Alex Dimond 11 months ago
Cheers for the comments Edgar.
It is hard to explain what I mean without the aid of a diagram, but it is a slight variation of the 4-2-3-1 you mention. I see the Monster Masch lying deep in midfield, with Alonso left centre and Gerrard right centre. However, Gerrard will have license to roam forward, as Xabi will cover more defensively.
Of the front three, I see Babel wide left but cutting in. Torres alone up top. Keane will play slightly back and right of Torres - so whereas Babel will primarily be a winger, Keane will be more of a second striker. It would be a fluid system that is hard to put into '4-3-3' type numbers. I do think Keane will be success however.
Other than that, we appear to have similar ideas about Liverpool's squad!
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