Liverpool FC: Breaking Down Brendan Rodgers' 1st Year at Anfield

"This is long-term, that was important to me, to come into a project over a number of years." (via The Guardian)

Wise words spoken by Brendan Rodgers on the day he was confirmed as Liverpool manager. "Long-term" and "Project," small words with huge significance. A significant message to all Liverpool fans that this would be no quick-fix.

As Rodgers nears the end of his first season at the helm, progression is a word banded around at Anfield on a somewhat weekly basis. So how far have the Reds progressed under the Northern Irishman's stewardship?

They have already amassed more points and scored more goals both home and away than they did under Kenny Dalglish during the 2011/12 season and are set to end the season in seventh position, one place higher than the eighth placed finish that saw Dalglish dismissed.

The Reds have so far found the net 70 times in the Barclays Premier League this season. A stark contrast to the lowly 47 they managed last season. Rodgers has to be the man to take credit for this significant turnaround. His tiki-taka philosophy has brought back memories of the Liverpool of old, the swashbuckling side of the late 80s featuring Beardsley, Barnes and Aldridge that played football the 'Liverpool way.'

It was far from the perfect start, however. Rewind to August and Rodgers' first league game in charge. Liverpool travelled to the Hawthorns to face a West Bromwich Albion side managed by former Reds assistant, Steve Clarke.

Not in Rodgers' worst nightmares could he have envisaged the calamitous start to the season his new side would make. Liverpool crashed to a 3-0 defeat and if the words 'long-term' and 'project' were not already occupying the minds of the travelling Kop, then they were now!

Fast-forward one week and champions Manchester City arrived at Anfield with many expecting a one-sided affair. They were in for a surprise; Liverpool were magical. Pass and move was Rodgers' instruction and his players duly obliged. Anfield witnessed a slick style of football rarely seen since the 'glory days.' A 2-2 draw was the outcome but the fans once again believed.

The first week of Rodgers' first season summed up the rest. Inconsistent. Alarmingly bad one week, impervious the next.

The previous summer, Dalglish's dealings in the transfer market were heavily criticised. Large fees were paid for the much-maligned Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson, both of whom appeared overawed by the demands of representing England's most successful club.

Many eyes were on Rodgers' early signings and they were somewhat questionable. He brought in Joe Allen from former club Swansea for £15m, a fee that in the early weeks of the season looked like business well-done, but as the turn of the year approached, the midfielder found himself out of favour before a shoulder injury ended his season prematurely.

If Allen's first season at Anfield has been a disappointment, then Fabio Borini's has been a disaster. Signed from Roma for a reported £11m, Borini, like Allen, has missed large chunks of the season with anterior cruciate ligament and shoulder injuries and has only one league goal to his name.

The unknown Oussama Assaidi and Samid Yesil were brought in from SC Heerenveen and Bayer Leverkusen for nominal fees but have been used sparingly, as was on-loan Real Madrid midfielder, Nuri Sahin.

Liverpool's first half of the season was very much stop-start. Eye-catching performances were failing to produce results. The Reds failed to take anything from fixtures against Everton, Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea despite dominating each game for long periods.

Rodgers' side also suffered an early exit from the Capital One Cup at the hands of Swansea.

All eyes would be on the January transfer window.

Those Liverpool fans who were somewhat concerned by Rodgers' early transfer dealings can only applaud their manager's astuteness during the January transfer window. Daniel Sturridge, who was surplus to requirements at Chelsea was acquired for a reported £12m whilst Philippe Coutinho became the fifth Brazilian to represent Liverpool when he moved to Anfield from Inter Milan for what is proving to be a snip at £8.5m.

The arrival of Sturridge whose 11 goals in 15 games (via Liverpool Echo) has given Liverpool an extra dimension when attacking and has seen the Reds rely less on Luis Suarez to find the back of the net.

The signing of Coutinho has been nothing short of sensational. The majestic midfielder has the ability to find pockets of space in between opposition midfield and defence and his eye for a pass is second to none.

Both signings were viewed by many as risks—maybe they were—but some risks pay off and these certainly have, and for that Rodgers deserves credit.

Credit should also be given to Rodgers for his shrewdness in cutting the wage bill. High earners Charlie Adam, Alberto Aquilani and Joe Cole have all been 'moved on,' whilst loan flop Nuri Sahin's temporary deal was also terminated early.

With Sturridge and Coutinho settling in quickly, performances were now yielding results. In the second half of the season Liverpool put three past Sunderland, four past Wigan, five past Norwich and Swansea and six past Newcastle.

Individual errors were to blame for disappointing early exits from the Europa League and FA Cup at the hands of Zenit St. Petersburg and Oldham Athletic respectively. 

Despite a disappointing cup campaign on all three fronts, it was clear to see that the 'Liverpool way' was becoming Rodgers' way. Slick, skillful passing coupled with individual brilliance. The much-maligned Henderson and Downing were now contributing goals and assists and were finally showing their true potential.

Rodgers' has also got the best out of striker Luis Suarez. On the pitch he has been unbelievable, off it he has again been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Rodgers, however can claim to have handled the backlash of Suarez's now infamous bite on Branislav Ivanovic with much more dignity than previous Liverpool managers have shown in similar situations.

It will be a busy summer at Anfield in the coming months, more importantly it will be an important summer. Rodgers simply has to get it right and retaining the services of Suarez will be key.

On the pitch progress has been made, that is there for all to see. Liverpool are a much more attractive team to watch but football is a results business, and the league table does not lie. Seventh is simply not acceptable for a club the size of Liverpool.

Winning trophies is the real 'Liverpool way.'