Nervy Hodgson Plans Aged Brigade for Liverpool FC: Murphy's Law?

Even before Mr. Roy Hodgson is named as a Liverpool FC manager, early reports suggests that the soon-to-be ex-Fulham manager is quite over-awed about whom to go for in the present transfer market.

After his rather infamous tenure at Blackburn Rovers, Hodgson has changed his approach in the transfer market.

In his spell at Ewood Park, Hodgson had arguably the worst summer spending in spree the past two decades whilst in his second year in charge, spending 20m plus and buying players like Kevin Davies for in excess of 7m GBP.

In 1998, such type of spending wasn't a common occurrence at English clubs.

After his ridiculous expenditure, Blackburn's fortune still plunged to unimaginable lows, resulting in the sacking of Hodgson.

Clearly, such a spell tarnished the managerial career of Hodgson and ever since, he has been very cautious in his buys.

He has frequented cheap buys after that, with the intention of trying to extract the very best out of those buys. This ploy suited him pretty favorably during his stay at Fulham.

With the stakes raised high at his imminent destination in Liverpool, however, Hodgson's abilities and choices in the market is always going to be tested.

Whatever be the condition at the club, if it allows the manager to spend reasonably, the expectations of the fans are bound to rise.

The fact that Rafa Benitez repeatedly finished within the top four and that just one failure to somewhat over-achieve has led to his firing is also bound to put additional pressure on Hodgson.

After all, isn't that the reason why Roy Hodgson is to be hired? The board should certainly believe that he can better Benitez both on the pitch and off it.

Hodgson's not-so proven transfer market strategies at big clubs like Inter Milan (the biggest club he managed) is also likely to be under scrutiny.

In such a tight state of affairs, Hodgson seems to be very nervous and keen to walk an overcautious line. If reports are to be believed, Hodgson is keen to bring Gilberto Silva and Ex-Liverpool man Danny Murphy to the club.

Although his other reported choices of Brede Hangeland and Rafael Van der Vaart seems to be good additions to the current Liverpool squad, going for the two veterans in Silva and Murphy is certainly a step backward.

With due respect to Silva, his recent employer are an established Greek club, which has done little in recent days at the European level.

This current stature of the former Arsenal man is good enough to suggest that he is surely past his prime.

Now to consider a player like him as a replacement to Mascherano may be a cheap option, but more of a buy for just one season at best.

Surely at 34, Gilberto Silva would not be a part of long term plan for Liverpool FC, and whatever be his displays at the World Cup, going for such an aged star easily questions Hodgson's abilities in the transfer market.

The other player in Danny Murphy has already given his best for Liverpool in his prime and shares fond memories of his time at the club.

But at 33 and after spending long spells on the sidelines due to injury, is he the right choice for a club that needs major rebuilding ? Obviously not.

It is understandable that Liverpool do not have the financial muscle to compete against Manchester City and Chelsea in the market, but surely the only viable alternative to that is not just buying veterans whose playing time itself is in question.

The fears surrounding Hodgson is that he has no reputation of being a club builder and may not work on the lines of his predecessor, who certainly tried to solve some major problems in the club.

Hodgson's ability to bring the promising youngsters at the academy to the first team, as well as luring top-class talent to the academy, is also something which remains to be seen.

Although the early indications don't exactly underline Hodgson as a visionary, all those concerned Liverpool fans, including me, would hope Roy Hodgson still manages to get his act together and come up with a better approach to deal with the transfer market at Liverpool FC.

Mind you, if Hodgson's other two reported interests in Hangeland and Van der Vaart do land up at the club (although even they are in their late 20s), it should be considered as an excellent start to the club's transfer season.