Hodgson Seems Determined To Rid Anfield Of Bad Memories Left By Benitez

It's a been a busy summer for Liverpool, and the past few days have certainly been the busiest so far. Alberto Aquilani signed a loan deal with Juventus, it appears Javier Mascherano is not as professional as first believed, and now it looks like Dirk Kuyt could also be leaving. All Roy Hodgson would have left to do is get rid of Lucas Leiva and he would succeed in ridding Liverpool of the bad tastes Rafa Benitez left behind.

Benitez purchased Aquilani as a replacement for Xabi Alonso, and he spent an exorbitant amount on a injured player. He also left the club with the impossible situation of Mascherano. A player who obviously didn't want to be there and whose offering price from any club was always going to be less than what the club wanted. And while Kuyt clearly has passion and drive and was the unsung hero for the Netherlands at the World Cup, his endless running that Benitez always praised isn't pleasing the Reds' fans any more.

But is Hodgson right to make all these changes? Aquilani started slow but had a great record at the end of last season with the Reds. He showed creativity, he was eager to get forward and created many scoring opportunities. If Hodgson would've just played him, as Benitez seemed unwilling to do, he probably would've proved he was worth his price tag.

Hodgson has given Barcelona until Sunday to get a deal done with Mascherano after already turning down one bid in hopes of more money. But the Spanish champions are strapped for cash just like the Reds, so what if the deal doesn't materialize? Mascherano was left out of the squad that was run over by Manchester City because he was not in the "right frame of mind" according to the boss, so who's to say that'll change if he has to stay? If the Reds aren't going to use him and he's just going to bring everyone down, he needs to be gone, even if the Reds don't get the money they want, a reality Benitez couldn't face last summer.

Kuyt's agent claims talks are ongoing between Liverpool and Inter Milan but the player no longer wishes to be involved. Liverpool fans probably wouldn't be too sad to see him go because they've grown tired of the endless running not producing goals. But losing him would hurt Liverpool's depth and experience, two things they'll need this season.

Benitez was unwilling to change which is why he's gone, but Hodgson should be wary of making too many changes. If he really wants to rid Anfield of the memories of Benitez, he needs to accept that his successor did make the right decision every so often.