Liverpool Re-Sign Glen Johnson Behind Closed Doors

It may start to become slightly tedious when commenting upon how Kenny Dalglish has changed the pessimistic mindsets of Liverpool fans and players.

Towards the end of Roy Hodgson's spell in charge, dejected and concerned were words synonymous with the Kop side. A relegation battle even seemed to loom large. 

Yet a transformation took place, and despite a dip in the final two games, former Liverpool hero Kenny Dalglish saved the day. He was our knight in shining armour!

Glen Johnson seems to agree. If Liverpool had finished in the bottom half, you could forgive certain players for clambering towards the exit. 

The likes of Steven Gerrard would face a backlash, but players such as Glen Johnson would have been given a respected farewell, but little more than a whimper. The idea that he is replaceable would have been the optimistic way of looking at such an exit. 

As he openly admits, the England defender was in disastrous form under Hodgson. His play was erratic and his performances were so error-strewn that the team looked to be suffering even more with him in it. 

Was he just not cut out for the game at Liverpool, or did he just not have the direction from his manager? The contrast in his performance under two different managers aims the reason toward the latter.

And now, amidst news of summer signings and transfer rumours, Johnson's renewal of his Liverpool contract has gone relatively unnoticed. 

This does not mean that the fans don't care about his future at the club. He is a required staple within a squad that towards the back end of the 2010-11 season conceded few and far between. 

There seems to be more a sense of keep doing what you were doing under Dalglish to succeed. Glen Johnson now has the opportunity to thrust himself deeper into the minds of Liverpool and England supporters. 

He is the calibre of player that can edge the team towards the top of football's elite once more. 
Will he begin to play even better now his future is secured? Well, that remains to be seen. As long as he does not show a dip in form similar to last season's open batch of games, then he should be comfortable in his position. 

As for how long his contract has been renewed for, well, Anfield has remained oddly quiet on that for the time being.