Friday, 17 April 2015

To be the best you have to beat the best.

Every now and then I like to analyze various aspects of our game. This time I've looked at how Brendan Rodgers has faired up against the top 4.

Over the last three years since Brendan took charge in 2012 we have had some magnificent results against the top teams in the leauge. However, by and large our record is bleak.

Have a look through these graphics and let me know on the Twitter what you think?

Kind Regards

@AnfieldEurope

Thursday, 16 April 2015

A possible full XI could be gone this summer

With more "outs" than "ins" expected this summer. Liverpool could potentially move on what could be seen as a full starting XI. The departure of some players will be more straightforward than others. However, a few as you will see yourselves are more debatable. Let me know on Twitter if you agree with me or not. Thanks for Reading @Anfield Europe.

1. Brad Jones.

Ever since Brad Joined Liverpool in 2010 he has only averaged just over 5 games a season (27). The Australian never really seems to push the goalkeeper a head of him enough in order to make the number one spot his own, whether it was Pepe Reina or now Simon Mignolet. It's kind of like he's become comfortable in this role. Therefore, for his own playing career he would probably benefit from a new challenge. Although Mignolet has improved massively since Christmas, Brendan needs to freshen up this position in the summer in order to offer more competition.

2. José Enrique.

A popular member of the squad. However, unfortunately not for footballing reasons. José has failed to find the form he enjoyed prior to his injury. José Enrique's wages are far too high for what he contributes to the team. Lazar Marković and even Raheem Sterling have been preferred to Enrique to what is his natural position. With young Alberto Moreno looking to hold down a regular first team spot at left full back times up for the Fifa fanatic, instagram posing, table tennis loving Spaniard.

3. Sebastián Coates.

Another players' career halted by injuries is Sebastián Coates. The young Uruguayan will only be remembered for one moment during his 4 year Liverpool career; his wonder goal against QPR in 2012. Now up at Sunderland on loan, where he has failed to make an impact is almost certain to be moved on his summer.

4. Glen Johnson.

Glen has just recently come back into the fold and hasn't played that badly to be honest. However, on the whole he hasn't really been at his best for a couple of years now and with his extortionate wages which the club are paying him, a move abroad, with Italy being his probable destination is on the cards. Moreover, this position is also top of Brendan's priorities to be strengthened this summer & with young Jon Flanagan & even Jordan Ibe back fit and well, both are able to slot into the right wing back position with ease, Glen's services will be no longer required.

5. Kolo Toure.

Kolo is a popular player amongst most Liverpool fans. However, I don't fully trust him. At a club like Liverpool I can't argue the case to keep a centre back solely because of his experience. If he isn't technically good enough, a contract extension can't be justified or deserved. Liverpool will have at their disposal three "experienced" centre backs in Skrtel, Lovren & Sako. Also with young Can excelling in this position, I don't think we will need him anymore. Moreover, Brendan will be having a look at Tiago Llori and Andre Wisdom's development and most likely bring back at least one of them back to Melwood.

6. Steven Gerrard.

I wish Steven Gerrard the very best in his new venture in America. However, let it be a brief one. There is still a lot of work to be done in Liverpool for the Huyton lad. Steven Gerrard, will return to Liverpool Football Club, although, at present it's unknown in what capacity, but he will. Steven Gerrard, is more than just a footballer to this city and as my banner says; he is "one of a kind".

7. Luis Alberto.

I've never really understood why we signed Luis Alberto and paid nearly 7 million for a young lad who only had a half decent season for Barcelona B in Spain's second tier. Obviously, he was a risk buy and our scouting network must have thought he had the potential to become the next Xabi Alonso or something. Sadly, the lad was a flop and a permanent move back to Spain is on the cards.

8. Lago Aspas.

I don't want to be too hard on him but this lad is terrible. Another failure for our scouting network, looking to sign the "next big thing". Lago made his name at Celta B and only played one year in La Liga. Certainly, not any anywhere near Liverpool FC standards. Adios!

9. Javier Manquillo.

Manquillo, again, is another example of Liverpool scouring La liga for future stars and falling flat on their feet. Just like Aspas and Alberto, Manquillo came with very little experience at the highest level. He has been given a chance at Liverpool but failed to put in exceptional performances in order for him to nail down a regular starting spot in Rodgers' starting XI. Manquillo is about to finish his first season of a two year loan deal which includes an option to buy after the first year. Obviously the fee and his wages would be an issue. However, buying him, after what we have seen of him so far would be unlikely and like I mentioned before this position is looking to be strengthened shortly either by young Jon Flango or even a new signing. Javier would be pushed back in the pecking order. Nevertheless, if Javier doesn't request Liverpool to cancel his loan deal so that Athletico could recall him, we may be forced to stick with the young Spaniard until his loan deal runs out in 2016.

10. Mario Balotelli.

Where do I start with Mario Balotelli? I could write a full piece just on Mario and he's only been here a few months. Therefore, this one has to be done in bullet form:

- Chooses when he wants to play, even when he gets passed fit by the Liverpool medical staff.

- Gets ill too often.

- A Lazy trainer.

- Was disrespectful to Jordan Henderson by not allowing him to take a penalty. (Jordan was the captain that day against Besiktas)

- Doesn't have the right attitude to be a footballer never mind a Liverpool Striker.

- Uses social media to post cringing and unprofessional videos.

- Doesn't help the team on the pitch. Not only from his inability to score goals but by not tracking back enough or pressing when we don't have the ball.

Mario wasn't wanted by Rodgers in the first place and was offered to him just before the season was about to start. Brendan Rodgers had to choose between him and Eto'o after previous efforts to sign other strikers to replace Luis Suarez failed.

11. Fabio Borini.

The only attribute Borini posseses is he's a grafter and when given the chance he'll put in a shift and play with determination and aggression (abit too much against Arsenal!). However, when we're 2-1 down or drawing 0-0, is a hard working striker who doesn't really have an eye for goal the solution? No, we need a forward who we know is going to give us a goal or change the dynamics of the team positively when he enters the field of play. Brendan's first or second changes need to be players who just miss out on the first XI and if we could play with 12 or 13 they would be on the pitch from the start. Borini is no where near good enough to start upfront for Liverpool which consequently explains the lack of joy from the fans when he comes on. We never hear cries from the Kop such as, "bring Borini on" or "is right, here comes Fabio, we'll be alright now". It's more like "Here comes Borini" or slightly harsher "what's Borini going to do?" This can't the case at Liverpool. Brendan has to be bringing players on who can score, turn the game around that can pose an immediate threat. Sadly, Fabio Borini doesn't have anything to offer in order to carry on being a Liverpool player.

@Anfieldeurope

Wednesday, 4 March 2015

Two Months left until Three Seasons of Brendan Rodgers

With only 10 league games to go until the closure of the current campaign, Liverpool Football Club are still very much in the process of turning this season into successfully one. Our performances on the pitch are starting to equal those of last season resembling such performances of the 1980s.

However, our inability to neither secure a Champions League spot nor deliver silverware in the form of the FA Cup would mean our improved form on the field would mean nothing. The 2014/2015 season would be deemed an unsuccessful and disappointing one, not only for just finishing outside the top four but also for falling at the first hurdle in both European competitions we took part in.

Therefore, the next 8 weeks or so will make or break The Rodgers' Reign. Delivering silverware & securing Champions League qualification would be enough to keep FSGs faith in Rodgers. Whereas, finishing outside of the lucrative European spots and finishing another season without picking up any honors would really test our owners’ patience. Not only our progression as a football club would be halted but also the financial side of the club would suffer greatly.

Entering the Champions League next season must be an absolute minimal requirement for Rodgers due to the extensive investments FSG have put into the club in order for Liverpool to be able to compete with the best teams, not only in the Premier League, but also across the continent.

Since Brendan took control of Liverpool we have signed 25 players for £212,380,00m with no trophies won. Therefore, no fan can complain that the owners aren't supporting us and are doing their bit towards the cause.

At present on the football field Rodgers seems to be getting it right again by taking 20 points from a possible 24. Beating Manchester City at Anfield last weekend showed how far we have come since that dreadful result and performance at Crystal Palace before Christmas.

Furthermore, it was encouraging hearing Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher's incredible statistic in that the three seasons Rodgers has been at the helm, we only have lost four League games since Christmas.

Despite this encouraging statistic, I am refrained from getting over excited. Without wanting to sound too negative, only a couple of bad results would dampen our chances of a top 4 finish. Moreover, anymore injuries or bad refereeing would really throw a spanner in the works for us.

I openly admit that after our abysmal Champions League campaign I wasn't Rodgers biggest fan. I can be quoted in a previous article of mine saying: "why should Brendan Rogers deserve more time than Kenny Dalglish got to put things right? Has he earned it? He hasn't won anything. If he was replaced now by "the right replacement" how much harm would this inflict on our current situation?"

However, looking back, I would say the reason for my negativity towards Rodgers was mainly due to my pain and sadness of waiting many years' for Liverpool's return to Europe's elite competition. To perform the way we did, after all the hard work we put into getting there was dissatisfying to say the least. Only to notch up 1 win in 6 isn't the form of a Liverpool side I'm used to.

My current view of the situation is not the one I expressed after the Basel game. Rodgers, has obviously worked hard, put a new system in place and has turned it around. Now we don't resemble the Liverpool team he put out a few months back.

The team back then had just lost one of Liverpool's greatest ever players in Luis Suarez and his strike partner Daniel Sturridge was injured before the Champions League had even started. In addition, adding a string of new recruits which have needed time to be molded into the system reinforces the fact that Rodgers' new team weren't the best prepared entering into the competition.

Nevertheless, Rodgers, a young inexperienced manager in European Competitions will view this as a learning curve for himself going into next season's "fingers crossed" Champions League group stages. I suppose as a Liverpool fan, them fixtures home and away in Europe are what we thrive on and with Brendan's European win percentage at 35% (7/20) we can only get better as a whole.

It would be unthinkable finishing outside the top 4. None more so than for Brendan himself. Managers get the sack not players. At the end of the day it's his and his coaching staff's responsibility and sole objective to make Liverpool Football Club a success. If they don't come up with the goods and fail, then in my view they should be moved on. Three years in football is more than enough to show and prove your abilities as a manager.

On the flip side, Liverpool fans as a whole wouldn't favor a change of management at this stage. Brendan Rodgers is not just the Manager but also he has instilled his own philosophy, system and way of thinking right from the youth ranks up until the first team.

Every manager change brings in new personnel, players and yet another redevelopment process altogether. We don't want that, we want Brendan Rodgers to bring us success. However, if we finish this season trophy less and with a 1/3 Champions League qualification record the fans and owners patience will be tested. Patience, a thing which football fans of a top club like Liverpool don't have much of when it comes to seeing their club underachieve.

Nevertheless, this Liverpool team is getting stronger and now without any European distractions I'm confident that a top 4 and even maybe a top 3 finish is well within our reach.

@anfieldeurope

Thanks for reading.

Please leave any comments below on Twitter

Friday, 27 February 2015

A fan’s response to the Dunkin’ Donut's Story.

Myself, as well as, many other Liverpool fans over the last few days, have received apologies from the Boston Massachusetts based company Dunkin’ Donuts for an inappropriate marketing ploy which used our clubs badge as its main feature.

I´d like to make clear why fans, again myself included, started to complain, via twitter, about the unsuitable way, one of our sponsors started representing our badge. This, off course, led to yet again Liverpool fans being accused of oversensitivity, which is ludicrous.

Firstly, we didn’t solely blame Dunkin’ Donuts for disrespecting the Hillsborough victims and their families. Our principle annoyance was that our badge, which we defend and are proud of, was in the process of being used in a Marketing campaign for an American Fast Food Company.

The fact that Liverpool Football Club is currently owned by Americans, obviously, there will be business deals going on between other companies, Warrior, New Balance and the one in question. However, seeing our players embarrassing themselves in the festive greetings card (see below) and now redesigning our badge is just too far.

Yes, we are generating money from them, as I’ve just mentioned they are one of the clubs present day sponsors. Nevertheless, this doesn’t give them or anybody the freedom to do what they want with our name.

Turning the Hillsborough flames into chocolate milkshakes, in a mocked-up version of our crest (see below) is just where things have to stop.

Moreover, protocols and procedures have to be put into place by the club itself demanding any company who wishes to use our image, name or badge need to get the green light from officials from Liverpool before they publically go ahead with advertising campaigns or marketing techniques.

In addition, as you would have noticed not only did Dunkin’ Donuts issue a statement apologizing and halting the campaign immediately, but also they used Twitter to apologize to hundreds of Liverpool supporters’ individually. Why would they do this? Wouldn´t one tweet be enough?

Furthermore, the tweets that they sent out to us were just copied and pasted and didn´t mean anything significant apart from them trying to save the image of their Company, as this story made international news on Thursday.

They even sent an apologetic tweet to a Manchester fan (see below) expressing their regret to what they have done. Obviously this proves these sympathetic tweets were just another PR stunt on their behalf.

This also worked negativity towards our fans in a way that it provoked other supporters from other clubs to jump on the bandwagon and accuse Liverpool of yet again being too sensitive.

Let´s not forget we have reason to be touchier in certain situations than other clubs. No other club apart from Bradford City has suffered such a loss of life in English Football.

Liverpool as a city still lives with the pain of what happened on the 15^th of April 1989 every day. A tragedy, in which, the families of the victims are yet to receive full justice and concrete answers from. A disaster where Liverpool fans themselves were blamed for by certain organizations “rags” which I don´t mention. Therefore, if Liverpool fans are slightly more sensitive on these kinds of topics, then we have good reason to be so. Stop judging us on these matters.

To sum up, Dunkin’ Donuts were wrong in the sense that; recreating their own version of our badge without researching the elements to what it is made up of is negligence on their part. Although, the club must now act to keep closer tabs on these companies and not allow them to begin campaigns of this nature without their permission. I’m not a fan of the modern game in the sense of the financial side. However, as always I´ll continue to defend the Badge of Liverpool Football Club.

@anfieldeurope