Anfield of Nightmares

AFTER yet another dismal showing last night in front of a foolishly-expectant home crowd at Anfield, Liverpool Football Club remains in relative-crisis mode. The 1-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers was one that should have been avoided, but now we are subject to more excuses as to why the Merseysiders failed to turn up.

One point argued by Sky Sports pundit Andy Gray last night was that Liverpool looked rusty, having had their last two league games postponed and over a fortnight's rest. Wolves on the other hand, played only three days ago, slumping to a 2-1 home defeat to Wigan Athletic. In Gray’s opinion, Mick McCarthy’s merry men were a whole lot sharper than Roy Hodgson’s Scouse screw-ups.

Gray’s arguments could be seen as perfectly valid if it were not for the fact that throughout the season we are subject to managers complaining about fixture congestion and players underperforming due to too many games in too short a space of time.

Liverpool’s rest period of 17 days would be envied by other teams, but for a team whose best players would seemingly benefit from rest and recuperation from past injury problems, it has not worked out. The recent postponements meant Steven Gerrard was allowed time to return from a hamstring problem and Fernando Torres, if we are to believe what we are constantly subjected to by media sources, was given his first rest since he was 10 years old.

Also within this time period, it seems Glen Johnson has reverted to a Benjamin Button-esque state, now possessing the footballing capabilities of his 12-year-old self. One moment in last night’s first half was of particularly naïve nature, as he needlessly booted the ball out across his own box for a throw-in. Rather than holding his hands-up and admitting the act of travesty, he instead appeared to signal to his forward players that they should have already been in the stands waiting for it. If Liverpool are to miraculously gain a place in Europe by May, expect a 3-year-old nappy-wearing Johnson to be held aloft by Pepe Reina in front of the Kop amidst the celebrations, and then given the opportunity to complete five-yard passes to Martin Skrtel and Jamie Carragher.

The truth is that there is a combination of on-pitch factors which are directly affecting the team’s success. David Ngog is not going to be the next Thierry Henry, and just as it took Sir Alex Ferguson years to realise David Bellion wasn’t either, Liverpool should get rid of the young Frenchman. Any hopes of a possible partnership with Fernando Torres were surely vanquished last night, as both forwards struggled to hold up the ball and allow midfielders to join the attack.

Liverpool’s problems stem from this ability to not keep the ball in the final third. Fernando Torres is not the same player he was two years ago, and it looks often like English defences have him well and truly found out. Those who claim the Spaniard is still unfit must be as tired of their own voices as journalists are. Wolves last night were quick to close down the striker when he was receiving passes, but in reality they didn’t have to try too hard as the Spaniard’s control let him down more as the game went on.

Supporters of Torres who claim the Spaniard has poor support and delivery from teammates should look at the likes of Darren Bent, a player who has never played with a Gerrard, a Beckham or a Bergkamp, yet has consistently scored throughout his career in the Premiership. Torres looks constantly unhappy nowadays, but I’m sure his body language would be even more vitriolic if he were being supplied with through balls by Bent’s current teammates Kieran Richardson and Phil Bardsley.

There is a severe lack of confidence amongst the Liverpool team, but this is not something which the Charlie Chalk-lookalike Hodgson has solely instilled. Rafael Benitez’s Liverpool last season were at times equally awful, bowing out of the FA Cup early to Reading in a pitiful performance, and suffering the same tactical problems as Hodgson faces now.

Tactically, Liverpool’s biggest problem may lie in their reputation. Hodgson may have saved Fulham from relegation and moulded them into a capable outfit, but they were often playing teams who were open and not afraid of going for the jugular. Liverpool however, are still a club that can inspire fear, and with big names likes Gerrard, Torres and Reina, opposing sides often set-up with men behind the ball, frustrating the Merseysiders and limiting their opportunities.

It would be no surprise if at the time this article was published Hodgson had either handed in his resignation or had it terminated. His appointment was generally to be considered as a stop-gap. He was an elderly, experienced coach, who, though often appeared to be going blind, could help guide Liverpool through what was always going to be a transitional period.

The mid-table position comes as no surprise to many who have seen the decline of the team in the last 18 months or so, but many of the Kop faithful have found it hard during this period to accept Hodgson as the bloke responsible for managing their beloved club.

However, Hodgson should surely have not been expected to win titles and trophies. He was hardly achieving such feats at Fulham during his reign at Craven Cottage; instead he was battling against the odds and achieving commendable results and performances on a shoe-string budget. Indeed many Liverpool fans that were aware of financial restraints in the summer saw Hodgson as the perfect replacement to deal with such circumstances, due to his Fulham record.

Inheriting a Liverpool team in decline, Hodgson’s role was to steady the Liverpool ship and rebuild for the future, possibly for another manager to take charge when the team looks like it can win big trophies again, and consequently win all the plaudits. Rather like when former-boss Benitez took over Gerard Houlier's side in 2004.

There is nothing wrong with replacing Hodgson mid-season, and replacing him with someone like the heavily respected but equally-dour Kenny Dalglish. Most Liverpool fans would most probably desire a manager who isn't making decisions like playing Ngog and Torres up front together, employing Raul Meireles in a wide position, or simply playing Paul Konchesky.

Indeed, if something is not working and you don’t intend to continue with the set-up in a few years time anyway, then by all means cut your losses. However, as other teams get richer and rivals improve, Liverpool cannot afford to slip too far away. The club lacks a direction and a plan of attack – on and off the field. A short-term replacement for Hodgson however, is unlikely to have the galvanising effect that most Liverpool fans would like.

Finally, for those of you who wish to see old Roy first step on the shores of Liverpool docks back in the summer, please look at this rare clip...

Signing Of The Summer

Despite the new Premier League season coming on the back of what was certainly an interesting World Cup, the talent that was showcased has certainly not been snapped up as quickly as the tabloids suggested. Wesley Sneijder, who won practically everything last season, was linked with Manchester United, but nobody really thought that would happen did they? Indeed, United’s most famous worldwide signing was Juan Sebastian Veron, at his peak when bought in 2001, but even then the move was helped by Veron being at the time embroiled in a passport investigation. One imagines a more settled Veron would have stayed in a Serie A competition that was better than any league in the world at that time.

David Villa was joint top scorer in the World Cup, yet his recent move to Barcelona was not only expected but was wrapped up before the World Cup. His Spain and Valencia team-mate David Silva joined Manchester City during the World Cup also, thus despite the pair being two of the world’s greatest players, the transfers were not subject to the kind of sensationalism such moves normally attract.

Silva is likely to be the signing that will garner most attention when the new Premiership starts in August. Fortunately for the Spaniard, City gaffer Roberto Mancini has brought in other expensive signings Yaya Toure, Aleksander Kolarov and Jerome Boateng, who although aren't likely to be involved in glorious attacking football and headline-grabbing individual displays, have cost enough to take some of the pressure of Silva.

One wonders what players would currently be arriving at Eastlands if Mark Hughes was still in charge. Hughes, dismissed from Eastlands last December, was clearly taking City forward, but not at the rate desired from the club’s new owners. Harsh treatment for a manager who is used to success, and who would clearly have achieved it had he been given another few years to mould the team into his own. Hughes needn’t have worried that being British would have failed to attract some world ‘superstars’. Mancini certainly had success at club level as a player, but he is still yet to become a legendary veteran of European club management himself. Indeed this shows how much of a factor money and a promise of a new ‘revolution’ is in attracting players like Silva and Boateng.

At the time of writing, Hughes is set to become boss at Fulham, who saw their own manager depart Roy Hodgson depart for ‘crisis-club’ Liverpool, a club so in ‘crisis’ they are in the Europa Cup and have players like Pepe Reina, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres at their disposal. How Hodgson must regret the day he turned his back on Chris Baird, Paul Konchesky and Dickson Etuhu, in favour of pastures new.

It is thus Hughes who is responsible for taking control of Fulham’s fortunes. A club that reached the Europa Cup final last season and yet still continued to impress in the league, particularly at Craven Cottage. Fulham may just have made the signing of the season in appointing Mark Hughes as their manager. What makes the signing so impressive is that Fulham paid no transfer fee for the unemployed Hughes.

Hughes is a stubborn sort. Brought up within the super-manly arms of Ron Atkinson, and witness to Alex Ferguson’s hairdryer treatment, Hughes certainly knows how to get what he wants. In the five years he spent as manager of Wales, Hughes revolutionised the national set-up, developing an almost unhealthy obsession with everything that affected the first team, from the training facilities, to the Welsh youth-set-up, right up to Robbie Savage’s deodorant choice. His demands on his players and indeed loyalty to them are such that most players end up loving him. Indeed Hughes’s teams are often known for a never-say-die attitude, combined with a modest quality that can surprise the best.

Fulham are a club that have apparently over-reached in recent years, despite having an excellent chairman, a fine coaching and playing staff, and a London location that would attract most footballers. The size of their ground is obviously something people point to when considering the size and worth of Fulham Football Club, but if truth be told, Fulham have that to their advantage. The claustrophobic environment of Craven Cottage helped the club dispose of so-called giants Juventus and Roma last season, and also helped the team gain maximum points in home fixtures against Liverpool and Manchester United.

Hughes is the perfect choice for Fulham, and they have every right to set their sights on qualifying for Europe again this season. They have an excellent defence in players like Aaron Hughes and Brede Hangeland, and even if Mark Schwarzer does leave, there will be no shortage of top-class keepers elsewhere that will be eyeing up the vacant goalkeeper's jersey. Danny Murphy and Zoltan Gera add craft to their play, whilst Bobby Zamora and the brilliant Clint Dempsey will always score goals. Hughes will be working hard to improve a good team, indeed his favourite son Craig Bellamy is bound to join him sooner rather than later. Fulham fans pondering whether Hodgson’s departure will signal the end of what has been a brilliant period should fear not. Mark Hughes was a great signing as a player for many clubs, and he continues to have such an effect as a manager.