Liverpool FC Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 11/12 - Mod Note 4153

rarnes1 wrote: »

You get all sorts on RAWK, best avoided imo.

Why LFC are on the right track

SOMETIMES, a game of football can leave you speechless; its events are inexplicable, its conclusion incomprehensible.

For the second time in seven months, Liverpool supporters felt that at Craven Cottage.

In May, Kenny Dalglish’s Liverpool raced into a three goal lead after 16 minutes. Maxi scored his second hat-trick in three games, Lucas patrolled the midfield alone and Luis Suarez became puppeteer, pulling strings, pushing those around him and pulling Fulham apart.

Seven months on, the woodwork was struck twice; it was twice more than the Fulham net bulged, twice more what Henderson and Downing deserved for superb strikes. Maxi remained on the bench, the infallible Lucas remained on crutches and puppet master Suarez had his hands scythed off by an overzealous whistle and liberal offside flag.

The performance against Fulham this season was not to the supreme standard of last season, but Liverpool could have – and should have – taken more from the game. Most supporters left frustrated and bewildered.

It’s a feeling they’ve become accustomed to this season.

Fantastic wins at the Emirates, Goodison and Stamford Bridge, combined with the fantastic pass-and-move Dalglish has reinstalled into the squad, should see Liverpool alongside Manchester City at the top of the table.

Instead, a battle for third place and Champions League football appears the more realistic target.

It was the target all along.

In spite of that, some have engaged in hysteria following the three defeats.

Jon Walters’ penalty at the Britannia heralded the end of Dalglish’s honeymoon, while Tottenham’s 4-0 win prompted the divorce papers. Fulham, quite simply, signalled the end of the world.

It matters not the fortuitous nature of Stoke’s penalty and subsequent victory; it matters not Spurs were up against nine men. It doesn’t even matter Liverpool were in control at Craven Cottage until Kevin Friend’s decision to send off Jay Spearing – a decision, and tackle, which could have been redundant had Luis Suarez’s legitimate goal stood.

After three defeats in 18 games, Liverpool rest five points from fourth place having faced the presupposed top four, Spurs and Everton. If the league was scored as boxing is, Dalglish’s men would be top.

But it’s not scored like that; points are not awarded to compensate poor refereeing decisions or striking the woodwork. Football doesn’t work like that. Sometimes, results are inexplicable; its conclusion incomprehensible.

Kenny Dalglish knows this; he knows his team must start converting chances more often and make dominance count.

Speaking after the Fulham game, he said: “Luis scored a goal which didn’t count that could have gone either way and Charlie Adam could have got a penalty when he got pulled down.

“We have done well and, given a bit of luck tonight, we could have had three points. We will just continue working hard and see where it takes us.”

Dalglish knows a lot of things – more than some give him credit for. Behind the gleaming smile, twinkling eye and oversized jacket rests knowledge and experience accumulated over 25 years - 25 years which has brought four league titles and two FA Cups.

He knows how to change things. He knows things will change. He knows much doesn’t need to change.

Such is the club’s familiarity with Kenny, some forget he’s been in charge less than a year and in permanent charge for a mere six months.

The club’s identity, both on and off the pitch, was distorted by the previous regime; it no longer felt like Liverpool Football Club, it no longer represented the values of those who follow them.

The actions of Hicks and Gillett had a damaging effect on the entire club; Dalglish is still just emerging from the wreckage. He’s the only one who could.

Things have already changed off the field. The Kop is united. The club, so emasculated in recent years, now stands firm against those who attempt to damage their own. Dalglish’s recent defence of Suarez is far removed from last year, when accusations of Fernando Torres’ diving went unchallenged.

On the pitch, Liverpool have regain a swagger lost over the past few years; they’re into the Carling Cup semi finals with minimum fuss and have troubled every team they’ve faced. Agger and Skrtel look to be forming a fantastic partnership, while players such as Bellamy, Maxi, Henderson, Adam and Suarez have thrived under Dalglish’s guidance.

After such a drastic transformation in less than 12 months, it’s no surprise some supporters expect progress to continue so steeply. But it won’t.

Although both Gerard Houllier and Rafa Benitez brought success to the club in the infancy of their reigns, their insignia and style was not evident for years. Istanbul and Cardiff will always live in supporters’ memories, but Rafa will recall his clinical pressing machine of 2009 with greatest fondness.

Within two periods of transfer activity, Kenny has installed a squad in his mould. They can pass, move, press and carve teams open. All that’s lacking is the cutting edge in front of goal to accompany that virility; all that’s lacking is a little bit of luck.

Kenny knows both will come in time – and so should the supporters. He’s restored pride in the Liverbird upon the shirt and made the club a force once more in every aspect; there’s nothing stopping him getting everything else right, too.

Sometimes, a game of football can leave you speechless; its events are inexplicable, its conclusion incomprehensible.

But over the course of a managerial reign, you normally get what you deserve – and Kenny Dalglish deserves the best.

He demands the best, too; and that alone is enough to know Liverpool are back on track. The goals will simply follow; so too, in time, everything Liverpool supporters have dreamed of since he left the club 20 years ago

Des wrote: »

The word "gowl" is the best thing culchies ever did for this country, imo.

SlickRic wrote: »

Neil Warnock has defended Luis Suarez today on SSN, saying players have to put up with a lot of these chants, and it's ridiculous that people in the crowd don't have to suffer any repercussions.

i always liked good aul' Colin.

Mr Alan wrote: »

Moyes, Pulis & Warnock have all echoed Dalglish's comments from yesterday to one extent or another. The joys of having a British manager I guess.