As the last home game of the season approaches and the dust is finally settling down on a major disappointing FA cup final loss to Chelsea, todays game couldn't have come at a better time. A home win and a convincing performance might just cheer a Liverpool faithful and be optimistic for the future. However, there is a lot more than this games result the Red fans around the globe want answers too. The biggest question is how to rate this season ?
Certainly its been a very poor season in the league in terms of league position. A couple of good cup runs and a trophy is a certainly something to have a little smile about but nothing more than that. All red fans know things are bleak for the immediate future, no champions league, finishing under Everton and ending the season with no real positives going into the summer. Or are there any positives?
Firstly, to analyze any situation it is very important to be unbiased and non judgmental. Facts must speak and no fake hopes and moral boasting statements. So I have set out to do a forensic examination in all what went right and what went wrong this season starting from the summer to this last home game.
Lets start of with the Summer, facts are that Liverpool had arguably the most dead wood in the league, a good job in getting rid of a lot of high wage earners. Its is important to stress, transfer dealings are based on 2 factors, Transfer fees and Wages. A lot of fans see big transfer fees other clubs pay for players and think that Liverpool could have matched that, maybe Liverpool could, but the biggest factor in transfers is wages. With the lack of champions league and a much lesser stadium income than the rest of the big four, Liverpool had to devise a way to buy player knowing the wages limitations. It is important to note that big players across Europes top leagues do not settle for anything less that 120,000 pounds per week ( at least), almost double of what Liverpool pays Andy l, its most expensive signing. People make a lot of noise on the exuberant transfer fees paid on a lot of players last season, but no one compares the wages, which are more important than any other factor while recruiting players.
Last summer, Kenny had to spend wisely, going after players like Higuain, David Villa etc would have been foolish as their wages cost around 8-10 million pounds annually. Buying a couple of superstars would cost Liverpool atleast 20-30 million more in terms of Wages per annum, which is impossible for Liverpool. Kenny went after young players who are based in England so that if in the future when they become stars a Big Club from Europe would come calling, the player would like to stay in England. Andy Carroll cost a high fee but his wages are a mere 2.8 million per annum.
When you buy young, its a risk but you have to take the gamble as the wage budget does not allow Liverpool to go for big players anymore. This was the first full season of all the new players, a lot of positives can be taken out from a financial point of view as the wages were managed and I am sure this summer the same will continue. On the pitch, young players need time, Carrolls performance in FA cup final proved he is just starting to warm up for Liverpool.
The biggest negative of the summer was not finding a young striker with pace who is clinical. Liverpool lacked the finishing touch which Liverpool have craved for a long time now.
Moving on from the summer, the season started fine, Liverpools defence stood out in the premierleague and at one time were the joint top defence in the league. The back line of Glen, Agger, Skrtel, Enrique were really strong, Lucas sitting in front made it one of the best compact defences. Liverpool were not conceding a lot but at the same time were not scoring many too. Not scoring a lot was understood as new players needed time to gel.
The defining points of the season which Liverpool could not recover from were :-
- Injury to Lucas, Liverpool could never replace him this season, with the highest tackles in Europe at the point he got injured, suddenly the back line were exposed to many more runners and many players attacking and playing unchallenged through balls. This cost Liverpool dearly.
- Injury to Agger was another major blow, his form in parts have been exemplary this season. When he broke his rib Carrager took over, who with all due respect does not have age on his side, few penalties given away and few blunders costed liverpool dearly.
- Injury to Adam, this is also a major blow, players who set the pace of the game in midfield are the most important, the departure of Alonso is clearly fresh in the memories of the Reds. Adam was not out of this world but when he had time on the ball he was very important to Liverpool.
- Suspension to Suarez, again Liverpool were relying too much on one person, Suarez was really lively when he came but his suspension had a major effect on liverpool, there was no flair and no attacking player on the field.
- Bad luck, Liverpool have hit the woodwork more than 30 times this season, this is quite extraordinary.
All the above causes could have been dealt with only if Liverpool had a strong bench, If liverpool had replacements for these players, I am sure this issue will be addressed in the summer.
Now lets talking about what the stats say about the way liverpool played. These stats show something many Liverpool fans have no idea about. I will talk about a couple of stats only not to complicate it much. Liverpool vs Man city.
Liverpool made a total of 488 shots on goal, where as man city made a total of 501. Only 13 more.
Liverpool chance conversion rate was 9%, where as Man city was 18%.
These 2 stats clearly show the problem, Liverpool have created almost as much as the Champions to be, but the finisher which Liverpool craved so much in the summer was not bought. Carroll is a very unique striker and Suarez has flair but both have a poor conversion rate since their previous clubs. Both have good assist counts in their previous clubs.
Liverpool need to get a Striker who can solved these problems by just having a high conversion rate and a Midfielder who can cover for Lucas and Adam, who has both defensive qualities and has an eye for the quick counter pass, this can set Gerrard free. An additional crafty winger would fit the bill.
To summarize, Liverpool had a great season in terms of chances created, played free flowing football, but the injuries killed their spine, lack of depth was evident. If the 3 missing links are added to the team mentioned above Liverpool will fight for top 4 position next season. All those who expect Kenny to go out there and get world class players should think again. The wage policy I mentioned above is very important for Liverpools survival . In this case Kenny will again attack to the English market getting young players.
I expect Kenny to go after Agbonlahor, Jarvis, Hoilett, Nzonzi, Sincliar, Sigurdsson, Klasnic. Any two of these will come in my opinion.
One thing I want the Liverpool fans to know is that, there is lot more to come from Kenny and if he gets it right in the summer, getting good fast intelligent players with the attacking mentality. Liverpool can only go up from this point.
Certainly its been a very poor season in the league in terms of league position. A couple of good cup runs and a trophy is a certainly something to have a little smile about but nothing more than that. All red fans know things are bleak for the immediate future, no champions league, finishing under Everton and ending the season with no real positives going into the summer. Or are there any positives?
Firstly, to analyze any situation it is very important to be unbiased and non judgmental. Facts must speak and no fake hopes and moral boasting statements. So I have set out to do a forensic examination in all what went right and what went wrong this season starting from the summer to this last home game.
Lets start of with the Summer, facts are that Liverpool had arguably the most dead wood in the league, a good job in getting rid of a lot of high wage earners. Its is important to stress, transfer dealings are based on 2 factors, Transfer fees and Wages. A lot of fans see big transfer fees other clubs pay for players and think that Liverpool could have matched that, maybe Liverpool could, but the biggest factor in transfers is wages. With the lack of champions league and a much lesser stadium income than the rest of the big four, Liverpool had to devise a way to buy player knowing the wages limitations. It is important to note that big players across Europes top leagues do not settle for anything less that 120,000 pounds per week ( at least), almost double of what Liverpool pays Andy l, its most expensive signing. People make a lot of noise on the exuberant transfer fees paid on a lot of players last season, but no one compares the wages, which are more important than any other factor while recruiting players.
Last summer, Kenny had to spend wisely, going after players like Higuain, David Villa etc would have been foolish as their wages cost around 8-10 million pounds annually. Buying a couple of superstars would cost Liverpool atleast 20-30 million more in terms of Wages per annum, which is impossible for Liverpool. Kenny went after young players who are based in England so that if in the future when they become stars a Big Club from Europe would come calling, the player would like to stay in England. Andy Carroll cost a high fee but his wages are a mere 2.8 million per annum.
When you buy young, its a risk but you have to take the gamble as the wage budget does not allow Liverpool to go for big players anymore. This was the first full season of all the new players, a lot of positives can be taken out from a financial point of view as the wages were managed and I am sure this summer the same will continue. On the pitch, young players need time, Carrolls performance in FA cup final proved he is just starting to warm up for Liverpool.
The biggest negative of the summer was not finding a young striker with pace who is clinical. Liverpool lacked the finishing touch which Liverpool have craved for a long time now.
Moving on from the summer, the season started fine, Liverpools defence stood out in the premierleague and at one time were the joint top defence in the league. The back line of Glen, Agger, Skrtel, Enrique were really strong, Lucas sitting in front made it one of the best compact defences. Liverpool were not conceding a lot but at the same time were not scoring many too. Not scoring a lot was understood as new players needed time to gel.
The defining points of the season which Liverpool could not recover from were :-
- Injury to Lucas, Liverpool could never replace him this season, with the highest tackles in Europe at the point he got injured, suddenly the back line were exposed to many more runners and many players attacking and playing unchallenged through balls. This cost Liverpool dearly.
- Injury to Agger was another major blow, his form in parts have been exemplary this season. When he broke his rib Carrager took over, who with all due respect does not have age on his side, few penalties given away and few blunders costed liverpool dearly.
- Injury to Adam, this is also a major blow, players who set the pace of the game in midfield are the most important, the departure of Alonso is clearly fresh in the memories of the Reds. Adam was not out of this world but when he had time on the ball he was very important to Liverpool.
- Suspension to Suarez, again Liverpool were relying too much on one person, Suarez was really lively when he came but his suspension had a major effect on liverpool, there was no flair and no attacking player on the field.
- Bad luck, Liverpool have hit the woodwork more than 30 times this season, this is quite extraordinary.
All the above causes could have been dealt with only if Liverpool had a strong bench, If liverpool had replacements for these players, I am sure this issue will be addressed in the summer.
Now lets talking about what the stats say about the way liverpool played. These stats show something many Liverpool fans have no idea about. I will talk about a couple of stats only not to complicate it much. Liverpool vs Man city.
Liverpool made a total of 488 shots on goal, where as man city made a total of 501. Only 13 more.
Liverpool chance conversion rate was 9%, where as Man city was 18%.
These 2 stats clearly show the problem, Liverpool have created almost as much as the Champions to be, but the finisher which Liverpool craved so much in the summer was not bought. Carroll is a very unique striker and Suarez has flair but both have a poor conversion rate since their previous clubs. Both have good assist counts in their previous clubs.
Liverpool need to get a Striker who can solved these problems by just having a high conversion rate and a Midfielder who can cover for Lucas and Adam, who has both defensive qualities and has an eye for the quick counter pass, this can set Gerrard free. An additional crafty winger would fit the bill.
To summarize, Liverpool had a great season in terms of chances created, played free flowing football, but the injuries killed their spine, lack of depth was evident. If the 3 missing links are added to the team mentioned above Liverpool will fight for top 4 position next season. All those who expect Kenny to go out there and get world class players should think again. The wage policy I mentioned above is very important for Liverpools survival . In this case Kenny will again attack to the English market getting young players.
I expect Kenny to go after Agbonlahor, Jarvis, Hoilett, Nzonzi, Sincliar, Sigurdsson, Klasnic. Any two of these will come in my opinion.
One thing I want the Liverpool fans to know is that, there is lot more to come from Kenny and if he gets it right in the summer, getting good fast intelligent players with the attacking mentality. Liverpool can only go up from this point.
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