Its very difficult for Liverpool fans to hear this because Kenny was the name that departed. The iconic stature of the person and a Legend which he will always be. However, in this article I would like us not to focus on the person who was dismissed,instead, just focus on the objectives and vision of FSG and see if the Manager who happened to be an idol of the Kop, ranked in terms of the long term goals set by the Hierarchy.
Kenny came into Liverpool at a time when Liverpool were going no where, more falling than rising. The fans, press, share holders, stake holders everyone was worried, the sentiment was very negative. So FSG sat down and thought what is the way forward. FSG clearly had to options, one implement their long term plan immediately which would need them to scrap the current structure and management or to get in a caretaker and steady the ship. The earlier plan was always the one FSG had to implement, but looking at the hole in which Liverpool had fallen, they bought time and stability and choose the latter.
Kenny was appointed and he did miracles, got all stake holders back on the same page. Anfield started filing up again, smiles came back and Liverpool got respect from everywhere. For six months as caretaker, Kenny showed the world and the Liverpool players, what is the Liverpool way. He brought the right sentiment back. In the summer of 2011, FSG had to decide weather to appoint him permanently, on the basis of what he had done in six months FSG delayed a revamp and gave Kenny the only job of staying in the top four. This would allow them to study and plan so that they were sure that whatever revamp was to come was perfect.
FSG had clear objectives when they came in they were :
- Development of a footballing Philosophy
- Developing a recruitment strategy
- Developing the commercial side
- Qualifying for the Champions league
- Reducing the wage bill
- Winning trophies so that the financial stability can be assured.
When a assessment of Comolli and Kenny was done, they were asked for what footballing philosophy and recruitment strategy. The answer was pass and move the liverpool way and buying young British players, well that was not enough. FSG needed a clear vision a plan. The master plan whcih would aid the recruitment of players. FSG were shocked to see that Comolli and Kenny recruitment policy was non existent, thy just went around getting the most expensive young British players without checking if the would fit in the footballing philosophy. It was more like pay whatever it takes to buy British. Certainly, this is not what FSG had asked for as a Philosophy.
FSG are very clear people with a vision and are extremely organized. What they wanted and expected by now was to create a Philosophy. If you compare Barcelona and Ajax which FSG admire, Barcelona and Ajax instilled a philosophy of play from the u-8s to the reserves to the main team. Players play with a pattern with and without the ball. They play with a plan either with wingers or through the middle. Short passing, long balls or mixed. Slow possession or fast counter attacks. This would then make positions in team based on the philosophy and then they would get the player they want with the required attributes in the market and get him young and cheap. Even if he is useless in other areas, he must do the things required by him under the philosophy.
When FSG were reviewing Liverpools season and recruitment. They could not understand the game play of Liverpool. Playing with Carroll, a Strong Header of the ball, a lanky slow striker, the team were playing small pass and move football. In ideal circumstances, if there is a good header of the ball you must have the best one on one wingers with a very good cross percentage. The short passes in midfield is not required, more so the midfield should be defensive and compact to stop counter attacks and the wingers and the fullbacks should be allowed to attack. This will increase the crosses and the probability of getting headed goals increases. Liverpool did not have one proper one on one winger, downing could not beat one man and Henderson was being played on the right. Both were poor at beating the full backs and whipping a cross. Downing tried early crosses from top of the box rather than the by line this also decreased the chances of goals as these crosses are very difficult to head in. Carroll had difficulty in understanding the game play due to the fact that he was used to getting service from by lines and he would run from far post to near post and being unplayable. One other advantage of a Striker like Carroll is to play long ball and to by pass midfield, this is what Liverpool did in the last part of the season and Carroll thrived on it again this was against the so called pass and move philosophy.
Looking at the other games, Kenny used Suarez and who is a terrific between the line player as a striker when Carroll was injured. Suarez need a finisher with him and Liverpool never bought any player who could move into space and make late runs to get goal attempts. When Kuyt and Suarez were played on top the movement of Kuyt clearly showed that these two would really be ideal if played together. Kenny put Kuyt on the bench when Carroll came back and thus altered and played a confusing philosophy. When Suarez got the ball in space Carroll would be looking at him with back to goal or would be running on the far post. There was no movement to get behind the defense which Kuyt was good at.
In the absence of clear plan, another shock was to play Henderson on the right the whole season where as he was the captain of England U21 as a central midfielder. He proved his worth in the center in the last few games of the season. Jay Spearing was being preferred to him.
The basic thing which FSG did not understand was why Carroll was bought if he didnt fit into the fast pass and move philosophy? If the philosophy was attack on wings with crosses why were wingers not brought, Downing and Henderson on both wings was a failed plan. They were useless as one on one wingers.
FSG wanted a fast attacking football style, why were no fast strikers and wingers brought with the 120m. Suarez was the only player who fit the FSG system. They dont beleive in the idea that you buy good looking players and try to adjust them. Its non sense for them. They need a system and players should be brought according to it.
FSG also believe like Barcelona and Ajax that if the system is in place at all levels. Liverpool will get 6-7 players in the team from their academy, because they dont have to be the best in everything, they just need to play in the system. Only 2 superstars are needed in the team so that in odd matches their individual brilliance wins the game. Liverpool already have Suarez and one more is required. Gerrard is not the same player lets be honest with it.
So as long as FSG get the right philosophy in place, the right manger, the right players for the system. I am sure Liverpool will be in the champions league in two seasons.
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