The days of Tom Hicks, George Gillett, and Roy Hodgson seem almost a distant memory for all involved at Liverpool football club. From floundering in mid-table during the first-half of last season, the Reds have now been to Wembley, remain in the FA Cup and still have a shot at fourth spot.
It has been a bit of a whirlwind year for the Merseyside club, who welcomed back the messiah in Kenny Dalglish last January, not really expecting the successes he has brought with him. An unhappy Fernando Torres and mid-table obscurity were all that met the Scot upon his second coming, so to turn this into narrowly missing out on Europa League football while replacing the surly Spaniard with Luis Suarez proved to be inspired work.
It hasn’t been as easy for the Reds this term however, after having to contend with off-field rows, an injury ridden captain and the Andy Carroll conundrum, but still the North-West club remain in the hunt for Champions League football and have lifted their first piece of silverware in six years, albeit the Carling Cup.
Such performances and achievements have changed the mood around the club from frustration to cautious optimism, with very few expecting this alteration in such a short period of time. It’s easy to forget that Liverpool were teetering on the brink of bankruptcy before the Fenway Sports Group stepped in to buy out Hicks and Gillett, keeping one of England’s most historic clubs out of administration and in business. Since which time the American’s have invested heavily in the squad with a vision for the future, which while positive has entered Liverpool into that much talked about ‘transition phase’.
The whole ethos of the club has changed, with a greater belief in building for the future, which is something Damien Comolli has been brought in as director of football to address. He may not have been the most popular man at White Hart Lane, but his negotiating skills and knowledge of the European game were enough to convince John W. Henry to bring him in. Working alongside Dalglish, Comolli has the task of taking care of Liverpool’s transfer dealings, and although some deals have received criticism, it must be remembered he was also a part of the moves for Jose Enrique and Craig Bellamy, who have been two of the signings of the season.
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Perhaps the most important transformation thus far has been the spreading of a new belief around the side. This change is something Comolli believes is down to the new manager:
“For the last 12-14 months we’ve shown progress everywhere on and off the pitch in terms of squad structure, the players Kenny has to choose from, the young players the academy is producing and who are coming through.
“Someone asked me last week about Kenny doing a great job because we had got to the Carling Cup final, but for me he has been doing a great job all around. He has done a tremendous job to put the team back on track and put a positive atmosphere back in the changing room and around the training ground.
“He gives confidence to everyone: to the staff, backroom staff and players.
“You cannot set a timetable for when trophies can come along. Hopefully Sunday will be a trigger. There’s a positive vibe about us around Europe.” (The Independent)
Stars such as Jordan Henderson and Andy Carroll have arrived with hefty price and failed to perform, as of yet, but the idea behind FSG’s policy is to get talent early and nurture them, thus avoiding missing out on such players in the future. One glance at the academy shows Liverpool’s building methods, which have been continued and built upon by the new ownership, with youngsters such as Raheem Sterling, Suso and Toni Silva complimenting home-grown players such as Adam Morgan.
Perhaps more important than the future is the present, and with Steven Gerrard back alongside Suarez and Carroll in the starting line-up, which has been a rarity, Liverpool have a forward thinking three that would be the envy of a fair few teams in the top flight. If these three men can stay fit and develop the understanding which all Reds fans know is possible, there is nothing to stop Liverpool from mounting a genuine charge for Champions League football, and the financial rewards it promises.
As was seen last season Liverpool can turn their form on for the back-end of the campaign, which could prove to be key with Chelsea’s inability to gain momentum, and Arsenal’s all too regular end of season collapse. It’s by no means impossible for the Mersey men to snatch fourth place, and maybe even secure a domestic cup double aswell.
That wouldn’t be a bad turnaround now would it.
Follow @Alex_Hams on Twitter, where this week I will mainly be praying that Steven Gerrard’s injury isn’t serious… again
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