PUBLISHED ON MAY 29, 2012
Despite winning the Carling Cup, ending a six year barren spell without silverware, Liverpool’s league season was a disaster. As a Liverpool fan, it was bitterly disappointing to end up eighth, behind Merseyside rivals Everton and equalling the club’s worst Premier League finish.
Dismal home form with a meagre six victories and the lack of impact from new signings such as Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing led to the sacking of Kop legend Kenny Dalglish three days after the 2011/12 season ended with a 1-0 loss at Swansea City.
The manager’s post at Anfield is still vacant, although Wigan Athletic boss Roberto Martinez is hotly tipped as favourite to take over the reins. Other candidates such as Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers and Frank de Boer, who coaches Eredevisie champions Ajax, have already turned down the opportunity to speak to the owners about the position.
Whoever gets the job has a major task to restructure the playing squad and they should get decent funds from the Fenway Sports Group, who owns the club.
Exit trail has already begun
The exit trail has already begun on the red half of the city, with Fabio Aurelio agreeing to join Brazilian side Gremio.
The left back has suffered with chronic injury problems during his six years with the club and was out of contract at the end of the season.
Alberto Aquilani is unlikely to return from a loan spell at AC Milan and the future of Joe Cole remains up in the air. Cole said to Sky Sports News last night that he would like to return and fight for a place at Anfield, having spent last season on loan with French side Lille.
After six loyal years of service, Dirk Kuyt is expected to depart in the summer. The Dutchman is known to be frustrated at his lack of first team opportunities in the past year and there are continued reports about the future of controversial striker Luis Suarez.
Recently crowned Serie A champions Juventus and French side Paris St. Germain could offer Suarez a lifeline in his career. His reputation in England is potentially damaged beyond repair following the fallout from the Patrice Evra affair last season.
Potential acquisitions
The League Cup success means Liverpool will be parachuted back into European competition this season, through the UEFA Europa League.
It will depend on who takes the seat in the Anfield dugout but there are potential acquisitions in a number of areas where the squad looks decidedly weak, in comparison to the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United.
With Aurelio leaving, cover will be required for Jose Enrique who lost his way towards the end of last season after a solid start to his Liverpool career. Wigan attacking left back Maynor Figueroa would be the perfect fit for this position.
With Andy Carroll misfiring and Craig Bellamy on the wrong side of 30, Liverpool desperately needs strikers who can score goals on a regular basis. The days of Fernando Torres seem a long time ago now.
A proven goalscorer at European level is required and Schalke’s Klaas-Jan Huntelaar would be the obvious choice, although it would mean giving up Champions League football. Giuseppe Rossi has just been relegated from La Liga with Villarreal but is young and talented. A lengthy injury might detract bidders from making approaches for the Italian though.
Other names mentioned include Darren Bent who has been marginalised by Aston Villa’s negative football approach and 21-year-old Dutchman Luuk De Jong, who scored 32 goals last season for Steve McClaren’s FC Twente.
A winger who can score goals
Lastly it was obvious that Downing and Henderson couldn’t provide the width needed to exploit Carroll’s strength in the air. A winger who can score goals, be able to whip in a dangerous cross and frighten full backs with pace could solve the solution.
Junior Hoillett is out of contract at Blackburn and a move to Anfield could be the right move for him. With a bit more experience is the American Clint Dempsey, who is versatile and ended up as Fulham’s top scorer last season.
Peruvian midfielder Juan Manuel Vargas is another who could be the missing link and it is unlikely Fiorentina would be able to hold onto both him and Stevan Jovetic, who is a prized asset for some of Europe’s top clubs.
Appointing the right manager and giving them time is crucial to Liverpool’s future. This is a massive summer for the former giants of English football, who have lived on past glories for far too long.
The fans have been incredibly patient and crave regular success again. Dalglish’s departure didn’t go down well with those on the Kop, so the board have their biggest challenge to not only win their support but to enable the funds to make a move back into the elite of both English and European football.
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