Thursday, 14 November 2013
Prospective Transfers in the January Market Part 1: Overview
And it's already that time of the year again, when we're within distance (Month and a half) of the second transfer window of the season, and possibly the more cutthroat version. The window lasts only a month, but compresses all the tension, transfers of the pre-season into 31 days of intense discussions, last minute panic buys and much more.
While in situations, a January signing can turn the season around as in the case of Sissoko for Newcastle Utd, Sturridge and Coutinho for Liverpool, panic buys such as Torres and Carroll can be a liability, and don't do much to inspire any confidence.
So far quite a few names have been linked to Liverpool already, Stephan El Shaarawy, Juan Mata, An apparent 60 million plus Karim Benzema for Luis Suarez (Pass!) and even Javier Pastore. So far we don't know whether there is even a speck of truth in any of the rumours, though there were reports of a failed £ 30 million bid in the dying moments of the August Transfer Deadline day. But Liverpool aren't the only team trying to poach the out of favour playmaker, with PSG also interested in his services.
Of the players most likely to leave on loan, Aspas and Sterling seem to be on top of the list. Aspas has so far had a minimal impact on the first team, aside from the single assist he provided and Sterling has so far failed to replicate the abilities he showcased in the initial matches last season. With Swansea eager to sign Sterling to their ranks for the remainder of the season with a promise to supply regular first team footy for Liverpool's future prospect, and Aspas's inability to establish himself in the absence of Coutinho, both seem likely to leave to club temporarily for first team football.
While Liverpool continue to be linked with big names following their strong start to the season, their biggest challenge this window will be to hold on to Suarez. He's been heavily linked to a move to Real Madrid and even Arsenal continue to track his movements, and his extended transfer conundrum this year left a bad taste on every Liverpool fans mouth. He might be heavy maintenance and may have a tendency to go out of line, but joint top scorer with eight goals alongside strike partner Sturridge, despite playing only five games is but a small testament to his abilities. If Liverpool intend on keeping up their surprise title challenge, or even hope to edge out the Manchester clubs, Everton, Tottenham for a top four finish, they need to hold on to Suarez at all costs.
While in situations, a January signing can turn the season around as in the case of Sissoko for Newcastle Utd, Sturridge and Coutinho for Liverpool, panic buys such as Torres and Carroll can be a liability, and don't do much to inspire any confidence.
So far quite a few names have been linked to Liverpool already, Stephan El Shaarawy, Juan Mata, An apparent 60 million plus Karim Benzema for Luis Suarez (Pass!) and even Javier Pastore. So far we don't know whether there is even a speck of truth in any of the rumours, though there were reports of a failed £ 30 million bid in the dying moments of the August Transfer Deadline day. But Liverpool aren't the only team trying to poach the out of favour playmaker, with PSG also interested in his services.
Of the players most likely to leave on loan, Aspas and Sterling seem to be on top of the list. Aspas has so far had a minimal impact on the first team, aside from the single assist he provided and Sterling has so far failed to replicate the abilities he showcased in the initial matches last season. With Swansea eager to sign Sterling to their ranks for the remainder of the season with a promise to supply regular first team footy for Liverpool's future prospect, and Aspas's inability to establish himself in the absence of Coutinho, both seem likely to leave to club temporarily for first team football.
While Liverpool continue to be linked with big names following their strong start to the season, their biggest challenge this window will be to hold on to Suarez. He's been heavily linked to a move to Real Madrid and even Arsenal continue to track his movements, and his extended transfer conundrum this year left a bad taste on every Liverpool fans mouth. He might be heavy maintenance and may have a tendency to go out of line, but joint top scorer with eight goals alongside strike partner Sturridge, despite playing only five games is but a small testament to his abilities. If Liverpool intend on keeping up their surprise title challenge, or even hope to edge out the Manchester clubs, Everton, Tottenham for a top four finish, they need to hold on to Suarez at all costs.
Monday, 11 November 2013
Sunday, 10 November 2013
Liverpool vs Fulham Match review
Last weeks top of the table clash was billed as Liverpool FC's first test to underline their title credentials. While at times we did appear to have a strong hold of the match especially in the first half, we couldn't break through a resolute Arsenal defence manned by Mertesacker and Koscielny. With the defeat due to some bad play, well constructed goals by Arsenal and being outplayed for much of the second half, Liverpool were unable to capitalise on their momentum as well as Chelsea's slip-up and instead were written off as a team in transition.
Are title's won on the basis of one big match, so early on in the season? This week's match against a fumbling Fulham side may have been second fiddle to the Man Utd vs Arsenal clash, but it was clear that everyone expected an answer, and Liverpool did answer, albeit in ruthless and spectacular fashion.
Brendan Rodgers opted for the classic 4-4-2 formation, with Coutinho playing on the left flank with a licence to move infield, and Henderson on the right. Instead of Toure and Sakho, Rodgers opted for a central defense pairing of the old guard, Skrtel and Agger with Gerrard and Lucas playing at the heart of Liverpool's midfield, and of course Suarez and Sturridge.
Prior to this match, there was an ongoing issue about the teams inability to capitalise on dead ball situations, especially in last week's defeat at the Emirates. This match may have put a halt on to that, with the first two goals being scored due to meticulous deliveries from the ever reliable Steven Gerrard. For the first goal, Gerrard was able to find Suarez in the box, whose header was deflected by Amorebieta into his own net. That might have been considered unfair towards Suarez who missed what would have been his second successive hat trick at Anfield. The second goal was pounced upon by Skrtel, who last season was on the fringes of his Liverpool career, but now seems back to be at his solid best.
Martin Jol's side consisted of Dimitar Berbatov playing as the lone striker, with a defensive gameplan in mind which may or may not have included a contingency to park the bus. Sadly enough for Jol's side, Liverpool managed to sneak the ball in from the windows into the net....
The third goal was a great team effort. Gerrard, who for the greater part of last match had been the subject of criticism for being almost invisible against Arsenal replied stoically with two great deliveries. But this one in my opinion, was a sign of unwavering self-confidence. A cheeky reverse nutmeg on the mercurial Berbatov, freed up Henderson on the right, who delivered a defense splitting pass to set up Suarez, who keenly fired the ball into the net.
The scoreline at half time, 3-0. Liverpool seemed to be firing on all cylinder and gave Fulham no mercy. Martin Jol's team was falling apart, as they were outplayed in every area of the game, and spent the majority of the first forty five minutes in their own half.
The second half began with the same tempo, with Stekelenburg making two fine saves to deny Sturridge and Suarez. But you can't really keep Suarez out for long can you? Gerrard, again the creator this time around, robbed Kieran Richardson and set up Suarez, who dropped a shoulder to move Senderos off balance before drilling in his second of the match.
The result beyond this point was decided, Liverpool would walk away with the full three points, but the question was simple, how many more would they score?
The Fulham side lacked any conviction after the first goal was scored to change the inevitable outcome, with the side managing only a grand total of two shots on goal in the whole ninety minutes.
Last season, Brendan Rodgers envisioned a "Death by Football" philosophy, a style of play where the opposition would beg for the final whistle. Today, the hapless Fulham side were the victims of such a style, where they were deprived of the ball to the point where they might have just walked off the pitch in protest (And after last weeks demolition, they might as well wear tees with the message "WHY ALWAYS US?")
Sometimes the match stats are said to be biased towards one side, that they never give a true picture. I agree, the match stats did in no scenario give an absolute representation of Liverpool's dominance; 68% possession and 27 shots on the goal might flatter most teams, but not Liverpool, not in this match anyway. From the first minute to the final minute of extra time of the second half, Liverpool displayed a tempo and an attacking verve that was missing against Arsenal.
Sure critics and the multitudes of haters might reply, Its Fulham. But to any faithfull kop, who witnessed their team drop points because of nervousness and outright sloppiness the same time last season, there is a genuine reason to smile. Liverpool may not have won the top of the table clash, but what is different from last season is that they are getting the results they should get, especially against weaker oppostion, something that was absent for the whole of last season, and the seasons before too in a ruthless, streamlined and clinical fashion.
Bottom line, we face the other constituents of the fab four along with Man City what eight times a season? That means those clashes yield a maximum of 24 points. So far, we've faced Man utd and Arsenal and our record is a mere 50 %. If we continue the same pace, that's 12 points give or take for the season. So in all honesty, if we're ruthless enough to brush aside small teams and solid enough to settle for a draw at least against bigger opposition, we can get a grand total of 76 points at the same rate, which is more than enough to get us a top three finish at the end of the season. However, with a little more effort and some luck on our side, I don't see why the League title is out of reach!
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