"Anyone need a re-fill?" by Simon Ward

[tlw content]

If there is one guarantee in football, it is everyone has got an opinion. He should go. He should stay. It’s the managers fault. It’s the coaching. It’s the owners. Why is he playing right back? We need a left back. We need a new striker. We need more players. It should be 3 at the back. Four-four-two. Diamond midfield. One upfront.

 

We have heard it all and more this summer about Liverpool, and the opinions seem more diverse than ever after last seasons anti-climax. There are just so many questions to answer for Liverpool fans and strong opinions about what will go right or wrong are still alive and kicking. Everyone’s own opinion dictates their expectation.

 

Social media and podcasts are full of so many varying opinions. Some fans are completely blinkered that everything is rosy, others that everything is the pits, and some are in between.

 

So where is your expectation right now? Is your cup over flowing, is it half full, or is it emptier than Leon Osman’s medal drawer?

 

I’ve taken a look at the hot points about the team this summer, and what you might be thinking……..

 

Keeper

 

Positive - We’re fine. Mignolet was better second half of last season after a poor start, he just needs a settled defence and Adam Bogdan played well against us in the Cup.

 

Negative - Mignolet still can’t kick a ball and can’t catch a cold. He is no Clemence/Grobelaar. Cech was available and has made Arsenal stronger. Courtois, Lloris, De Gea, Cech and Hart are all better, and Bogdan looks just like Mike Hooper….

 

Full backs

 

Positive - Goodbye Glen Johnson, hello Mr Clyne. Experienced right back for a good fee, England's new first choice. Moreno has had a year to settle in, Gomez looks a prospect after pre-season, and Flanagan is on his way back.

 

Negative - Glen Johnson leaving means we are short on experience. Emre Can was shocking at RB so we still need cover. Flanagan is the new Martin Kelly, Moreno cannot defend, and Enrique refuses to play without a selfie stick….

 

Centre back

 

Positive - Four at the back looks good – no one ever wins trophies with only 3 at the back. Glad Lovren looks to be playing, he looked like Alan Hansen at Southampton, and Sakho had a nightmare in the 6-1 v Stoke.

 

Negative - Lovren seriously?? He looked like Phil Babb last season.. Why has Toure got a new contract, he never plays and is 58 years old? And where is Tiago Illori???

 

 

Midfield

 

Positive - Milner on a free is great business, Gerrards legs had gone, Hendo will step up as captain, and 4 at the back should see Can play in midfield. Lucas/Allen give us experience and stability.

 

Negative - Still no proper holding midfielder brought in. Stevie has gone, legend. Milner was an average jack of all trades at City. Hendo too young to be captain, Lucas knee’s are shot, and Joe Allen is Brendan’s love child….

 

Attacking midfield

 

Positive - Coutinho is still here. Ibe is better than Sterling. Firminio’s stats look brilliant and looks great on Youtube. Lallana has kept injury free pre-season, and Markovic has had a year to settle in and won’t play at wing back.

 

Negative - Sterling was our top scorer. Firminho not yet fit or proven, Ibe still a kid, Markovic is a fanny, and still no Reus…….

 

Strikers

 

Positive - Benteke and Ings scored goals in crap teams. Origi is quick as lightening, and Sturridge is on his way back. All better than Ballo, Borini or Lambert, who are thankfully on their way out.

 

Negative - £32.5m? He isn’t mobile enough for us. Why not give Ballotelli another chance? Origi was in the worst team of the year in France, Ings came from Burnley, and Sturridge makes Jack Wilshere look like the bionic man….

 

Manager

 

Positive - Transfer Committee signings have held him back. FSG policy for moneyball/young players is not his fault. Club have backed him. New coaching staff will help. He nearly won us the league, he can do that again.

 

Negative - Never won a trophy. Wasted a fortune. His teams can’t defend. Owners force him into backroom changes. Suarez nearly won us the league by himself, and Rodgers is more interested in his teeth than trophies….

 

 

The reality is that most fans view of all of those points are likely to change game after game, including mine. After a season like the last one everything seems wrong, but because we love the club we will still cling to the possibility that the new signings and changes will make everything alright again. If we win, things look so much better. If we lose, we are on the floor.

 

I’ll be happy with us getting in or closer to the top four, and more than anything winning a trophy. Winning the league would be the pinnacle, winning the UEFA Cup the next best thing. Looking at the other teams in the league though, even though I think we will be better and stronger than last season, I don’t see us as favorites for any competition.

 

If we win at Stoke though, I might just change my mind…..

 

Simon Ward

@SiWard2505

 

Click here to view the article

[ZonkoVille77]

I just don't. Know. Eh