21 July 2016
A season which started with Brendan
Rodgers at the helm ended with Jürgen Klopp almost delivering the seemingly
impossible.
Languishing 10th in the Premier League
Rodgers was relieved of his duties immediately after the 1-1 draw at
Everton. The joint statement from principal owners John W Henry, Chairman
Tom Werner and president Mike Gordon spoke volumes, “… ambition and winning are
at the heart of what we want to bring to Liverpool and we believe this change
gives us the best opportunity it.”
Under Klopp we visited two finals, felt
the bitterness and disappointment of losing but still achieved something,
belief. The fact is we finished eighth, but there was a lot to like in
beating Chelsea, Leicester and Man City (twice) in the League.
Call it what you will, be it heavy
metal or rock ‘n’ roll football, but what Klopp did was to reignite the flames
and get a squad with many deficiencies to challenge on two fronts, coming not
far off a Europa place in the league and Champions League qualification through
the Europa Cup.
The plain fact of the matter is we were
not good enough.
Shorn of our best striker throughout
and with Jordan Henderson incapacitated for most of the season with a heel
injury, it meant proven players were in short supply. That said, in
Henderson’s absence, James Milner became the de facto captain and the go to
player in the squad having one of the most productive seasons of his career.
The season had its plus points.
Emre Can from being thought of as a defender by Brendan Rodgers, was given his
head in central midfield and flourished and one can only see him progressing
and he must be a potential captain. Divock Origi, ridiculed out on loan
to Lille the previous season, looked a prodigious talent by the seasons
end. He is tailored made for Klopp’s pressing game.
Roberto Firmino showed enough in the
second-half of the season to make one feel that his second could be special and
though Coutinho picked up the majority of the club’s end of season awards,
injuries during the season and his failure to be ‘that player’ in both finals
left a feeling of disappointment for a prodigious talent who should undoubtedly
be at world class level.
The second-half performance during the
Europa Final highlighted the lack of leadership. Without the experience heads of Lucas, Sakho
and Henderson we capitulated. Klopp’s transfers in must focus on strengthening
the mental toughness of his team. The
signing of Joël Matip and may go some way to alleviating the problem.
The season could have been some much
better. Klopp took us to the promised land only to see the cups dashed from our
lips at the last. The fact is we undoubtedly have one of the best
manager’s in world football and the hopes that he is radical in the transfer
market seems to being borne out.
Leicester may have threatened to change
the dynamic in terms of the expectations of what it takes to win the League,
but great seasons as Southampton and West Ham had one would like to think next
season at the very least see Liverpool finish ahead of those clubs.
With not making Europe the squad needs
to cropped, but improved. The debacle which sees Rossitor and Sinclair leave
the club for a relative pittance is idiotic. With Benteke seemingly on
his way, a squad strike force of Sturridge, Ings and Origi, supplemented by
Sinclair would have made sense.
No European football means the pulling
power of Jürgen Klopp comes into sharp focus. He will have to sell
Liverpool as a project over the next few years and a project which doesn’t just
mean Champions League qualification, but in his first season aims to win the
Premier League as our primary goal.
We need quality because we cannot live
on inspiration alone and in essence that is what got us to two finals this
seasons. When we required quality there was not enough of it and its why
I would get rid of the following:
Simon Mignolet, Adam Bogdan, Alberto
Moreno, Connor Randall, Steven Caulker, Tiago Illori, Lucas Leiva, and should
we acquire a top class player then I wouldn’t oppose the transfer of either
Adam Lallana or Phillipe Coutinho. Joe Allen
has had a fabulous Euro 2016, but season upon season, although unlucky with
injuries has flattered to deceive.
Martin Skrtel would have been on the list, but has already been shown
the door.
The buys so far in Loris Karius, Joel
Matip, Sadio Mane, Marko Grujic, Georginio Wijnaldum and Alex Manninger suggest
Jurgen Klopp is looking to build a Liverpool full of pace, power and technical
ability, but with more depth and individuals in the squad renowned for their
leadership. The new recruits also bring
competition to the equation signifying that Klopp has no fear of dropping individuals
and senior players may be fearing for their places at the club let alone the
first team.
Player ratings for 2015-16
Simon Mignolet – It didn’t matter whether we won silverware or not this
season the die had already cast in many minds of fans on the Belgian
International goalkeeper. He fails to dominate his area or organise his
backline as one expects from a top class keeper. In seasons past his ability to
pull of world class reaction saves was his saving grace, last season silly
mistakes and bad positioning undermined his position as the club’s no1 keeper
and had it not been for the hapless Bogdán may have kissed goodbye to his
Anfield career. Can he can make the leap to becoming the world-class
keeper we require between the sticks? The answer is a palpable and
resounding no and the fact that Loris Karius will now be competing for the
first team gloves says a lot regarding his manager’s faith in him. 5/10
Ádám Bogdán – The Hungarian’s Liverpool career was as good as over
before it started. A free transfer, Bogdán made his debut in the Capital
One Cup tie against Carlisle, pulling off three penalty saves in the
shootout. Given his chance to state his claim against Watford in the
Premier League he inexplicably fluffed his lines by dropping a corner kick
early on allowing Ake to score. Bogdan’s woes continued. Given
another chance to cement his place, he conceded an embarrassing goal direct
from a corner kick away to Exeter in the FA Cup. The fact that both goals
were screened live on television made it all the more a chastening
experience. Danny Ward’s recall from his successful loan period at
Aberdeen meant his career at Anfield had run its course and he has now moved on
loan to Wigan. Clearly sub-standard. NA
Nathaniel Clyne - Far and away Liverpool’s top defender with
consistent displays throughout the season which was not easy surrounded by ineffectual
defending. Even more formidable when the reliable James Milner plays in
front of him enabling him to break forward. Often arrives late into the
area and his two League goals testify to his attacking threat. If he
could improve his delivery in the final third his threat levels would rise
exponentially. 7/10
Jon Flanagan – The epitome in a long line of Liverpool born players
whose commitment to the cause cannot be questioned. When he plays it’s as
if the local dreams are channelled within the little pocket battle ship.
His comeback after almost two years out the game won him new admirers one of
which was his manager. After coming on four minutes in to the second-half
replay against Exeter, a week later he proceeded to play 105 minutes in the
Capital One Cup Semi-Final against Stoke. His crunching tackle on
Sterling in the first minute of the return league game against Man City set the
tone for the rest of the match and his performance was the primary reason for
the half-time substitution of his ex-club colleague. His lack of pace
will always make him susceptible to flying wingers and he’ll have to bring more
nuance to his game as he has shown in making some critical interceptions. One
suspects he’ll fall short of top class, but that will not be through a lack of
heart. His ability to play in both full-back positions will make him an
invaluable member of the squad going forward. NA
Connor Randall - The youngster made his debut against Bournemouth
in the Capital One and featured again the 6-1 mauling over Southampton.
With Jürgen Klopp’s reputation for progressing youngsters, Randall who signed a
new long-term contract in December will hope for more opportunities in the
future, although he will have to get round the obvious competition of Jon
Flanagan and the ability of Joe Gomez to play across the backline. One
suspects that Randall will have to move on to progress his career, particularly
with only domestic competitions to go for. 3/10
Alberto Moreno - Occasionally produces top class displays where
one understands why he is in the team with his break neck attacking and ability
to cover across the backline. But then there are the moments when he
prone to lapses of concentration letting attackers sneak in on the wrong
side. His lapses have been costly and his inertia in the Europa Cup Final
was the precursor to Liverpool’s performance falling away. The dilemma facing
Klopp is Moreno possesses the attributes to help deliver the tempo driven game
he craves with his power running. Should he be more patient with the
Spaniard hoping he develops into as solid performer? I think not. He is a
liability. 4/10
Brad Smith – Like Moreno is blessed with an
abundance of pace, but whereas the Spaniard is more of a wing-back by nature,
Smith sees out his defensive responsibilities and in attack possesses more of a
cultured left foot. His cross on the run in the Carling Cup tie where he
found Divork Origi for his hat-trick was a sign of his quality. He has
since played two full games for Australia in the World Cup qualifiers where
Harry Redknapp managing Jordan against the Socceroos made this assessment, “I
was impressed the other night with the boy Smith.
“I think he is going to be a big player
for Liverpool in the future.” 5/10
That being said with Liverpool
continually linked with a new left-back and Moreno in no hurry to move his future
at the club cannot be assured.
Jose Enrique – Turned up fleetingly in a few FA Cup
matches with Jurgen Klopp’s side feeling the effects of a large injury
list. Was unceremoniously shown the door three games before the seasons end.
As with last season he kept himself in the public eye with his fondness for
social media. His career has been blighted by injury (9 appearances last
season and two this), but a move elsewhere may just reinvigorate a career which
promised more than it actually delivered. NA
Kolo Toure - The exact antithesis to
Enrique. Fully aware his time as a top-class player is drawing to a
close, the Ivorian never failed to give one hundred per cent. Served the
club with distinction in the knowledge that his minutes on the pitch would be
curtailed. The body language of fellow players and the reaction of fans
towards this likable individual made him firm a favourite. If the Europa
Cup Final is to be his final curtain call his standout performance was a
fitting end. 6/10
Martin Skrtel - Granted he had just returned
to the team but the 3-2 turnaround and loss away to Southampton highlighted his
defensive frailties and his propensity to get involved in grappling matches
rather than applying defensive basics. In his absence Sakho and Lovren became
the number one defensive pairing and the fact that Klopp trusted Toure ahead of
the Slovakian said a lot about his form. Sold to Fenerbahçe, deficiencies
aside, his commitment to the cause will be much remembered. 4/10
Mamadou Sakho – One suspects some of the negative
views on the French International playing style is down to his similarity in
gait to Djimi Traore. Commanding in the air, he relishes the physical
battle and is one of the very few defenders to come out on top against Romelu
Lukaku. His footballing ability is underrated, but his drug test failure
left his Liverpool career hanging by a thread until finally cleared of doping
charges. Was just beginning to strike up what looked like becoming a
solid partnership with the also fast improving Lovren when stupidity struck
costing him a place in the Europa Cup Final and a place in the French squad for
the Euros. 5/10
Dejan Lovren - Struck a rich vein of form
towards the end of the season where he took on the leadership badge in defence
with relish after the demise of Mamadou Sakho. Up until that the point
the £20 million transfer appeared to weigh heavily on his soldiers that he was
doing a passable impression of John Stones. The announcement of Matip’s
January transfer hinted he would be moved on, but such has been his change in
form, that he is, barring injury a sure fire start alongside the new
starter. Showed tremendous leadership, maturity and assuredness on the
ball. Who’ll ever forget his winning header to win through over Borussia
Dortmund. 5/10
Tiago Illori – Return from a disastrous period with
Aston Villa to play in the two FA Cup ties against Exeter and showed enough in
the two games when decidedly unfit, to put himself in the shop window if his
future lies away from Anfield. The fact that Steven Caulker entered the
fray in the January window effectively ended a Liverpool career which in
essence never really got started. NA
Steven Caulker – Played a key role in the Lallana’s
winning goal in the five-four thriller away at Norwich, but that was a good as
it got. He couldn’t even get ahead of Martin Skrtel, who had been out for
months against Southampton, who held his registration. One wonders who actually
sanctioned his loan given he was never in Klopp’s thought process and his loan
period has been a complete an utter waste of time. Pound for pound, given his
£30K per week wage, must rank among the worst ever signings for Liverpool as in
his three appearances he was mostly used as an auxiliary striker NA
Emre Can - Taking into account he had never
played a full season in central midfield and the fact that he still plays
right-back for the Germany, he enjoyed a tremendous season. Combative in
the tackle possesses a range of passes in his artillery. The stunning
pass he delivered for Daniel Sturridge’s second in the 6-1 victory against
Southampton in the Capital One Cup bending the ball around the centre-half for
the striker to finish was stunning and yet the ball delivered to Origi in the
quarter-final second leg against Borusssia Dortmund showed a surety of touch
from only a few yards away in which there just enough on the pass to put the
ball ahead of the defender and allow the striker to accelerate and score.
Is progressing at a rate of knots and is blossoming. If Klopp pairs him with a
midfield partner who can accentuate and compliment his talents the sky’s the
limits. 7/10
James Milner – Consistency is his byword, metronomic the measurement
of his performances. One of the standout players during the season with
the creative elements to his game measurable against any other player in the
league. What impressed was his ability to play for the cause time and
again. Often deployed on either side of the pitch, centrally and even
covering at full-back, he has all the traits of a Klopp type player and there
will be no doubt he will return next season. The fact that Liverpool will
not play in Europe next season will mean Klopp is able to utilise his energies
at an even more potent level in the league. 8/10
Jordan Henderson - An injury plagued reached its nadir after having
to limp out of the first-leg quarter-final against Dortmund in which he played
a major part with a knee injury was a disappointment. Liverpool won only 21
percent of games in his absence and 56 percent with him in the team this
season. That said, I have doubts whether long-term he will be the partner for
Emre Can, although one can see him in a midfield three. Liverpool missed his
experience and drive when the chips were down in the Europa Cup Final. 5/10
Kevin Stewart - Like Arsenal’s Francis Coquelin found his way
into the squad by default after a wave of injuries. He arrived as a
defender after being released by Spurs with seemingly very little future and at
the age 22 being loaned out to Swindon Town at the start of the season.
Acquitted himself well in his few appearances adding a steely determination
into central midfield and will provide cover in the holding midfield position. 5/10
Cameron Brannagan – I have high hopes for the talented youngster and his
progression may well have spelt the end of Jordon Rossiter’s time as
Anfield. Has wonderful vision and tremendous technical ability setting
him apart as one to watch. NA
Pedro Chirivella - Excellent player with a
footballing brain. Showed up well in his few opportunities, especially in
the losing fourth round FA Cup Replay against West in which he played 100
minutes showing up well in opposition to a midfield containing Mark Noble and
Pedro Obiang. Committed his future to the club by extending his contract
to 2020.
Joe Allen - Another whose Liverpool career
has been blighted by injury. Conversely, the success of the Welsh team
has seen him blossom with the responsibility of being the key midfielder with
the accent firmly on Aaron Ramsey to play in an attacking role helping him
develop a teak toughness to go with his undoubted technical ability. He
has remarkable spring for someone so small able out jump players much taller.
Even so, his future may lie away from Anfield. 5/10
Jordon Ibe - His explosive goal at the tail
end of the season against West Brom was not enough to save his immediate future
at the club and with the emergence of Sheyji Ojo and Sadio Mane signing on. Ibe was sold to Bournemouth although Liverpool
included buy back and sell on clauses in his contract recognising the potential
of the player under the tutelage of Eddie Howe. 4/10
Sheyi Ojo - There’s a lot to like about
this former MK Dons trainee. Powerful with superb balance and excellent
close control. It’s noticeable when he is full cry the seems almost glued to
his feet. Scored his first competitive goal for the Reds in the 3-0
replay victory against Exeter and put in some strong performances when called
upon. NA
Ryan Kent - Impressed in making 17
appearances for Coventry scoring his first goal in the senior ranks in their
4-3 win over Barnsley. Another who returned to Anfield due to injuries.
The speedy winger made only one appearance on debut in the third round draw
away to Exeter. One expects Kent to be sold or loaned out with obvious
competition on the flanks. NA
Joao Carlos Teixeira
- Another in the conveyor belt of young Latin talent whose Anfield
careers fizzled out. As with Daniel Pacheco and Suso we saw flashes of
sublime skill, which wetted the appetite hoping for a breakthrough.
Daniel Pacheco (still only 25) is now on loan from Real Betis with Deportivo
Alaves in the Spanish second division and Suso rebuilding his career on loan to
Genoa from AC Milan. I hope for his sake his undoubted talents come to
the fore even if it won’t be at Anfield having been sold to FC Porto for the
miserly compensation fee of £240,000.
Robert Firmino – The ex-Hoffenheim player came to the
fore in the second half of the season. Instead of propping up the wing as
he had done under Rodgers, Jürgen Klopp used him as either a false number nine
or in behind the striker where he blossomed behind the powerful running of
Origi. Scorer of 11 goals (10 in the League)
and 7 assists in all the overwhelming feeling is that he will only get
better. A very clever player who has the trust of the manager. 7/10
Philippe Coutinho
- The club’s player of the year had an injury interrupted season, still
produced his best ever return of 12 goals (8 in the League) and chipped in with
five assists. While on occasions reaching great heights, he failed to
dominate and by the end of the season had been bypassed by the likes of Firmino
in terms of providing the x-factor and James Milner in terms of leadership.
Should Liverpool buy in a player of work class talent his position in the side
may not be as sure as it once, but that being said he is class act and will be
no surprise to see him bounce back to unprecedented levels. 6/10
Adam Lallana - If one can judge a manager’s
impact by the change in a player, then Lallana is that player. Liverpool
fans aplenty wondered whether we would ever see the level of form we saw at
Southampton or whether it was a case of that Lallana being a big fish in a
small pond. With Oriji becoming the pivot in Klopp’s pressing game,
Lallana who under Rodgers was normally hooked after an hour became his road
runner pressing for almost the entire game. Seems to have strengthen
mentally becoming one of Klopp’s go to players and in producing 7 goals and 7
assists proved his game is on the upward curve in all facets, although if he
doubled his potency in front of goal he would move into different realm. 6/10
Christian Bentenke – Criticism
the big Belgian was too lazy or his positional sense wasn’t all it could was often
the cry. Missed far too many one on ones in matches where a tidy finish could’ve
turned the match. But, if football was that easy we’d all be
managers. From my standpoint if Benteke had been Liverpool’s number one striker
throughout Sturridge’s enforced absence rather than in and out of the side, we could
have been talking a club definitely challenging for a top four position.
He often appeared lethargic and cumbersome, but to be fair to him he was asked
to play against type which saw his confidence evaporate. Yes, the player
needed to be decisive on occasions, but at no time did Jurgen Klopp or Brendan
Rodgers for that matter look to add to the attacking dimensions of the team by
playing in a mode designed to get the best out of the him. It will be
little surprise to see Benteke firing on all cylinders away from Anfield next
season. 5/10
Danny Ings – His fight back to fitness shows the
mind-set of the former Burnley striker. His injury was unfortunate coming
at a time when he was beginning to prove himself a strong addition to the team
with his never say die attitude. Given Jurgen Klopp’s penchant for pressing
from the top of the field he may well have come into his own, but for his
injury. 5/10
Daniel Sturridge – Singularly the most important
player at Anfield possessing the ability to score goals at will when match fit.
His recovery from injury and his majestic goal in the Europa Final only added
to the anguish and in some cases disappointment of fans and his manager,
respectively which appeared to get under his collar. By the end of the
season he was back as the number one striker and if Liverpool can keep him fit
throughout the forthcoming season we stand an excellent chance of breaking into
the top four. In all games, was unbelievably the club’s top scorer with
13 goals in 25 games. 5/10
Divock Origi - The 2015-16 season was his
breakthrough and he grew immeasurably under Klopp’s guidance became the
pressing point in unison with Adam Lallana. His pace and power allied to
his touch and heading ability allowed Klopp to play the trio Lallana, Firmino
and Coutinho in behind safe in the knowledge the mobile frontman could easily
be found with his propensity to hold the ball up and run into and beyond the
lines. His improvement almost certainly means the demise of fellow
Belgian Benteke and one hopes that Klopp plays him alongside Daniel Sturridge
in a similar vein to the strike force we enjoyed with Suarez and Sturridge. 6/10
