Why Next Season Looks Promising for Liverpool

 

Following Liverpool this season has been infuriating. After a run of two or three great games you start to think ‘we could really make it to the top 4 this year’, then they put in a couple of truly lacklustre performances against fairly low-level opposition. To be honest, it is unrealistic to hope we may still qualify for the Champions League this season, although there are lots of promising signs for the future.

Firstly, it has to be remembered that this is Brendan Rodgers’ first season at Liverpool. Adapting to a new managers style is hard for the players, and whilst they get used to it consistency is bound to be an issue. By the time the 2013/14 season starts, as long as FSG have been sensible enough to keep Rodgers, the players will be used to the manager and to his elaborate, precise method of play. This should mean that the snippets of brilliant play we’ve seen at points this season is maintained throughout the next.

Also, there is the matter of new signings. The players Liverpool have just brought in (Phillipe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge) show great potential, and once they have settled in to the side they have the capacity to be extremely effective. Daniel Sturridge in particular could be key, as Luis Suarez has shown he operates brilliantly with a second striker. Sturridge may well be the answer to the questions being asked about Liverpool’s chance conversion rate. As well as this, there will be a chance for us to strengthen the squad further come the summer, meaning the current weaknesses in our team can be ironed out by new arrivals. The defence in particular could do with improvement, and if we are able to bring in a good new defender before next season it could go a long way to helping us get the right results.

Furthermore, there are a lot of players who were brought into the side in the Dalglish era who are only just starting to come into their own. In recent games Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing have been playing brilliantly, in fact they have arguably been two of the best players in the side. If they continue in this run of form, something they didn’t manage at all under Dalglish and have only just started to show under Rodgers, they could be key in helping Liverpool to reach 4^th or higher next season. Henderson in particular could play a huge role in the future, as Steven Gerrard, though still currently playing excellently, will have to retire at some point, so Henderson will be needed to ensure the central midfield remains a strong point for Liverpool.

In conclusion, although a lot of fans are upset with the inconsistency of Liverpool this season, to the point where some are calling for Brendan Rodgers to be sacked, on the whole Liverpool are showing a lot of positive signs. Everyone should be patient, because there is a lot of potential in the current team, and by next season I think everything will fall into place, and the performances and results will finally start to come on a consistent basis.

Philippe Coutinho- The next big thing?

Philippe Coutinho was brought in to Liverpool near the end of the January Transfer window, bought from Inter Milan for £8.5million. He is only 20 years of age has shown great potential in his first few games for the club. Could he play a vital part in getting us back to the Champions League soon?

One of the key things that has struck me about Coutinho since he joined Liverpool in his confidence. He hasn’t been scared to take players on 1 on 1, and has tried some audacious skills (most notably an attempted Rabona shot which went just wide). This is a good sign, as it shows he has self-confidence, and is not afraid to try things. This should allow him to reach his full potential. Take Luis Suarez as an example. A lot of the things he tries don’t come off, but they are definitely worth it for the things that do! An attacking player who is afraid of being audacious is, in general, not worth having.

Another great thing is his age. From what I have seen, it appears Coutinho bridges the gap between getting talent here and now but also investing in potential. At only 20 years of age, Coutinho certainly has the capacity to improve as a player. He will also be able to adapt to the teams style of play, which will of course be an improvement. However, he is currently a very good player. Bringing him has made a noticeable positive impact on the team, which is a very good thing. Basically, it seems we may have managed to sign a very good player who’s going to get better!

As well as this, he provides another option for Brendan Rodgers. Coutinho is an attacking midfielder, which opens up a lot of possibilities for Rodgers in terms of formations he can use. Before Coutinho’s signing, the midfield was nearly always Lucas and Gerrard central, with Downing and Henderson out wide. Now, Rodgers can choose to play with 3 central midfielders, or 1 central attacking and 2 wide. In essence, it provides a lot of variation, which will make us hard to predict and therefore hard to beat. Coutinho also allows Rodgers some back-up in case of injury or suspension, and the option to rotate the squad.

In conclusion, Coutinho is a very talented player who has a lot of potential. He is not afraid to try his luck with audacious skills, and he provides Rodgers with lots of new options. For just £8.5 million, I think he is a great buy, and if all turns out well he may become an integral part of the team within a few years.