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We are sorry the page you requested cannot be found at the moment.
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With Liverpool’s experienced players helping Liverpool back to form of late, Jack Lusby compares Brendan Rodgers‘ approach to that of other recent Reds managers.
After Liverpool’s recent struggles, manager Brendan Rodgers turned his focus to players of “quality and experience,” and the side’s form has since improved.
How much experience has Rodgers relied upon so far, and how does this compare with other recent managers?
In the interest of symmetry, and with Liverpool’s 3-0 victory away to Spurs arguably the only time Rodgers has been able to field his first-choice starting line-up so far this season, comparisons with the corresponding fixture over several seasons past will be made.
That encounter saw Simon Mignolet, Javier Manquillo, Dejan Lovren, Mamadou Sakho, Alberto Moreno, Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Joe Allen, Raheem Sterling, Daniel Sturridge and Mario Balotelli take to White Hart Lane for Rodgers’ Merseyside managerial century.
Manquillo, Moreno and Sterling all come under the 17-21 bracket; Lovren, Sakho, Henderson, Allen, Sturridge and Balotelli were all aged 22-25; with players generally reaching their peak during this period, only goalkeeper Mignolet fit into the 26-32 bracket, with Gerrard the only 33+ feature.
With Liverpool cruising to victory that day, it seemed that this young side had clicked immediately and there were no problems in sight.
However, a 1-0 loss away to Aston Villa two weeks later, with the same average age, puts paid to this notion; until recently, only Gerrard was a regular, veteran feature for the Reds this season, and he must not play every game.
After introducing old hands Kolo Toure, Rickie Lambert and Lucas Leiva, Liverpool’s recent form has picked up, and Rodgers’ comments on “quality and experience” have been vindicated.
So how does this youthful Liverpool side, as a sample of Rodgers’ ideal first team, and their fortunes, compare to those of recent managers?
Rafa Benitez, 2004/05 Season
During Benitez’s Champions League-winning 2004/05 season, the manager had plenty of experienced players to call upon, and it was arguably their influence that helped determine such a successful campaign.
In this sample game, Liverpool drew 1-1 with Spurs in Benitez’s first Premier League game in charge.
Liverpool XI vs. Spurs, Saturday 14 August 2004:
Jerzy Dudek; Steve Finnan, Sami Hyypia, Jamie Carragher, John Arne Riise; Harry Kewell, Dietmar Hamann, Steven Gerrard, Josemi Rey; Djibril Cisse, Milan Baros
17-21: None
22-25: Riise, Josemi, Gerrard, Kewell, Baros, Cisse
26-32: Dudek, Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Hamann
33+: None
Average age: 26.6
With a well-crafted mix of players about to reach their peak years and those already in their prime, Benitez saw the benefits of experience, particularly in defensive positions.
Throughout the season, the manager also had the likes of Mauricio Pellegrino (33), Vladimir Smicer (31) and Fernando Morientes (28) to call upon when required.
Final league position: 5th
Honours: Champions League Winners, League Cup Finalists
Roy Hodgson, 2010/11 Season
Inheriting Benitez’s squad for the 2010/11 season, Hodgson set to stamp his own image on this Liverpool side, adding several players that summer.
When it came to visit White Hart Lane in late November, Liverpool saw Spurs come from behind to win 2-1, leaving the Reds 10th in the table.
Liverpool XI vs. Spurs, Sunday 28 November 2010:
Pepe Reina; Glen Johnson, Martin Skrtel, Jamie Carragher, Paul Konchesky; Maxi Rodriguez, Raul Meireles, Lucas Leiva, Dirk Kuyt; Fernando Torres, David N’Gog
17-21: N’Gog
22-25: Skrtel, Lucas,
26-32: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Konchesky, Rodriguez, Meireles, Kuyt, Torres
33+: None
Average age: 27.6
Hodgson’s side, with Konchesky, Meireles and Rodriguez all joining in 2010, had a heavy measure of players in their prime, but this didn’t necessarily match up in terms of quality.
The now-England manager also had Brad Jones (28), Daniel Agger (26), Fabio Aurelio (31), Sotirios Kyrgiakos (31), Joe Cole (29), Christian Poulsen (30) and Milan Jovanovic (29) in the squad for his half-season.
Final league position: 6th
Honours: None
Kenny Dalglish, 2011/12 Season
Taking over the reins from a disastrous Hodgson in January 2011, Dalglish immediately set to turn around Liverpool’s fortunes, and was instrumental in that aforementioned sixth-placed finish.
In his first full season back in charge of the side, Dalglish worked with Damien Comolli in adding youth to the squad, but lost 4-0 away to Spurs in September.
Liverpool XI vs. Spurs, Sunday 18 September 2011:
Pepe Reina; Martin Skrtel, Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger, Jose Enrique; Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam, Lucas Leiva, Stewart Downing; Luis Suarez, Andy Carroll
17-21: Henderson, Carroll
22-25: Enrique, Adam, Lucas, Suarez
26-32: Reina, Skrtel, Agger, Carragher, Downing
33+: None
Average age: 26.2
Dalglish’s side looked to have a solid mix of youth and experience, with Carragher turning 33 and into full veteran mode in 2012, but once again a lack of quality in the likes of Adam and Downing, as well as a struggling young Henderson, saw the side struggle.
Jones (29), Alexandre Doni (32), Johnson (27), Aurelio (32), Gerrard (31), Rodriguez (30), Kuyt (31) and Craig Bellamy (32) were also at Dalglish’s disposal that season.
Final league position: 8th
Honours: League Cup Winners, FA Cup Finalists
Is Experience a Virtue?
(*Rodgers 2014/15 based on current league position)
Hodgson’s season stands as somewhat of an anomaly, due to the influence of Dalglish after his introduction midway through 2010/11.
Benitez’s fifth-placed 2004/05 season stands as the best balance of youth and experience.
With Rodgers so far dismissing the assistance of a more experience backroom appointment and with a predilection towards youth in his transfer strategy under FSG at the club, the advantage of this experience is vital.
Recent performances of the likes of Toure, Lucas and Lambert should remind the manager of the value of this.
These are players that know what it takes to win games in a variety of circumstances.
While youth and potential are invaluable, this needs to be complemented with a seasoned tactical nous.
While phasing out the high-earners in Kuyt, Bellamy and Rodriguez was a wise move by Rodgers in terms of finance, the manager is now learning that these players are important, even as substitute options.
The manager must take his cues from Benitez and strike a balance between youth and experience.
Should Brendan Rodgers rely more on experience this season? Let us know in the comments below.
.
With Liverpool’s experienced players helping Liverpool back to form of late, Jack Lusby compares Brendan Rodgers‘ approach to that of other recent Reds managers.
After Liverpool’s recent struggles, manager Brendan Rodgers turned his focus to players of “quality and experience,” and the side’s form has since improved.
How much experience has Rodgers relied upon so far, and how does this compare with other recent managers?
In the interest of symmetry, and with Liverpool’s 3-0 victory away to Spurs arguably the only time Rodgers has been able to field his first-choice starting line-up so far this season, comparisons with the corresponding fixture over several seasons past will be made.
That encounter saw Simon Mignolet, Javier Manquillo, Dejan Lovren, Mamadou Sakho, Alberto Moreno, Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Joe Allen, Raheem Sterling, Daniel Sturridge and Mario Balotelli take to White Hart Lane for Rodgers’ Merseyside managerial century.
Manquillo, Moreno and Sterling all come under the 17-21 bracket; Lovren, Sakho, Henderson, Allen, Sturridge and Balotelli were all aged 22-25; with players generally reaching their peak during this period, only goalkeeper Mignolet fit into the 26-32 bracket, with Gerrard the only 33+ feature.
With Liverpool cruising to victory that day, it seemed that this young side had clicked immediately and there were no problems in sight.
However, a 1-0 loss away to Aston Villa two weeks later, with the same average age, puts paid to this notion; until recently, only Gerrard was a regular, veteran feature for the Reds this season, and he must not play every game.
After introducing old hands Kolo Toure, Rickie Lambert and Lucas Leiva, Liverpool’s recent form has picked up, and Rodgers’ comments on “quality and experience” have been vindicated.
So how does this youthful Liverpool side, as a sample of Rodgers’ ideal first team, and their fortunes, compare to those of recent managers?
Rafa Benitez, 2004/05 Season
During Benitez’s Champions League-winning 2004/05 season, the manager had plenty of experienced players to call upon, and it was arguably their influence that helped determine such a successful campaign.
In this sample game, Liverpool drew 1-1 with Spurs in Benitez’s first Premier League game in charge.
Liverpool XI vs. Spurs, Saturday 14 August 2004:
Jerzy Dudek; Steve Finnan, Sami Hyypia, Jamie Carragher, John Arne Riise; Harry Kewell, Dietmar Hamann, Steven Gerrard, Josemi Rey; Djibril Cisse, Milan Baros
17-21: None
22-25: Riise, Josemi, Gerrard, Kewell, Baros, Cisse
26-32: Dudek, Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Hamann
33+: None
Average age: 26.6
With a well-crafted mix of players about to reach their peak years and those already in their prime, Benitez saw the benefits of experience, particularly in defensive positions.
Throughout the season, the manager also had the likes of Mauricio Pellegrino (33), Vladimir Smicer (31) and Fernando Morientes (28) to call upon when required.
Final league position: 5th
Honours: Champions League Winners, League Cup Finalists
Roy Hodgson, 2010/11 Season
Inheriting Benitez’s squad for the 2010/11 season, Hodgson set to stamp his own image on this Liverpool side, adding several players that summer.
When it came to visit White Hart Lane in late November, Liverpool saw Spurs come from behind to win 2-1, leaving the Reds 10th in the table.
Liverpool XI vs. Spurs, Sunday 28 November 2010:
Pepe Reina; Glen Johnson, Martin Skrtel, Jamie Carragher, Paul Konchesky; Maxi Rodriguez, Raul Meireles, Lucas Leiva, Dirk Kuyt; Fernando Torres, David N’Gog
17-21: N’Gog
22-25: Skrtel, Lucas,
26-32: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Konchesky, Rodriguez, Meireles, Kuyt, Torres
33+: None
Average age: 27.6
Hodgson’s side, with Konchesky, Meireles and Rodriguez all joining in 2010, had a heavy measure of players in their prime, but this didn’t necessarily match up in terms of quality.
The now-England manager also had Brad Jones (28), Daniel Agger (26), Fabio Aurelio (31), Sotirios Kyrgiakos (31), Joe Cole (29), Christian Poulsen (30) and Milan Jovanovic (29) in the squad for his half-season.
Final league position: 6th
Honours: None
Kenny Dalglish, 2011/12 Season
Taking over the reins from a disastrous Hodgson in January 2011, Dalglish immediately set to turn around Liverpool’s fortunes, and was instrumental in that aforementioned sixth-placed finish.
In his first full season back in charge of the side, Dalglish worked with Damien Comolli in adding youth to the squad, but lost 4-0 away to Spurs in September.
Liverpool XI vs. Spurs, Sunday 18 September 2011:
Pepe Reina; Martin Skrtel, Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger, Jose Enrique; Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam, Lucas Leiva, Stewart Downing; Luis Suarez, Andy Carroll
17-21: Henderson, Carroll
22-25: Enrique, Adam, Lucas, Suarez
26-32: Reina, Skrtel, Agger, Carragher, Downing
33+: None
Average age: 26.2
Dalglish’s side looked to have a solid mix of youth and experience, with Carragher turning 33 and into full veteran mode in 2012, but once again a lack of quality in the likes of Adam and Downing, as well as a struggling young Henderson, saw the side struggle.
Jones (29), Alexandre Doni (32), Johnson (27), Aurelio (32), Gerrard (31), Rodriguez (30), Kuyt (31) and Craig Bellamy (32) were also at Dalglish’s disposal that season.
Final league position: 8th
Honours: League Cup Winners, FA Cup Finalists
Is Experience a Virtue?
(*Rodgers 2014/15 based on current league position)
Hodgson’s season stands as somewhat of an anomaly, due to the influence of Dalglish after his introduction midway through 2010/11.
Benitez’s fifth-placed 2004/05 season stands as the best balance of youth and experience.
With Rodgers so far dismissing the assistance of a more experience backroom appointment and with a predilection towards youth in his transfer strategy under FSG at the club, the advantage of this experience is vital.
Recent performances of the likes of Toure, Lucas and Lambert should remind the manager of the value of this.
These are players that know what it takes to win games in a variety of circumstances.
While youth and potential are invaluable, this needs to be complemented with a seasoned tactical nous.
While phasing out the high-earners in Kuyt, Bellamy and Rodriguez was a wise move by Rodgers in terms of finance, the manager is now learning that these players are important, even as substitute options.
The manager must take his cues from Benitez and strike a balance between youth and experience.
Should Brendan Rodgers rely more on experience this season? Let us know in the comments below.
.
Jordan Henderson is desperate for Steven Gerrard to remain at Liverpool beyond the end of the season.
Gerrard’s future remains in doubt after it emerged this week he has not yet accepted the offer of a contract extension at Anfield.
The Reds skipper has been linked with a move to the MLS but he provided a timely reminder of his qualities with an influential showing in the 3-1 win at Leicester City on Tuesday.
Henderson, installed as vice-captain this season, admits he is still learning much from his team-mate and hopes he will get the chance to continue that education for a couple more years at least.
"I hope he stays on for as long as he can and then even after that really, I hope he stays at the club as long as he can," he said.
"For me, he has been the best player for a number of years, not just for Liverpool but in the Premier League, and I think he still is. Hopefully we keep him because he is a massive player for us and a great leader.
"Everyone has a lot of respect for him in the dressing room. He leads by example. He is a top player, but he is also a top person.
"The lads feel they can go to him with anything and he will always help them out and put them first. That is massive as a captain.
"Everyone gets on really well with him. With the aura that he has got he could be a different person but he is very grounded, very humble.
"We can go to him and he will help us out with anything he possibly can and that is priceless.
"Then he puts in performances like that (against Leicester). He is our leader, he is a role model to us all. If he was to go, he would be a massive loss. Hopefully it doesn't come to that.
"Liverpool without Steven Gerrard is unimaginable. Nobody wants to lose him and I'm sure the club don't as well."
Gerrard has played in a more advanced position in the last three matches and that has not only benefited him personally but the team around him.
Striker Rickie Lambert, who has started the last four matches after just three starts in as many months, believes Gerrard still has plenty to offer.
"Some of the talk has been silly really. He is always going to come back - that is the silly thing - and he is Mr Cool in those situations," he said of Gerrard's well-taken second goal at the King Power Stadium.
"He always has been and it was a great finish. Long may it continue. He is not going to play every single game but that is what he can do.
"He is one of those players who can play in multiple positions and if he is closer to me it makes my game a lot easier.
"His all-round play, his vision, everything about him...when he has got the ball he will put it in the area you want.
"Obviously we are desperate to keep Stevie. It is clear it is his decision but I think he needs to stay at Liverpool for the rest of his life."
Jordan Henderson is desperate for Steven Gerrard to remain at Liverpool beyond the end of the season.
Gerrard’s future remains in doubt after it emerged this week he has not yet accepted the offer of a contract extension at Anfield.
The Reds skipper has been linked with a move to the MLS but he provided a timely reminder of his qualities with an influential showing in the 3-1 win at Leicester City on Tuesday.
Henderson, installed as vice-captain this season, admits he is still learning much from his team-mate and hopes he will get the chance to continue that education for a couple more years at least.
"I hope he stays on for as long as he can and then even after that really, I hope he stays at the club as long as he can," he said.
"For me, he has been the best player for a number of years, not just for Liverpool but in the Premier League, and I think he still is. Hopefully we keep him because he is a massive player for us and a great leader.
"Everyone has a lot of respect for him in the dressing room. He leads by example. He is a top player, but he is also a top person.
"The lads feel they can go to him with anything and he will always help them out and put them first. That is massive as a captain.
"Everyone gets on really well with him. With the aura that he has got he could be a different person but he is very grounded, very humble.
"We can go to him and he will help us out with anything he possibly can and that is priceless.
"Then he puts in performances like that (against Leicester). He is our leader, he is a role model to us all. If he was to go, he would be a massive loss. Hopefully it doesn't come to that.
"Liverpool without Steven Gerrard is unimaginable. Nobody wants to lose him and I'm sure the club don't as well."
Gerrard has played in a more advanced position in the last three matches and that has not only benefited him personally but the team around him.
Striker Rickie Lambert, who has started the last four matches after just three starts in as many months, believes Gerrard still has plenty to offer.
"Some of the talk has been silly really. He is always going to come back - that is the silly thing - and he is Mr Cool in those situations," he said of Gerrard's well-taken second goal at the King Power Stadium.
"He always has been and it was a great finish. Long may it continue. He is not going to play every single game but that is what he can do.
"He is one of those players who can play in multiple positions and if he is closer to me it makes my game a lot easier.
"His all-round play, his vision, everything about him...when he has got the ball he will put it in the area you want.
"Obviously we are desperate to keep Stevie. It is clear it is his decision but I think he needs to stay at Liverpool for the rest of his life."
Liverpool Football Club have responded to calls from supporters groups Spirit of Shankly and Spion Kop 1906 to discuss ticket prices.
The two groups staged a no-flag protest on Saturday when Liverpool beat Stoke City 1-0 at Anfield, followed by a letter to club owner John Henry.
The groups are campaigning for a reduction in ticket prices, which are continuing to rise and price many fans, including young fans, out of attending matches.
Their letter pleaded with the club and Henry:
As our current owners and custodians you have a responsibility, a very significant one, to preserve and safeguard the future of this football club. This does not just exist on a spreadsheet under profit and loss – it is about the future of our support and ensuring that the things that have made the club famous and successful in the past continue into the future.
Henry briefly responded on Tuesday, saying the club would be in touch soon, with the groups threatening to continue the no-flag protest at this Saturday’s game between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield.
On Wednesday afternoon both groups confirmed that the club have agreed to meet them next week over the issue:
Well done and thank you to all involved in the campaign.
.
Liverpool Football Club have responded to calls from supporters groups Spirit of Shankly and Spion Kop 1906 to discuss ticket prices.
The two groups staged a no-flag protest on Saturday when Liverpool beat Stoke City 1-0 at Anfield, followed by a letter to club owner John Henry.
The groups are campaigning for a reduction in ticket prices, which are continuing to rise and price many fans, including young fans, out of attending matches.
Their letter pleaded with the club and Henry:
As our current owners and custodians you have a responsibility, a very significant one, to preserve and safeguard the future of this football club. This does not just exist on a spreadsheet under profit and loss – it is about the future of our support and ensuring that the things that have made the club famous and successful in the past continue into the future.
Henry briefly responded on Tuesday, saying the club would be in touch soon, with the groups threatening to continue the no-flag protest at this Saturday’s game between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield.
On Wednesday afternoon both groups confirmed that the club have agreed to meet them next week over the issue:
Well done and thank you to all involved in the campaign.
.
Liverpool are grinding out results in the last week, a far cry from the exhilarating football of spring, but it’s what’s required at the moment, writes Rebecca Parry.
It’s easy enough to praise players and overall team performances when things are going well, as we all know from last year. However, when things aren’t going your way, everything is scrutinized – it’s hard to turn things around.
It’s been mentioned a number of times by Brendan Rodgers that the Ludogorets draw was going to be the turning point after recent struggles. And although performances have improved as well, points are being picked up. After finding ourselves in the bottom half coming up to December, it’s been a big relief to be getting six points on the board.
Against Leicester, there wasn’t much quality to be seen from both sides, and for Liverpool’s standards, we were still majorly untidy. Some of our pace was restored in terms of going forward, especially with the assistance of Steven Gerrard being gifted the freedom to move forward. However, every second ball seemed to be won by Leicester, and is something we seriously need to work on.
Sticking with what we know
We certainly need to ride out the storm while we are without Daniel Sturridge. Although Rickie Lambert is doing a good job, we do miss the creativity, as Raheem Sterling looks alone in trying to conjure up opportunities.
We’ve kept on persisting through the tough times, and I think this was perfectly represented against Stoke last weekend. It was an improved performance in the second half, with more chances created, but it took a brave moment of Glen Johnson to break the deadlock. And it wasn’t just a match deadlock, it seemed to have been a deadlock that had been sealed since we fell into the defeat streak.
Turning a corner?
Against Leicester, it was another untidy performance overall, but we were more improved in terms of taking the chances when we had them. It wasn’t necessarily that Leicester were a good side, but I think we invited pressure and failed to keep the ball for long enough periods. In saying that, the passion and determination to keep hold of the lead, and to get forward when we needed the goals, was good to see.
I think every fan would agree in saying that if we manage to get a win against Basel and progress into the Champions League knockout stages, we won’t dwell too much on the performance. You’d hope if we got through, then Rodgers would have Sturridge at his disposal by then.
At the moment, it’s going to be hard, but keeping up with the pack domestically, is the immediate target. If the results keep coming, we can then start looking at getting a bit of flair and swagger back into our game. Until then, points come before performances.
The next few games are just as, or even more important than those previous.
.
Liverpool are grinding out results in the last week, a far cry from the exhilarating football of spring, but it’s what’s required at the moment, writes Rebecca Parry.
It’s easy enough to praise players and overall team performances when things are going well, as we all know from last year. However, when things aren’t going your way, everything is scrutinized – it’s hard to turn things around.
It’s been mentioned a number of times by Brendan Rodgers that the Ludogorets draw was going to be the turning point after recent struggles. And although performances have improved as well, points are being picked up. After finding ourselves in the bottom half coming up to December, it’s been a big relief to be getting six points on the board.
Against Leicester, there wasn’t much quality to be seen from both sides, and for Liverpool’s standards, we were still majorly untidy. Some of our pace was restored in terms of going forward, especially with the assistance of Steven Gerrard being gifted the freedom to move forward. However, every second ball seemed to be won by Leicester, and is something we seriously need to work on.
Sticking with what we know
We certainly need to ride out the storm while we are without Daniel Sturridge. Although Rickie Lambert is doing a good job, we do miss the creativity, as Raheem Sterling looks alone in trying to conjure up opportunities.
We’ve kept on persisting through the tough times, and I think this was perfectly represented against Stoke last weekend. It was an improved performance in the second half, with more chances created, but it took a brave moment of Glen Johnson to break the deadlock. And it wasn’t just a match deadlock, it seemed to have been a deadlock that had been sealed since we fell into the defeat streak.
Turning a corner?
Against Leicester, it was another untidy performance overall, but we were more improved in terms of taking the chances when we had them. It wasn’t necessarily that Leicester were a good side, but I think we invited pressure and failed to keep the ball for long enough periods. In saying that, the passion and determination to keep hold of the lead, and to get forward when we needed the goals, was good to see.
I think every fan would agree in saying that if we manage to get a win against Basel and progress into the Champions League knockout stages, we won’t dwell too much on the performance. You’d hope if we got through, then Rodgers would have Sturridge at his disposal by then.
At the moment, it’s going to be hard, but keeping up with the pack domestically, is the immediate target. If the results keep coming, we can then start looking at getting a bit of flair and swagger back into our game. Until then, points come before performances.
The next few games are just as, or even more important than those previous.
.
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