Liverpool Barely Muster Whimper in Finale

Liverpool FC came into the final day of the 2014-15 Premier League season with little to play for outside of pride.  Only a relatively unwanted spot in the Europa League was on the line.  However, Liverpool could not even muster the pride to send their captain out with style and barely registered a game played when the full 90 was finished.  Only the club's leader, who will travel across the pond to play in MLS after a month off, managed to send himself off with a bit of flare.  Steven Gerrard gave his fans one last memory to close out his European career, but the rest of the team let the supporters down.

Liverpool came out with a bit of attack and looked the more likely to score through the first 10 or 15 minutes.  Instead, Stoke got a counter attack and struck against a porous Liverpool back line.  In truth, Liverpool had their chances.  Adam Lallana had at least two that he could have put away and was not awarded a penalty that could have changed the complexion of the game when it was 3-0.  Other chances were missed or saved as well.  In the end, it did not matter as Liverpool had perhaps the worst first half performance as a team in many a memory.

Supporters can and will heap on Brendan Rodgers.  He picked this team, was part of the selection committee that made the transfers and chose the formations.  However, over the course of the season, it has become apparent that neither Jose Mourinho, Jurgen Klopp or anyone really was going to make a difference from the sidelines with this club.  The loss of both Luis Suarez, to transfer, and Daniel Sturridge, to injury, was more than anyone in the club was going to be able to make up for.  Really, Liverpool performed up to the standard they had last season.  The results were just different.

People will say that statement is nonsense, but the club scored 99 goals last season and 52 this season.  If you remove all of Suarez and Sturridge's goals from last years totals, then the goal totals almost even out over the two years.  Unfortunately, that just further proves the club's inability to find goal scoring talent.  There is attacking talent in this team, but it woefully underperformed all season and was nowhere close to the teamwide performance needed to replace those lofty numbers put up last season.

Supporters must now look to the future.  Sadly for them, the future is very cloudy at the moment.  Unless you can bring in a Jurgen Klopp, I think Rodgers will be on the sidelines next season.  The problem with that is Rodgers has been an enigma in his time at Anfield.  Throw away the first year as that is often a feeling out period.  His second year, he almost wins the league and figures out a way to build his squad around its strengths even if it doesn't use his most preferred formation.  Third season opens poorly, has a great run of form in the winter months and then hits a brick wall at the end.

Rodgers is a good tactician and knows how to place a squad when it has definitive strengths.  For two straight seasons he has gotten his club to perform to top capabilities from Christmas through March.  Alas, he has failed to inspire his team to perform in the spring and early fall.  He has yet to show that either he or this unnamed transfer committee can choose players capable of actually performing in a Liverpool shirt.

Going forward, whether Rodgers is the manager or not, Liverpool have to settle on a formation.  Yes, it is good to be fluid and capable of changing depending on personnel or injuries or an opponent.  However, the Reds have used at least three formations, if not more, over the last two seasons alone.  Beyond just having versatility, the players have not been allowed to settle into a steady position.  Raheem Sterling has played a wingback, an attacking wing and a striker.  Emre Can has played a centerback in a back three, a winger on occasion and even less at his natural position in the midfield.  Adam Lallana was jockeyed back and forth between winger and wing back.  Steven Gerrard ping ponged back and forth between attack and holding roles.

The list goes on and on of players put in several different spots.  We were all sold on the depth of this squad prior and during the season.  Now at its end, all are left to wonder who, if anyone really deserves to come back.  We all know that there isn't enough money available or enough suitors for the current crop of players to make literal wholesale changes.  Simon Mingolet will almost surely be the starting keeper going into next year and deservedly so given his form second half of the season.  Martin Skrtel, for good or bad will most likely be back next season.  Jordan Ibe just signed a new contract and will feature more prominently and Coutinho will have even more responsibility come the new season.

Outside of that, there are nothing but question marks.  Rodgers claims that Liverpool will not sell and Sterling will see out his contract.  A fine sentiment, but do you really want to receive no fee when the player leaves?  Rumors persist on social media that Joe Allen will stay and Lucas will go.  While that sentence should be reversed, I do not understand this groundswell of support for Lucas.  He cannot stay healthy and provides absolutely nothing in attack.  He is a solid defender, but if this club is depending on Lucas and/or Allen, then they will remain in dire straights.

Emre Can was brought in to be a midfielder and should be placed back in that role.  He did a serviceable job, but is not and may never be a back line defender.  He lacks the speed to play on the wing, lacks the knowledge to play well in the center and lacks the physicality, despite his size, to make the clearances he needs to.  Rickie Lambert is all but gone.  Mario Balotelli has loads of potential, but even as a personal fan, I understand that business comes first and this club may not be a fit and if someone is willing to spend on the Italian enigma, it would be wise to cash in.  Sakho can be a good defender, but looks less comfortable on the ball than a goalkeeper.

Jordan Henderson is relatively young and capable, but isn't that top talent needed to put up performances week in and week out.  Adam Lallana may stay or go and sadly, despite his effort and talents shown at Southampton, it may not actually affect the team much in either instance.  Sadly, that is the case for much of this squad.  Whether they stay or go, may not make much of a difference.  It all depends on who the manager brings in.

I am no football genius.  I do not know all the inner workings of who is available and who would be the best fit for the Reds.  Danny Ings has been mentioned, but could be just another Rickie Lambert.  Christian Benteke would be a nice add, but may be a pipe dream.  The discouraging thing going into this summer is that Liverpool need the exact same things they needed last offseason, plus more.  It will be a long offseason for this club.  But, for right or wrong, those that follow the club with their hearts will drink the kool-aid come next season and will always believe.  Liverpool have too much history, too much pride and too much support to become one of the also-rans.  We've seen teams make turnarounds following one decent to good transfer window.  All the fans can do now is hope that Brendan Rodgers, or whoever is in charge, will make good this time and restore Liverpool to some form of glory.

Random thoughts:
- For all their talents and media hype, Coutinho and Raheem Sterling did not do nearly enough this year.  Both had single digit goal scoring totals, when the team needed so much more.  Both will be good footballers going forward, but either lack the talent to carry a team alone or as a duo or simply need more supporting cast.

- On principle, I applaud BR for sitting Sterling.  Some will say it cost Liverpool the game, but given how bad that first half went, I doubt Sterling would've made a dent.  Regardless of what his future holds, Sterling should take a long look in the mirror and decide what he wants, not what his agent tells him he wants.  Even taking my supporter's hat off, Sterling would be better suited continuing to grow at Liverpool and then even bigger money will be available in a few years time.  If he wants less playing time and increased scrutiny that will come by playing at some other clubs, that is his prerogative.  However, with the way things have played out over the last few weeks, the player and his agent have done nothing but paint the youngster in a poor light, which will not be viewed well by potential suitors.

- It was not a good year to be a manager on Merseyside.  After looking like great tacticians last year, both Rodgers and Roberto Martinez had less than stellar campaigns.  While both are still viewed as good coaches, their performances this year may put both in the unemployment line.

- As I mentioned in the blog, I am one of, if not the only Mario Balotelli supporters left.  He presents an interesting problem for the club.  If you can recoup some of your money, then selling may be a good option.  However, there is talent in the man if it can be harnessed.  Unfortunately, nobody has managed to do that yet.  Also, to get the best out of him, you really need to form the squad around his talents, which would be a double edged sword.  If he produces it works out.  If he doesn't, then  you may have several players in wrong positions again.  This season showed that, whether it is Balotelli or even Sturridge, that playing with only one true striker (sometimes none at all) does not befit this club at the moment.

- Thank the maker that Steven Gerrard at least scored a memorable goal in his final Premier League match.  It was bad enough to see his team go out with an embarrassing performance, but if he would have been subbed off at the half or done nothing of note, it would not have been fitting.

- The hole that Gerrard will leave will be bigger than just the space he took on the field.  In the post match show on NBC, they spoke about the respect Gerrard gave to everyone around the stadium and training ground.  From the lunch lady to the parking attendants, Gerrard was held in high regard by everyone at the club.  It will be nearly impossible to replace the leadership he brought and the gravitas he carried.  Sadly, we may have witnessed the last of a dying breed.  In today's age, we may never again see a player spend his entire career, from youth to pro, at one club.  Those with the talent are drawn away by more money.  Those who stay are often replaced by someone younger.  While not on the level of Messi or Ronaldo, Gerrard was a once in a generation player in his own way.

Best wishes to all you Reds supporters during this long offseason.  Let us all hope for a much better end to next season.  This space will not be completely void during the summer.  I may transition to writing about Saint Louis FC or just sports in general.  If you wish to keep up with my musings, you may follow me on facebook or twitter:  https://twitter.com/TPanula.  I post my blogs and YouTube shows on there.

Walk On.

Game In Hand Goes To Pot

Let me preface today's blog with the fact that I did not see the entirety of today's match due to another DVR SNAFU (Which did not end up mattering as I saw the entire first half).  Liverpool's faint glimmer of hope for Champions League football has been all but dashed.  A midweek clash with Hull City, a squad fighting to stay above the relegation zone, seemed to be the good medicine Liverpool would need following a disappointing weekend match against West Brom.  Despite manager Brendan Rodgers' claims that the club played well on the weekend and just did not score, the team failed to answer the call in a time when three points are ever so precious.

Again, three points were needed to continue any hope of playing in Europe's top competition in this Tuesday match and Liverpool, again, failed to answer the bell.  This club, simply, has been a disappointment this season.  Despite glimmers and flashes of what could be, there have been far too many bad performances from the team.

Liverpool did create chances.  12 shots and nine on target are not stats to be scoffed at, but the quality of some of the attempts leaves much to be desired.  While the Reds could easily have had two or three goals in the first half - one coming off Mario Balotelli's backheel that went straight at the keeper, one coming off Coutinho's one-timer that went straight at the keeper and one that Jordan Henderson shot straight at the keeper - the bottom line is that the team did not finish their chances.  As fans we want to believe that there is talent in this squad, but either it is not being utilized correctly or it is simply not there.

People may blame Mario Balotelli for the loss, and would not be completely incorrect, but in fairness he was in position to make three Hull City attackers offside.  Unfortunately, the pass went to the one attacker smart enough to stay onside and nobody defended the ball.  Yes, Balotelli played the man offside and shoulders a large bit of blame, but the lack of urgency in attempting to defend that ball was shocking.  Premier League defenders should not be standing with their feet in quicksand and watching the ball go over their heads as though they were watching the first rocket blast into outer space.

One can also argue that the lack of urgency in this squad is quite alarming.  Fine, you go down by a goal in a late season match, only three days removed from your last match and one on the road.  But to see little to no fight after the halftime break is shocking.  If not for Simon Mingolet, a goalkeeper many fans were willing to place on the sacrificial altar during the January window, this team would have lost many more than 10 games.  The score would have been much worse than 1-0 in today's match as well.  Mingolet has been a rare bright spot in the month of April as the team has crumbled around him.

The sad part of all this is we have reached the point where cold, hard, calculated moves must be made.  Personally, I really like Brendan Rodgers.  But if he has lost the ear of this team and seems unable to pull off the moves to keep Liverpool in the upper echelon, then he must go.  Raheem Sterling is a great young talent.  However, as good as he is and can be, seven goals is not good enough.  I would not advocate selling him, but he has to do more than simply dribble and show speed to be a player deserving of the money he wants.  Coutinho is in the same boat.  He is a fantastic player, but more must be accomplished.  He cannot simply keep the ball on a string and show filthy moves and then blast the ball over the bar.  Sadly, despite their lack of truly accomplishing anything this season, those two have been the lone bright spots on this squad (at least in attacking terms).

Again, once the season is finished and every result tabulated, I will go more into depth about what this team needs and who is just not good enough.  As supporters, though, we are incredibly disappointed and frustrated right now.  Unfortunately, last year seems to be fools gold and we all took a piece.  Everyone knew, the loss of one of the top five players in the world in Suarez was going to be a big blow, but we did not know that it would deprive the team of all its scoring.  Nobody has stepped up to fill the void and players that were to be counted on in important roles like Daniel Sturridge and Lucas continue to get injured if you look at them the wrong way.

Even taking the supporter hat off, this team has become difficult to watch.  The club is slow at the back, ineffective through the midfield and lack cutthroat, clinical finishing in attack.  At this moment, we are all at a loss.  Anger presents many options and opinions in the heat of the moment, but many are lacking any true thought or consideration.  The winds of change are surely stirring inside the Shankly Gates, but for now all the fans can do is hope the season ends on an up-note.  It is a sad state of affairs, given the promise going into the year, but that is what they are left with.

Walk On.