On 22nd
December 2012, Liverpool were loitering lowly in an unfamiliar 12th
position in the Premier League. The reds took until their sixth attempt to get
a league win on the board – a stark contrast to the club’s recent form, losing just
one of their last 11 games and conceding just three goals in six matches.
Brendan Rodgers team’s improvement
has been noticeable in their play on the pitch as well as statistically – so what
has caused their upturn in performances and results?
Firstly, Liverpool’s
players have needed time to adjust to their new manager’s tactical ethos.
Rodgers arrived in the summer of 2012 and immediately set about installing his
preferred short-passing, high-intensity game. His players seemed somewhat
reluctant to stray from any instruction – unknowingly compromising their creative
talent – as they looked desperate to please the Northern-Irishman. As the
season has progressed, the shackles have appeared to loosen so to speak, with
the team taking the opportunity to play a long-ball when the opportunity arises
for example. Captain, Steven Gerrard, has been a particular beneficiary of the
more pragmatic style. The midfielder is at his best when he’s controlling
matches from the centre of the pitch, spraying passes with sublime accuracy to
teammates over 50 yards away.
Undoubtedly pivotal to the
reds’ development was their work in the January transfer-window of 2013.
Brendan Rodgers secured the services of Daniel Sturridge, who he had shown an
interest in since arriving at Liverpool. The striker instantly began to justify
his £12m price-tag, scoring just seven minutes into his debut for the reds in
an FA cup tie against Mansfield Town on 6th January. It was clear
the club had brought in something they previously lacked - pace in attack – to compliment
the skilful Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan’s current 10 match ban has handed Sturridge
increased responsibility at the top end of the pitch for Liverpool, which he
has certainly not shirked. The English forward has scored 10 and assisted five
goals in just 11 Premier League starts for the reds.
Brendan Rodgers’ second
recruit of the new year, and no less impressive than their first, was Philippe
Coutinho. The exuberant Brazilian arrived at Anfield on 26th January
2013 for £8.5m – a price which is beginning to look like a steal for Liverpool,
considering Coutinho is just 20 years old. Having already racked up seven assists
in 11 Premier League starts, the attacking midfielder is sure to be a central
figure for the reds as they look to continue to progress.
In my opinion, the recall
of Jamie Carragher to the team has been another factor which must be attributed
to Liverpool’s change of fortunes since the turn of the year. The retiring club
stalwart was originally ousted from the team in 2011 by Martin Skrtel, due to
the Slovakian’s impressive form. Despite approaching the end of his career,
Carragher refused to relinquish his place without a fight, and began to put
pressure on his replacement with some commanding performances in cup
competitions. On 19th January the Liverpool manager, Brendan
Rodgers, handed the scouser a starting spot in the team against Norwich in the
Premier League. The reds ran out convincing five-nil winners, with Carragher
looking particularly comfortable in defence. "I thought about his
leadership. We are a quiet team and he's a great organiser - he manages the
game very well,” Rodgers explained. “He's got big experience, and he can play
football. I thought him coming in would give us that extra bit of leadership.
We saw that from him, he was fantastic." Carragher has since retained his
place in the team, overseeing a marked improvement in the reds’ results; they
have lost just two of their last 15 Premier League games.
2013 has so far been an
encouraging year for Brendan Rodgers and his team, and the Liverpool boss will
be hoping his players can carry forward their recent form and make a fast start
to the 2013/14 Premier League season in August.
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