Liverpool: A return to the glory days on the cards?

The final score read 0-0 at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal and Chelsea fans were not amused by a drab draw between two of the Barclays Premier League title contenders. Nevertheless, Liverpool fans benefited from this result, as Liverpool stormed to the top of the Premier League standings, ahead of Arsenal on goal difference.

This was only the second time since 1990-91 that Liverpool topped the lot at Christmas (previously topped in 2008-09); just a positive sign for a club, which at one point of time, won most of the laurels in England, as well as in Europe. The trophies were a common sight, until Sir Alex Ferguson was appointed as manager of Manchester United, replacing the sacked Ron Atkinson. He famously vowed to ‘knock Liverpool off the perch’, and in 2011, he delivered his promise.

Liverpool seemed to have been lost in translation. It was perhaps the end of an era, signified by the glorious 1970s and 1980s under Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley. However, since Liverpool legend Alan Hansen lifted the English First Division title (now the Barclays Premier League) in 1990, there appeared to be a drought of trophies at Liverpool.

With just one FA Cup and one League Cup in the kitty, Liverpool seemed clueless about what was needed to be done, until Gérard Houllier won the mini-treble (FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup) in 2001. Although trophies came in scantily, Liverpool fans never felt closer to ‘those’ days. But there was hope. And Liverpool fans were patient enough.

Gérard Houllier was sacked after the 2003-04 season, and was replaced by Rafael Benitez, who had won the UEFA Cup with Valencia. He appeared to be the best man for the job, when Liverpool won the UEFA Champions League in Istanbul on 25^th May 2005, beating AC Milan 3-2 on penalties, after it finished 3-3 in a remarkable second-half comeback.

The trophy was lifted by none other than Liverpool born Steven Gerrard. This, along with the FA Cup triumph in 2006, marked the dawn of a new era, at least for some fans. However, the situation was about to turn hostile. From ownership problems, to the famous Benitez-Ferguson war of words, which some said, lost the title for Liverpool, there was little left for Liverpool fans to do. Benitez was eventually sacked in June 2010, and the club was sold to Fenway Sports Group, owned by John W. Henry, on 15^th October 2010.

This was a sign of redemption. However, it started off poorly for FSG, as Liverpool slipped into the relegation zone after the first 9 matches, under Roy Hodgson. Rival fans celebrated ‘Liverpool relegation party’, and came up with many other spoofs. Roy Hodgson was eventually sacked and replaced by the beloved Kenny Dalglish. It sounded resplendent.

The feeling of having the same manager, who won the last title for Liverpool, was quickly accepted by the loyal fans, as Liverpool finished seventh in the Premier League in 2011. But Dalglish’s tenure was not less than a controversy in itself. It was marred by the infamous racial abuse incident, when Luis Suárez allegedly threw a racial slur at Patrice Evra, during a highly temperamental match against Manchester United.

Liverpool, especially Kenny Dalglish, publicly supported Luis Suárez over the allegations. But the support was unjustified, as Suárez accepted the 8-match ban. The goal machine was out for eight matches, which affected the morale of the team. Eventually, Liverpool finished a lowly eighth in the league in 2012.

Although Dalglish helped Liverpool win the League Cup in a scintillating final against Cardiff City, their first trophy in six years, he was sacked because of the lowly finish in the league, and his handling of the Evra-Suárez incident.

Sacked – this has been one of the most commonly used words in recent years in the Premier League. Liverpool did not leave any stone unturned in using this word. Everybody was in awe with the longevity of Sir Alex Ferguson (Manchester United) and Arsene Wenger (Arsenal). Even David Moyes (Everton) was not left far behind.

Principal owner John W. Henry sought for a new manager, but he did not want any temporary replacement. He maintained that he wanted a permanent replacement for the on-going sack-anomy and was willing to invest time in searching a successor to Kenny Dalglish.

The two candidates who emerged were Roberto Martinez (who managed Wigan Athletic) and Brendan Rodgers (who managed Swansea City). Meetings were held with Martinez, but reports suggested that he was apparently not happy with the fact that control over transfers was not in his hands. Time flew by, and after much debate over this issue, Liverpool appointed Brendan Rodgers as manager.

The news did not come as a shock; his style of play at Swansea City earned them a mid-table finish in their first ever season in the division. With a huge burden on his shoulders, Brendan Rodgers accepted the role in a very admirable way. He employed his tactics at Liverpool, similar to the tiki-taka style of play that Pep Guardiola used at Barcelona.

It took time for veterans like Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher to adapt to this style; this was justified by a seventh place finish in the league. But there was hope. The style of play, along with successful inward transfers of Daniel Sturridge and Phillipe Coutinho, provided a ray of light. But yet again, there was controversy.

Luis Suárez received a 10-match ban for biting Branislav Ivanovic during the game against Chelsea. This was followed by the public desire of Suárez to leave the club for Champions League football. Arsenal came knocking, with a ‘stupendous’ £40,000,001 bid for Luis Suárez, which they assumed would trigger a release clause.

Who would have predicted that one year prior to this incident, it was claimed that Suárez had held discussions with his agent to get the clause removed? Liverpool ultimately rejected all bids and successfully retained Luis Suárez for another season.

Unlike predecessor Kenny Dalglish, Brendan Rodgers earned praise, especially for the handling of the Suárez biting incident and transfer saga. He stood firm with his decisions, and like a mature individual, enabled Liverpool to move on.

With this positive philosophy, the team reaped rewards. Liverpool consistently delivered good results, and with breath-taking performances, they made sure that doubters moved to other clubs for criticism. All said and done, Liverpool now sit at the summit of the Premier League standings on Christmas Eve, 2013.

Does this mean that glory days are back at Liverpool? The answer is, probably yes.

Prior to the start of the season, Brendan Rodgers requested Liverpool FC to re-install red nets at Anfield, to signify the glorious 70s and 80s. The liverbird was re-established at the entry tunnel for the same reason. Not just this, Brendan Rodgers bears a stark resemblance with the legend Bill Shankly. And appearance is not the only resemblance; the victory celebration is strikingly similar! Astonishing, isn’t it?