Liverpool FC: The Start of a new era?

My last article was way back in September. Quite a hiatus, isn’t it. Well, the Hicks-Gillet ownership saga and the short regime of Roy Hodgson certainly took its toll on me. And that too to the extent that I lost my appetite for writing about what I love.

But the return of the King has certainly livened our spirits. The lacklustre place that Liverpool had become is buzzing now. The mood amongst the players, fans, coaching staff and the owners is of insatiable pride and hunger to fight our way back to the top end of the league where we should be competing. So much so that even the departure of Fernando Torres, once the darling of the KOP, to a rival team in the January Transfer window, has not been able to dampen the spirits. In contrast, what we are getting to see under the new regime is a set of players who have transformed from frail, dissipated figures to individuals confident in their own ability and invigorated to play for the sole cause that is our beloved club. And all the credit goes to one man and one man only, our very own King Kenny.

The King has returned to bring the glory days back to Anfield

The Scot is an absolute legend at the club and has been at the helm of Liverpool’s success both as a player and a manager. The timing of his second stint couldn’t be better. In all honesty, the fans had braced themselves for a season of struggling in mid table places for the remainder of the season under Hodgson. So much was the negativity that watching the team play had become exercising on the eye. The depleting crowd support was a clear evidence of that. Moreover, Hodgson never endeared himself to the fans by trying to be politically correct in his press conferences and constantly downplaying expectations. The tactics were not great either as it did not seem like the players bought his negative brand of football.

When NESV finally decided that the stop-gap arrangement had to come to an end, the dilemma they faced was to appoint somebody who would be ready to work as an interim manager till the summer when they decide to hire their own man to start the rebuilding process on field. And in stepped the King with the massive responsibility of stopping the rot. Many experts advised against the owner’s decisions to appoint the former player and manager due to his absence from the game for a good two decades. But the risk has paid handsome dividends.

The reign started with two disappointing losses to fierce rivals Manchester United and Blackpool and his chances were written off almost immediately. Oh well, the doubters might have to swallow their words come the end of the season. We are starting to see the emergence of a proper footballing unit with players like Kelly and Meireles in starring roles. Even under-performing players like Glen Johnson and Christian Poulsen look up to the scratch.

Supporters might be happy that we have got two genuinely world class strikers in Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll to replace Fernando Torres. But for me, the most shrewd signing by Dalglish has been the appointment of Steve Clarke as the first team coach. The pair, along with Sammy Lee, have installed the old Boot Room mentality back to the club. The players look comfortable playing in different systems because of the pass and move ethics that has been instilled in them by the King. The lads look at ease on the ball and confident to string a few passes rather than just hoofing it up field. And the best part is that the attitude and the mindset of the players has become quite positive.

It might be a bit premature to say this at the moment, but we are genuinely in with a shout for the final Champions League place. If the consistency can be maintained for the remainder of what has been a tight league season, we might just be able to achieve it. Not bad for a team who was struggling at the wrong end of the table barely a month ago.

Call it the feel good factor or Kenny’s magic wand, but Liverpool FC feels more like what it used to be. And with the King back in the dugout, the optimism in me says onwards and upwards from here.

YNWA