SAS: From a one-man to a two-man team

Liverpool’s critics never seem to back off. Of course the sheer size and success of this club means that pundits and media will always find issues about the club newsworthy and important. However it seems for some it’s not just about giving out news about this club. Theirs is just relentless criticisms and doubt about everything Liverpool.

Until recently LFC was labeled a one man team; a team that badly malfunctioned in the absence of Steve Gerrard. Whiles this may be viewed in a very small positive sense as a ringing endorsement of his talent, most often, it referenced the poor depth and quality of the Liverpool team. Admittedly the squads of the last few years are dwarfed by many of the squads this club has had and a number of the players that have called Melwood their office have been just sub standard.

But that is not the entire picture. There have been some excellent players too. The Alonso- Gerard midfield axis that fed the then prolific Torres was only a reality not too long ago. Even in those times LFC had to be bailed severally by the magic of Steven Gerrard. The tag- one man team- gained much currency when the Alonso’s, Torres, Mascheranos etc left and the Carrols, Downing’s, Poulsens etc came in. It is true the club had on several occasions relied on its captain to just pull it along but the picture created that LFC failed to function in his absence was wide off the mark. As time and age will have it, Gerrard’s lost some aspects of his game. Step up Suarez. The January 2011 acquisition from Ajax took a while in settling into the unstoppable gear he operates in now but since the 2012/13 season, he has really become a linchpin. His form did not alter the tag. It only shifted the reasoning behind it: Gerrard to Suarez.

Suarez didn’t feature in the first 6 league matches and responsibility was thrust on Sturridge. He stepped up and delivered. Then Suarez returned. In the ensuing 5 matches that they were paired the media tagged them SAS, with a footnote: deadliest striking pair in the league. 12 goals between them in the five matches interspersed with a number of intelligent and eye catching displays earned them the tag. It seemed positive for Liverpool. Part of the media will take a dim view again. Suddenly Liverpool is a two man team. It’s a source of pride for every LFC fan to ‘own’ the best striking pair in England. The media now creates the impression nothing will happen for LFC if SAS refuses to shine. The Arsenal match may provide ammunition for such view point but it’s only an exception.

Liverpool has made progress but it is a two- man team. Any observer will realize that this is the most balanced and rounded LFC teams in the last few years. The flexibility within the team is unbelievable and I am surprised the media has not seized on it; yet. It will definitely be one of the factors that will be held up as an ingredient for success if LFC achieves something big come May. The number of players who can function in several roles without losing their efficiency is breathtaking. Jordan Henderson has already played as a right wing back, a defensive midfielder and an attacking midfielder already in the season. Coutinho has been deployed as a playmaker and operated as part of a front three too. Victor Moses has functioned as play maker and also a winger. Suarez can float around a number of roles and positions whiles Sturridge is not a stationary striker but one who drifts in and out of position.

The list goes on and on with Allen, Alberto, Sakho, Johnson etc all capable of functioning in various roles. Liverpool coped really well in Suarez’s absence even though with him in around, the team is fortified. You don’t need to look beyond SAS itself to know that Liverpool is more than SAS. Only two out of the eighteen goals scored by SAS were created by SAS. Even though goals have mainly come from SAS, chances for scoring them have been spread across the pitch. While their individual brilliance plays a great part of their game and brings incredible mileage to LFC, the efforts of their team mates enhance their effectiveness. It will be simplistic to suggest that any other striking pair would flourish as they have but SAS has ridden on the backs of the efforts of the whole team.

The runs of Johnson down the right flank, Henderson’s running and pressing, Mignolet’s alacrity and saves, Gerard’s set-pieces and Coutinho’s creativity all go to make the work of SAS effective. The LFC jigsaw now has more than one important component. There is a spine to this team that runs from back to front; top to down, if you like. Mignolet presents an assured and reliable base for our defense. He has acquitted himself very well since joining the club and has already done enough to convince all about his ability. A season ago Agger- Skrtel was developing into a great central defensive partnership. The development was stuttered mainly because of Skrtel’s dip in form. But he has reacted well, found his form and won his place back. Whiles the jury is still out there about his suitability to Rodgers ball playing style there is little doubt about his defensive abilities. The central defense has traditionally been an area LFC has produced illustrious names. Thompson, Carragher, Hypia etc. The Agger- Skrtel combination is developing fine enough but they cannot be afforded any pampering in their development. Sakho-Toure looks as strong as Agger-Skrtel. Some fans even rate Sakho-Toure over Agger-Skrtel.

The attacking thrust of our full backs are very important facets of Liverpool’s play and so far has become a helping hand to SAS. The middle of the pitch for Liverpool can really do with some infusion of quality especially in the defensive midfield area. Am sure Rodgers will look to address it in the coming transfer windows. That said, what is already in existence has provided the platform for SAS to perform. The pressing, hurrying of oppositions, great passing from Gerard, Henderson and Coutinho have given SAS the ammunition to fire the team on. LFC’s fourth goal against Fulham was more to do with Henderson and Gerard pressing Richardson rather than Suarez’s brilliance. Take nothing away from Suarez. He took his chance very well. Henderson and Gerard however created that chance out of nothing. Rodgers stressed over the summer that he is building a squad of a well knit efficient unit rather than a collection of individuals. He is on course to do that. SAS may be the poster boys of the team but they are as much reliant on the team as the team is on them.