New signings show Liverpool FC's intent
This summer has seen a big overhaul in players and mentality at Liverpool Football Club.
A total of £54 million has been spent, and another £8m expected with the arrival of Uruguayan defender Sebastián Coates.
It was obvious for all to see which positions needed strengthening this summer - left-back, centre midfield, central defence, wingers and strikers. Every position has been taken care of since January (the new owner's first chance to spend). The forwards are set to be strengthened even more with the rumoured arrival of former Red and childhood supporter, Craig Bellamy.
The signings so far have shown a real desire and shown the intentions of the club for the coming season.
Bringing in Charlie Adam to sure up the midfield was clever, as he now provides the link between midfield and attack that has been missing ever since Xabi Alonso stepped through the exit door and made his way to Madrid.
Jose Enrique at left-back for £6 million is a bargain. The Spaniard is on the verge of an International call-up and will - without doubt - become the first-choice left-back for the national team. Last season an opposition player dribbled past Enrique nine times in the whole season - NINE! He played 36 out of 38 league games last season. That is a phenomenal number and shows real promise for the 25-year-old.
Stewart Downing has arrived from Aston Villa for £20 million. Another clever signing as Downing has plenty of pace, can beat a man and has an excellent cross - which is vital if Dalglish is to get the best out of Andy Carroll. Stewart can play on either wing and is capable of cutting in and shooting with either foot - an important skill to have. The Englishman will bring directness, assists and goals to the Liverpool side. An exciting signing for the club.
Jordan Henderson has also arrived to strengthen the midfield. He, also, was costly at an estimated price of around £20 million. He has come in for some criticism from small sections of fans, though. Some say he is 'average' and has 'no explosiveness' to his game. People who know what he's all about can combat that by talking about his passing qualities and his calmness on the ball. He keeps passing moves going and keeps things ticking over. He isn't the finished article yet, which I fear is why he is getting a lot of criticism. He needs time. Anyone remember how Lucas fared in his first couple of seasons? Now look at him. Henderson will come good. He's obviously been signed with the future of the club in mind and will be a key player for Liverpool for many years to come.
The work of John Henry, Damien Comolli and Kenny Dalglish has been exceptional. They have scouted players properly and have gone for the players that the team needed, filling in areas of weakness and adding a strong depth to the squad.
Liverpool's intentions this season are vastly different and far superior to last season's. 'Rebuilding' and 'steadying the ship' that Rafael Benitez had apparently rocked were the aims. This season the club are aiming for the top, not quite the peak, but near the top. European football is a must in these parts and a return to Champions League football is the aim.
The club is still in a rebuilding stage but are nearing the end of it and stepping into the new era. An era where the club competes for trophies. Exciting times on Merseyside, well, for the red side anyway!
Follow me on twitter - @JackWatsonLFC
Jose Enrique at left-back for £6 million is a bargain. The Spaniard is on the verge of an International call-up and will - without doubt - become the first-choice left-back for the national team. Last season an opposition player dribbled past Enrique nine times in the whole season - NINE! He played 36 out of 38 league games last season. That is a phenomenal number and shows real promise for the 25-year-old.
Stewart Downing has arrived from Aston Villa for £20 million. Another clever signing as Downing has plenty of pace, can beat a man and has an excellent cross - which is vital if Dalglish is to get the best out of Andy Carroll. Stewart can play on either wing and is capable of cutting in and shooting with either foot - an important skill to have. The Englishman will bring directness, assists and goals to the Liverpool side. An exciting signing for the club.
Jordan Henderson has also arrived to strengthen the midfield. He, also, was costly at an estimated price of around £20 million. He has come in for some criticism from small sections of fans, though. Some say he is 'average' and has 'no explosiveness' to his game. People who know what he's all about can combat that by talking about his passing qualities and his calmness on the ball. He keeps passing moves going and keeps things ticking over. He isn't the finished article yet, which I fear is why he is getting a lot of criticism. He needs time. Anyone remember how Lucas fared in his first couple of seasons? Now look at him. Henderson will come good. He's obviously been signed with the future of the club in mind and will be a key player for Liverpool for many years to come.
The work of John Henry, Damien Comolli and Kenny Dalglish has been exceptional. They have scouted players properly and have gone for the players that the team needed, filling in areas of weakness and adding a strong depth to the squad.
Liverpool's intentions this season are vastly different and far superior to last season's. 'Rebuilding' and 'steadying the ship' that Rafael Benitez had apparently rocked were the aims. This season the club are aiming for the top, not quite the peak, but near the top. European football is a must in these parts and a return to Champions League football is the aim.
The club is still in a rebuilding stage but are nearing the end of it and stepping into the new era. An era where the club competes for trophies. Exciting times on Merseyside, well, for the red side anyway!
Follow me on twitter - @JackWatsonLFC
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"Bringing in Charlie Adam to sure up the midfield was clever, as he now provides the link between midfield and attack that has been missing ever since Xabi Alonso stepped through the exit door"
Not exactly. You need a world class performer in that role. Charlie Adams is very average and concedes too many free kicks in very dangerous areas detrimental to the team.
We need a world class performer in the role Charlie Adam. Charlie Adams is very average and concedes too many free kicks in very dangerous areas detrimental to the team.
I disagree. You don't NEED a world class performer there. Adam is a very good player and knows the English game. He's fast, a good tackler, has a great shot, fantastic passer and great at set-pieces - for what, £7/8m? Bargain in my eyes. Yes, he's given away a couple of free-kicks but the work he does at the other end of the pitch and the middle more than makes up for that.
We've got a really good player in the middle there.
What makes Charlie Adam average in the role he currently plays? How is his role interpreted and evaluated by fans? Who actually compares to Alonso?
Let's move away from such and focus on where LFC's headed. The Arsenal game sums up where the team currently stands. When did the Kop Nation last see the quality of subs Kenny made against Arsenal (Suarez and Meireles)? Isn't that by itself indication of newfound depth in the squad?
Is Hendo as bad as people keep harping on? I looked at the second half against Arsenal and saw how quickly the ball started moving, with exciting linkages between Lucas, Adam, Henderson, Suarez, Meireles, Downing and Enrique from the back. Keeping it simple, like Lucas does, might make a player look less spectacular but it doesn't make them bad.
This team is moving by leaps. Who'd have thought a rebuilding team like ours, recently returned from the chaos of G & H's ownership tenure, can snap up the likes of Marcos Bueno and Sebastian Coates?
There is much more to get excited about than whine. I prefer to support the team, trust our managerial team and keep believing.
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