One of the new generation of Kopites leading the way these days with intelligent comment and loyal, passionate support, Paul Grant writes a guest post for The Anfield Shrine looking at what legacy our current side could leave behind... whatever happens this season..
As we our
currently facing our biggest title challenge for 24 years, I thought it would
be a good time to reflect on just how far we have come, not only in the past
few months, but since Brendan Rodgers took to the throne in summer 2012.
Without commenting my opinion on whether I think we will eventually win it or
not I will take a look into the possibly legacy that Rodgers and our current
squad can leave.
Despite
having the wonderful presence of Kenny Dalglish leading us to our first trophy
in 6 years and taking us to a FA cup final there was no denying that we
finished in our worst league position for 50 years. Deep down I believe we all
knew that it was time for a change in the hot seat, even if it meant sinking
possibly lower. The owners were left with the daunting task finding us that man
who would reshape our team from top to bottom in order to lead us success in
years to come, that man was Brendan Rodgers.
Looking at
Brendan’s previous track record there was certainly a sense of doubt, admittedly
from myself also. Sacked after 22 games in charge of Reading, and despite
leading Swansea to promotion to the Premier League there was whispers of him
just simply inheriting Roberto Martinez’s side. We heard in the very first few
weeks about how Brendan is going to take us not only back into the Champions
League elite but hopefully lead us to a title challenge and by how we would do
it playing an attractive possession style game, somewhat similar to his Swansea
side who he lead to 11th in his debut Premier League season.
In the early
days, although it didn’t seem the results were going our way, we could
certainly see the managers imprint on the team, shown through signings like Joe
Allen, and despite only finishing 7th in our first year with the new
boss we knew that things would certainly be a lot brighter in years to come.
Fast forward
12 months, a lot has happened, on and off the pitch. We currently sit 4 games
away from our first league title in 24 years, and whether we manage to pull it
off or not, there is certainly no doubt that not only Liverpool fans, but
football fans in general are amazed at the job Rodgers has done with Liverpool.
Despite missing out on numerous transfers since his arrival he has managed to
get 110% out of every single player on the pitch. Even one of the few tactical
criticisms of Rodgers football about being too predictable has certainly been
blown out the water. 5-3-2, 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3, 4-4-2 diamond; we have seen it all
this season and there is no doubt that it has worked well to our advantage, one
perfect example of Rodgers influence on players is to look at Steven Gerrard.
“He’s over”,
“His legs are gone”, “He’s a shade of the player he once was”, just a few
comments I recall from the past few seasons about Steven Gerrard. Now sitting
in his deeper, playmaker role for us leading us to an impeding 19th
title there is no doubt that Rodgers has not only improved him as a player
overall but has probably extended his career for another 3 or so years.
Being of the
younger generation of Kopites, I have grown up with Gerrard, in fact I attended
my first Liverpool game not too long after his debut. There is no doubt for me
that he is the greatest Liverpool player, admittedly it is hard to say this as
I never grew up with the greats of Rush, Dalglish, Barnes, Souness, Keegan,
Liddell etc. but I think most will agree it will certainly be hard to deny him
of that title if he leads us to the championship.
Another
example of Brendan’s terrific man management is his handling of the Luis Suarez
situation. Around a year ago, I remember getting outside Anfield to read this
confusion on my phone that Suarez had disgraced the club by biting Branislav
Ivanovic’s arm. I was horrified, not only by the incident but the seemingly
certain departure of the player. Again, fast forward 12 months, he has
transformed his game and is now widely regarded as one of the best in the
world, 29 league goals, despite missing the first 5 games through suspension
and with 4 games still to play he has certainly sent shockwaves around the
world, mainly to certain Premier League defenders.
There is
always arguments about the legacy of players, who is determined as the greats,
no doubt if Michael Owen and/or Fernando Torres would have stayed with us that
they were certainly destined for legacy at the club but their departures have
somewhat of a sour taste in our mouths, that is one reason why I really would
love for us to win this league title. Not only would one of the greatest
strikers in the world almost certainly be staying with us for at least another
season but he would be propelled into Anfield greatness; and despite all his
negatives there is no doubt that he brings many smiles around Merseyside and we
hope it continues for years to come.
But
regardless of how these next 4 games end up, there is no doubting the great job
that Brendan Rodgers has done for our team over a relatively short time period,
and hopefully continues to do. No doubting that Gerrard is one of the greatest
players to wear the famous red shirt. No doubting that Suarez is one of the
greatest strikers to play for us and is possibly one of the best in the world.
We must not forget that, no matter how this season ends, but there are also no
doubts that not only those 3, but the other players who have all chipped in
with their bit this season will earn a place in our hearts for the rest of our
lives.
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