Other than the obvious gross errors in splashing so much money out on the likes of Andy Carroll, Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson, something else that worried me about the Comolli-Dalglish partnership was the decision by them to bin Alberto Aquilani.
The Italian midfielder was outstanding in pre-season and exactly the kind of flair player that the team had been lacking. I was finally enthusiastic about this big-money signing only to be left scratching my head when the club opted to farm him out, this after the manager had said he still had a future at the club.
Those who try to defend the decision to let Aquilani go claim the player wanted out but they forget to reference the numerous interviews where he said that he wanted to be given a chance at Anfield. When it became obvious that his face didn't fit - which I'm led to believe was because of his salary - then of course he declared he'd had enough and would return to Italy if the club wanted to sell him.
Another myth that people use against Aquilani is that they try to say he spends more time out injured. The thing is these people are stuck back in the period when he was struggling with an injury. They seem to forget that it's now 2012. I hate stats and rarely use them but according to Soccerbase, Aquilani has figured in 27 games this season for Milan, which means he's put in more appearances than Lucas (19) and Steven Gerrard (24) at Liverpool.
During my trip to Milan last week I asked many Milan fans what they thought of Aquilani and they spoke very highly of him. They're hoping he will remain at the San Siro. I knew that would be their response because having watched him in action, he's been putting in some decent performances.
Once he makes his 25th appearance for Milan they will pay Liverpool just £5million to sign him permanently.
Some media sources and fan sites say that clause has now been activated but that's not the case because of the way the terms are worded. If Aquilani starts a game for Milan and comes off even after just a few minutes it counts as a full game but if he comes off the bench that is considered half a game. My calculations are that Aquilani has chalked up 22 appearances under the terms written out by Liverpool. I could be wrong as maths was never my strongest subject! But £5million is an absolute bargain when you consider what we shelled out last year on certain players who have failed to deliver at Anfield.
I have said many times before that I don't think the Comolli-Dalglish partnership would work. Which brings me on to my next point. Andy Carroll. The worst bit of business in the transfer market by Liverpool Football Club ever and it happened under the watch of these 2. Do not even attempt to justify that they had to spend so much as it was a 'panic buy'. I could have delivered you a goalscorer for a 3rd of that price and with just an hour to spare. If you don't believe me, then up it to £17.5m and I'll still save £17.5m.
As much as Kenny wanted him (they admitted they were going to try and sign him in the summer), Comolli was the negotiator and he p*ssed £35m in hard cash up the wall for a player who didn't even want to leave Newcastle. Bombed out by Newcastle, who are still rolling around the floor laughing, Carroll was never going to fit in at Anfield.
While I don't rate him, or even consider him worth half of the £35m we paid for him, I feel for him. It's got to the point now where I can't understand the thinking of the manager in relation to the striker. Even though I want to see Carroll offloaded in the summer, he should be starting just about every game. How can a striker gain confidence and understanding of his attacking team-mates if he's sat on the bench? It just doesn't make sense to me.
The fact that he's continually benched is signalling a clear message to him from the manager: 'I have no faith in you'. We are a laughing stock because of this disastrous bit of business. But even so, play the lad for crying out loud. Remember, I don't rate Carroll but we really don't have any other options. Give him a run of a dozen games or more and maybe you'll get a return, at the very least his alarmingly low valuation may rise a little for clubs interested in taking a gamble on him. By dumping him on the bench the manager is just chipping away at his already broken confidence. It's annoying to see.
I don't want to bang on about the manager and the lack of faith I currently have in him. Something just feels wrong at Anfield. When he was first appointed, numerous players who you would consider average upped their games and looked something else. Where has that desire gone and why? It's very strange. I can only put it down to the players losing faith, not necessarily in the manager but maybe because they knew they were out of the challenge for 4th a long time ago.
Feedback I receive from Melwood suggests that things are more informal than they were under Ged and Rafa. That formal feel that oozes out of Europe's top clubs isn't as evident as it was but maybe this is because Liverpool Football Club is no longer a European force. That isn't exclusively Kenny's fault of course as the ship had drifted a little during the takeover period. But worryingly, we still seem way off course. Maybe Rafa was too distant and Kenny is too close, I'm not sure. What do you think?
There's few positives of late but I must say I was happy to see Raheem Sterling handed his debut against Wigan. But as much as I wanted to see him involved, throwing a kid on for his debut with just 5 minutes to go in an embarrassing home game that we're about to lose shouldn't have happened. I can't get my head round that. However, I got more enjoyment out of his few minutes on the pitch than I did any of the others. We have nothing to lose so start him. Can he really do much worse than the £20million wing-wizard Stewart Downing? I doubt it.
My other request is that Jonjo Shelvey is given more time. I'd pick him over Henderson any day of the way. He was doing really well on loan and I think he has the potential to become a great Liverpool player. It must have been a right kick in the teeth when we spunked all that money on Henderson. While I'm not a fan of Henderson, I wouldn't be in a rush to move him on. Deployed in the right position and with a little maturity he could shine. However, with the money paid for him, I'm expecting much more from him now, today, not tomorrow.
Liverpool's current league position is unacceptable. Those who have lost faith shouldn't be continually told by those who wanted Roy Hodgson axing so soon into the job, that a manager should always be given time and 'What about YNWA?'. Well I will say this, Roy Hodgson was not given time, nor the funds that Kenny was and he certainly walked alone. Roy was never going to be accepted because of the way he was appointed and because Kenny was overlooked. People even blamed him for Rafa's exit. But even so, he was a good man but the attacks on him were over the top, almost sickening at times. Even today Liverpool fans who refer to him as 'Woy' sadden me. I'm not going to point out the more favourable statistics that Roy just managed to edge as it would make Kenny look foolish and that's not my intention, what I'm trying to say is I hate double standards. Kenny is exempt because he's a Liverpool legend and I imagine it's only the older fans who are his most loyal because they're still seeing the number 7.
I was about 15 when Kenny stood down the first time. It broke my heart and I was chuffed to bits to see him brought back to the club by Rafa Benitez. His vision was to have Kenny overseeing the Academy and I can see Rafa's thinking now. Every kid would see the King walking the corridors of the Academy and be in awe. Here was a man, the greatest player to ever turn out for the club who understood every principal about what the club should be, how it should think, how it should operate.
Those who want Kenny gone talk of Kenny standing aside and moving 'upstairs' but I disagree. When he does stand down - and he won't be sacked, he'll go when he knows the time is ready - I hope he returns to the Academy. This wouldn't be a failure, he was brought in to steady the ship following the exit of George Gillett and Tom Hicks and the brief managerial reign of Roy Hodgson. Prior to his appointment as manager, Kenny was allegedly complaining behind the scenes that he felt exploited and like the Pope where they wheeled him out when needing to boost the image of the Anfield church. I don't want to see him used like that.
People ask me if I would replace Kenny now. If I'm honest, I'd rather not see a change in mid-season. The season is nearly over and we still have an FA Cup to play for. Finishing outside the top 4 is a huge failure with or without cups but having some silverware is a nice consolation. My biggest fear isn't what happens between now and the end of season in terms of results, it's about what happens in the summer. I have no faith with our transfer strategy and it is that which makes me inclined to change things. We are over paying for average players, players who, for what they do cost, shouldn't have potential, they should be ready now. And as for us signing kids, where are they all going because all I ever see is kids coming in. It makes me wonder if the Academy is a front for some kind of VISA/Passport operation run by a Nigerian gang. Trying to identify kids before other clubs is nothing new. That's why the Academy was built but please, we need some proven, experienced talent to do the business today.
I am convinced that Rafa Benitez would shine under the current owners if they afforded him the same backing that they have Dalglish and Comolli. He performed miracles under extraordinary difficult circumstances. His downfall was losing the support of key players such as Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard. It is claimed that their biggest beef with Benitez was his insistence on playing Lucas. But who turned out to be right? While touching on Carragher, I think he should hang up his boots at the end of the season, and that's coming from one of his biggest fans. It saddens me to see the stick he's receiving these days. Taking into consideration Carragher's performances this term, I can see why Rafa was reluctant to give Carragher the contract he wanted. Back then, Rafa said: "When you are considering contracts for players who are over 30 it is not the same as when you are talking to players who are 25. With Carra we have to see. He is fit and he is doing well and we will see. We don't have a club rule about players over 30, but it does depend on the individual," - he was right again.
Some supporters are split on Rafa. I don't understand that myself because any criticisms I had of Rafa I erased when I think how stupid I was to take the odd shot at him towards the end of his reign, because I selfishly never thought that much about his working conditions. I would have loved to have seen him given £35m by the current owners to spend on a striker. I can guarantee you it wouldn't have been blown on Andy Carroll. You only have to cast your mind back to numerous players he tried to sign but was denied. Alves, Villa, Silva, Mata, Simao, Busquets. People use the Barry-Alonso saga against him but few fans paid attention to Rafa's side of the story. A player who had been under-performing and was desperately hoping Real Madrid would come knocking so that he could join the revamping of the Galacticos which saw fresh, subtstantial investment after Rafa's Liverpool smashed them 4-0 at Anfield in the Champions League 3 years ago to proceed to the Quarter Finals. That's the Champions League by the way, not the Carling Cup.
How any Liverpool fan can hate a man that delivered the European Cup and made us feared throughout Europe is beyond me. We didn't just smash Real Madrid, we also turned over holders Barcelona at the Nou Camp and I haven't even mentioned Istanbul. He's kept his house here and he continues to donate tens of thousands of pounds to the fight for justice. He even cried at the Hillsborough Memorial Service. He's a legend and he deserves much more respect from our fans, even if you don't want him back. I don't understand the Rafa bashing but then again I never understood the Gerard Houllier bashing either. It is one thing to have an opinion but it is another to cross the line when speaking out against people who tried their very best for the club. The same applies to Kenny now. I see a lot of people calling him names. All of these people should always be pulled up when disrespecting any of the managers that I mention, no matter whether you rate them or not. It's not cool and it's not acceptable on KOPTALK. It is acceptable to have an opinion, just express it sensibly and with respect.
This interview and Rafa's frequent analysis of football matches from around the world continually remind me why Rafa Benitez is a genius. I'm glad he stood his ground and never gave in to player power while at Anfield. The manager isn't there to be their mate, they're there to perform for us and they are paid vast sums of money to do so. If you think that senior players should be calling the shots like has also been seen at Chelsea recently, then you oppose every belief that Bill Shankly stood for. I despise player power. Feedback is one thing but sulking prima donnas is another.
There are other candidates of course if you favour a change in manager. People such as Jurgen Klopp, Joachim Low, Jose Mourinho, Unai Emery and Lous Van Gaal are all capable but in employment or simply out of reach. Rafa is of course available, so too is Andreas Villas Boas, who would be my suggestion to those who wouldn't accept Rafa back. Chelsea was the wrong club at the wrong time. He is a very, very good manager and my sources insist that FSG were not only considering him when Roy Hodgson was in charge but they also spoke to him. Fan power so soon into FSG's takeover saw their hands tied. They had to go with Kenny as it would have been a PR disaster had they not but they've been at the club a while now and while they may appear naive, they certainly aren't.
Whichever clubs hire Benitez and AVB next will be a force, guaranteed. It sends shivers down my spine when I think what Rafa could achieve at a club like Manchester City. He's no mug, he's patiently waiting. And while he's been waiting his written a new book called Champions League Dreams: How European Nights Gave Us Our Pride Back which comes out on my birthday so you know what I want!
Going into this season John Henry said: "Our main goal is to qualify for the Champions League. If we don't it would be a major disappointment". So what next? Liverpool will struggle again in the transfer market as there will be no Champions League football to offer potential signings. As a result of our ongoing failure to qualify for the Champions League, we will be deprived further revenue to spend on major signings. There is also a risk that Pepe Reina may again grow unsettled and his exit would be a huge blow.
At the weekend I spoke to 2 Liverpool fans, both Scousers and not OOT's like myself. The reason I state this is because Scousers often have a hardcore opinion and usually aren't blase with it. 1 of them is a mate and I was talking to him about the Wigan defeat earlier that day. I wanted to know what he thought about Kenny and we touched on his British signings. I mentioned how Kenny was trying to replicate what he did the last time he was in charge at Anfield. My friend was quick to point out that back in the day there wasn't really any foreigners in the top flight and what worked then won't work now. He was of the opinion that it's not working and that a change should happen as soon as possible. The other Scouser I didn't know. He stopped me in the street at 3am looking for a particular pub, as you do. "Red or Blue?" I asked. "Red!". After a quick chat about KOPTALK, I asked the same questions again. This lad said we don't want to turn into another Chelsea and Kenny should be given more time. So there you have it, conclusive proof that opinion is split LOL.
I'm not sure if I answered the question about whether I want Kenny to stay or go so I'll try again. There is a part of me that still thinks it's a little early to change it but I keep seeing more and more negatives. Nobody likes to see managers axed so soon but nobody cared when Roy was binned. Kenny is a Liverpool legend and that's the problem here. If he was an outsider people would be calling for him to be axed and that's a true and sad fact. I'm happy to continue as things are for the sake of trying to sustain stability but the summer does worry me. If Kenny does stay then the signings this summer must be very significant. There must also be brave decisions in relation to axing players who are either coming to the end of their careers or who have failed miserably. It would sadden me to see him get the boot, he's one of ours. But it's that attachment that can cloud things.
If it came to it today and I had to make a decision so that we didn't miss out on losing Rafa or AVB then I'm afraid I'd have to make the change. In any form of business you have to be ruthless to succeed. It's so much better being nice and loyal but I'm not sure that approach gets you anywhere in football. If things continue as they are, then I expect Kenny to stand down. He will never put himself ahead of the club. I hate the interviews, I hate the press conferences, they make me cringe and like Ged and Rafa before him, when you start seeing that kind of stuff, you know the manager is either under immense pressure or they're cracking.
I desperately hope that Kenny can 'turn things round' but I remain unconvinced that he (and Comolli) are the right combination.
I'll leave you with a couple of comments from today's media:-
'If Liverpool finish sixth, it will equal or better the best ever Premier League finishing position for Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam, José Enrique, Andy Carroll and Jordan Henderson – a sizeable chunk of the Liverpool squad. While this does not necessarily prove anything, it does temper somewhat the notion that Liverpool are under-performing. There is an argument that hovering in seventh or eighth position is exactly where Liverpool should be, given the make-up of their squad,' - The Guardian, 26.03.12
'They should be in Europe playing against the best, attracting the big players, not ones who have struggled to up the standard. The only class act Kenny Dalglish has signed is Luis Suarez. He doesn’t enjoy a relaxed relationship with the media and that is becoming more strained. The bottom line is that Liverpool don’t look to be heading in the right direction,' - Daily Star, 26.03.12
I welcome your comments.
YNWA
Duncan Oldham
KopTalk.com
You can follow me on Twitter @DuncanOldham and my team & myself @KopTalk. I would also advise that you follow us on Facebook and YouTube for additional coverage. Got an iPhone/iPod? Get the KopTalk app!
