Peter Fraser looks at what has gone wrong at Liverpool amid growing scrutiny on Kenny Dalglish.
Peter Fraser looks at what has gone wrong at Liverpool this season amid growing scrutiny on Kenny Dalglish
Wigan recorded the first victory in their history at Liverpool on Saturday afternoon and the result sent shock waves around Anfield. Manager Kenny Dalglish is coming under increased pressure as a consequence of the defeat, which was his squad's fifth in six Premier League matches. Carling Cup success was a high and an FA Cup semi-final means a cup double remains a possibility. But it is being questioned whether that is enough for a club of such pedigree. Here Peter Fraser looks at what has gone wrong at Liverpool in the league.
Kenny Dalglish
The major task facing Dalglish when he first returned to the role of manager, initially on a caretaker basis in January 2011 before the appointment was made permanent in the following summer, was always going to be the long-term. An incredible wave of euphoria followed the Kop idol after the sacking of Roy Hodgson and it allowed Liverpool to win 10 of their final 18 league matches in the second half of last season to finish sixth. It was the 'honeymoon period' encapsulated, however, the romance has disappeared.
Neutrals have been put off by the Luis Suarez racism row, while poor results and performances mean the atmospheric, booming and echoing chants of 'Dal-glish' which rolled off The Kop in the past have fallen silent. A regular question following Dalglish's return was whether the former Blackburn, Newcastle and Celtic boss had lost touch with management during more than a decade away from the dugout.
It is of course far easier to lead a winning team and so it is now, when results are not going Liverpool's way, that it can only truly be assessed whether Dalglish's previous, title-winning managerial skills remain. He addressed the slump when he first arrived, having answered Liverpool's SOS call from a luxury cruise in the Arabian Gulf, and even overcame a three-game winless run in all competitions immediately after his return. But now it is his team, his signings and entirely his responsibility.
Calls for his sacking from some critics are ludicrously premature, however, despite the cup success, Liverpool have gone backwards in the league. If they lose at Newcastle next weekend and other results do not go their way, only goal difference will keep Dalglish's team in the top half of the table.
The success in the Carling Cup, securing a first trophy in six years, is a fine achievement, and it came as a result of Dalglish picking as close to his best XI as possible for each match in the competition. They took the tournament seriously. The same can be said of Liverpool's FA Cup run. But Dalglish is now claiming the resulting tiredness is a cause behind their Premier League struggles - four defeats in five since winning the Carling Cup.
Perhaps this is a lesson he has learned since his time out of management and he has hinted towards a 'change of philosophy' for the future. This could mean concentrating on the league, as one of his predecessors, Rafa Benitez, liked to do after initially doing well in cups. Dalglish should therefore be given time next season to show his intentions.
A major issue for principle Liverpool owner John Henry, his Fenway Sports Group, and chairman Tom Werner is what would they do if they eventually wanted to part company with Dalglish? They made the obvious decision to give Dalglish a permanent three-year contract after the strong finish to last season amid unwavering support from fans. But Dalglish snowballed his way into the job and never truly fitted the Fenway model, which had seen them linked with young, up-and-coming managers such as Andre Villas-Boas prior to Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund's Jurgen Klopp.
Dalglish transcends Liverpool and Henry, who has proved a popular owner in comparison with the previous reign of Tom Hicks and George Gillett, would know, regardless of results, he would be risking an almighty revolt from fans, and their wallets and purses, if he was the man to sack Dalglish.
Signings
It is impossible to ignore that Liverpool have horribly overspent on recruitment. The Fenway plan was by all accounts to buy players at a young age, full of potential and marketing value. But there was also the need for players who Dalglish thought were required for the team.
Suarez is undoubtedly the most talented of the signings in the last 15 months, Craig Bellamy was an excellent free arrival and Jose Enrique had been solid before seemingly being hit by the mistakes that come with wobbling confidence over recent weeks. But a combined total of £80million was splurged on Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing, Andy Carroll and Jordan Henderson, and it is difficult to say any of those players has shown they are capable of living up to their respected price tag.
Henderson is only 21-years-old and has been largely played out of position on the wide right to mean it could be said he is still learning and adapting. But there is little excuse for any of the others. Concerns that Adam would not have the pace to really shine at the top level have been realised and it has been regularly suggested that the underused Maxi Rodriguez is a more technically talented player.
Meanwhile, Downing has not brought any of the experience and composure of an England international to underline suggestions he is impacted by his fluctuating confidence levels. With Carroll, Liverpool need to admit the move was a mistake and should take the hit of a sale at a significantly lower price than the £35m paid to Newcastle on the deadline day of the 2011 January transfer window. In an attack built around the quick turns, nimble footwork and ball-to-feet football of Suarez, Carroll simply does not suit Liverpool's style of play.
Some scrutiny should fall on Liverpool's director of football, Damien Comolli, as there has been little sign of the club signing anything but players of well-known status. Even the definite decision to sign Sebastian Coates was only seemingly made after he was named the Best Young Player at the 2011 Copa America.
Liverpool are sadly lacking a goalscorer. Missed chances have consistently been cited after the eight home draws and two defeats at Anfield this season. That should not be used as an excuse, it is a reason.
Roy Hodgson's Liverpool in the summer of 2010 came close to signing Mario Gomez, who was then out of favour at Bayern Munich. The German is exactly the type of player required by Liverpool - someone who scores tap-ins. But there is now no chance of getting Gomez, who went on to be last season's top scorer in the Bundesliga and now leads the current campaign's charts.
Liverpool were also regularly linked with Ricky van Wolfswinkel, then of Utrecht. The Dutchman has since moved to Sporting. It has been suggested Liverpool could instead turn their attention to Valencia's Roberto Soldado or Tottenham's Jermain Defoe.
