Can Liverpool Break Into The Top Four?

     Tough question to answer to be totally honest as Liverpool just aren’t the force they once was when they had the likes of Xabi Alonso, Torres among other world class players who have decided to go onto pastures new from Liverpool. On the contrary we could say Liverpool is going through a transition, trying to find the squad and manager that can help break back into the top four and maintain a title challenge.

    When a club is in transition they have to look forward not backwards and the appointment of Kenny ‘King’ Dalglish this was a backwards step, he had already had his chance at being Liverpool manager and proved himself, why did he need to do it again? Basically the answer to that are the fans, a loyal favourite to the club was called upon after the horrific times under Hodgson and the owners obliged. However as said this was a step backwards and it didn’t work out, yes he spent money but on players that aren’t world – except Luis Suarez. I mean the expensive summer signings of Carroll, Downing and Henderson didn’t work out for Liverpool and out of all the signings Kenny made, Jose Enrique was the only one to have a good season.

    To spend so much money and for the club to go nowhere was a massive disappointment to the fans this season. Poor home form cost Liverpool dearly in the league as they slipped up against lower opposition such as Blackburn, Norwich and Wigan to name a few. This type of form at Anfield isn’t acceptable for a club with the history that Liverpool has got. Away form was average and in the end Liverpool finished a sorry season at the lower end of the top half and claiming a Europa League place after a lucky Carling Cup won over Cardiff City.

    This inevitably led to the sacking of Dalglish which to be honest should have been done earlier in the season but as Dalglish was a legend to the fans I think the owners were too scared to have sacked Dalglish so soon in a season. Appointing the new manager was an absolute shambles to say the least, it was a similar situation to that of Wolves appointing there new manager. Many names were in the running and so many of them turned Liverpool down. Names such as Martinez, Lambert and Villas-Boas were thrown around but in the end Liverpool appointed Brendan Rodgers who had a great season with Premier League new boys Swansea City.

    To be honest, the appointment of Rodgers is a shrewd one to say the least, his style of football is similar to that of Barcelona and let’s face it, this worked for Swansea and I’m sure it would work for Liverpool, passing from the back and keeping possession wearing the opponent down before a defence cutting move to carve open an opportunity. Obviously this means certain players have to be brought in to fit in with his style of football. Gylfi Sigurdsson was brilliant for Swansea on loan from German side Hoffenheim, however the club took too long in trying to get his signing and in the end, new Spurs manager AVB snapped him up. Instead Rodgers has signed up former Swansea striker Fabio Borini from AS Roma. Borini is a talented, young Italian striker who was influential under Rodgers in the Championship. With him being brought in, the future of Andy Carroll has been thrown into doubt as he isn’t the type of player that Rodgers uses.

    Rodgers like to have players that work around the box and keeping possession, not launching balls from their own half but it’s up to Rodgers if Carroll can fit in. Charlie Adam is another player whose Liverpool career is in doubt as he was plagued by injury and didn’t really have a great season. On the contrary there is a good host of players that Rodgers has inherited from Dalglish; it’s just that they under performed. With this current squad can I see Rodgers getting Liverpool back into the top four? In my opinion he can but in a couple of years. He even said himself that the fans would have to be patient and that there would be no immediate impact on how Liverpool will challenge for the title. With Manchester City becoming a force, Tottenham starting to become an established top side, Chelsea yet again going through change and Sir Alex’s Manchester United challenging for everything, it’s very hard to determine when the exact point is that Liverpool break into the top four. Maybe in three or four years time Liverpool can fight their way back into top four but surely enough, it’s going to be tough for them. The fans will have to be patient with Rodgers and appreciate that he is going to be changing the club’s philosophy and style of play and by doing this the fans will reap the success coming their way.