When you fail to plan you plan to fail. This could be seen in Brendan Rodgerss preparation for Liverpools ruturn to the mother of all competitions in Europe, the UEFA champions league, not to talk of expectations from kopp fans to see their team snatch another ticket to be in the competition next time out, and moreso life without instrumental striker Luis Suarez who sought and found greener pastures in Barcelona. The Reds failure to identify marque primary targets suggested a clueless team which went into the transfer market oblivious of the challenge ahead of them. While analysing the game with friend and fellow football pundit Duru kizito back in August, I remember puting into question the clubs agreement to sign Italian Mario Balotelli when it appeared that the former Inter Milan, Man city and AC Milan striker was on his way to Anfield. This I did when I considered its tactical implications on the team rather than the players quality as an individual. In chosing Balotelli as a replacement for Suarez, it appeared Brendan was ready to alter Liverpools quickfire and electrifying pattern in the final third that defined the clubs 2nd place finish last term. Liverpools attack blossomed and flourished with players like Suarez, Sturidge, Sterling and Coutinho revelling in their roles in a free scoring attack. On a big wednesday night in the Champions league, Mario Balotelli once again was woeful as real Madrid made easy work of Liverpool at Anfield in a game that underlined the Reds lack of real influncial talents needed to surmount the stiffest of tests. Top man, Balotelli, practically failed to make any impact in the game and clumsily allowed himself to be dispossessed in the most promising of liverpools offensive play. The teams midfield state leaves gaffer Brendan Rodgers with more question to answer. It says worse of the team that few months ago boasted of having the knack to nulify and outrun the best of opposition midfield. Despite liverpools busy summer in the transfer market where millions of pounds was expended on fresh recruitments, one can only look in to see quantity instead of the same quality that forced Jose Mourinho into the purchase of Midfield Lieutenants Cesc Fabregas in June and Nemanja Matic in January. In contrast to this, Brendan was content to settle with rookie Adam Lallana and unproven Emre Can to marshal the midfield in a season that was sure to offer high competitiveness. Their slow start to the new EPL season should do little to dispel such questions about Rodgerss summer transfer business and level of all round preparedness for the new and bigger season without Suarez. Whether or not Brendan Rodgers is a Kid in his Job is another question, but the Trainer and his employers are reaping the fruit of poor planning.
Posted on: Wed, 22 Oct 2014 22:28:01 +0000
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