Season Preview - Liverpool

Quick Reminder, Real Life

What a crazy season it was for the Reds. To do it justice you’d probably have to write a book (and I hear Jeremy thinking to himself that this preview is entirely likely to turn into one the way I write). In the quick version we find the first half low-lighted by poor performances, the disasterous Joe Cole signing, Roy Hodgson being in over his head, a contentious change of ownership between two groups of Americans, and numerous debates online and in the press wondering whether Liverpool could possibly go down under the weight of all of the above.

As bad as the first half was, the second half was that good. New owners, back office staff, and manager made the bold move of selling off star Fernando Torres and replacing him with the excellent-so-far Luis Suarez and full-of-potential-but-overpriced Andy Carroll. The results improved dramatically and Raul Meireles proved to be more than adequate cover for oft-injured captain Steven Gerrard. All the drama aside, Liverpool had two major weaknesses last season - their left back position and playing away from Anfield where they could neither score nor keep the ball out of the net.

Quick Reminder, Fantasy

As crazy a season as it was for Liverpool on and off the pitch, it was no different for fantasy managers trying to figure this team out. Reina’s fortunes mimicked those of the club (bad early, better late). Meireles and Suarez had excellent second halves of the season while Carroll had a great first half while playing for Newcastle but injury dragged down his second half pretty badly. Finally, out of almost nowhere, Maxi Rodriguez had an absolutely amazing last two weeks which saw him get about a third of his overall output for the season. On the defensive side of the ball Martin Skertl was ever-present and had an OK season but the rest of the defenders were seemingly on a carousel due to injuries and general mediocrity.

Summer Changes

Season Preview: Liverpool

Overall Outlook - I have to admit that I haven't really figured out what I think of Liverpool's chances yet this season.  They certainly have the talent on hand to break back into the Top 4 if everything goes their way but they also have most of the same cast of characters as they did last season when they fell to seventh.  The manager is new but the guy he's replacing has had more success than any manager in recent Anfield history.  There is some new talent but most of it all plays the same position - attacking midfield.  Hard to see how it is all going to come together.  Just a note, I'm assuming for the sake of this article that Masch will find himself at Inter before the start of the season and that one or more of the suggested replacements (Poulsen, et al) will arrive.

Early Doors

It's still more than a week away from the end of the current game week, but it's not too early to count the cost of the "hectic festive period" (^TM English Football Punditry Ltd) and see what team news is available ahead of the weekend's FA Cup matches.

Chelsea match Liverpool's £17.5m bid for Johnson

Portsmouth executive chairman Peter Storrie has confirmed Chelsea have matched Liverpool's £17.5m bid for England defender Glen Johnson.

Pompey accepted a bid from Liverpool earlier this week and the 24-year-old looked set to seal a move to Anfield. However, Storrie has confirmed the Fratton Park club have also now agreed terms with Chelsea - Johnson's former club.

Wow!

First of all, that's a lot of money. Especially for a right back. What really gets me is that these two clubs have settled, established internationals at that position. Liverpool have Arbeloa as their first choice and their defensive record has been excellent with him in the lineup. I guess they suffered when he was out or injured, most notably playing Martin Skrtel there. But Carragher has played wide before, though he may be too old (or too cranky and unwilling) to do it now. But they also bought Philipp Degen last year and presumably he won't be injured forever. Though maybe he will.

It seems that Liverpool's interest in this deal is financial in nature. Pompey owe them 7million pounds still for Peter Crouch and then they're hoping to get 8 from Real Madrid for Arbeloa. So they get Johnson, a more attacking option than Arbeloa for 2-3million. That's reasonable, but does seem a bit of deck chair shuffling.

Even odder is Chelsea's interest. For a club that claims to want to balance it's books, this much money for a full-back should be ridiculous on it's face. But to consider that they have not one or two, but three options at that position - Bosingwa, a full international in his prime; Ivanovic, who proved to be good cover in both central and wide roles; and Mancienne - an up-and-coming star (read GJohn, four years ago) - it just makes less and less sense.