Europa League Special Part 7: Contenders for the trophy – Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club
History:
Liverpool FC is one of the most prestigious clubs in the history of football. The club has won five UEFA Champions league titles in its history - a feat that means the club can hold on to a trophy. Their last European final came against AC Milan in UEFA
Champions League in 2007. Liverpool narrowly missed glory after a 2-1 defeat. The club has since then been plagued by some serious financial troubles. The club is in danger of going in to administration. Such a move can be a disaster for the club as key players
like Gerrard, Torres and Reina are expected to be sold to ease the debts.
The club fired manager Rafa Benitez at the start of the season following the club’s failure to achieve a UEFA Champions League spot. Liverpool finished a disappointing 7th last season and Roy Hodgson was appointed as the new manager. The club
has shown little improvement as the Anfield side languishes at the 16th spot after six rounds of football. On the European front, Liverpool sits atop of their group after 2 rounds. The club failed to beat FC Utrecht last night away from home and
are yet to face a highly talented Napoli side on a home and away basis.
Preferred Formation: 4-4-2
Defence:
Liverpool has a decent if not world class defence. Pep Reina is one of the best goal keepers in the world. The keeper is capable of his moments of madness but such atrocities are thankfully all too rare. Reina is a proven penalty shootout specialist and
this skill can turn out to be an asset deep into a competition. Daniel Agger and Jamie Carragher are two excellent centre backs and Martin Skrtel provides decent cover. Glenn Johnson and Insua on the flanks are excellent going forward but their defensive play
at times leaves a lot to be desired.
Midfield:
Up until last season, Liverpool had a world class midfield. A Steven Gerrard-Javier Mascherano pairing would have been one of the best in the world. Aquilani struggled badly to make an impact but his potential remains undoubted. Sadly, the club offloaded
the argentine and Aquilani, instead acquiring the services of Christian Poulsen and Raul Meireles. Juventus flop, Poulsen is mediocre at best where Meireles is still to show his calibre with a bigger club. Dirk Kuyt is an asset due to his never ending stamina
and work rate, Milan Jovanović however, is still to come up against a world class side. Lucas will never become a world class player; he lacks the vision and the technical ability to become a central midfielder in the mould of Xabi Alonso. Joe Cole was a class
act back in his Chelsea days but the flare and array of tricks has dried down. It is arguable if he will make an impact in his first season with the club. Gerrard is the only world class player in the midfield department.
Attack:
Fernando Torres is a world class attacker. He was being tagged as the best striker in the world just two years ago. The former Atletico Madrid skipper has lost the groove since his outstanding debut season and looks a shadow of the springy forward that took
the Barclays Premier League by storm. David N'Gog is a decent player at best and not much should be read into his rare moments of genius. Ryan Babel was a 17 million pounds waste. Daniel Pacheco however, has a world class career ahead of him and Hodgson will
do well in starting the Spaniard with Torres.
The one key player:
Steven Gerrard has been the messiah for the Anfield side ever since he took on the Captain’s armband. Be it the legendary UEFA Champions League final of 2005 or a must win tie against West Ham united, Liverpool always looks up to their talismanic skipper
to perform. Gerrard has made a habit of doing the impossible and his moments of genius will take Liverpool far into the competition.
Chances:
Liverpool is in shambles and there is no denying that fact. A club of Liverpool’s calibre should not be playing in the secondary continental competition. Roy Hodgson must win a Champions League spot with the club or he would be regarded a failure. The club
will face stiff competition from Tottenham and Manchester City. UEFA Europa league should not be on the agenda of the club. Liverpool will take progression in the competition as an added bonus. It is more than likely that Europa League matches will clash with
key premier league battles and Hodgson will rest his players for key League matches.
Prediction:
Liverpool to get eliminated in last 16.
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