Solve the left-back problem
Since the departure of John Arne Riise in 2008, the left-back slot has been a troublesome position for Liverpool. Emiliano Insua’s inexperience and Fabio Aurelio’s battles with injury have highlighted the problems Liverpool have had with filling the berth.
A month ago, with Aurelio unattached and Insua destined for Fiorentina, it seemed as though Roy Hodgson would be forced into buying one or two new left-backs. However, the resigning of Aurelio and Insua’s failed move to Florence, coupled with the fact that a rumoured move for Wigan Athletic’s Maynor Figueroa has yet to materialise, means that Liverpool will start the new campaign with the same first-team left-backs as last season. Unless Liverpool’s doctors find a miraculous cure for Aurelio’s injury woes, Hodgson may be forced to frequently field Insua, a player who looked woefully out of his depth last season. Young centre-back Martin Kelly was fielded at left-back against Macedonian minnows FK Rabotnicki, but it remains to be seen whether Hodgson would feel comfortable about using the youngster there in the Premier League.
The ‘Joe Cole/Steven Gerrard’ positional issue
The acquisition of Joe Cole undoubtedly represented a coup for Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson. Widely regarded as England’s most naturally creative player, Cole will be expected to alleviate the burden of expectation resting upon the shoulders of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres. However, Cole’s signing may also create an additional headache for Hodgson.
Over the course of the last three seasons, Liverpool’s best form occurred when using former manager Rafael Benitez’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, with talismanic skipper Steven Gerrard operating in an advanced midfield role behind Fernando Torres. Prior to arriving at Anfield last month, Joe Cole expressed his desire to perform in a central role at his new club, despite his ability to play in a variety of advanced midfield positions.
The evidence presented so far suggests that the pair will be able to operate efficiently in the same team. Against FK Rabotnicki, Joe Cole was deployed in a free role behind lone striker David Ngog, with Gerrard utilised in a more conventional central midfield position. With Gerrard performing in a deeper position, the pair dovetailed superbly, quelling fears that Cole may tread on Gerrard’s proverbial toes. However, the real test of Hodgson’s use of the pair will be when his side face stronger opposition.
Don’t rush stars back from injury too early
Liverpool’s purported overreliance upon star duo Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard has been well-documented over the last three seasons; the side’s form in the absence of one or both of the duo would certainly vindicate this assertion. Torres’s absences are particularly problematic given the dearth of quality goalscorers in his absence.
All too often former manager Rafael Benitez was forced to utilise the services of a half-fit Fernando Torres, further placing strain upon his already weakened hamstrings. With Torres’s susceptibility to muscle injuries, Hodgson should look to ensure that the Spaniard is always given ample time to rest and recuperate, in order to prevent further physical damage to the former Atletico Madrid man.
Integrate young players
An oft-repeated fact is that Liverpool have yet to produce any first-team regulars since the ascension of Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard over ten years ago. Rafael Benitez sparingly used the talents of local Academy graduates Stephen Warnock and Neil Mellor before selling them on.
During the last two years of his tenure at Anfield, Rafael Benitez initiated drastic changes to the side’s Academy system, including the installation of former Barcelona coach Rodolfo Borrell as the club’s U18 coach. Over the last 12 months, Dani Pacheco, Daniel Ayala, Martin Kelly, Stephen Darby, David Amoo, Nathan Eccleston, Jay Spearing and Jack Robinson have all featured for the first team. These outings are testament to the potential of the club’s young players and to the foundations laid down by Benitez. With Liverpool currently unable to compete financially with the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea, they must look to become more self-sufficient, and utilising young talent will surely help Roy Hodgson to do so.
Avoid being distracted by the club’s boardroom/ownership issues
Although Liverpool’s much-loathed owners may have attempted to undermine previous manager Rafael Benitez on more than one occasion, many feel that Benitez was frequently distracted from his main duties by the turmoil and strife occurring at boardroom level; this failing was particularly prevalent last season. With the club currently bracing itself for another takeover, Roy Hodgson must stay focussed on footballing matters in order to avoid a similar fate.
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