Liverpool FC: Can the Reds Win Seven Straight With So Many Defensive Injuries?

Is it Possible To Win Out With all the Injuries

by Thomas Atzenhoffer on The Bleacher Report
April 6, 2011

Michael Regan/Getty Images

Another weekend for the Reds, and another group of injuries to deal with at the back. The defensive ranks are left tattered once again as four top-choice defenders are all out. Even though he has experienced so much criticism and belief that he just was not good enough to be at Liverpool, it sure would be nice to have Emiliano Insua back from Galatasaray as cover for left back.

There is always the option of recalling Paul Konchesky from loan to Nottingham Forest, but I don't see that happening, either.

With their loss to former manager Roy Hodgson and West Brom, the Reds suffered a major setback in their already outside chances of European competition next season. Two penalties awarded in the last 30 minutes were put away by Baggies captain Chris Brunt to seal the deal at the Hawthorns.........READ MORE ON BLEACHER REPORT

Liverpool FC: The Alberto Aquilani Question, Use Him or Sell Him?

Italian Playmaker's Future is Remains Undecided

by Thomas Atzenhoffer on The Bleacher Report
April 1, 2011

Claudio Villa/Getty Images

Alberto Aquilani was purchased for Liverpool in August of 2009 by Rafael Benitez, believed to be the replacement for Real Madrid bound midfield maestro Xabi Alonso. The Roma born and bred 25-year-old was thought to be more than adequate to fill the boots of their beloved Spanish engineer.

However, the Italian arrived with an ankle injury that would keep him out for months. After a previous season in which the Reds have just nearly missed the Premier League Title in Second Place behind Manchester United with their best finish in years a lot of belief and expectations were placed on his shoulders.

With a £20 Million price tag, "Il Principino," was expected to be the second coming. But this to many proved not to be the case. Brought it to be a deep setting playmaker, the Italian was more keen to get forward and in many matches he proved to be quite effective for the Reds.....READ MORE ON THE BLEACHER REPORT

Return of the King

Living Liverpool Legend "King" Kenny Dalglish Returns as Manager of LFC

by Rhydon Atzenhoffer
January 24, 2011

It has been a month nearly since my last post and my apologies for the delay. It was nice to take a few weeks off to reflect upon all that has been happening at Liverpool and to try and truly refocus my thoughts on the matter. It seems not only was I doing the same thing. In the passing time the Roy Hodgson Era has ended, and to many it seems long overdue. The former Fulham boss just didn’t seem to have what it takes to handle the size of the club and the ability of the players.

After nearly six months in charge Hodgson turned the Reds into what looked like a model of Fulham. Non attack minded, toothless in either offense of defense, and if we have a lead then defend defend defend. The problem for Hodgson is that sitting mid-table on Merseyside doesn’t cut it. Liverpool aren’t Fulham, they are the most successful club in English Footballing history, and needed someone that knows what that means.

Re-enter Kenny Dalglish. Appointed by Rafa Benitez to maintain the youth system before the departure of the Spaniard to Inter over the summer, The King made great statement to the love he has always held for the club, and to be a part of Liverpool once again was a dream. Now once again Dalglish has the opportunity to put his stamp on his already tremendously acclaimed Liverpool Legacy.

With only hours at the reigns it is understandable that his first game in charge against Manchester United didn’t come off with a victory and it was a shame to loose Gerard, and the match to whims of the referee. The following loss at Blackpool did not show to much either but you could start to see the players playing with a little more belief. The Merseyside Derby against Everton should have been the Reds hands down but sometimes the cards just don’t fall right. However, the tide finally looks to have turned with the defeat of Wolverhampton in what was a clinical attacking display by the Reds after the first 20-minutes of back and forth from the fighting Wolves.

Now with 4 matches under his belt, a renewed vigor instilled in his charges, a new coach running training, and 4 points out of his first three games in the EPL, the King looks to have his men firing on all cylinders, and with the last week of the transfer window looking to have loads of movement for the Liverpool giants, things are once again getting exciting, and Reds fans everywhere are screaming, "it’s about time!"

So Long Roy, Bring on Change

Fans and Critics alike are ready for Roy Hodgson to exit the Liverpool Drivers Seat

by Rhydon Atzenhoffer
December 30, 2010

Roy Hodgson is the odds on favorite to be the new manager sacked in the English Premier League. After six months of up and down under the former Fulham boss it is becoming apparent that he is more than likely not the man for the job. Yesterday's shock loss to Wolverhampton as Anfield has dashed any chance I believe the former Inter tactician has of holding onto his job.

The results are simply not there, and after already having been called out for having poor results by new owner John W. Henry in the early part of the month I truly cannot see Roy lasting the rest of the reason. A team with Liverpool's talent should not be performing at such a low level, if this level is considered performing at all.

At his latest press conference Hodgson criticized the Anfield fans for failing to back their team, and to support him, but honestly what has he delivered to merit such a complaint. He has delivered mediocre signings, and mediocre results from a team that despite the losses of Javier Mascherano, and Xabi Alonso over the last two seasons, has a boat load of talent. Injuries cannot even be too much to blame as Rafa always had injuries his last season and still finished seventh. Sitting a dismal 12th and calling the fans to the blame is shameful.

I foresee a move in the next few weeks to replace Hodgson, and with that I end my frustrated rant before I cause any more mental hurt to my own self, for I am still recovering from such a pitiful display yesterday.

Liverpool Frozen Out. A Blessing or a Curse

Liverpool FC Forced to miss Second Match in Two Weeks due to Weather

By Rhydon Atzenhoffer
December 28, 2010

Another freezing weekend across the British Isles has caught the match day calender of the Liverpool Reds in a bind again. A second straight week of poor weather has caused the Reds to postpone two games on the bounce and the Merseysiders will be looking at this as either a blessing or a curse. The blessing is that their Captian Steven Gerrard will have had an extra week of training to ensure his full return to fitness. The curse however will be a fortnight off that may have affected any momentum that they might have been building had they secured a victory in either game following their humbling 3-1 loss to Newcastle United at St. James Park.

Last weekend the match against Fulham was called off due to weather, which included reports of up to two feet of snow around Merseyside and at Anfield, and now this weekend's saw the trip to Blackpool and the Seasiders fail to go off due to no underground heating for the pitch at Bloomfield Road. The match has been rescheduled for January 12, 2011, and the Fulham Match for the 26th of January, 2011. This now creates another blessing or curse for the Reds. Having been given a break of the holiday fixture cluster muck, the team has had time to lick their wounds and regain their captain. The curse now is that instead of enduring the daunting fixture cluster with the rest of the group they will now face it in January. Many other matches did get rescheduled in the same instance but some teams will have been happy to get it over with.

The time off continues to allow for more and more speculation in the press about transfers, and about the security of Roy Hodgson's position in the drivers seat. The manager has recently been noted in the press for sounding out the praises and belief that Fernando Torres is about to explode for the Reds. If El Nino does indeed explode in his goal scoring exploits it could not come at a better time for the Merseyside club whom are in the midst of their worst start in over half a century and for a club historically renowned for their goal scoring, a table position with a negative goal differential is unacceptable to everyone. Wednesday will see the Reds clash heads with the Wolverhampton Wanderers with hopes of getting back on the right foot before the start of the year.

Christmas on Merseyside

As the Year 2010 comes nearer to a close, we take a look at the Christmas Wish List for the Liverpool Reds

by Rhydon Atzenhoffer
December 23, 2010

Ho ho ho, and Merry Christmas to all of Fowler's Dockers, and all of those that have passed through the Shankly Gate. The Yule tide season is upon us, the Boxing Day match against Blackpool is close at hand and the January transfer window is just around the corner. With that in mind I wanted to make one last post before I take a few days off for Christmas and discuss what it seems the Reds will be looking to get from their Christmas list.

1. Stability
This has been an up and down season if I have ever seen one in recent years for the Reds. We play one great game then turn around and play like crap. Any chance at European Club Football in the UEFA Champions League or the UEFA Europa League will certainly require a more fluid turn of results.

2. End of Injury Woes
Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Jaime Carragher, Jay Spearing, Daniel Agger, Glen Johnson...need I continue. Aside from stability in form, the Reds have had disastrous results as far as player injuries hacking up the line-ups and further increasing the learning curve to new management and tactics under Roy Hodgson.

3. Support in all areas
The Transfer window is going to be crucial this January for the Reds. The need of a full time strike partner to be able to partner and cover for Fernando Torres continues to be a black mark on the Merseysider’s misfortunes. The likes of many have been thrown about lately in this area and are listed in the transfer posts below.

The midfield also is in need of support on the wings and an additional man to carry the burden of defensive midfield duties because Christian Poulsen just hasn’t cut the mustard for the Reds in his new found position, hence why he has been spending most of his time on the pine. Joe Cole also has had a miserable start and has the club looking to bring in another winger to bolster the options for Hodgson.

Defense also has had its more than fair share of problems with injury more than lack of form. Jaime Carragher, Daniel Agger, Fabio Aurelio, and Glen Johnson have all had long absences due to injury and the interest that has been shown in the possible move for Inter Starlet David Santon is a prime example of this need. It is also quite possible Hull City will not get the renewal for Daniel Ayala to return to their ranks where he has had 12 starts on loan, because the first team really might have to use him.

With all that said at least it appears the teams new owners will be doing their level best to fill all the gaps over the next month that they can, and will be investing to ensure a more bright future for the club that has been seeing such dreary days the last two campaigns. With that food for thought I bit you all a due for the weekend and hope you have a very Merry Christmas. See you after boxing day. Reds 3 - Blackpool 1.

England Gridlocked by Winter Storms, Liverpool vs. Fulham Frozen Out

No Liverpool vs. Fulham Grudge match, but Transfer Rumors Galore for the Reds.

By Rhydon Atzenhoffer

December 20, 2010

With all of the British Isles in the grips of a devastatingly powerful winter storm, only a few games were able to be played in the English Premiership on the weekend. With most of the big matches cancelled due to the weather it is giving some teams possibly a much needed rest. The Reds have been in rather sporadic form this season. Big victory here, pathetic loses here, and clear wins becoming draws there. It has been quite a rough season for new gaffer Roy Hodgson.

The old Fulham boss took to the North to ply his trade on the River Mersey while Manchester City ousted manager Mark Hughes went south to take the reins after Hodgson’s departure. The former Manchester United player has had a difficult time in London with only United States winger Clint Dempsey truly putting in the class performances for the Cottagers. With that said it is no wonder that Roy Hodgson and Liverpool have been possible planning a raid for the talented Texan.

Clint Dempsey is in fine form for Fulham

Aside from Dempsey and the other possible new faces that have been circulating in the column this past week there are now several more names popping up on the list. With the manager proclaiming his desire for a Transfer Kitty in January it is certain that there will be some moving and shaking in some capacity.

The most prolific of the names listed as of late has to be Bayern Munich’s Mario Gomez whom has fallen out of favor with the Bavarian Giants. The big German would be another target man up from to match with Fernando Torres allowing Hodgson to have two powerful finesse strikers to pair with his traditional 4-4-2 playing style.

 Out of Favor Mario Gomez of Bayern Munich

Another name that has been linked in the last few days in Chelsea’s young attacker Daniel Sturridge whom is believed to be a temporary loan signing to be a stop gap for the Reds until the Summer transfer window when they can possible afford to muster the funds for acquisitions that have been suggested earlier in the year such as Diego Forlan from Atletico Madrid.

 Sturridge would add more youthful options and speed

With so many names circulating as possibly additions it has also been made apparent that the Reds will be looking to offload summer signing Milan Jovanovic only six months after he was brought into the fold. He at this point appears to be surplus to the needs and wants of Hodgson, and he will be used in most cases to help raise additional funds for January incomers. The proof that youngsters David Ngog and Ryan Babel are progressing under the new tutelage of Hodgson gives hope that they can fill the gap left by the 29 year old Serbian.

With so much talk as of late it is heating up to be an exciting transfer period to say the least. With the halfway point here it is imperative that Liverpool continue to make some progress up the table or we could be seeing Roy on the way out.

Liverpool Update as of December 16 2010

Liverpool FC have dismal week despite Europa Qualification

by Rhydon Atzenhoffer
December 16, 2010

It has been a frustrating week for the Reds fan base to say the least. After an unexpected thrashing of 3-1 away at St. James Park despite having 21 shots on goal the Merseysiders have to once again scratch their heads in the Premiership. Pandew's reign got of on the right foot as his side seemed to handle the Reds with ease on paper. Magpie skipper Kevin Nolan's return from injury certainly boosted the club and a driving performance by Joey Barton helped to typify the Reds inability to perform away from Home.

Roy Hodgson will once again feel the pressure after comments from Liverpool Chairman Tom Werner called the clubs performances, "unacceptable," at a press conference this weekend. Though I feel Hodgson is safe under NESV and new owner John W. Henry it is not going to be a quick turnaround. As former Reds left and right including Robbie Fowler have recently stated the teams need to invest in new talent in the January transfer window in order to push the club during the run in.

Many names have been thrown around as of late including the likes of Ronaldinho, Ajax's Luis Suarez, former Fulham charge and USA international Clint Dempsey, Ryad Boudebouz of French side Sochaux, and most recently a 5 Million Pound offering to Tottenham for out of favor winger David Bentley. Bayern Munich's Mario Gomez is reportedly on the radar for LFC, as well as FC Nuremburg midfielder Mike Frantz. It is truly unclear what the plans will be in January but it can be assured there will be at least one or two new faces coming to the club.

Another glaring bore of a game by the Reds was played out on Wednesday night against FC Utrecht, former club of Dirk Kuyt. The bottom club in the Red's UEFA Europa League Group K looked for some confidence boosting while the Merseysiders already have their ticket punched to the next round. With that said in mind the Liverpool stars did little to impress, nor little to do anything as the crowd was disappointed in a lackluster 0-0 draw. Joe Cole continued his poor class of the season and is looking to have been possibly a mistake. Time will tell for the England international but he is continuing to look more and more overrated. The most enthusiasm of the night was from the Utrecht fans when Kuyt came on as a substitute in the later part of the second half.

As we look ahead to the last few weeks of the year it is paramount that the Reds snatch some points before the January window. The club is in mid table and is now nine points away from fourth placed Chelsea. It is going to take a huge turn around for the club to snatch a Europa Spot for next year and right now the best chance of Champions League qualification looks to be winning the UEFA Europa League outright.

The second half of the reason is going to be a bumpy ride, and it starts when the Reds face Fulham on the weekend. Hodgson's form club now under Man City reject Mark Hughes will be looking for revenge and the Cottagers could do even more damage to the already fragile hopes of Liverpool fans on the remaining half of the season. It looks to be another weekend of grief, pain, or pure quick joy and then the realization that there is so much more to go.