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.