1.5.12 Poor Liverpool

What a sad state of affairs at Liverpool FC.  How ironic is it that today Liverpool (not so long ago managed by Roy Hodgson) managed to lose to Fulham (a team previously, and very successfully managed by Roy Hodgson) on the day that Roy Hodgson is named as England Manager.  A look at the table shows that Liverpool, the once mighty club, is now just three points ahead of lowly West Bromwich Albion - that's right, the team that for years hasn't been able to work out whether it's Premiership or Championship material.  Roy Hodgson has done a sterling job at WBA, and has proved his worth.  Well done Roy, and well done WBA.

Meanwhile, then, Liverpool go from weakness to weakness.  Okay, it's not the end of the world, but it's a bit more than the most over-used word in football (ie. "disappointing).  Roy was not really given a chance at Liverpool, not by the fans and not by Kenny Dalglish.  I got the impression he sat watching Roy struggling, just waiting for his chance to become 'King Kenny'.  Roy was not all of a sudden a shit manager.  Still, he moved on, and Kenny sat while the Liverpool faithful hailed him and crowned him.  He did some good things, riding on a wave of enthusiasm and spirit shown by all at the club, with people doing what they might have done for Roy if they'd felt like it.  However, £35million for Carroll?  Madness!  Still, Kenny wasn't to know that the FA would introduce a new rule meaning anyone who passes to Andy Carroll will be shown a yellow card - for time wasting!  That was a joke, by the way.  Apparently there was a suggestion that Liverpool would send Andy Carroll back to Newcastle for nothing, but Newcastle reported Liverpool for threatening behaviour.  (That was another one)

As well as Carroll, there were mutiple arrivals in the shapes of Ashley Young (who cannot seem to keep on his feet) Charlie Adam (something of a non-event) and Stuart Downing (a truly expensive flop).  Many, many millions for so little!  The only player whose arrival has led to some sort of benefit was Suarez - but he has also brought with him some massive drawbacks as well, eh?  Let's not open that can of corned beef.

So, let's forget about the team being a complete mess and look at the manager; how has Kenny Dalglish generally managed himself?  Rather badly, I'd say.  His diplomatic skills are appalling.  His judgement over the Suarez incidents was atrocious.  His displays in front of the camera in interviews after matches have been mostly catastrophic.  He is quite simply a PR disaster.

Contrast all of this with the successes at Everton, and the brilliant management of David Moyes.  I think it is highly amusing that as things stand, Everton have 3 points more than their neighbours, having spent about £37.50 this season.  Ha!

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