FROM TACTICAL TO MANICAL

FROM TACTICAL TO MANICAL - Daniel Racheter

From Benitez to Dalglish:


Theres no deneying Benitez was a good manager and a tactical mastermind in which he proved on many occassions but was he ever the write man for Liverpool?.


Shankly built Liverpool with a reputation of free flowing football, pass and move and built a unique winning tradition into Liverpool which witheld upon years to come for the Merseyside outfit.


Liverpool world dominance was in the 70's and 80's where their winning mentality grew by the year as they claimed league titles and terrified teams all over europe. 


The tradition of the club is always been of one very special with a simple rule that no player is bigger than the club. The name on the front of the shirt is much more important than the name on the back and is one rule you should always remember when playing for a big club such as Liverpool, a club built on success and formidable characters.


Many forgot of Liverpools dominance over the years, especially when Kenny Dalglish resigned as manager back in 1990 and have since not won a league title. Manchester United then burst onto the scene and Alex Ferguson done what he always set out to do " shift the power from one end of the north to the other. Sir Alex wanted United to be the driving force and the team to be in the record books as the number one team in England and in 2011 he achieved that when United won their 19th league title, 1 more than Liverpool record 18 in which United now hold.


Liverpool never replaced Dalglish with the right appointment, the closest they come was Benitez. Now, Benitez won the champions league and fa cup in his spell at Liverpool but fell short of the title many of times due to his catiousness. Liverpool become un-roofless and Benitez refused to let them off the chains to go and attack teams. Being catious isn't always a bad thing but he did some very strange things where he cast a shaddow upon himself.


Rafa brang too many average players to Liverpool who simply wern't good enough for the club with the likes of " josemi " Kromkamp " Mohammed Sissoko " and many more. But with his flaws came strokes of genius, the singings of Alonso, Torres, Mascherano, Skertl, Agger and Jose Reina which were the signings the Liverpool faitfhful thrive upon.



Unfortunately Benitez lost the Liverpool dressing room in a season in which they finished 7th with his bad handling of a situation which saw Alonso leave for Real Madrid. Liverpool came second in the 2008-2009 after just missing out to United which was Liverpool best season in 10 years. Alonso was a key figure of the Liverpool side and which he provided the engine which provided the spine for Gerrard and Torres to terrify premier league defences. 


Benitez wanted to sign Gareth Barry in a his new blue print Liverpool side which didn't include Alonso. He spoke to Alonso and awared him that he could be sold to provide funds for other sales such as Gareth Barry.. Madness?.


Alonso stayed for one more season, steered Liverpool to 2nd place in the league and left for Madrid where his presence is still un-replaced to this day.

Liverpool were very tactical under Benitez and lacked creativity in games they should of won, with fustrating home draws against lower teams which they should of won and the games you have to win if you want to me competing for league titles.


After Benitez was dismissed from Liverpool after a poor season, Liverpool turned to Roy Hodgson.. let face it, Roy Hodgson was a good manager but managing Liverpool was always too much of a big project for him and he only lasted until january and was dismissed and in came the KING Kenny.


Finally.. Liverpool had their identity back.



Straight from the off Kenny braught in Steve Clarke and his assistants which turned Liverpools fortunes around, they had the ball on the ground and were passing it around. A game in which was highly deminstrated when they played away to Wolves and played the best football they have played in many seasons. 


Dalglish was back and so was the football, the pass and move, the give and go and he stamped his authority. Dalglish cleared the dead wood from the squad such as Poulsen, N'gog, Konchesky, again.. very average and not good enough players for Liverpool.


I think it's safe to say that Liverpool are back, the king is back and the football is back, passionate owners and money to spend on new signings will put Liverpool back where they belong in a few seasons, the top.

It's is however one project the Liverpool fans will have to be patient with and all will pay off.