Three Reasons for Hope at Liverpool FC in 2017
Things have not gone to plan in 2017 so far for Liverpool, with only one win against Plymouth to show. Losses to Swansea, Wolves, and now Hull City have put a damper on the hopes of many for even making the top four. In contrast, I do not think this is a point of no return for this campaign. This team still has the ability to secure a Champions League place, and all is not in fact lost. Yes, there has not been a win in the league this calendar year and that is concerning. I believe there are many reasons to believe things will improve around Anfield and reasons to be hopeful.
The Reasons
The Players
I.The players need to believe that they can rise to the occasion, and lead by example. In recent matches, Jordan Henderson seems to be the only one who has avoided self-doubt creeping into their form. Adam Lallana is still, by most estimations, having a renaissance season, finding his scoring and assisting boots. That has tapered off this new year. Simon Mignolet, ever the critic magnet, has had a few awful mistakes magnified as well recently. Everyone in the team must lift each other to buck the trend of down performances. Jordan Henderson must lead by example in times like this as captain it is his duty. These players have all the ability in the world to achieve their goals.
The Supporters
II.The supporters believe that they can get over the hump and qualify. Liverpool Football Club rarely has an empty seat in Anfield on any given match day. The supporters have seen the ability of these Liverpool players and must help them prevail over their self-doubt. Each supporter’s voice is small, but when all act as one, they can lift these players. More than one time this season, Jürgen Klopp been incandescent on the touchline towards the supporters moans about members of the side. He is correct to be angry at apathetic supporters. The supporters are an integral piece to the puzzle of a world class team. These players are human and need support like anyone else. A revitalized Anfield will help lift the boys back to contention in these final months.
The Owners
Fenway Sports Group and John W. Henry must follow their claims of earlier this week and be willing to pony-up a good transfer fund during the summer window. Reports this week have come forth stating that funds for five to six players of value will be put forth. Dead weight is also to be jettisoned in this shake-up. Sadly money does talk in the game today, and it must be spent to bring in proven talent. As should be expected, rumors will circle forever about this player or that one, but a cohesive backroom plan must be created to be effective this summer.
The Places for Improvement
Defensive help must be the first order of business, followed by a midfield general. Fortunately, attackers at Liverpool are not in short supply. Players on FSG’s radar should be in the mold of William Carvalho of Sporting Lisbon and Jonas Hector of 1. FC Köln. These two players are young proven players with loads of potential and happen to be defensive by nature. Carvalho is an out and out CDM and a Portuguese Champion. While Hector is a solid defender on a Köln team which consistently troubles the German Giants from mid-table. He helped re-establish Köln in the Bundesliga after winning the 2. Bundesliga with them in 2013-2014. They sit in seventh in Germany because of solid young talents such as Hector and their keeper Timo Horn and those are two places Liverpool struggle consistently.
Conclusion
These three reasons in my view provide hope for a successful end to this seasons, and constructive summer, and a flying start to next season. There are reasons to worry and they have been repeated again and again but hope still remains at Anfield because it never left, deep down.
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