February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
In the 2003-04 season, Morientes was the top scorer for Monaco in the Champions League. The Spanish striker has signed a contract through 2007, sending a clear signal to fans that manager Benitez means business.
Liverpool fans know their football. They know that once upon a time Liverpool ruled Europe. Silverware was expected and delivered. Indeed, the fans really want to see their team play football the way it should be played. They want to win in style. Can you hear the drums, Fernando?
The club and its supporters are going through a transition period since the days of Bill Shankly and Kenny Daglish. Gerard Houllier brought in his style of play. It did grow on the knowledgeable fans, but still a new face beckoned. Not even a treble by Liverpool under Houllier could stop the wheel turning at Anfield. The Spanish giants have arrived at Anfield Road.
Change is what Liverpool is going through. It’s definitely foreign to the days of old when the brotherhood met in the boot room. Lately, though, it seems results have been coming up short for the Spanish recruiter. At the same time, Benitez is not expected to get things clicking right away. But in small spells so far this season Liverpool has showed some spark in outclassing their opponents.
One of the biggest issues going on at the moment is, Will Steven Gerrard staying at the club? It really shouldn’t be an issue. Champions League football is something Gerrard does not want to live without. However, he doesn’t seem confident with his Pool achieving that on a regular basis and doesn’t think he can win Champions League honors at the club. But, of course, no one man makes a team. The Spanish giants have moved in. They will walk on with or without Gerrard.
At first fans would ponder on the exit of their most favorable captain and midfield general, should he leave. Michael Owen left and Liverpool moved on. The same will happen if Gerrard goes. But he has come back after an injury and is showing flashes of some excellent stuff. Benitez gave him the license to go forward. And Gerrard was up for it. He produced a fantastic goal in the CL upon his return. He was effective in his first game back. Nevertheless, he’s not quite there, but once he settles down for the second half of the season, he’ll fit right in there with his amigos. No doubt about that. At the same time, Gerrard has to think about wanting to be all over the game, trying to run the show. Things get a little silkier when the Spanish come to play.
Liverpool did put an interesting run together just before Gerrard came back. Fans know they must be somewhat patient as their captain finds his feet. But do fans want to see Gerrard running amok, playing great and Liverpool losing? Wouldn’t they prefer the Spanish outfit winning with or without him? Benitez has brought in one of the best goal-scoring players in the world. The trick is knowing how to use him, whether from the bench or starting him. Perhaps Morientes would have better served off the bench against Manchester United in his debut for Liverpool at the weekend, a 1-0 loss. It was the first time the striker did not to score in a debut. But he’ll make up for that.
For a while last year it looked like Gerrard was on his way out of Liverpool. Now he’s back in the side, but an unsettled side it is. However, Benitez is in a rebuilding mode as he buys shrewdly. The two key areas where he must strengthen up are his defense and wide players where Harry Kewell seems to be struggling. The Spanish flavor may thicken out on the flanks. But the likes of Irish defender Steve Finnan will fit right in there with the Spanish style going forward. The center is where Benitez has started his changes. It’s what he does afterward with the back line that will determine Liverpool’s success. Presently, the game seems to be built around Gerrard’s qualities, though with Alonso on the scene things are now leaning toward his range of passing.
Sami Hyypia could fit in with Benitez’s plans. Hyypia is a big, solid, quick defender who can distribute the ball. He is also good in the air. Jaime Carragher is right in there doing a job as well. They are two good, strong players worth their weight in gold for the club’s future. But Benitez also knows that he must have another central defender. Most of all, the goalkeeping position doesn’t quite get there. To be Super Reds again, Liverpool needs a goalkeeper.
In the meantime, Milan Baros will find another spring in his step with Morientes on board, while another player who could split the Spanish scene is Harry Kewell. He’s not himself these days. Gone are the flashing runs at defenses and cracking the ball home. The Aussie seems to be out in the wilderness at times — out on the flanks, not really playing his game. He does not seem to be in tip-top shape, either.
Benitez has his work cut out for him in dealing with players who need to leave while trying to cement the team’s style. The main goal this year is the Champions League. And to qualify for it again is an even more important challenge. The top of the table is calling on Liverpool, as the usual suspects, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United lead the pack again.
The foreign influence at Liverpool has truly arrived and fans will have to learn the new Spanish ways. We would hate to see Gerrard go, but Liverpool walk on. They will be back the helm of Europe, there’s no doubt about that. The question is, Will it be under Spanish influence? It’s going to be very interesting to see whom Benitez buys next year. In the meantime, they could settle down and go on a run. It’s now a must for it to happen after that loss to United.