“SPINELESS. Shithouses. Where are the leaders?”
The dust has firmly settled on the misery of that second half in Basel last week, but the familiar refrains, which have accompanied each defeat last season, still ring in the ears. An eighth place finish and anaemic defeat in two cup finals have seen fans rush to validate their opinions on the backbone of the squad bequeathed to Jürgen Klopp.
However, the Sevilla reverse, while confirming the need for upgrades in several positions doesn’t tell the whole story. Cup final losses are heartbreaking but you have to be in them to lose them, and there was plenty of character on show in despatching Manchester United, shocking Borussia Dortmund and overwhelming Villarreal.
Each of the ties won in reaching the Europa League final brought their own vestige of pressure, and the respective burdens — putting a deadly rival to the sword, defending a first leg lead, riding waves of Anfield hysteria, outfighting superior opposition, and coolly overturning a delicate deficit — were carried valiantly by at least some of the men who will fight the fight for Liverpool next season.
So, having honeymooned extensively across Europe, who are the personalities whose temperament, spirit and fibre can identify them as Klopp’s captains as we knuckle down to domestic “bliss”?
Their leadership lights might currently remain hidden under a bushel but who can Jurgen rely on to inspire new recruits and the foot soldiers that remain? Who is the manager, after the hectic nature of 2015-16, looking to coax, nurture and develop as his voices on the pitch?
When it comes to leadership who can be Klopp’s Magnificent Seven?
Nathaniel Clyne
Solid as a rock during his debut season; his durability allowing 50 appearances and notable, admirable consistency. When Clyne had a bit of a wobble during the Europa League second leg match at Old Trafford — at the hands of the slippery Anthony Martial — it was remarkable for its novelty value.
The England right-back might appear quiet on the surface but he has an organisational role to fulfil in a reshaped rearguard; as a now established defender likely to play in every game. Klopp will be aware of the need to add a measure of solidity to the recent improvements seen in hitting the back of the net. The redoubtable Clyne can build on a great start to his Liverpool career if he’s encouraged to take responsibility for a meaner defensive approach and, being the definition of roundhead over cavalier, can also be an emerging voice among the English contingent.
Dejan Lovren
After a comeback of Istanbul proportions, Degsy Love (as TAW funny-man, Ben Johnson calls him) looks captaincy material already. Lazarus would be proud of him, but would struggle to match the leap that gave the season its signature moment during the last knockings of that epic Dortmund night.
Given that he’d spent the best part of 12 months making misjudgement his stock in trade, his redemption as a centre–half is now complete. Interceptions are now better timed than the perfect boiled egg and tackles made with aplomb. He’s finally allowed me to make sense of the phrase “defending on the front foot” as he relentlessly gets ahead of his man but now with the ball at least somewhere in proximity. With his burgeoning assurance, Lovren has grown more vocal and seems the obvious commander of the defence as he contemplates a new partner in Joel Matip next season.
James Milner
I spent half a season making cruel jokes about the “yeoman”. Eventually “Millie” rightly admitted to his own dourness and likened his midfield shifts in midfield to a miner labouring in heavy boots. The thing about Milner though is that he has a certain stealth to him. Without me realising it, the po-faced Yorkshire bastard has, as is his want, ground me into submission and won me over.
The “Boring James Milner” Twitter account might have legions of followers but by all accounts he’s a good laugh off the field. Other players like and look up to him, and when legs are tiring between 70 and 90 minutes, there he is still chugging away; with his jutting jaw, our very own version of Desperate Dan.
On a more serious note, he came to Anfield because he wanted to play, and play he did, not always in his preferred central midfield. Not the loudest captain but his influence is measured more in deed than decibels.
Phil Coutinho
It was a shock to see Coutinho go missing in the final month of the season. Whatever illness forced him off at half-time in Villareal, it apparently stripped Phil of all his devil at the season’s business end.
Coutinho’s flair and grace mask a fantastic work ethic. It’s hard to fathom that he’s still only 23, and has time to grow in stature. Last season he added crucial goals at key times, the majority of those marvels of aesthetics; the lame finishing of his early career a distant memory.
Klopp will be looking to Coutinho to kick on again; to influence games consistently over 90 minutes but also to puff out his chest and set an example to others. Little Phil, individual LFC awards falling out of his every locker and cupboard, is capable of a metaphorically bigger presence. Klopp needs to get in his head and offer him a promotion — “Director of Creativity” or “King of Futsal” or something would do.
Daniel Sturridge
The stand-off between Sturridge and Klopp has been a fascinating vignette amid the story of the season. On the face of it, if it has been a duel, Klopp has won. Getting a crocked footballer on the pitch, scoring goals, bears out that result. Getting a player with a perceived laconic style fighting for all he’s worth to scream joy and vindication (at Anfield against Villarreal) is quite the feat.
There is though a chance to build on a hitherto terse relationship and foster something more lasting through added trust. If Klopp is convinced of Sturridge’s durability (to withstand pre-season and remain fit) then he can exhibit through Daniel the true measure of his man-management. Converts often become your greatest advocates.
If Klopp can continue to win the mind games and distinguish between Sturridge’s apparently flimsy, selfish demeanour and instead recognise the traits of a winner in pursuit of perfection, he might not just uncover a compliant leader of the line, but a disciple laden with goals.
Scouser Tommy
Klopp faces an ongoing battle with the identity of the Anfield crowd. The manager has seen already — thanks to Europe — that the Kop can be not solely a 12th man, but actually his best player. But, and it’s a big but; the European crowd, drawn from a local catchment feeding off lower ticket prices is vastly different; hugely more hostile than the acquiescent weekend League crowd.
Once the season begins, unless the Reds are on a massive roll to begin with, bums will return to seats, and the roars of the spring Anfield nights will be strangled in throats. The demographic will ensure more “tea parties” than the raucous support required to mount a title challenge. It’s no time to be a complacent about the return of the old Anfield atmosphere.
Perversely, Klopp needs to understand and challenge the supporters to recreate the distinct advantage Anfield can bring; and fans who come through the turnstiles should have it drummed in that attitude, swagger and character in the stands means far more than holding a scarf aloft during You’ll Never Walk Alone.
Jürgen Klopp
“Where are our leaders?”
Well, Kloppo is the leader of this merry band that is Liverpool FC; on and off the pitch. A man of huge personality and unrestrained emotion; his job, now that the honeymoon period is over, is to build character and unity among the individual and the collective.
Part of his remit, now that he has time to get his feet under the table, is to cut through the morass of self-serving middle management which has apparently held the club back in the wake of the Hicks and Gillett years. Liverpool FC needed a plausible figurehead and it now has one in Klopp. However, the impending departure of Ian Ayre, regardless of his capability, creates a vacuum but also opportunity. Does Klopp have the power, desire, or indeed the astuteness to bring in an ally at director level, but with greater football acumen?
Klopp, of course, is also charged with instilling gumption into players through the spine of the team, whether new or old, so that when we reflect in 12 months’ time, we can address any failings without constantly questioning backbone or temperament.
Excellent analysis and thanks. Milner will be an excellent example for the younger players to follow, no doubt. But will he be in the starting 11 next season? I doubt he would be, especially for the home games.
Sturridge-coutinho link will keep at least 4 of the opposition defensive players occupied, freeing up space for others to exploit. (Thus the need for a real world class wide player to utilize this)
Clyne may not be the fancy ‘branded’ player like others but he is player of the season in my opinion.
I’d add Emre and Big Divvy to that list.
So would I
I would include Lovren in the list only after he consistently performs another a dozen or so matches for us. But the signs are promising…the last few weeks, he was playing with more authority, more commitments, more passion.
Especially after he scored in 4-3 win, his confidence must have been sky high due to a lot of love from the fans.
Enjoyable read Mike, overall. Nice to see your noting of coutinho’s work ethic. An area that the lad gets ridiculous criticism thrown at him for.
Couldn’t be sure of this from the article, but the suggestion of the atmosphere-section seems to be the old ‘locals bring the noise’ mantra. Agreed there were more young faces than is usual at most of the European games – but they certainly weren’t all local. And even then, after the opening minutes, the noise only really earned ’12th man’ status once we were already in ascendancy. The exception being utd, when the noise was pretty consistent.
These debates go round in circles but let’s not pretend the atmosphere at these games was more than it was or that the noise is generally made by scousers, rather than oots. As has been said many times by many reds, the issue has various causes, with the regulars at Anfield (including many locals) being one of the bigger factors. If we can find what it is that enables a truly decent atmosphere, worthy of the kop’s name, then we can hopefully generate that more often. For me – apart from on-field success – that is about youth (which I think was part of your point), enjoyment, pride and less finger-pointing. Some of those factors we rely on the club for; others not so much.
Feeding the old myths about which elements bring the noise isn’t going to aid that, in my opinion. If you meant the half-half, tourist brigade as opposed to non-locals in general, then i agree – as a rule, they’re not going to be creating a cauldron. But they’re really not outnumbering supporters are they. Not the way some like to suggest. Also, every club has them to some extent.
Interesting that you didn’t mention our captain
I find it somewhat perverse that there is no mention at all of the current club captain in an article on leaders. Are we to infer this omission means his leadership qualities are already being recognised, due to his captaincy, or that he’s not considered leadership material in this piece? Either way, surely he deserves a mention.
When a player has their season ruined by injury, which was the case with Jordan Henderson, it’s very difficult for them to build on the progress made in previous seasons. Even so, Henderson’s determination to play was a lesson to some. He was still playing when it was obvious his foot injury was limiting his mobility and he worked hard to get fit in time for the Europa League final (although he remained an unused substitute). When others in the above list have been reluctant to play when not fully fit, or have gone missing in matches, Henderson has still tried to perform his role as captain, even when luck wasn’t on his side, and that says something with regard to leadership.
I don’t particularly view any of these as major candidates for leaders on the pitch. Several of them have been at the club for a coupla seasons or more now already and havnt stepped up to the plate in any sort of semi consistent way.
Contrast them to the likes of Reina, Carra, Hypia, Gerrard, Masch, Alonso, Kuyt, Gerrard etc,….I think all of these played in the same side at one time.
Come next season our oldest regular player could very well be Lovren at 27 closely followed by Sturridge.
Has he been a leader on the pitch that the others can look to on any real consistent basis so far?
Has he great European experience?
Can Sturridge be on the pitch enough to be a leader?
Does he have enough experience?
I really think this team could do with an older, experienced head who’s been there and done it. Possibly doesn’t even have to be a starter but about the squad enough to get games. Kolo helped partly to fill this role but looking like he’ll be going. More than one would be ideal.
I stupidly forgot Milner and Lallana would be older but possibly only Milner as leader material, who has quite some experience.
I think I’m having a bit of a crisis of thought this week.
Talk of leaders aside, I play the game like everyone else. Can is brilliant, Lallana has been one of the most improved under Klopp, Sturridge is world class etc etc. I’m not sure what I even believe anymore.
All this talk of Gotze got me thinking. I’m desperate for us to sign him because we’re linked with a world class player. I don’t want the rejection. In the
very very few times I’ve seen him I wasn’t actually that impressed. I can see why Bayern don’t fancy him. Add his injury record and it’s got me wondering what the fuss is about. So, whilst sowing veg at the allotment and having a clear head it struck me what I do want.
It’s a Fernando Torres. I’ve spent the season arguing to anyone who says anything against him that Sturridge is absolutely world class and he is. Klopp likes playing with 1 up front though. I maintain Sturridge is better with a partner. I think the evidence is backed up by some of Origi’s performances. He’s not fit to lace Sturridges boots but prior to his injury we looked a good team. I’m a bit confused here as I want to see Sturridge on the pitch. The goal against Sevilla tells us everything we need to know about what he can do. It’s just that if you ask a car enthusiast if a Hillman Imp is a top car they’d unanimously say yes. If you had to drive to London though would you want to drive down the M6/M1 in that? Would you fuck. Point being, the environment is equally important as the performance or qualities.
Regarding a Torres type, I think Coutinho is absolutely world class with someone decent in front of him. He was outrageous with both Sturridge and Suarez. When he plays just with Sturridge I think he’s quiet and often uneffective, worldy’s aside. It’s clear Sturridge often likes to drop deep and wide. So, my conclusion was Lallana has to be the fall guy. Yes he’s done well and he suits Klopp’s style (for 70 mins) but I can’t see a place for him whoever we buy. I think he’s tricky but not direct. There are more dynamic formations already at the club than playing him. I feel we lose a cutting edge. I remember Torres breaking through the line for a one on ones on numerous occasions. I remember Benteke also having numerous chances like that this season but he’s a 1 in 3 or 4. Torres was a one in 1 or 2. I think we forget how many he scored with his head too. In the same way, Benteke has missed hundreds of good opportunities with his head. Point being, when we’ve played Benteke those chances have been created. If we’d had Torres 08 himself the season would have been different. Everyone would benefit. Even Moreno would have assists to make up for his poor defending.
So, all this talk of Gotze, left backs, keepers, DM’s, wingers, is all valid but for me, give me a 3 of Coutinho, Sturridge and Firmino with a Torres in front and it’s game over for the opposition. Yeah, tighten the back for sure but I won’t be happy till we’ve bought an out and out striker. What if Sturridge misses 15 games (or more) due to injury?
So, what’s the point of this rambling and conveying my private thoughts on here? It’s quite simple. I’m pissed off about how accepting we are. Lallana simply isn’t good enough to lead us to the league. We go on about Ibe. Well, look at Rashford. I can say 100% he’s got what it takes. I don’t know about Ibe. Personally, I doubt it. Therefore, do we want to see him in league games from the start? Klopp knows the score though or even if the fans don’t. Things are probably heading in the right direction there. Flanagan was great in 2013/14 and I agree we need some local lads but only if they’re good enough to win us the league. Is Flanagan? Can has bags of potential. He, actually, could be the leader you mention. Some of his performances have been sublime, others not so. Yet, that doesn’t stop the wanking over him. We’ve had it with Lucas for years. Yeah, I love him too. Great servant blah, blah, blah. Good enough to win the league?
One gets criticism for bringing these things up and the reason is we’re all accepting of mediocre in the spirit of harmony. Luckily, Klopp isnt and for the record, neither am I. I’d go as far as to say, in the past, managers have given in to our collective clamour about certain players. We create the hype around players when it’s clearly based on sentiment or fleeting glimpses. German ruthlessness should be the order of the day now.
Just find a top class striker. I’d never heard of Suarez when we bought him. It’s what I want most of all. I trust Klopp to sort it all out.
Fantastic read Mike, the Anfield Wrap team have upped their game the last few months, quality stuff constantly on the writing side and the podcasts, look forward to youse guys filling the void over the summer! Up the mighty reds…
Enjoyed this thanks very much. You know on another day we would have taken Seville. That and the league cup final game will make the first Klopp success even sweeter.