Responsibility Deficit Is Dalglish’s Greatest Challenge
Posted on 23. Jan, 2012 by Tom Cullimore in Blog
As with any classic drama the tale of Liverpool’s increasingly unconvincing season continues to twist and turn; the conclusion to this plot remains entirely unpredictable. At the close of a week of intense theorising around Sherlock Holmes’ apparent BBC One death, a red herring of a very different kind has been exposed.
The striker that so many long to see arrive at Anfield this transfer window has been unfairly touted as the solution to the club’s unconvincing league form. Even as he remains at this stage an entirely hypothetical figure, the weight of expectation that rests on his shoulders is indescribably unenviable. How typically reductive to assume he will ‘solve’ anything. The under thought premise, fabricated by ever-insightful pundits and lapped up by frustrated supporters, is one that distracts from the truth; individuals in the Liverpool squad have failed, and are failing, to perform anywhere near the level one would expect of a professional footballer.
It will come as a surprise to many to see manager Kenny Dalglish criticise his own players, even in the wake of the team’s appalling 3-1 defeat at the hands of struggling Bolton, yet this is the measure of how deep Liverpool’s responsibility deficit is. Too many players, too often, shy away from fighting for the cause of their club. As they see others around them back off, the problem multiplies. There are numerous reasons why this merits such a cutting critique from their manager, the clearest of which lies in the highlighted disrespect that continued underperformance pays a club with such proud traditions. For a man who has deflected condemnation from his team onto himself for so many months this move is hugely significant, and is one that would seem to suggest the time of some at the club is numbered.
Since Dalglish’s return he has clearly established that a good performance is likely to retain the individual’s place on the team sheet for the following game. A mantra of such simplicity, though, was bound to hit difficulties before too long. An extreme example it might be, but if events at The Reebok are to implicate on the side destined to face Manchester City midweek, Dalglish will struggle to find eleven men to send out. Bar Jordan Henderson, whose sustained desire to win the ball and push forward should illustrate how his team mates were expected to perform, the Liverpool manager could well be looking to change the entire line-up.
It is far too often in the Premier League, and indeed beyond, that we see managers take the brunt of devastating criticism as their players retreat below deck until the storm passes. See, for example, the last season of Rafael Benitez’s time at the club, the entirety of Roy Hodgson’s reign, and now the first difficult patch of Kenny’s return. Of course, from the supporter’s perspective, the simple solution is the most desirable; change the manager and results will improve. Unfortunately for Liverpool, their problem runs far deeper than a managerial one. Whilst supporters should never be quick to pan their players, when the absence of mutual respect is instigated from the other side, as was proven last night, discussion of individuals seems warranted.
More than anything, for a fan of any team, it is laziness that will draw the most irate of reactions. For that reason, the absence of challenges made on Mark Davies before he fired past Pepe Reina in the opening minutes, is sure to rank amongst the lowest moments of the club’s season so far. This lethargy, it transpired, was contagious. As the game dragged on (and as with so many games previous to it) more and more of Liverpool’s players slacked off, none willing to drag the team back from the brink, none showing the desire that merits a Champions League place (which too many, it would seem, assume they deserve by virtue of playing for such an esteemed club).
Andy Carroll’s link-up play was commendable if ultimately ineffective, whilst Craig Bellamy’s darting runs eventually fizzled out into nothing. Even Steven Gerrard, inspirational on countless occasions, failed to impress. Charlie Adam was absent until a lumbering tackle was required, whilst Maxi was similarly notable in the worst possible way, though it was for his clumsy touch on the ball, rather than off it. Talk this week has been of Gary Cahill’s Chelsea initiation, but it was Jose Enrique who suffered his most publically; the Spaniard’s first defensive horror show now marks him as a bona fide Liverpool player.
The list, regrettably, might go on, but for the sake of concision it seems best to leave it there. It may seem a strange point to end on, but the Champions League is not yet out of reach. If the team that currently collapses so devastatingly as a unit were to heed the advice of their manager and begin to progress as a group, Anfield might host Europe’s elite as early as next season.
They must, however, know that performances such as last night’s, and ones even a fraction as awful, are unacceptable at Liverpool Football Club. Dalglish, above anyone else, is the man to educate them about the standards of the institution he helped make great. New signings will help, but their significance should not be overplayed; hard work and a respect of the opposition alone will steer the Reds back on course. For those who fail to realise that, their stay at the club is most probably drawing to a close.
Oh, and if it’s the kind of thing you’re into, feel free to follow me on Twitter, @tom_cullimore. If you’d rather not, that’s just fine too.
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11 Responses to “Responsibility Deficit Is Dalglish’s Greatest Challenge”
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Sparko82
23. Jan, 2012
Give up reading this article half way through. Hard work!
surenster
23. Jan, 2012
that is an oxymoron
anfield rd dreamer
23. Jan, 2012
Article is spot on but think Kenny sent same message with two statements in his post match interview. Carroll and Bellamy showed good flashes until Bellamy faded, Henderson tried but was out of position doesn’t surprise me that we didn’t concede after he took over from Adam in middle. Think game needs to be taken into context, the efforts and commitment of the majority of the players was insulting to the club, but it was one game, if it doesn’t happen again fine. It was also the first time our defence has let us down, every Bolton goal could have been stopped by our usually solid defence and yet again if its just a one off then fine. Luckily we havent fallen behind the competition so we have “got away with it” so to speak. This game will hopefully work as a kick up the arse for all concerned!
drake
23. Jan, 2012
You can argue that Dalglish can only pick his best XI and send them out but non the less he bought the underachievers and he is surely responsible for motivation ( players need motivation for a job most of us would walk over broken glass to do! ) Once you’re a goal down in three minutes your initial tactics are out of the window and you need to rethink. Dalglish seems incapable of that..The man is a legend but they say you should never bathe in the same pool twice
Dave McQueen
23. Jan, 2012
We weren’t just poor against Bolton. We were poor against Stoke. I can’t believe we aren’t looking at more signings. How much have NESV actually invested??? They got the club way below its market value, sold its most valuable playing commodity and have only really reinvested what they have accrued (given the high earners they got rid off). They should be mixing young talent with 2-3 world class players. We know we overpaid on hendo, Carroll and downing. However they could also have looke at Martinez, Maituidi etc – players that aren’t in the CL, would no doubt move to the club yet we aren’t interested in.
Anybody that thinks we can get anywhere near the title with this squad is on a dIfferent planet. I am not saying sack Kenny – however these players are not good enough for this club. They may be better than what Woy brought in, but it stinks of when we signed Babb, Scales and mcateer and we know where that got us.
No Champions League
23. Jan, 2012
Kenny made a Huge mistake by singning AUNTY CAROL instread of ANDY CAROLL.
Supandi
23. Jan, 2012
Rafa, during his stint, assembled the best team in Europe but failed to go the whole way because of his negative tactics and sundry other reasons. This time too, we have a decent squad but they almost invariably failed to show up on most occasions – especially against lower-ranked teams. Is it tactics or lack of motivation? Hard to put a finger on it…
And on the same note, quality-wise Spurs aren’t too far above us, but they’re playing attractive football – fast flowing attacking football that could be said to be the quintessential English game originated by LFC. And they seem to be getting better at it than us, and there lies the rub.
Hubfan
23. Jan, 2012
Type your comment here…
Hubfan
23. Jan, 2012
This was not the only “bad day at the office” we’ve seen from this group this year. I think alot of us were thinking that Stevie G would be able to cure that by his force of will. That didn’t appear to be the case on Saturday.
I’m not on the bandwagon calling for KK’s head, and I’ll support these players while they’re at the club, but I’m beginning to think some of them, Charlie Adams for one, would do better elsewhere.
I thought Andy actually showed some life, as did Hendo, so good for you, lads, keep it up.
Hope this gets sorted, and quick.
anfield rd dreamer
23. Jan, 2012
Kenny out.
John M
23. Jan, 2012
KK can only pick his best 11, fair enough he didnt buy and top players, other than Suarez which is undoubtedly one of the best players to ever enter Anfield, Carroll is starting to pick up Charlie Adam is getting the crosses in there I’ve noticed a few times that he has a way of always getting a hot head…. Gerrard is still not 100% trust me when he is we will see it, me personally I think LFC problem is the fans, and the so called KOP… think back to 5-6 years ago from the minute the match started to d final whistle we had chanting, singing and alot more than what we have now, so instead of trying to pick faults with the team, look at yourselves. LFC players are like energizer bunnies in away there not the same without the KOP, so lets get the KOP back to the way it was and start supporting our players. YNWA…