Is King Kenny losing his crown?

A year ago most Liverpool fans hailed the second coming of “King Kenny” as the start of a great and exciting new era for Liverpool FC.

Having to endure what most considered to be 6 months of disaster under Roy Hodgson, there was only one man they all wanted and the board obliged. A year on, following another disappointing display this time against Bolton, is the king tarnishing his coverted throne?

For me, even though Liverpool are 1-0 up in the semi final of the Carling Cup against Man City and play Man Utd in the FA Cup 4th round, the team and new signings have been less than impressive. Quite frankly I would go so far as to say Carroll, Downing, Adam and Henderson have been a nightmare.

The combined fee for these four players come to a staggering £78 Million. The combined goals these four players have for the club in all competitions stand at an embarrassing 8. Demba Ba cost Newcastle nothing and he has scored more goals then these four combined 14. I know a lot of people will say Liverpool have been unlucky, they have hit the woodwork more than any team this season etc but I say you make your own luck.

Kenny Daglish’s tactics this season have left a lot to be desired for me. He has a young striker who he paid a British record fee for that is struggling for goals. We all know he is good in the air, that’s how he caught everyone’s eye. Surely you have to play to his strengths, Liverpool have ONE winger in Stuart Downing, and what makes it even worse is most of the season Daglish has played him on the right with Bellamy on they left? Bizarre.

The fact that Charlie Adam seems to be bought as a replacement for Steven Gerrard is laughable. Ok he was brilliant as Blackpool’s talisman last season but as their talisman Blackpool were RELEGATED! Liverpool forked out £20 Million for Downing and to hear he has contributed 1 goal (against Oldham) is again laughable. I mean Van der Vaart cost Spurs £8 Million. Sessegnon cost Sunderland £6 and Newcastle got Ben Arfa on loan.

This brings me nicely on to Jordan Henderson. I know the player does not decide on the fee but I am still baffled to why Liverpool have purchased him at all let alone for so much. I know he is still young (like Carroll) and has time on his side but I still cant see what he can that Jay Spearing can’t do. Kenny Daglish paid £16 Million for this 20 year old which I didn’t think much of when he played for Sunderland last season.

Kenny may argue he is young and Liverpool are building for the future, if that is the case Liverpool have a good crop of young attacking players. None more so than Raheem Sterling who has excelled so far for Liverpool. They also have the likes of David Amoo, Nathan Ecclestone. Adam Morgan, Michael Ngoo and Toni Silva who have not played 1 minute in the first team. They also had Thomas Ince who was forced to move to Blackpool due to lack of playing time.

Liverpool lack a distinct amount of creativity in the side, this is the reason why they have been struggling for goals this season. It seems like Kenny just cannot get the players to perform. Dirk Kuyt has never been prolific since he came to the club, but he has always got the odd important goal when needed. You have to ask why he has not even scored this season?

I think the reason why Liverpool have struggled at home is down to Daglish’s negative tactics. For a former prolific striker himself it is weird how he puts more onus on defence rather than attack. I understand the notion of if you don’t concede you don’t lose BUT if you don’t score you don’t win. That has never been more evident in Liverpool’s home record this season. Played 11 won 4 drawn 7 lost 0.

Though Liverpool are unbeaten at home, 7 draws especially to the likes of Swansea, Norwich, Stoke and Blackburn is just not good enough. Liverpool seem to be set up not to concede, the problem with that is once they do concede it seems they have no plan B, this showed against Bolton and previously against Stoke.

To me although the result in the Carling Cup semi final was a great one, the manor of the victory was not flattering at all. I am not really an advocate of 11 men behind the ball for a team like Liverpool. I feel the best form of defence is attack, that is why the likes of Barcelona have won the Champions League twice in the last 3 years and Spain are the current World and European champions.

With that being said, Liverpool can still get their hands on a trophy this season. If they can avoid defeat and navigate their way past a tricky home tie against league leaders Man City, they get to Wembley. They are also still in the FA Cup, though they entertain Man Utd who knocked them out last season following an early Gerrard red card in Daglish’s first game back. Still if they do win a trophy this will pave over the cracks of some real questionable signings. But with only 3 trophies to play for picking up one this year will go down as a successful season for king Kenny no matter what.