The end of season report

[barnes10]

wonder who was in the envelopes

[Muddled]

Assaidi. Thrice.

[Pablo]

Since the decline began in the Gillett/Hicks era :

2009/2010 - 63 points, GS 61, GC 35, GD +26

2010/11 - 58 points, GS 59, GC 44, GD +18

2011/2012 - 52 points, GS 47, GC 40, GD +7

2012/2013 - 61 points, GS 71, GC GC 43, GD +28

That 2009/2010 season was when things began to collapse at the club, culminating in Rafa's sacking. The stats show after a few years of turmoil, we're now starting to make progress again.

As has also been mentioned we're now scoring goals "for fun". 71 is our highest since we finished second in 2008/2009, when we managed 77. We've scored the most Premier League goals of any team in 2013, so if anything we're becoming more and more of an attacking threat.

Our improvement rests heavily upon the defensive reinforcements we make in the summer. Get those right and we'll be pushing for the top 4 again, get them wrong and we'll tread water. It's obvious, but it is that simple IMO

[Alex]

Wow, seeing it laid out like that really brings it home how terrible we were last season. 52 points ffs!

I really hope this upward curve continues. Obviously

Viva La Rodgerlution, Viva La Brodject.

[elrichio86]

We're woefully vulnerable to set pieces.

I've seen this mentioned quite a lot recently. And whilst I agree that we never look comfortable at defending set pieces, does anybody* have any stats to show it? Are we conceding more than in previous seasons? How do we compare to other teams?



*Too lazy to look myself....

[Pablo]

I've seen this mentioned quite a lot recently. And whilst I agree that we never look comfortable at defending set pieces, does anybody* have any stats to show it? Are we conceding more than in previous seasons? How do we compare to other teams?



*Too lazy to look myself....

I think we've improved an awful lot at this over the past few months, although there's still work to do.

I think the stats would probably show we're average. Not nearly as bad as we might assume.

[PTP]

Ok for me, though not great, although he's got my full support I was a bit a surprised with the kop chanting only one Brendan Rodgers yesterday, he's done ok but for me he's not quite at that level yet

Looking at positives

We have reduced wage bill, we have got a young squad that is learning and growing each game, we have seen plenty of youth coming through, we have at times played some of the best football I've seen us play in years and we have picked up two bargains in Sturridge and coutinho.

Negatives - we still struggle when teams press us, we look shocking at defending set pieces, some times we look weak physically and mentally shot, we lack consistency and every time we have needed a win we failed imo, no trophies, way of the top four and finished behind Everton, it's not pretty


Then the summer comes....this is were it is going to get tough....rumours that Reina, skrtel, Coates all to leave, carra retiring and then at some point be prepared for the Suarez ****storm, you just know that the media can't wait to whip up a Suarez leaving frenzy.

IMO, looking at the current squad. If we kept it all together and added 3/4 top players we would be in a position to fight for fourth....however if we start losing players like Reina and who knows Suarez then we will really struggle

Massive summer, we could be looking at signing
A new first choice keeper
Two top centre halves

And on top of that I feel we need another lb to push Enrique, a top centre mid and another attacking option

It's a lot to ask, it's a lot of business to do and I just can't see us pulling all that off, and without it, we won't compete next season,

So to sum up...this season has been meh, ok, but it all comes down to this summer,

[Tee]

Love watching this team play. That is the main thing for me - we are playing proper football again the Liverpool way. Well done BR, the future looks bright! I just hope FSG appreciate the progress he has made and back him to the level we need to genuinely push the top teams next season.

[elrichio86]

I think we've improved an awful lot at this over the past few months, although there's still work to do.

I think the stats would probably show we're average. Not nearly as bad as we might assume.

See, that's my feeling as well. We're pretty average, and certainly no worse than some people try to make out. Some numbers would help either way though.

Seeing as we're likely to be replacing at least half the defence this summer it may be fairly irrelevant anyway. At least one CB who's dominant in the air would really help IMO, its an area I've felt we've been quite weak at since Sami left.

[RedReet]

Ok for me, though not great, although he's got my full support I was a bit a surprised with the kop chanting only one Brendan Rodgers yesterday, he's done ok but for me he's not quite at that level yet
Looking at positives

We have reduced wage bill, we have got a young squad that is learning and growing each game, we have seen plenty of youth coming through, we have at times played some of the best football I've seen us play in years and we have picked up two bargains in Sturridge and coutinho.

Negatives - we still struggle when teams press us, we look shocking at defending set pieces, some times we look weak physically and mentally shot, we lack consistency and every time we have needed a win we failed imo, no trophies, way of the top four and finished behind Everton, it's not pretty


Then the summer comes....this is were it is going to get tough....rumours that Reina, skrtel, Coates all to leave, carra retiring and then at some point be prepared for the Suarez ****storm, you just know that the media can't wait to whip up a Suarez leaving frenzy.

IMO, looking at the current squad. If we kept it all together and added 3/4 top players we would be in a position to fight for fourth....however if we start losing players like Reina and who knows Suarez then we will really struggle

Massive summer, we could be looking at signing
A new first choice keeper
Two top centre halves

And on top of that I feel we need another lb to push Enrique, a top centre mid and another attacking option

It's a lot to ask, it's a lot of business to do and I just can't see us pulling all that off, and without it, we won't compete next season,

So to sum up...this season has been meh, ok, but it all comes down to this summer,

Do you know another Brendan Rodgers?

[Pablo]

See, that's my feeling as well. We're pretty average, and certainly no worse than some people try to make out. Some numbers would help either way though.

Seeing as we're likely to be replacing at least half the defence this summer it may be fairly irrelevant anyway. At least one CB who's dominant in the air would really help IMO, its an area I've felt we've been quite weak at since Sami left.

We need another Sami so, so badly. A true leader and someone totally dominant in the air, who can also score at set pieces (we lack that). It'll be nigh on impossible to find one though. If we get someone half as influential we'll have hit the jackpot.

My choice would be Papadopoulos.

[ronanm]

6.5/10

Moving in the right direction. Get some decent defenders (2 * CBs) in and one or two others (Downing replacement and perhaps a midfielder enforcer) and we'll be up there. Would like to see another striker too.

[SB]

Do you know another Brendan Rodgers?

[PTP]

Do you know another Brendan Rodgers?

yes

Let me elaborate a little...it seemed a bit forced...basically the kop chanted dalglish, then Benitez, and after an awkward silence Brendan Rodgers. It was a like an after thought, you could almost hear the conversation, do we chant Rodgers name, I'm not sure, no, well we can't leave him out know we have chanted dalglish and Benitez he will feel bad about it, ok then lets do it,

Don't get me wrong he's done ok, but for me he'll need to really push us on before I'm singing his name

[RedReet]

yes

Let me elaborate a little...it seemed a bit forced...basically the kop chanted dalglish, then Benitez, and after an awkward silence Brendan Rodgers. It was a like an after thought, you could almost hear the conversation, do we chant Rodgers name, I'm not sure, no, well we can't leave him out know we have chanted dalglish and Benitez he will feel bad about it, ok then lets do it,

Don't get me wrong he's done ok, but for me he'll need to really push us on before I'm singing his name

It’s a **** chant too.

I’d like something a bit more creative before I join in.