Brendan Rodgers tough early fixtures at Liverpool may cause him to adjust a more pragmatic approach.
What matters to Liverpool supporters more next season, results or style?
The answer may divide several. Would Liverpool take a season of attractive football and finishing sixth or seventh – a slight improvement on this year’s eighth – or would they rather a mixture of ground out results, less exciting to watch but secure a fourth place finish?
Brendan Rodgers attracted a new fanbase of plaudits last season for his Swansea City side, statistics revealed they completed more passes than Manchester City – and previously unheralded players like Leon Britton topped European passing statistics ahead of Barcelona greats like Xavi.
Passing and statistics alone do not win you trophies, it is about scoring goals and beating the opposition – Swansea finished 11th and scored three less league goals with Liverpool.
Yet the theory is that with more money and greater talent at his disposal like England captain Steven Gerrard, Rodgers’ methods should yield greater success. After all Swansea were many people’s tips for relegation last season and a short stay in the Premier League, so 11th was a success.
So the pressure is on Liverpool ahead of next season. Rodgers will be not only expected to win, but win in style.
Can he do it? Can he do it instantly? Liverpool have a number of pre-season games, but with players returning late from Euro 2012, he will not get the time he would ideally like to mould his players to play in the style he would like.
Early fixtures against Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City mean it will be a true baptism of fire for the manager, he may have to adjust aspirations to get some early points on the board.
Rodgers is not so keen on the ‘tiki-taka’ tag – which came from Barcelona – a side Swansea were compared to at times last season in style, and has spoken of his plans to create a whole new identity.
Speaking to Liverpool’s website, Rodgers told of his desire to play attacking football, dominant in possession, but to refer to it as ‘the Liverpool way’. This is important as the manager is not attempting to imitate Barcelona.
Try to imitate the best and you will likely fail. Far better off innovating and creating your own style and identity. With Liverpool’s famous crowd behind the team, for away sides chasing possession, Anfield will not be a comfortable place to visit.
This is what Liverpool need to take advantage of. Early wins will instill confidence, eradicate nerves and get the supporters behind the team and players. Fans need to go into this season with an open mind, and enjoy the rollercoaster ride ahead.
To answer our question, ‘tiki-taka’ does not matter, Liverpool creating their own identity does and Rodgers has got it right, he is saying all the right things and looking the part. Now he just needs to sign a few quality additions to the squad, and back his words up on the pitch.
How much does style matter to you next season or is it results first?
image: © Vincent Teeuwen
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