Those who feel passionately about Liverpool FC will tell you that the rules of ‘The Liverpool Way’ must be adhered to. Until recently, a trademark of the admirable Liverpool Way was to not sack managers. These unwritten rules, the fabric of the club, have been spectacularly disregarded by the previous owners, much to the embarrassment of the Liverpool faithful. Fortunately, Liverpool fans can now be optimistic that the worst is over, as NESV’s successful takeover means there is now at least some direction at the club, and in John W Henry, Liverpool have an owner that appears eager to put back in place the qualities that have historically set Liverpool aside from the rest.
NESV have spoken honestly about their aspirations for the club, and a quick google search (are you reading this David Moores?), will tell you John Henry has a track record of success. His modesty and quiet confidence will please fans, but his apparent willingness to understand and connect with the people of Liverpool is what has impressed the most. This, by no means, suggests they have already won the fans over, but it is worth noting this is in stark contrast to, for instance, Tom Hicks infamous Weetabix comparison.
Soon enough though, the NESV team may be forced into neglecting their willingness to uphold the traditions of Liverpool, by sacking the man who seems himself incapable of upholding any of these all important traditions. Despite NESV’s best efforts to ensure a calmness around the club, Roy Hodgson is inadvertently upsetting that calm with every game Liverpool play. The problem is no longer just the results, it is the manner in which Hodgson goes about the running of his team, both on and off the field. Liverpool have won four in thirteen in the Premier League, a bad enough return no matter which way you look at it, but Hodgson insists on persisting with the defensive football which will not be accepted by the fans, nor by the handful of world class players he has at his disposal; a small club mentality may have been acceptable at Fulham, but unfortunately for Hodgson, it won’t be at Liverpool.
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Even if Liverpool were playing free flowing attractive football in front of the adoring Kop, Hodgson’s press conferences would still be causing great concern amongst Liverpool fans. But they aren’t playing like that. And Hodgson continues to give baffling press conferences to the media every week. More on this here from Paul Tomkins article here.
Melwood/Anfield have, until recently, managed to maintain their notoriety to the London press for the wasted journeys up north to be met by a Liverpool manager who will send them back home after a handful of one word answers, and no exclusives to be written, as the Liverpool Way is to keep everything behind closed doors, with a class and dignity that has been forgotten recently. It is ironic the main reasons for Hodgson’s appointment was the media-like-ability factor and man management skills he possesses, especially after his increasingly tetchy interviews and the recent dressing down of Glen Johnson amongst others. Hodgson can’t adapt to the levels of scrutiny he is under; ‘it wasn’t like this at Fulham’ he exasperatedly told the press recently. Really Roy? Managing one of the biggest football clubs in the world isn’t like managing Fulham? The chants of ‘Dalglish’ emanating from the Kop shouldn’t necessarily be understood as a desire for Liverpool’s King to be put in place, but rather a more respectful way of getting the message to Hodgson that he is not wanted at Anfield.
NESV may soon have the moral conundrum of going against Anfield traditions and sacking him or doing their best to appease Hodgson whilst Liverpool are steadily transformed into the mid table side the manager is more suited to. On the other hand, If Hodgson is serious about upholding the reputation he seems certain he has, the best thing for him is to admit this particular job is beyond him, and walk away. Before his apparently indispensable reputation deteriorates any further.
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