The Liverpool Benitez Balancing Act
The Chase For Number 19
Following their best league results for years in the 08/09 season the team will aim to push on towards their first league title since 1990. Last year’s winners Manchester United will certainly be a weaker outfit without being able to rely on the services of Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) and Carlos Tevez (Man City), who have chosen to further their career elsewhere. Also new faces at league rivals Chelsea and Man City may take time to connect leaving this year a perfect opportunity for Benitez to launch his tirade for the title.
Benitez's Problems
For Benitez to be successful in his initial 5 year plan he must find a way to overcome the potential problems injuries may cause to his key players. With a clear lack of depth in attack it will be interesting to see whether star players Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres are wrapped up in cotton wool, a criticism voiced against Benitez previously.
The sale of Xabi Alonso, which completed Real Madrid summer spending spree which eclipsed £200 million, will clearly unbalance the central midfield. Whereas Gerrard is Liverpool’s heart and soul, Alonso was the pacemaker, creating angles and space to appear in the tightest of defences whilst at all times never rushed. His previous absence always caused problems to the Benitez formation, with a natural game turning ability displayed perfectly against Fulham in 2005.
The Team To Tackle The Title
Alonso’s replacement Alberto Aquilani signed from Roma for around £20 million will take a month to be fit and moulded into Benitez’s possessive style. It will be imperative to big game success that the central midfield relationships are strong. Former Red John Arne Riise suggests Aquilani could be an ideal replacement for Benitez, "He certainly runs more than Xabi and is probably more dangerous in terms of getting in the box and trying to score goals.”
Fellow new signing, £17 million right back Glen Johnson provides a greater attacking threat then Real Madrid bound Alvaro Arbeloa offering Liverpool other ideas when breaking down the park the bus teams.
The greatest success story that Liverpool saw last season was the improved performances of link players Yossi Benayoun and Dirk Kuyt. Both scored plentiful of crucial goals at crucial times throughout the season and were able to enhance their tainted reputations with the Anfield crowd. Between the lines players have always seen prominence in Benitez 4-2-3-1 system and their tricky feet and never give up attitude will again be potent against mid-division clubs where space is available in each third of the field.
In his five years, Benitez has always placed an emphasis on breeding new talent in the academy and finding the hottest prospects from across the world through extensive scouting. The new season could be the first where the Liverpool fans will see the products of a successful youth team. Already Lucas Leiva, Emiliano Insua and Nabil El Zhar have shown in a variety of first team experiences they have great potential and a ceratin classic flair. With David N’gog set to shine when required to replace the World Class Torres.
Younger prospects, Daniel Pacheco, Kristian Nemeth and Lauri Dalla Valle may not reach the first team squad in the 09/10 season but could will make clear strides towards stardom and may be trusted by Benitez to make the type of impact anticipated by a majority of fans.
The quality of Benitez’s management is also his criticism, his judgement for changing his team per game is sometimes fallible to condemnation from rotation policy critics however this is often his strength. His counter attacking football at Old Trafford in 2009 was a joy to watch, as was the high tempo strategy used to destroy Real Madrid 4-0 at Anfield.
For Liverpool to lift the Premier League in May 2010 it will require a subtle mix of perfect tinkering from Benitez, a considerable gelling of the new players and the need to keep the quality players fit and in top form.
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