It is a crucial period in the transfer market for Liverpool Football Club, a second successive season without Champions League football looms and the pre-season targets have changed from title challenges to what now seems an audacious attempt in overhauling the elite top four in England. The financial strength of Manchester City, Chelsea, self sustained Arsenal and of course Manchester United have moved further away from the chasing pack. The rumour of new personnel set to move to Anfield next season has been rife, but the failings of previous regimes means the Reds must now act fast yet diligently to get back into the so called ‘Top Four’.
It is the revitalised and resurgent Liverpool under Kenny Dalglish , who have been linked with many of the Premier League’s young and surprisingly British players in the transfer market. The Reds have had a torrid time in the past decade with over 121 players being bought in by both Gerard Houllier (38) and Rafael Benitez (83). Both of whom chose to turn their attentions to their respective homelands in France and Spain to buy players.
Sunderland ’s Jordan Henderson and Blackburn Rovers ’ Phil Jones have been highlighted by the British media as Liverpool’s top targets, with a reputed £30m double signing for the pair. Blackpool’s Charlie Adam has been linked with just about every Premier League club including Liverpool and the Reds continue to monitor Villa’s Ashley Young and Wigan’s James McCarthy. It appears Dalglish intends to restore the British tradition to one of England’s most decorated clubs.
This would come as no surprise to Blackburn Rovers fans, who under Dalglish from 1991-1995 saw the Scot bring in a core contingent of British talent from the likes of England goalkeeper Tim Flowers, David Batty and Chris Sutton. It was a model which would in time prove successful, as Rovers ended an 81 year wait by winning the Premier League in 1995. Liverpool fans must take heart from the club legend’s ability to find, produce and develop players.
The signing of Andy Carroll in January 2011 for £35m from Newcastle United has earmarked a shift in the transfer policy at Liverpool Football Club. The recruitment of Damien Comolli , the ex Spurs scout to support Dalglish can only be a positive signing for a club that has spent far too much money in recent years on quantity rather than quality. But it is important to note – Mr Dalglish signed a certain Alan Shearer for Blackburn Rovers in 1992, and the former England captain went onto score 112 goals in 138 appearances – so the omen of buying British is very much one that can prove successful.
I think if you check the stats of the 100 + years of Association football in England that the Majority of the squads that have won the majority of top flight Titles have in fact been made up of British & Irish players , so really & truly “Buying British” is hardly a revolutionary new idea , just ask Alex Ferguson who has used a core group of British & Irish players this past 20 years to win his 11 or so Titles.
That aside Kenny Dalglish is also responsible for bringing some of the most exciting , entertaining & consistent foreign players to England .
He bought the enigmatic fan favorite Tito Asprillia one of the very best in Italy at that time , Dietmar Hamann from Bayern Munich , Nobby Solano , Nikos Dabizas & one or two others I cant think of right now .
If you count the Irish players he brought in ? He is responsible for bringing Steve Staunton & Shay Given to English football .
And most recently he has brought in Saurez .
Kenny Dalglish is no one trick pony folks & the day you think you have figured out his methods or tactics is either the day he is going to turn your world upside down with a formation , team tactic or unexpected signing or its the day you end up in the looney bin convinced yer a natural born Footballing genius like he is .
I know that sounds hard to believe to you younger fans but time will leave you in no doubt we have the very best man possible in charge at our club .
Trust me when I tell you that Kenny is a genuine master of the Game , I’d go so far as to call him an artist , he is a sculptor that makes Alex Ferguson look like a rudimentary brick layer & who in turn makes Mourinhio look like a fly by night interpreter chancing his arm at football management & is getting away with it .