As I watch an old Liverpool match versus their arch rivals, Manchester United from March 6, 2011, I cannot help but smile as Luis Suarez goes through three defenders to pass right across the goal line as Dirk Kuyt simply nips the ball in. Instantly, the Anfield crowd erupts into cheers. Three minutes later, an accidental header from Nani (ManU), lands on Kuyt's head and goes straight into the goal. Suddenly Liverpool is alive.
This is not the team I watched struggle up until this past Christmas. Turmoil over exiting owners, who nearly bankrupted the team; a new coach whose tactics were not successful at Liverpool; and Fernando Torres, the once great Spanish acquisition, who, at the end of January left the team for 50 million pounds (75 m dollars) to Chelsea. But, at the beginning of January, the new Liverpool owners, New England Sports Ventures, owners of the Boston Red Sox, under the helm of John W. Henry, brought back fan favorite "King" Kenny Dalglish into the manager's position. On the last day of January, he sold Torres and bought Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll.
Suddenly Liverpool were on fire. Although it was not easy for Liverpool. Injury after injury brought on new players who had either never played well or had been forgotten about. Lucas and Maxi Rodriguez showed their worth; youth players, Flanagan and Robinson, 18 and 17 years old, respectively, were placed into the line up when all other defenders were injured. Under the watchful eye of Jamie Carragher, they proved their worth.
No one can take anything away from this improving team. But nearly everyone, from the TV announcers, players on Liverpool and other teams, other coaches, and the fans all say one name when it comes to the revival of Liverpool : "King Kenny" Dalglish. (To the right)
According to wikipedia, during his time at Liverpool as a player and player-manager, Dalglish's Liverpool stats include: "515 appearances, 172 goals, 307 as manager, 8 League Championships, 2 FA Cup wins, 3 European Cup wins, 4 League Cup wins, 1 European Super Cup win, and 5 Charity Shield wins." In 1991, when he retired due to the stress from the Hillsborough disaster, he was the most favorite Liverpool player and manager of all time (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenny_Dalglish).
With Dalglish once again at the helm, everyone seems to know one thing: if Dalglish gets the team in shape, he is capable of bringing the Premiere League title back to Liverpool. And who knows, maybe even the UEFA championship.
A couple of months ago, I wrote about FC Barcelona being my favorite team. It was an easy choice; they played brilliantly and always won. But watching Liverpool struggle, a once-great team termed the underdogs, recover from a horrible season to get to 6th place, was so much more exciting than Barcelona.
They may not have any pretty boys like Cristiano Ronaldo. Liverpool don't have the genius of Messi or the caveman/Tarzan-like ability of Puyol. But they have King Kenny at the helm, and Gerrard, Carragher, Reina, Lucas, Spearing, Kuyt, Suarez and Carroll who all have something to prove. So next season, I will still watch Barcelona and still marvel at their ball possession. But in the end, I will always root for Liverpool.
Except if they play against Seattle Sounders. You know you always go for home team first!
