Player of the Season- Lucas Leiva
It’s surprising what a season can do in football. Previously seen as a slow, one-dimensional defensive midfielder with insufficient skill to wear the famous Red shirt, Lucas was unfairly made a scapegoat for many of the team’s problems during Rafael Benitez’s unsuccessful final campaign in the Anfield managerial hot seat.
However, the 24-year old has come to the fore this season, proving the doubters wrong and displaying his substantial ability. He has been one of the few players to perform at a consistently high level throughout both Hodgson’s miserable reign as manager and the Reds’ Dalglish-inspired resurgence during the second half of the campaign.
Lucas’ steady, reliable presence at the heart of our midfield has been priceless. His defensive qualities have been developed, with the former Gremio player providing an effective foil for the back four, while his passing ability has been enhanced considerably, as the Reds’ number 21 has become a vital outlet to spring counter attacks at rapid pace.
Raul Meireles has impressed since signing in the summer, Luis Suarez has been a revelation after arriving at Anfield from Ajax and Dirk Kuyt’s tireless performances have been rewarded with 13 League goals, however Lucas clinches our Player of the Season award for the way he has superbly won over the support of the fans in what has been the Brazilian’s best season on Merseyside.
Young player of the season- Jay Spearing
Despite playing in the club's various youth teams since the age of 7, it has taken almost 15 years for Spearing to be given an extended run in the first team, with the 22-year old benefiting from the absence of Gerrard and Aquilani through injury and loan respectively, as well as the faith in youth so clearly expressed by Dalglish during his six months at the Anfield helm.
After impressing when he was unexpectedly selected to start against Everton in the Merseyside derby, Spearing has gradually grown into an important member of the midfield, as his conscientious and committed approach has enabled his more talented teammates to shine and won favour from the Anfield faithful, who are always more than happy to whole-heartedly support a local lad.
Dedication and determination have characterised Spearing's performances, while his ability to calmly release the ball forward when appropriate has kept the engine room of the side ticking over efficiently. His importance to the team is demonstrated by the fact that he started every game since the Reds' 2-0 victory over Sunderland in the middle of March and, although new signing Jordan Henderson has arrived from Wearside to provide added competition in midfield, Spearing will surely continue to play a role in the side if he maintains the level of performance displayed during the closing stages of the campaign.
Goal of the season- Raul Meireles vs Wolves
The agricultural build up to this goal was not befitting of the beauty of Meireles' first time volley that arched over the despairing dive of Wayne Hennessey and into the Wolves goal to double our lead five minutes after the restart. Dirk Kuyt contested for the ball in the air after Fabio Aurelio's long up-field punt had resembled the type of direct football employed by our relegation threatened opponents. The ball fell perfectly for the Portugese midfielder, who sensationally struck a sweet volley that looped over the helpless keeper and into the net.
Although Suarez's strike against Sunderland was another example of an excellent individual effort, and the Uruguayan’s unbelievable run to set up Kuyt's goal against Manchester United was also world class, this goal clinches our goal of the season award for the clinical beauty and the instinctive geometrical accuracy required to expertly dink the ball over Hennessey and into the net.
Best game of the season- Fulham 2-5 Liverpool
This Monday evening encounter arrived on the back of a four match unbeaten run, which included 3-0 victories over Manchester City and Newcastle United, a thoroughly deserved point at the Emirates and a thumping 5-0 win over Birmingham City at Anfield. This incredible run of form culminated in a comprehensive victory at Craven Cottage, as the Reds overwhelmed their hosts after a lightning quick start had seen the Merseysiders claim a three goal lead by the quarter of an hour mark.
Two incisive passes from Lucas led to Maxi grabbing an early double, before Kuyt's seemingly innocuous strike squeezed in at the near post to essentially secure the three points with over 70 minutes remaining. Maxi went on to complete his hat-trick with a brilliant strike from range, while Luis Suarez, who ripped the Cottagers' defence to shreds throughout the night, also found the net to round off an enjoyable evening fittingly.
Although victories over Manchester United and Chelsea will also surely live long in the memory, the way in which Liverpool dominated this away match with such assurance, composure and confidence whilst finding the back of the net on such a regular basis means that it is our game of the season.
Worst game of the season- Liverpool 0-1 Wolves
This disappointing game proved to be the lowest point of Roy Hodgson's miserable yet mercifully brief reign. A performance utterly devoid of imagination, creativity or confidence at home to the side with the worst away record at the time was bad enough, however Hodgson's post-match criticism of the rightly restless and understandably frustrated Kop was the final nail in the Londoner's managerial coffin.
Following a two-week rest due to the wintry weather hitting Merseyside, the Reds should have been fit and raring to go for this match, however we never built up any sort of momentum at any stage and rarely looked like seriously testing Wolves' backline.
To make matters worse, Ward took advantage of some shocking 'defending' from Skrtel and Kyrgiakos to slot the ball beyond Reina on 56 minutes and, although there was plenty of time remaining for Liverpool to summon up a response, they failed to do so and the visitors continued to grow in confidence, looking the more likely to score another.
Unfortunately, there were many contenders for this 'award' thanks to the Reds' abysmal opening to the season. Defeats at home to newly promoted Blackpool and League Two side Northampton Town were painful and embarrassing in equal measure, however the defeat to Wolves receives this dubious accolade because it was the culmination of persistent frustration with Hodgson, and resulted in even his staunchest defenders losing faith in his outdated tactics.
YNWA
Liverpool has one of the best backgrounds in football history, even if we did have 1 or 2 bad seasons doesn't mean we wont come back and show them how we play :)
ReplyDelete