Conversely, nobody has questioned the decision of Liverpool’s new American owners FSG to invest approximately £60 million to revamp the Reds’ squad in the summer, and the crucial cash injection has paid instant dividends where it matters most; on the pitch.
It is somewhat ironic; therefore, that arguably our finest summer signing has been bargain buy Craig Bellamy. When the 32-year old Welsh striker re-joined the Reds on deadline day on a free transfer from Manchester City after five years away from Anfield, many supporters, including myself, understandably had their doubts. He returned with a reputation. His age, volatile temperament and tendency to cause division in dressing rooms and fall out with managers made Dalglish’s decision to purchase him a bold one.
However, the legendary Scot’s gamble appears to have paid off. Bellamy is proving a useful back-up option to Suarez and Carroll and a potent weapon from the bench. After making his second Liverpool debut as a late substitute at the Britannia Stadium, Bellamy began the match at Brighton and his man of the match performance earned plaudits from the pundits. Linking up well with fellow forwards Suarez and Kuyt throughout, Bellamy made a big impression. Not only did he calmly convert the opener early on, he also crashed a tremendous free kick against the cross bar from all of 35 yards and played a part in Kuyt’s late sealer.
While few doubted his footballing ability and match winning talent, his temper still made him a loose cannon and a liability in the eyes of many commentators. Thankfully, after entering his thirties he finally seems to have matured, enduring a torrent of abuse from the home supporters during the derby whilst preparing to take a corner in front of the Gwladys Street Stand and even ignoring plastic bottles which had been thrown at him. Moreover, his arrival proved pivotal to the outcome of the match, as it was the number 39 who ran determinedly at the Toffees’ defence before perfectly playing in Jose Enrique to assist Andy Carroll’s deadlock breaking goal.
In that instant three relatively recent signings (two from the summer) combined to net and set us on our way to collecting three crucial Premier League points and claiming local bragging rights until we next face Moyes’ men in February. While Carroll has received a mixed reception and Bellamy has been widely welcomed with understandable caution, Spanish left back Jose Enrique has received nothing but praise from supporters and management alike.
The 25-year old only had one year left on his contract at Newcastle United when King Kenny snapped him up for a meagre £6 million days before the opening match of the season at home to the Geordie's fierce rivals Steve Bruce's Sunderland. The former Valencia full back was thrown straight in at the deep end and coped admirably, impressing instantly and finally filling the gaping hole in our defence that had previously existed at left back.
Taking the injury prone Fabio Aurelio's starting berth, Enrique has proven a steady and capable performer defensively, while also adding another attacking outlet to the side. His pace, garnered from years as a sprinter in his youth, enables him to fulfil the dual function of dependable defender and marauding winger with aplomb. Additionally, his passing and crossing ability has helped to start attacks from defence. For example, his incisive through ball set up Suarez to score at home to Wolves and his defence-splitting cross field pass set fellow new signing Jordan Henderson through one-on-one with keeper Asmir Begovic away to Stoke City.
In front of him, Stewart Downing has lived up to his £20 million price tag and silenced the critics who doubted Dalglish's decision to invest such a hefty chunk of his transfer budget in the Boro born winger. Able to play equally well on both the left and right wing, Downing's dribbling ability has added an extra dimension to our attack, while his crossing capabilities should bring out the best in Andy Carroll in time.
Liverpool fans already knew his potential after watching him score the only goal in our end of season dead rubber at Villa Park and in the Reds' opening day draw at home to Sunderland he displayed yet more promise, at one point storming down the right wing and thumping an excellent strike against the woodwork in what would have been an early goal of the season contender that fellow professionals would have struggled to surpass.
A man of the match display at the Emirates followed, before he was at the forefront of our ultimately fruitless attempts to break down the Potters' defence. This form has translated onto the international stage as well, Downing's fantastic cut-back assisting former Villa teammate Ashley Young to score the only goal in England's qualifier with Wales at Wembley last month.
Unfortunately, on the opposite flank former black cat Jordan Henderson hasn't replicated the lightning quick start of Liverpool's other new arrivals. Brought in only nine days after the transfer window opened, Henderson was Dalglish’s first summer signing. However, he has still failed to settle into the Scot's starting line-up. Admittedly, after being employed on the right wing instead of his preferred central role for the majority of the campaign so far, it is understandable why Henderson hasn't quite hit the heights he is clearly capable of reaching based on his superb displays in the red and white of Sunderland.
A poor showing at the under-21s European Championships this summer has been follow by an unremarkable opening to the new campaign. Apart from a clever finish at home to Bolton Wanderers, Henderson has been rather disappointingly quiet, failing to make the sort of impact his £16 million price tag demands. Although it is unfair to slate him at this stage and I'm confident that Henderson, at only 21, has a bright future ahead of him at Anfield, Manchester United's investment of the same sum of money in England winger Ashley Young appears more astute.
Had eccentric but excellent Blackpool boss Ian Holloway been less stubborn than the Reds would have captured the much-coveted Charlie Adam in January and I would not now be writing about him being one of our best summer signings. Nevertheless, since Dalglish finally signed his fellow Scot Adam has lived up to the hype and proved that our drawn out pursuit of the 25-year old was not in vain.
Comparing him to Xabi Alonso may be a tad pre-mature, however it is certainly understandable considering the wand of a left foot Adam possesses. The number 26's passing range has left the Anfield faithful astounded, while his daisy cutting goal versus Bolton and tremendous strike that rattled the cross bar on the stroke of half time at Goodison demonstrated his goalscoring threat.
Bar the red card he deservedly received for two rash tackles at White Hart Lane, Adam has been a good addition to the squad, forming a flourishing partnership with Lucas Leiva which could see skipper Steven Gerrard struggle to return to his preferred position at the heart of the midfield.
So, who was the Reds' star summer signing?
For value for money you cannot look past Craig Bellamy, for defying the critics Downing deserves recognition and for living up to expectations Charlie Adam warrants credit. However, for settling in instantly and finally resolving our long-term issues at left back, Jose Enrique gets my vote.
YNWA
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