Liverpool football club confirmed the inevitable this morning with the announcement that Roy Hodgson has left the club “by mutual consent” (why can’t we just say sacked?). The official word from Liverpool’s new owner John Henry is as follows…
“We are grateful for Roy’s efforts over the past six months, but both parties thought it in the best interests of the club that he stand down from his position as team manager. We wish him all the best for the future.”
The departure of Hodgson was becoming more a case of when and not if over recent weeks and months, the home loss to Wolves was seen as the final straw by many but the late home win against Bolton seemed to offer Hogdson another late reprieve. Days later Blackburn so resolutely trumped Liverpool on Wednesday by three goals to one that the writing was quite literally on the wall…
What this now means is that [many of] the Liverpool fans now get what they wanted back in the summer with the added announcement that Kenny Dalglish has been granted temporary charge of team affairs. Dalglish starts with the FA Cup trip to Old Trafford and will stay in charge through to the end of the season. Club chairman Tom Werner said…
“No one who cares for this great club has been happy with the way this season has unfolded and we have examined options and considered at length what is best for us going forward. Kenny will bring considerable experience to the position and provide management and leadership for the rest of the season.”
Fans and Fantasy Managers alike were getting frustrated with the tactics employed by the now incumbent manager so it will be interesting to track exactly how the Merseyside legend attempts to bring his club back from the brink, having not managed for the past decade the size of task on his hands must not be under-estimated.
In Fantasy Football terms, Liverpool have a decent run of games (EVE, wlv/FUL, STK, che, WIG) having been Frisked just days ago which, in combination with the impetus often following a new managerial appointment, may provide renewed vigour when it comes to investing in a Liverpool side that has disappointed more often than not to date. With the club in the midst of their own double-gameweek, and with an FA Cup tie to play tomorrow, managers will have time to assess how and if anything has clearly changed over these two games before we enter our next gameweek.
The picture of Liverpool’s defence will have many questions that need answering as the likes of Konchesky and Aurelio will be vying for their new managers favour and Daniel Agger hoping to get a smoother ride than he seemingly faced under Hodgson. The 12% of Fernando Torres owners and 10% of Steven Gerrard proprietors will be hoping King Kenny also adopts a more attacking formation last seen in the Benitez era which will be built around Liverpool’s two star players as opposed to the rugged 4-4-2 we have been seeing somewhat stifle them this season.
Those already on the Liverpool bandwagon hope the club will bring a spark with them to Blackpool on Wednesday to boost their first double-gameweek of the season; but for now, we wait, and watch.
