Liverpool v Hearts... time to experiment?

Liverpool face the return leg of the UEFA Cup (Europa League - what the hell kind of name is that?) qualifier against Hearts in a reasonable position. Whilst eh performance in Scotland wasn't especially inspiring a 1-0 away win in Europe is not bad for starters. Especially when you consider the games that Brendan Rodgers also has to deal with.

With the Hearts games being immediately followed by two of the biggest games of the season, he has had things to chew over in his new job. To be fair it could have been trickier. If Rodgers had been sorting through the balls himself when they were doing the draw you suspect that Hearts would have been one of the preferred choices. When you consider some of the other teams in the draw, it looks as though you would need a wardrobe to travel to the away leg. It also helped that the City and Arsenal games were both at home. A trip to City, followed by a mission to Azerbaijan (I'm pretty sure that's where Baku is), followed by another trip to the Emirates and things would be a little less straight-forward.

In the early stages as well it gives Rodgers a chance to experiment a little. I think it's a fair bet that we wouldn't have seen Raheem Sterling get a full game against City if Rodgers hadn't had the chance to see him properly against Hearts in the first leg when he impressed.

He also got the chance to try Downing at left back in that game which apparently is something Rodgers is considering as an option. Not sure of the wisdom in that one myself, but we shall see.

I suppose I'm glad that tie is still alive tomorrow.. if we'd just crushed Hearts in the first leg, it would have made the second game a little bit dull. It keeps us honest. Especially as it's going to be the first European game I've been to for a little while.. and in my current circumstances I don't think it's going to be that regular Thursday night trip.

The UEFA Cup does provide the opportunity for squad rotation and it will be interesting to see who gets a run out tomorrow. Presumably Agger will play to keep him up to speed following his suspension, I suspect Downing will get the nod tomorrow as well. I can't see Sterling starting his 3rd game in a week, although he will most likely be on the bench.

The main problem as I see it will be the shape of the midfield, more with Sunday's game against Arsenal in mind. With Lucas out for another couple of months, it will be interesting to see how Rodgers brings it together. With the 4-3-3 system, you would have thought he was looking at Gerrard, Allen and Lucas. With that option now removed for the time being, presumably Sahin will given more of a role than he might have expected.

With the likes of Spearing and Adam, players who filled in the holding roll last season, looking like they are on the way out then we will see how Rodgers  intends to bring it together, and which players will be surplus to requirements.

Raheem Sterling with one of the bigger boys.

The UEFA Cup does give him the opportunity to look at players in proper games and shape the squad as he wants.. and it will accelerate the process given the amount of games you have to play in it. It will also accelerate the progress of the kids he seems keen to bring through, again with Sterling being the prime example.

It is a decent tournament, and given Liverpool's history in Europe one we should be looking at seriously. It does make me sick that the likes of Villa and Spurs in recent seasons have not given it the respect it deserves. If for example Barcelona dropped into the competition (quite how this would happen is not clear) but they could be forgiven for not being fully committed - although they would probably win it anyway. Spurs on the other hand  haven't won a European trophy since the UEFA Cup in 1984 and only two League Cups in the past 20 years.

Perhaps I'm old fashioned, but I consider winning big shiny trophies the point of football. Finishing fourth, is handy financially and all of that. But ask yourself this.. In 2001 Liverpool qualified for the Champions League.. was that the best bit of that season?

City at home.. nice easy one to start with.

The opener against West Brom didn't go entirely to plan. As first days go that was about horrendous as gets.. well hopefully anyway.

A tanking off a side who we used to routinely squish wasn't too great. I'm not going to go into the West Brom game much because a) I was getting drunk in a field at the time, and b) it's too depressing frankly.

We lost, but never mind, win against City on Sunday and suddenly we'll think we can win the league. This is the way of things, where every result gets analysed in minute detail by God knows who. Talksport, Sky Sports News .. in infinite and mostly fictious depth on Twitter.

An OK result against Hearts in the week was a step in the right direction, although how many of that side will be lining up against City is unclear.Possibly only  Borini and Carra of the outfield players, maybe Kelly depending on Enrique's fitness.

Whilst the performance wasn't particularly spectacular against Hearts, it was 1-0 away in Europe with a second string side effectively. This competition could prove really effective in blooding some of the players coming through. You only have to look at Sterling's performance. It also gives players on the fringes game time, which also helps with the mood in the squad.

And it's European football again, which whilst it's not the big fancy one, the UEFA cup has always been one worth winning. I know they changed the name, but I haven't.

Moving onto City on Sunday. Now, for too long now Liverpool fans have been celebrating other teams winning the league so long as they weren't Man Utd once our own title challenge has evaporated, usually depressingly early. Particular highlights include beating champions Blackburn in 1995 < yes, younger viewers "Champions Blackburn Rovers".

The actual one.

Now it is a distant consolation for it to be "Anyone But United" but it must be said, the events of last May and City snatching the title with effectively the last kick of the season, was - well I thought it was all rather fun, and it just goes to show what having more money than God can do for you. The imaginary God, not the actual one.

I think it will be the case for a little while yet that were going to have to make do with being happy when one of the irrelevant teams (still in single figures for title wins) winning the league. Whether Brendan Rodgers will be given the time, and indeed the money required given the competition now remains to be seen.

Sunday is going to be tricky, although City haven't exactly been throwing their weight around yet transfer wise, they didn't have too bad of a starting point. Our record against them last season wasn't too shabby. Bit of a kicking at their gaff in the league, but we won there in the League Cup (see UEFA Cup comments) semi. 1-1 last season at Anfield in the league, which was eventful enough. Balotelli going off on one for a change I seem to remember.

After a disappointing result on Saturday it's important that we get on the board tomorrow.. to be honest a point would be acceptable. The minimum acceptable but it wouldn't be a disaster. A win would be the shot in the arm we need at the moment, especially when you consider the next two home games. It will obviously be difficult. City are pretty well drilled and as I mentioned haven't had the influx of players to get used to eash other.

Nigel de Jong - Bit of a twat

You would suspect Borini and Allen would be starting, and whilst that's only 2 players they are in pretty crucial positions, especially Allen. That's the major battle as I see it. How Gerrard, Lucas and Allen fair in the middle against Yaya Toure and De Jong or Rodwell.

If we can win that battle and keep enough pressure on so the likes on Suarez and Borini can pose a threat than we have every chance.. Whether we can keep them quiet at the other end is another story.

Tevez is back playing, and although Aguero will be missing they have plenty of offensive options with the likes of Tevez, Balotelli and Nasri offence is usually not too far away.

With Agger suspended then it's going to be a tricky day for whoever partners him. You would have thought Carragher but these days it's not a shoe-in. Against City's attack that could be an accident waiting to happen, especially as he played 90 minutes on Thursday. But you suspect he has more going for him when you consider the option is Coates who hasn't really been thrown in to any big games as yet. City would be a big one to start with. Probably too big, and therefore unlikely.

Since that 1-1 draw in the league though it's worth considering City's away record (although not our home record as that hurts my argument quite a bit). City's league form away is less than spectacular. 13 away games including that 1-1. 5 defeats - including losing at Sunderland, Swansea and Everton and wining 5 but really only winning at Newcastle stands out as being particularly impressive. Even we battered Wolves and Norwich away last season and that was our worst season ever if you believe the press and ignore getting to two Cup Finals.

Sunday will be tricky, but doable. if we can get on the board first and get everyone pumped up then who knows what can happen. It might even be one for Andy Carroll to have a pop in. His stand out game in a red shirt was arguably when we tanked them 3-0 the season before last. It's worth a shot..actually quite a hard shot from about 25 yards. Be nice to see one of those from him again tomorrow..

What is success this season?

It took a little while but I managed to stop convincing myself every year (around this time usually) that this year will be the year we finally crack it and win the league again.

It's been a while since this has been even vaguely realistic.. certainly not since Benitez left, and we only really came close the one season under him.

Our own financial car crash situation and ownership implosion did not help matters, but the boat may have stopped rocking so much - it's stopped sinking would be more accurate - and we might actually gain a bit more control this season.

Brendan Rodgers seems to be a man with a plan, and with a bit of luck it won't cost the earth to see it through. We certainly can't afford to throw around the money we have been doing for the past couple of seasons.

A lot has been made of his 'new philosophy' which some people seem to have interpreted as we will start playing like Barcelona overnight. This clearly will not happen. Things like that take years to drum into players. But he talks well and I think we will start to move in that direction.

One of the things he said that struck me after the win against Gomel on Thursday was that he liked how we had regained possession quickly. Now this is obviously easier against the likes of Gomel, but if we can start to get that mentally then that will be a massive step.

The Scouse Iniesta

That is the main reason that Barca have been so good over the past few seasons.. (obviously having most of the best players in the world on the same side helps) but one of the main pillars that supports this is their refusal to let the other side have the ball.

If you can win the ball back quickly, preferably when the other side is not in your half yet, then it's game on. And following on from this there are 2 main points as I see it.

1 - It's way easier to defend if you've got the ball.

2 - If you've got the ball, the opposition tires doing the chasing.

Football is a painfully simply game really.

So where does this leave us this season. We have a manager who is familiar with managing in the Premier League and also seems to prefer possession football. He shouldn't need too much time to find his feet and it didn't take him too long with Swansea to figure out the league.

A couple of new players in. Borini got off to a good start. Frankly if he just stands where he did for his goal on Thursday, tidying up any Suarez by-line chaos he'll get at least a dozen goals this season. Probably more if he runs about a bit. You can seen them linking up well.

Also Joe Allen from Swansea - another player Rodgers obviously knows well, so this again should help.

A top 4 finish is possible.. not easy, but doable. I think that on it's own seems to be success these days. It did make me sick when we got to 2 cup finals, winning 1, and all the press could say was, well they're not in the top 4 though.

I remember when football used to be about winning shiny trophies.. not who had the biggest bank balance. That just means whose managed to squeeze their fans out of the most money.

Frankly I'd take that again this season. A Cup.. well The Cup and 5th place, the League Cup is OK but it's not the proper one is it.

The Champions League would be a bonus, it's been a while. But look at Man City and United last season. All the Champions League got them last season (apart from a few quid) was humiliation.

Top 4. yes, but not the be all and end all. Top 5 and a trophy (FA Cup) - also OK. UEFA Cup - I'd take that as well. I know they changed it, but change is bad (see League Cup). If we did progress in that competition, I can see our league form suffering - based on the current squad anyway.

One thing to bear in mind Mr Rodgers. Kenny Dalglish took us to 2 cup finals and that wasn't enough to save his job. You've got a bit of time, but success is expected sooner or later.

Team GB.. Well it's a bit different.

Great Britain progressed through to the knockout stages of the Olympics with relative ease and it's looking promising, well until they have to play Brazil again which probably won't go fantastically well.

I quite like the idea the idea of a British Olympic side.. it would have been a little odd if they had got the Olympics and not put forward a side for our national game. They've even got a side together for Handball as well which I've never been quite able to follow, or rather never actually tried to more accurately.

They've had four games playing together now, a couple of wins, most notably against Uruguay who frankly didn't really get out of the starting blocks, especially when you consider the talent they had at their disposal. Suarez and Cavani are among the top strikers playing in Europe, but Cavani particularly looked like a man in pre-season training.

But never mind about that, Suarez and Coates have had a bit of a run round and seem unscathed so we can get them back for more pressing matters. Whether Coates will get that much game time this season I suspect has more to do with how far Liverpool progress in the UEFA Cup. (I know they changed the name, but I haven't.)

I'm getting a little off topic, I tend to do that especially when I'm not on about Liverpool for some reason.

The Olympics has given the likes of Bellamy and Giggs a chance to play in and admittedly watered down international football tournament, which they were leaving a bit late in the day. Especially since Giggs hasn't played for Wales for years. But you can hardly blame him.. was never likely to lead to anything and he had that hectic social situation to keep on top of.

That is also the reason that I found it suprising that Gareth Bale dipped out to go and play for Spurs. I know he was supposed to be injured and well in a certain irony, he now is thanks to Mr Adam (again). I'm getting back on Liverpool, bear with me. I did hear Adam's agent defending him saying he's "not that kind of player", which taken as he meant it meaning a dirty player then he is correct, but Adam is bordering on "Paul Scholes" clumsy when it comes to tackling.

I hope that they continue with the British Oluympic side.. I suppose with the next one being in Brazil it is somwething of a bigger ask for sides to lend out their players for a tournament right at the start of the season, half way round the world. And the idea of qualification wouldn't sit well with those managers, but on the flip side of that if they do have to qualify they would become a more cohesive side as obviously the more a side plays together and understands each other the more effective it will be. It's a nice idea but I can't see it happening. Maybe if GB win a medal here, a bronze seems reasonably likely at least, then views on this may change.

I think one of the main disappointments with the Olympics is that the BBC didn't get Andy Gray and Richard Keys to present to Womens football.. they would most likely sat there in silence I suppose and if that's not a result then I don't know what is.