Liverpool and United

            During a crucial game today between Liverpool and Manchester United, something was shown about both sides that has been prevalent all season and will continue to affect the way the season ends for the teams. Over the last week and a half, Liverpool has been having a sort of dry spell, falling out of the Champions League, nearing elimination from the Capital One Cup, and having a tough league ahead of them. While, besides goalie De Gea, Manchester United were nowhere near their best, the way that Liverpool played made it so that they didn’t have to be, and the two teams have essentially switched positions in the league standings from last year. Although the loss was full of misfortune, Liverpool still were at fault for the lack of form, and a complete turn around is needed if they want any chance in any league or tournament.

            Part of this fault on Liverpool rests with its manager, Brendan Rodjers, and his decisions before major games. In this game, for example, he decided to sit Simon Mignolet and play Brad Jones in goal instead. Let’s just say that Jones’ performance sharply contrasted that of De Gea and his outstanding performance. This problem goes all the way back to the summer when Liverpool, despite picking up 9 players in total, neglected the need for a goalkeeper. Obviously, the value and role of a goalkeeper was shown by Manchester United, and it should definitely be on Liverpool’s list come January.

            While transfers are to blame on the Liverpool side, there is little to thank them for on the Manchester United side. All of the starting eleven in the game were inherited by Louis Van Gaal, and look at what they were able to do against a somewhat formidable opponent from the Premier League. As top clubs, Manchester United included, spend hundreds of millions of dollars each transfer season, it leaves us to wonder what the point is. It makes sense to spend money to bring in a new player for a position that just wasn’t working out before, but to spend money just to get named players is just foolish. Looking at many performances such as Manchester United where previous players did well or Barcelona where loads of spending don’t provide any real benefits in the end, it seems that clubs are going about it all wrong. Really, teams should just develop the players they have and put the money into their current players and making them better. When players are easily replaceable, there is no real sense of lasting connection between players and there is no team, leading to a disconnect between players, managers, and fans.