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The end of the 2010-2011 campaign saw Liverpool storm through the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, and put on some brilliant displays like the 5-2 drubbing of Fulham. Kenny Dalglish’s smile was as wide and bright as ever, and there was a vibe around Anfield that the good times were about to roll. Forward a year, and Liverpool find themselves eighth in the Barclays Premier League, behind local rivals Everton. Despite the Carling Cup shining in the Liverpool trophy cabinet and a FA Cup semi-final in six days time, there is a shroud of confusion surrounding the Kop.
John Henry and Tom Werner, chiefs of Fenway Sports Group, will have a lot to handle when the season ends, and the first item on the agenda will be Kenny Dalglish’s future.
Dalglish was brought in by FSG as the man to right the sinking ship that was Liverpool Football Club during the Roy Hodgson era. And right the ship he did. With the Reds finding themselves near the relegation zone, Dalglish needed to bring back the smiles to the Liverpool players and fans, and he did just that. He brought back the belief and the “pass and move” football that the Reds had strayed away from, and even delievered a piece of silverware in his first full season on the throne. However, despite his cup runs, Dalglish has seen his side pick up a “relegation-worthy” amount of points.
During Dalglish’s days as a Liverpool player, Liverpool hardly dropped points at Anfield, let alone do it 11 times. With the owners looking to secure a major naming right’s partner for a possible new stadium, a mere five wins is hardly the way to do it.
Martin Samuel of the DailyMail expressed his concern over the Liverpool season, calling it not a matter of “black and white” more a season of “gray” matter.
Winning the FA Cup may be Kenny Dalglish’s final lifeline, but uncertainty over the future of a manager will hamper any club’s preseason preparations, and could affect Liverpool’s business in the transfer window. The Reds will take on Everton at Wembley this Saturday in the FA Cup semi-final, and Kopites world-wide will hope the Reds can find their cup form once more.
Tags: Anfield, Barclays premier league highlights, FA Cup, Kenny Dalglish, Livepool
