After a great season with Fulham last season, which saw them reach the Europa Cup Final, England’s Special One Roy Hodgson has proven a worthy of a chance at a high-profile club like Liverpool. But don’t expect him to perform miracles overnight at Anfield with the player’s he has inherited from former manager Rafa Benitez it will take time to get rid of the dead wood. Hodgson will also be called upon to wheel and deal in the transfer market with the club trying to clear off their substantial debts.
Player’s who are on Hodgson’s radar are Lyon midfielder Jeremy Toulalan who could replace want away midfielder Javier Mascherano who has stated his desire to link up with former manager Benitez at Inter Milan. Other possibilities to replace Mascherano are Real Madrid pair Lassana Diarra and Mahamadou Diarra who could be signed on the cheap as they look sur-plus to requirements at the Spanish giants.
Another sur-plus to requirements at Madrid is striker Karim Benzema which would help relieve the pressure on Fernando Torres at Anfield.
Joe Cole is another possible signing with Liverpool also lacking a creative midfielder to link up with skipper Steven Gerrard. But like all new managers, Hodgson is bound to bring in a few of his former players with defender Brede Hangeland and attacking midfielder Clint Dempsey most likely to follow their former manager to Anfield.
One major factor for Hodgson to succeed at Anfield is for fan’s not to be comparing with former managers such as Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley and Kenny Dalglish which I expect some fans to compare him with but they just have to be patient as this Liverpool squad needs a dramatic face-lift if they are to compete with last seasons Top-four of Chelsea, Manchester United, Aresnal and Spurs.
