Pepe Reina: Asset or Liability?

It's a question that must be asked and it's certainly a growing concern in the minds of Liverpool fans before the upcoming season. Less than two years ago, he was ready to push Casillas for the starting berth in the Spanish national side, but what a difference a couple of seasons have made. Comparable only to the legendary Ray Clemence, was the form of Pepe Reina's; who consistently competed for the golden gloves season after season for Liverpool. However, ever since the dismissal of Rafa Benitez, he never looked like the same player. So, what is it? Has he lost interest in Liverpool? Is it his style of play? Will he ever be back to his best? These are some questions Liverpool fans will be asking right now. 

One possibility is the constant changing of goal keeping coaches. Ever since Xavi Valero left the club, which coincided with the dismissal of Rafa Benitez and the appointment of Roy Hodgson, Reina's performance levels have massively dropped.

This graph shows Reina's average save percentage under all different goalkeeping coaches at Liverpool. He was at his best under Jose Ochotorena and very good under Xavi Valero. But Mike Kelly, who was a part of Roy Hodgson's team, clearly brought the worst out of Pepe Reina. Currently John Achterberg is doing a lot better, but he still isn't performing at the same levels as before and it's costing Liverpool. During the 2011/12 season, he seemed short of presence coming for crosses and weak at penalties. He has also made some mistakes; the most note-worthy of them, being beaten near post by Robin Van Persie and Ramirez in the FA cup final.

Another major possibility is that he just isn't happy at Liverpool. Ever since Fernando Torres left, he has become the only notable Spanish player in our squad. It's no rumour that he wanted out around the same time as Torres did, but a champions league club did not come calling. Could it be that he's giving up, because he feels less ambitious at Liverpool. Imagine him with Spain at the Euro's and the discussions he's probably had with the likes to Casillas and Xavi, who are consistently winning things for their club. Perhaps a change in the overall level of performance of the team will bring the best out of Reina. 

However players like Pepe Reina are always concerned about winning first and Liverpool fans wouldn't describe him as someone who would give up without trying. On the other hand, his style of play and decision making skills are certainly areas of concern and also areas of hope. Pepe Reina is a luxury keeper. He is not that traditional goalkeeper, who just does the basics right and that's it. He is not an acrobat, nor is he a world class shot-stopper. He uses his mind and footballing knowledge as his main strength (or weakness). He makes unbelievable saves, because he tries to second-guess the oppositions and gambles with his positioning.

Goalkeepers are first and foremost, taught to mark their near post, but perhaps Reina only makes such great saves, because he moves early and occasionally gambles away from the near post. This season we have seen him at times standing, while the striker knocks the ball past him towards goal. While in other instances before, we've seen him anticipate the lobbed effort or anticipate the striker trying to go around him. In those situations, he has managed to pull off amazing saves or make the striker look foolish. However, more often than not, he will fail, if he keeps trying to second guess players. The more Liverpool have to defend, the worse it is for a player like Reina.

During Kenny's spell and especially during Hodgson's spell, we have defended deep and allowed the opposition some shots at goal. Under Rafa, we had great defensive records and it benefited Reina, as he simply had to keep pulling off those amazing saves and trust his defence. Under Rodgers, if Liverpool manage to keep possession, play a higher line and use Reina as a sweeper keeper, Reina may well prove to be an asset. He is very quick off the line and can sweep up behind his defence really well. He also possesses great footballing ability and an eye for a pass. He is certainly a luxury keeper, but Liverpool have to play to his strengths if they want to see him back to his best and have to play better as a team. As with any player, there are preconditions when it comes to Reina. Brendan Rodgers will surely keep a close eye on him next season. 

Five Key Players for Liverpool Next Season

Everyone will agree that we've massively underperformed last season. Even Luis Suarez, who is undoubtedly Liverpool biggest asset at the moment, had a poor season by his standards. Not to mention, the big money signings like Andy Carroll, Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson. This is by no means a playing "bashing" post. This is about the potential of our squad and what they can achieve. Here are the five most important players for next season, if Liverpool are to succeed with their quest for a higher finish.

Lucas Leiva

Last season when Lucas got injured, Liverpool fans knew they were in deep trouble with Spearing as the only back up for defensive midfield. His performances against Manchester City and Chelsea right before his injury has cemented him a place as one of the fan favourites; so much so that a poll last year revealed that Liverpool fans would rather have Lucas back from injury before Gerrard (who was also injured at that time). We all know the importance of Lucas. His tackling statistics showed him to be the Europe's best tackler, as he completed the most tackles in the 2010/2011 season. He allows the attackers to do their job and more importantly he allows the likes to Glen Johnson, Jose Enrique and Steven Gerrard to burst forward. One thing Brendan Rodgers will be pleased with is Lucas's passing statistics. He fits perfectly into the new system,  Rodgers is keen on using. Liverpool will want him match fit quickly for the start of the season and back to his very best.

Steven Gerrard

The man has carried the club on his shoulders for the past ten years. After last season people were beginning to ask the question "Has Stevie G lost it?". Can he still pull a "rabbit out of a hat" and "take the game by the scruff of its neck"? If anything he was very inconsistent last season. He went missing in certain matches and in others like the Merseyside derby, he scored a hat-trick and tormented the oppositions. I wouldn't say he's lost it completely. If we've learnt anything in the Euro's, it's that Gerrard is still the best English player around.  With Gerrard, it only takes a shot or one of those fantastic crosses to score. Similar performances next season will be expected from him.

Pepe Reina

In my opinion, Reina was one of the biggest disappointments last season. A couple of years ago, he was lauded as one of the best in the world, but his recent slump in form has brought his consistency into question. Last season he managed to save 69% of shots aimed at the Liverpool goal, which is the league average for goalkeepers. Has he become an average keeper over night?

This shows a steady decline in Pepe Reina's shot stopping abilities over his time at Liverpool. He is more than capable of great performances as he's proven in the past, but his form has to improve if Liverpool are to keep more clean sheets next season. A club like Liverpool should expect their keeper to save at least 75-80% of the shots; so Reina will have to do better next season. Perhaps a change in goalkeeping coach is required. His slump has coincided with Xavi Valero leaving the club. Maybe our current goalkeeping coach is misleading him? 

Martin Skrtel

There has been a lot of speculation on him leaving Anfield this summer, but he has stated his intentions to stay and possibly extending his contract as soon as possible. He was voted Liverpool's best performer last season and rightly so in my opinion. His strong tackling and aggressiveness made him a bit of a reckless player in the past. But now it seems that he has matured in to a very intelligent defender and has formed a great partnership with Daniel Agger. This partnership is extremely important for Liverpool's defence next season, especially if Brendan Rodgers plans to play a high pressing game. 

Luis Suarez

Yes, he is one of the most controversial players in the premier league (barring Balotelli and Tevez), but the man can play some serious football. He loves nothing more than to play football, every minute of every game and works tirelessly for the full 90 minutes. He has also completed an average of two successful "nutmegs" per game. It's safe to say that he possesses amazing footballing ability and creates chances for himself and for others. Liverpool fans now would love to see his finishing ability. We have seen glimpses last season, but he hasn't reached his Ajax or Uruguay form. In my opinion he was the most unluckiest player last season, hitting the woodwork seven times all season. A change of luck for him would help Liverpool greatly in their quest for champions league football. 

Of course, at the end of the day, football is a team sport and Brendan Rodgers will need all his men performing at a certain level. These five players will however form Liverpool's spine next season and they will undoubtedly be detrimental to Liverpool's success or failure. If these players hit form at the same time, I would be worried about our opposition. We could definitely see some "cricket scores", if that happened!

Brendan Rodgers: What can we expect next season?

We have all thrown the phrase "next year will be our year" around more than any other supporter of any other club. But after three very poor seasons in the premier league, are Liverpool fans giving up hope? What are we fans expecting next season? What can we expect? The Swansea manager, who has only achieved promotion and a mid-table finish; what is John Henry thinking? Here are five changes Liverpool fans can expect next season.

1) Possession Football or "Death by Passing"

"Death by Passing" as some have come to call it, is the same system Spain have deployed so successfully in the Euro's this summer. It is based on the philosophy of Barcelona that has them showering in more gold than Buckingham Palace in the past few years. It's the same philosophy that Rodgers used in Swansea that resulted in them being called "Swansealona". BR stressed the importance of "resting with the ball" and also stated his intentions to make "Anfield the longest 90 minutes of an opposition's life". He continued saying "if you are better than your opponent with the ball, you have a 79% chance of winning the game". All are clear indications of the type of football favoured by Rodgers.  

2) High Line Defence

So many times in the past few season, we fans have been biting our nails and closing our eyes, because the opposition has spent so much time in our box. Our defensive line has moved deeper and deeper, allowing pressure on our back line. Skrtel and Agger have both defended bravely last season to maintain a decent defensive record, but we have had several goals conceded right after scoring or near the ends of halves, because we sat back and sat deep. With Skrtel and Agger we have fast and strong centre backs capable of playing a high role, devising offside traps and pressing. We also have Reina, who is seen as the ideal sweeper keeper. His footballing skills are second to none compared to world class keepers and I think he would've made a decent midfielder if he started early.

3) Pressing off the ball

Swansea were tireless last season, as are Barcelona and Spain. This system is designed to give oppositions no time on the ball. Rodgers stated "if you give a bad player time, he can play. If you give a good player time, he can kill you." This shows that he has no intention of giving time or space to opposition players. Dirk Kuyt in his prime would've fit in nicely in this pressing system, but players like Suarez, Lucas, Gerrard and Henderson are extremely hard working and they will do their best to close down next season. 

4) A 4-3-3 Formation 

It is hard to predict new signings, so I will keep them empty. Here is the formation Rodgers will most likely favour next season. 

Reina

Johnson Skrtel Agger Enrique
Lucas Henderson
Suarez Gerrard NS
Carroll

NS = New Signing

We seemed to have a lot of indecisiveness last season with our formations. We went 4-4-2 in certain games and 4-5-1 in others. We didn't really settle to a specific playing style. Expect a change next season. We will most likely play a 4-3-3 and a fluid one at that. Carroll is expected to hold the ball up, pass to Suarez, Gerrard and our new signing for the left, and run into space. Meanwhile our attacking three have almost a free role in movement. Pass and move is the name of the game. If we are successful with our signings, we may even see this: 

Reina

Johnson Skrtel Agger Enrique

Lucas NS
NS Gerrard NS
Suarez

Suarez is a great choice for this role, because he can do what spain did with their "false striker" or "ghost striker". He has the ability to drop off, pick the ball up and create things, similar to what Silva or Iniesta was asked to do. This is obviously the very optimistic and fluid version. I'm quite confident Carroll can do a job next season. He has improved immensely in his hold up play. 

5) Positivity with better press conferences

You may think I am joking with this one or I am out of ideas, but in my opinion this is a very important part of being a successful manager. Roy Hodgson lost us, early with his negativity, blame game and antagonising of fans. He did not know how to rally the fans and get them behind him and the team. The manager has a responsibility to motivate the fans, as well as the players, after every defeat or draw. King Kenny started off really well. He came in and got everyone together. However, he seemed to have no love for the press or press conferences. He antagonised them and got Liverpool some negative exposure. Yes, great fans saw right through the lies of the press and understood the reasons behind the King's frustrated behaviour. But Liverpool is a global brand and it is very important to maintain a positive image. We have already seen a great burst of positivity from Rodgers in his early press conferences. We can expect him to continue on this path. 

With a new season comes new hope. Liverpool fans will always be hopeful for a quick return to glory. Will that happen next season? It's hard to say, because Chelsea and Arsenal are strengthening fast and the Manchester clubs are already very strong. One things for sure, we are not going down without a fight, especially under Rodgers. If he manages to implement these five changes successfully, we will definitely see positive results that will push us up the table. What's important now is signing the right players for the job. We can only hope FSG will back their man all the way, as we supporters will.