Liverpool were outclassed by Arsenal’s new boys in their 0-2 defeat at Anfield yesterday. Though Liverpool were far from their best, Arsenal had the lion’s share of opportunities in a clinical display that has finally seen them score their first goals of the season thanks to Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla. The loss further highlighted Liverpool’s inability to change things in a match due to their lack of transfer deadline day buys. With Carroll now a West Ham player, Brendan Rodgers’ side find themselves restricted to two strikers – barring free transfers – until January.
Even after Liverpool’s dismal display on Sunday, Liverpool Owner John Henry insists that the club’s summer transfer plans have not been ‘a failure’. In a letter to fans, he admits his disappointment at not being able to bolster the strike-force but sees the acquisition of Joe Allen, Nuri Sahin and Fabio Borini – whilst also hanging onto Suarez, Skrtel and Agger – as a sign that the Merseysiders are ‘building for the future’.
Henry's full open letter to the fans can be read on Liverpool's official site.
Reports from The Independent suggest that Liverpool manager, Brendan Rodgers, may be willing to bring either Didier Drogba or Michael Owen in on a free transfer to help bolster the club’s attacking options. Rodgers also went on to say that he would not hesitate to recall Andy Carroll, from his loan spell at West Ham, in January if he is still unable to procure reinforcements following the club’s worst start to a campaign in 50 years.
Brendan Rodgers promises steady improvement from his team as the season progresses. The Liverpool boss attributed Liverpool’s loss to Arsenal to poor decision making but continued to state that ‘we’ll [Liverpool] get better as our season progresses. It was always going to be a difficult start.’ However, amongst the pessimism of Sunday’s defeat, Rodgers is certain that there are still some positives to take and has vowed to fight on.
Live4Liverpool take a look at why the club should set aside any grumbles over a lack of loyalty and re-sign former striker Michael Owen, while former player Jason McAteer told TalkSport why the striker has burned his bridges and should not be re-signed.
On Here Is The City, we take a look at five with Liverpool connections who are to blame for the club's transfer debacle on deadline day, Mathew Nash looks at five free agents who could solve Liverpool's striking 'crisis', while Paul Moore writes why Andy Carroll is the best signing of the transfer window.
image: © bernard-chan
The Billionaire's Apprentice
The Buy Side: A Wall Street Trader's Tale of Spectacular Excess
