The Curious Case of Glen Johnson

Glen Johnson has been in high demand throughout his career. From being the first big money Roman Abramovich signing to playing a major part for a strong Harry Redknapp Portsmouth side, managers and boards have never been afraid to splash the cash on the England international. Johnson has cost more than 30 million pounds in transfer fees and has played for some of the biggest clubs in the Premier League. So, when Rafa Benitez splurged close to 20 million on the right back, the decision was received well as the Reds were getting a proven Premier League player with pedigree at the highest level.

 

Johnson playing for Chelsea
Source - Getty Images 

Johnson started out really well making a great impact in his first few seasons. He was a mainstay in a team which endured a lot of struggles and slumped to mid table mediocrity. While players were going in an out of the team, Johnson was an ever present either at right back or left back. There were a lot of different managers at the Anfield helm during this time and all rated Johnson from Roy Hodgson to Brendan Rodgers.

 Johnson has made 192 appearances in total for Liverpool. There have been memorable moments for sure during Johnson’s Liverpool career such as goals against Chelsea and West Ham and a brilliant defensive performance against an inform Gareth Bale. However, it has been palpable for some time that Johnson’s form has regressed. He has been a shadow of his former self and there has been a considerable drop in his energy levels.

Johnson did have memorable moments
Source - Liverpoolfc.com

Unlike a fine cheese, Johnson’s condition has deteriorated with age. For someone allegedly on 120 pounds a week, that is not good enough. Johnson cuts a disinterested figure on the pitch and always looks to blame others when something bad happens. Johnson must only look at Steven Gerrard to see that despite Gerrard’s condition declining, he still gives 100% in what he does. Johnson on the other hand just looks disinterested. In the past two seasons, Johnson has only won a measly 57% of his duels and only has a Squawka performance rating of 133 this season which is worse than any of Liverpool’s other starting defenders.

Despite these poor showings, Johnson is still consistently picked by Brendan Rodgers when fit. Rodgers has shown himself to be trigger-happy many times this season but when it comes to Glen Johnson, Rodgers is firm and resolute. Why is it that a player that is underperforming so much is given so much playing time when players like Javier Manquillo are not even getting a sniff? Manquillo has more defensive actions in fewer games and yet is time and time again left out in place of Glen Johnson. When Johnson was injured, players like Lazar Markovic played in the right back position despite Manquillo being on the bench but the moment Johnson came back, he was put straight into the team.

Always regarded as a player who is great at attacking but a bit suspect in defence, Johnson has lost the attacking element of his repertoire. He is very slow in his passing and seems lost with the ball. The little bit of mobility that he had was lost and this resulted in him playing the game at walking pace which is bad for the team considering the express nature of the Premier League. Rarely do we see him make those marauding runs that made him desired in the first place. In fact, it could be argued that he was the worst player in a season where everyone was being praised to superlative levels. When better players come along, Johnson is just played in a different position. He has played everywhere across the back line without any change in his performances.

For a player who is known for his attacking impetus, Johnson has been shockingly poor in that department. In the past two seasons, Johnson has only scored 1 solitary goal and has a shooting accuracy of only 20%. This season, he has only created 3 chances in 13 games. In contrast, Lazar Markovic, a player who has seemingly struggled according to the media has created 17 chances and Jordon Ibe, a player who was not even considered at the beginning of the season has a higher duel win rate and shooting accuracy and has a higher chance per game ratio. Their Squawka indexes are also very close to that of Johnson’s despite not playing as many games as the Englishman.

But, the fact is that most pundits, media and even some fans are oblivious to this. While many heavily criticize Mario Balotelli for “not showing enough effort” even when playing well, Glen Johnson gets a free ride no matter how bad he plays. The hard fact is that Liverpool has a much better record this season when Johnson is not part of the team. While stats might be a bit inconclusive, the Reds have also scored more and conceded less without Johnson in the backline. In fact, it was after Johnson got injured that that the Reds went on their best defensive run in close to 30 years. The facts are not pointing in Johnson’s favour but yet Rodgers consistently picks him.

Johnson has lost his verve
Source - Goal.com

In addition, Johnson disrupts the balance of the team. Instead of the team being lined up seamlessly, Rodgers has to adapt and change positions of players just to accommodate Johnson. For example, Emre Can had to move out of defence where he excelled so that Johnson could take his place resulting in a poor performance from the young German who seemed to struggle with adapting to the new position. At the start of the season, star performers like Alberto Moreno were dropped in favor of Johnson. Moreno has created 27 chances in the time he has played which had been limited because many were made as a substitute showing. Despite his attacking fluency and calmness in possession, Moreno was made to look like a scapegoat during the Reds’ disastrous run.

While calls of favoritism or jokes about Johnson having ‘dirt’ on Rodgers may seem a bit far-fetched the fact is that he is taking up a space in the team which should go to more deserving players and in essence, he is being carried by the team. Johnson has been a great servant for Liverpool but he has waned and waned dramatically. The harsh truth is that no other team in the Top 8 will have Johnson as an automatic starter and the fact that the Reds do is very worrying considering they have better players on the bench or being played out of position.

Rodgers has gotten rid of most of the Rafa Benitez core with players like Pepe Reina and Daniel Agger shipped out ruthlessly. But for some reason, he seems content on keeping Johnson despite the fact that he has been much worse than the aforementioned players when they were kicked out. These two players had a much greater connection with the fans as well but were sold without much hesitancy. But, Rodgers is going out of his way to get Johnson to sign a new contract when the Reds have at least 6 replacements. The fact that Jon Flannagan, a player who is Scouse and performed immensely last season is close to being shipped out and Johnson is not is a huge worry for the Reds as club and a community.

Johnson’s performances have dipped so considerably that even an ordinary performance such as his against Blackbrun, a Championship team was lauded as brilliant is testament to how far the standards have dropped. A player once tipped for glory at the European level is now being reduced to being praised for poor performances. In the summer transfer window, even teams like QPR shirked away from buying the 30 year old. If the Reds are to move forward, they have to get rid of players like Johnson and push on hungrier players like Flannagan and Ryan McLaughlin. It is the cold but hard truth.

Stats from Squawka.com and Transfer Fees from Transfermarkt.com

Do recent results suggest that Liverpool have moved on past Steven Gerrard?

For so long, Steven Gerrard has been Liverpool Football Club. Some times, it felt like he was playing on his own against eleven other players. From the ‘Gerrard Final’ to the ‘Miracle in Istanbul’, Steven Gerrard has dragged and carried Liverpool across the finish line so many times. He will forever be remembered as the man that literally ‘Shook the Kop’.

Steven Gerrard - Liverpool through and through
Credit - Guardian 

When Gerrard announced his departure from the Reds this January, there was a sense of worry and anxiety coming out from Anfield. Questions started being raised about who would replace the great captain. Even at 34 years of age and with a body in decline, Gerrard was still this season’s top scorer for quite a long time. The sheer reliance on Gerrard, even at this time, was there for all to see in the Champions League game against FC Basel. With a typical Gerrard free kick, he almost dragged a poor Liverpool side out of a hole even though he could not muster the energy to even run. There was no one in the Liverpool team that could even come close to the sheer aura that Gerrard posed.

However, ever since Gerrard called time on his Liverpool career, there has been a huge upturn in results and confidence. It could be argued that despite Gerrard’s match winning heroics, he was hurting the team in the long run. The general consensus was that Gerrard should have been used as an impact sub in the mould of Frank Lampard. However, Brendan Rodgers consistently employed him in the central midfield position where he was a passenger. Due to his physical condition, Gerrard could not utilize the all around game that had given him so much of success.

Liverpool have won all the games they have played this season without Gerrard. In fact, Liverpool have never lost a game with vice captain Jordan Henderson at the helm. In these games, the Reds have scored more goals (2.3 compared with 1.3) and conceded less (0.3 to 1.3) on an average. Additionally, Gerrard has on average been dribbled around at least once per game and averages only 1.8 tackles. To broaden the discussion, Liverpool have won 10 of their 12 games in all competitions without Gerrard. These stats give an idea that Gerrard has not displayed the match winning temperament enough to compensate for other flaws. 

Gerrard has struggled recently
Credit - Anfield Online 

Ever since Gerrard was left out of the team because of injury, we have seen players like Jordan Henderson and Phillipe Coutinho step up. They now have their own identity and character in this Liverpool side. It could be argued that they were hiding behind Gerrards’ shadow when he was playing. For example, there has been a considerable step up in Jordan Henderson’s shooting since Gerrard got injured from 1 to 3 shots per game. This has consequently allowed him to score vital goals against Manchester City and Burnley. The fact is that players in the team are scoring vital goals that matter, not consolation or inconsequential goals. Ironically, Henderson’s goal against Burnley mirrored a certain goal that shook the Kop 10 years ago.

While the Mario Balotelli incident created all the headlined for the wrong reason, there was one positive that could be taken out of the situation. Players are not shirking away from responsibility. The fact that there were two, if not three, players (if Daniel Sturridge was involved) wanting to win the game for the Reds can only be a good thing. In the past, the hope and pressure would all be on Gerrard to deliver the goods time and time again. Now, when the Liverpool faithful looks around Anfield, it sees players hungry for success and not scared to take on challenges.

The transformation of Phillipe Coutinho is the greatest example of players stepping up. Guilty so many times of overplaying the ball in the past, the Brazilian international has taken on the initiative in recent games. His goals against Southampton and Man City depict this. Last season, he would have gone for the easy side pass in those positions but he had the courage to shoot now and he was rewarded.

Phillipe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson are proving their worth in Gerrard's absence
Credit - Liverpool Echo 

Even at the beginning of the season, there were genuine doubts about who apart from Gerrard could score for this Liverpool team. Coutinho, Henderson and Raheem Sterling were good players but never match winners. But, the greatest part of the Reds’ unbeaten run has been the players finally moving on past Gerrard. There are no more inhibitions and restraints on what this current crop of players can do. As Gerrards’ Liverpool career draws to a close, it is time to reminisce on what a great player Gerrard was and rest easy in the fact that his boots are in the midst of being filled. While there might not be a player like Gerrard again, new Kop heroes are being formed looking to put their own mark and continue the legacy of this great club.

Stats from WhoScored.com

Phillipe Coutinho – The Brazilian Magician Is Finally Becoming a Match-Winner

It was two seasons back that Phillipe Coutinho stepped through the doors of Melwood as Brendan Rodgers’ second and last January signing. Nobody knew what to expect from him back then. He was one of many Brazilian technicians and had frankly failed during his time at Inter Milan. He went down as one of many mistakes in former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez’s ill-fated run at the Italian club. He was regarded as a calculated gamble with only 8.5 million dished out on him so the risk and pressure was not that high. But, there was still uproar in the Liverpool faithful at the time as the Reds neglected to buy experienced campaigners like Wesley Sneijder for a player who had not done much in the game.

Phillipe Coutinho signing for the Reds
Sources - Getty Images 

But, Coutinho quickly put those doubters to rest scoring on his first Anfield start, which was a precursor of supposed things to come. What followed was a period of scintillating football from the little Brazilian including a world-class performance against Newcastle in a 6-0 victory at St. James’ Park. He left the Anfield crowd dazzled with his quick feet and keen eye for a pass. His teammates also took well to him as Coutinho formed a devastating partnership with fellow signing Daniel Sturridge including a game where Coutinho assisted 2 of Sturridge’s 3 goals. After a prolific pre-season, Coutinho was tipped to be the newest mastermind for the Anfield crowd to adore.

However, things did not go fully to plan in his first full season at the club with Coutinho struggling to score or assist in the first half of the season. This also coincided with a lengthy spell on the treatment table as the Anfield crowd was left hopeful that the Brazilian would capture his form back. In the second half of the season, Coutinho had established a reputation of a player who can dazzle but blew hot and cold. This was apparent as world-class home performances against the likes of Arsenal and Everton were cancelled out by stale away performances against the likes of West Brom and Norwich. Coutinho was playing well but the feeling from the Kop was that he was not ready yet. But, Coutinho was still one of the mainstays in the Liverpool team that nearly took home the title.

Coutinho endured a frustrating spell getting injured
Soruce - Express

Coutinho scoring a crucial goal against City
Credit - IB Times 

This season started with Coutinho staler than usual. While he was inconsistent before, Coutinho started this season with very insipid and dull performances. He was not himself and gave the ball away on numerous occasions. It was palpable to see that Coutinho was unhappy on the pitch. As a result, Brendan Rodgers dropped him from the Liverpool squad during a spell where the Reds struggled and struggled massively. It was no coincidence that Coutinho’s lack of form met with Liverpool going on their worst run in 24 years. There was obvious discontent from Liverpudlian’s at Coutinho’s dull performances and at one point, many of the fans wanted Coutinho to be sold.

But, like many other players this season, Coutinho came back from his period out a stronger and revitalized man. The dazzling skill and outrageous passing was back and there was excitement on his face again. His confidence was coming back and he took on players with gusto and fervor. Before he would go for the easy sideways pass but now he looked to take on his man and beat him. Things were finally looking up for the Brazilian but those doubts of inconsistency were still there. Coutinho gave leverage to the doubters with a poor scoring record as he kept on rushing shots without putting much thought. He was still not regarded as the match winner Liverpool sorely lacked since Luis Suarez left.

However, in the past month, Coutinho has added that element to his game with his shots hitting the target more often than not. Coutinho has now become Liverpool’s most important component. It is not just the goals he is scoring but it is the sheer value of those goals. Coutinho has already netted a stoppage time FA Cup replay winner and his propensity for the outrageous has increased. Now, he does not hesitate when shooting and is actually confident. Guilty of overplaying the ball before, Coutinho is now very decisive in his thinking and rarely makes the wrong decision. He is now controlling games when before, he was just hoping to be involved. This can be seen in his performance against Man City. He had 72 touches and was an ever-present in the attacking third as the heat map shows.

This can also be seen in his performance against West Ham where he got two assists, allowing Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge to run riot.

Coutinho has definitely taken his game to the next level and while his bad form led to bad results, his transformation has in turn led to Liverpool’s resurgence. Coutinho is currently Liverpool’s best and most important players and now he has added match-wining goals to his arsenal. What was revealing to see was that Coutinho did not look surprised when his shot against Man City went in when before he would like last season against the same team. It is vital that Coutinho keep grounded. Humility is the key now forward and complacency is the only restraint on Coutinho’s progress. Otherwise, even the sky might not be the limit for where Coutinho can go.