If there’s one thing Liverpool’s extensive summer squad overhaul has shown, it’s that the Anfield outfit have regained a ruthless, decisive edge.
Gone are the days of dawdling over lengthy negotiations for prospective new signings who eventually lost patience and headed elsewhere.
Gone are the days when the playing staff was top-heavy with has-beens, could-have- beens and never-will-bes struggling for a sniff of first-team action.
And gone are the days when the club would pander to those who weren’t fully committed to the cause.
Clearly, you are now either with the Anfield revolution, or you aren’t. No grey areas. No confusion. No hesitation.
Like Fernando Torres in January, Liverpool wasted no time in moving on Raul Meireles once the Portuguese decided he preferred Stamford Bridge to L4.
It’s the kind of sure-footed decision-making that was lacking during previous ownership regimes of the all-too-recent past.
Liverpool supporters will hail the magnificent seven new arrivals, but it’s in chopping much of the deadwood that the club has most impressed.
Suddenly, while there’s a streamlined appearance to Kenny Dalglish’s squad, with it has come a genuine competition for places.
That hasn’t come without considerable expense, but for the £120million-plus outlay of Fenway Sports Group since the New Year, more than half has been recouped in player sales which have also greatly lessened the wage bill.
Credit must also go to Damien Comolli.
His initial appointment and subsequent promotion to director of football were greeted with skepticism by many supporters.
But, working alongside Dalglish, the early signs are that the Frenchman’s efforts have been worthwhile.
Now Liverpool must show they can be the sum of their parts.
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