Revolution or Reprisal?

In Roy Hodgson Liverpool have employed their first British boss since Roy Evans departed Anfiled in 1998 and opinions on his appointment are inevitably varied. It appears to potentially mark a step backwards in terms of the club's ongoing treasure hunt and a decision based on business rather than ambition. Despite these claims there are reasons for Reds to be optimistic regarding Roy's reign and if his early movement in the transfer market states anything; its ambition.

The immediate sales of Albert Riera and Fabio Aurelio plus the lack of zeal to fend off any moves for Javier Mascherano indicate Hodgson's will to change. It is likely that the so called 'Spanish Armada' assembled by predecessor Rafael Benitez will be dismantled further as old favourites such as Lucas (Brazilian) and Insua (Argentinian) may fall out of favour. The signing of Joe Cole and near-signing of Luke Young also define a particular transfer policy from Hodgson as well as meaning Liverpool should have no problems with the new regulations regarding the home-grown players, etc. Ambition does not always have to involve a £150m bank loan.

Whilst I believe Hodgson's mission statement may well be to stabilise the clubs financial future by slashing the wage bill and signing youth he won't last five minutes at Anfield unless he teases the fans with the prospect of silverware. With that said the former Internazionale boss dragged a Fulham side built on a shoe string to the UEFA Cup final last year and Liverpool's European record is of course second to none. The 4th spot is vital for the Reds not least for the pomp of the Champions League but also the money.

Gillette and Hicks deflected the negative attention from Benitez last season and purist scousers don't lie down to easily. Hodgson isn't a youthful maverick these days but he may well be the man Reds will reel around to end the reign of the American tyrants. His matter of fact attitude may just be what the internal politics are missing since the absence of former assistant-manager Phil Thompson. In Liverpool's post-modernist age it may be time to embrace their English roots once more rather than rebel against them and 'Keep Things Scouse'.

The impact of a new manager can be profound and we have seen time and time again different bosses getting different results with the same personnel. At Fulham Hodgson  managed to coax stable runs of form out of players typically ravaged by injury such as Damien Duff and Simon Davies. People conveniently forget that Liverpool's dangerman spent large periods of last year sat in the stands and whilst he appears set to start the new season in them; Roy's apparent healing touch could hand Liverpool a lifeline in one of Europe's most prolific marksmen.

Roy brings little in romance but much in experience. Whether statues of him are going to be erected of him opposite the Shankly Gates I'm not sure. However in a footballing recession when your business is bust a steady head is indespensible. As far as I'm concerned what Hodgson as inherited are the ashes of a great phoenix. Time will tell what rises from them.