Every family has a problem child. The British Royal family has Prince Harry, the Kennedy family apparently had Rosemary Kennedy, and in my family I wouldn’t know which one to pick. Before I start a political mess in a gentle footy article, let’s get to the point: Liverpool has Glen Johnson.
The enigmatic English international (by default) has the skill of an average top-flight player and the ego that may match Eric Cantona himself. Let’s be honest, he’s only an international because England haven’t raised a half-decent right-back in years.
Every year at one point, former manager Rafa Benitez brought in a marquee signing to Liverpool. First it was Dirk Kuyt, then Fernando Torres, Javier Mascherano, Ryan Babel, Robbie Keane, Albert Aquilani and finally our beloved Glen Johnson (sarcasm). Notice the list get worse as you approach the end?
Johnson was signed by Rafa Benitez in a £20 million deal from Portsmouth that left many Anfield faithful with question marks. It was a signing that was made during the “beginning of the end” times of Benitez. Part of the transfer agreement was that if Liverpool won the title, Portsmouth would receive another £1 million. It was upsetting that Liverpool didn’t win the league this year, but if there is any silver lining for fans, its that Liverpool didn’t have to pay Portsmouth another penny for this man.
The Liverpool line-up is a well-oiled machine that works in cohesion to create the complete result. Everyone works together, consistently pinning passes amongst each other and moving into space to eventually find a goal. Then there’s Glen Johnson, the piece that is rusted and just doesn’t flow well. It’s like a pulley machine with a cable that is rusted and just won’t move smoothly, or a cable that just makes a loud screeching noise that makes you want to tear up your insides, (or in this case, your television).
Why the hate for Glen Johnson? Well, his only “skill” is going forward, because his defensive play is absolutely atrocious. And even then, all he does is keep the ball for an overly extended period when everyone else is moving the ball swiftly and beautifully, and then lose it, creating a counter attack. He is consistently responsible for giving the ball away at least five times per match. When Johnson was down with injury this season, many fans and analysts picked apart Aly Cissokho for being less than adequate at fullback. When the team’s “star” fullback Johnson returned to the line-up, the ball stuck to the right wing for far too long, and the Reds also gave up many, many more goals. Coincidence? I think not. Johnson cannot defend.
Cannot defend, cannot attack, he is virtually useless in the starting 11. His performance leaves me wanting Cissokho or Stewart Downing to play right-back.
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