One thrives. One rues.
Arguably two of the biggest moves ahead of the 2012/13 Premier League season were Robin van Persie’s switch to Old Trafford from Arsenal and Brendan Rodgers’ decision to take charge of Liverpool.
Both deals dominated headlines throughout the summer and continue to do so but for contrasting reasons as one enjoys high-flying success and the other struggling to get off the ground.
Shall we take the good news or the bad first?
Ahead of Sunday afternoon’s Liverpool Newcastle clash at Anfield, Mr Rodgers faces significant pressure and will be desperate to see his side start to gather momentum.
Take a moment and reminisce on Swansea City’s recent years which have seen them rise to fame.
Fluid football. Classy performances. Attractive style. Barcelona-esque comparisons.
All have become synonymous with the Swans’ as their artistic panache and flair have made them household names in the top-flight.
However, much credit for this philosophy of football being brought to the Liberty Stadium must be given to Rodgers.
Yet, despite his departure from the Welsh club a dramatic fall from grace has not followed because what Rodgers had begun forging at Swansea was a culture.
Indeed, Chairman Huw Jenkins pulled somewhat of a masterstroke by bringing in Michael Laudrup to succeed Rodgers but many will be left thinking the Irishman made a move to a ‘big name’ club naively.
Evident was the success Rodgers enjoyed at Swansea City, gaining promotion to the Premier League and registering an 11th-place finish in their first top-flight season, but the challenges facing the 39-year-old are extremely different on Merseyside.
A club rich in history with dedicated and passionate fans, Liverpool has potential to be a manager’s dream appointment. Or maybe nightmare in equal measure.
The die-hard fans lining the Kop week in, week out have expected silverware and success at the club for many years and now additions to the famous Anfield trophy cabinet are long overdue.
Taking an evolving team on a journey from lower-league to top flight is an inspiring narrative but attempting to transform a club under the spotlight and in turmoil requires far greater dogged determination.
A midweek Capital One Cup fixture will surely have torn the heart strings of Rodgers as his former club visited Anfield and left 3-1 victors.
The Swans then went on to hold league leaders Chelsea to a 1-1 draw at the Liberty Stadium to cap off a fruitful week for the club.
Two wins in nine Premier League encounters leaves Liverpool a lowly 13th and struggling to inspire Kopites and footballing audiences worldwide.
On the opposite end of the spectrum Robin van Persie is in glorious form at the head of Manchester United’s strike force.
With his former club Arsenal the visitors for Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off Van Persie made clear early why he sits first in the race for the Premier League’s Golden Boot.
Eight goals already have seen Van Persie become an instant favourite at Old Trafford and a third minute goal against the Gunners during United 2-1 victory will inflict further wounding on his former teammates while delight will sweep around the Red half of Manchester.
Reports this week have suggested the Dutchman turned down a £300,000-a-week deal at Premier League champions Manchester City to join their city rivals United.
Few can argue Van Persie has made a bad move as he has seamlessly become a pivotal player in Sir Alex Ferguson’s line-up.
Arsenal’s frailties were all too easy to see once again in Saturday’s match with a lack of ambition and poor defending the resonating tones from Arsene Wenger’s men.
Van Persie must be left feeling he got out at the right time and to the right place.
Vastly opposing stories here.
Rodgers – wrong time, wrong place?
Van Persie – right place, right time?
What do you think?
Ben Hampshire (@BH92)
Through the sports lens 