Over this current one? Probably, yes. The only real improvements over houllier's side are torres and reina, considering gerrard was already there. He brought in players like xabi and masch, but then also foolishly let them go - xabi down to his own fallings out with the player.
So he bought a truly world class goalkeeper and striker pairing, and got the best out of Gerrard. My point stands that when he left Liverpool, he left it in a state that was far superior to the one he found it in.
I liked to think it was tactical genius that he won it. But how can it be? His tactics since have been disgraceful. Taking off torres when we're losing, claiming he was injured (which for anyone with eyes who can see torres' reaction, know its a lie). Rotating our best players in the league when they're fit enough to start cost us a stupid amount of points, and probably even the title 2 seasons ago.
Not just tactical nous, but also one **** of a motivational job. No amount of tactics can single-handedly bring an inferior team level from 3-0 down in a Champions League final. I'm not going to defend his bizarre methods with Torres (unless someone with better knowledge than I can shed some light on it) but squad rotation? How can you possibly criticise squad rotation? You'd rather he started the same squad every game, so that they got burned out halfway through the season?
One good example of squad rotation is United, who do it to such an extend their team is hardly ever unchanged. They're consistent challengers every year. An example of what lack of squad rotation can do is Villa for the past three years. Come Christmas, we were knocking around in the top 4, before going on devastatingly bad runs as our first teamers fell apart under the strain of an entire season of Prem football.
Hodgeson almost did a similar feat with fulham, taking them to the europa final. Tactical genius too? Well it's clear to see right now, he doesn't have ANY tactics whatsoever. There's no pass and move football he promised to bring, and there's not even route 1 bolton football.
Before I start, I'd just like to remind you that "route one bolton football" probably isn't an acceptable term now that they're playing nicer football than most of the top 10.
What you said is rubbish, pure and undiluted. Hodgson's tactics were primitive, but they brought the best out of a team like Fulham. Strict defensive training coupled with the innovative use of Murphy as a deep-lying playmaker and the new tactical trend of inverted wingers brought the best out of both defence and midfield, with Gera playing off a rejuvenated (by Hodgson, remember) Bobby Zamora up front. This allowed them to play simple but undeniably effective football. Yes, you could claim it was route one, but there is no doubt that it was effective use of the resources he had available, combining the brawn of players like Zamora and Hangeland with the guile of players like Murphy, Duff, Gera and Dempsey.
It's pretty obvious, however, that Hodgson's strength isn't tactics. He's not a Sacchi or a Spalletti. He's a manager who focuses meticulously on solid defence and not losing. Unfortunately, this just isn't the right style for 'Pool.