DEPRESSION hovers over Anfield.
Another grim evening watching a group of players under-perform. For Carlisle, now read Sion.
Last night’s dismal proceedings were summed up by the need to introduce Philippe Coutinho on the hour. It smacks of desperation; the cavalry sent in to rescue another gormless performance. When Coutinho then offers a half hour of passes into no-man’s land, with Divock Origi and co on a completely different wavelength, it underlines the futility of the exercise. If the upcoming Merseyside Derby entirely justified a virtual second-string selection, seeing Liverpool’s one creative spark dragged down to depths plumbed by most of the dross on show last night makes little sense.
Brendan Rodgers is under pressure. The most quoted sentence in English football right now, certainly around these parts. His post-match interview on Thursday betrays a man acutely aware of his perilous position. He is composed, but noticeably flat. He talks of missed chances, highlights a defensive error but speaks of “another rebuilding job”; one which he says rather unconvincingly, he will “take forward, hopefully”.
He sounds like a fella who has had the life kicked out of him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql0OKqwTljA
Fans forget the inspirational pre and post-match Rodgers of 2013-14, the little street-fighter who for months consistently refused to rule out the league title when it would have been easy to manage expectations and speak of qualifying for the Champions League. When thousands lined the streets to welcome his team to Anfield week after week, it wasn’t just because Luis Suarez was banging in the goals. It was as much about belief and that belief came from the top.
“Make us Dream”, we asked, and dream we did until the cruellest twist of fate turned it all into a nightmare.
Rodgers is a shell of the ebullient little man who fronted up to those microphones in the midst of that glorious spring of 2014. Leaving the tiresome personal stuff aside, his critics talk of him speaking now to “save his skin” but he’s hardly coming out fighting. When he spoke last week of being a better manager than he was three years ago, it sounded utterly unconvincing. Three years wiser you might expect, but instead three years more downtrodden, more paranoid, more exhausted.
Rodgers recently spoke of the “hysteria” around his position but it’s largely in his own muddled head. If Brendan wants to understand real hysteria, he wants to talk to Rafa Benitez. When every aspect of your management, from micro-analysis of a hitherto unheard of marking system to the way you celebrate a goal, is criticised day in, day out by ex-players, panellists and journalists, and snowballs into a relentless agenda that brainwashes an entire fan-base, you can sanely argue to be in the midst of real hysteria.
Rodgers isn’t a “fraud”. What he is, is a young coach with bright, tactical ideas that are being dimmed and becoming more confused by the day. Where once he exuded energy and confidence, he now seems lethargic and scared. You can see it in his teams. Set up to be solid at Stoke, to stifle at Old Trafford; safety first the maxim winning out over goals.
At Anfield, when Rodgers was at his best he sent out his players to maraud, to swarm the opposition, to go for the throat. You could almost hear the inspirational words spoken in the dressing room, so evident was the instruction in the rampaging style of play.
Now though, Liverpool are limp and insipid. Chances are created (and spurned) but there’s no concerted intensity or urgency. There is no ramping up of pressure, just patient probing that ebbs away into incoherent, over-complicated approach play and zero end product.
The defensive instability in terms of system and personnel continues to undermine any sense of attacking purpose. A lack of conviction up front; an absence of a killer instinct in front of goal has seen leads squandered and performances slowly unravel. This is a squad performing in the image of its manager; confused, timid and beaten.
In the stands too there is mounting apathy. The ubiquitous clamour for a change of manager on the forums, airwaves and social media hasn’t yet manifested itself in terms of open revolt inside the ground. The natives are more resigned than restless but that could soon change with Goodison Park on the horizon.
It is hard to see a way forward, long-term for Brendan Rodgers at Anfield. For him and Liverpool supporters, the derby is a terrifying prospect at the weekend.
Everton, and in particular Roberto Martinez are riding the crest of a wave in the wake of Monday’s comeback at West Brom. The Everton psyche is never stronger than when they look down on Liverpool in the league table. The Blues will be licking their lips at the prospect of putting distance between themselves and their detested neighbours.
If Everton have an Achilles heel, it is that they often crumble under the burden of derby favouritism. Rodgers has to cast off the cloak of angst and diffidence and jump on the Blues’ deep-rooted insecurities. As much as Evertonians will be confident, years of disappointment and derby disaster gnaw away on the inside.
Liverpool can’t afford to acquiesce to an Everton side pumped by the occasion and home crowd. There can be no repeat of the conservative approach that led to the wishy-washy showing at Manchester United.
Rodgers has to inject a verve and brio into his dressing room that fights fire with fire. Kick some fucking arses. Invoke the spirit of Ronnie Moran and Joe Fagan.
For the first time in Brendan’s time here, there’s no Steven Gerrard to help deliver the parochial call to arms. Embrace that challenge and be the man that sends a Liverpool team out prepared to fight and play in equal measure.
He knows that his job is on the line, and that a defeat could sound the death knell to his management but he must somehow walk into that away dressing room on Sunday with the swagger and conviction of old.
On Sunday, Brendan Rodgers stands as a man alone. If he feels cornered, it is time to come out swinging.
There is no place for a draw that just delays the inevitable. Beating the Blues curries much Red favour. So Brenno, one last roll of the dice. One final drink in the Last Chance Saloon.
Attack, Attack, Attack.
Up the Reds.
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Pic: David Rawcliffe-Propaganda Photo
Even if he loses, he probably won’t be sacked.
Ian Ayre and the invisible man Mike Gordon have got his back, and FSG in Boston clearly don’t care what fans think. Before the recent run of home games against poor sides everyone said he needed to win them all. He only won once, yet remains confidently in the job.
It’s a farce at this stage and Rodgers isn’t even to blame anymore. Any top club would have got rid by now, but Liverpool is being run like a mid-table outfit not bothered by embarrassing results.
While I agree with almost every word, you never know rodgers may turn it all around? What if he leads us on another title charge? what of fortune favors lfc again? hiring firing managers every three years? not really the liverpool way, or is the liverpool way now obsolete?
Good read.
I fear it’s not possible for him to go all guns blazing though for if it was he would have done so by now. Feels like we just waiting for the axe, sadly hence the atmosphere inside the ground.
i hate this. I really do. Its a horrible place to be. I have, for reasons I can’t put my finger on, supported Brendan Rodgers from day 1. I’d like nothing better for him to succeed with us. I have spent a great deal of time and effort defending him from the mob who’s only line of attack is a personal one. I have tried to use some rational arguments as to why the last 6 months or so have gone wonky.
But I am running out of steam here. Once you cut away all the bullshit being thrown around, the case for the defence is weakening. The issues, flaws and weaknesses are starting to become so glaring that it’s becoming harder each day to defend the indefensible.
Arguing that we are unbeaten in 5 games is starting to wear thin (and that’s just today!). And, frankly, it sounds a little foolish when the evidence in front of us just doesnt support any angle of my defence.
Is it time for Brendan Rodgers to go? It feel like it more and more each day. Who should replace him? I have absolutely no idea (I am not sold on Jurgen Klopp being the knight in shining armour he is being portrayed as – and what happens if that goes tits up? What then?)
agree w u. I have always wanted BR to succeed, because it means the club succeeds.
but last night performance didnt encourage much (it was not one off average performance either). The whole team seem to be low in confidence and playing without much direction or leadership.
i agree that BR cant select himself to score goals, he can only set up and select team to do the job.
didnt see one proper coordinated attacking move last night, nor against Carlisle, nor Bordeaux, mainly from individual brilliance (Lallana, Origi, Ings etc) or some wayward cross into the box ended up at the feet of potential.scorer.
Will ge still be able to turn.around this.slump? i hope so for the sake of the team and all the fans. But if he goes, short term firefighting team should be lead by King Kenny to save rhis season
This.
AGREE. Do we stay the liverpool way or become the chelski united city way? chopping changing (and winning)…very hard call actually. If only rodgers can turn it around, things would be so much simpler.
we fans have the privilege of “re setting”. as of today, my hope is the real turn around would begin by winning Sunday darby.
but if it goes wrong again (i hope not of course) we can re set and do another “we go again” :)
Thanks for the article.
BR needs to be relieved of his duties, really. Regardless of the derby result. FSG have played “ostrich head in the sand” for long enough. This never ending signposting, first it was Aston Villa, now Everton is the definitive game for his future and so on is self defeating and triggers more infuriating soundbytes from the man himself in desperation. He won’t jump, so he should be pushed for his own good and that of the club, and supporters. He needs another Reading moment for him to grow as a manager. He will never drop the self aggrandisement but maybe he will learn to base it on actual delivery of results.
Excuse me for repeating the same message for a millionth time:
FSG needs to~
~ Publicly back BR
OR
~ Replace him gracefully
I shall write in American vocabs so that FSG would be able to understand better (not being racist here, folks :):
Dear FSG,
To save Liverpool FRANCHISE from drifting sideway, you really need to take decisive action, one or the other mentioned above.
Writing CHECKS every transfer window to TRADE players may not be enough. The club and fans need to know where you stand, and to end the needless speculation.
Although a number of key players are injured at the moment, the team ROSTER is still strong and as long as all the players perform to their potentials, we should not have too many REVERSE this season.
Please just show your leadership now.
Thank you.
What good does publicly backing him do? If he then goes on to lose 3 games in a row, then everyone will be clamouring for the sack, and if he does then FSG will be accused of lying or asking questions like why back him publicly and sack him after that!!!
The simplest thing for FSG to do is to give the job to Klopp assuming he wants it and this goes into a proper “rebuilding” job under Klopp and FSG get a grace period of 2 season, this and next, before people start getting antsy again.
The hardest thing for them to do is stay silent, and see if the person they think is the ideal candidate can get them out of it. This is the ideal time for FSG to do something after the Everton game, either stick with Rodgers until Jan or get someone in regardless of Everton result.
Because at least a new manager will have 2 weeks due to International break to get settled in. I’ve been a Rodgers supporter from mid way through his first season, and was in the group of fans he mentioned as would wait to see how things went before making judgement, however from last season to this, my thinking has changed to saying we should make a change in this break.. When things are not going well, Rodgers is able to keep his head down and not say much, but the minute we get a victory, he undoes all the hard work by saying something stupid, his interview after the Villa game was ridiculous, his public stance should have been, we’re in a rough patch, we’ve won a game but still got a long way to go to maintain consistency, instead he comes out and goes on about outside sources..
It’s time the pressure was relieved from Rodgers and someone else given the chance to move this team forward, would prefer it be Klopp and hope that come Monday or Tuesday there’s an announcement, otherwise this shit storm is going to get a whole lot bigger…..
YNWA
Hi. Agreed that staying quiet is the worst thing FSG can do in this situation.
As much as one group would like to have BR replaced ‘yesterday’ and the other group would let him turn around the result and performance, the bucks stop with FSG. period.
therefore FSG needs to take one of the two.options/actions.
No matter what the decision is, all of us want to see the team excel starting with a 3-0 win on Sunday against our neighbours.
FSG’s Reply in Queens English (no racism intended chaps:)
Dear sweet Liverpool fan who lineth our moust deepest pockets. We as of thee to beareth with us yet a little while. For us to restore this mighty club to its inherited place and submit the rest of Ye olde Lande to our will, thine patience is bounteously required est of ye. Never fear lest ye SHALL NEVER WALK ALONE chums.
Cheers,
john, tom and linda
Haha.
Thanks, FSG, forthe reply. Since none of U ~ John, Tom, and Linda ~ have studied in Eton, Cambridge or Oxford, i do not think u are capable of replying in Queens English :)
btw, love the part “Never fear lest ye SHALL NEVER WALK ALONE chums”
well done.
There’s no doubt about it the man is in over his head we cant keep going back to 2 seasons ago when we came second the fact is we came second we didn’t win anything fast forward and we are in a complete mess if truth be told we’ve got 2 good players and a shit lot of solid some even average players in a squad that 300 million has been spent on in the last 4yrs its fucking crazy carry on altogether Liverpool Football Club is been run like the Willy Wonka factory at times i mean Rodgers is talking about a rebuild job again there will be a rebuild job alright when he gets dumped and a new man is brought in because some of the players aren’t up to it then what another 3-5yr plan again we will most probably have to go through.The real problem at the club is there isn’t enough real football man involved in the day to day running of the club cause if there was this horrid mess that is upon us would have been tasered to fuck by now.
So if (big if) we beat Everton on Sunday, will the attacks on Rogers continue? I read on some LFC website that even if he won the next 10 games he should be gone! How ridiculous is that kind of statement.
Ask yourself how shite Man City were without their big names (losing without any fight to Spurs and to West Ham at home).
I am not optimistic for Sunday but with Sturridge, Ings and Coutinho we have creativity. Just hope the defence turns up for once!
The insane thing is we could be top 6 and a couple of points off top if we beat Everton and a couple of other results go our way.
Its too confusing to even think about.
Injuries are what seems to keep Brendo in this limbo, I donm’t think the owners help by being somewhat indifferent to happenings, but I think the fact that he has 4 of his most important players out, has kept him in the job… Like last season with Sturridge, it was always the fall back excuse…..
The problem with this though, is the admission that blowing 300m and not having the right players in place to cover such injuries is somehow, OK.
A lot of good stuff but two things stand out – myths if you like. Firstly, Rodgers is a ” coach with bright, tactical ideas”. Really? I doubt if you’d find many Watford or Reading supporters subscribing to that thesis. The Reading Chairman sacked him because he had one idea which he stuck to even though it wasn’t working. Swansea? They were the playing the style set by Sousa and added to by Martinez, nothing revolutionary from Rodgers. As for Liverpool under him, his tactical ideas seem to revolve around 3 at the back when things go tits up and playing players out of position. The so called ‘Suarez season’ wasn’t tactical nous, rather a bunch of players who enjoyed playing at the height of their powers (well the midfield and attack) in a none too tactical, cavalier way. None of which has been replicated since.
Secondly, Rafa. Your assertion that the criticism of him brainwashed “an entire fan-base,” is absolute bollocks. I and a shed load of supporters were appalled that a bloody good manager was ditched by a group on non football no marks.
I fucking hate this shit being spouted by people who have no idea about German football.
When Klopp took over Dortmund in 2008, they had been fighting relegation for 2 years. They were utterly crippled financially, needing Bayern to loan them 2 million euros. There is this idea that because Dortmund won a few things in the 90s they were/are the 2nd biggest club in Germany. They might be now, but if they are Klopp is the reason.
I don’t think they are but the point is they certainly werent when Klopp took over. Hamberger, Werder Bremer, Borussia Monchengladbach and Schalke are all bigger clubs historically, as well as Nurnberg. And Leverkusen have been bigger for 15 years too.
But what did Klopp do immediately? He took them from near the bottom to 6th, then 5th, then won 2 league titles, then finished as runners up twice. And lets get three things clear:
1. “he only had Bayern to beat & all the rest are shit” is a fucking myth. Schalke reached a champions league semi final & Stuttgart reached a champions league quarter final in addition to the monster of Munich while Klopp’s been at Dortmund.
2. Almost very year without fail Klopp lost his best player or players, some of whom went directly to his major domestic rival or a major european rival. Sahin went to Madrid, Barrios went to China for the money, Kagawa went to Utd, Gotze went to Munich followed by Lewandowski. And Klopp maintained excellence. Reus will leave this summer & Klopp probably decided because of that, that he had to go now.
3. This season, his first poor one, has been down to 2 things. (A) an unreal amount of injuries from the summer to xmas & injuries to the few remaining key players that he has. At one stage in October he had his full under 21 back 4 playing. (B) because he hasnt had the money to build a squad, he has relied endlessly on much the same group (minus the top guys who get sold) for years on end, meaning he can’t rotate. Ever. Never in your life have you seen a squad so tired. This team is burnt out and the world cup made it even worse. Given Klopps teams are built on energy and pressing and not sitting deep, a tired team playing that system resulted in the only thing it would – bad results. Yet after being bottom of the table in November Klopp has taken them to 9th.
The man is a genius. He’s what Brendan Rodgers wishes he was. And we’d be ridiculously lucky to have him manage our football club.
So you’re just going to copy and paste an incredibly well written and argued piece that was already posted on this website and pass it off as your own?
at least change spelling to ‘Oktober’ :)
Haha, don’t let Brownie catch you recognising that bearing in mind who wrote the original. Last night I was trying to put the case for Klopp forward to a couple of mates. One agreed but my best mate won’t have it. He wants Ancelotti and as is the way he was questioning Klopp’s credentials. I couldn’t fight Klopp’s corner because I don’t know enough about him or his achievements. I think I’ll copy the above and send it to him (stating it’s not my own of course). It sold me to him then and it continues to do so.
Although I recall a conversation on a preseason podcast when all were staking their claims as to what was to be the likely and acceptable haul of points after 10 league games of the season gone given the banana skin selection of games randomly drawn from the computer. The panel were unanimous that between 17 to 20 would be acceptable to very good and anything beyond 21 would be pretty amazing given the tail off at the end of last season.
And anyone can scream and bay for BR’s blood all they like however it is fair to say that given the unfortunate stack of injuries and lack of 1st choice personnel availae for selection ( Sturridge, Sakho, Henderson, Benteke) is the main reason the Team has struggled to gain momentum and rhythm and to hit their stride. Sure it’s only natural the managers own self belief is called to question and btw he has made some shit decisions ( Llori & Markovic especially) BUT that does not mean he has thrown in the towel for 1 minute. I also think his new back room team of advisors are doing him no favours or he isn’t heading their advice in the team selection especially as it has been said that when Rossiter and Brannigan were paired at Bordeaux they earned and deserved on merit another opportunity in last nights game and being as pragmatic as possible they would have made a better fist of the fight together because comparatively Joe Allen’s show as the old hand CM was very disappointing He was a hindrance rather than a help to young Rossiter who settled into his stride in spite of Allen and showed unbelievable confidence and maturity as his range of passing developed during the course of the game. And to do so in the most difficult of circumstances shows me for one what a steely robust nature he has in his mix. Because before last night and even after the Bordeaux game I wasn’t sure as to what his best game is. But I’ll tell you what! The lad has an amazing future in store and we have unearthed another uncut diamond of a player that when he gets polished and builds a head of steam he’s going to be a top player possibly out of a similar mould as Roy Keane. And right now I think we should all be ecstatic with such a prospect.
Roy Keane? I am sure you can find a more suitable example for your post for Reds fans to understand/appreciate better :) cheers
The game is about players and the comparisons you are making about previous times were with different players, better players, better players who make other better players play well. That’s the dynamics of a football team. Whilst I agree with the sentiment of his current disposition I don’t fully agree with the reasons offered. BR isn’t silly and neither should we be. Two years ago he went into games with Suarez, Sturbridge, Gerrard, sterling, coutinho. Ably supported by Henderson, Allen Lucas. Now he goes in with two good and very honest players in benteke and ings. I like both but they came from the recently relegated burnley and the nearly relegated Aston villa. Good solid players but not as good as 3 who have left. Not forgetting mario and Ricky Lambert (who I like). I mean say that out loud!! Despite SG age and occasional destructive emotions he was top scorer here last year (most from open play). The other two were and are absolute quality. Who bought the players is a cyclical debate that makes my head hurt. Anyway, I take your point but put yourself in his shoes and its perhaps a little more understandable. Thanks
Sturbridge? when did we sign him:) i know AUTO correct
Wonderful again by Mike Nevin. I hope someone prints it and drops it in Brendan’s letterbox.
He has to go for me.
Not particularly because I want him gone, I don’t, but he’s on a hiding to nothing I think. He already had his critics and doubters from the off, but I think he’s lost a lot of fair-minded, middle ground supporters.
If he somehow manages to restore support, have the team playing well and winning so creating a feel good factor again, then it can go down as his best achievement yet.
Pre-match tete-a-tete makes me hope rodgers has read your piece and is ready to come out swinging. Martinez started the smack talk with “due to their heavy investment liverpool are the favorites…etc” Trying too take the pressure of his boys. Rodgers responded brilliantly IMHO. ” We are a big club thats why we are favorites. The level of expectation is huge here, unlike at other clubs. Thats why despite everton and us only being a point apart, we are playing disastrously and everton are great!” Excellent rodgers, now back that up with words and you might just turn this shambles around yet. RODGERS 1 – MARTINEZ 0 haha
agreed with u abt pre match press conference. and BR did well for this.
he can talk as we all know, and should talk abt team and Liverpool, not abt himself. And let the result speak for itself.
sigh auto-correct…should have read, now back that up with ACTION on the field of play :)
This, this alone is worth the Lecy to read on my comp – thanks Mike EXCellent :)
..As much as Evertonians will be confident, years of disappointment and derby disaster gnaw away on the inside.