IT is a little over 3 weeks since the opening chapter of the Brendan Rodgers Liverpool Football Club revolution began and despite a mixed reaction to his appointment there is growing confidence within the Anfield walls that the ex Swansea boss is exactly the right man to turn around the fortunes of the 5 times European cup winners.
The Ulster man has been mightily impressive with his language and demeanour since succeeding Kenny Dalglish last month, with the articulation of his vision and philosophy for Liverpool Football Club as convincing and inspiring as you are likely to hear.
Watching and listening to Rodgers’s first interview as Liverpool manager was like listening to a man who eats, sleeps and breathes Liverpool Football Club, such was the emotion, confidence and exuberance of his words.
Putting aside my own reservations of Rodgers’s appointment a peculiar involuntary smile crept upon my face whilst listening to that very first press conference. I found myself doing what thousands of Reds across the globe were doing at precisely the same moment, and that was believing every word that was said.
As impressive as his footballing language and as enchanting as his philosophy of the beautiful game, it was his connection to the values, culture and community of not just the football club but of the city itself which was the most striking. It was a genuine rally cry to everyone connected to our famous club to leave the past where it belongs and believe in our new and exciting future.
If press conferences won trophies then Rodgers would have claimed his first piece of silverware within an hour of becoming Liverpool manager such was the impact of his words that day.
It would be easy to get swept away with optimism and hysteria, after all what we have witnessed thus far is merely the talking of the talk. Rodgers himself will be under no illusions that it will take much more than his charismatic words to propel Liverpool back to the very top of English football but there is little denying that his first steps as Liverpool manager have captured the hearts and minds of the Liverpool Family.
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So what can be expected from the first season under our new manager? Well it is clear from the offset that winning football and results will hold a greater importance to the attacking football philosophy donned by Rodgers at his previous club Swansea City.
In his own words “we’re in the business of winning and hopefully we can entertain along the way.“ This is a clear statement of intent from the start that there will be much more than tiki-taka, pretty football on the menu at Anfield next season.
The opening weeks of the season will give Rodgers an ideal opportunity to hit the ground running with home games against Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United. If Liverpool can come through the opening weeks of the season with minimum damage then a top 4 finish could become a distinct possibility.
There is certainly a lot of work to be done before we get to that point though and Reds fans won’t be kidding themselves about the chances of securing Champions League football in Rodgers first season.
With pre-season approaching fast and the re-building process yet to begin the early signs are extremely positive at Anfield. It’s a case of so far so good for Brendan Rodgers and for most Reds supporters, August the 19th can’t come quick enough! YNWA
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Really looking forward to seeing LFC at Fenway!
Let’s put aside the talk and see what he can do on the transfer stage ; after all that is where we will stand or fall.
I will be there as well…. July 25th is right around the corner. YNWA!!!!
Of course he can talk the talk, he’s Irish isn’t he, Martin O’Neill has always talked a good campaign but has never delivered.
your a Muppet, O’Neill last two seasons at villa he challenged for top 4 right up until April when squad size let him down on both occasions. any player he bought was sold for twice as much.
What I am sick of hearing not necessarily from this article but among other/fans etc. Is the comment “pretty football” doesn’t win you football matches. As if there was a dichotomy or something and that playing beautiful was simple a bonus. The fact is if you play football right it looks fantastic and will help your chances of winning games more than anything else.
Last summer over £50 mill spent added to the money spent on both Carroll and Suarez there were high hopes on the team something they could never live up to.
This summer we won’t be spending £50+ mill BR will have to make some astute bargain signings. I don’ think the side will as much pressure on them next season, they will be given the time and freedom, if BR is to implement his style on the team then he needs a 2-3 years so with that, when the pressure isn’t on and people aint expecting much from you, then you can really show your best.
Remember how well we played after Roy got sacked, from where we were to where we ended up no one expected us to finish the season like that, so I’m sure we can surprise quite a few next season, but don’t expect to be winning the title.
I agree with most of your points but games against City, United and Arsenal aren’t the problme. It’s against the traditionally smaller clubs that Liverpool have fared poorly in recent seasons and that’s where we need to improve.
I hope you’re right Graham. I really really do. I’m thinking we should all hold back on making any statements about him though, until a. he’s started to be a bit active with regards transfers, and b. he’s seen his team have a few games.
Of course, we can’t really judge him at all until the end of the season at least.