WHAT did I expect? Less than a week ago I wrote that, despite the rather fortunate nature of our victory over Spurs, I felt a sense of optimism in that we had played perhaps our hardest remaining fixture and the rest should really be all plain-sailing.
I could not have been more wrong as, again, the one thing that is consistent about Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool is their bloody inconsistency.
It’s getting to be a little tiring now.
Some will point the finger at Skrtel replacing Carragher but Carragher wasn’t even on the bench. He was injured. I would also point to the fact that Skrtel had been our best defender for the past two seasons, prior to his poor run this year and that Carragher and Agger have both been as susceptible to individual and defensive errors this season.
Others are piling it on Joe Allen, because his season has tailed off after a good start. These are the kinds of ‘fans’ that hear that Allen has been playing with a shoulder injury for much of the season and choose to not let that get in the way of attacking a talented young midfielder.
Much of the blame for Saturday’s defeat to Southampton falls at the manager’s door. Picking an injured Joe Allen ahead of a fully-fit Lucas Leiva and Jordan Henderson was a stupid, naïve and quite arrogant mistake on Rodgers’ part but it wasn’t his biggest mistake.
No, his biggest mistake is one he’s made on many occasions – refusing to budge from his favourite (and seemingly, only) formation.
Just like against West Brom, Oldham, Aston Villa and Stoke, Liverpool were undone against the Saints by our manager’s inability to alter his tactics in the face of an opponent lining up to take advantage of our lack of numbers in midfield.
Attempting to mimic Barcelona is lovely, in theory, and as we have seen on a few occasions this season, when it works it looks (and feels) great. But there are times when you have to accept that you don’t have the players to do it properly just yet and use what you do have, and this Liverpool side have failed miserably in that regard so many times this year.
[ad_pod id=”unruly-video” align=”center”]
On Saturday the result would’ve been much different if we’d followed Southampton’s lead and supplemented our midfield with Lucas and Henderson. This would have allowed a more combative approach and we wouldn’t have been dominated and out-fought by a side likely to be relegated. How could any manager expect a midfield three of Gerrard, a winger (Stewart Downing) and a partially injured, out-of-form midfielder to cope with Southampton’s five-man midfield? Baffling.
However, while I’ve stated on many occasions that I’m not Brendan’s biggest fan (and that’s unlikely to change any time soon) it would be a little blind to place all of the blame on him for the result at the weekend.
The final 10 minutes of the game was embarrassing, as the players look bereft of ideas, leadership and, more worryingly for us, the desire to actually turn the result around.
What worried me most is that the players looked somewhat out of sorts all day, but once the game wore on and the rare chance was squandered by Liverpool, the rain started to fall more heavily and Reds players began to look noticeably like they just wanted to go home. I haven’t seen anything like it for years. I don’t want to see anything like it again for a long time either.
One of my favourite aspects of any Rafa Benitez team, was its refusal to quit, even in the face of insurmountable odds. Even the poorer teams at the beginning of his time as Reds boss had a steeliness to them, a spine that was rock solid and rarely gave away cheap goals.
But many of the players currently occupying defensive positions are Benitez signings, which just makes the new-found spinelessness of our defence and midfield all the more difficult to swallow. Say what you will about many of his signings but he very, very rarely signed a player who didn’t have a strong character and will to succeed.
After the performance and result on Saturday Liverpool’s powder-puff centre has once again been exposed and raises serious questions about the legitimacy of any ‘progress’ the club has supposedly made this season.
One thing is for sure though, it’s the very last time I’ll be getting caught up in the feelings of optimism after a fluky win over a top-4 side, until there is very real evidence that the win signifies genuine signs of evolution from mediocrity to proper contenders.
[ad_pod id=’DFP-MPU’ align=’right’]
Live4Liverpool is recruiting columnists. For further info contact the site editor at live4liverpool@snack-media.com
Follow us on Twitter here: @live4Liverpool and ‘Like’ us on Facebook
Liverpool performance this year is just like a roller coaster, not able to see any consistency. Joe Allen is totally not good enough to play for usl and was huge mistakes to sign him with £15 million.Top 4 position is beyond our reach for few years to come. Evertonian seems stronger and better than us now. BR must sort the problem now or else resign and take over by other world class manager. FSG need to wake up now!!
It really surprised me, He chose Allen not Henderson. We don’t have a balanced needed against a team like Stoke / Southampton. Rodgers not learning from his mistake..I really disspointed that we were outplayed by southampton. And besides Allen, I think the back four, especially Skrtel and Agger wasn’t good enough. They were terrible. I m not optimist about Liverpool now adays..just embarrasing to see them play like that.
After great win..loss..win..loss..it really pissed all the Supporters who’s expected Fight and determination from all players. Not just sit back like a coward that caused losing 3-1. DISAsTER
Well, rodgers is really short-sighted that i don’t see will lead us to the top. He is either a downright stubborn willing to proof his signing of Allen a success-even at the very expense of the club’s. Besides he doesn’t notice where he lost a match as we lost several games of similar lineups. Rodger MUST GO for despite all positives he is substantially weak fellow,,…….
At last , most people are realising what a dud Rodgers is , its time for the last few to wake up
all yous make me sick 1 game we lost in how many. and before this game we have scored the most goles this year. comeon give him untill the end of the year and if we are the same the owners need to go not the mannager
We have only beaten 1 decent side ALL season, and that was down to ridiculous spurs errors . Rodgers is useless. Tactically one of the worst ive ever seen
wake up pal
Use spell checker then you might get somewhere in life.
Rodgers biggest mistake was joining a big club. He is so far out of his depth , it’s embarrassing
B Rodgers has made numerous mistakes. His biggest mistake is he opens his mouth way too much about how the team have improved and how they are performing now and look to kick on, then the team do not perform after he has talked up the side.
Since Rodgers has been at the club he has shipped out 12 players: 4 are players who have been shipped out on loan and 8 permanent. Outs: Adams, Aquilani, Aurelio, Bellamy, Carroll, Cole,Doni, Kuyt, Ngoo, Rodriguez, Spearing and Wilson.
And has only replaced the 12 outs with only five players: Allen, Assaidi, Borini, Coutinho and Sturridge.
Thats 12- 5 = 7 players down. And i think in the summer rodgers should ship out these players who are not good enough for club:
1: GK: B Jones 2: RB: Flanagan 3: CB: Coates
4: FD: Borini Along with With the 3 out of the 4 players loaned out. 5: CB: Wilson 6: DM: Spearing 7: FD: Forward
And with the great Loyal reliable Carragher retiring in the summer, thats 8 players who should be shown the door in the summer.
And then the owners need to give B Rodgers £90-£110M to bring in 10/ Ten players to change how out look of squad and get rid of Incomplacency within side/squad. And to bring more class, quality competition for places. Meaning there are two class quality players competing for every position at club.
Thats how the club used to be in the 80’s and if we are to be successful again, we need to have good squad depth and quality all over.
And these are the ten players who should be brought to club:
Five Defensive Players:
1:GK: M Vorm(29) Of Swansea for £2-£4M to compete & Cover with Pepe. Good healthy quality competition
2:CB: A Williams(28) Of Swansea For £7-£9M to compete & Cover Skrtel. Good Quality Competition
3:CB: A Pearce(24) Of Reading on a free Transfer to compete & Cover Agger.Good Quality Competition
4:LB: A Cissokho(25)Of Valencia for £4-£6M to compete and Cover Enrique. Good Quality Competition
5: DM: E Capoue(24) Of Toulouse for £6-£10M to compete and Cover LUCAS.Good Quality Competition
Five Attacking players:
6: RW / RWF: J Montero(23) Of Monarcas Morelia in Mexico or £4-£6M to compete with Assaidi & Sterling.
7: LW: D Capel(25) Of Sporting clube De Portugal for £5-£10M to compete with Downing.
8: AM: Marquee Signing: Isco(20) Of Malaga for £14-£18M to compete with Coutinho and Suso.
9: LWF / LW: B Arfa(25) Of Newcastle should be brought in swap deal with A Carroll(23) and £10M to come and compete with hopefully Capel and Downing.
10: FD: C Benteke(22) Of A Villa should be brought for £15-£18M to compete with Sturride and Suarez and bring another different option to the attack.
These ten players would change all dimensions in side, there would be more class, quality within side, there would be more quality competition for place and less incomplacency. And there would be more mobility, pace, Quality, speed, skill, steel to side.
And with those 10 players being brought in , we could have two strong sides capable of competing in the 4 competitions.
Premier League and Fa Cup Side:
n Reina
Johnson Williams Agger Enrique
Capoue Gerrard
Isco
Montero Suarez Arfa
Carling Cup and Europa League side:
Vorm
Kelly Skrtel Pearce Cissokho
Lucas Henderson
Coutinho
Sterling Sturridge Capel
Those ten players would cost club £90-£110M, that is what it would take club to get back amongst the elite teams in europe again, we do not have to do a Bayern Munich, PSG, Chelsea, Man City and spend over £300M in two seasons to get to top. But owners need to spend £110M soon. As all these teams have alot better squads than us now and will be strengthening in summer also: Man City, Man United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Newcastle and Tottenham.
Did you never see the sign, “This is Anfield”, not Manchester or Stamford Bridge. 10 players when we couldnt afford 6 mill for Dempsey. We might buy 3/4 max.
How many players have newcastle brought into their club in last few years? How many players did redknapp take to Tottenham over years to make them team they are today before he was ousted last season? We are way way way behind United, City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle in squad class, depth and Quslity.
Johny are you forgetting club have shipped out 12 players this season and only replaced 5.
And still think the 6 i mentioned are not good enough and should be shipped out also.
And then club squad needs huge surgery completed to it. As we are ridiculously behind our rivals and the gap keeps increasing as we still have lack of class, quality for places. And not enough class, quality players at club
Correct. But I doubt the tight Yanks will invest what is needed
Wow. I have never seen so much negativity on a website. I think its a reflection on what kind of society we live in that everyone expected us to win the league this season!! And if Rodgers is so bad then what does that say about Kenny? We are 1 position above where he finished. I do not mean to mock Daglish but my point is WHAT DID FANS EXPECT THIS SEASON?? We have Chelsea,city and united above us all teams who have spent vast ammounts of money over a long period of time. Spurs and Everton have spent a little bit less than most but have invested in youth and have made shrewd signings and both have good managers. This leaves Arsenal who have struggled this season but are still likely to finish in the top 4. I did not expect us to finish above any of these sides in Rodger’s first season in charge. Rome was not built in a day and sacking managers on an annual basis is not the Liverpool way. I will judge Rodgers over 3 yrs….. The reason everyone is so annoyed is because we had a chance to close the gap on the top 4 but didn’t. Had we won then the same button Muppets would be on here saying how we are certain to finish in the top 4 and how brilliant brendan rodgers is!!
Stupid and lacking understanding comment .no one expects top 4 but with the tools we have we expect better
…Kenny got us to 2 cup finals whilst missing his best players for long periods
…I’m certainly nit fickle . I wanted Rodgers sacked in November . He had already proven his inability to me by then
…the whole ‘ Rome wasn’t built….’ nonsense doesn’t apply. All we expect is progress , but Rodgers is making us worse
Lets be honest…anyone who spends 15m on Allen is not fit to be a premier manager
You go live in your eyrie. And pretend this loser will somehow become a decent manager.the rest of us will stick with reality
I completely agree.
Yes I disagree with with BR’s decision to play Allen but people are overreacting. This season is not and never was about getting champions league, it was about changing the style of play, shipping out the dead wood and bringing in new, young and unproven players due our owners not providing the necessary funds for proven, quality players. I’m not BR’s biggest fan but we’ve played some great football this season and have narrowly missed beating some top teams (City for example). Give him a chance and get behind the team you support!
No. He is taking us backwards .its time for the fans to unite and force this clown out of our club
Nice post Jon – it amuses me how much anger there seems to be amongst some of our so called supporters.
If you show any sign of actually backing the manager and having a decent debate in support of him then you are an idiot / clown / stupid etc etc.
I expect there are alot of trolls on here pretending to be LFC supporters – as you don’t have to register and wouldn’t worry too much about the nagativity. Most supporters can see what this season is all about and as much as the losses hurt, the attacking play and number of goals is great to see. Onwards and upwards eh..
Sure. Another delusional hopeful who thinks he knows better how to support than everyone else
…perfectly proves my point – delusional lol
says the man who goes on to think that “we have given him a chance” and “enough is enough” its hysterical.
I want him gone now and i’ll scweam and scweam and scweam until he is lol
Looks like i found a troll pretending to be a Liverpool supporter . Go back to the Man U sites Alan-T – u must be a manc fan if u want Liverpool to keep a useless manager
Jon. The reason the fans are annoyed is because we have a clueless idiot as manager…there is no hope of improvement with this guy
…and most fans I know are not fickle. We gave him a chance and when we saw the rubbish he signed and his inability to manage – we said enough is enough.
Even if we won the next 8 – I still want him gone
One thing I’ve noticed about BR is his inability to learn from past mistakes. The danger about this is that of a **** who does the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results. The same mistake that cost us the capital one cup versus Swansea also led to our ouster from the fa cup against Oldham. If truly, the midfield is the engine room of a football team, how on earth did BR expect to overcome a ball playing side like Southampton, who weeks ago out played the league defending champions, fielding just one and half midfielders{SG & half fit Allen} at the expense of a fully fit Lucas and workacholic Henderson? The question now is, for how long are we going to continue to take one step forward and ten backward? Because while it is not helping our course in persuading the likes of Suarez to stick around, it won’t attract quality players to LFC, who SEEMINGLY is currently parading a TRAINEE coach who STURBONLY is refusing to learn from his past mistakes.
DagunD thank you so much. well said.
Gutted , BR must quit if we do not reach 4th spot, because he would have failed of hios stupid team selections , BR is not capable to take us anywhere not 4 th next season as well
This year has always been about learning and a big learning Curve. This is Rodgers first major job where every result & performance is under the microscope. At Reading, Swansea and chelsea reserves he was able to get away with losing these types of games.
He knows what is required of him at Liverpool.
But on the flip side, a lot of Liverpool fans need to wake up and smell the coffee.
We arent as great as we used to be, we arent one of the top four anymore.
We have just won four games in a row scoring 15 goals and going great guns. Rodgers had every right to stick with the same principles for a game against a team struggling in the league.
But the Premier League is a gauntlet and if you dont play well you get beat.
These players are learning that.
Keep the faith, we will be okay. It might take two to three years to restore parity with the top four but when we get there, it will be super to watch.
We didn’t win 4 in a row . We have no faith in a championship clueless manager
lol . faith ? No . faith is for religious lunatics NOT football supporters
People saying BR must quit if LFC dont reach the top four. What given right do LFC have to reach the top four? How is it his fault if players miss the target or dont play well?
With two Manchester clubs, Chelsea and two north London clubs in better positions than us, 5th or 6th is the best we can aim for until this team matures.
Alright then blame the tea lady!
Rodgers picks the players , signs the players an d makes them use his stupid tactics
OMG – If Rodgers is not to blame . Who is ?
get a grip lad
out
skrtel 15
reina 12
enrique 8
henderson 15
downing 12
borini 8
allen 8
shelvey 6
carroll 16
jonson 15
in
begovic 15
chiellini 25
ogbona 15
de chelie 10
strootman 15
eriksen 25
jovetic 25
mertens 20
—————begovic—————-
kelly—chiellini—agger—de chielie
——-strootman——–gerrard——-
-suarez——–eriksen——–mertens-
—————-jovetic—————
we would be lucky to get 3m each for Allen and Borini
8 – 10m for Henderson
7 – 8 for Skrtel
and if west ham dont buy Carroll – 10m
What about coutinho?
dont you just love the fantasy football comments. lol
Why do I keep reading about Joe allens ‘good start’ to the season?! He is a major flop and has been since day one. No future at the team not did he have one at Swansea. Useless end of. Sorry, didn’t read the rest of this article after I saw that, put me right off it
my sentiments exactly
you got to realise, that this club havent been the same since dalglish left in 1991. all those years we matched the current team to what dalglish left, and he turned the liverpool way around. the old way was buy cheap and unknown talents, let them grow and they become stars. thats the old way. What rodgers probebly doing is learning how lfc and the current players work. this season was never going to be big, and neither will the next, even with BR gone. It took alex F. 6 years to turn scum united into a big team. give BR a break and let him turn the ship around slowly. thats the liverpool way
Stop with the Ferguson nonsense.
Ferguson was already a top proven manager
And he improved man u immediately
Check your facts b4 trotting out the same untruths as others do
Exactly. The Ferguson argument is completely retarded. He had won 12 trophies before getting the job as chief scum. Jack you are a tard like every other cretin who uses the same argument. Rodgers out. Ynwa
Rodgers is a cabbage . Cabbages don’t turn around football clubs
My god u are naive
To be fair cabbages have their uses. Br is useless. Rodgers out.
I just don’t know why Liverpool can’t defence well..yes. We play some great football, but it doesn’t matter if you can’t defence ! Allen was always exposed against a team like Stoke, Southampton. I knew that Liverpool will get beaten Hard against Southampton since kick off, because they don’t have the same manner week in week out. It’s a Habit, INCONSISTENCY..really dissapointed with Rodgers. Liverpool lack of Character and the mentality is not right !
His biggest mistake was accepting a job bigger than him, really disrespectful!