Is Rodgers beginning to lose control of his Liverpool side?
After what was a display of early promise, Liverpool again fizzled out yesterday during the visit of the clubs’ arch nemesis in recent years, Chelsea. An early goal from Emre Can saw hopes raised before a typically inept round of defending saw Chelsea equalize soon after, following which Liverpool failed to really make any significant mark on what was a game of plenty of possession but little promise, particularly in front of goal.
Speaking in his post-match presser, Brendan Rodgers said, “We had the possession and enough territory but maybe lacked a bit once we arrived into the important areas of the field,”
“That’s something we have shown in my time here – we have been a creative force and dynamic in creating chances and getting goals. Today, the players worked very hard to get it into the areas but we just couldn’t quite find the final pass or touch.
“At the moment it’s difficult for us because we’re not getting results and it has been a tough week. The [international] break probably comes at a good time for us; we’re hoping we can get one or two injuries back after that, then look to get on a run, because that’s going to be important for us.
“Our focus is very much on getting into the top four. That was the key for us this year with the considerable change we’ve had, and we still have a big possibility to do that.”
But with the likes of Chelsea, Southampton and even Manchester United now creeping away, as Liverpool continue to drop points, a place in next season’s Champions League may be asking too much of what is beginning to look like a club in crisis.
He went on, “We were playing a gameplan today, which was to look to keep Cesc Fabregas quiet because he’s a big player for them. For that, we had Jordan Henderson in a marking role and he did it very well.
“The influence from Fabregas in the game was limited. We needed him [Henderson] for that energy to do that over the course of the 90 minutes.
“The changes raised a lot of criticism in the week, which I can take – there’s no issue with that. What I thought was unfair was the disservice to the players, because Kolo Toure is not a reserve player, he’s an experienced player. He’s played in the Champions League and played very, very well for us.
“Adam Lallana is a full international player and Lucas Leiva is a Brazilian international player. I made the call, the players have been brilliant in their approach to the games and we just haven’t got the results.
“There is pressure on when you don’t get the result, but I can only refocus now and it’s important we get back to winning ways after the international break.”
It was Rodgers’ decision however, to cut the likes of Toure, Borini and Lucas from his Chelsea starting lineup that drew a lot of initial ire from fans, who were optimistic that the manager had finally had enough of his under-performing so-called ‘starters’ and would see some of the ‘reserves’ that gave their all in Madrid in mid-week but it wasn’t to be.
On the subject of increasing criticism and some stick from the stands, Rodgers said “The supporters are a big part of what we’re doing and they’ll be frustrated – they’ve seen the team lose three games on the spin, and that’s something they’re not used to.
“I totally understand that, there is no issue there. They give us great support and there’s that bit of frustration all round at the moment. I can understand that.”
Is Rodgers losing the plot, or can he pull the team back from the brink of a truly disastrous 3rd season at Liverpool? Let us know in the comments section.
If you’ve ever watched a monster movie
miranda lambert weight loss Design Essentials gets Deep with Celebrities
quick weight lossUntucked shirts for shorter men
Sack this FOOL!!! get Koeman!!!.
Quite simply. Never had it to lose. Look at the first season, our defence starting deteriorating. Our once world class keeper started coasting us points. The defenders looked disorganised. Work in progress many of you said. Let’s buy another keeper a few other defenders. Last year, the defence got worse. A stat for you to mull over. No player has made more individual errors leading to a goal than mignolet? Can he be that bad ? I blame coaching.
Transfers, we lost Suarez and GERRARD. Last season. Don’t be fooled, he is not a holding mf player and should play only part of the game, in a more advanced role. He is capable of brilliance but only for 30 min or so.
With that in mind, buy two big players. Cavani, koke! Spend big. Never mind koke is not for sale. Money talks and money is what we had in spades!
Instead, we bought a lot of players that simply aren’t good enough at the moment.
Markovic will develop, he has talent, Can will develop, so will Moreno.
But the elephant in the room is Brendan who spent all summer dumping his wife, bleaching his teeth, get a top bird , buying expensive cars and generally believing he is gods gift!
We knew he wasn’t ready! I did anyway and many others. But last season went to his head. He believed the media hype. And now is reality check, for him and for the fools that believe in him.
How do we fix it? Starts with the owners, who have been brilliant in providing funds, asking a few serious questions over their employees performance. Simply not good enough. Yesterday half stadium booed. The decision to rest players for this game backfired and made him look every bit a championship manager.
For many of this seasons games it has been clear’ that we have been ‘out-managed’. We have the players but they do not seem to have a game plan.
No you just do not understand our frustration Rodgers! no you just don’t!
Wwe have a couple of questions to ask actually:
(1) Why did you bring in Balotelli? you are a coach having EPL experience and you have seen , felt and you know enough how Luis Suarez played to be aware that this guy of Balotelli just can not get into the boots of Luis! So why did you bring him in???
(2) Falcao was available, why was Baloteli preferred instead? Is it wages? is it the price? don’t you think we are losing money with Balotelli right now? If we want success we have TO INVEST!!!!!
(3) You know Sturridge better than us, you know how fragile he is! each month he is injured and now we have to rely on him only. Suarez was sturdy enough but he is gone now. What’s the purpose of Lambert abd Balotelli who can not create any goals or threats????
(4) Since you came in, you promised to improve our defence and yet our four backs look like a strainer. Worse, each land every set piece has a probability of 0.999 to finsih into a goal.
(5) We just want a coach that inspire trust , whatever team we are facing.
I remember the day when we thrashed Madrid. That day, Iker Casillas, one of the best of the world then and still now, was so panicky that he was forced to pick up a back pass… such was the dread we drove into the minds of those facing us. Yet we did not have any superb vedette. How can we forget when kaka, crespo, dida, gatuso,maldini surrendred to us in just 10 mins!!!! Ancelotti knows it very well!!!!
(6) Brendan, please, if ou can understand us, feel our frustration, consider all ways of improving, dont be stubborn, consider improvements in the defence with an additional coah, consider recruiting a classy attacker, please invest properly. Nowadays, its no worth taking any risks because things go so fast.
(7) Otherwise Bring us bac Rafa
There will be no answes forthcoming. The media will never ask the questions.
They haunted rafa out of this club despite knowing that the owners were cowboys who took all they could. Bankrupted the club.
Rodgers is the 21 century Harry redknapp. Is all haut spin. We surrender before kick of v real. He is hailed as a genious for keeping the score 1-0!
I’m exhausted with this performances like many of you.
Couldn’t have said it better myself! Number (7) please!
hi what I have seen of Brendan Rodgers from the time he has been at Liverpool Fc is that he might be a good manager for the future but at present he has still a lot to learn and this is the point I would like to make is that liverpool fc need a top manager at this present time if they want to achieve the goal of ever winning the league as well as being in Europe that is why I feel at this moment in time Brendan Rodgers does not have the experience liverpool fc need to win as you can quite clearly see this season so far.
Critam you said it all,im happy people are seeing things my way now,we should have signed huntellar fr lambert,shaquiri for markovich,lavezzi or pastore to aid our attack,its unbeleivable how someone signed 9players and yet depend on a certain sterling for goals its absurd.wonders why he is still in the job.UTD tried it and we know how it panned out,go for established players and not kids and wastes like lallana a one season wonder like charlie adam his name sake,it seems we dint learn from the first adam flop.i wish rafa benitez or mayb guus hiddink or any other experienced manager can handle us its better not this one we have.
07064817226 call me kopites lets discuss about lfc
the problem is not that BR can’t manage the problem is starting Stevie every premier league game 90 minutes dropping Monquilo for Johnson bringing in Allen before Lalana we all know Lucas is much better then Stevie in df mid where is Suso why let Reina go its beyond me hope it gets better soon I’ll always stay positive no matter what LFC ynwa
I wonder why Brendon always look for excuse , please stop and focus for the job you are paid – Liverpool is not the only team that have recruted new players , other team also have new players and they are doing well – Invest in high quality players .
We don’t have time to listen too ur rubbish… Your time is up… Went to her average players for a big club… Who the hell is lovren, what is balo doing up front… Jeeez
I think Rodgers has truely lost it,his team selection this season have been wrong and starting players who are nt in form says it all. As well substitution wrong. If only he’ll listen to comments,work with them he’ll and make the right selection we’ll be better off. If not sack him cos he’s stubborn
I think Rodgers has truely lost it,his team selection this season have been wrong and starting players who are nt in form says it all. Substitution as well is error. If only he’ll listen to comments,work with them and make the right selection we’ll be better off. If not sack him cos he’s stubborn