THE battle of style versus substance is one that permeates modern life perhaps more regularly than any of us would want to admit, face, or even accept.
From politics to companies, the importance of aesthetics against essential quality is a competition we persistently must contend with and now it has landed quite squarely on the pitch in L4.
8 games into the season and Liverpool are 12th and while there is no real pressure on Rodgers, the position is not one that fans had hoped to see the club in at this point of the calendar. There was an acceptance that Dalglish’s failure to force his way into the top four was as much a consequence of failing to conquer when domination had been Liverpool’s order of the day as it was down to choosing the hiring the wrong personnel.
Now we are again seeing a team that isn’t living up to its potential. So we are faced with the inevitable dilemma. Should Rodgers change course in the short term to boost results or should he continue with an eye-catching style which has failed to truly deliver so far?
There is no doubt that some of the football on display has been enjoyable, exciting and a welcome change from previous manager’s styles. But at times Liverpool have struggled, haven’t adapted to the Rodgers relentless attack model and have made silly and costly mistakes in games.
Having said that, Rodgers has not yet had a proper chance to build the squad in his image and therefore we cannot expect to see anything even approaching the final product that Rodgers is hoping to deploy at Anfield. But would it be wise for Rodgers to be more pragmatic tactically in the short-term by adopting a less stylish approach in an attempt to improve results?
An adjustment to the current tactics could provide the short-term success to help finance a long term powerful future. There is no doubt that a position in the top 4 and an assault the Champions League for next season would be priceless for LFC. The money would allow FSG to loosen the purse strings and bolster a squad that lacks the reinforcements necessary to deliver on all fronts. Rodgers first signings so far have looked pretty solid and if he is afforded the luxury to draft in more of his first choice recruits, the team could go marching up the table next season. Additionally, there would be the inevitable ability tempt a higher quality of player to Anfield who want nothing more than to test their abilities in the Champions League at the elite level (not to mention the salaries that usually follow).
Another point in favour of a change of tactics is that it showcases the ability of a manager. The best leader should be able to raise the game of the current first 11 by finding the most successful formula given the talent at their disposal. Even if this means temporarily deviating from the grand plan for a provisional period, there should be the omniscient ability of the man at the top to oversee a long-term battle plan that is complemented by short-term improvements.
Perhaps the most compelling argument in favour of adopting a new set of tactics is the lack of attacking options. Liverpool do not have a team of goal scorers. We have one sharp shooter in Luis Suarez, and Steven Gerrard is our solitary other player who has previously fired double figures in a Premier League season. For me, the defence is our best attribute. Agger, Skrtel, Johnson and Enrique are a strong back line and Lucas and Allen are admirable midfield destructors making counter-attacking football a viable option. Making matches a war of attrition could yield more results, especially as a strong defence resists opposing raids and then unleashes Suarez, Gerrard or Sterling on an overstretched adversary.
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However, a change in tactics should not be over-estimated. Rodgers would run the risk of alienating the fans. Most supporters are behind Rodgers’ ideas and strategy and the football produced so far has at times been exhilarating. Were Rodgers to run the gauntlet and change tact, and results stayed largely the same, the reaction would be horrendous. Pragmatic football without results vanquishes any manager and Rodgers would look uncoordinated and unconvincing. We all remember the dark days of ‘Woy’ – we do not want Rodgers to emulate his failed tenure.
It’s not just the crowd that could be disaffected; Rodgers could also risk alienating his troops. The current squad likes to play the Rodgers way. Agger, Johnson, Gerrard and Suarez have all praised the Rodgers mantra and while this could just be seen as a way to present a united front, I don’t believe that this is the case. Just look at how Agger and Johnson reacted to Hodgson’s turgid ideas; they were not impressed and let the world know it. But perhaps just as important, is that new players are attracted to the style of Rodgers. Footballers want to play attacking football with some freedom to express themselves and the more Rodgers reinforces this approach the more it will become synonymous with Liverpool Football Club and will be a pull factor in new recruits signing up.
Furthermore, do we even want a manager who is willing to bend from his ideals after such a short period of time? The convictions of a manager are paramount. If he isn’t convinced by his own model and doesn’t expect it to be successful, then the whole direction should be questioned. The most ardent managers stand up in the face of adversity and live and die by their philosophy. Sometimes it’s worth riding out the defeats in battle to win the war overall. This leads directly to the next consideration.
The season is still young. We are only a few months into Rodgers’ tenure as manager and he hasn’t even played 10 Premier League games yet. Implementation is always key when a new strategy is to be employed and it is surely worth allowing players to become accustomed to the tactics and style before any sort of overhaul is considered. New plans always have teething problems, it is how these are dealt with that are important. If 15 games from now the same mistakes are costing us dear and there has been no improvement elsewhere, then maybe there is a justifiable cause for concern but only maybe. Are 22 games enough to test an idea? Is it worth abandoning this idea just for a few more points which may not make that much difference in the overall scheme of the season? These are just the most basic questions to ask.
Finally, there is the benefit of expectation. There is the lowest level of expectation at LFC in all of my life. This is an opportunity for experimentation and Rodgers can use this wisely. He has already made the right noises with his words. He has already shown Kopites that he will deliver exciting attacking football and he has already had the fans sing his name.
Now is not the time to falter for the sake of a few points. Now is the time for Rodgers to construct his grand assault and think only of the future. To compromise philosophy for a minor gain would be accepting defeat before the battle has even begun. Rodgers must lead on; steady of mind and sharp of tongue to build a platoon that can eventually reach domination. Time is on our side and we must remember that Liverpool was not built in a day.
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This website should definitely change its tactics and get practical.
The articles are usually pointless conjecture, meander and in this case… attempt to answer their own questions. Also, this one claims to know what the players think based on media comments, let’s not forget Brendan or whatever your name is — the players are paid a lot of money — do you really think they are going to come out and say the style or manager doesn’t suit them?
I’m pretty sure you use various noms de plume on this site as the writing style is always the same and you’re on a personal crusade to drain the world of positivity.
Bit harsh. The writer has said both the fors and against a change in tactics. If anyone is negative its you because all you’ve done us verities the article and give an opinion.
Interesting Article!
Bit harsh? Who said we’re going to change tactics? You may wish to consider the pros and cons of something that isn’t going to happen, the sane world will be focused on reality and move forward without that burden.
Everything about the Brendan Rogers regime is focused toward pass & move tiki-taka style from the academy to the reserves and first team. It is a system whereby players are developed as immediate drop-in replacements in the first 11 for continuity. So, if you adjust tactics for the first team, you have to adjust for the reserves and academy.
Does “180 page dossier” ring a bell at all?
Go on, explain why the club is going to make an about turn after a few games…
i have to agree with callaghan , the standard of writing is poor and they are rehashing the same old things again and again – building , patience , positive positivity blah blah blah .
just because we sing BRs name doesnt mean we think he is wonderful , i was there when we sung djimi traores name one or twice too
More ‘spam’ from this paranoid person with a strange personal crusade against LFC fansites.
That’s a ‘no comment’ if ever there was one lol
Nmmm, the article is a non moral booster, i ned CL position. YNWA.
I don’t think Brendan’s tactics are purely for “style” as you posit. The tactics are for playing the game and they happen to be a stylish way of playing. Why on earth would Liverpool abandon their tactics? What should they do? Try to play like Stoke? No, what you are seeing is a tactical system being implemented (and succesfully I argue) and that will take time. Liverpool were not blessed with an easy start to the season and we are actually doing better than last year in the same fixtures. Let’s see if your argument holds water after December. Until then I think we should certainly stay the course and even after then. Everything worth doing is difficult and takes time.
Well said Brad!!!
Let’s put it another way. FSG needs to get practical. Liverpool just need another 100 million for 3 QUALITY FOREIGN NON-ENGLISH strikers, in order to win the premiership.
The passing, defending and flow of attacks are very good at the moment. Our problem is 2 expensive morons i.e. Suarez and Borini just can’t score enough goals despite numerous easy chances!
Just imagine if we currently have Aguero, R.V. Persie and Torres? We are equally capable to win the title NOW!!!
Practical next game please!
the manager has already stated that there is no plan B . ” if plan A is not working , we will try and improve plan A ” his words exactly .
so there is no point to this article , BR wont change , so its put up with it or sack him
I agree with this, however, the new penny-pinching FSG are probably delighted with BR’s nurturing of the youngsters, who are unlikely to earn more than £30k/wk each and are making £100k/wk Joe Cole totally redundant.
We won’t finish lower than 8th and there’s scope for us to do better than that if we have at least one good spell of consistency. I don’t anticipate a sacking at all.
We must bear in mind that players AND managers are paid to carry out a responsibility, in this case BR is paid to win games as manager of LFC, simple really. He is not paid to carry out his “philosophy” only. He can do that if he do a Roman with another team. So, far we had been playing a passing game without results bar 2 games. His philosophy by the way is not new, Shanks introduced this but we actually win games and titles then.
I don’t care how pleasing his style is, our team is similiar to that of KD and we all know what happened for that sorry excuse of a manager.
Rubbish. It isn’t similar to the team of KD, I can only imagine you watch games on the radio lol The media was crying out for width last season! Don’t hear it much now, do we? We also had 4 strikers and rarely played the 4-3-3 we do now
Our biggest problem is committing players into the opposition box and finishing chances. The errors at the back have mainly been due to the change in responsibility for defenders and should lessen over the course of the season.
Spot-on Barry
Ah, the KD apologist is back
Barry, i think you are not very goods with electrical gadgets, i did WATCHED the games. For you maybe you like to WATCH games on the radio.
This team is similiar to KD because justt like KD’s team, they passed to death, controled the game and yet can’t score and win.
However, the only saving grace is unlike that pathetic bloke BR did it without blowing 100 mill.
Oh and the reason why we have problem with width last season is because that sorry excuse for a man paid 20 mill for a non scoring/assist winger and refuse to play another that can actually do the job on the right.
Are you sure you are a LFC fan?
I’m a season ticket holder, chan. I watch all home games at Anfield. No electrical gadgets required. If you’ve ever been to a game, you’ll appreciate what an advantage that is.
Doesn’t matter what the reason was, we didn’t have any width. Saying we play the same simply exposes your opinion as flawed.
I don’t know it seems of BR philosophy is a bit below the level of the game TikiTaka he is trying to proceed .The 8 game Liverpool have played have nothing differents only the results and points
Are your eyes painted on?
Yes its below because BR insist on duplicating Barca eventhough our players are not all ready.
Its like insisting on building a car to compete with Ferrari even though your engineers are not good enough yet. So what do you get? A crash.
good analogy that . i agree
Praveen is saying only the results/points have changed which suggests everything else is the same…and you are replying yes! we are trying to duplicate Barcalona. lol You get along really well.
Hmm i wonder what does Tiki-Taka means then?
if we dont beat everton rodgers should be sacked for the sake of results
That’s hilarious.
lets get real . WE ARE LIVERPOOL . anything outside the top 4 is not good enough . whats that i hear , excuses ? forget excuses . top 4 or we need new owners to invest and a manager who can attract top players