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Walking In A Rodgers Wonderland

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Brendan Rodgers manager of Liverpool smiles before the Barclays Premier League Match between LiverpoDo Mondays get much better? I’m not sure they do really. Although, I tell a lie I’m sure I would be even happier if Stevie and made it a hat-trick of penalties at Old Trafford. If anything would have made Fergie look any grumpier than he already did then that would have done it.

I imagine my walk into work today, like countless other Reds was a hybrid of Leo in the Wolf of Wall Street and John in Saturday Night Fever! I haven’t had the chance to write in the last couple of weeks as work and home have been so hectic but my Anfield cup is overflowing with emotions. What a sight!

There are 2 sets of fixtures each year that are sought out first: our Mersey rivals and that lot from Salford. The magnitude of these games should not be underestimated and even my wife, who loathes football, found out the time of kick-off and made arrangements to be back for it! A turn up for the books for which she hates herself (being back for the footy, that is, not marrying me.. maybe).

With that in mind however, I was absolutely petrified leading up to 13:30. In previous weeks I was concerned about traveling away to Southampton in my usual pessimistic pre-match thoughts (self diagnosed Kopitis for regular readers) but this game is different. In games like this, and the derby, form books go out of the window; it’s all about who wants it more. Looking at the United side, why wouldn’t you be worried about facing RVP, Rooney, Mata and Janujaz in the same side?

Yet this time, following kick off things felt altogether different. We seemed in control without really hitting the heights of that Arsenal performance. Had you not known the location of the match you would have been surprised to find out United were the home side.  We passed, moved, harried, tackled and pressed as a second nature.  It was all truly impressive to watch.

As a side often labelled as a one-Uruguayan-man team, what was apparent throughout was how good the team was, in quite stark contrast to the opposition. The work done for the team over individual gain, whether it be Sturridge making a run behind again and again, even though not getting the ball, or someone like Allen covering over 11k in the game to press, pass and win a penalty (seriously though, if you are still doubting what Allen brings then you need a wobble) all 11 players worked as one unit. It feels weird saying this but 3-0 really flattered United, with 2 stone wall penalties not given coupled with undoubtedly save of the season from De Gea.

So what is the method behind the madness? Is it just a case of capitalising on a sinking ship, like an ice cube claiming bragging rights over the Titanic? Is it simply the case that Moyes is the Hodgeness (see what I did there) of Old Trafford? Partly, maybe.

Or actually, in Rodgers, we have found that right fit for the club? Wind back to when he first took over, Henderson was being offered to Fulham, Flanagan was fresh out of that Blackburn game and despite a trophy winning campaign the camp was low, frustration was up and star players were gazing longingly at the glittering Champions League in a way I look at Mila Kunis – something so beautiful that I will never achieve (but in a much cleaner way, ahem). Now national broadcasters with no affinity to Liverpool are dumbfounded as to why Flanagan did not make the U21’s or the national side whilst demanding that Sterling and Henderson should be starting in Brazil.

Luis Suarez is playing out of his woolen boots; the so called ‘problem child’ Daniel Sturridge appears a completely different person to what we (the collective, not just Liverpool) were told and Stevie has reinvented his game after the odd teething problem. In isolation each of these could be attributed to any number of factors, but together? The common denominator is Rodgers.

Before I move on here are some quotes from my articles on Rodgers in the early days (spelling and grammar untouched):

“The point is we do not have to wait 10 games to judge a poser. We can see it almost right from the start.”

“we are 12th , dont you understand what this regime is doing to us?”

“rodgers wont / cant change a game”

“his misuse of gerrard is criminal too”

“As for their apointment BR, well we all know what this poser is all about, don’t we”

“BR out FSG out”

“we need a manager who has tactical awareness BR out”

“I wonder if those who posted these still feel the same?”

The style of play we are witnessing now, that aggressive offensive play, contributing to some 16 pens whilst under his reign (not too dissimilar to his time at Swansea for those claiming a big club bias) has reached fruition following the patience shown in his first year. The tinkering with formation, the most recent example being the diamond against United, and the second half against Southampton are positively affecting games. All this positivity I have just mentioned, for me only tells half a story.

In the modern game football is played solely on the pitch, the drama continues on the internet, in the papers and in soundbites. Twitter (@timdibs by the way) is a prime example, as the impact of 140 characters can make or break a person. When asked if the win at United was his best day as Liverpool manager, Brendan Rodgers replied ‘No, everyday is’.

Often accused of being a Ricky Gervais inspired character – no not Derek – but as a fan when he talks about my club and my players it is hard not to feel inspired and confident.  Imagine what this sort of management does to the players? Well, actually, don’t imagine watch, Flanagan and Henderson week in week out! He speaks well and speaks with respect, very un-Mourinho like, a quality I hugely admire.

I could go on but must draw to a close, suffice to say a contract needs to be on the table sooner rather than later!

Please comment; would love to hear you opinion. Come find me on twitter too @timdibs

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17 comments

  • Jerry Garay says:

    From your quotes, it sounds like you are picking on “FSG OUT” and “Brigadier”. Deservedly so I must say. Haven’t found any comments from these blokes lately. Young British talent strewn across the pitch. Academy Starlets littering the Football league with loans deals. Our youth punching above their weight against older talent in the U18’s and U21’s. Brendan Rogers faith and commitment to Liverpool football. 9 more games. Come May 11th, if the title is in our hands, it will not be a miracle. In each game, you can see the blood, sweat and toil. Together LFC shall not asunder. Onward and upward LFC!

    • Tim Williams says:

      Cracking points, surely any young footballer wants to be part of this club at this moment!

      As for the quotes, you look at some of my articles on Rodgers from August/September last season and you will see the quotes! in fact nearly all historic articles referencing Rodgers gets some negative treatment

  • Diego 'Digger' Souness says:

    Hindsight is great isnt it Timmy boy!! Come on you reds!!

    • Tim Williams says:

      Its wonderful Diego it truly is, made more the sweet that a personal opinion from 18 months ago has turned out better than one could possibly have thought!

  • TaintlessRed says:

    If Bob Geldof and the boomtown rats were Liverpool fans they’d be loving this Monday past too. Great result.

  • Patrick says:

    Sir Alex Ferguson tore into bitter rivals Liverpool in his new autobiography, claiming Brendan Rodgers is ‘eight players short of becoming genuine title contenders’ Let’s all take a minute to laugh at purple face.

  • Odoh emeka says:

    I v always believed in d man….sumtyms u could look stupid defending br…bt naw it seems 2 make perfect sense…br has always been d man 4 me…dose lfc fans dat was very critical of hm myt as well eat their words with gr8 surprise

  • Cou says:

    I defended Rodgers here many times. Not blowing my own horn but how about some of the quotes from believers? It’s not only hindsight that’s 20/20.

    And regarding Sunday…it was almost surreal. The shot of Ferguson and the “Football Genius” banner…Hollywood couldn’t write a better script. Just magic. Justice is a real thing you know. And in this age where justice for the 96 angels is closer to reality than dream we can all sit back and soak it all in. We may not win the title but just to be in with a shout is a magnificent feeling.

  • Aaron says:

    It certainly did feel like a magical Monday, one that shan’t easily be erased from memory for sometime.

    The strides under BR is magnificent, even those who staunchly defended Rodgers and FSG didn’t think this kinda season was possible, we merely were hoping to secure a top fourth spot as soon as possible.

    The football, tactics, youth players, use of Gerrad, goals, strike partnership and even Joe Allen.. almost everything BR has done has worked wonders, meaning even the most voice-full FSG/BR opponent has been won over and now we are united (clumsy use of the word, sorry) on and off the pitch. A true club in perfect harmony all wearing Merseyside Red…. what a feeling from only just a few years ago. Who would have fore saw this.

  • Derrick phiri says:

    I always knew that rogers was the right man to lead us to the promised land though we are not yet there. He has everything we need in a manager.Thank you God for rogers .

  • stevie says:

    Yes shame on all you rodgers knockers. Give him a new contract immediately

  • colredman says:

    i had many arguments with the Rodgers out brigade have not seen any on twitter for ages they were never going to give him a chance they look proper bellends now.

  • Kay says:

    Great article love that you added those quotes. It’s a shame they don’t have the balls to put their hand up and admit they were wrong.

  • Darres says:

    With Barcelona sniffing around, i would advise FSG to offer him a contract ASAP

  • George says:

    I believe him on his true love and affection for the REDS. I believe him when he says the best job is managing our LIVERPOOL FC. Long stay at the REDS for BRENDON R. A true LIVERPOOL LEGEND in the making.

  • Mark s says:

    Mick Quinn was “underwhelmed” by the appointment and was still having doubts up to a few months ago. I made the point on talksport at that time that whilst I was sorry to see Kenny get the axe Brendan has to be given time and support, unfortunately many of our own fans were shortsighted. Every top manager was unknown / unproven at some point. Fair play to FSG, and I am not biased toward Rodgers just because I’m from Northern Ireland 😉

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