Sion (H) Post Match

[BobTheCharmer]

One thing I don't understand is if we win these two games with a stronger team then we are basically qualified for the next phase and this then gives the manager scope to play younger players under less pressure in the final three games.

Also people like Coutinho and Moreno surely want to play European games to gain experience. It is not like our first team players have a wealth of knowledge and played in 100 European games so a rest in September does them good.

You wanted a Strong team risking injury when we play early on Sunday? Sorry but that's bull****.

[Rich]

One thing I don't understand is if we win these two games with a stronger team then we are basically qualified for the next phase and this then gives the manager scope to play younger players under less pressure in the final three games.

Also people like Coutinho and Moreno surely want to play European games to gain experience. It is not like our first team players have a wealth of knowledge and played in 100 European games so a rest in September does them good.

Manager's totally flawed logic. Taking the Europa League seriously should be a given. Get points on the board, ensure qualification from the group stage and then rest players in the final 1 or 2 games.

The only competition I'd totally disregard is the League Cup, that's the epitome of pointless.

[Darkon]

http://twitter.com/BassTunedToRed/status/649698017507975169/photo/1

I agree, that our main problem is actually finishing chances right now. We've created plenty over the past handfull of games, but without taking enough of them. Last night 7 that could/should have been goals on most occassions.

Rodgers is being let down by the players a bit at the moment, and there seems to be to little confidence - which of course is also partly the managers fault. It just seems that they are not really capable of finding that confidence anywere - be it a leader on the pitch or off the pitch.

It's just so hard to see a way out when the mental state have sunk in so deep. Really seems like we need some new energy in to the team.

Sunday is going to be huge - and Monday seems a rational time to change manager, if that's the decision.

[Big-Red-Ed]

I'm not watching that Brendog interview. My phone isn't covered for throwing it at the wall damage.

[Buzzo]

In the 25 minutes I watched I saw Origi completely fluff a one on one which looked like a confidence issue and lallana kicked straight at the keeper after a nice move. Those two would normally result in a goal, is that the managers fault they fluffed their lines? Over the last 25 years I've seen us struggle to put away poor opponents in European competition, including under bentitez. The atmosphere is usually flat and the team is usually second string and the thing is going through the motions. I think many, probably understandably given our run of form, but are over analyzing last night's game. We created enough to win. The players have to learn how to finish, a manager can't do it for them.

Poor finishing is a confidence issue. A manager should be able to give players confidence. For a number of reasons we have none. It is impossible to say the manager is not responsible for this.

If this performance and result was a one off - then I'd agree with you. This has been happening more or less for the best part of 12 months, and our recent run of form in all comps is unacceptable.

[McDermotX]

Manager's totally flawed logic. Taking the Europa League seriously should be a given. Get points on the board, ensure qualification from the group stage and then rest players in the final 1 or 2 games.

The only competition I'd totally disregard is the League Cup, that's the epitome of pointless.

If these cunts think they're getting through a season playing only 38 games, they can think again. There's been more than enough money invested in the playing quarter to support a EL campaign with some level of seriousness, and frankly, they need as much time as possible with each other - fed up looking at these sides like they were only introduced to each other on the busride to the ground.

[BobTheCharmer]

A manager can't give a player confidence in front of goal. The only thing that does that is the bloke putting the ball in the net. Yes I agree its gone on too long and I'm not trying to exonerate Rodgers from all blame. But if the team creates and can't finish it is a player responsibility for me. But then our two main strikers weren't playing. One injured and onbe saved for Sunday. That was Rodgers call and I don't think risking Sturridge last night was the right thing to do. A regular goalscorer makes a team so much better. It papers over cracks. Utd have done it for years. They are **** but have a knack of scoring. I think a month of having Sturridge available should be given to Rodgers before ditching him.

[Yozza]

“Lifeless and disjointed”- The morning papers react to Liverpool 1-1 FC Sion

Here is how the morning newspapers reacted to the Sion draw:

James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo was left frustrated by the performance, especially as Liverpool didn’t build upon their win over Aston Villa last weekend:

So much for that turning point.

Having taken a step forward by ending their Premier League slump with victory over Aston Villa, Liverpool FC stumbled alarmingly in Europe on another desperate night at Anfield.

It was hard to know which was the most damning assessment of the Reds’ lifeless and disjointed display against Swiss minnows FC Sion.

Was it the fact that thousands of disillusioned supporters had long since given up and headed for home prior to Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic putting Anfield out of its collective misery?

Or was it the crescendo of boos which rung around the stadium at the final whistle from those who had decided to stick it out to the bitter end?

Either way, if beating Villa provided some cherished breathing space for manager Brendan Rodgers, here was a reminder about the unrest and frustration which continues to surround his stuttering Anfield reign.

The Guardian‘s Andy Hunter bemoaned the Reds’ finishing, and was another to highlight the resounding boos at the full-time:

Once again the Kop delivered a more emphatic finish than a Liverpool player. Boos greeted the final whistle for the third time in four matches at Anfield after a persistent flaw cost Brendan Rodgers’ team against FC Sion. The Liverpool manager offered several valid reasons for Premier League mediocrity in Europe before kick-off but only one explained a point against poor Swiss opponents: their lack of quality in front of goal.

Rodgers selected an under-strength team with Sunday’s derby at Everton in mind and Anfield was left predictably underwhelmed by a second 1-1 draw in Group B. Liverpool had the luxury of an early lead through Adam Lallana, who had chances for a second along with Danny Ings and particularly Divock Origi. All went begging and another defensive lapse presented a Sion team high on commitment but low on quality with the chance they needed to top the group.

Chris Bascombe of the Telegraph focussed on how easy Anfield is for opponents to play at now, and also believes Liverpool’s reliance on Daniel Sturridge is worrying:

Anfield was once acclaimed as a bastion of invincibility. Now it is becoming one of the most hospitable tourist venues, especially for overseas visitors.

After Swiss side Basel ended the club’s involvement in last season’s Champions League, the compatriots Sion made a dent in this year’s Europa League ambitions with a draw courtesy of the customary gift from Liverpool’s defence.

Sion were branded ‘pathetic’ and ‘embarrassing’ by their own chairman after a domestic defeat last weekend. Liverpool’s inability to overcome such average opposition has become a habitual. Few will doubt it was a game they should have won given how much they created, but lack of finishing prowess is no excuse. There has been far too much invested in this side for it to look so bereft of class in attack when one player – Daniel Sturridge – is missing. The England striker was rested for the Merseyside derby and Liverpool’s cutting edge took the night off with him.

In his ESPN player ratings, David Usher had kind words for the Reds’ central midfield pairing of Joe Allen and Jordan Rossiter, but was critical of the out-of-form Jordon Ibe:

Allen- Had the occasional sloppy moment but also showed plenty of quality, not least with a brilliant reverse pass to send Divock Origi clear, only for the Belgian to squander the opening by delaying his shot. Repeated the feat after the break when he sent Origi scampering through once more but again the finish was lacking. Probably Liverpool’s best performer.

Rossiter- Another promising performance from the 18-year-old. Kept things simple for the most part but his passing was accurate and he rarely gave the ball away. Covered a lot of ground and was always making himself available for a pass. He’s developing nicely and was one of the few positives to come out of another disappointing Liverpool result.

Ibe- It’s been a difficult start to the season for the teenager whose form has deserted him. Didn’t play well again, but being asked to play wing-back does him no favours. Struggled on the left in the first half, but worryingly for Kopites, he fared even worse after switching to his preferred flank following (Nathaniel) Clyne’s substitution.

Simon Highes of the Independent was, like many, unimpressed with the performance, and feels Everton have very little to fear on Sunday:

Brendan Rodgers should have known only a convincing victory over opposition which last season finished fourth from bottom in a Swiss Super League that in reality is anything but, would be sufficient to prevent another dissection of his management before Sunday’s Merseyside derby.

He might point towards the likelihood that four and not all of his starting XI here will begin at Goodison Park. Yet this was another dispiriting result for Liverpool, one which felt inevitable from the moment Sion’s equaliser crept in with 73 minutes left to play.

The reality of how bad Liverpool were was revealed by the circumstantial context of the team they were facing.

Graeme Jones, Everton’s assistant manager, watching on behalf of his club ahead of Sunday’s lunchtime encounter across Stanley Park, sat in the directors’ box until he had seen enough, leaving with five minutes to go.

With Liverpool’s faltering like this and the mood at Anfield reflected by a boom of boos at the end, there is unlikely to be many points of concern raised in his report.

[redmike65]

A manager can't give a player confidence in front of goal. The only thing that does that is the bloke putting the ball in the net. Yes I agree its gone on too long and I'm not trying to exonerate Rodgers from all blame. But if the team creates and can't finish it is a player responsibility for me. But then our two main strikers weren't playing. One injured and onbe saved for Sunday. That was Rodgers call and I don't think risking Sturridge last night was the right thing to do. A regular goalscorer makes a team so much better. It papers over cracks. Utd have done it for years. They are **** but have a knack of scoring. I think a month of having Sturridge available should be given to Rodgers before ditching him.

So you think a manger with terrible tactical and strategic thinking should be bailed out by one player scoring some goals? What happens if (when) Sturridge is injured? Sack Rodgers the next day when the season is already too far gone to rescue anything?

[Fredo]

Our two main strikers are either injured or recovering from injury at the moment. If he had played Sturridge and anything happened to him, he'd have been canned for it anyway.

This job is probably the worst job in the world at the moment. Patience has run thin.

[Rich]

Our two main strikers are either injured or recovering from injury at the moment. If he had played Sturridge and anything happened to him, he'd have been canned for it anyway.

This job is probably the worst job in the world at the moment. Patience has run thin.

Ludicrous

[Buzzo]

Our two main strikers are either injured or recovering from injury at the moment. If he had played Sturridge and anything happened to him, he'd have been canned for it anyway.

This job is probably the worst job in the world at the moment. Patience has run thin.

Its a Great job. He is just making a c*nt of it.

[Fredo]

Ludicrous

Why is it ludicrous?

Booing your manager after a game. I'd be well excited for that.

[poorscousertommy]

I'm sure that no one from the club or FSG read or take notice of these forums so the only real way for them to do something is for fans to vote with their feet and stay away from the next home game.
If you went to the cinema and saw a **** film would you go back to watch it again... and again... and again?


Posted from Est1892.co.uk App for Android

It's not just about being entertained is it?

As a season ticket holder for 30 years (I was 9 when I got one) I have seen worse than this but my love for the club means I will always follow them and turn up even when times are ****e.

What sort of fan doesn't? Do you want us to turn into Everton fans?

[Vermilion]

Of course it's ludicrous Fredo, there are people grovelling around in **** for a living out there, and not much of a living either! Plenty of worse jobs in the world ffs.

Even if Brendan was dumped, he'd not be worryng about his mortgage, and his ego probably wouldn't skip a beat, he'd more than be able to convince himself everyone else was wrong. He'd be good.

'Worst job in the world'. ?