Brendan Rodgers

[Saveloy]

Nah I'm not having that. There's always one dissenter amongst the ranks.

Who's the one?

[BobTheCharmer]

Who's the one?

You my friend.

[Saveloy]

You're in the first stage of denial.

I need support through the other stages. Can I get a Megabus up to the lakes? I'll be no trouble.

[MrMichael]

I still think the "committee v Brendan" thing is such a load of ****e. The idea that after 2 years working with a player like Sakho that our manager, or any manger for that matter, would still pick (or not pick) him because of who drove his signing all that time ago, rather than because of his view of tactics and partnerships on the pitch, just lacks any sort of rational logic.

By all means people should criticize Brendan for thinking Lovren is better than Sakho (although long term who knows, not beyond the realms of possibility that Skrtel-Lovren could work better than Skrtel-Sakho, certainly the minute amount of evidence from our last 2 games would suggest that isn't bat**** crazy), but suggesting that would be purely because of whose signing they were? Come on

Oh, and no way will we loan out Moreno as that would leave us very short at left back; sell & replace or keep I would think would be all we'd consider. However I wouldn't object whatsoever to Markovic getting a season away to regain some confidence and stop looking like some kid who won a competition to play at Anfield. Otherwise we really are going to lose almost all of that ridiculous fee, how on earth will he ever get near this team this season (and nor should he unless something major changes)

[BobTheCharmer]

I need support through the other stages. Can I get a Megabus up to the lakes? I'll be no trouble.

If you want to come, a bed would be made up and a feast prepared to herald your arrival.

[Saveloy]

I still think the "committee v Brendan" thing is such a load of ****e. The idea that after 2 years working with a player like Sakho that our manager, or any manger for that matter, would still pick (or not pick) him because of who drove his signing all that time ago, rather than because of his view of tactics and partnerships on the pitch, just lacks any sort of rational logic.

By all means people should criticize Brendan for thinking Lovren is better than Sakho (although long term who knows, not beyond the realms of possibility that Skrtel-Lovren could work better than Skrtel-Sakho, certainly the minute amount of evidence from our last 2 games would suggest that isn't bat**** crazy), but suggesting that would be purely because of whose signing they were? Come on

Oh, and no way will we loan out Moreno as that would leave us very short at left back; sell & replace or keep I would think would be all we'd consider. However I wouldn't object whatsoever to Markovic getting a season away to regain some confidence and stop looking like some kid who won a competition to play at Anfield. Otherwise we really are going to lose almost all of that ridiculous fee, how on earth will he ever get near this team this season (and nor should he unless something major changes)

It's never a good look to characterise another point of view as lacking any sort of rational logic.

I'm not a swivel-eyed anti Rodgers loon but I think the intense pressure Rodgers has been under and the jockeying for position in the club hierarchy could well have led to him favouring some players over others.

Of course it's not as simplistic as you've made out, but all managers sideline players, even those managers not under that kind of pressure. It's not beyond the realms of possibility that having argued for a different player he might give less of a chance to a player that came in.

That's not to say that he would cut his nose off to spite his face, but loads of Managerial decisions are more marginal than that.

On balance I'm pro Rodgers, but wish he'd been backed properly earlier rather than having consensus decision making.

[Saveloy]

If you want to come, a bed would be made up and a feast prepared to herald your arrival.

I'm on my way. Could you rustle up a cumberland pie?

[Mark79]

Didn't Sakho's wife have a baby last week. No chance this is why he was left out of the squad?

That is the official reason he was left out. However, according to Tony Barrett, Sakho still made himself available for selection. Barrett also pointed out that Henderson played against Blackburn last season after being up throughout the previous night when his wife gave birth in the early hours of that morning.

[BobTheCharmer]

I'm on my way. Could you rustle up a cumberland pie?

I had to google what one was ffs. We haven't quite bought into some of the northern delicacies yet. Will need to get the wife on the case.

[Fosterbloke]

That is the official reason he was left out. However, according to Tony Barrett, Sakho still made himself available for selection. Barrett also pointed out that Henderson played against Blackburn last season after being up throughout the previous night when his wife gave birth in the early hours of that morning.

Probably wanted maximum concentration so declined his offer. Quite fair to do so in my opinion.

[Mark79]

Probably wanted maximum concentration so declined his offer. Quite fair to do so in my opinion.

Possibly, but I think that the Henderson example suggests that he'll still select a player if he considers them important enough.

Sakho's kid arrived days before the Stoke game. Henderson practically went straight from the maternity ward with next to no sleep.

[Fosterbloke]

Possibly, but I think that the Henderson example suggests that he'll still select a player if he considers them important enough.



Sakho's kid arrived days before the Stoke game. Henderson practically went straight from the maternity ward with next to no sleep.

Ah I didn't know that! Oh well we'll see how it goes.

[Fierce]

He's been given another chance, he's been given free reign in the market and what he has now is a squad that he is happy with all things considered. From what I've seen in pre season it lacks the X factor, but it's solid enough and is better than last year.

If Firmino or Sturridge can stay fit and produce it may give us that missing ingredient. This squad last year would have been top 4, this year it looks a bit tougher so we will have to see how much we improve and how much others do. Being top 4 around November time would be Nirvana considering the start. Being close to it is probably the best we could hope for.

It's safe to say there will be serious recriminations if we don't bea Bournemouth, but going on the theory I think we will, I think the away game at the Emirates the Monday after will tell us much about how far up the table we can look.

It's not safe to say that at all Daniel. In fact it's a bit silly to say that there would be 'serious recriminations' after the second game of the season

Patience boy!

[dww]

It's not safe to say that at all Daniel. In fact it's a bit silly to say that there would be 'serious recriminations' after the second game of the season

Patience boy!

Unless by serious recriminations he means almost unbearable levels of whining on the internet.

[RichC]

I'd say that was a given regardless of the result