Brendan Rodgers

[G]

OK those quotes in that article are what I saw last night but he had more to say that isn't included in this article. The other quotes paint a more accepting picture of his situation. Think it was the guardian I read it in (today's edition) , I'm on my phone so you'll have to find it yourselves

[BigChief]

If we micro-analyse eveything our manager says without appreciating the context, then obviously our managers are going to have their brains fried after their first season. I'm not saying shut down the internet, just that these things go both ways.

[G]

Here it is

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/dec/02/brendan-rodgers-liverpool-hull-city-premier-league?CMP=twt_gu

[baitman]

from the guardian article;

Another £13m was spent on Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto, more potential and not an obvious improvement on players they effectively replaced in the Liverpool squad, Fabio Borini and Suso. Clearly successes such as Coutinho and Sturridge are difficult to land without the attraction of Champions League football and two creative losses are bound to impact on the performance level. But Liverpool's approach appears scattergun in comparison with, say, Southampton's £36m spend on three players who instantly improved the spine of their first team – Victor Wanyama, Pablo Osvaldo and Dejan Lovren.

[Sarb]

Dont think Aspas has been given much of a chance. Would be good to see how he does with someone like Suarez. Alberto has been given hardly a sniff Rodgers was all for getting Victor Moses (and picks him ahead of Alberto who was pretty promising in the Barca B team), he even bigged up Sakho and Ilori.

I think the selection was wrong on Sunday and I think the players took a win for granted. Having been 2nd for quite a while this season, these articles are pretty disappointing. I don't think the result on Sunday had much to do with The Committee

I think even Gerrard has praised the quality of the players signed in the Summer

[Darkon]

That's all very fine, but a comparison to Southampton stops just about there. Of course a team entering the second season in the PL will easily strengthened by spending 36m on 3 players - almost any three players with an average value of 12m would strengthen them this summer.

Of the 3 players I could maybe see Oscaldo improve the first team, or at least give us depth, but the two others would not really give the first team anything new or strengthen the spine.

36m spend on three players would also improve Crystal Palace or Fulhams first team, but it would hardly affect any of the top 6 teams starting lineups immediatly.

[Sarb]

That's all very fine, but a comparison to Southampton stops just about there. Of course a team entering the second season in the PL will easily strengthened by spending 36m on 3 players - almost any three players with an average value of 12m would strengthen them this summer.

Of the 3 players I could maybe see Oscaldo improve the first team, or at least give us depth, but the two others would not really give the first team anything new or strengthen the spine.

36m spend on three players would also improve Crystal Palace or Fulhams first team, but it would hardly affect any of the top 6 teams starting lineups immediatly.

I think Wanyama ahead of Lucas would improve us. I don't think Lovren is ahead of Sakho. Not seen much of Osvaldo. He's hardly pulled up trees there though.

[baitman]

i quoted that paragraph more for the comparison of making purchases that will have a direct effect on the first team, rather than to big up the actual players.

but...

lovren 8.5m
wanyama 12.5m
Schneiderlin 1.2m

[Darkon]

I think Wanyama ahead of Lucas would improve us. I don't think Lovren is ahead of Sakho. Not seen much of Osvaldo. He's hardly pulled up trees there though.

i quoted that paragraph more for the comparison of making purchases that will have a direct effect on the first team, rather than to big up the actual players.

but...

lovren 8.5m
wanyama 12.5m
Schneiderlin 1.2m

I disagree with WAnyama, Lucas is a much better overall player IMO. Wanyama wouldn't be close to the Brazilian national team.

Point was not so much on the concrete players in comparison to what we have, but rather that it's a much more rewarding buying players for a newly promoted team than an established team simply because the base quality is poorer. Any team in the second season of the PL would be improved by 3 players that cost 36m - more or less guarenteed. Much harder improving us or any other top5-6 team if you get 3 players for that amount.

I think the paragraph you picked there is quite misguided simply because you can't compare the initial situation of the teams, and therefore the spending says little in itself. I think it's an easy story to sell for the paper, but it has little grasp in reality.

[Yozza]

The guys a dick but makes a fair point for once...

How can Rodgers complain about his squad? Liverpool were a shambles at Hull...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2517292/ADRIAN-DURHAM-How-Brendan-Rodgers-complain-Liverpool-squad-Owen-Coyle-Arsenal-manager.html

This weekend sorted out the men from the boys at the top of the Premier League.
Arsenal made their statement at Cardiff – I was at the game and the Gunners were a joy to watch. After that, it was all about how the others responded.

I was at White Hart Lane on Sunday and Manchester United looked some way off a title challenge at Spurs, dropping points again. Chelsea showed character and quality to win a tough game. Manchester City made easy work of Swansea.

But Liverpool were a shambles.

Brendan Rodgers has complained about the lack of depth in his squad and he wants to spend even more money in January. Yet most of the squad players were his signings – just look at the bench at the KC Stadium.

And the biggest disappointment at Hull was Victor Moses – another Rodgers signing.
Yes Sturridge is out for six to eight weeks, but that calls into question Rodgers’ decision to send Suso and Fabio Borini out on loan, as well as the sale of Andy Carroll.

There is no doubt that Liverpool have improved on the evidence of the first third of the season. Simon Mignolet, Steven Gerrard, Philippe Coutinho and Luis Suarez are four players Rodgers should be able to build a top four team around. He has a plethora of centre halves to choose from as well.

The quality of some of Rodgers’ signings is rightly being questioned. His selection and tactics against Southampton were directly responsible for defeat earlier in the season. Similarly at Hull, Rodgers was rightly questioned. To be fair to the boss he did what all good managers do, he took the blame himself, rather than hang his players out to dry. 'The criticism has to come to the manager,' he said.

When Liverpool get it right they are fantastic – I was at Anfield for the demolition of West Bromwich Albion this season.

But if they don’t make the top four it will be down to Rodgers’ decisions.

[Sarb]

I disagree with WAnyama, Lucas is a much better overall player IMO. Wanyama wouldn't be close to the Brazilian national team.

Point was not so much on the concrete players in comparison to what we have, but rather that it's a much more rewarding buying players for a newly promoted team than an established team simply because the base quality is poorer. Any team in the second season of the PL would be improved by 3 players that cost 36m - more or less guarenteed. Much harder improving us or any other top5-6 team if you get 3 players for that amount.

I think the paragraph you picked there is quite misguided simply because you can't compare the initial situation of the teams, and therefore the spending says little in itself. I think it's an easy story to sell for the paper, but it has little grasp in reality.

I think bearing in mind the start to the season and our position, I don't think the transfers in the summer should have been questioned at this stage. It's just added pressure when not really needed. The team/squad has done well. Maybe Sunday was just a blip?

Defensive organisation is more the cause of dropped points than anything else. The story and quotes have not gone down well at the club

[Daniel 7]

What is the point in bringing up Carroll? The lad is useless, out with a long term injury anyway and hasn't played for Liverpool since the first couple of weeks after Brendan arrived.

Ridiculous to even mention him.

[Darkon]

I think bearing in mind the start to the season and our position, I don't think the transfers in the summer should have been questioned at this stage. It's just added pressure when not really needed. The team/squad has done well. Maybe Sunday was just a blip?

Defensive organisation is more the cause of dropped points than anything else. The story and quotes have not gone down well at the club

Agreed, considering 1/3 of the season is gone and we are in fourth position is indeed an acceptable or even very good start to the season. We lost a game and played a very poor game - but perhaps we will improve straight of in the coming weekend.

[Fredo]

He okays every signing but is now intimating he doesnt. Crazy.

Is there a quote from Rodgers where he states that?

[danperkins]

Too many squad players & not enough quality to effect the first 11. All well and good having ones for the future.. but the club has to be in a good position until that future... and for the future of those players.

I like Rodgers but his overall transfer thus far haven't been great. Sturridge & Coutinho yes.. been great signings but Aspas, Moses, Cissoko, Borini, Allen & Illori.. have done little or nothing to improve the first team 'for the now'. Their fees and their wages is millions spent with little or no production, whether they'll succeed or not in the future is up for debate, but sooner rather than later is needed. Sahko i do like, he has shown potential but is in and out.

You just can't keep swapping around your defence.. especially your CB's. We have been unlucky with key injuries ....that seems to have exposed our paper thin squad. IMO we have a good starting 11 when everyone is fit, but for the most part we have bought the wrong players that didn't address our needs IMO.

Too many CB's.... and IMO we will let one go in January which will probably be Skrtel. Rodgers still doesn't seem to know whom he best pairing is. A lot to choose from, but surely constantly rotating your CB's at any level.. is not a smart thing to do?

For me, the midfield combinations are all wrong. No matter if it's Lucas/Gerrard, Lucas/Henderson, Henderson/Gerrard,no matter what formation we don't have the personnel to pull it off.

Lucas has been below par for quite some time now, and is definitely not the same player. But to be fair to him he is doing all the donkey work on his own & has been left exposed by a distinct lack of defensive support. Gerrard from a production point of view & from set pieces has been superb, brilliant to see us making the most of set pieces with absolutely sensational delivery. But his in play game hasn't been great, leaves Lucas exposed at the back & his energy levels IMO aren't what is needed for such a deep lying position. Hopefully not turning into the latter David Beckham days. Like many other i'd like to see Stevie played higher up the pitch... guy has such a magnificent strike of a ball, he just has to play closer to opposition goal.

Henderson seems a jack of all trades but a master of none. Runs around a lot and shows good energy, but doesn't get stuck in & doesn't have the aggression needed to play a DM role. As a deep lying midfielder, he doesn't have the passing range, often goes missing & can't dictate games. Play Hendo as an attacking midfielder... and he doesn't score or assist enough to excel in that position. Just wrong combination of personnel IMO... a position that was crying out to be addressed in the summer.

In a 4-4-2 Moses seems our only LM, and he has been very poor. We sacrifice the ability of Coutinho out left just because we have so few options out there...when he is absolutely vital being played behind the strikers. Between now and January is going to be make or break for us. On one hand, have a great December, get injured players back, be in a strong league position so that we look a decent prospect for potential transfers & obviously keep the dwindling exist talent happy at the club.

On the other hand, drop like a rock, our good players think same oul story & potential transfers think same oul Liverpool over last few years.. and choose elsewhere. Really hope Rodgers succeeds and brings us back to the champs league, we so desperately need that as a club...and this season!!!!

No pressure Brendan... christmas smiley