Brendan Rodgers

[paulc]

I think Mignolet is a good keeper, but the defence have less confidence in the goalkeeper's passing/distribution since Reina left. Opposing teams know that they can unsettle us now whereas Pepe was quite comfortable on the ball and was capable of playing neat short passes or long range goal scoring opportunities for our forwards. We need to be more composed, but it's much easier said than done. Maybe we need to use Mignolet less, he's not a ball-playing goalkeeper. I like Mignolet, but if I was Rodgers I would be looking for a better all-round keeper this summer.

Mignolet is a good keeper. I would not be changing him after a season

[TheElephantMan]

It wouldn't do any harm to look for a better alternative though.

[MrMichael]

I think Mignolet's distribution is quietly improving, couple of times yesterday he moved it upfield really quickly and accurately.

They could give him a shot at left back as hes very quick and good on the ball.

Isn't he right footed? Don't think playing a young, right sided CB at left back for his first games at this level is a very good idea at all.

[Shaggy]

Ilori is right footed

[dom9]

If we're talking about Mignolet, then I would say that he has won us many more points this season than he he has cost us us. Particularly in those early games when the rest of the team struggled in those second halves.

[Cormack74]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25526952

No surprise.

[Cormack74]

This is on the same page, careless of Howard Webb to forget to mention Utd.


Analysis - Former Premier League referee Graham Poll

"Referees accept it is a matter of opinion as to whether you have a poor performance. That is part of parcel of the game.

"What you mind is when people imply bias and question your integrity. Given how sensitive things are with alleged match-fixing, managers need to be more careful with what they say after matches.

"When you move up the professional leagues and into the Premier League, every season you are asked: Is there any team you feel you shouldn't referee because you feel it would affect your impartiality?".

[dww]

It would be interesting to know if they do any analysis to check whether referees perform differently when in charge of games for certain teams. Leaving it to referees to disclose seems to completely neglect the possibility of unconscious bias.

In general I do tend to agree with Poll. I don't think accusing referees of bias in public is really a good way to go.

[dom9]

Haha -what do you think? If I had to bet on it, I would say that they do no formal or structural analysis on anything.

[Phoenix07]

Brendan Rodgers insists his remarks about referee Lee Mason after Liverpool's loss at Manchester City were not meant as an attack on the official's integrity.

Liverpool boss Rodgers questioned the appointment of a Greater Manchester referee in Mason, of Bolton, to the Boxing Day clash against City at the Etihad Stadium.

Rodgers spoke out after the game as he expressed his frustration at a number of decisions made by Mason or his assistants during the 2-1 Premier League defeat.

Rodgers claims he was trying to make a valid point and did not intend to slight Mason.

He said: "In terms of geography, I certainly wasn't questioning the integrity of referees. I fully understand the job. It was more than logical (as a comment) in terms of having a referee from that part of the world refereeing a game in Manchester.

"I wouldn't suspect that Mike Dean, from the Wirral, has refereed many games for Liverpool over the years."

Rodgers, speaking to press again to preview Sunday's game at Chelsea, would make his point to the FA if disciplinary action did follow.

He said: "I think it is probably something that naturally happens. I was only speaking honestly after the game. I think the FA and the Referees' Association know perfectly well I am someone who engages in supporting the referees.

"I am not one that berates referees at all after games, I always respect them. I ask my staff to be respectful. We are never chasing fourth officials or anything on a matchday.

"I think they know when I come out and make a statement like I did yesterday - I was obviously emotional after the game, of course - it is obviously something I speak honestly on.

"Whatever action they take they will decide."

The FA does not appoint referees for Premier League fixtures, that is the responsibility of Professional Game Match Official Limited, the body headed by former referee Mike Riley.

Dean, incidentally, was dropped from the FA Cup final between Liverpool and West Ham in 2006 for geographical reasons.

Rodgers' views on the various incidents in the game at City had also not changed.

Liverpool were frustrated by a number of decisions, most notably when Raheem Sterling was incorrectly flagged offside when clean through in the first half.

Rodgers said: "I think it was continuous throughout the game - the decision-making being poor. I think there was evidence of that.

"I have to speak on behalf of the supporters of this club. This club is an emotional investment for many millions of people throughout the world. As the manager I represent them.

"I am sure wherever they were throughout the world they would have been asking questions on the decision-making. I repeat, I didn't think it was so good.

"I am sure it is something they will look at, but I will always fight my corner. That is the type I am, and always will be, but I respect the authorities. We will see what happens."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/10539533/Liverpool-manager-Brendan-Rodgers-says-he-did-not-question-referees-integrity-after-Manchester-City-defeat.html

[dww]

Haha -what do you think? If I had to bet on it, I would say that they do no formal or structural analysis on anything.

That would certainly be my expectation too.

[G]

Asking the ref a question assumes they'll answer it truthfully. I don't know why but Lee Mason has had a right mare for us numerous times in the past, who knows why, maybe he's just **** at his job, I only watch his performance in our games.

[dom9]

That would certainly be my expectation too.

As a profession, they seem to living in the dark ages. Where user error is expected, the default position. Of course, they are not solely to blame. FIFA, UEFA and the rest massively restrict their ability too adapt to the times. But they do seem content with the status quo, outwardly at least.

[dww]

I think in general the administration of football is pretty luddite and stuck in it's ways. I'm not always against that (I'm still instinctively against video refereeing, although the goal line technology seems to have been integrated well into the game) but in terms of referring performances I think it is counter productive. Not letting referees comment after games and not having an open review process (apart from the odd and totally random FA kicking for a referee who gets a lot of newspaper coverage) seems the worst route to protecting them and improving standards.

[el matador]

I think Mignolet's distribution is quietly improving, couple of times yesterday he moved it upfield really quickly and accurately.



Isn't he right footed? Don't think playing a young, right sided CB at left back for his first games at this level is a very good idea at all.

funny. for some reason i assumed he was left footed.