Brendan Rodgers

[Vermilion]

Brendan's transfer dealings have so far been very hit and miss for a variety of reasons but it's worth remembering he's never been able to offer CL football or big wages like Rafa could. I don't think we can really compare Brendan's transfer record to Rafa's until we've qualified for the CL.

tbf, i don't think much of this stuff in football is truly comparable, so many differences and unknowns, that tbh it's just unfair on former and future managers imo, and only causes divisions in the fan base.

But, we'll do it all the same.

[RichC]

Every club makes bad signings. We're just extra sensitive to LFC howlers cos its our club. We've also made some ****ing great signings - Alonso, Reina, Mascherano, Torres, Agger, Skrtel, Arbeloa, Garcia, Lucas, Suarez, Sturridge, Coutinho, Henderson, Sakho etc.

Unless the club, as some believe, have fooled us with a series of elaborate hoaxes, we seem to be identifying top players. Actually signing them is another thing of course but the likes of Costa, Mkhitaryan, Konoplyanka etc surely gives us hope. If we get in the CL I'll be very excited to see who we sign.

As long as we get top 4 I'm optimistic for summer signings more so than any time even under Rafa as he for the most part had to work under the constraints of H&G.

Need to get that top 4 finish first though

[DannyMan2006]

It always ends up as Rodgers v Rafa. We are lucky to have had both. Strange comparison as they are polar opposites to me. Rafa was a far more pragmatic coach than Rodgers. Other than the back end of 2008/09 we weren't that great to watch on the domestic stage. Rafas tactics were very much aimed at being "The crushing machine". For all his success, he never quite possessed the ability to churn out a team good enough to win the league.

In Europe it was another matter. Champions of Europe, finalists a couple of years after to prove it was no fluke. And being ranked the number 1 team in Europe for a while was some feat. Throw in a league cup final in his first year and an fa cup win in his second season. It was a great time. It was real success.

Rodgers I see as an adaptable manager. He will move with the times. He initially tried to copy the Barca style. His team wasn't good enough. He sees Bayern & Dortmund smash teams with a fast tempo counter attacking approach and he changes to that. For me he's a chameleon that adds his own twist to it. And he is definitely an attacking manager.

But what of success? None yet, but 4th place this year would be a season ahead of schedule. He got a three year deal for that very reason as that's the time he had. He's also done it whilst having to sell off the high earners who were not performing to the expected level. These players were either first teamers or squad players and in losing them the squad depth took a hit. Luckily he has a talent for improving players and that has kept this teams head above water.

Look how far he has taken this team. In his first games he lined up with Sterling, Suso & Suarez. Two of them will lead the line today, but the change is immeasurable. He identifies talented players and takes them to the next level. I think that for Brendan, if we make the top 4 and sign the right players, the sky is the limit.

[Muddled]

Good post.

[Daniel 7]

Yeah good post. Nigey - thats what I couldn't be bothered typing in response to you

[Sarb]

It always ends up as Rodgers v Rafa. We are lucky to have had both. Strange comparison as they are polar opposites to me. Rafa was a far more pragmatic coach than Rodgers. Other than the back end of 2008/09 we weren't that great to watch on the domestic stage. Rafas tactics were very much aimed at being "The crushing machine". For all his success, he never quite possessed the ability to churn out a team good enough to win the league.

In Europe it was another matter. Champions of Europe, finalists a couple of years after to prove it was no fluke. And being ranked the number 1 team in Europe for a while was some feat. Throw in a league cup final in his first year and an fa cup win in his second season. It was a great time. It was real success.

Rodgers I see as an adaptable manager. He will move with the times. He initially tried to copy the Barca style. His team wasn't good enough. He sees Bayern & Dortmund smash teams with a fast tempo counter attacking approach and he changes to that. For me he's a chameleon that adds his own twist to it. And he is definitely an attacking manager.

But what of success? None yet, but 4th place this year would be a season ahead of schedule. He got a three year deal for that very reason as that's the time he had. He's also done it whilst having to sell off the high earners who were not performing to the expected level. These players were either first teamers or squad players and in losing them the squad depth took a hit. Luckily he has a talent for improving players and that has kept this teams head above water.

Look how far he has taken this team. In his first games he lined up with Sterling, Suso & Suarez. Two of them will lead the line today, but the change is immeasurable. He identifies talented players and takes them to the next level. I think that for Brendan, if we make the top 4 and sign the right players, the sky is the limit.

[Exiled_red]

I agree in general but I dont for one second believe every underwhelming signing was a 3rd or 4th choice. I think under every manager from Rafa to Rodgers we've wasted some serious dosh and its not always down to the ownership. There have been some dubious choice of signings.

If we make 4th it will be interesting to see what kind of player we are linked with and go for. Id hope for some top quality due to being in CL and also having a reputation now of playing good football and developing players

I'm not saying they were, but there was a time when we were undoubtedly signing squad players, and in my mind it was a mistake.

But a lot of the time we signed a lot of players who just weren't good enough under a number of managers, while the squad players we have at the moment aren't great, I would rather hang on to them in the short term than go out and waste more money on someone of similar quality.

[Sarb]

I'm not saying they were, but there was a time when we were undoubtedly signing squad players, and in my mind it was a mistake.

But a lot of the time we signed a lot of players who just weren't good enough under a number of managers, while the squad players we have at the moment aren't great, I would rather hang on to them in the short term than go out and waste more money on someone of similar quality.

Think Shaggy summed it up quite well

In times where we could really have capitalised we signed some absolute dross. Many reasons ranging from ownership to managers. The point i was making was that sometimes its easy for fans to say the underwhelming signings were fault of owners etc whereas management also have to take blame too

Hopefully going forwards we can sign some top quality

[Liverpool]

last two league games hes made rather weird subs when we've needed a goal and its paid off both times

[Rigadon]

last two league games hes made rather weird subs when we've needed a goal and its paid off both times

Man's a feckin genius

[McDermotX]

last two league games hes made rather weird subs when we've needed a goal and its paid off both times

Man's a feckin genius

Can't be that smart.......he was hitting the Moses button before Henderson got the winner.

[Leyton388]

Please sort the defence out in the summer Brendan. If we get CL football a top quality CB to partner Sakho should be the priority. After that display as well I'd gladly take Cole and sagna in the summer on frees as well.

[Shaggy]

Exactly 12 months ago, we had 39 points from 27 games, had scored 49 goals and sat 8th in the league.

Compared to 56 points now, 70 goals and 4th place.

Amazing improvement. Also he's done it without any of the summer signings really having a major impact. Could argue Mignolet and Sakho are positives but Mignolet hasn't set the world alight and Sakho has hardly played.

[magicalbarnes]

Exactly 12 months ago, we had 39 points from 27 games, had scored 49 goals and sat 8th in the league.

Compared to 56 points now, 70 goals and 4th place.

Amazing improvement. Also he's done it without any of the summer signings really having a major impact. Could argue Mignolet and Sakho are positives but Mignolet hasn't set the world alight and Sakho has hardly played.

We are amazing going forward. We've scored 70 PL goals - more than ANY other team. We're the leagues great entertainers!

[Chris]

It's hard to get ya head around just how many we score now. Wasn't that long ago we couldnt hit a barn door and now we've got one of the best attacks in the world. Amazing and not like he's had the luxury of say Pellegrini either where he's got £20m signing after £20m signing with a £20m signing or two on the bench for back up.