Brendan Rodgers

[RichC]

Have a look on twitter some disgusting stuff on there.

[dww]

I think this summer will be the acid test. We should retain our best players and he should, by now, know what is needed to build the squad. I think he's made strange strategic choices every season - both this season and last we seemed to leave real weaknesses in the squad and start with a defensive/possession orentated midfield setup (with Gerrard and Lucas paired in midfield IIRC) which we abandon as it becomes evident it doesn't get the best out of our players.

He has shown himself to be excellent at turning things around tactically. However, you have to think that starting with the right setup and personnel would be better overall. It's like a longer timescale variant of how Harry Redknapp seemed to fail to setup his teams right at Spurs but make tweaks to get results. In the end working that way seems bound to fall short.

[RichC]

I agree about this summer, we now need to add a couple of quality signings rather than bringing in large number of players the squad has decent depth on the whole just needs some additional quality adding to it.

I think like most managers they're stubborn he's set us up to play in a certain way but the gamble with Balotelli and Sturridge being out for so long really hurt us you put that in tandem with the defence just not gelling it made it very difficult for us.

As you say next season will be the acid test for him both in terms of getting the right players in over the summer and ensuring we're ready from the go next season.

[Muddled]

My main gripe with him was that our poor first half was self inflicted. But he deserves every bit of praise going his way and then some, very impressed.

I think 'self-inflicted' is a tad harsh. I don't see any issue in him looking to replicate the same system that served us so well last season. The loss of Suarez, the injury to Sturridge and new signings taking time to adapt to Rodgers' methods was unfortunate and it cost us.

I would imagine Rodgers knew there was an issue as quickly as we did, but needed time to implement the new system we are seeing today. Whilst the issues were ironed out on the training pitch, Rodgers turned to players he worked with last season to grind out results, which unfortunately didn't work out.

I think it's a testament to Rodgers' faith in the new system that he went 'live' with it away to Manchester United. Last season he built a team around Suarez; This season he's built it around Coutinho. Rodgers needed patience from the very fans he excited only last season and from a fair few, he didn't get it.

[I, Ravel Morrison]

I think this summer will be the acid test. We should retain our best players and he should, by now, know what is needed to build the squad. I think he's made strange strategic choices every season - both this season and last we seemed to leave real weaknesses in the squad and start with a defensive/possession orentated midfield setup (with Gerrard and Lucas paired in midfield IIRC) which we abandon as it becomes evident it doesn't get the best out of our players.

He has shown himself to be excellent at turning things around tactically. However, you have to think that starting with the right setup and personnel would be better overall. It's like a longer timescale variant of how Harry Redknapp seemed to fail to setup his teams right at Spurs but make tweaks to get results. In the end working that way seems bound to fall short.

I wonder how much having a club icon like Gerrard who's no longer in his prime impacted his decision-making. I mean our poor showing in the first half of the season was in part to address the issue of where to play or how to accommodate Gerrard.

[The_weatherman]

I think 'self-inflicted' is a tad harsh. I don't see any issue in him looking to replicate the same system that served us so well last season. The loss of Suarez, the injury to Sturridge and new signings taking time to adapt to Rodgers' methods was unfortunate and it cost us.

I would imagine Rodgers knew there was an issue as quickly as we did, but needed time to implement the new system we are seeing today. Whilst the issues were ironed out on the training pitch, Rodgers turned to players he worked with last season to grind out results, which unfortunately didn't work out.

I think it's testament to Rodgers' faith in the new system that he went 'live' with it away to Manchester United. Last season he built a team around Suarez; This season he's built it around Coutinho. Rodgers needed patience from the very fans he excited only last season and from a fair few, he didn't get it.

There were a couple of months at least where he wasnt trying to fix the obvious problems though, Gerrard deep and Lovren in defence and Balotelli offering nothing. We were way to open in midfield and left our defence exposed. If he was going to play the same system I feel it was a big mistake not get a mobile striker instead of Lambert and Balotelli. IMO he ****ed up and he took a long time to fix it but I hope he gained a lot of experience from all of this.

[The_weatherman]

I wonder how much having a club icon like Gerrard who's no longer in his prime impacted his decision-making. I mean our poor showing in the first half of the season was in part to address the issue of where to play or how to accommodate Gerrard.

I think it played a big part.

[dww]

I wonder how much having a club icon like Gerrard who's no longer in his prime impacted his decision-making. I mean our poor showing in the first half of the season was in part to address the issue of where to play or how to accommodate Gerrard.

It's an interesting point. I think last season proved that it was potentially worth accommodating him. What I found strange was the combination of using in a deep midfield pair and the buying of two less mobile strikers (which gave both Gerrard and Coutinho problems performing to their potential).

[dww]

There were a couple of months at least where he wasnt trying to fix the obvious problems though, Gerrard deep and Lovren in defence and Balotelli offering nothing. We were way to open in midfield and left our defence exposed. If he was going to play the same system I feel it was a big mistake not get a mobile striker instead of Lambert and Balotelli. IMO he ****ed up and he took a long time to fix it but I hope he gained a lot of experience from all of this.

I think he was clearly trying to fix things. We saw a lot of tweaks tried. I think a real problem was that a lot of the new players had not acclimatised and so his options were limited. I hope that is another lesson learned (the dismissal of the comparisons to post-Bale Spurs should have been taken much more seriously).

[DannyMan2006]

It's an interesting point. I think last season proved that it was potentially worth accommodating him. What I found strange was the combination of using in a deep midfield pair and the buying of two less mobile strikers (which gave both Gerrard and Coutinho problems performing to their potential).

I think what Rodgers wants & what works are two different things. He's a football idealist in many ways which I think can sometimes lead to him persevering with a broken template.

Fast & effective football has always worked in the premier league era and its effectiveness has been ramped up and improved in recent years thanks to it being used in conjunction with the high pressing of Barca.

Rodgers found success with the Dortmund style last season (counter attack & high press) but I think in his heart he's more aiming for the Barca style (possession & high press).

I think the 343 is a nice blend but I wonder if it has a short shelf life. I've yet to see a team better us yet whilst we used this system so it'll be interesting to see how it develops.

[Boogs]

It's an interesting point. I think last season proved that it was potentially worth accommodating him. What I found strange was the combination of using in a deep midfield pair and the buying of two less mobile strikers (which gave both Gerrard and Coutinho problems performing to their potential).

The lack of strikers on the market that were prepared to come to LFC was and probably will still be a problem in the coming summer. We need to find another striker with the hunger to become the best who is prepared to use us as a stepping stone for Barca and Madrid.

[Doc_Piptorious]

I think what Rodgers wants & what works are two different things. He's a football idealist in many ways which I think can sometimes lead to him persevering with a broken template.

Fast & effective football has always worked in the premier league era and its effectiveness has been ramped up and improved in recent years thanks to it being used in conjunction with the high pressing of Barca.

Rodgers found success with the Dortmund style last season (counter attack & high press) but I think in his heart he's more aiming for the Barca style (possession & high press).

I think the 343 is a nice blend but I wonder if it has a short shelf life. I've yet to see a team better us yet whilst we used this system so it'll be interesting to see how it develops.

Yep it is a very solid set up but like you I have to wonder will we see it continued next season.

If we stick with it, and buy a first team quality striker next season, then one of Sterling/Coutinho/Lallana/Markovic gets bumped out as you would have to expect Rodgers to play the new first team striker alongside Sturridge.

At present Lallana would look the most likely to get the chop which would again bring into question why he was bought and for so much (and I am one that really rates Lallana as a player)


Will also be interesting to see if we look to upgrade in the centre of midfield. Lucas is doing very well and has earned his spot in the team, but there are players out there that would be an upgrade on him and who would add to our attacking play along with being able to do their defensive duties. But the addition of a new CM would of course bring into question whether or not Can is seen as a future CM for us or a long term RCB.

Looking at our current first team it is hard not to be a bit excited though, as two quality additions, maybe three if I am to be greedy, would have the potential to turn us into a beast of a team that has a bit of proper depth amongst the back ups.


Was daydreaming a little before making this post about adding two, maybe three players, to our current first team and thinking about if we had 60m to 80m (transfer kitty + cash from sales) to spend on those players in the summer.



Just drop Lacazette and one from Laporte/Hummels/Varane into our current first team. Possibly doable with the figures I mentioned.


Or Lacazette and one from Pjanic/Strootman/Nainggolan (yep I really want to get one of Roma's midfielders lol).


And it would be difficult not to see us go up a level as a team.

[McDermotX]

[RedReet]

The facial expressions are perfect.

[ronanm]

Quite the conundrum for Rodgers too. With the possibility of Champions League football from winning the Europa League, it's not as if Rodgers can put all his eggs in the challenge for fourth basket.

As Rich has pointed out, it's a six way battle for two places. Spurs might have the League Cup on their mind and history shows the winner falls away in the league. Arsenal will have Champions League commitments and as for Southampton and Manchester United, we showed last season what can be achieved with a week to prepare. Our saving grace is that Manchester United are keeping all North West doctors and physios in employment and Southampton don't have the experience ...

If we can maintain our momentum, we could still have a decent season. And for that, Rodgers needs a high five. People were quick to blast him when he experienced his first spell of pressure but Rodgers highlighted how tactically astute and flexible he is.

Lets not get to carried away. he hasnt done anything yet. Let's see where we finish. A decent season was the least we expected at the start of it.