Brendan Rodgers

[dww]

Well this is all very edifying. I think all we learned from this is that Gerrard isn't a defender at heart.

[fidget]

Kenneth's new years resolution of "try not to be a contrarian troll" didn't last long.

[RedRum]

Brendan and co are gonna tear up the league the second half of the season. Gerrard leaving gives us even more incentive to take it up a level

[Shaggy]

http://liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/177785-br-evolution-tough-but-important-for-us

BR: Evolution tough, but important for us

Brendan Rodgers has described the process of evolution at Liverpool as a challenging, yet crucial period to undertake.

The Liverpool manager will wave farewell to club icon Steven Gerrard in the summer, having watched the adroit Luis Suarez leave at the end of the last season and defensive stalwart Jamie Carragher announce his retirement in the prior campaign.

Long-time servants Daniel Agger, Dirk Kuyt and Pepe Reina have also moved on during the Northern Irishman's tenure, an eventuality he accepted when he walked through the doors at Melwood.

"Coming in here, I was fully aware that I'd be in charge of part of the evolution of this group, especially over the first two to three years," Rodgers said in his press conference ahead of the trip to Sunderland.

"And that's what we want - evolution. We want evolution, not revolution.

"I knew it'd be a period where some of the great names of the football club were going to move on. It's hard as a manager because you're losing players that have been outstanding here and it's obviously difficult. It's important that you continue to move forward as a club.

"You have to strategically have a plan in place to look to do everything you possibly can to replace that quality and that's ultimately what it comes down to. Over the years there has been sheer quality at Liverpool and we have to look to continue with that. We've also got to respect the young players coming through from the Academy and give them the chance to go on and become a star."

The 41-year-old is aware Gerrard's departure at the end of the season will leave a vacuum at Liverpool, given the 25 years of stellar service he has provided to the club. Rodgers understands it is as important to keep the side advancing as it is to appreciate the archive of the skipper's brilliance.

"There's no doubt Steven is a world-class player, he has been for many, many years," he said. "Him going in the summer will leave a void - of course it does, not just on the pitch but very much off it as well because he is a wonderful human being.

"The club has to keep moving forward, we have to keep looking to bring the best players to this wonderful football entity.

"History shows that there have been great players here who have moved on and it becomes an opportunity for the club and the remaining players to really grab the mantle. They can make their presence here as a footballer really felt."

[Norbs]

Shaggy, that's so cringy I'm wondering if it's been entirely made up by your good self

[Kenneth]

We want evolution but it seems like we're getting regression.

[Slinky Skills]

We want evolution but it seems like we're getting regression.

[marcus50bucks]

We want evolution but it seems like we're getting regression.

[Bender]

Rodgers: "We have a tendency at times to make mistakes and concede silly goals."
No ****

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

Rodgers: "We have a tendency at times to make mistakes and concede silly goals."
No ****

That's like calling what the iceberg did to the titanic a slight leak.

[Buzzo]

It's a bit of a revision from Brendan - correct me if I'm wrong but were we not due to be challenging for the title this season?

[Vermilion]

I think the problem between Gerrard and Rafa is massively over exaggerated

It just wasn't a personal relationship more like a functional relationship between a boss and employee. Gerrard craves praise and a personable touch from his managers and he never got that with Rafa.

However if you think that means Gerrard doesn't respect or even hates Rafa I think you are well wide of the mark

He would have to be ****ing daft to hate the man who managed him to a Champions League win and another final. Who also bought Alonso and Masherano and Torres and played him in the position that best expressed his attacking talents

[peekay]

It's a bit of a revision from Brendan - correct me if I'm wrong but were we not due to be challenging for the title this season?

When Brendan took over I dont think anyone expected a title challenge in his third year. IIRC, the goal was to build a team capable of challenging regularly for the CL places by the third year.

Last seasons title challenge was something very few people expected. It was definitely ahead of schedule. However this season, we seem to have fallen behind in terms of the original planning.

[Norbs]

It's a bit of a revision from Brendan - correct me if I'm wrong but were we not due to be challenging for the title this season?

You'd like to think so with £100m spent

[Buzzo]

When Brendan took over I dont think anyone expected a title challenge in his third year. IIRC, the goal was to build a team capable of challenging regularly for the CL places by the third year.

Last seasons title challenge was something very few people expected. It was definitely ahead of schedule. However this season, we seem to have fallen behind in terms of the original planning.

Yeah, but in the summer didn't he say we'd be up there challenging for the title?