Originally posted by Chazza
View Post
-
I see someone is using Photoshop pro -
-
-
Doesn't look anything like me.Comment
-
-
New-look Liverpool shows Brendan Rodgers’ clout
Tony Barrett
Published at 12:01AM, August 11 2015
Before Liverpool’s cathartic 1-0 victory over Stoke City on Sunday, Brendan Rodgers was asked if he remained in complete command of the club he manages despite the pressure he has come under. Although he answered in the affirmative, it was only when the Northern Irishman delivered his first team sheet of the season that his response became emphatic.
After a summer in which he had to survive a stern post-season review, it is becoming clear that, rather than having his wings clipped by Fenway Sports Group (FSG), Liverpool’s owners, Rodgers feels sufficiently empowered to do things his way, without compromise. The team that took to the field at the Britannia Stadium on Sunday highlighted this bold approach as it showed that, whether Rodgers succeeds or fails, he will be doing so on his own terms.
By choosing Nathaniel Clyne, Dejan Lovren, James Milner, Adam Lallana and Christian Benteke — players that he identified and convinced his employers to sign — and overlooking players such as Mamadou Sakho, Lazar Markovic, Alberto Moreno and Divock Origi, who arrived via the committee system installed by FSG, Rodgers removed any lingering doubts about his authority. This is his team and his way.
Victory afforded Rodgers an early vindication, even if it was secured by a typically outstanding goal from Philippe Coutinho, the most successful of Liverpool’s committee signings. No matter how determined he is to be master of his own destiny, he will not ignore a talent such as Coutinho or Roberto Firmino just to prove a point.
But while what is occurring is not a power struggle, it is a refinement of the club’s modus operandi as they attempt to remove many of the grey areas that clouded everything from team selection to performance assessment last season, a campaign that ended with neither manager nor committee happy with the manner in which a complex transfer strategy had been implemented.
Although players had not been signed against the manager’s will, there were instances when he had to accept that internal politics meant that he could not always get his first choice. Equally, there was a feeling within the club that Rodgers could have made better use of his new arrivals.
Having been permitted to replace his coaching staff, Rodgers’s team selection away to Stoke was among the most significant of his tenure. For those left out, particularly
Sakho, Moreno and Lucas Leiva, omission has created uncertainty. With three weeks to go until the transfer window closes, all three have discovered that they are not first choice. How they react to this will determine whether they stay or go.
While Rodgers was able to use the cover of Sakho becoming a father last week to explain his absence, the defender had made himself available and travelled with the Liverpool squad for Sunday’s match.
Given that Jordan Henderson was picked in an FA Cup quarter-final replay against Blackburn Rovers in April despite enduring a sleepless night after attending the birth of his second child, the suggestion that Sakho was spared on compassionate grounds rather than being overlooked in favour of Lovren begins to wilt under scrutiny.
For Lucas, who did not travel to Stoke, the message is clear — his time at Liverpool is almost up. The combination of the deterioration in his relationship with Rodgers and his manager’s tactical approach has made the Brazilian surplus to requirements, regardless of his status as Liverpool’s longest-serving player. Moreno will know that the selection at left back of Joe Gomez, an 18-year-old centre half, is hardly a ringing endorsement of himself.
But whether aggrieved at omission or relieved at selection, every member of the Liverpool squad will share one common belief — that Rodgers is not only calling the shots, but he is also doing so from a position of increased strength and with a renewed conviction about how he intends to manage.
Comment
-
What a ****in mess. We have a load players essentially brought in by other fellas, and a load brought in by the manager. The manager doesn't pick the lads brought in by the other fellas, and instead picks his own signings, many of whom have been ****e but he picks them regardless.
How is this a system that is going to work?Thanks very much for being ‘This Mornings’ Farmer’Comment
-
Its a system that didn't work. I think the point of the article is that this was identified as the root cause of our problems and rectified this summer.
Going into radio silence nearly all summer (how often do we not hear from Henry, his wife, or Rodgers?) meant there must have been some loud noises in private.One tit for another.
Comment
-
Originally posted by Shaggy View PostWhat a ****in mess. We have a load players essentially brought in by other fellas, and a load brought in by the manager. The manager doesn't pick the lads brought in by the other fellas, and instead picks his own signings, many of whom have been ****e but he picks them regardless.
How is this a system that is going to work?
It is worrying and it's part of why I can't see us really improving enough this year.Comment
-
Liverpool FC boss Rodgers: I've been through most traumatic four years of my life
05:00, 11 AUGUST 2015
BY JAMES PEARCE
Anfield chief speaks about his personal heartache in Michael Calvin's new book about management
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers says he has been through “the most traumatic four years” of his life.
In Michael Calvin’s new book, Living On The Volcano, the Northern Irishman talks about having to balance the professional demands of such a high profile job with personal heartache.
“I’ve been through probably the most traumatic four years of my life,” he said.
“I lost my mum. I lost my dad. I split up from the woman I loved for 23 years. I had a court case, two Old Bailey trials over six weeks with my son who was charged with sexual assault, which was an absolute disgrace.
“Yet professionally, here and at Swansea, these have been the best four years of my life. Something has to come from within. You have to put the professional and personal to each side. It’s about being happy of course, but the owners have paid me to do a job, so I will do the job.
"It's been tough. I was with my wife for a long time but she put on a wee bit of weight, became a wee bit sour, we drifted apart and I met another woman - an amazing, beautiful woman who is a good bit younger than me. It's been wonderful.
“There’s a story about Jimmy Sirrel at Notts County which has stuck with me since I was a young coach. His wife, Cathy, died late on the Friday night, but he came in on the Saturday.
“Nothing was said. He got on with his job, he did his job. Team played the game, won the game. Normally after every game, him and his wife would sit at a little table and have a glass. Then they’d go.
“This Saturday night he quickly popped into the bar. Someone asked about his wife, and he said, ‘She died last night’. He’d lost the woman of his life, his right hand, but he still came in and did his job. Makes you think, doesn’t it?”Thanks very much for being ‘This Mornings’ Farmer’Comment
-
'kin hell shaggy- the bit about his wife made me LOL at work you *******
Originally posted by fah-qComment
-
Thanks very much for being ‘This Mornings’ Farmer’Comment
-
It's not - we'll end up with a load of unwanted players we can't shift on againOriginally posted by Shaggy View PostWhat a ****in mess. We have a load players essentially brought in by other fellas, and a load brought in by the manager. The manager doesn't pick the lads brought in by the other fellas, and instead picks his own signings, many of whom have been ****e but he picks them regardless.
How is this a system that is going to work?What do you mean it could've been anyone? Name me one person who's got a grudge against penguins
Batman
F*** off!!!Comment
-
Like loaning out £20m Markovic and £12m Moreno etc. An absolute shambles.Thanks very much for being ‘This Mornings’ Farmer’Comment
-
Lol. The title could have been changed as well to say:
"Liverpool FC boss Rodgers: How I rode through a mid life crisis, reinvented myself as a sex symbol, and survived 4 years at Liverpool"Are we winning?Comment
Comment