Liverpool FC – Calm down, calm down!
That old chestnut, the line given note by Harry Enfield and his hilarious scousers. When the slightest thing led to an outburst of panic, blame and counter blame. Push inevitably coming to shove.
Following a rather fortuitous brace of wins, an impressive goalless draw and two admittedly poor defeats the knives are out for Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers. But really what do we expect? To be at the top of the Premiership? To have a 100% record? To have swept Manchester United aside 2-0 or perhaps an enthralling 3-3 with a Niel Ruddock-esque headed equalizer just as all hopes of a result fade? Frankly, I don’t think so.
The fact is that Liverpool are pretty much where anyone with some footballing nous would expect them to be at this stage of the season. Eight new signings to bed in, ok not ideal but it is what it is. Rodgers has been backed by the owners to do the business he done in the summer and being the experienced sports protagonists they undoubtedly are, they won’t be expecting the team to be tearing up trees this early. As disillusioned as we fans may be, this is the situation.
The manager has decided to take a “new technical direction”, however you interpret that to be. One thing it means is change. Transition. A Period of adjustment. The owners clearly recognize this even if the average Liverpool fan doesn’t. The fan’s job is to expect the manager to get the sack simply because they’re not in “dreamland” playing fantasy football week in week out.
Rodgers is under intense scrutiny, of this there is no doubt. However, there have been circumstances beyond his control. His current situation is probably half that and half of his own doing. That isn’t sufficient to remove him in my opinion. Did anyone expect Philippe Coutinho to get himself sent off in the last game? Is Jordan Henderson’s foot injury the manager’s fault? I’d say not. We can point to players being played out of position against Manyoo but this was mainly because of the above two factors. Fact is, most teams would miss these two. Picture Arsenal without Alexi Sanchez and Mezut Özil? These kinds of players make a difference. No question, as do Coutinho and Henderson.
The only genuine criticisms one could aim at the manager is the continued inclusion of Dejan Lovren in the side, despite him being obviously below the required standards. Joe Gomez also, being played at left back is not the wisest of moves but – in fairness – I would be surprised if the left back position wasn’t one that Rodgers looked to strengthen in the summer. Thus the only alternative the team has to the ex-Charlton Athletic youngster is Alberto Moreno and everybody, clearly including Rodgers has the same opinion of him for that position: a poor one! Fact is, the right player at the right price didn’t materialize. I’ve said repeatedly that Rodgers may well pay for his Lovren infatuation with his job. He’s been quoted as saying he wants to play a consistent defence. What he needs to do is play his best defence consistently. Drop Lovren and reinstate Mamadou Sakho.
Next up in the league is a home fixture against Norwich. A team Liverpool has done well against in recent times. Should Daniel Sturridge be ready, one would expect Rodgers to start with both him and Chtistian Benteke as strikers. Also Coutinho should be back.
It’s time to get behind the manager. OK, Kenny Dalglish or Bob Paisley he may not be but he’s the manager of Liverpool Football Club. For now at least, and for that he deserves our backing. Let’s see where we are in 10 games from now.
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