Liverpool Thread 2012/13

[SRL88]

Bad Christmas Divinity?

[Kopite]

The comparison to Hodgson is absurd regardless, he inherited a squad missing only one player from the team that finished 2nd in the league. Comparing Rodgers to him when Rodgers inherited a team finishing 8th, devoid of creative quality and filled with terrible purchases is just stupid looking at results alone.

Amazed jep has posted that, thought he was one of the most patient, level-headed folk in here, and his post stinks of looking at no other factors than results.

I wouldn't compare him to Hodgson, he obviously is much closer to a Liverpool manager than Roy ever was. I just don't think he is the man to take us forward. As I've said I'd love him to prove me wrong I just can't see it.

[milnerpoint]

Just out of interest, what qualifies one to be classed as "A Liverpool Manager", other than managing Liverpool?

[SCIAG]

The comparison to Hodgson is absurd regardless, he inherited a squad missing only one player from the team that finished 2nd in the league.

That's misleading. He had to sell Mascherano and Riera early on, and Torres had gone backwards massively after his injury. Benitez lost Alonso and Arbeloa. Aurelio wasn't the same player, and didn't Gerrard have several injuries? That's just from the XI.

[Divinity]

That's misleading. He had to sell Mascherano and Riera early on, and Torres had gone backwards massively after his injury. Benitez lost Alonso and Arbeloa. Aurelio wasn't the same player, and didn't Gerrard have several injuries? That's just from the XI.

Sorry, but that's revisionism at it's best. Mascherano was sold on Hodgson's watch. Riera was at best a bit-part player under Rafa, and immensely frustrating because of his inability to deliver an accurate ball. Arbeloa was in essence replaced by Johnson (an improvement - let's not forget the frustration that Arbeloa offered nothing going forward, and was so predictable in possession Chelsea beat us in a Champions League semi by predicting the pattern of Arbeloa's passing and pressing those areas to win possession). Aurelio was injured most of the time anyway, even under Rafa (Dossena played left back more than Aurelio did in the year we finished 2nd iirc).

Torres being 'crocked post-injury' was absurd, because Hodgson's tactics were horrific in lumping long balls to Torres - patently not his best attribute. Dalglish in the brief period Torres was under him had him scoring freely and looking somewhat back to his old self, then he was sold.

Let's not confuse things which happened under Hodgson as being things that were beyond his control. His tactics, player management and comments were an embarrassment and entirely of his own doing.

[Kopite]

Just out of interest, what qualifies one to be classed as "A Liverpool Manager", other than managing Liverpool?

More a way of conducting yourself and understanding the fans. Hodgson was awful at both.

[jep]

The comparison to Hodgson is absurd regardless, he inherited a squad missing only one player from the team that finished 2nd in the league. Comparing Rodgers to him when Rodgers inherited a team finishing 8th, devoid of creative quality and filled with terrible purchases is just stupid looking at results alone.

Amazed jep has posted that, thought he was one of the most patient, level-headed folk in here, and his post stinks of looking at no other factors than results.

Just posting a results based comparison of their time as Liverpool manager, and in no way am I comparing styles of play etc between the two managers as they are chalk and cheese. But after this start to his reign I see absolutely no evidence whatsoever to suggest Rodgers will get us back challenging at the top of the table anytime soon, if ever. FWIW Hodgson didn't exactly come into a club in floating along in calm waters like Rodgers did, and he had to sell a few players before he could buy which is something Rodgers never had to do.

Some fans keep saying give him time, but does this magic "time" suddenly make teams become more defensively sound, or does it enable them to adapt to different situations within a match? He has shown, time and again, that he is no nearer to building a solid team than Kenny was last season. We still look shambolic defensively, and we still struggle to put our chances away like we did last year. He bemoans the fact we are light up top and yet sends the main centreforward out on loan to a rival, and instead of playing to our strengths and making sure we don't give much away at the back we end up being so open that we get picked off time and again by any half decent team we face. My absolute main complaint about Rodgers is that he hasn't got the basics right, and doesn't seem to have even thought of addressing them. Work on the defence first and get that right, then start looking at how the team play their attacking game.

Where is the evidence to suggest he knows how to turn us back into a top 4 side? What is there in his track record that suggests he can do this, other than his fantastic footballing philosophy which quite frankly is beginning to look like the emporers new clothes with each passing week. I wan't him to prove me wrong but I don't think he will.

[SRL88]

More a way of conducting yourself and understanding the fans. Hodgson was awful at both.

And Rodgers?

[milnerpoint]

More a way of conducting yourself and understanding the fans. Hodgson was awful at both.

You mean like Kenny's conduct the 18 months after Hodgson was sacked?

[Kopite]

And Rodgers?

I like the guy, as I said much better than Hodgson just don't believe in his abilities.

You mean like Kenny's conduct the 18 months after Hodgson was sacked?

Yes, in my opinion did nothing wrong in his time in charge.

[Divinity]

Just posting a results based comparison of their time as Liverpool manager, and in no way am I comparing styles of play etc between the two managers as they are chalk and cheese. But after this start to his reign I see absolutely no evidence whatsoever to suggest Rodgers will get us back challenging at the top of the table anytime soon, if ever. FWIW Hodgson didn't exactly come into a club in floating along in calm waters like Rodgers did, and he had to sell a few players before he could buy which is something Rodgers never had to do.

Some fans keep saying give him time, but does this magic "time" suddenly make teams become more defensively sound, or does it enable them to adapt to different situations within a match? He has shown, time and again, that he is no nearer to building a solid team than Kenny was last season. We still look shambolic defensively, and we still struggle to put our chances away like we did last year. He bemoans the fact we are light up top and yet sends the main centreforward out on loan to a rival, and instead of playing to our strengths and making sure we don't give much away at the back we end up being so open that we get picked off time and again by any half decent team we face. My absolute main complaint about Rodgers is that he hasn't got the basics right, and doesn't seem to have even thought of addressing them. Work on the defence first and get that right, then start looking at how the team play their attacking game.

Where is the evidence to suggest he knows how to turn us back into a top 4 side? What is there in his track record that suggests he can do this, other than his fantastic footballing philosophy which quite frankly is beginning to look like the emporers new clothes with each passing week. I wan't him to prove me wrong but I don't think he will.

You're judging him off one transfer window, where the club admitted they made errors. Placing blame at the manager's door for things beyond his control when he thought he would have solutions delivered to him is a bit unfair. Give him a bit more time to reshape what was an inherited poor side. None of the players he elected to send away have set the world alight, so on those I'd suggest he made the right calls. The youth he's integrated into the side have done quite well, and that's no easy task - far better than that with which the previous 2-3 managers did. That suggests to me he can handle generational change. The next two windows are where we'll see if he can inject quality into the side, so they're what I'll judge him on there. So far I see nothing approaching the level of delusion which Hodgson had - Rodgers comments clearly on our shortcomings, so at least he can identify them. But outside of a transfer window I'm not sure what people expect him to do about them.

[Divinity]

Yes, in my opinion did nothing wrong in his time in charge.

Baffling.

[milnerpoint]

Yes, in my opinion did nothing wrong in his time in charge.

Oh come on, really!? Even when he was pretty much sacked him for his actions after the game against United? The T shirts supporting Suarez, even tho he was found guilty. The constant blaming ref's when it was clear he was tactically inept?

I know you guys love him, but come on, even the most die hard Liverpool fan must be able to see his conduct was unacceptable for a person in his position?

[SRL88]

Yes, in my opinion did nothing wrong in his time in charge.

Oh please tell me you're trolling!!!

[jep]

You're judging him off one transfer window, where the club admitted they made errors. Placing blame at the manager's door for things beyond his control when he thought he would have solutions delivered to him is a bit unfair. Give him a bit more time to reshape what was an inherited poor side. None of the players he elected to send away have set the world alight, so on those I'd suggest he made the right calls. The youth he's integrated into the side have done quite well, and that's no easy task - far better than that with which the previous 2-3 managers did. That suggests to me he can handle generational change. The next two windows are where we'll see if he can inject quality into the side, so they're what I'll judge him on there. So far I see nothing approaching the level of delusion which Hodgson had - Rodgers comments clearly on our shortcomings, so at least he can identify them. But outside of a transfer window I'm not sure what people expect him to do about them.

I don't believe he inherited a poor side though. I think he had a lot players there who could be moulded into a good side that could challenge top 6 for sure, and maybe even top 4, but he CHOSE to bomb out Carroll BEFORE he knew a replacement was in - how naive does Rodgers want to be?

It's not always about bringing new players in either, he is meant to be a top coach so he should be ensuring he gets the best out of what he has got first and foremost before looking at new players. He simply hasn't managed to do that, and his open style of play is killing us time and time again and yet he refuses to adapt his methods. He will fall on his sword if he carries on playing this way, there is no doubt about it, and he has to come up with something to get the best out of what he has in the squad otherwise we are screwed. The acceptance of defeat is shameful for this club - the standards keep falling season upon season until any hint of a winning mentality is all but sucked out of us.

[SRL88]

To be honest, we are probably around the right level for what we currently have. People are still living in the past I feel with the expectancy of us finishing in the top 4.

[jep]

To be honest, we are probably around the right level for what we currently have. People are still living in the past I feel with the expectancy of us finishing in the top 4.

You think we are a squad of players who should be 10th in the table? You must be kidding me.

We should be challenging for the top 4 and finishing at least 7th to be honest. There is no way that Everton, Stoke or West Brom have a better squad than us. Look at the table and we are in serious danger of being cut adrift of the top 8 should we lose or draw against QPR and Stoke beat Southampton as expected.

[SRL88]

Stoke and West Brom are playing above their expectations, West Brom especially. Stoke have been pretty poor performance wise this season. If you really thought we would be challenging for the top 4 this season, you are kidding yourself.

[paperclips]

Well QPR in 3days time.

[Dan_rm]

Wait, don't Liverpool have the best goalie, best right back, two of the best center backs, the best defensive midfielder, the best attacking midfielder, and the best striker in the league and are just one or two players from being a top team anymore? What a blow.

[Emersonlfc]

Tbf, he has got the best out of Downing and even Jose has started to regain form again. Luis also having one of his best seasons in front of goal. Don't think that's by chance either. Could even argue that he's got the best out of a young Sterling for him to be able to cope with the demands of playing week in and out.

Also, I really want us to take a risk and sign BA. 7.5m for a man who could easily bang in 15 in the league is a ridiculously low fee.

[paperclips]

But we got beat by a rugby team.

[jep]

Stoke and West Brom are playing above their expectations, West Brom especially. Stoke have been pretty poor performance wise this season. If you really thought we would be challenging for the top 4 this season, you are kidding yourself.

Our manager had one eye on 2nd spot the other week, and the club captain and Carra have said top 4 is the aim this season so they must be kidding themselves as well.

[benjaminpeter]

It's all gone a bit silly in here again, and I was so confident of no meltdowns

Any manager will need time to sort a new team out. We have a very young squad at the moment and those players are learning all the time. There's an inevitable lag between learning how to do something and it actually being done. Players like Shelvey, Sterling, Suso are getting their first full seasons under their belt. Our senior players aren't doing the business atm (apart from Suarez) and that needs sorting more than anything else. But it's gonna take longer than 6 months lads. Let's have this conversation again in a years time and see where we are.

[Select_screen_name:]

We just don't have any energy in midfield any more. That is the main cause for our downfall. Apart from Allen, who was burnt out for doing the job of three men, because Gerrard/Shelvey/Suso/Sahin were too busy strolling around the pitch. And Lucas could be potentially finished due to his injuries (we'll have to see how he goes, but he's obviously lacking at the moment). They just don't provide enough cover for the defence, nor do they close down and join in attacks.

It really is the midfield that's our downfall. In the summer, I'd keep Allen (and Lucas if he's gained his standard back), and throw the kids on loan. Henderson, Cole, Downing, Sahin (pointless loan so far) can all go **** off for minimal fees, then rebuild the team. Gerrard can be a bit part player as we start to cut his playing time down.

We need some energy players, who can dominate box to box, like Toure, Ramires, Diame, N'Zonzi, Diaby etc. Bring two of those types in, a fresh new attacking midfielder and maybe some decent wide men. I'd be looking at France and Holland for these players. Nice and cheap; who will run themselves in to the ground for the team.

[benjaminpeter]

We just don't have any energy in midfield any more. That is the main cause for our downfall. Apart from Allen, who was burnt out for doing the job of three men, because Gerrard/Shelvey/Suso/Sahin were too busy strolling around the pitch. And Lucas could be potentially finished due to his injuries (we'll have to see how he goes, but he's obviously lacking at the moment). They just don't provide enough cover for the defence, nor do they close down and join in attacks.

It really is the midfield that's our downfall. In the summer, I'd keep Allen (and Lucas if he's gained his standard back), and throw the kids on loan. Henderson, Cole, Downing, Sahin (pointless loan so far) can all go **** off for minimal fees, then rebuild the team. Gerrard can be a bit part player as we start to cut his playing time down.

We need some energy players, who can dominate box to box, like Toure, Ramires, Diame, N'Zonzi, Diaby etc. Bring two of those types in, a fresh new attacking midfielder and maybe some decent wide men. I'd be looking at France and Holland for these players. Nice and cheap; who will run themselves in to the ground for the team.

Gerrard still puts some effort in. An occasion yesterday on about 65 minutes - he dispossessed someone on the edge of our box in the right back position, then less than a minute later he was right up with Suarez supporting the attack. Henderson has some potential, I don't think we should be writing off a 20 year old just yet. We need someone who can move the ball quickly and with accuracy, and we all know who we used to have who could do that.

[Eugster]

You think we are a squad of players who should be 10th in the table? You must be kidding me.

We should be challenging for the top 4 and finishing at least 7th to be honest. There is no way that Everton, Stoke or West Brom have a better squad than us. Look at the table and we are in serious danger of being cut adrift of the top 8 should we lose or draw against QPR and Stoke beat Southampton as expected.

Everton certainly have a better squad than Liverpool.

[VamPook]

Nonsense. Count the number of internationals within the squad and how many are captains of their country, along with the number of good young talents in there too. In his own words Rodgers described it as a squad with "Big Quality" when he took over. He inherited a squad more than capable of reaching top 8, then nearly £20mill to invest into it to shape it into his own style of play.

The guy's record is exactly the same as Hodgsons during his 31 game campaign in charge of us:

Hodgson - P31 W13 D9 L9 F41 A33 GD+8 - Net Transfer Spend - Recouped £2.2mill

Rodgers - P31 W13 D9 L9 F48 A40 GD+8 - Net Transfer Spend - Spent £16.4mill

All Rodgers has done is played the media and the fans with his talk of promising this great football he will deliver as long as he is given time. A good manager doesn't need that much time to make his mark at a club, and after 6 months I expected a lot more than this.

Roy Hodgson's six month stewardship in quotes

So here it is in chronological order. Sit back and watch six months fly by:

-

4 July: "I like a high-tempo passing game"

All the things I’ve always liked are the things Liverpool were famous for in their heyday. Pass and move, always move it quickly and once you lose it get back in to position. That was the mantra which took Liverpool through their great years. I like a high-tempo passing game. I like players to work hard, I like players to get back in position. Those are my principles. I was influenced by the Liverpool team which dominated the 70s with all its great players and playing the football they played.

5 August: "Look into the mirror rather than look for excuses elsewhere" (On player complaints about squad quality)

As a player you have a chance to change things. If you don't think the team is doing as well as it should, as a player you can do something about it. If you are a big player, maybe you will. My attitude is that we want our big players because they will help the team to win. Now if they are not playing well and not helping the team to win, I will be advising them to look into the mirror rather than look for excuses elsewhere and blame the owners for not having spent £500m.

13 August: "It was a very simple decision when I heard he might be available"

Christian (Poulsen) is an all-round player. He is capable of scoring goals, a good passer of the ball and a good defender too. I don't see him being limited to one particular role. For me, it was a very simple decision when I heard he might be available at what we considered to be a very reasonable price.

9 September: "Unbelievably overstaffed" (After beating West Brom)

We were unbelievably over-staffed when I came to the club and, if the truth be known, we still are over-staffed. It was just as big a job making sure some of the players who never feature for the first team move on and that we limit our squad to players who are either in the frame to play first-team football or who have a bright future who are still anxious to play academy and reserve team football.

9 September: "He's a good player and he's the right man for the job" (On Konchesky)

There aren't many quality left-backs around in the world, never mind in England - so to find an English one who can go straight into the team without any adjustment problems is a big advantage. He is a player I know, a player I have worked with and he knows the way we try to play and the things we try to do. That's another little advantage, but the main reason for bringing him here is because we think he's a good player and he's the right man for the job.

10 September: "We'll have ample quality to see us through" (see also 30 October)

I preferred to put my weight behind David Ngog and Ryan Babel, who's never really been given a proper chance at centre-forward at the club. We have Fernando Torres, we have good players who can play behind a lone striker. I'm hoping that between now and Christmas we'll have ample quality to see us through that period. And in the meantime we have chance to do thorough scouting so that if the money is available, we could look into the situation again. I will be using David Ngog and Ryan Babel in certain games to give Fernando Torres a rest and it's up to them to prove to me that there's no need to look further than them.

20 September: "It is very early for me to make very strong judgments about where his best position is" (On Meireles)

He had two training sessions and played on Thursday night and he played again on Sunday so it is very early for me to make very strong judgments about where his best position is. The work we do on the training field will show me how best to use him. He actually went out wide right late in the United game and did okay there also. All I can say is he has a lot of qualities and I'm sure we'll get a lot of use out of him.

20 September: “Sir Alex is entitled to any opinion he wants to have” (After Ferguson accused Torres of diving)

I prefer to talk about the game and talk about issues that interest me. Sir Alex is entitled to any opinion he wants to have but I'm not going to come here and say I agree or disagree. I thought the referee refereed the game very well and I have a very ambivalent attitude to those type of things.

22 September: “They’ll be a formidable challenge” (Before facing Fourth Division Northampton Town)

They'll pressure us, they'll be young and athletic, and our scouts have been quite impressed by what they've seen. They'll be a formidable challenge - there's no question about that.

23 September: "These players have to accept responsibility" (After the defeat to Northampton)

These players have to accept responsibility. I accept responsibility for changing a lot of players in the team, I did it because I honestly thought the players I put on the field were good enough to win the game and they weren't. The obvious conclusion to that was I shouldn't have changed that many players but we should have been strong enough to get a result. We must all take our responsibility. I am just bitterly disappointed that the team I had so much faith in did not repay that faith this evening with the exception of one or two performances.

24 September: "The protest does not help"

The protest does not help but it is something I have had to live with since I came to the club. I, like everyone else at Liverpool, would be very happy if the ownership situation was clarified and in particular if we got a very good owner that could help us move forward. It is a major issue for a group of people who are very much anti the owners and anti the current people who are trying to solve the situation. I knew the situation existed before I arrived and it doesn't help. But it is often the case that when things are conspiring against you there is always an extra thing to come in and make it that little bit worse.

25 September: “I didn't think it was necessary to say it" (On not responding to Ferguson's Torres "diving" accusations, six days prior)

I didn't think it was necessary to say it because it was insulting people's intelligence. For me, it was one of Alex's inflammatory little digs to make his victory even sweeter and our defeat even harder and that's part of the game

25 September: “We deserved our point” (After drawing at home to Sunderland)

There are no easy home wins in the Premier League, you have to fight for everything. The way we came back from 2-1 down was very commendable and towards the end of the game we were creating a lot of chances. We deserved our point.

1 October: “We don’t play with wingers” (On why Meireles was played on the right of midfield)

We don't play with wingers. The way he plays and the way Joe Cole plays, we think (playing wide midfield) is more than suited to their qualities. We saw evidence of that in the game because they often got into situations where they received and turned with the ball - especially in the first half. I think we can get some use from Raul Meireles there with his passing ability.

3 October: "From Halmstad to Malmo to Orebo to Neuchatel Xamax..."

What do you mean do my methods translate? They have translated from Halmstad to Malmo to Orebo to Neuchatel Xamax to the Swiss national team. So I find the question insulting. To suggest that, because I have moved from one club to another, that the methods which have stood me in good stead for 35 years and made me one of the most respected coaches in Europe don’t suddenly work, is very hard to believe.

3 October: "I don't understand questions about Liverpool and Fulham players being different types"

I don't understand questions about Liverpool and Fulham players being different types. At the moment arguably one or two of the players that are suggested as being very different to the Fulham players maybe aren't playing any better than the Fulham players played. So maybe people should be having a look at that.

6 October: “I don't think I have suddenly changed or lost any ability”

I know the question is going to get asked but it shouldn't really be asked by people who have been in football a long time, because we all know in the game you have good and bad moments. At the end of May I was having a fantastic moment and here at the beginning of October I'm having bad moments. But I don't think I have suddenly changed or lost any ability which has served me so well in 35 years of coaching.

17 October: "Feted as one of England's best managers"

I think it would be a sad day for football and for Liverpool if someone who had been brought in with the pomp and circumstance, and the money it took them to release me from my previous contract, and being feted as one of England's best managers – if after eight games people are deciding this guy has got to go. It would be sad for me. These things happen in football. You can't have the years in football I've had without ever being sacked, but it would be a sad day for Liverpool because that isn't Liverpool's style. So I find that type of question insulting to me and even more insulting to the club.

17 October: "As good as we have played all season" (After the woeful loss to Everton)

That was as good as we have played all season, and I have no qualms with the performance whatsoever. I only hope fair-minded people will see it the same way.

17 October: “To get a result here would have been Utopia” (Also after the defeat to Everton)

To get a result here would have been Utopia. But I can only analyse the performance. There is no point trying to analyse dreams.

17 October: “Maybe it is just a bit of dust” (On the poor start to the season)

Like everyone else I get really immersed in the subject. I start looking through the eye of the microscope at the miniscule particles of dust, trying to see if there is an atom there. Maybe it is just a bit of dust.

21 October: "We will cross that bridge when we come to it" (On rumours of Torres to Manchester United)

I think we will cross that bridge when we come to it. There will always be speculation. When a great player like Wayne Rooney is looking to leave his club, then you know Manchester United will be in a position to target a lot of players around the world. I don't think Fernando will be the only striker they target - and I don't think we will be the only club worried that their striker is in their sights. I am not naive enough to believe that there won't be any danger and we will never lose a player like Torres. I understand these things can happen. I don't believe we will lose him.

29 October: "It's all to do with how good your scouting and your eye is"

I think you can pay an awful lot of money for poor players and you can pay not very much money for very good ones – it is all to do with how good your scouting and your eye is. There are a lot of things here that the club has got to get right. We have got a lot more expensive failures on our list than good players that we have brought in for next to nothing. Free transfers don’t necessarily mean that you have got a bargain. My experience of them has been very mixed. You need to be sure that the player you get can do the job you want from him.

30 October: "They can't all be wrong and we aren't that stupid either"

A club like Liverpool shouldn't have to rely on non-specialists like Dirk Kuyt or Ryan Babel ‘doing a job’ up front when they are primarily wide players. ...The first thing people say when I walk down the street is ‘We need a front player’. They can't all be wrong and we aren't that stupid either.

30 October: “We’ve got those types of players ourselves”

We all know January is often a market for clubs trying to move on players they don't want. I don't want to be taking people's leftovers. We've got those types of players ourselves. If we are going to improve we need better.

30 October: "That's what he's good at" (On Dalglish)

He is doing a great job alongside us and we involve him in our scouting while he still works at The Academy and plays an ambassadorial role. That's what he's good at.

31 October: "A famous victory" (1-0 at Bolton)

Today was a famous victory because we hadn’t won more than once away in the whole of 2010. When you’re down the bottom, and keep being reminded you’re down the bottom, anxiety kicks in.

31 October: "He was here in name but not allowed to set foot in Melwood"

When they wanted me for the job, I made it clear to Kenny that he would be with me - not like with Benitez, when he was here in name but not allowed to set foot in Melwood and it was 'we don't want anything to do with you

12 November: "He's not that bad on the ball"

Unfortunately I can't do anything about the fans, but he's (Poulsen) had one or two games in front of our crowd where he's not played well and he knows he hasn't. He is devastated by that and the crowd, who aren't stupid, know he's not played well. It's a fact of life. He can only keep working hard and when he gets his chance he has to get on with his job. He had a job to do against Wigan and without his introduction, with a very tired Maxi Rodríguez and Dirk Kuyt, who knows we could even have lost the game. But he's got quality, he's a good defensive midfield player. He's not that bad on the ball, but let's not beat about the bush and try to disguise the fact – he's had a bad start.

13 November: "He's not performed -- very often at least -- to the level I'd expect of him"

(Johnson) is the England right-back and, if he plays like that, one would expect him to come back in when he's fit. But then he'd have to play like the England right-back and up to now, to be quite frank, he's not performed - very often at least - to the level I'd expect of him. You would have to ask him 'do you think you're playing at top form and are you playing like the best right-back in the country for your club?' If he says yes, obviously we will have to agree to differ and if he says no, then you'd have to ask the question 'why not?

14 November: "I didn't realise I had been accused of criticising him"

It amazes me that when you make a statement of such obvious veracity people want to make headlines out of it. Everyone is saying what I am saying. I hope I am honest and I hope the players are honest. I didn't realise I had been accused of criticising him; I don't normally criticise my players and I'm sorry if that has been suggested.

20 November: “In his naivety and frustration” (After previously not commenting on Capello reneging on the agreement to substitute Gerrard)

I don't know if I am being diplomatic, I am simply refusing to prolong a debate. Our fitness coach, Darren, in his naivety and frustration, was foolish enough to voice an opinion on Twitter and that's led to these two days of vitriol. I think it's time we got it stopped.

20 November: “There will always be a certain number of people who wanted a different manager”

Every time I speak to you about fans, you seem to have a complete monopoly on how every fan thinks. How many of them? There will always be a certain number of people who wanted a different manager and are probably still unhappy they did not get that manager. I have every faith in Liverpool fans. Every manager who has come to this club has been well supported by the fans. Every manager has gone through periods where the team has not achieved what the fans would like them to achieve, so I have no fears in that respect.

26 November: "We won't need to do too much in the January transfer window" (After beating West Ham)

I have a very clear picture now of what we should and need to be doing and the squad is stronger and getting stronger. It was probably stronger than I realised at certain stages in the early part of the season when we were losing games. Hopefully that will mean we won't need to do too much in the January transfer window

27 November: “’Liverpool will get worse and worse’ is what he said”

Everyone I know in football respects the job I’m doing here and aren’t too surprised it hasn’t been an easy start. In fact, 95 per cent would have predicted it as [Jose] Mourinho did. ‘Liverpool will get worse and worse’ is what he said and if the great man Mourinho says it, I don’t know why you don’t quote him.

2 December: "He isn't a naturally confident character" (As Joe Cole returns from injury)

He isn't a naturally confident character. He suffers when things are not going his way. Everyone at the club has worked hard to make sure he doesn't take it too hard and take too much on himself, because he's quite happy to take responsibility. Sometimes those players can take too much on themselves and push themselves even further down.

9 December: "I don't know where the stories came from" (After Brukner said Gerrard could be fit, on 30 November)

I don't know where the stories came from that Gerrard would be fit for Newcastle. We have always been thinking he would be fit to face Fulham the following weekend, it would be much too early to consider him for Newcastle.

10 December: "He has been the first to recognise what a good job it was that we didn’t do these things" (On not letting Babel, Lucas et al leave)

Christian (Purslow) was here for two years and is a big fan with strong opinions about players. He fed me the information. I listened, of course, but made it clear I was not going to act on it. To be fair, when we’ve spoken or texted he has been the first to recognise what a good job it was that we didn’t do these things, because the boys have turned out well.

11 December: "For a team that wants to be in the top half of the table it's not good enough"

Our away form continues to be very, very poor and it's something we need to do something about. If we'd played the whole of 90 minutes as we played the first 45 minutes maybe I wouldn't be as disappointed as I am. For a team that wants to be in the top half of the table, our away form is not good enough.

14 December: "Unless there is a major influx of cash into the club..." (After losing to Newcastle)

Unless there is a major influx of cash into the club and the team is going to be changed from one moment to the next, then whoever takes my place will be doing a similar job with similar players.

14 December: "We are right up there in terms of results" (having won 7 points from 18 and being 11th in the form table)

The only team with better results than us over the past five or six games is Arsenal or Manchester United. If you take the last five or six games we are right up there in terms of results

14 December: "I can't work harder and I can't work better"

The owners have made it perfectly clear they are in it for the long term. They realise it is going to take time. They realise we can't turn things round overnight and they also realise the team I am working with is not the team I put together. It [the speculation] doesn't bother me because I can't do more than I am doing. I can't work harder and I can't work better.

15 December: "A bunch of also-rans"

I don't know if I would have considered using Fernando had David Ngog been fit. But he isn't and, having had a chat with Fernando, I think he'll enjoy it. It's not as if he'll be playing with a bunch of also-rans. I'm not asking him to play in the reserves.

15 December: "They made me see sense"

I thought it would be a nice game for him (Torres) and a chance for him to get his confidence back. But I also had a talk to our fitness people and they made me see sense that it wasn't the wisest thing to do. And of course it would be very bad for us if he picked up an injury. The same applied to Pepe Reina. They made me see sense, I listened to the reason around me and I changed my mind.

19 December: "The other players I have inherited"

It is starting to feel more like my side,but it is still a team that I have not put together. I want to make that clear. I took the team over and I have not made that many changes. I brought in [Paul] Konchesky to play left back, Raul Meireles to replace [Javier] Mascherano and Joe Cole came in at the same time as me as well as Christian Poulsen. The other players I have inherited. I think I would be a good comparison with Tottenham because Harry [Redknapp] came in there just as I came into Fulham so he will just be completing three years and he has brought in a lot of players. So to really call it my team, I would have had to make a slightly bigger impact on those who have been brought in. I am more than happy to take responsibility for this squad but it takes a coach more than five or six months to make his stamp on a club. I am hoping we will do some good business in transfer windows to come and then I will be able say, ‘If you don’t like it then I have no one to blame but myself’.

20 December: “I'm frightened as a manager that I might get rid of a player who will be good for the club”

I'm frightened as a manager that I might get rid of a player who will be good for the club on the basis that there might be a name out there that looks a bit higher than the player you already have at the club. When that player comes in and you work with them for two months, you realise that the name is great and it rings big bells but, in actual fact, he is no better than the player you let go. He maybe even worse.

20 December: “I don’t think this group of players will let the club down”

I don't think it would be a bad thing for us to keep testing out this squad of players. Before I start bringing players in, I've got to be aware that when I do, I will be pushing Shelvey or Kelly back…I don't think we should be encouraging them to throw a lot of money at it straight away.,,I don't think this group of players will let the club down. I think they will play plenty of good matches between now and the end of the season. Whether we are going to start breaking into the top four or hitting the heights without some additions, I'm not prepared to say. I would like to keep my powder dry.

20 December: “Clubs have virtually been destroyed by people making bad decisions”

Clubs have virtually been destroyed by people making bad decisions. It's not because the owners haven't given money or supported the manager. It's just that they have brought in the wrong people.

23 December: “He's [Joe Cole] not so much a player I can take responsibility for.”

I was involved in the discussion with him, but the initiative and the desire to take Joe did come from the managing director perhaps more so than myself. I played my part in persuading him it was a good move, but I made it clear I couldn't promise him a certain position. He’s not so much a player I can take responsibility for. I’d have to share the responsibility for Joe, less so than people like Poulsen, Meireles and Konchesky, who are players I was happy to bring to the club.

23 December: " When you get a job like this, should you be working for the long-term good of Liverpool or trying to get an extra result or two for Roy Hodgson? "

When you get a job like this, should you be working for the long-term good of Liverpool or trying to get an extra result or two for Roy Hodgson? I'd like to think I am big enough and confident enough to take the long-term view, even though it might work against me. I might even prefer that in some ways because I would be very disappointed if I went out in January and spent a lot of money on the wrong players and then, come the summer, we are no better off. All we would be doing is adding a few more players who we don't think are good enough to the roster. I would be disappointed if I did that. I can't guarantee it won't happen but it is not my intention.

25 December: "Having been deified people have then started to crucify me"

I suppose you might say it’s been topsy-turvy in the sense that having been deified people have then started to crucify me but that’s part of the business... Getting the job at Liverpool was another major feather in my cap and the fact it hasn’t gone as well as I’d have hoped results-wise is just the nature of football. Maybe what we have realised is there is plenty of work to do here but I am certainly very satisfied with the job I have done here and I don’t feel any dissatisfaction whatsoever.

26 December: “Fans are waiting for a man with a magic wand”

Fans are waiting for a man with a magic wand that can turn all of the ills that everyone has seen into something different. Those of us who work in the game and have been working in the game a long time know that magic wand doesn't exist.

26 December: "I haven't worked any differently here than I did in the last six months at Fulham"

Maybe what we have realised is that there is plenty of work to do here, but I am certainly very satisfied with the job I have done here. The fact that it hasn't gone as well as I'd have hoped results-wise is just the nature of football. I haven't worked any differently here than I did in the last six months at Fulham. Yes, it's been topsy-turvy in the sense that having defied people they have started to crucify me, but that's part of the business and the way things are. Pedestals are built to put people on then knock them off and I have a fairly mature attitude to that. I can't do more and the players can't do more so we hope that work will turn our fortunes around and we get some batter results.

27 December: "The less results you get, the less leaders you have"

Steven helps all players and it is harder to find leaders in the world of football today. You think of the great teams of the past and their leaders jump out at you. Often there were several in the same team. Danny Blanchflower and Dave Mackay at Spurs, the great Arsenal team with Adams etc. Today it is not so easy to pick out the leaders. We are lucky to have one or two but what you are fighting for as a coach is to get more leaders in your team. The less results you get the less leaders you have though, it’s as simple as that.

29 December: "0-0 would have been a reasonable result for us" (On losing at home, to bottom of the table Wolves)

I'd like to give Wolves credit, but I think we were a bit unlucky to lose the game, probably 0-0 would have been a reasonable result for us. But we didn't do anything to deserve more than a 0-0.

29 December: "The famous Anfield support has not really been there" (After being asked if the booing at the end of the Wolves game was understandable)

The fans have left angry and that's understandable. We've let them down. I am getting used to it, that is the way it is. We've had to live with that for quite a long time now as ever since I came here the famous Anfield support has not really been there. It is sad and I don't like hearing those things because I am trying to do the best job I can do. I am working as hard as I can so I can't say it is something I really appreciate.

29 December: “I have to hope the fans will become supporters”

We are not deliberately losing games.I have to hope the fans will become supporters because we need support. We are not deliberately losing games.

31 December: “I didn't mention the fans”

I didn't mention the fans… I think the fans will always get behind and support the team. They even did it the other night. After aiming a few jibes at me they were very quick to suddenly get behind the team and scream us on. All I can do is apologise if I've offended anyone and make it perfectly clear there was nothing offensive in my comments.

5 January: “It'll be the next performance which could change things” (After losing again on the road, this time to Blackburn 3-1)

In football you do what you always do. You keep going as best you can, you make certain you try and get over the result, you make certain the next result is a better one and hopefully wipes away the memory, but that's all you can do. It'll be the next performance which could change things.

Come back again jep when you can make the same number of quotes by Rodgers.

kthxbye

[niggle]

Oh come on, really!? Even when he was pretty much sacked him for his actions after the game against United? The T shirts supporting Suarez, even tho he was found guilty. The constant blaming ref's when it was clear he was tactically inept?

I know you guys love him, but come on, even the most die hard Liverpool fan must be able to see his conduct was unacceptable for a person in his position?

for the record kopite is a die hard king Kenny fan blinded by the past very little people in here share his views ( buts thats because were all out of towners and not super duper top fans like him )Kenny's conduct was an embarrassment at large amount of times and if that is the liverpool way - I'm glad not many are choosing to follow it.

[Select_screen_name:]

Gerrard still puts some effort in. An occasion yesterday on about 65 minutes - he dispossessed someone on the edge of our box in the right back position, then less than a minute later he was right up with Suarez supporting the attack. Henderson has some potential, I don't think we should be writing off a 20 year old just yet. We need someone who can move the ball quickly and with accuracy, and we all know who we used to have who could do that.

Gerrard is the worst culprit in midfield. He has slacking passing these days and doesn't close down opposition. One incident doesn't change that fact. And Henderson might have energy, but hes a useless coward of a footballer. If we can get around 8 million, I'd take that. The midfield is useless.

[ArsenalFan7]

There won't be a meltdown, I think most of us half expect a defeat for Stoke away. Still frustrating to watch. .

Was a good read The difference between a win and a loss in this thread is fascinating though, it feels like after a win you guys feel you can push on and get 4th but after a loss it's all a disaster.

[RorysRocketThrow]

But we got beat by a better team.

Tidied for you sir.

Incase you wondered, I mean team as in the whole 11, their teamwork, their tactics and performance on the night - not how good they are as individuals or how much they cost in fee's.

[Rhino]

No doubt about it, Pulis has got a bunch of cloggers, hackers and carthorses to perform much, much better as a whole than the sum of their parts, whereas that's something which we've not been able to do at Liverpool since Benitez' heyday.

[Emersonlfc]

Was a good read The difference between a win and a loss in this thread is fascinating though, it feels like after a win you guys feel you can push on and get 4th but after a loss it's all a disaster.

I think its because of the manor of the defeats. The majority of them, we have simply not turned up and have been outplayed. I think everyone knows we were going to be out-muscled by Stoke but to be outplayed by them is the main worry.

If you take UTD for example, we have had similar games were we both haven't been at the races but the main differences in them games is the fact UTD seem to always take that one chance it takes to score a goal while we will have 2/3 and miss them all. Its frustrating as **** and that then turns into moaning. Even last night, I can count 2/3 good chances we had which could have easily kept us in the game and maybe at least saved us a point or even taken the full 3 but we have got nothing. I'd expect UTD to at least walk away with a point.

[Emersonlfc]

I'd echo the main thoughts in here that the defence needs work.

Not quite sure what is to fault as on paper it could potentially be the best in the league. Maybe Reina not being at his best is resulting in the others not being fully confident in front of him. Lucas has been missing and is slowly coming back and I fully expect it to take awhile longer before he is back to his best. If he ever returns to that peak. Would love for us to bring someone in to help Lucas more, as rotating him is maybe our best chance of seeing him return to his best.

Lucas not being 100% and us having no one else to really do that job is also causing problems as Johnson and Jose both like to get forward to attack but we have no one able to cover them if they do. It is leaving gaps and Agger/Skrtel are getting found out. Last year Lucas made countless tackles in areas where the opposition had exploited due to our full backs being further up the pitch.

[knapp...]

gerrard needs to be dropped, holding the team back.

[RorysRocketThrow]

No doubt about it, Pulis has got a bunch of cloggers, hackers and carthorses to perform much, much better as a whole than the sum of their parts, whereas that's something which we've not been able to do at Liverpool since Benitez' heyday.

Correct, and the amount of "top" sides that can't beat a supposedly rudimentary style of football is both frightening and a damning indictment of our supposedly superior league.

[Select_screen_name:]

I reckon Stokes central defenders are better than ours. I think they're probably the most solid partnership in the league.

[Robert the Spud]

I reckon Stokes central defenders are better than ours. I think they're probably the most solid partnership in the league.

They are, technically.

[Select_screen_name:]

I know. But on paper many people would go for a Chelsea, Man Utd, Arsenal, Man City etc. I think they're better than all of those.

[Rhino]

Somebody just said on the radio that if you put Stoke's back 5 into the Arsenal team they'd win the league. They'd at least be challenging, I reckon.

[RorysRocketThrow]

It's not just our back four though.

The two wingers double bank. The two central midfielders can and do both sit in front of the back four and one of the strikers (usually Jon Walters) drop into midfield and man marks the opposition 'deep lying playmaker'.

It's the whole team ethos, not just the back four/five.

[jep]

Come back again jep when you can make the same number of quotes by Rodgers.

kthxbye

What a fantastic waste of time that was for you - it has no relevance whatsoever to the point I was making.

[foofighter23]

let's face it, a manager in his first season at a club is always going to be inconsistant with results, unless they inherit a man city or chelsea, so while its hugely frustrating we just have to accept it and hope to see some progression. we have seen glimpses of that but its the manner of the defeats like someone said above, not turning up, that sticks in the throat.

our last 2 defeats are unacceptable in terms of what the players gave on the pitch. but they were arguably the first 2 games you could point a finger at rodgers too, with his team selections and set-up. i was impressed with him tbh until lately but i'd never dream of sacking him, unless we go on a 8 game losing streak or something, i'm happy to give him time and judge him on his signings once he's put his stamp on the club.

first thing i'd be doing for this squad in jan after sturridge is get diame for his £3.9m buy-out clause. he would play every game from now til end of season (after injury) and would improve our stability no end and give lucas that well needed back up on the pitch. still dont see lucas as an out and out DM anyway.

as for the rest of our midfield, well.....

[Select_screen_name:]

Same core of players, with 4 managers. It's clearly the playing staff, not the management side that's the problem.

[Eugster]

Somebody just said on the radio that if you put Stoke's back 5 into the Arsenal team they'd win the league. They'd at least be challenging, I reckon.

No we wouldn't. We have the third best defensive record in the league (99% sure). If we had RvP we'd be challenging.

Also, Ryan Shawcross would a great defender if he wasn't a complete idiot.

[CaptainPlanet]

Thread is giving RAWK a good run for its money.

The club is rubbish because we should be in the top 4. Our owners are rubbish because they need to give us more money. Our manager is rubbish because he should be buying better players and using better tactics. Our players are rubbish because they aren't playing at their best every week.

How miserable the life of the fan must be!

[Falahk]

Somebody just said on the radio that if you put Stoke's back 5 into the Arsenal team they'd win the league. They'd at least be challenging, I reckon.

no they would not, Arsenal have two problems: 1) lack of tactical organization in attack and defense 2) lack of back ups to fill the roles played by the constantly unfit pair Gibbs & Diaby

[Select_screen_name:]

RESULTS COMPARISON CHART 2012/13

Southampton = Bolton
Reading = Blackburn
West Ham = Wolves


				Last season	This season 	Pts	
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18/08/2012 West Brom v Liverpool        W 0-2           L 3-0 		-3	
26/08/2012 Liverpool v Man City         D 1-1           D 2-2 		-3	
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
02/09/2012 Liverpool v Arsenal          L 1-2           L 0-2           -3
15/09/2012 Sunderland v Liverpool       L 1-0           D 1-1           -2
23/09/2012 Liverpool v Man Utd          D 1-1           L 1-2           -3
29/09/2012 Norwich v Liverpool          W 0-3           W 2-5           -3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
06/10/2012 Liverpool v Stoke            D 0-0           D 0-0           -3   
20/10/2012 Liverpool v Reading          D 1-1           W 1-0           -1
27/10/2012 Everton v Liverpool          W 0-2           D 2-2           -3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
04/11/2012 Liverpool v Newcastle        W 3-1           D 1-1           -5
11/11/2012 Chelsea v Liverpool          W 1-2           D 1-1           -7
17/11/2012 Liverpool v Wigan            L 1-2           W 3-0           -4
24/11/2012 Swansea v Liverpool          L 0-1           D 0-0           -3
28/11/2012 Tottenham v Liverpool        L 4-0           L 2-1           -3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
01/12/2012 Liverpool v Southampton      W 3-1           W 1-0           -3
08/12/2012 West Ham v Liverpool        	W 0-3           W 2-3           -3
15/12/2012 Liverpool v Aston Villa     	D 1-1           L 1-3           -4
22/12/2012 Liverpool v Fulham           L 0-1           W 4-0           -1
26/12/2012 Stoke v Liverpool            L 1-0           L 3-1           -1
29/12/2012 QPR v Liverpool             	L 3-2             
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
01/01/2013 Liverpool v Sunderland       D 1-1             
12/01/2013 Man Utd v Liverpool          L 2-1             
19/01/2013 Liverpool v Norwich          D 1-1             
30/01/2013 Arsenal v Liverpool          W 0-2             
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
02/02/2013 Man City v Liverpool         L 3-0             
09/02/2013 Liverpool v West Brom        L 0-1             
23/02/2013 Liverpool v Swansea         	D 0-0             
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
02/03/2013 Wigan v Liverpool           	D 0-0             
09/03/2013 Liverpool v Tottenham        D 0-0             
16/03/2013 Southampton v Liverpool      L 3-1             
30/03/2013 Aston Villa v Liverpool      W 0-2             
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
06/04/2013 Liverpool v West Ham        	W 2-1             
13/04/2013 Reading v Liverpool          W 2-3             
20/04/2013 Liverpool v Chelsea          W 4-1             
27/04/2013 Newcastle v Liverpool        L 1-2             
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
04/05/2013 Liverpool v Everton          W 3-0             
12/05/2013 Fulham v Liverpool           L 1-0             
19/05/2013 Liverpool v QPR              W 1-0             
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We really need 6 points from 6 in the next two games, as January is a bit of a whore. Some nasty away games in there. After that though in February, we have pretty much done all our 'hard' games (even though we'll balls up easy games), so we should have a strong finish.

[paperclips]

Big over reaction over 1 game.

Think some of you need to realise were we are as a club, well mainly the playing side of the game.