Liverpool Football Club Thread

[bear]

Looking forward to seeing Karanka take charge.

[larrydavidsanger]

Haven't been around here much of late but would still read this thread when I have some time. Have to say I'm surprised he's gone so early after being backed so blatantly in the summer. I remember saying sometime around Dalglish's last few months and Brendan's arrival that I just wanted to see us play attractive football and on that point, Rodgers was a massive success with the 13-14 season, it had absolutely everything and I couldn't get enough of it. What followed afterwards and continued into this season was a man who had either lost his nerve or worse, stopped following his own convictions and started listening to the press and their assessment of his faults.

Ok, Suarez left and that's going to effect any team but as much as everyone likes to think so, Suarez was not single handly responsible for that season. Rodgers completely changed the way he set up his team, whether that was to adapt to Suarez's departure or to show his critics he could defend ("Must be that new defensive coach" in the wake of a clean sheet) and his key flaw as a manager was his stubbornness which is what I believe has cost him his job. Everyone watching Liverpool could see things weren't working at either end of the pitch and instead of throwing caution to the wind and going back to the "We'll just score one more than you" mentality he retreated further into mediocre football that bore no more resemblance to what made Rodgers' football special than it did to Hodgson any other average manager.

My heart wanted to see him get more time because I know if he rediscovered his earlier style, energy and determination, he could turn it round but my head says he was too far gone, too scared, too timid to actually break out of the cycle of bland football devoid of identity and get things back on track.

Thanks for 13-14 Brendan, it was the best I've ever seen Liverpool play. I'll try and forget what's come since.

[Scratchy Bollock]

This was pretty much my reaction when I heard the news:

https://vine.co/v/e2OFtXVuh2V

[hmm]

I can't even begin to argue with the decision but it feels mistimed and actually quite disrespectful. We've been terrible for a long time now, as I've complained about up-thread, but this reflects very poorly on the board and owners. Either they had faith in the summer and he should have had until at least Christmas, or they didn't and he should have gone then. Whatever the guy's failings, he took us as close or closer to the PL title as Houllier or Benitez and the manner in which he's been removed, very early in the season after performances that were actually slightly more encouraging, is very off. As someone said above, the football we played season before last was the best I've watched in my lifetime of actively supporting Liverpool, happily coinciding with being able to watch every game, and I will always be grateful to him for that at the least.

[Stig]

This was pretty much my reaction when I heard the news:

https://vine.co/v/e2OFtXVuh2V

Haha Carras reaction, clearly cause of Henry's hand.

[Commander Jameson]

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialFootballFeed/videos/448620682010199/

[DeNeo]

To be fair to the owners, they gave him the summer to get a new coaching set-up and a new set of players (all his choices this time, apparently) to see if last season was just a blip.

It turned out it wasn't, and we've playing the same negative football as last season. That's not down to the new players not 'gelling' - we saw Rodgers change the mentality of an entire team when he arrived. Ok the results weren't great, but we were playing well.

There was no point giving him til Christmas if it looked like we were going to carry on as before - we could have been well outside the top 4 by then.

Yes, he should've gone in the summer. But at least the new manager has a good portion of the season left to turn things around.

[Liamness]

I really hope FSG have a plan.

Them firing him like this heavily implies they have an agreement with someone, bit odd that they've announced it as if they're beginning the search for his replacement. My guess is that they were talking to Klopp over the summer, he said he wanted a break, but has since changed his mind. They haven't appointed a caretaker as far as I can tell, which also suggests that the arrangements have basically already been made.

[SMD]

To be fair to the owners, they gave him the summer to get a new coaching set-up and a new set of players (all his choices this time, apparently) to see if last season was just a blip.

It turned out it wasn't, and we've playing the same negative football as last season. That's not down to the new players not 'gelling' - we saw Rodgers change the mentality of an entire team when he arrived. Ok the results weren't great, but we were playing well.

There was no point giving him til Christmas if it looked like we were going to carry on as before - we could have been well outside the top 4 by then.

Yes, he should've gone in the summer. But at least the new manager has a good portion of the season left to turn things around.

It's October, it's far too early to decide. It's a shithouse move.

[Commander Jameson]

After the amazing season of 13/14, I struggled to see what our (Rodgers's) style of play was. When he first came, we seemed to have a plan. It wasn't successful at first, but you could see improvements as the players learnt the system. 13/14 seemed to change that and Rodgers did well to take best advantage of Suarez and Sturridge. After that season though, we chopped and changed formations, bought players who did not fit into any particular system, played players out of position. Even this season, I couldn't describe what our style was.

[Gabe]

To be fair to the owners, they gave him the summer to get a new coaching set-up and a new set of players (all his choices this time, apparently) to see if last season was just a blip.

It turned out it wasn't, and we've playing the same negative football as last season. That's not down to the new players not 'gelling' - we saw Rodgers change the mentality of an entire team when he arrived. Ok the results weren't great, but we were playing well.

There was no point giving him til Christmas if it looked like we were going to carry on as before - we could have been well outside the top 4 by then.

Yes, he should've gone in the summer. But at least the new manager has a good portion of the season left to turn things around.

What can really be decided after 8 games, when you've only had your best striker back for 2 of them? When you've lost your captain for half of them?

[Chewylegs]

Shocked that they made the decision this quickly but I think it is right. The last few games have shown there is something seriously wrong, he's lost his way, the football is dire and it wasn't going to get any better. Not knowing your best XI or even how to get them to play is pathetic at this stage of his managerial time.

I loved watching us two seasons ago, I'll never forget that season, but since then we've regressed so much.

Klopp would be interesting, Ancelotti very interesting but please not someone with barely any experience.

[Sng]

Think I'd have Ancelotti over Klopp. Happy with either though.

[Chewylegs]

What can really be decided after 8 games, when you've only had your best striker back for 2 of them? When you've lost your captain for half of them?

We shouldn't struggle when we lose two players. We have a £32m striker, a £30m No10 and a double winning midfielder that were brought in. We should have strength in depth, we don't seem to. The comprehensive way West Ham defeated us at home, the way we failed to beat Carlisle in 120mins, Sion, Bordeaux, Norwich etc, it shows Rodgers just hadn't learnt.

Can in defence, again!?! If he had no faith in the defenders he had, why did he not buy someone in the summer? Playing Ings as a winger, Joe Allen playing at all, Gomez instead of Moreno, he'd lost his way, his philosophy, everything he promised. Recent games were as bad as Hodgsons era.

[ryodi]

I hope for Borini's sake Rodgers doesn't end up at Sunderland.

[Adrock]

Poor Milner, he only chose Liverpool when he got reassurances about Rodgers' future.

He is probably destined to become the utility man he has been throughout his career.

There again his central midfield role has been completely uninspiring so far. That could have a lot to do with the system though.

[DeNeo]

8 games is nearly a quarter of the season - I think you can take stock after that, especially when you add what happened last season, and the form in Europe over both seasons.

Even when you take into account Sturridge and Henderson getting injured - we should have the strength in depth to make up for that. Rodgers was given the opportunity this summer to make sure of it. And even if we didn't win the majority games, we should've at least been performing to a certain standard with the squad we've got.

Of course it all boils down to the owners not getting rid of him in the summer, when everyone could see how bad the performances were.

[rgraves]

It's October, it's far too early to decide. It's a shithouse move.

What can really be decided after 8 games, when you've only had your best striker back for 2 of them? When you've lost your captain for half of them?

This isn't a reaction to the 8 games of this season - it's a reaction to the simple fact that we haven't improved from the whole of *last* season. He was lucky to still be in the job after Stoke on the final day, and the owners clearly feel like despite being given the chance to change it's not happening. He's won nothing, and we weren't looking like winning anything any time soon either. That's simply not good enough for Liverpool.

This is a change that was needed now to stop another season drifting by, and yet more money being spilled away on players that are simply not good enough or aren't used in a way that gives them a chance of being successful.

The timing is also, I have no doubt at all, influenced by the situation at Chelsea. If they suddenly start looking for a manager, anyone we're looking at might start stalling. Get it done now before Abramovich starts waving his cash around and turning heads. Heck, and I'm not suggesting this, but I bet a phone call to Mourinho right now wouldn't be turned away immediately by his representatives either. There are options right now that might not be there in a few months time.

[Gabe]

8 games is nearly a quarter of the season - I think you can take stock after that, especially when you add what happened last season, and the form in Europe over both seasons.

Even when you take into account Sturridge and Henderson getting injured - we should have the strength in depth to make up for that. Rodgers was given the opportunity this summer to make sure of it. And even if we didn't win the majority games, we should've at least been performing to a certain standard with the squad we've got.

Of course it all boils down to the owners not getting rid of him in the summer, when everyone could see how bad the performances were.

Well this is the crux of it and my main problem. We have to assume that he had to outline a plan for this season during his end-of-year review with FSG, and he obviously gave enough information to make them bankroll his spending. So to throw that all out after 8 games is just odd.

I'm not saying Rodgers is hard done by this season, he's continued to play players out of position, make tactical mistakes and made our defence as bad as it's ever been. But even so, as I said, we're probably only 2 points away from where most would have thought we might be.

[Doomguy]

The right decision was made.

Rodgers had time, money and support.

I'm thankful he managed to steadied the ship (which is what Liverpool have needed ever since the clusterfuck that was Roy Hodgson) but someone like Klopp or De Boer coming in with all their connections is what's needed now.

[JohnnyNolan]

De Boer! Have you seen how bad Ajax are? The Dutch media have been saying he's due for the sack regularly, with that bloke at PEC Zwolle linked with the Ajax job a good few times.

[Azrael]

Feel a little upset that it's happened but it had to be done, and should have happened in May. Would be more than fine with Klopp or, if he doesnt want it, Favre.

Probably end up with 'Arry.

[redbloodcell]

Feel a little upset that it's happened but it had to be done, and should have happened in May. Would be more than fine with Klopp or, if he doesnt want it, Favre.

Probably end up with 'Arry.

Too far from Sandbanks for Harry, you'd have to settle for Allardyce...

[Istanbul]

He had to go. He should have left in the summer. In fact, he should have left straight after getting beat 6-1 against Stoke.

People cite that amazing season when we nearly won the league. It was a great season. How much that was to do with Brendan, I don't know. We had a world class player in Suarez, at the absolute top of his game. Combined with Sturridge, Sterling, Coutinho, Gerrard...I think any manager worth anything would have challenged for the league with those players. I'd argue that Rodgers maybe even lost us that title. He had 3 full seasons. In none of those seasons was the defence solid. It was an absolute joke at times, and just got worse and worse. In that spectacular season we were winning 3-2, 5-3, 4-2 etc etc...once those super star players weren't available, the goals had gone and all we were left with was the shocking defence. They did a great job of papering over poor coaching and poor tactics.

Then there was the man himself. The constant gloating when we won. It was cringeworthy. At a time when you should be loving him, you were just thinking...shut up Brendan. Then there was the management speak. The buzzwords (see 'character', see 'outstanding', it all just began to grate. The excuses too, they were infuriating. His ego...players who have left seem to have only bad words to say about him. He seemingly fell out or moved on many players with big personalities - personalities he couldn't control. He wanted to be the big cheese, and couldn't take anyone even coming close. The refusal to play certain players because he didn't necessarily 'sign' them. Sakho...the loaning out of Markovic. It was all just too much. Always annoyed me that he needed to be everybody's mate too. Liverpool fans...we hate Mourinho, Allardyce, and all of those cronies, yet he was openly best buds. It didn't sit right with me. Appointing someone like Sean O'Driscoll come the end was an unbelievable decision for me. Many didn't agree on here, I know that, but it was such a small time and insular move to appoint a buddy from the lower leagues who has never amounted to anything. At that point, it was clear that the direction we were going was the wrong one.

I think he can be a good coach, and I'm sure he'll do well elsewhere. I wish him well, but I'm not upset that he is gone. To think we could have had Rafa instead, and we chose him. What a huge, huge mistake. To sack Kenny for him was a big error too.

This guy who I trust who gives the team news swears that Klopp is a done deal, as much as it can be without actually being signed. I'm very happy with Klopp. Role on the era of the Kloppites!

[angel]

thank god hes gone. as much as i think ancelotti would get them on an even keel, klopp might be the better long term appointment. im sure we'll see brendan on goals on sunday in a month once its settled down, peddling his own brand of blind optimism, and i'd bet literally 10s of pounds his next appointment will be a championship club (which he considers a challenge that excites him)

[ryodi]

My worry with Klopp is that his high pressing style had been found out in the Bundesliga in his last season in charge of Dortmund and teams didn't have a lot of trouble dealing with it after being blown away in previous seasons. He might try a different tact if he takes charge but I can't imagine the squad we have currently being able to switch to a high tempo pressing game without completely burning out before the end of the season.

[DeNeo]

I wonder if the new manager will finally decide we need a goalkeeping coach. That'd be nice.

[Gabe]

He had to go. He should have left in the summer. In fact, he should have left straight after getting beat 6-1 against Stoke.

People cite that amazing season when we nearly won the league. It was a great season. How much that was to do with Brendan, I don't know. We had a world class player in Suarez, at the absolute top of his game. Combined with Sturridge, Sterling, Coutinho, Gerrard...I think any manager worth anything would have challenged for the league with those players. I'd argue that Rodgers maybe even lost us that title. He had 3 full seasons. In none of those seasons was the defence solid. It was an absolute joke at times, and just got worse and worse. In that spectacular season we were winning 3-2, 5-3, 4-2 etc etc...once those super star players weren't available, the goals had gone and all we were left with was the shocking defence. They did a great job of papering over poor coaching and poor tactics.

I said many times before last season even started that the title chase was an anomaly in terms of performance before and since. I think most agreed we punched above our weight that year. It was like when Rafa got us 2nd - that was an outlier, too (and also was a season where our big players clicked).

In a way, that's my concern about Klopp - he did well when his big players all clicked, but when he lost some of those players it all rather went wrong. So I guess my point is I don't know how good a coach he is and will he be able to get the best out of the side we have, with its lack of balance and depth? In that respect, I'd trust Ancelotti far more, he'd be the safe (but better) pair of hands that Hodgson was always meant to be when we were in a state of flux.

I wonder if the new manager will finally decide we need a goalkeeper coach. That'd be nice.

Corrected that for you.

[Istanbul]

I wonder if the new manager will finally decide we need a goalkeeping coach. That'd be nice.

He will. Achterberg has gone too I think.

[Oh Danny Boy]

He had to go. He should have left in the summer. In fact, he should have left straight after getting beat 6-1 against Stoke.

People cite that amazing season when we nearly won the league. It was a great season. How much that was to do with Brendan, I don't know. We had a world class player in Suarez, at the absolute top of his game. Combined with Sturridge, Sterling, Coutinho, Gerrard...I think any manager worth anything would have challenged for the league with those players. I'd argue that Rodgers maybe even lost us that title. He had 3 full seasons. In none of those seasons was the defence solid. It was an absolute joke at times, and just got worse and worse. In that spectacular season we were winning 3-2, 5-3, 4-2 etc etc...once those super star players weren't available, the goals had gone and all we were left with was the shocking defence. They did a great job of papering over poor coaching and poor tactics.

Then there was the man himself. The constant gloating when we won. It was cringeworthy. At a time when you should be loving him, you were just thinking...shut up Brendan. Then there was the management speak. The buzzwords (see 'character', see 'outstanding', it all just began to grate. The excuses too, they were infuriating. His ego...players who have left seem to have only bad words to say about him. He seemingly fell out or moved on many players with big personalities - personalities he couldn't control. He wanted to be the big cheese, and couldn't take anyone even coming close. The refusal to play certain players because he didn't necessarily 'sign' them. Sakho...the loaning out of Markovic. It was all just too much. Always annoyed me that he needed to be everybody's mate too. Liverpool fans...we hate Mourinho, Allardyce, and all of those cronies, yet he was openly best buds. It didn't sit right with me. Appointing someone like Sean O'Driscoll come the end was an unbelievable decision for me. Many didn't agree on here, I know that, but it was such a small time and insular move to appoint a buddy from the lower leagues who has never amounted to anything. At that point, it was clear that the direction we were going was the wrong one.

I think he can be a good coach, and I'm sure he'll do well elsewhere. I wish him well, but I'm not upset that he is gone. To think we could have had Rafa instead, and we chose him. What a huge, huge mistake. To sack Kenny for him was a big error too.

This guy who I trust who gives the team news swears that Klopp is a done deal, as much as it can be without actually being signed. I'm very happy with Klopp. Role on the era of the Kloppites!

Bullshit mate.

When the team is doing well its the players but when they are doing poorly it's the manager? That is playground level nonsense.

13/14 was as much to do with Rodger's coaching and philosophy as much as the players. With the same group of players the team finished 7th the previous season, there was no great additions to the team that summer, they came a whisker from winning the title. Rodgers deserves as much of the credit as the players

I think he deserves more respect, for not only that season but for steadying the ship after the Hodgson/Kenny era, blooding in some exciting young talent and developing the likes of Sturridge and Coutinho whose stars had faded before he turned their careers around. Things didn't go right for him since 13/14 although a lot of last season he had no Sturridge and lost Suarez which led him to having to change his philosophy a bit, he just didn't seem to have faith in it again afterwards, which is a shame.

The timing is madness though unless the club have already found his successor, I'd have given him till the end of the season.

I wish him well for the future and I'm sure he'll have success elsewhere.