Topic: Brendan Rodgers - Liverpool Manager (ours to keep - or at least till 2018)

[PhaseOfPlay]

He's already on a pretty sweet financial deal. Only slightly less than the manager of moneybags City you may note.

I don't think it's money he'll be looking for in the next negotiations. I would guess once the new contract is signed, he'll be getting more of the players he actually wants.

[kkhaku]

It's the first time in ages I've seen a Liverpool side with 11+ players who demand an extremely high level of execution from themselves and from each other. Buying into a coach's philosophy is one thing, but fighting tooth and nail for every second of the 90 minutes to execute that philosophy perfectly is a complete pleasure to watch. You see various examples of it. One thing that stuck out for me against Arsenal was how Gerrard gave Toure a tongue lashing for shanking a clearance out of play rather than look for another red shirt in the 75th minute. The type of heartbreak on the face of Suarez after missing a chance or losing possession in the midst of a promising move has now caught on to everyone else in the forward line. I'm seeing Cissokho visibly distressed and begging for forgiveness when he puts too much on a long ball forward down the wing. Sterling helping out his fullback 30 seconds after missing a chance on the other end when we're 5-1 up. The list goes on. All of it's down to the effect Rodgers has had on the team, and what kind of mentality he demands from his players. We really struck gold with this manager, and I think he can bypass Rafa's achievements over the next few years.

[pudgethemidget]

Serious question and not meant to be tongue in cheek, but does anybody know who advised FSG to hire Rodgers? Like PoP said, we've struck gold here. Something really special.

[brownbear11]

How many times have four goals been scored against us under Brendan Rodgers so far in his Liverpool career?

Never 4, haven't lost by more than 2 since his opening game as manager

[Funky_Gibbons]

Serious question and not meant to be tongue in cheek, but does anybody know who advised FSG to hire Rodgers? Like PoP said, we've struck gold here. Something really special.

The rumour is David Dein.

[please, I have my reasons for it but...]

I'd prefer a safe pair of hands, someone like O'Neill.

You won't get safer pair of hands than with Mr Hodgson's 35 years of experience.

[please, I have my reasons for it but...]

You want something better than David Moyes being the manager of Manchester United?

Here you go: Brendan Rodgers is the manager of Liverpool.

Jesus. Took a glimpse at their forum, some of them really beginning to rate him. Shows you really how good he is.

[lionel_messias]

FSG lucked out didn't they? Who in here said anything like 'BR will make a brilliant manager for Liverpool'?

We didn't. This guy knows his onions and his version of football; awesome.

[jason67]

Jesus. Took a glimpse at their forum, some of them really beginning to rate him. Shows you really how good he is.

Moyes? Lets hope so... 

[Fitzy.]

RAWK became a pretty toxic place when we got rid of Kenny. The unfair abuse directed at FSG for getting Rodgers in wasn't great. That was followed by a good number of posters declaring their wisdom, telling us that Rodgers wasn't "Liverpool quality".

The number of people who were happy to write him off so quickly when the required rebuild was so significant has really exposed how some "support" this club. It's not so much knee-jerk, it's more self-appointed wisdom. They know best. While some accept they were wrong others are "grateful" he has learned from his mistakes...if only Rodgers knew as much as them.

For the record, I was happy we got Rodgers. I even spoke to friends towards the end of the 2011/12 that Rodgers seems like a wise acquisition. I didn't know for sure if he was THE man but giving him the chance to prove seemed fair to me.

[AndyMuller]

I think he's boss and want him here for a long, long time.

[Felch Aid]

Its reassuring for me that BR isnt rigid that he only plays one way. I think a lot of us assumed in his first season we were pure tiki taka but was that introduced to get everyone used to possession football?

Some stats look like we play counter attack but  not sitting back. Everyone  hunts the ball and then we break with numbers and speed - that tactic killed spurs, everton and arsenal.

He also seems to be great at spotting and nurturing young talent - Flanno, Henderson, Spearing and to a lesser extent Coutinhio.

The only criticism is some consistency with tactics - Soton, Villa and West Brom were so strange but he usually learns from those mistakes.

I really hope he can start his own legacy here - if he gets us to top 4 this season he will set his sights on even bigger things.

I really am starting to have some man love for him.

[helmboy_nige]

It's the first time in ages I've seen a Liverpool side with 11+ players who demand an extremely high level of execution from themselves and from each other. Buying into a coach's philosophy is one thing, but fighting tooth and nail for every second of the 90 minutes to execute that philosophy perfectly is a complete pleasure to watch. You see various examples of it. One thing that stuck out for me against Arsenal was how Gerrard gave Toure a tongue lashing for shanking a clearance out of play rather than look for another red shirt in the 75th minute. The type of heartbreak on the face of Suarez after missing a chance or losing possession in the midst of a promising move has now caught on to everyone else in the forward line. I'm seeing Cissokho visibly distressed and begging for forgiveness when he puts too much on a long ball forward down the wing. Sterling helping out his fullback 30 seconds after missing a chance on the other end when we're 5-1 up. The list goes on. All of it's down to the effect Rodgers has had on the team, and what kind of mentality he demands from his players. We really struck gold with this manager, and I think he can bypass Rafa's achievements over the next few years.

That sums it up for me. When they play like this you can tell the whole team has bought into an almost do or die attitude. It's infectious. If we could build some genuine consistency we'd be top right now. But it's a little too early.

The key thing is that Brendan Rodgers has built a team that can do things to Arsenal, Everton and Spurs that we've only dreamed of.  Imagine what he could do with some real money!

[lalchitri]

Given the resources he's done a fantastic job. The development of Henderson, Sterling and Flanagan has been exceptional. The fast pressing style he has shifted towards is far better than the death by possession style of last year.

With the contract situation, I just hope he is better supported by FSG. Granted we are working within the constraints of FFP. But if he isn't given the players he wants (reasonable targets) I can honestly see him moving on.

He will have to be backed if we get CL.
Aldo mentioned it as well in his excellent article that this squad isn't big enough to compete in both the PL and CL.
Post match yesterday Brendan made another veiled reference to the thin squad.

[Ken-Obi]

Not extending his contract will certainly piss off some of the players who are growing nicely to the brand of football and enjoying some of the best football not seen since a certain pot-bellied Spanish fella was in charge at Anfield.

That said, any contract talks now is certainly a major distraction both Brendan and Henry would want to avoid at such critical juncture of the season.

There will be plenty of time in summer, hopefully when Brendan and his staff are looking at the CL qualifiers draw to see who we will be welcoming to Anfield.

"Brendan, got a minute? John would like to discuss plans for the club in the next few years. Bring your notebook. And your best pen - need you to sign somethin".

[God's Left Peg]

For the record, I was happy we got Rodgers. I even spoke to friends towards the end of the 2011/12 that Rodgers seems like a wise acquisition. I didn't know for sure if he was THE man but giving him the chance to prove seemed fair to me.

Yes, for the record, I did too.

But even a broken clock is right twice in a day.

[woof]

RAWK became a pretty toxic place when we got rid of Kenny. The unfair abuse directed at FSG for getting Rodgers in wasn't great. That was followed by a good number of posters declaring their wisdom, telling us that Rodgers wasn't "Liverpool quality".

The number of people who were happy to write him off so quickly when the required rebuild was so significant has really exposed how some "support" this club. It's not so much knee-jerk, it's more self-appointed wisdom. They know best. While some accept they were wrong others are "grateful" he has learned from his mistakes...if only Rodgers knew as much as them.

For the record, I was happy we got Rodgers. I even spoke to friends towards the end of the 2011/12 that Rodgers seems like a wise acquisition. I didn't know for sure if he was THE man but giving him the chance to prove seemed fair to me.

If we out the sentiments aside, most of us can agree that getting Kenny after Hodgie Podgie was a mistake. Don't get me wrong, Kenny is still the legend of the club but he's been out of it for so long and it's not someone whom you expect to take us to the holy grail in the near future. As much as fairy tale is concerned, that's as far as it gets.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing but it's impractical to think of it that way. Let's enjoy what BR brings and let's finish the season with CL qualification

[CHOPPER]

Nice and tight indeed.

Indeed, noyce and toyt!

[redalways]

I don't think it's money he'll be looking for in the next negotiations. I would guess once the new contract is signed, he'll be getting more of the players he actually wants.

How is fat Sam on that ?

[Andy]

Serious question and not meant to be tongue in cheek, but does anybody know who advised FSG to hire Rodgers? Like PoP said, we've struck gold here. Something really special.

I think it might have been Brendan Rodgers.

[rickardinho1]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01q8djt

 

Its embarassing to think that there are people like that who "support" the same club as me.

[rickardinho1]

I don't think it's money he'll be looking for in the next negotiations. I would guess once the new contract is signed, he'll be getting more of the players he actually wants.

That's nice to think, but I'm sure his agent will be pushing for him to get closer to Moyes-type money. (Incredible that Moyes would earn that much in the first place, but there you go)

[rickardinho1]

I saw some stats yesterday saying we had scored more set-piece goals than any team in the top 5 european leagues. I don't think that is a coincidence, as many of our set-pieces are worked really methodically and suggests that Brendan is spending alot of time on the training pitch for them.

Eg. The Suarez volley yesterday where he hit the post was clearly practiced, as Gerrard wouldn't hit a corner like that otherwise.

Gerrard and Suarez's set piece delivery have also helped a bit I suppose

[Veinticinco de Mayo]

Shamelessly cross-posting this from the Arsenal thread as it needs saying...

When Brendan Rodgers arrived he changed the goal nets back to red and he talked about our past, about his desire to see Anfield as a fortress once again.  To reinvigorate the meaning of Shanks' sign in the tunnel.  This is Anfield, be prepared for the longest 90 minutes of the season...

The naysayers told us it was gimmickry and the empty soundbites of a middle management flunky. 

Others liked the fact that he was saying the right things but knew that holding ones counsel and seeing if actions were delivered to match the words was the wisest course of action.  There is still a long way to go before judgement is made on the Rodgers tenure but fuck me this ground is starting to feel like a bastion of invincibility once more.  The sheer ferocity with which two top of the table contenders have been despatched in recent weeks has been breathtaking.  Liverpool like a hurricane to Arsenal's umbrella.

Fuck me even Dion Fanning seems to have got over his Rafa thing...  http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/fivestar-liverpool-shred-arsenals-title-credentials-29992626.html

[Neil D]

I saw some stats yesterday saying we had scored more set-piece goals than any team in the top 5 european leagues. I don't think that is a coincidence, as many of our set-pieces are worked really methodically and suggests that Brendan is spending alot of time on the training pitch for them.

Eg. The Suarez volley yesterday where he hit the post was clearly practiced, as Gerrard wouldn't hit a corner like that otherwise.

Gerrard and Suarez's set piece delivery have also helped a bit I suppose

Great point, and for years we've complained about them. Kudos to Rodgers

[Mamadou]

Shamelessly cross-posting this from the Arsenal thread as it needs saying...

When Brendan Rodgers arrived he changed the goal nets back to red and he talked about our past, about his desire to see Anfield as a fortress once again.  To reinvigorate the meaning of Shanks' sign in the tunnel.  This is Anfield, be prepared for the longest 90 minutes of the season...

The naysayers told us it was gimmickry and the empty soundbites of a middle management flunky. 

Others liked the fact that he was saying the right things but knew that holding ones counsel and seeing if actions were delivered to match the words was the wisest course of action.  There is still a long way to go before judgement is made on the Rodgers tenure but fuck me this ground is starting to feel like a bastion of invincibility once more.  The sheer ferocity with which two top of the table contenders have been despatched in recent weeks has been breathtaking.  Liverpool like a hurricane to Arsenal's umbrella.

Fuck me even Dion Fanning seems to have got over his Rafa thing...  http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/fivestar-liverpool-shred-arsenals-title-credentials-29992626.html

great post 

[Brentieke]

A few things for you:

Under Rodgers', in 58 league games, we've won by a 4 goals or more 10 times already.

Rafa's 6 seasons: 15 times
Houllier (joint and sole charge) 6 seasons: 10 times
Evans (joint and sole) 4 and a half years: 12 times
Kenny's great 87-90 vintage: 15 times

This is the most exciting Liverpool team for 25 years or so. It's unbelievable how scintillating we are going forward. All credit to the manager who is the most attacking boss we've had perhaps in our history (to a fault sometimes).

[Clayton Bigsby]

I enjoyed his banter with the Everton fan at one school he was at

Rodgers: This boy is an Everton fan but today we are friends

Little Boy: Are we? 

Brendan: Are you not gonna shake my hand?

They high five

It was great to see

He really has done well so far. Sometimes you need to take a risk and we did that with Im and he looks like he can bring the good times back

[WelshMike]

Brendan has been absolutely unbelievable so far. He's doing a staggeringly good job. I can only think of a couple of small weaknesses which is a testament to how far we've come under him already. We're breaking records all over the place and even sorting out our set-pieces problems to great effect.

The fact that we're rightly favourites for 4th (at least!) says so much about the incredible job he's doing. I think everyone in the league would agree that it'd be a travesty for us not to finish that high considering how good we've been at times; the attacking football we play, the moves we put together, Suarez and Sturridge plus the other talents of Coutinho, Sterling, Gerrard and Henderson, our lack of squad depth and accompanying injuries, missing out on transfer targets, hammering most teams (including Spurs away, plus Everton and Arsenal) and so on. We deserve 4th, if not 3rd, or 2nd, or 1st.

Consistency will come next season, as will defensive solidity. Both will be helped by a bigger squad, particularly in the central midfield, wing and fullback areas. Imagine what he could've done with one or more big signing in the summer/January as well. He's got a real eye for a player too (Diego Costa!).

Can't say enough good things about him. Hope he gets a big contract and is here for a decade.

[Derzyjudek]

Nice to see people saying alot of nice things about him,well i hope he continues to get this support when we have blips in the future which we undoubtedly will.

[helmboy_nige]

I never get tired of seeing the end of that interview when he's asked what type of horse Liverpool are.

"No, no. We're just a foal"

He was pissing himself. classic.

[lindylou100]

Serious question and not meant to be tongue in cheek, but does anybody know who advised FSG to hire Rodgers? Like PoP said, we've struck gold here. Something really special.

My personal opinion is that they were advised by some of the academy staff, I think it was borrell and segura. The reason being that they were looking for a manager to compliment the style that was already being taught at the academy as they looked to make more of the players that were coming through after our disasterous transfer window. I recall Henry and co started turning up at the academy more often in Kennys last season and borrell and segura started appearing at first team matches with more regularity than usual. This combined with the rumoured promotion of segura to technical director in the summer (that didnt happen), it would make sense.

like I said, only personal opinion.

[helmboy_nige]

Nice to see people saying alot of nice things about him,well i hope he continues to get this support when we have blips in the future which we undoubtedly will.

Nature of the internet. There will be negativistas lurking in the shadows right now just waiting. Waiting for that blip.

[Wrigley]

I never get tired of seeing the end of that interview when he's asked what type of horse Liverpool are.

"No, no. We're just a foal"

He was pissing himself. classic.

For a moment I expected him to say "we're a giraffe" and walk away.

[peachybum]

Nice to see people saying alot of nice things about him,well i hope he continues to get this support when we have blips in the future which we undoubtedly will.

He's made such great progress it'll have raised expectations and i think it's inevitable that once that progress slows or even stalls for a while then there will be some who won't be able to accept it.

[PhaseOfPlay]

FSG lucked out didn't they? Who in here said anything like 'BR will make a brilliant manager for Liverpool'?

We didn't. This guy knows his onions and his version of football; awesome.

Me, to be fair

(Smug PoP is smug)

[Billy1561]

Alright lads, just back from Crete yesterday. Will have a look back through last few pages when I get chance.
Fuck me, I've only been gone 2 Weeks and Brendan fucking Rodgers is apparently better than king Kenny. Last time I ever leave the country!

My thoughts when he got the job. Shows how wrong i was and i am delighted to admit it.

Made up with the team this season and it's down to Brendan mainly 

[tommy LFC]

[steveeastend]

Biggest manager talent in english football for ages, maybe even in europe.

[Abrak]

FSG lucked out didn't they? Who in here said anything like 'BR will make a brilliant manager for Liverpool'?

We didn't. This guy knows his onions and his version of football; awesome.

I think FSG deserve a bit more credit than pure lucky (although they did get lucky). If you remember the other manager they were potentially interested in was Martinez - another manager that nobody wanted - but hasnt turned out to be too bad.