Liverpool fan and HITC writer Mal James presents his views on Kenny Dalglish’s replacement, Brendan Rodgers.
Brendan Rodgers is facing some real challenges. Not the least of these is the need to convince some unhappy segments of the Liverpool support.
The fan sites and local press have seen plenty of postings to the effect that the club could have considered Rafa Benitez, but instead went for a manager with no track record; or those that take the view that the club has ‘sacked a legend to appoint a nobody’ (not my words).
So a thick skin could be a primary requirement in his first few months. It could take some time for Rodgers to win the sceptics over.
Within minutes of the news breaking that Kuyt was going there was criticism on the internet, with one posting, for instance, stating that this was Rodgers’ “first mistake” (the implication being that there will be more).
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He will also have to deal with the expectations of some fans that Liverpool will gain a top four slot next season. For example, I saw a post the other day that asked what FSG would do if Liverpool did not get top four next season.
The punch line was that Dalglish had not been given more time, so why should a new man who had no previous ties to the club?
Those who see a top four place almost as a right need to reflect on the fact that teams who finished above Liverpool won’t be standing still.
Chelsea, for example, have already signed Hazard for a fee that exceeds the total Rodgers has reputedly available – for the three or four players he has said is required.
They should also remember that Rodgers has taken over a squad on which considerable money has been spent on some very unimpressive players.
He might look at Adam for £9m and Henderson for £16m and reflect on the fact that the agreed fee for (the far superior) Sigurdsson to Swansea is just £6.8m.
That spend limits the amount available now. Media reports that Comolli gave some players new contracts, if true, mean funds will be even more restricted.
So Rodgers will have to take on the existing squad, bring in some new players with limited funds and then get them all playing the way he wants them to.
This won’t happen overnight. Yet when Mark Lawrenson suggested that a top four slot is an unrealistic expectation, he has been slated by some fans.
A top four spot would be a bonus, but I suspect most supporters will be happy to see evidence of progress, with greater consistency and more convincing displays at Anfield.
And Rodgers has got off to a very good start. He has shown a sure touch with the media and an awareness of what the fans want to hear.
At the same time, he has been tactful in his remarks about the current squad. After all, he has to work with them, at least for the foreseeable future.
So, while stating that the squad needs new key players, we have also heard him stress that the current squad has quality and that everyone will be given a chance to show what he can do.
As one who argued for the return of Benitez, I am impressed so far.
Will Rodgers turn out to be a successful appointment?
image: © strabanephotos
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