Is ‘better than Dalglish’ the measuring stick? Or should Rodgers be judged like his predecessors – on finishing in the top four?
I was speaking to a Liverpool fan today. I asked her what she thought about the new manager. The answer?
“Kenny won a cup and got the sack because he didn’t get into the top four. What’ll happen to Rodgers if he doesn’t?”
A question I’ve heard many times, but I feel that that this fan does not grasp the nature of football these days. It is not about winning cups. The sad fact is that the criteria for success these days is Champions League.
But it wasn’t the fact that Liverpool didn’t get top four that lost Dalglish his job. It was the fact that the team missed out so badly. A significant amount of money was spent on players who were not good enough.
I don’t believe Rodgers is at risk if he doesn’t secure Champions league next season. If he demonstrates that the club is moving in the right direction, if he increases the points total and secures a Europa League place on the basis of league position, rather than the Littlewoods Cup, then this will probably be classed as success.
Not by some fans, though. Those who believe that Liverpool has a rightful place near the top. There will be many who complain and call, as now, for some major name signings.
Those fans need to realise that this is not going to happen, for a number of reasons.
First, the club has not been in the Champions League for three seasons. It can’t compete with those clubs that can offer CL football next season, and possibly not the season after.
Second, we don’t know what Rodgers transfer pot is, but it probably isn’t enough for marquee signings. Rumours put it at £30. Given the levels of player he is looking to sign, this is probably about right. In the last year, too much has been spent on too little.
The owners will be looking for longer term. They will be looking at Rodgers ability to buy in lesser known players who can deliver.
They will also be looking at his ability to turn a team with such players into one that plays as a team – the old idea of being more than a sum of its parts.
You only had to watch Swansea play to see this in action. A team of little known players made many other sides look pedestrian.
So Rodgers will be given time. Time to get the current squad playing as he wants. Time to bring in good quality players at prices that aren’t inflated; and time to bring younger players, such as Sterling, through.
I think the message is a mix of good omens but a need for patience
image: © strabanephotos
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