#360view: Rodgers' future as uncertain as Liverpool's form

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  • Does Rodgers have a future at Anfield?

    In recent seasons, clashes between Liverpool and Norwich have offered two guarantees – goals and a win for the Reds.

    The last four games between the pair in the Premier League have ended with three points for Brendan Rodgers’ side and a bagful of goals to boot, 18 to be exact.

    But there are no certainties about this modern Liverpool team and there can be no guarantees on the Northern Irishman’s position at the club after Sunday’s 1-1 draw.

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    It’s a result that means, after six games, the Anfield outfit sit 15th, with just four goals, their fewest ever at this stage, tied with 1899-1900 and 2005-06.

    That isn’t even the full extent of the problem either. This is a Liverpool team that lacks conviction, and at the moment direction.

    With trips to Everton, Tottenham and Chelsea to come in October, Rodgers is entering the most important weeks of his managerial career – his time on Merseyside running out.

    In fact, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that the axe could even fall before then.

    Wednesday will see the visit of Carlisle United in the League Cup, with Aston Villa in league action next weekend before Swiss outfit FC Sion arrive at Anfield in the Europa League.

    If anything but victories follow, the Reds could fall further behind in the race for fourth, be out of a cup and on the brink in another. It’s hardly a sequence laced with danger but then there are no certainties with this side, on this current run of form.

    The smattering of boos greeting the full-time whistle against Norwich suggests many inside Anfield have already made their mind up. But in football people do forget too quickly.

    The last time Liverpool faced Norwich was April 2014 and it ended with Rodgers’ men five points clear at the top of the table with three games remaining, on a run of 11 straight victories.

    They were driven on that year by the brilliance of Luis Suarez, Raheem Sterling, Steven Gerrard and Daniel Sturridge. The first three names on that list have since left, while the latter played for the first time since April this weekend.

    Liverpool have found it hard to attract the best players in those intervening months.

    When you add to that early pressure from sections of fans who believe the owners should have pulled the trigger in May, are these struggles to be expected?

    There is no appetite for change among the club’s hierarchy and perhaps they expect it to get worse before it gets better. But history suggests their hand could be forced because in reality it will be those in the Anfield stands who decide Rodgers’ fate.

    That’s what makes these next few weeks so vital. On Friday Rodgers spoke at length about trying to add “risk” to Liverpool’s play and the selection of Sturridge proved he was good to his word.

    And there was much promise from his performance. The striker’s movement improved their attacking threat and it can be argued that for the most part this was their most coherent attacking performance of the season.

    They should have won and Rodgers knows the draw was not good enough.

    A side containing Christian Benteke, Danny Ings, Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana, Roberto Firmino and a fit-again Sturridge, should not be struggling to create chances.

    Get good players playing well and that pressure will ease. Unfortunately for Rodgers and Liverpool, nothing is certain with this side.

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