#360view: Rodgers slowly losing grip on Liverpool tactics

Alam Khan - Reporter 09:43 15/12/2014
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  • Pressure's piling up: Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool suffer yet another defeat.

    With their rivalry stretching more than 50 years, everyone knows the significance of encounters between Manchester United and Liverpool.

    So for Reds manager Brendan Rodgers to take such a huge gamble as he did in yesterday’s match at Old Trafford defies belief.

    Having gone out of the Champions League in midweek following a tame 1-1 draw with Basel, both he and his players were under scrutiny and under pressure.

    Rodgers, though, only succeeded in adding to their problems rather than solving them as they succumbed to a demoralising 3-0 defeat against a United side that is still yet to look wholly convincing despite a run of six straight wins and charge up to third spot.

    He changed tactics, he changed personnel, but he could not change their fortunes. And, clearly on this evidence, this was not the time to tinker.

    To have right-back Glen Johnson in a three-man central defence when Kolo Toure was available was particularly concerning.

    When Wayne Rooney was afforded so much space for the opening goal, it reflected a ploy that only served to add confusion to a side in need of guidance.

    Some were unsure and uncomfortable with their positions, while others are just not performing to the levels expected.

    Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson has said his old side are “rudderless” at the moment and gone backwards – and it’s difficult to disagree. Rodgers doesn’t seem to know his best team, his best system, nor trust his signings.

    When the inspirational Luis Suarez went in the summer, he spent £120 million (Dh692m) to add depth to the squad. But they have become weaker rather than stronger and lack the team spirit that served them well in the last campaign. Where they once had leaders and lethal finishers, they now have liabilities.

    Adam Lallana cost £25m (Dh144m) in the summer, but was hauled off at half-time and has looked a shadow of the fabulous, creative player he was at Southampton last season. Ditto £20m (Dh115m) defender Dejan Lovren, who has become calamitous.

    Raheem Sterling lacks composure and confidence to be a main striker, and dropped keeper Simon Mignolet must wonder why he has become a scapegoat for overall poor performances and results.

    Dispirited: Liverpool lacked resilience and composure.

    Nine months ago, Rodgers looked like he could walk on water as Liverpool destroyed the same hosts on the same ground by the same scoreline. His counterpart David Moyes was forlorn as the visiting fans cruelly taunted him with chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning.”

    Well, it was Rodgers on the receiving end this time as his Anfield outfit have now plunged to depths of despair following a season where they almost won their first league title since 1990.

    For that over-achievement, he probably deserves time to put things right. But they visit Championship leaders Bournemouth on Wednesday now in a League Cup quarter-final that could determine his fate.

    Going out of two cup competitions within a week, and with little to suggest that they will finish in the top four, would be hard to take.

    Like Newcastle and Arsenal, Liverpool’s players need to show greater fight for their boss. But if the Irishman can’t relight their fire and get them to perform, then it may well be Rodgers and out.

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