It doesn't look like if Brendan Rodgers will be dismissed Liverpool manager, but when. With Carlo Ancelotti apparently waiting in the wings, defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday will surely seal his fate,
What is the problem?
Poor results and poor performances. Such troublesome outcomes are never a good combination for a manager’s long-term health. Rodgers is blighted by both at the moment, and the fans are not pleased. Winning a penalty shoot-out against Carlisle of League Two on Wednesday night after a 1-1 draw at Anfield is hardly likely to enhance his prospects. Goalkeeper Adam Bodgan saved three penalties otherwise Rodgers would be looking into the abyss this morning. If he isn’t already. Liverpool’s post-Luis Suarez era appears likely to claim Rodgers as its main victim.
Should Brendan Rodgers be given more time?
But surely the League Cup isn’t overly important?
In the grand scheme of things, it probably isn’t. They later landed Bournemouth in the draw for the last 16 of the tournament, but the toils against Carlisle are part of a body of evidence that suggests Rodgers is living on borrowed time. Liverpool are on a four-game winless run in the Premier League, and trail leaders Manchester City by seven points after six matches of the season. Throw in the Carlisle escape and a 1-1 draw at Bordeaux in the Europa League, and you could not blame owner John Henry for getting rather twitchy back in Boston.
Has he been summoned to Boston like Kenny Dalglish?
Not sure the plane ticket has been booked for the Northern Irishman, but that is one journey he doesn’t want to be making at the moment. In Liverpool terms, it almost seems like the equivalent of the dreaded vote of confidence. Liverpool host Aston Villa on Saturday in a game that is suddenly taking on epic proportions after defeats toManchester United and West Ham and draws with Norwich City and Arsenal. Fair enough, drawing at Arsenal shouldn’t be used against him, but it was a match in which they didn’t score. Liverpool aren’t scoring and are conceding. It doesn’t fit Rodgers’ job description after limping home in sixth spot last season.
Liverpool's Adam Bogdan made three saves in the shoot-out - Reuters
They will be good enough for Villa at home, right?
You would think so until you study the record against Villa. This is a side Liverpool have not beaten at home since 2010. They also lost to Tim Sherwood's team in the FA Cup semi-final last season at Wembley Stadium. Belgian forward Christian Benteke is struggling with a hamstring injury which doesn’t add to a mood of optimism. The Aston Villa match adds up to more than a six-pointer with the manager seemingly on life support. Another defeat would surely signal the end.
Who is being lined up?
The former Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti is a figure who is being heavily touted to arrive at Anfield. Out of work and having won the Champions League with Real Madrid only 15 months ago, he is a figure who is credible, is readily available and has already won the Premier League withChelsea. Jurgen Klopp is also available, but the smart money seems to be on Ancelotti.
What are the papers saying?
The hacks smell blood. The Mirror and the Daily Mail both claim Ancelotti is on the brink of replacing Rodgers as coach. Rodgers is 6-4 to be the next manager sacked. Sunderlandcoach Dick Advocaat is suddenly better off in the betting at 15/8. And he is bottom of the Premier League with two draws, and four defeats.
0 comments:
Post a Comment