I have to say Rodgers has really got some of KK's signings to come into form, as Suarez, Henderson and even downing are enjoying some of there best performances in a Liverpool shirt. I really like his management style as shown in this interview with Downing on the LFC website. http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/downing-how-boss-chat-spurred-me-on Basically its a no nonsense approach, If you are not performing at the standard required by LFC then you move on. Only exception to this is seems to be Allen who he seems to be more coddling to, but I can forgive him for that as he is young and just come into the side, there's definitely potential there. I think we tend to be a bit harsh some times on judging young players in the squad (see lucas, henderson, etc) they need time to mature and adjust to the new team. Anyway hopefully this approach will keep the team performing consistently till the end of the season, and we'll see Allen return to the form he had at the beginning of the season.
That is commendable but until he takes that approach with one of his own signings I will remain on the fence regarding his ruthlessness
They were always decent players but they were shackled somewhat by our style of play last season. and in Henderson's case, he was played out of position. of course that doesn't completely excuse some of their performances (mainly Downing)
I think its always more difficult with your own signings as it reflects badly on your ability to spot players (one of the big issues of KK's reign), However he has kicked Sahin off the team as he wasnt up to much(some debate on here I know). I think Allen should be given at least a full season if not more before we judge him, Borini has been injured and Assaidi was a bit speculative(probably move on in the summer). Sturridge is looking like an inspired buy although a lot of us were saying he should have been bought in the summer. No big transfer mistakes by Rodgers though apart from leaving us with one decent striker for half the season, but when has that ever been different over the last 20 years!
I think Sahin was a easier decision for him as I don't think he was BR's pick, I think the player was presented to him and he took the chance (if you can call it that). I think it takes a bigger man to accept they've made a mistake or a signing as not had the impact you expected then the one that keeps playing them in the hope they come good. Credit to BR, he has dropped Allen for Henderson recently and Borini, despite his injury, hasn't been first choice either. Too early to judge any of them really, especially Sturridge
it seems that Kenny (or Camolli) wasn't such a bad spotter of tallent after all. most of there choices are coming through as first team starters now, and the youth team (rafa) looks to be producing too. Rodgers has a fair squad to work with.
well lets put it this way..... if it was working we'd see less goals go in so i think he's got to do some work at the back....
In fairness he dropped Skrtel and we got a clean sheet, albeit against a poor performing Norwich side.
I'd say Suarez, Henderson and Enrique are proving successful. Whereas Carroll, Doni, Coates and Adam not so much. I'd be inclined to put Downing in the latter group too but feel I'd get lynched so I'll stick him in the middle. So IMO, that is a 3-1-4 record and I wouldn't say most Not sure whether we bought Wilson and Shelvey before Kenny and Comolli were in charge of transfers? I'm pretty sure Sterling was before though
I'm still not convinced by Downing and I would expect him to be gone in the summer. He'd performed alright in the past few games but you can sense his fear when taking on players and playing in the big games. Re. the OP - I agree. He's made some big decisions and he's not afraid to change things early (Taking Suso off after 30 mins, making subs at HT etc). He's dropped Allen, Sahin, Assaidi so I do see an element of ruthlessness from him, although he is desperate for Allen to succeed and willing to persist with him. For all the talk about wanting Carra's experience and voice, I still think Rodgers only played Carra because he wanted to keep him involved with the first team and give him some minutes, and what better match to do it in than Norwich at home. I fully expect Skrtel to play in the next games.
I don't think Downing as played any different in the last few games as he has in the last eighteen months. He's just picked up a bit of luck meaning some of his shots and/or crosses have been converted into goals. At this moment in time I would still sell him in the summer but, IMO, we should keep him involved until then and see how it goes. If he continues to get the goals and assists then I have no problem with him sticking around but I suspect the £90k per week may be an issue for FSG
With six new signings at once they were never going to gel completely in one season, as shocking as that must be to some fans. Those players could've performed and improved this season had Kenny continued. There are always good signings and bad signings, which your post shows. I don't see any of Brendan's signings particularly shining, though I'd expect Borini and Allen to improve next season, whoever the manager is. It seems like it's Kenny's signings shining this season. Kenny himself said in a Mirror piece there are people who've been at the club a few months trying to take credit for Raheem Sterling, when that credit belongs to QPR, Rafa and Rodolfo. Of course if you follow the logic that Brendan has made Downing, Henderson and Enrique, then you have to credit Hodgson with Lucas stepping up. You're not going to do that, are you?
In fairness to Roy, he did help Lucas by letting him captain the side for an Europa League qualifier right at the start of his reign.
