Time running out for Rodgers at Liverpool

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers looks to be on borrowed time with the Reds currently on a poor run

It seems that there is almost an acceptance that Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is on borrowed time on Merseyside. Even the Reds boss himself has now admitted that he is under-pressure to deliver results and quickly.

A run of six games without a win in all competitions has seen his many critics with their daggers out ready to apply a fatal blow.

The Reds face a vital home game against Aston Villa on Saturday, and it is a must win game for the former-Swansea boss.

Direction

When Brendan Rodgers arrived at the club there was a sense that the Northern Irishman knew which direction he wanted to take the club in, and knew exactly how to do it.

He had a clear way and style of playing that he firmly believed in and slowly, but surely his players bought into that style. The Liverpool fans remained patient, as the team seemed to be moving in the right direction under Rodgers.

Gone

That style and direction seems to have gone awry in the last few seasons. Hampered by loss of key players, and injuries, Liverpool have looked a shadow of the team that came so close to snatching the Premier League title in 2014.

At the moment Liverpool seem like a team with no aim, or direction. Their style of play is no longer the patient passing game that Rodgers believes in so much. The team is struggling for an identity at the moment and lacks leaders on the pitch.

There seems to be no players that lead by example in the Liverpool team at the moment, and that seems to be where the teams struggles lie.

Talisman

I have voiced my concern about this in previous articles, Liverpool lack a talisman, a go-to guy who will rescue them when they need it the most.

Every Liverpool team in recent history has had one, even the teams that were not especially great. The Reds always stayed near the top of the table because they had a Robbie Fowler, Steven Gerrard, or a Luis Suarez.

You look at the current Liverpool team and it would be hard to pick out a player that fits the mould of a talisman.

Mounting

The injury problems are mounting for Rodgers as well. The return to fitness of England striker Daniel Sturridge was negated by the fact that summer signing Christian Benteke picked-up a hamstring injury against Norwich last time out.

Another summer signing Brazilian attacking midfielder Roberto Firmino has also now picked-up an injury which will sideline him for at least a few weeks. Captain Jordan Henderson is already sidelined through a foot injury.

Rodgers could have done without injuries at the moment, as his team is already low on confidence, and it seems they could also be low on numbers.

Suspect

One of the most disappointing aspects of Rodgers reign for Reds fans must be his dealing in the transfer market. Rodgers has made some poor decisions in the transfer market, despite having hefty transfer kitty’s available in the last two summer windows, due to player departures.

Only Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho could be counted as a successful signing from Rodgers. The signing of Daniel Sturridge looked successful for a while until he spent most of last season on the sidelines through injury.

This summer’s signings still need time to settle before they can be judged, but unfortunately for Rodgers those players may not prove their worth in his reign.

Ominous

Speculation about Jurgen Klopp fancying a stint in the Premier League will not help put Rodgers mind at ease either. Reports have emerged that the highly-rated German boss is eyeing up a return to football in the English top-flight.

Klopp is still regarded as one of Europe’s most astute bosses’, despite Dortmund’s struggles in his final season at the German club. With Rodgers future as Reds boss seemingly on the line, Klopp seems like a perfect replacement for the former-Swansea boss.

Klopp is currently odds of 10/11 to be the next Reds boss and is in fact only second favourite with the bookies after they took a number of bets on former-Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti arriving on Merseyside.

Vital

Liverpool’s form in recent weeks has been poor and Rodgers knows that. He will also know that only a win against Aston Villa on Saturday will take the pressure off. Anything else could mean the former-Swansea boss heading for the Anfield exit.

Should Brendan Rodgers be given more time to turn things around at Liverpool?