Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has once again gone overboard with his praise of the team after the 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge today.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Rodgers hailed Jamie Carragher's performance as 'phenomenal' and 'exceptional', and heaped praised on the rest of the team. He enthused:
"It’s a terrific point for us.
"I thought we were excellent in the second half. You have to give the credit to the players, they were fantastic.
"Whatever system you have it doesn’t matter, it’s about the application of the players. And the senior players have been phenomenal at the moment".
Things picked up for the Reds in the second half when Rodgers changed the system, and he explained why he made the change:
"I thought the first half we were too tentative. We changed our system, and our attitude was better in the second half, and we’re better when we play fast football".
Liverpool only had two shots on target for the whole game, and Rodgers admitted he was disappointed with the lack of attacking penetration:
"It's frustrating. We need to improve that side of it. Normally we have many more attempts than that".
So: Phenomenal, exceptional, terrific, fantastic and excellent? A draw at Stamford Bridge is a good result but he makes it sound like Liverpool won the game. What superlatives will he have left to use when the Reds win another game in the league?
On the plus side, Liverpool are now unbeaten in 6 Premier League games, and although the results have not been the greatest, it's a good foundation upon which to build.
Rodgers also reiterated that he plans to bring in 'one or two' new players in January.
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BR overall superlative count ;-)
* Phenomenal x3
* Fantastic x 2
* Excellent x 2
* Exceptional x 1
* Terrific x 1
* Great x 1
* Outstanding x 1
Jaimie Kanwar
Speaking to reporters after the game, Rodgers hailed Jamie Carragher's performance as 'phenomenal' and 'exceptional', and heaped praised on the rest of the team. He enthused:
"It’s a terrific point for us.
"I thought we were excellent in the second half. You have to give the credit to the players, they were fantastic.
"Whatever system you have it doesn’t matter, it’s about the application of the players. And the senior players have been phenomenal at the moment".
Things picked up for the Reds in the second half when Rodgers changed the system, and he explained why he made the change:
"I thought the first half we were too tentative. We changed our system, and our attitude was better in the second half, and we’re better when we play fast football".
Liverpool only had two shots on target for the whole game, and Rodgers admitted he was disappointed with the lack of attacking penetration:
"It's frustrating. We need to improve that side of it. Normally we have many more attempts than that".
So: Phenomenal, exceptional, terrific, fantastic and excellent? A draw at Stamford Bridge is a good result but he makes it sound like Liverpool won the game. What superlatives will he have left to use when the Reds win another game in the league?
On the plus side, Liverpool are now unbeaten in 6 Premier League games, and although the results have not been the greatest, it's a good foundation upon which to build.
Rodgers also reiterated that he plans to bring in 'one or two' new players in January.
---
BR overall superlative count ;-)
* Phenomenal x3
* Fantastic x 2
* Excellent x 2
* Exceptional x 1
* Terrific x 1
* Great x 1
* Outstanding x 1
Jaimie Kanwar
He is just becoming more embarassing
ReplyDeletei thought we were lackluster today...joe allen looked like he was scared to be playing against mikel. he gave the ball away more times today then all matches prior to this..idk what has gotten into el toro lately but im loving it..reminds me of the player at the begining of last campain...idk about you guys but i dont think sahin is cutting it..shelvey is more of an attacking presense... i would love to see sahin in the joe allen role since he is more accustom to it.. next match i think it should be suarez suso and sterling with shelvey AM and gerrard along with sahin in the middle of the park..we need to throw more balls over the top like gerrard was doing today
ReplyDeleteEnrique was immense ..............
ReplyDeleteAt least against an extremely difficult opponent in a very difficult stadium our players for the very 1st time this season have showed real character, they didn’t give up the game, they equalized it and at the end they could have grabbed the win. This draw of course cannot hide the very serious weaknesses of our beloved team something that raises serious concerns of the team staffing at all levels! I just hope everyone will realize pretty soon “the criminal mistakes” that have been committed in the summer and reconsider their policy and behavior!
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to say the Liverpool fans' reaction on stands to Torres being subbed was disgusting.
ReplyDeleteIt was really an abysmal performance from Allen and he has really let his standards down very much in last few games. Thankfully Lucas is close to his return and he would add steel to our midfield because for all his passing Allen is suited to defensive midfield position.
ReplyDeletewell, the chelsea fans didn't applaud him, so Liverpool fans cheered him.. i think that was a nice touch.. i'm loving that guy to sulk esp games against us.. see his smile in terry's goal.. Traitor!!
ReplyDeleteWe have the smallest squad in the league. BR needs all the support he could muster from young kids and aging senior players. I thought we were great in the 2nd half. 1st half was lucky probably due to the midfield not passing quick enough. Allen had a horrible 1 st half but the change to 4-4-2 gave us more advance wing support to the FB. Suso was exceptional when he came on. He looked like the young 'Fabregas' in Arsenal. If we were given more time in the 2nd half, we could have nicked it. Chelsea were getting tired in the last 15 minutes and we had more space and pace in the final 3rd. We just need to turn the draws into wins. Considering the net spend between us and Chelsea, I think we should be the happier team today.
ReplyDeleteGet a grip we played well in second half we are showing good character coming back also we are unbeaten in 6 now get behind the manager when we get to January we will turn these draws into wins with a new striker, so stop moaning will ye.
ReplyDeleteAllen was far from anything positive, he was poor for the 4th maybe 5th game in a row now, Sahin was again ineffective. With Borini not showing any promise prior to his injury do we have any confidence that Rodgers can actually make a positive signing in January?
ReplyDeleteWe needed the luck and a very wasteful Chelsea to get a point today, but we deserved a bit of luck for a change.
Why?
ReplyDeleteWe played well at their place and got a point. How many teams do that?
I couldn't give a toss about how many times the man uses certain words and I find it a bit juvenile if people do.
We'll said leestano.
Given our opponents and the fact that by the first half they could have been beating us three-nil, it was not a bad result at all. Lately I have been frustrated with all our draws, but today was a different game and given our current situation, it was a good result, especially considering that we could have 'stole' it at the end.
ReplyDeleteThe intro of Suso changed the game. Our midfield was very poor today. Allen has an uncharacteristically shocking game and Sahin, as has happened often this season, was largely anonymous, suggesting that he needs more time for his real quality to start shining through.
Considering that Carragher has played more than 180 minutes of football in less than four days is quite an impressive feat for him and he did well to flick that corner into a more dangerous position near the post, from where Suarez poked it in.
Jose Enrique had a very good game and I suspect that if our midfield was better and more dynamic, his bombing runs forward would have been more effective because he would have had players to pass the ball to and unlock a stubborn Chelsea defence. What impressed me most about Enrique today was how fast he returned back to his defensive position whenever he lost the ball. That meant that he could afford to venture forward and get into dangerous positions. If things went wrong, he was able, through his own pace, to switch immediately back to defence mode and close down the spaces he left exposed. I think his background in sprinting really helped him and thanks to his muscular frame, he was able to sweep aside gently lighter opponents like Oscar and Hazard without going in too hard and giving away needless fouls. Let's hope he continues to play like this because we really need those type of players!
totally agree with you mate, him, suarez and sterling were the only players that stood up to the challenge. If we are to rely on allen as our defensive midfielder, we will be doomed! Seriously the guy is so weak phisically and mentally. I don't get it why the f*** does wisdom keeps getting selected? I feel sorry for suarez he is so desperate to achieve great things and rightly so with his talent and attitude. The only player that gives 100% on every game. Gerrard is a finished article we can all see it, when was the last time he had a shot on target never mind scoring. He should only be a sub. I doubt the manager's got the courage to tell him that.
ReplyDeleteI was very surprised that Sky gave him man of the match, he was strong defensively but surrendered possession multiple times in first half.
ReplyDeleteI personally thought it was hilarious.
ReplyDeleteGet a sense of humour.
played well in the second half when we were chasing the game, played the first half in our half passing side to side and backwards, and yes lets wait till january and our egotistical manager can buy another cr*p striker (i am basing that on our apparent targets) and say how amazing he is after every game, we want winners not could be's.. We should have a top quality manager not someone who is technically learning the trade and talking absolute cr*p at times!
ReplyDeleteI feel Rodgers set up and playing all this fancy dan football is setting us up all the time.Chelsea at the start sat back and let us play our pretty little football upto the half way line just waiting for the slightest mistake then they would break with immense speed and penetration.2 shots all game says it all especially as Chelsea let us have possession upto a point so surely this isnt working.Maybe in time if we evolve into a feared team then we can take the game to the oppossition,i feel Rodgers is using this as an excuse if we lose,well we gave it a go but just came up short.Last 20 minutes was our best time but maybe chelsea midweek game in champs league caught up with them as all our players had been rested.All these fans who criticised Rafas rotational policy,why doesnt anyone mention that anymore even though everyone uses it.All those fans who mentioned zonal marking under Rafa the same applies,and lastly where has the words alienating players disappeared to,oh sorry Rafas not around anymore so alienating players doesnt apply when players are overlooked,now its the manager being strong.Bloody muppets
ReplyDeleteRodgers is always happy with a point he needs to understand lfc cannot be happy with a point no matter who they play, as for the players gotta say allen was shocking thank god rodgers didnt say hes been outstanding today as well, again 3 clear chances to win it with suso suarez enrique all failed, we badly need a striker and jan. Looks too far still, hope lucas is back asap. Allen needs a rest obviously, 6 draws already just 2 wins really bad start we must win like all the remaning games of the first half season games otherwise rodgers bye bye.
ReplyDeleteWe started playing well when we were chasing the game, if he had his way we would just keep making stupid none effective passes all game in our own half and draw 0-0 he is happy with a point, liverpool have always chased the win but his tactics seem to be pass the ball as many times as possible before we get to the half way line then let suarez do the rest
ReplyDeleteSo nothing positive to take from the game then? The fact that we could have walked away with all 3points at Stamford bridge doesn't mean anything?
ReplyDeleteWell last season we won there
ReplyDeleteJaimie exaggerates again :)
ReplyDeleteThis game was a mixed bag really.
ReplyDeletePositives:
-Character to come back
-Enrique looking back to form (what was all that nonsense a few days ago?)
-Sterling looking sharp
-Suarez as ever a constant menace
Negatives:
-Extremely lucky they didn't put us away long before
-Still so frail defensively
-Lack of punch in our play; when are we going to learn to attack en mass and force chances?
-Allen starting to look out of his depth
-We won this fixture last season
We could also have walked away well and truly hammered
ReplyDeleteAgree to disagree I think. Optimist v pessimist.
ReplyDeleteAll i am saying is he should quit with the pass em to death in our half tactics and be more direct we show time and again that were much more dangerous playing that way, but it only happens when were behind
ReplyDeletewhy?
ReplyDeleteWTF??? He gave the ball away so many times I lost count. He was strong defensively, but that was undone by how bad he was going forward. His final ball is worse that Downings (and that is saying something). He was playing as a wing back so he should have had some final product.
ReplyDeleteBecause saying things like that helps Tornike to feel like he is a better person than everyone else.
ReplyDeletethere were 20 lads in our pub who were all calling 4 him 2 be subbed every move broke down when he got the ball he did have a better 2nd half but motm very strange decision!
ReplyDeletethe one or two players he mentioned wont be anyone mentioned on this site
ReplyDeleteHe was given a bit of a ribbing, that's all.
ReplyDeleteShould we commiserate with him? Or show our glee when he draws another blank?
I think your comment is totally out of touch with reality
And I honestly believe that when we have better striking options, hopefully in Jan, we'll start to finish off games with the way we're playing now. Only time will tell and I do understand your point as that's how it looks at the moment in most games. I think he's just putting the basics in place for when better players arrive. I don't really care much for the amount he says certain words.
ReplyDeleteget in the real world .the man dropped us right in the shit with the timing of his move .and the fans do forget these thinks
ReplyDeletesorry missed out NOT
ReplyDeleteWhat managers say is usually nonsense, especially after a match. They can't usually speak their mind and if they do, they get reprimanded.
ReplyDeleteDidn't see interview yet, but I'd say he's rightly chuffed. Getting the best out of Suarez anyway - what a player! We are so lucky to have him.
A few wins now and we'll march up the table, there is a bit of a gap developing, even to mid table.
Also, today's coverage seemed so tight at times, very difficult to clearly ascertain formations or even who a pass was intended for. Is Stamford Bridge particularly tight for cameras? Nothing beats being at a match live, must head over to Anfield soon
well done brad and carra and luis .young sterling also played well but needs more end product . over all good 2nd half. and a good point after poor 1st half
ReplyDeleteAgreed he was terrible going forward, but he shut everything down on his side, against the likes of hazard, Oscar, and mata, whereas all their attacks came from the right where Wisdom was getting exposed a bit.
ReplyDeleteHopefully it's just his lack of confidence on the ball from lack of playing time that's causing so many giveaways.
On a side note, thought Sterling was excellent getting back, Suarez saves the day again, and Allen was woeful - what's the point of bringing in a small central midfielder who cant score goals and can't really tackle (and now can't pass) - better off keeping Spearing. Lucas' return could not come sooner.
Our motm was definitely Enrique, imo he was terrific defensively. Suarez is just superb, he should've doubled it there late in the game!! But at the end look at Chelsea's attacking options and look at ours, with names like shelvey, Allen, borini we can't compete against hazard, aguero, silva, mata, dzeko, van persie, hernandez...every team who wants to compete has many attacking options but sadly, we're suffering against mid table teams!! We need to offload many players and invest in top quality 1 or 2 creative players!
ReplyDeleteJamie; Is it true that Luis Suarez bit the ligaments out of John Terry's leg?
ReplyDeleteThis is what I said on the last thread, thought I'd post it here again as I can't be bothered to start afresh!:
ReplyDelete'1-1, I'll take that. If only we could play a better tempo and vary our approach in the first half of games, like we did in the second half against Newcastle and today. Rodgers may have to sacrifice some parts of his main playing style (yes, different formation in the first half than usual but the main slow tempo remained), at least for the short term, as we don't seem to have the guile (as a team/unit or in terms of personnel) to execute his plan A at the moment. Credit for Rodgers for changing it around in the second half but questions over the first half yet again.'
Not the first time where we have been so slow off the blocks, and secondly, he had to resort to scrapping the formation he started the game. A lot of work to be done with his playing philosophy and how he gets the players to execute it. Nice to see that he changed things though after half time for the last two games after a first halves of non-existent guile & creativity, i.e., he isn't that stubborn and that proud of his plan A that he will stick with it from start to finish of a game.
Boy, can he be so nauseatingly cheesy with his praising of the players. Seems like it is a trait of his that we have to put up with as he was at it with Swansea as well. If the performances and success back it up in the long run, I'll just put him on mute and put up with him as manager ;)
The young Fabregas could help control a game from start to finish without disappearing for large periods. Whereas Suso, when starting, his presence in games is too inconsistent as he disappears a fair bit. Cesc was something else, on another level, in terms of being ready. Suso is a quality prospect but not ready and mature like Cesc was when he broke through, to start games regularly. As a sub and the occasional start against certain oppositions, he has got a real purpose for us as shown today. But in terms of starting regularly, he is nowhere near ready like Cesc was when he broke though. To be fair, most players aren't ready and mature at that age like Cesc was. Sorry, I'll stop there as I have commented similarly in the past few days/week on this.
ReplyDeleteCompletely agree, massive exaggeration. For the first 60 mins we were dire. I'm worried that for two games in a row Allen has been our worst player. He looked way off the pace which is not acceptable this far into the season. If his extremely cautious passing game is not on song he is unfortunately a massive liability. Gerrard, johnson and Suarez were great as usual while Sterling impressed again. Looking forward to having Reina back, I know Jones has done nothing wrong and bravo to him, that is the job of a number 2
ReplyDeleteIts getting depressing reading LFC boards. The club has been to hell and back, legal wrangles across 2 continents, piss poor transfer policies, a day off calling in the administrators, a couple of not fantastic seasons on the pitch, a depleted squad etc etc etc. So the current owner comes in, makes sure the tax man doesn't close the club down, bows to the fans calls of bringing in the King and talks stadiums.
ReplyDeleteThe Kenny move didn't work. We have an announcement on Anfield's redevelopment. The owners have had to take a long term view to match their financial commitment and in doing so have put a new progressive manager in place who suits their strategy. Hes the first move in trying to get the squad refreshed, the horrendous wage bill down and get a team that can compete in a couple of season for thee top plaudits.
The key black mark on this strategy is the lack of signing a goal monkey to work with the thankfully on fire Suarez (without whom we'd be bottom 2).
For the time being, all I read post match on forums is we are f**ked and everything is wrong. As far as I'm concerned, the Villa fans can keep that one to themselves. Things are in a mess, but at least there is positive steps being taken. Things haven't gone stale. There is still plenty to be done.
This isn't about not criticising when its due. This is about predicting the ultimate disaster is happening and we are becoming Notts Forest. Its no way to back the club and its efforts to return to the top.
You said you were gonna get a ticket for Shakespeare, billy....!!!
ReplyDeleteSee, you can't help yourself. LFC : still your guilty pleasure.
I think he's made a rod for his own back with Sahin. The bloke looks a yard slow for Premier League games. His debut against Arsenal he actually gave up chasing back and I assumed he was just short of match practice or unfit, but I have now realised he is just painfully slow. The trouble is, BR went to great lengths to convince him to join us, and now probably feels like he can't drop him.
ReplyDeleteThe same goes for Allen. He's struggled for the last 3 or 4 games, but again BR won't drop a favourite, especially after going to all that trouble of choosing the correct shirt number for him....
Did you even listen to the after match press conference? He clearly said we are currently average team in mid table and above eight is what we are looking at. Also said don't need to be genius to see we need players.
ReplyDeletereina back ???????? really ! why? the goal with reina is only 6 yards wide because he doesn t protect the near post were he gets beaten all the time .sorry mate hes been so poor over the last 2 seasons. the goal is 8 yards wide . also he is a nightmare on crosses.one on ones he comes upright .doesnt spread himself . ball usally ends up going through his legs .plenty of things to look forward then hey. brad jones is doin ok he is in fact makin saves which reina has forgotten the art of. sorry his time is well and truely up.
ReplyDeleteit was atoss up between watchin king lear or king luis and luis won!!
ReplyDeleteAny sane can clearly see, we r going backward instead.
ReplyDeleteHe is aiming for better finish than eighth which is a lack
Of winning mentality. Nothing can hide our frustrating
performance. Even Allen is starting to fade n lose possesion
Continuously. Wisdom just have a big body n no brain to defend
Tactically. Sooner the change, better for the club.
Sahin, Suso, Allen and Gerrard were particularly poor. Its time for Stevie to reinvent himself in a different position - DM?
ReplyDeleteWe were very lucky not to lose because Oscar was superb and really gave our young players a lesson or two.
As for MOTM Enrique, I have no idea how he won that vote. Apart from the last shot on goal, his end product was pretty crap - has he put on weight? He looked really big...
"we won this fixture last season" is quite a silly negative to draw upon. If it were some lower table club, it would be a reasonable negative, but it's chelsea for god's sake. Liverpool were not absolutely torn up by chelsea, most chances were from set pieces and speculatives. Allen had no options since noone was moving around him to create a chance. Defensively, we were not that frail. We're starting to develop a bit of character which can really help us win games if we're behind, as seen time and time again by man utd. If we buy at least one good striker in january we'll be in a much better position
ReplyDeletethe fact he's able to salvage games with tactical changes suggests he's much more tactically aware than Dalglish. Dalglish would have just persevered with it and use an 80th minute sub. Good managers always gets it wrong in the first half, just take note of what fergie does when man utd have poor first halves ie the chicarito impact sub. Everything in the world comes with its pros and cons, and one of rodgers' cons is his gross overpraise. Never the less, its not something to dwell on, nor is it significant.
ReplyDeleteI dont have any problem personally with BR overpraising his players. Criticising him for this is ridiculous. What will happen if he starts bashing at his players? Do you think that will do any good to the team morale especially when our team is just a makeshift squad consisting mainly of teenagers like sterling and co, old players like gerrard and only one striker in Luis Suarez!? They are being phenomenal in a sense because despite all that they are all trying hard and doing the best they can, at least most of them!
ReplyDeleteEnrique was just terrific against Chelsea. He must get his due praise.
ReplyDeleteI think Brendan should be brave enough to drop Gerrard to the bench.
I don't understand why a player like Assaidi is not having his share of playing time. He has already proved himself when coming from the bench.
Carragher and Wisdom have been quite shaky yesterday.
No contest, mate.
ReplyDelete(Just don't let JK hear you call him "King" or we'll instigate a 'deifying a cheat' response)...... ;)
Agree about Enrique. He got into a few cul-de-sacs first half and gave away possession, but he worked his balls off to win it back again. And second half he was our main outlet in keeping he ball. I thought him and Johnson were our best players.
ReplyDeleteEnrique was like a raging Spanish bull, his shaven head makes him look 2 stone heavier, however his unorthodox style was effective and he had a good game and caused alot of trouble to Chelsea.
ReplyDeleteFor a team who spent so much money they wont win anything with a lightweight midfield of Oscar and Ramirez, Oscar is off the pace at EPL level.
I also think Sahin is off the pace too and EPL is to fast for him.
I do not bother to listen to Rodgers after match press conferences so cannot comment on his latest superlatives, but too many of us have been brought up in better times and watching better teams to believe all what he says.
As long as Joe Allen gets dropped I dont care the rest of the team are good enough once a new striker gets aboard.
Hope Lucas is back soon . Why ?
ReplyDeleteThe mind boggles
ReplyDeleteAgree about Allen , doesn't look good enough. Cant wait for Lucas to be back, although Rogers might just drop Sahin and push Allen further forward. players like Allen frustrate me so much, their immediate reaction to any possession they have is to look for a backwards pass, a bit like Poulsen
ReplyDeleteThought you was writing about Lucas , can't score goals , can't really tackle and can't pass , and your looking forward to him coming back .
ReplyDeleteWhy ?
How is he embarassing u?
ReplyDelete