26 Nov 2014

Whelan blasts: BR's 'negative' mistake vs. Ludo 'cost Liverpool 3 points'. Agree?

So close, yet so far! With a much-needed victory over Ludogorets within touching distance, another set-piece goal sabotaged Liverpool this evening, and Reds legend Ronnie Whelan has blamed Brendan Rodgers for the damaging loss of two vital Champions League points.

Same **** different day - two defensive mistakes cost Liverpool the game, and there's still no light at the end of this particular tunnel.

Reacting to LFC's 2-2 draw, Whelan delivered the following withering verdict:

"Negative substitution by the manager cost [Liverpool] the 3 points, if Sterling is fit"

On one level, Whelan is spot-on with this assessment: subbing-off Sterling (an attacker) for Moreno (a defender) is a negative substitution.

To be fair, though, Rodgers is entitled to think that the rest of players on the pitch are capable of defending a lead for 8 measly minutes.

The fact that Gerrard et al couldn't hold the lead just underlines again the ongoing mental weakness in the squad, a major problem highlighted by Jamie Carragher over the weekend.

In any event, what was the point of taking off Sterling anyway? If the plan was to rest him for this weekend's Premier League game, why leave it till the 82nd minute?! It makes no sense, especially when Glen Johnson was the glaringly obvious candidate for an early bath.

Johnson's failure to tightly mark Terziev is the principal reason Liverpool threw away the three points; like Mignolet, he is - and always has been - a defensive liability, and it amazes me that Liverpool have allegedly offered him another two year deal.

Ultimately, the disappointing result doesn't mean much. Irrespective of what happened tonight, Liverpool would've still needed to beat Basel next week, so nothing has changed in that respect. Progressing to the second round will be a huge boost for the club, and if the Reds have to limp across the finishing line to achieve that, then so be it.

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80 comments:

  1. At 2-2 Johnson and Moreno on edge of Ludogorets box and nearly got done on break was another example of poor game management from players and Rodgers

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  2. the players have lost the will to fight for BR..especially when the sack is looming. The players know it and so do the ex-players

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  3. Well said I hope your right

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  4. Just hope fsg don't give BR anymore money to spend because that money will be more useful to the new manager.

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  5. Liverpool look pathetic against lowly Ludogorets,and B.R makes another stupid decision in taking one of our only hopes for a goal off in "Sterling".

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  6. Not just the manager all on of the six on the LFC committee also should get the bullet.......

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  7. Why would you hope that our players are unwilling to fight for their manager and the club? Unreal.

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  8. Ludogorets beat Basel and only lost to Real Madrid in the dying minutes of the game. If you were expecting an easy game, that's your mistake.

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  9. what games have you been watching this season?

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  10. How is that relevant?


    I'm not disputing we're shite. I'm disputing the mentality that you hope our players have given up on Rodgers because you hope the board will.

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  11. Sterling was sick... That is why he was subbed

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  12. YOU ARE DELUDED..........................LFC FAN?

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  13. They are mentally and physically weak being over run in games at the end consistently tells you that.
    Whenever they get a chance the midfield needs a major facelift and god knows what we are going to do about our error ridden defense.

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  14. Jesus, one would think BR hadn't done a post-match interview in which he confirmed that he took Sterling off cos he wasn't feelin well n had been fighting coming off for bout 7 minutes at that stage

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  15. Sick when he missed a sitter to go 3-1 up to finish the game off, great pass by Gerrard poor sick Sterling.....

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  16. What drugs are you taking? VermHat is making a very clear point. Any true fan will always support their team and want them to win in the good and bad times. You want the players to stop fighting for the manager so the manager gets sacked, despite the fact that them not fighting would be even worse for the club? What kind of fan are you, if you are even a fan at all?

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  17. Sterling after that tackle on him wasn't right. And even if he wasn't slightly injured, a more defensive sub with Liverpool leading and only minutes left is what all good managers would do in that situation.

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  18. I'm getting bored of all the negative commentry, we've heard it all before. And from pundits who when players were just as culpable for their teams failings as any present player.. Carragher's shoddy back pass allowing Zenit through to score the goal that ultimately put LFC out of their last European foray. It's laughable really that they sit there in all seriousness passing judgement...Souness aswell had a major role in bringing LFC down of their effin perch during dubious managerial reign at Anfield...

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  19. How am I deluded? Is loyalty delusion? Is respect delusion?

    The team aren't playing well. Rodgers is culpable for that in several regards. That doesn't mean I want the players to sabotage him and the club. That would be a betrayal of self and a betrayal of the fans, especially those who fork out an obscene amount to see the games.

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  20. Man U fan at 12 o'clock... Hope do you.. Don't get to Anfield too often either I bet... Cretin.

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  21. People who talk like andre aren't Liverpool supporters, just the plastics every club has. No point even arguing with him.

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  22. Don't reply to the fool... He's probably hid under his duvet hoping his mummy doesn't come up stairs and catch him up past his bedtime...

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  23. Absolutely agree with you...

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  24. We shouldn't be subbing our in-form players though. As you say, his peformance was sick, so you've got to question if Rodgers knows what he is doing.

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  25. Physically sick, as in ill

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  26. I know, his performance was ill. I agree with you. That's why he shouldn't have been subbed.

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  27. 👌 why can't I like that twice 👏

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  28. Do not post comments like this. One more, and you'll be banned.

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  29. ...because you're sick?

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  30. BR did say once that its easy to set up a defensive team. O how words can come back to haunt you.

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  31. Sterling in form ? His defence is a disgrace constantly letting Johnson get out numbered and part from his assist ( which was a special ball) every decision he makes is wrong. His shooting was awful . One or two runs and people froth at the mouth. His miss lost us the game. And he wants 100k a week. If wants the big Bucks he has to start performing! And really this game was open enough for him to really stamp his authority on it. In my opinion he failed.

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  32. Our midfield was pitiful. Got run over time and time again. Lucas most definitely not the answer. Just play Can FFS and drop Stevie too.


    Coutinho one of our most creative players on the bench. Keeps picking the likes of Skrtel and Johnson. Had enough of this insipid football.

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  33. Gerrard playing 90 minutes and two unused subs ,talk about lack of game management or naivety/obstinacy from Rodgers or just plain stupidity /unwillingness to learn

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  34. 2 in 2 for Lambert though! That's a positive.
    Now if we could just leak less goals...

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  35. Dammed if you do dammed if you don't. He doesn't bring on a defender and they score? That would be the topic of debate. Perhaps Gerrard or Henderson should have been the ones to make way. Sterling had the beating of his man.

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  36. Sterling out in 60th with Lallana coming in. Moreno for Johnson from the start and at least from the second half. Can for Steven with Allen moving forward. Win by 2 or 3.

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  37. Not being able to do things properly doesn't mean you don't know how should somebody else do it.

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  38. Lallana? On that position he would be better in pressing than Moreno and he would as helpful down the wing as him.

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  39. Are you suggesting that the pkayer subbed was imitating Sterling? Do you think it is a mick name or something?

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  40. Not just me then.

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  41. As i posted above- Lallana was that sub. Pressing- better than Moreno, defending from that position, vs Ludogoretz- same.

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  42. His miss didn't lose us the game him. We were winning when he was on the pitch and he was a reason we were ahead.

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  43. axe rogers he had his time as lfc manager..waisting away so much money and time...charachter? what? u got to be joking..where was the charachter when we need it last year to win the title? sack him get robbie fowler

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  44. True. everything else he said regarding Sterling's performance(S) is sadly truth.

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  45. My thoughts were Lucas as the pivot works. As a two you need more legs. He didn't do badly though. Players go past Gerrard like he is not thete no matter where on the pitch he is.

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  46. Rodgers needs to know what subs he is making you see a game out. Add that energy and pressing. Lallana a good shout.

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  47. Lukas was good apart from 3-4 free kicks given, but we are used to it. Gerrard tried to press 4 times. Every time Rickie got involved in it too, Than Hendo- led to their mistake each time. One was our first goal. other 80 minutes Gerrard was a shadow waiting for The moment to display genius. He did- twice, but all the good he did can be compressed in 10 minutes. So give him last 30, as an AM and make him run. If we were trailing we would win, if leading, we would finish them off. Power sub, and a starting line up being subbed every once in a while- pretty simple..

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  48. Sad part is, his plan was excatly that- Moreno. As defending winger he is no better that Lallana, and we could have used him at LB instead of that disgrace.

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  49. Mate Gerrard can't run for 5 mins never mind 30 mins- he should not be on the field- he is not the liverpool future and should not be treated as though we can't lose without him

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  50. Robbie Fowler? What makes you think he is a good option?

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  51. Yes he can. he is 34 not 76. When you are on the pitch from the start knowing you will be there in the end you act differently on the pitch- you pace your self. That is why it was him- this season- to deny a goal when everyone was tired. But moments of brilliance are not enough when the team is so weak. Bench him and use as a sub. Him, Sterling and the club will benefit.

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  52. I don't know what games you've been watching

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  53. He saved our goal once this season, trust me.

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  54. He didnt say he "wants" them to stop fighting. Its is a fact that they HAVE stopped fighting. Initially it was about blaming Sakho, recently it has been about blaming Mario yet even in games where they play some people still refuse to see that the problem lies with BR's team selection, asking people like SG to "adapt" to CDM when he never was, is not and cannot be ever. BR must be sacked to revive our season

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  55. Yay won 4 lost 6 go Stevie

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  56. Read what I wrote again. MOMENTS of brilliance are NOT enough.

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  57. You also said he can run- he can't

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  58. the players have lost the will to fight for BR..especially when the sack is looming. The players know it and so do the ex-players


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    Well said I hope your right



    Yes he did say that. and sadly he is not alone.

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  59. Imo 30 secs is too long

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  60. And not one fact supporting your O.

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  61. Gerrard to be dropped till the new year and johnson they are poor!!

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  62. Johnson never to play again. Gerrard as a sub or being subbed. With games in which he is not used at all.

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  63. allen? give me a break mate...he always pas the ball back...almost 3 years in lfc shirt havent score a goal and never will in my eyes..

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  64. when has Rodgers ever played Gerrard for 30 mins? He will start against Stoke no doubt and they will run past him too- any way kids to feed

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  65. READ MY POST AGAIN, please. That is what i think Rodgers should do. Not what think he will. Though I hope he will see that is the only way for Steven to stay and contribute. And for Sterling to get the bench time he needs.

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  66. thats why we got hammerd

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  67. No we got hammered because others were not on his level. Though your post is witty so you might get few upvotes. Woohoo!

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  68. you said to make him run I say he cant

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  69. Educated guess says he can. He plays 90 min and runs 8km. He can run 4 km during 60 mins.

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  70. Whatever Rodgers will still consider him as first name on team sheet and the opposition like Palace etc will lick their lips

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  71. Are you another of his tenants

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  72. I keep telling myself that too:-)

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  73. Erm, yes he has scored for LFC..........

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  74. Thing is, as long as Gerrard, Skrtel, Mignolet and Johnson are in the team it won't matter who we have around.

    BR
    needs to understand that Gerrard is past it. It does not matter where
    he plays, he has absolutely no pace and it seems like his strength is
    gone too, he is getting bullied out there.

    He keeps trying his typical Hollywood passes and offers next to no movement,.

    Drop him already! He is not Zidane or Pirlo.

    I wish we had loaned in Lampard for a few months.

    Skrtel
    needs to be benched, I would much rather give young Lloyd Jones a crack
    at it then let Skrtel continue. He just does not have the concentration
    and the defensive prowess to bully attackers and reassure his partner
    and GK.

    Mignolet is just poor. We need a replacement, get Cech in. End of.

    Johnson needs to go as well. He didn't do as badly as previous games but still not good enough for a player of his experience. Passenger.

    BR left one of the only player who gives us something different out, Lallana. What is the thinking in playing Gerrard at the tip when we have Lallana fit?

    "We answered some critics tonight".....What the heck are you talking about! Liverpool answered nothing! Average performance, poor defending and no attacking prowess.

    BR sort it out!



    John

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  75. You've misunderstood, m'lud.

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