Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson has criticised Reds manager Brendan Rodgers for agreeing to appear in 'Being: Liverpool', the access all areas documentary currently airing in the UK and the US.
In his column for The Mirror today, Lawro argued that Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley and Joe Fagan would be 'turning in their graves' over the 'tawdry' nature of the show, and he blamed the club's American owners for getting Liverpool involved in the 'cringeworthy' show.
Lawro - who formed a formidable defensive partnership with Alan Hansen in the 1980s - reserved most of his criticism for Rodgers, and questioned the manager's decision to take part. He barked:
"It's a real error of judgment for him [Rodgers] to have agreed to appear in it [Being: Liverpool]. It's totally ill-advised and cringeworthy.
"I don’t think it will irreparably damage Brendan’s reputation because he has only just taken over, but he needs to win some games.
"It's alright saying that the team are starting to play well but you can play the nicest football in the world, but it doesn’t matter unless you win the games".
I think we can take these protestations with a pinch of salt. Ever since his mate Kenny Dalglish had his contract terminated, Lawro has been attacking Rodgers and FSG left, right and centre. Indeed, in this case, his whole column on Being: Liverpool is just a way to launch a veiled attack on Rodgers' lack of positive results in the Premier League.
Ultimately, I agree with Lawro though; Being: Liverpool is an embarrassing, cringeworthy 'documentary', and although inadvertent, it presents Rodgers in an (arguably) unflattering light. It's also a ridiculous and unneeded distraction, especially now, when the club needs to be 100% focused on the job in hand.
To be fair though, I don't see how Rodgers could've refused to take part. The deal to shoot the documentary was in place before he took over at LFC, and FSG probably made it clear that appearing in Being:Liverpool was a pre-requisite to taking the manager's job.
Jaimie Kanwar
In his column for The Mirror today, Lawro argued that Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley and Joe Fagan would be 'turning in their graves' over the 'tawdry' nature of the show, and he blamed the club's American owners for getting Liverpool involved in the 'cringeworthy' show.
Lawro - who formed a formidable defensive partnership with Alan Hansen in the 1980s - reserved most of his criticism for Rodgers, and questioned the manager's decision to take part. He barked:
"It's a real error of judgment for him [Rodgers] to have agreed to appear in it [Being: Liverpool]. It's totally ill-advised and cringeworthy.
"I don’t think it will irreparably damage Brendan’s reputation because he has only just taken over, but he needs to win some games.
"It's alright saying that the team are starting to play well but you can play the nicest football in the world, but it doesn’t matter unless you win the games".
I think we can take these protestations with a pinch of salt. Ever since his mate Kenny Dalglish had his contract terminated, Lawro has been attacking Rodgers and FSG left, right and centre. Indeed, in this case, his whole column on Being: Liverpool is just a way to launch a veiled attack on Rodgers' lack of positive results in the Premier League.
Ultimately, I agree with Lawro though; Being: Liverpool is an embarrassing, cringeworthy 'documentary', and although inadvertent, it presents Rodgers in an (arguably) unflattering light. It's also a ridiculous and unneeded distraction, especially now, when the club needs to be 100% focused on the job in hand.
To be fair though, I don't see how Rodgers could've refused to take part. The deal to shoot the documentary was in place before he took over at LFC, and FSG probably made it clear that appearing in Being:Liverpool was a pre-requisite to taking the manager's job.
Jaimie Kanwar
Got to admit that this is class eh:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.abload.de/img/bttf_suarez2naudr.gif
I've met Lawro, a really really nice fella an i have a lot of respect for him. But i have to say i can't remember the last time i agreed with a thing he's said. The docu's been done, i find it interesting, its not the end of the world though.
ReplyDeleteThe documentary was agreed by FSG probably Rodgers got told about it when he was hired, don't like him at all in it, dont like touchy feely blokes who put their arm round you and squeeze your arm when they talk to you.
ReplyDeleteAs I disagreed hiring Rodgers from day one and still think a bad decision and I am not brainwashed by his arrogant philosphy which many are, this programme just confirms my opinion of him.
I also note most people in it have been sacked or moved on since it started, King Kenny, Bobby Valentine, Carroll, Spearing, Darren Burgess, Adam, Aquilani. Rodgers beware a few more bad results and the Americans will be sending you where they sent Bobby Valentine last week.
Lawro is King Kennys neighbour in Southport along with Hansen, you can be sure Lawro will never say a bad word about KK.
I think a lot of the Dalglish apostles like Lawrenson/Hansen and co have it in for Rodgers and FSG, A real agenda althouh Hansen is a lot more reserved . Strange that most lfc fans i engage with it actually have a real negative opinion of lawrenson who wore the liverbirf with distinction ..he does speak some utter nonsense on ocassion. it's a documentary..what's the issue here..it's a commercial ideal too...the brand grows etc due to the exposure..sold worldwide this doc i hear....
ReplyDeleteI really want to see what all the fuss is about... it screens on fridays here in SA... that's party time for me, but I'm hoping to get my hands on it soon at some point.
ReplyDeleteIn this world, it does not matter who you are, you can be the best at what you do, or the worst at what you do, you can be somewhere in the middle - but you will always have your critics... It's important to do what you believe in.
The American owners, love them or hate them, they have come to rescue the club with certain philosophies and things they believe must be done to make the club a success again. I work in film and television and I for one am happy that these sorts of media things happen. Which other club has had a documentary series so widely distributed like this one? I say screw Lawro... he's entitled to his opinion, but seriously, the club has needed change for the past 20 years. not many have gone about to change things drastically other than FSG (and those that came with them) and Rafa.
Exciting times for the club and he's not feeling it...
For me even if "being Liverpool" ends up being bad, distasteful and drab or whatever... the point remains that I want to watch it, if anything just to bring me closer to the players, manager and club that have, still do and always will have a special place in my heart!
"...but you can play the nicest football in the world, but it doesn't matter unless you win the games."
ReplyDeleteThat can be applied to his mate Dalglish for last reason.
jaimie i posted weeks ago that the programme was cringeworthy i wonder if lawro reads your page lol just glad they have stopped filming because the results and way we have been playing the most of the time would have made some really awful veiwing
ReplyDeleteCan anyone please tell me "what is wrong with Being liverpool". ?
ReplyDeleteI have seen episode 1-4 and I don't see what is wrong with it.
Opps, I meant "season" not "reason"!
ReplyDeletetake it you dont get out much you want to watch scully now that was a good programme with lfc participents
ReplyDeletedo you think the football is any better to watch this season ? just i dont would like to no if iam in minority the results are definitly worse
ReplyDeleteI really want BR to succeed but he has some very annoying traits ,
ReplyDeleteSaying Carragher was one of the most technically gifted players
in his squad what a load of rubbish . His refusal to play anybody
over 5`7" up front . Why did he have Coates & Carra on the bench ,
we were playing Stoke at home not Barcalona . I really do want
him to succeed . Mark Lawrenson what an a---ole , how does he
continue to make a living out of football .
Watched the first one. No more. It's crass, embarrassing and ridiculous. If youre top of the league, winning games and spanking the opposition, you would no doubt get away with it. When you are struggling (as we are) all that happens is you look very, very foolish. Lawro BTW is a dinosaur - sadly, just like KK.
ReplyDeleteyou got to watch it it gets worse i find myself cringing on the settee it could turn into an american sitcom happydays
ReplyDeleteWhen you see Ian Ayre ride off around Liverpool on a Harley Davidson, you'll know the meaning of 'car crash TV'.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I see an issue. Sure, some folks don't like the series and I can understand why, that's their choice as TV viewers and football fans, but so what? So long as it overall generates a positive global attention for the club then it's perfectly harmless. This obsession with tradition and "the right thing" is totally arbitrary and frankly not based in reality. The program itself does no harm to the club and honestly, how could it? On what basis is Liverpool damaged? Only by some undefined vague standard that the club should keep things "behind closed doors", nothing more. Tradition and a "way of doing things" only makes sense if you can explain very clearly WHY it makes sense and in this instance I just don't see it. This is good press for the club, it draws us more followers, it opens up some of the inner working to a hopelessly curious and thirsty fan base ... and no matter how embarrassed some fans or former players might be, that's just their own personal reaction and probably says more about them than it does the club. To suggest that it distracts anyone at the club from any footballing goals is really stretching logic. These players, managers and staff have TV cameras and general media attention on them so often it's just ridiculous. The press they get on a daily basis from uncontrolled sources is massive. All this program does is provide a more controlled insight, a tempered view and certainly censored perspective. Considering the mountains of dross the UK and worldwide media spews out on a daily basis I simply can't imagine this program registers as a blink on minds of the actual subjects in question. Lawrenson is stuck in the past, where clubs actually had a genuine option to keep their business under some kind of restricted access. The modern world just doesn't allow that, be it in the form of player tweets, unscrupulous paparazzi or pure force of exposure through TV coverage. When that force of attention becomes essentially completely out of your control that option to keep the dogs at bay can no longer be exercised. Liverpool are just moving with the times and anyone who thinks they need to do otherwise needs to come up with a reason better than "it's cringeworthy".
ReplyDeleteyes but he was happy after another hard day in the office negotiating deals
ReplyDeleteRodgers pep talks remind me of david brent.
ReplyDeleteKanwar,
ReplyDeleteIf you were a proper LFC fan and watched/read any of the Lawro's interviews/articles he was critical of Kenny's team and said they would never finish above 8th all season.
Bet you don't post this anyway when you dont have an anwser
From one SA Red to another. I agree 100%. The Club is a brand and this is about selling/promoting that brand. Move with the times. Shanks would be turning in his grave. So what, if Shanks were alive and managing us, he would be so out of his depth I don't think he would qualify to coach Preston North End. I am not saying he a bad manager, he was GREAT, but he was good for his day. My point is time has moved on, Twitter, Facebook, Social media, reality TV, blogs such as this are part of modern media. Use it don't be afraid of it. The Club is stuck in the 80s, hence the reason we havent really challenged for major honors. The new owners are about modernising the club, taking it into the future, setting the trend rather than being 10 years behind.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sir. This has made my day.
ReplyDeleteSuarez should get punished for diving.
When I found out about the screening, i cringed. I want our manager to remain silent but deadly - taking care of business, but if it is true and it was scheduled to be filmed before BR took up the reigns then i can live with it. In the meantime, prove your doubters wrong Brendan. Triangles are nice but goals are better. Let's tighten-up in defense and attack, attack, attack
ReplyDeleteshanks would have the media eating out of his hands the cream always comes to the top
ReplyDeleteha ha your absolutely right
ReplyDeletelike the striker he didnt sign on August 31st, when the lights were all switched off at 9pm and he had gone home.
ReplyDeleteLawro is a dinosaur is correct and his haircut and clothes come from a bygone error too.
ReplyDeleteIm watching it right now and dont see how it can be a distraction. The second episode was 45 minutes long and they where on preseason so to only get 45 minutes from weeks of footage cant have been too intrusive. The third episode has started with the FC Gomel. I think it could have been a hell of a lot worse, particularly if there where players slaggin the club off etc. If this makes us a bigger club (someone says its on in south africa and its on in the US) then i think a few cringey moments are worth it.
ReplyDeleteBy 'distraction', I mean the endless media circus that comes with it. Examples include the pre-air sensationalism about Dalglish's sacking apparently airing on the show; the media picking up on Rodgers self-portrait at his home and painting it in a negative light; the 'David Brent' comparison made by certain newspapers etc
ReplyDeleteYeah i understand, but right now EVERYTHING is picked up on to do with Liverpool. No wonder they say we have a complex. Suarez gets stamped/walked on purposely and its given hardly any column inches, yet him diving is. I was at the game yesterday an have been to the last few against Stoke an that was the most physical way i have seen them play against us, there should have been more then 6 yellows. Yet nobodys made a song an dance. The most important thing is ONE dive. So this documentary was never gonna look good to the media, but i bet a lot of our global fans are enjoying it, an surely thats who its made for?
ReplyDeleteThe problem with being liverpool is it is being shown at a time when liverpool are doing their worst in a EPL so people listen to the philosophy and instantly dismiss it. If we where up by the top of the league people would be listening and believing every word that BR was saying. this is the reason why Benitez in my mind had so many ardent followers as the istanbul documentaries came out after istanbul so all liverpool fans where in awe and listened to every word benitez said. currently though, people are listening but then they are saying on the other hand ' why isnt it working if your that good' and 'why do you need time to change it around when the likes of steve clarke and di matteo have had instant impacts at their respective clubs?' I do belive BR will be succesfull and will always back him but i can also understand others that do not. some of my friends think he is not the right man and i have a couple of mates who support swansea who are adamant that martinez was the better manager. The only problem with being liverpool in my mind it will further divide opinion on wether BR is the right man, in my opinion he is, but i can understand others frustrations.
ReplyDeleteBRING BACK RAFA ! --NOW!---.
ReplyDeletealong with about a dozen players a week not just suarez
ReplyDeleteRodgers had as much say on this as we the people have much say on how much the tax rate should be, that is, little next to nothing. Lawro should know better. He is criticising the wrong person.
ReplyDeleteI do believe having watched the first 3 episodes here in Australia that they had the right idea airing a show about the club a great concept.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately with the miles of footage i imagine was taken they chose to show the club wrongly in some areas esp Rodgers some of the footage needed to be edited properly.
Agreed
ReplyDeleteithink,this guy must walk away before december other wise we gonna stay in ralagation zone till end,am blaming our management person like rogers who been coaching clubs like swansea,idont think dat his liverpool cream,we need to compete with teams like man u,chls,man city,plus european competetion while were finishing tenth?this man need no more time because we born to win not lose.
ReplyDeletelol but I think the term "tough crowd" can be applied to you JK...
ReplyDeleteYes thats why I feel more like a customer than a fan.
ReplyDeleteSince FSG have complete control of editing, we are not seeing being Liverpool, but "Being FSG's Liverpool". Where is the KD sacking, the Martinez interviews, etc etc. No thank you, I dont wanna watch FSG's distorted view of LFC. Let them put their money where their mouth is, and support the club in the only way they can, Financially.
ReplyDeleteWow another one of those great Liverpool fans with so much patients and understand, oh let's not forget amazing knowledge on football! Where did Wenger come from, The great Shankly, even, dare say it Fergie.....They come from small clubs and from there bring their vision and develop it over time....Do you understand time...Do you actually know about football..Give BR the time and he is changing so much so quickly it will take time. Yes the owners and even Ian Arye made a massive mistake at the end of the transfer window....BR did not want to get rid of AC before he had a replacement, he said that much in the interview. He knows how hard it is going to be? We are bring in and on some of our young players and that is amazing to see. Someone mentioned why West Brom and Chelsea have got it right straight away....Well both had moved into strong already created squads....Since then West Brom have just added a few with the a coached well established and Chelsea have spent about 120 million on top top players......I think if you had given BR some thing near what KK had we wold have that striker that scored what we need......Wake up you so called Liverpool fans, sometimes I am embarrassed about your lack of vision Nd understanding...Really, Shankly would be turning in his grave listening to some of the crap that is written on here.....!
ReplyDeleteI don't think you can blame "Being: Liverpool" on BR. There is an American Football program that has been doing this now for ten seasons. It's the same thing, but a different team each time. I'm pretty sure FSG saw this opportunity to make some cash, and took it. If it translates to a bigger transfer budget and some quality players in the Winter window, I'm all for it. Would you rather they raised ticket and kit prices? Is it a bad show? In some ways, yes. I agree, I wish they would have spent more time on Kenny's firing, Andy and some of the other players going elsewhere and more of a look behind the scenes at Melwood as to what the players go through. But I think that with FSG controlling the content, they are out to present the club in the best possible light, even if it is dull and at times silly. Ian rides a Harley. So what? That's nitpicking. If that's who the man is, so be it. And yeah, we're losing. Wrong time? Perhaps. But just remember, noone will ever want to see a Being: Everton, or Being: Man U. This is the greatest football team ever! People want to get an inside look at them, me included, even if it could have been executed better. And like I said, if it translates into more money in the transfer budget and better players coming to LFC, then I'm all for it. We would still have the same crappy record we do now even if the cameras weren't rolling. That's got nothing to do with the TV show, but bad management and coaching.
ReplyDeletewe just continue to be a laughing stock, il carry on watching till the end though, but it does give you an insight to how things are done at lfc now, not flattering. and a bit embarassing
ReplyDeleteThe rubbish which comes out this guys mouth is unbelievable. Unless u appoint one of his mates as Liverpool mngr he'll never stop. Houllier was winning trophies him and his mates were on his case till he got the sack. Benitez won us European Cup 21 years after we won the last one they were on his case too. Now with BR. Things r not going well but the guy only been there for two months. Give him a break. One thing I'd like to ask him is why doesn't he apply for the job when it comes avalaible. The answer probably is cos he's shit at it. They will only stop if one of their mates becomes manager again. So Lawro keep your mouth shut for a while. One of the worst pundits I've seen. Even R Savage is better pundit than him.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen any of the episodes of Being Liverpool. And I don't know anyone who has.
ReplyDeleteIt's an irrelevance, aimed at boosting Liverpool's profile in the US.
I don't see how it's any more or less distracting than what currently goes on. And I suspect it's more distracting for fans than it is for the players. We don't have the first clue what the attitude is like inside the club or how they are all personally reacting to the series. I think by now players are used to negative or indifferent press coverage, it's just how things are in England. It's also not universally negative. I'm still far more inclined to think that these are more personal reactions and more about your own feelings (and the feelings of Mark Lawrenson) that anything to genuinely to do with the welfare of the club. You simply don't personally like the image it puts out there. That's entirely fair enough but the subsequent idea that this image is in any way damaging or problematic seems to be a big leap.
ReplyDeleteUnfair.
ReplyDeleteagree withye joe bout lawrenson , a cheat too he was part of a betting scam back in the late 80's with the clown groblar , hanson, and others , infact most of them was , id like to ask lawrenson bout the 2 own goals againt QPR semi final league cup at anfield , we would have done the english treble that year too
ReplyDeletehe back healed the ball twice into his own goal as he's talking to the clown over his should , under no preasure at all from QPR , hanson was offered lfc managers position too when dalglish left back in begin of 90's refused to do service to the club that gave him a living . lawrenceson and hanson shallow , not stand up honest men , rodgers has his trates like everyother man but he's honest he's brave and he's irish nearest to thinking like a true scouse and if this is the start of the rodger's team , i for one am excited cos he's only been here for a shit and a shave , the kids are class , rodgers is starting to build from kidsno big deal a class striker is coming in jan , im not gonna whing n moan my way to the jan sales either , i'd ban the clown , lawrenceson and arsehole hanson from anfield, by the way i know dalglish has shares in lfc from way back in 70's hason too
yes simon and far east , its all about profiling in usa n far east , which is good business , the pre-season tour of far east 2 season's ago , every ground over there had 60-70,000 red shirts sitting in it big big money , we're going forward quietly , the top players will soon be arriving too, we're not man city , if their owners pull out they crumble , we're building a solid- galivised foundation real structure in safe hands is lfc , rodgers is like a shanks , not scared to make mistakes but got courage honesty and vision , youth is class in squad too , exciting times ahead
ReplyDeleteThe betting scandal involved matches in the 92/93 season and both had retired long before then. You'd better hope neither of them do read this 'blog', because statements like that can get you sued..
ReplyDeleteFinally! someone telling it like it is,cudos
ReplyDeleteBarely into his reign, already you think the sun shines out of Rodgers' a**e and likening him to Shankley. Urgh, cringe.
ReplyDeletebarely into his reign, so u cringe , weak stomach ey , shanks played attackin game with quality rodgers doing same are u one of them who thinks you are better than the manager , if you do then , apply for the job when you whinge n moan him out of the job because we aren't 1st in league and in euproean cup, we're where we are not by rodgers doings but i see quality right through team , and better to come in jan , then i see rewards next season earliest , just like spurs went in bottom 3 few seasons back now they clicked and playing good football genuine top 4 team now , best outsiders to win prem too , i see lfc beeter than them once the team clicks especially the teenagers and new signings settling in team yes rodgers best young manager for lfc , a honest stand up man massive ego LIKE SHANKS , shanks bought players who wanted to battle for him and us scousers and our city i dont like hanson his girlfiend and not to keen on kenny especially after the betting scams when these were senior players at my club i dont like clown grobblar either , for his part in the scams , i dare to think the semi fa cup v forest in yorkshire was in a bet to lose like newcastle away wen cole smashed 4/5passed grob , i was told by the woman who picked up 30k for grobblars share at the holiday inn up in newcastle she was the british airways stewardess he was seeing , i knows her well she told me this to be true , so i like rodger cos he's honest , couragous , knows his stuff too just a top draw stricker , whos here soon , yes for me rodgers exciting managers good for my club too insperational too
ReplyDeletelisten simple them betting scams went on well befor 92/93,, im talking 80s born n bred anfield l4
ReplyDelete