Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is currently in Italy on an alleged scouting trip, but with a crucial FA Cup game on Saturday, his decision to take-off on what basically amounts to a mini-holiday seems ill-advised.
Rodgers left the country immediately after Liverpool's 3-2 victory over Spurs on Tuesday night, as confirmed by his assistant Colin Pascoe, who (rather rudely) told reporters:
"He [Rodgers] had to shoot off after the game sharpish as he had a meeting in Europe, it’s a club matter and it’s none of your business.”
Rodgers at the Vatican:
The timestamp for this post is 8.50pm on Thursday evening, which means that Rodgers is returning today [Friday], or Saturday at the latest, which leaves very little time for him to prepare the players.
My question is this: why is Rodgers out of the country missing Liverpool's crucial preparations for the Crystal Palace game?
Palace beat Liverpool 3-1 in November, so there's clearly work to be done, and swanning off sightseeing only a couple of days before one of the biggest games of the season is not conducive to optimum preparation.
What is so important that the manager has to miss the build up to an *away* game that represents one of Liverpool's best chances of winning a trophy this season? Rodgers didn't take in a game on his trip, so it's not like he had to be there to watch a potential transfer target.
He may have had a transfer 'meeting' during his trip, but that (surely) could've been rearranged for a later date. This Sunday, for example, which would then leave three clear days (at least) to work with the team ahead of the Besiktas game, which is a *home* game.
At the very least, it should've just been a flying one-day visit for the 'meeting'; instead, Rodgers has spent 3 days (so far) in Italy, and taken in the sights whilst he's out there. Is visiting the Vatican more important than preparing the team for a crucial game?
To my knowledge, business meetings rarely last three days.
I'm sure Colin Pascoe is a capable coach, but human nature dictates that players will relax a little more when the boss isn't around to keep them on their toes.
I just hope this doesn't come back to haunt Liverpool this weekend.
Author: Jaimie K
Rodgers left the country immediately after Liverpool's 3-2 victory over Spurs on Tuesday night, as confirmed by his assistant Colin Pascoe, who (rather rudely) told reporters:
"He [Rodgers] had to shoot off after the game sharpish as he had a meeting in Europe, it’s a club matter and it’s none of your business.”
Rodgers at the Vatican:
Brendan Rodgers at the Vatican with my mate. Think he's trying to sign the pope #LFC pic.twitter.com/xnli5OC334
— Bowers (@Bowers_89) February 12, 2015The timestamp for this post is 8.50pm on Thursday evening, which means that Rodgers is returning today [Friday], or Saturday at the latest, which leaves very little time for him to prepare the players.
My question is this: why is Rodgers out of the country missing Liverpool's crucial preparations for the Crystal Palace game?
Palace beat Liverpool 3-1 in November, so there's clearly work to be done, and swanning off sightseeing only a couple of days before one of the biggest games of the season is not conducive to optimum preparation.
What is so important that the manager has to miss the build up to an *away* game that represents one of Liverpool's best chances of winning a trophy this season? Rodgers didn't take in a game on his trip, so it's not like he had to be there to watch a potential transfer target.
He may have had a transfer 'meeting' during his trip, but that (surely) could've been rearranged for a later date. This Sunday, for example, which would then leave three clear days (at least) to work with the team ahead of the Besiktas game, which is a *home* game.
At the very least, it should've just been a flying one-day visit for the 'meeting'; instead, Rodgers has spent 3 days (so far) in Italy, and taken in the sights whilst he's out there. Is visiting the Vatican more important than preparing the team for a crucial game?
To my knowledge, business meetings rarely last three days.
I'm sure Colin Pascoe is a capable coach, but human nature dictates that players will relax a little more when the boss isn't around to keep them on their toes.
I just hope this doesn't come back to haunt Liverpool this weekend.
Author: Jaimie K
#BRout!! (Doubly so if he doesn't play Ibe this weekend) ;-)
ReplyDeleteYawn
ReplyDeletePerhaps this is trying the opposite (ala George Costanza)...
ReplyDeleteWe lost 3-1 with Rodgers preparing the team... perhaps we can win 3-1 without him preparing the team.
Brilliant!
ibe is cup tied
ReplyDeleteRodgers can't do anything right. If Mourinho goes to meet someone in person he is amazing, if Rodgers does it he's an idiot.
ReplyDeleteHow about respect to him and the fact he has turned the season round and deserves a couple of days to prepare himself mentally for the last phase of the season.
I feel this article has just been written for the sake of it.
ReplyDeleteone of my favorite episodes.
ReplyDeleteThis criticism doesn't go very well with the whole narrative about the club not trying hard enough to close key signings. If there's a player in negotiations with his own club over a new contract, but whose club have given him permission to speak with outsiders too, the manager making the effort to go over to meet with him could be the difference between yes and no. Especially if he was wearing those shades, the old fox. He looks like something from the Matrix.
ReplyDeleteFlight out Tuesday night, meeting with player Wednesday, offer player red pill or blue pill, watch match, stay up late watching Italian movies on the hotel widescreen while eating pizzas in the hot-tub, meeting with club officials Thursday morning, kill a few hours before return flight in Rome, offer kisses to Papa, offer Papa red pill or blue pill, get plane home Thursday night. Meet up with the squad in London and be like: yeah just in Italy for business what's up. They know who the daddy is no doubt.
Um? Help?
so sad Ibe is cup tied. along with Emre Can he is our best player, in that when hes on the ball or Emre the best thing happens for LFC. but even though i dont like Markovic ability(poor end product despite brilliant attributes) but i do like that he is a livewire and puts pressure on the opposition with his pace and scary 'looking' flair. he looks like a player who is going to do something world class but its often not the case, but im happy for him to play at wing back and put pressure on the opposition and get a rare goal by luck for his hard work and livewire antics. i think once Kolo Toure comes back, we can push Emre Can into midfield permenantly. Emre Can has not proved it yet but by ability and age he is one of the best players in the world. everything in his locker, pace, power, skill, vision, technique, both footed, long shots, plays many positions and versatile. he is going to be a great asset for LFC and Germany when his confidence gets better. right now at LFC we have a lot of players who you could say are our best players, which is great because then we will be like the old Barcelona who had 11 star players. at times Coutinho's feels the best player when his playmaking skills are crucial to the team, at times Sterling feels the best player or most valuable, when his work rate skill and movement is just too crucial to the team at the time, at times its sturridge when were relying on his movement, against Spurs, once Balotelli added work rate to his game, we were in need of box player like him to stick away people like Ibe, Lallana and Coutinho chances and maybe if he started he could have got a hattrick because he took his goal quite comfortably. but at this moment our Best players are Ibe and Emre Can. i said Ibe played liked Sanchez and no1 believed me. now were seeing our own Alexis Sanchez at anfield. but i think we should make Markovic make Right back his own and push Ibe forward because he has the quality to score hattricks for LFC on matchdays. massive talent. against palace we should play
ReplyDelete----------------------------Mingolet
---------Can---------------Skrtel-------------Sakho
Markovic-----------Lallana------Hendo-------------Moreno
--------------Coutinho-------------------Balotelli
------------------------------Sturridge
when prem back on drop Balotelli for Ibe or drop Markovic for Ibe. but Markovic work rate might be better starting than balotelli.
We would not be allowed to speak to any of Roma's players unless they gave us permission and that would require us to make a bid? We would only be able to approach the players agent so I do not see how a scouting trip would even be possible when Roma have not even played a match during this week.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing, Rodgers does not get involved in players contracts so it would be poinless for him to chat with any agents about the players demands etc so it would be interesting to know what Rodgers is doing there.
Hi, my name is George... I'm unemployed and I live with my parents.
ReplyDeleteThe clip of Pascoe talking about BR's " holiday" is on the net and he was clearly joking with the reporter and not being at all rude,
ReplyDeleteIf Pjanic joins in the summer it will all be worth it
ReplyDeleteNo one seems to have realised though. perhaps we could play him
ReplyDeleteIf BR has spent a few days in Rome on cub business?, you have to assume he has had permission to speak directly to a player?, he is not going there to put a bid in as that happens a CEO level....................would he have done this or a lge game or Europea game????.
ReplyDeleteDon't know what 'cub business' is but it sounds adorable.
ReplyDeleteI think his post was written just for the sake of it.
ReplyDeleteMind your own business !!!
ReplyDeleteMaybe Ian Ayre has sorted the fee????
ReplyDeleteHahaha I reckon if he does get sacked he should be replaced by Jaimie as he is full of wisdom and knowledge of every agenda .. I just hope fsg are big followers of this site
ReplyDeleteIs the January window not closed yet?
ReplyDeleteThe headline would not be "Rodgers on a secret scouting mission" If the club had agreed a fee with Roma. That I can assure you.
Maybe Rodgers has been given permission to go chat with his new employers. You never know ;-)
You can do any deal outside of the window, you simply ratify it in the next window, buy the player now but get him in the summer!!!
ReplyDeleteThe only way anyone from LFC would be allowed to speak directly to one of their players is to get permission from Roma. That would require a bid. Have you seen or heard or seen any bids made by LFC to Roma making the headlines?
ReplyDeleteHe would not be there alone. Members from the transfer committee would be their with him I.e. Ayre and Dave Fallows.
ReplyDeleteRodgers does not get involved in player contracts.
Who mentioned contracts?, he might want to speak directly to the player and who knows who is there???...................he won't be away from training for a spurious reason with the FA Cup coming up!!!
ReplyDeleteWell then a bid being accepted by Roma is the biggest kept secret ever in football history.
ReplyDeleteRodgers to the rescue!
This sensationalism week after week, just to attract people to your blog to make money from advertising makes me sick. You talk about adult discussion and respect, yet you write like an impudent child and have no respect for the team you supposedly support.
ReplyDeleteOf course, Brendan Rodgers has decided after years of long hours and hard work to get Liverpool back into title contenders, and to jeopardise our best chance of silverware this season by saying, "Do you know what? I can't be arsed anymore. Fuck it I'm off to Rome for a "3 day city break"".
This bullshit had to end, you give the club, the players and the fans a bad reputation. I find it hilarious that a so called fan has justice for this, justice for that at the top of his blog, but can't even ask for justice for the 96. Fan my arse! Money grabbing layabout, who really supports man u.
Maybe the club have done a job on the opposition scouts etc???.................there has to be a serious reason for him being there, which FSG must have approved?
ReplyDeleteWell if you want to believe it was to go meet with a player or his agent etc days before a vital FA Cup match then so be it.
ReplyDeleteI believe nothing of the stories that have been reported. If we had agreed a fee for Pjanic it would have made headline news. Simple.
It could be any Italy based player, just as deals are done in London for convenience ref UK based players.............the same happens in Rome, it is convenient!!.
ReplyDeleteGano, you don't understand, for Logan nothing any official at LFC does is competent or makes sense or can be explained, because he's very disappointed with the club and everyone connected with it for some reason.
ReplyDeletePOPE: Brendog? That you?
ReplyDeleteRODGERS: Papa! How ya doin!
POPE: Pretty good, pretty good. Whatcha doin?
RODGERS: Just chillaxing here at Anfield as I say. Match against Tottenham just finished. We won.
POPE: That's cool homie, that's cool. Listen, I got a little business to put your way and I want you to come over to ma crib and talk about it with me face to face tonight.
RODGERS: Ah Papa I'd love to but we've got this training tomorrow, and then another game on Saturday -- I can't just leave -- I've got to tend Mario's gashes.
POPE: Brendan. Brendo. Bren. Listen. Listen to me Brendan. It's the special business. You know what I'm saying.
RODGERS: Spell it out for me Papa.
PAPA: It's cub business Brendizzle. Cub. Business.
RODGERS: Ok imma call a cab.
POPE: Yes. Yes, see you soon Brendan, my beautiful little technician. See... you... soon.
Or maybe it is just because I have a different view of our current situation? Would you rather me agree with everything you say?
ReplyDeletePhoto taken during the day. Post time irrelevant. He could have been back last night.
ReplyDeleteYES.
ReplyDeleteAnd you actually answered that :-o
ReplyDeleteThis guy has gone too far It's got nothing to do with him if Rodgers went to Italy the players ain't kids that he can't leave them on there own to train
ReplyDeleteEnglish media shocking
ReplyDeleteSimply awesome lol
ReplyDeleteShut up. Just... Shut up.
ReplyDeleteYou had me at hello.
...emphatically, I'd say.
ReplyDeleteBah!
ReplyDeletePerfect Time of Year to go do the Vatican tour. Far fewer ques. So we should commend him for his saviness.
ReplyDeleteRodgers didn't take in a game? According to whom? Also if we are looking to seal a deal a deal.for a player I am happy he is there as he should have done that with Sanchez.
ReplyDeletejust wanted to post exactly the same :-)
ReplyDeletehe should start
ReplyDeleteI didn't read past your first line as Robo had said that.
ReplyDeleteIbe should start.
ReplyDeleteexactly, you simply can't blame Rodgers for everything he does. we don't know what he did in Italy so we shouldn't obsess about the story
ReplyDeleteif he doesn't Rodgers should be replaced with Paul Lambert!
ReplyDeleteIs it still daylight at 9pm in Rome?
ReplyDeleteExcept...he didn't say hello?
ReplyDeleteWhat are you smoking? It's gonna be Jose Mourinho or Pep Guardiola. Everyone knows that :P
ReplyDeleteYes. The Pope glows.
ReplyDeletethey would start Ibe everytime
ReplyDeleteFor all we know he could've been there for some corporate reason. It's pure speculation that he's there on a scouting mission so it's a bit harsh writing a critical article about him when we've no idea what he's actually doing there
ReplyDeleteOr maybe it's because with fans like you, who needs rivals
ReplyDeleteThere is also the small matter of solar activity emanating from Brendan;s backside
ReplyDeleteThe idea that he would swan off on a jolly on a day Henry was in Liverpool is quite laughable really. Getting the metro down to the Vatican City if you have a few spare hours doesn't seem like the worst crime.
ReplyDeleteErroneous! Erroneous!
ReplyDeleteDo we know they were not there too. Did Wenger talking to Sanchez help? We don't know so guessing, and that is all it is, the worst is pretty pointless.
ReplyDeleteYes no business has ever been done without the official channels. The fact that everyone knew that Costa was going to Chelsea months before an official bid can just be ignored. Or the countless other times that's happened? Perhaps we are learning how to do business? What do you think it was?
ReplyDeleteI'll bet a small fortune he does.
ReplyDeleteWhile on Costa, I still think that he knew Chelsea were going to pay for him when we bid originally.
ReplyDeletePerhaps he's going to pray for a win on Saturday.
ReplyDeleteIt's not harsh at all. Rodgers has spent the last three days in Italy despite the Reds having a crucial game on Saturday. There's no reason important enough for him to do that (IMO).
ReplyDeleteHe's not scouting players (he didn't go to a game); he allegedly had a 'meeting' scheduled, but what meeting is so important that it's allowed to seriously disrupt LFC's preparation for Liverpool's only real hope of winning a trophy? What are the options?
* Transfer meeting with an Italian club to discuss a potential summer deal.
* Ambassador meeting to sell the club to X, Y or Z.
* Meeting with potential sponsors based in Italy?
Etc.
None of these (IMO) warrant spending 3-4 days away from the club with FA Cup at stake.
If Rodgers went to a game, he would've been spotted, just like he's been seen at *every* non-LFC game he's attended since signing-on as manager.
ReplyDeleteOh, come now. Only Logan believes that.
ReplyDeleteSo you're saying it's like Charlie and Frank's game, Nightcrawlers?
ReplyDeleteMaybe he was wearing a Groucho mask.
ReplyDeleteLike Colin said, it's none of your business.
ReplyDeleteI like Colin Pascoe. Seems to have good rapport with the players, judging by the touchline interactions.
ReplyDeleteDoes not make any difference. I have and always will support this club but it does not mean I have to accept something that does not fit with me about our current situation. It does not change my affinity with the club. Rodgers like all other managers we have had will come and go. LFC will always be there.
ReplyDeleteHe can't start as he is cup tied but he could be brought on in the second half if needed
ReplyDeleteIt would be interesting to know what he is doing there. I just cannot see it being transfer related as that could have been taken care of in January and Ayre or Fallows would be there too...
ReplyDeleteAnd there's the teeth even Brendan has to wear sunglasses
ReplyDeleteI don't remember anything about him seeking Leverkusen or benefice games yet he said he went to some.
ReplyDeleteWell he an Mourinho share an agent so it is quite possible.
ReplyDeletegive the guy a break hes having a midlife crisis ...hes had his teeth done,hes got the tan and swanky pad hes got the younger model on his arm he was just missing some italian suits now his breakdown is complete
ReplyDeletethe selfie stick tho
ReplyDeleteIf tha's a breakdown I'll have two please
ReplyDeleteIt's a valid reason for discussion if you know that's what he'd done. For all we know John Henry has instructed him to go to Rome to carry out x, y or z. The only thing we know is that he's in Rome on club business.
ReplyDeleteIt may be that this trip had to be scheduled at some point within the next month and he felt this was the lowest priority match in that time (I know it's mine) so if he had to miss a few days training it was better before this match than a premier league or European game and I would agree with that.
Either way it's all conjecture. All I'm saying is at least wait til we either A) have all the facts or B) lose the game. If we win 6-0 this article could perhaps be considered premature
Do we know they're not there?
ReplyDeleteKnowing what Rodgers has done is irrelevant to the general point. You obviously didn't read my post properly.
ReplyDeleteHuman nature dictates that students will relax when there's a sub, or office workers relax when the boss isn't in. Football is very different. All the players want to win.
ReplyDeleteKnowing what Rodgers has done is relevant. If what he was doing was actually pretty important, then maybe it'd be fair to let his absence slide. All of our Premier League games and Europa League games are more important than this FA Cup tie. Just because it presents our best chance at silverware, it doesn't change the fact that a top 4 finish or EL win offer a much greater reward (especially for Liverpool's ongoing development.)
ReplyDeleteHe's cup tied u moron!! Go and support another club
ReplyDeleteBR out? Is this a joke...? We're you saying that last season when we were gunning for the league...? Footy fans are so fickle...
ReplyDeleteBob I share your comments about this so called manager.
ReplyDeleteMaybe he's there with his girlfriend....early Valentine present at the clubs expense.
ReplyDelete#BRout!! #BLin!!
ReplyDeleteSo if BR'S presence in Italy has aided in the signing of a quality player what will all u keyboard warriors and championship manager critics say then. This might come as a surprise but having actually worked as a manager might give Brendan an edge over the wannabe critics and sensationalist bloggers out to make a buck outta shock headlines.
ReplyDeleteCup tied genius
ReplyDeleteHe can't play Ibe, he's cup tied you moron. Same old Kanewar, the architect of negativity. A postie person may talk about a strong commitment to land a target.
ReplyDeleteRodgers Always takes a suitcase full of selfish sticks and gives them out to people who want his photo.
ReplyDeleteI don't know why I keep reading your articles? It's like being compelled to look at car accidents even though you suspect it will be horrible. So, so negative, and clearly by someone who knows nothing about leadership. I know this will get deleted and banned but I don't care about your little despotic site anyway. Keep reading about all the people that agree with you and delete those opposed.
ReplyDeleteThis post is horse**** - As Colin Pascoe said, NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!!! Let the man have a life.
ReplyDeleteI heard Enrique is one of his best customers
ReplyDeleteThe timestamp you refer to is for the tweet not the actual photo which was probably uploaded once the guy got some WiFi. Also I doubt you would find such a nice bright blue sky at 8.50pm in February in Rome!
ReplyDeleteHe flew out Tuesday night. That we know for sure, cause he did to do the post match interview.
ReplyDeleteThe tweet is timestamped for 8:50PM, but it's clearly daytime!?!?! (Late post clearly)
Do we actually know when he left Italy, and when he got back to Liverpool?
I also remember when he let Raheem go on vacation, and people questioned if it was a good decision, (unless of course that's where he injured his foot) and it seems to have paid off.
Let's save the criticism (if necessary) for his trip to Rome post today's match.
2 days ago you wrote that the fa cup wss nothing more than an ego trip for rodgers.I once again ask you to proove you arw a lfc supporter.All you do is try to undermine rodgers.Even though he has broken records by great such as shankly and paisley.I have to question the objective of this site you say it is critical realism but yet you can not be argued against .All you do is moan like a little bitch
ReplyDeleteThis story is a complete joke. This is critics gone mad.
ReplyDeleteIs Rodgers or any manager supposed to work 24/7 and whats the point in having an assistant and a general coaching staff if you cant leave them for a couple of days.. All managers these days go abroad to watch other players, teams, its part of their job
I dont think Rodgers or any manager is beyond critisism but are people on here just looking for any excuse to slag off Rodgers. Get off his back and grow up for christs sake.
Ibe is cup tied !!!!!
ReplyDeleteLike the assistant manager said: it's none of our business. Rodgers may well have had a personal agenda, a specific club agenda or something else entirely. It's his decision to make and I'm sure he did it with the support of the club, including the principal owner who would have undoubtedly known about the plans and may well have discussed them with Rodgers himself last weekend. Sure, it's odd for a manager to take three days out from normal schedule but there is never an ideal time for that to happen. This is no better or worse timing than any other period in the season. The team is in good form and no doubt training well so Rodgers has decided to do this now. I would have every confidence in his back-room staff who have proven themselves very capable to this date and I would also have every confidence in the team, the senior players, the acting captain and the injured captain to carry on as normal. The notion that the players will relax and ease up prior to a massive cup game like this is rather insulting to them. Give them a little credit.
ReplyDeleteA nice Ferrari perhaps?
ReplyDeleteSomething to understand about the Irish is that they are, at times, unreasonably Catholic. An Irishman being in Rome and taking a couple of hours to go to the Vatican is not a big deal. Not doing so would be more noteworthy. I mean this in all seriousness. He had a Catholic father, grew up in a mostly Catholic town and went to Catholic schools. If he has some Catholic tendencies then no one should be surprised. Plus yeah, that whole thing about it being none of yer fecking business.
ReplyDeleteI think I just heard something fly over your head, genius. Look up.
ReplyDeleteExcuses!
ReplyDeleteNo. Yes. N/A. Indeed, they are.
ReplyDeletelighten up sweetie. ill send a valentines day kiss your way. at least someone cares...
ReplyDeleteHa...good answer! ;-)
ReplyDelete