14 Jun 2015

Liverpool Mystery: £26m star reveals the surprise truth about Rodgers' 21-day silence?

It's 21 days since Brendan Rodgers' last public statement as Liverpool manager, and in that time, Liverpool have signed three new players; tied two existing players to new contracts (Kolo Toure/Andre Wisdom), and dispensed with the two key members of the manger's back-room team. Surely, at least one of these developments warrants a reaction from Rodgers, but his silence continues to be deafening.

Rodgers is the official public voice of Liverpool FC, so it's strange to see him disappear from from view like this, and his lack of visibility is leading many to speculate that all is not well behind the scenes at Anfield.

Despite the season being over, the likes of Arsene Wenger and Louis Van Gaal continue to make public statements about their respective clubs, so why is Rodgers keeping an incredibly low profile?

Is he on the verge of being replaced? It's definitely possible, especially after the seemingly ruthless excision of Mike Marsh and Colin Pascoe, Rodgers' two most trusted lieutenants.

Now, the plot thickens. In an interview with The Telegraph on Saturday, Rodgers' record signing, Adam Lallana, made the following statement:

"They [Pascoe and March] were great coaches. It’s the same as a player. A manager might come in and not fancy you and you are the one who is looking to be sold. It happens to coaching staff, too"

Is this a Freudian slip by Lallana?

* He makes a clear comparison between the arrival of a new manager, and the consequent expendability of players/coaches.

* In this case, Lallana is basically saying 'A manager might come in and not fancy the coaches currently at the club'.

* No one new in the management hierarchy has 'come in' yet, but perhaps Lallana is aware of something happening behind the scenes? With that in mind, it's possible that his subconscious speculation inadvertently wormed its way into the interview.

Of course, it may be nothing, but with Jurgen Klopp available, and seemingly sending clear messages that he's interested in the Liverpool job, anything is possible. Liverpool legend John Toshack summed it up on Friday, when he told TalkSport:

"It’s very unusual that a coach stays on when his backroom staff have been sacked. There’s something not quite right there".

It's unusual, but there's also another possibility:

* Perhaps Rodgers wanted rid of Pascoe and Marsh, and deliberately threw them under the bus during his end of season review?

* Perhaps Rodgers is now staying silent on the issue so that FSG can take the heat for those decisions?

* Marsh is the only scouser on Rodgers' senior staff, and I doubt he'll want to be associated with getting rid of the club's only homegrown influence, so it makes sense to allow speculation to mushroom, much of which geared towards painting the manager as the victim in an apparent FSG power-play.

* As for Pascoe, he and Rodgers have history, but like Rafa Benitez and Paco Ayesteran, long-standing business relationships can fracture, and it's entirely possible that may be the case here.

Like Benitez - who once fired SIXTEEN members of staff in what resembled the football version of a Coup d'Γ©tat - Rodgers has a history of power-plays to consolidate power/influence at the club. Examples:



* AUG 2012: Two months after Rodgers' appointment, Academy technical director Pep Segura quit the club. At the time, the Liverpool Echo reported: "Segura looked set to be promoted to technical director...but those plans were shelved when Brendan Rodgers made it clear that having total control would be key to him accepting the job".

* NOV 2012: Rodgers promoted Rodolfo Borrell to head of Academy coaching, and brought in his own man, Alex Inglethorpe as the new Reserve Team manager.

* MAY 2013: Rodgers dumped U18 coach (and former Academy Manager) Steve Cooper, and brought in his own man - Neil Critchley - to take over.

* NOV 2013: Frank McParland and Rodolfo Borrell were both sacked by LFC. Rodgers then brought in more of his own guys to take on their roles.

The pattern here is clear: remove employees from influential posts and bring in hand-picked replacements, thus solidifying control across the club. Now, with Pascoe out of the picture, it's no surprise to hear that Alex Inglethorpe - one of Rodgers' guys - is being linked with a promotion to the senior management team.

If Rodgers is responsible for Pascoe and Marsh being dumped, then it's a crass move, but understandable if he realised that they weren't effective enough for a team of Liverpool's stature.

The same thinking can be applied to Rodgers himself, but if he's willing to sever ties with his long-standing assistant, then it means he has the Reds' best interests at heart, i.e. ensuring the club has the best coaching staff in place to achieve long-term success.

I personally believe this is a more believable scenario that the narrative being peddled by some fans, which entails FSG trying to force Rodgers to resign by restricting his influence at the club. Whilst it's certainly a possibility, it's clearly a poisonous, counter-productive approach to take, with the potential to dissuade top managers from coming to Anfield.

Fans may never discover the truth, though. Marsh and Pasco will almost certainly have contractual agreements forcing them to remain silent on the issue, and I highly doubt Rodgers will make any public statement on the issue outside of thanking the departed duo for their efforts.

Whatever happens, there's a manifest lack of professionalism shrouding current and recent events at Anfield, and no one at the club will come out of this smelling of roses.

Author: Jaimie K


108 comments:

  1. voice of reason6:36 pm, June 14, 2015

    there's rumours that the replacementfirst team coach would be the U16 academy coach... sigh idk whats going on but something needs to be said by now from LFC its getting ridiculous nothing but deafening silence from the club since the 6-1 loss

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  2. Silence also deafening from Ian Ayre, Tom Warner and John Henry

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  3. Maybe fsg sacked Marsh and Pascoe hoping BR would quit, thus saving Fsg from sacking BR and having to pay up the remainder of his contract.

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  4. Or maybe BR knows he's lost the trust of the fan base and is just keeping a low profile?

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  5. You don't need to be Einstein to grasp that a new manager may not fancy the players or coaches .....especially after a couple of end of season Thrashing's

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  6. the conclusion on the Lallana part seem dishonest to me (or you misinterpreted it), i understood : a manager come in, doesn't look you and want you out. it's the same for coaches coming in, not liking you, and wanting you out.

    Although i find it odd that there's no words from anyone and that more could be happening behind the scene (and i think it'd be a good thing) i don't like twisting people' word to fit one's agenda, if you did not understand the same way i did then i apologies for what can be seen as a personal attack.

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  7. I'm all for a spot of word twisting to suit my warped agenda

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  8. DEAFENING SILENCE - This Lalana geezer is knocked off the ball like a 5 year old - cant play him in high winds in case he gets blown away.England were poor - t v commentator has not got a clue - they cant defend crossed and will be hammered by the Dutch etc. B R wants to appoint useless depiuties to try safeguard his own job - every Red Fan I talk to belive he should have been sacked along with the other 2 boys - Buck does NOT stop here anymore AND Captains NEVER go down with their ships GIVE ME OLD ETHICS EVERYTIME

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  9. The clock is ticking on BR, now or October?....................he will be sacked.

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  10. Pepijn Lijnders worked 5 season for PSV and 7 years for Porto coaching all age groups as well as the first team, he is the U16 coach and bases his football on South American and Dutch football...............................he is a top Dutch coach.

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  11. voice of reason7:02 pm, June 14, 2015

    but but sami hypia..... *cries inside*

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  12. Sami can still replace Pascoe as Assistant Manager, Lijnders is replacing Marsh not Pascoe!!!.

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  13. FSG would be negligent if they did not scour the planet for a better boss than BR, they must surely be doing so?.

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  14. And LFC still have no new backroom staff :-)


    Whether Rodgers was happy to see Pascoe go I am not sure of and with new coaching staff likely to be picked for him can only result in more problems behind the scenes as they will not be the yes men Pascoe and Marsh were.


    If Rodgers just succumbed and said something along the lines of, it is fine, get rid of my backroom staff in order for me to keep my job then it shows how weak the man is and FSG have then given him no chance to succeed by taking away his control and now telling him how it is going to be.


    If that is the case then Rodgers should have done the honourable thing and resigned. Now he is the yes man.

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  15. He is finished and has NO credibility left, he is a squatter at Melwood................. :-)

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  16. well knowing his job his on the line and that he may have to work with new coaches doesn't seems to keep Rodgers from partying in Spain... (apparently my comment has been banned and could not reply to you)

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  17. every one like Sami and would like to see him back, but honestly i'd be really sad to see him back, fail and be treated like Gerrard have been by some people this season.

    Would rather go for someone more proven than to see this happen.

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  18. Nicolas Chamberlain7:18 pm, June 14, 2015

    ''This Lalana geezer is knocked off the ball like a 5 year old - cant play him in high winds in case he gets blown away.''



    I saw a completely different second half, thanks to Lallana.
    You are just mad.
    Mate, get over yourself.

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  19. I am sure that is not what he meant.

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  20. voice of reason7:21 pm, June 14, 2015

    good point Kev

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  21. voice of reason7:22 pm, June 14, 2015

    oh ok i thought he was replacing Pascoe then get in Sami

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  22. What does it matter where he is when he has not had one word to after the thrashing of Stoke? Nor have FSG.


    The last time we heard anything from FSG was when Werner spoke to the media back in February this year.


    Also do not forget when Rodgers admitted his job was on the line back in December last year.


    There is not knowing what has happened. He could still have his job in tact but if Pascoe and Marsh have been removed against his will then he really is in a situation where he has been left with his hands tied behind his back.

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  23. Are you suggesting BR is not entitled to a couple of weeks in the sun???

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  24. voice of reason7:22 pm, June 14, 2015

    enjoying the night life posted the pic couple days ago

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  25. Would BR allow Pako Ayestaran to be his number 2 or Sami???..............or would he be intimidated by them???.

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  26. Its summer so he's entitled to Partayyyyyyyy

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  27. voice of reason7:27 pm, June 14, 2015

    me thinks he would be intimidated... he pushes big personality players out of the club... so how would he treat Pako and Sami bigger names in football than BR

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  28. well after quite an awful season, instead of having a nice time i'd do my best to be sure to get the transfer right (as much as he can) this summer.

    There's the Copa America going on and surely quite a few talented player to scout instead of what we're currently looking at.

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  29. Agreed the way he threw himself on the floor. Setting up jacks first was sheer class

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  30. Agreed but if he has a weak number 2 he is doomed anyway......................a top number 2 can save him.

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  31. Apparently he's tried to sign two waiters and a bell boy but we where out bid

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  32. Its either scout players or get drunk or sign players drunk or sign drunken players sober

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  33. I find this situation to be very weird. Very few cases exist where the assistant managers are sacked the not the actual man who makes the decisions. Getting assistant coaches means little in the big scheme of things and even if we do get good assistant coaches, what is the guarantee they will do great. If we sacked the assistant coaches based on poor performances, we should have sacked BR as well or if we wanted BR to be in charge, kept his team. I do not see how it helps.

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  34. I've give up second guessing Liverpool after handing milner a 37m contract

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  35. Agreed, Rodgers brought him here, he would advocate Rodger's stay...

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  36. Even beautiful flowers need soil to grow

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  37. voice of reason7:36 pm, June 14, 2015

    should have taken a leaf from wenger and added that extra pound

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  38. voice of reason7:37 pm, June 14, 2015

    logic dictates that but starting 7 midfielders against stoke proved to me that asking for credible logic from BR might just be asking for a little too much

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  39. Sorry but I fail to see 'the surprise truth' in all this just more general speculation and innuendo.

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  40. All speculation this article like most from this author are all conjecture. The guy claims to support Liverpool and write dross. Time he wrote about Man Utd we could all enjoy a laugh at his expense!

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  41. voice of reason7:50 pm, June 14, 2015

    true he must come out guns a blazing else the fans as they showed in the stoke game will start to turn on him many including myself have already done so sad to say

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  42. voice of reason7:54 pm, June 14, 2015

    this right here is a great comment.... Ibe has shown that after a poor season i need to lace up my boots and get a head start on things... where is BR??? why haven't other players not in the international tournaments (Balotelli i think) not done the same as Ibe.... academic performances like that season would get you thrown out of my university (or any other class university imo)... if u got away with it by chance u know u need to buckle down and get serious but the culprits of this poor season are nowhere to be found.... out vacationing?? RIDICULOUS... sorry if i sound gargled btw anrgy at this mediocrity

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  43. The sackings of Marsh and Pascoe definitely leave Rodgers exposed. It'll be interesting to see who replaces them. Sami Hypia's a no brainer for me

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  44. My guess is Lijnders and Carragher

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  45. What baffles me is how Rodgers managed to shift the blame for three years of terrible transfers and switching formations onto Pascoe and Marsh.

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  46. I think Rodgers is being given time to sort his personal stuff. Not commenting on it, just mentioning it as an option. Wouldnt want to get banned for it.

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  47. voice of reason8:11 pm, June 14, 2015

    he's been shifting the blame from himself to the players (manquillo, balotelli, sturridge injury), to the pith, to the number of games we have to play.... i am not surprised that he would then throw his support staff under the bus don't forget Zaf who up to now i am not to sure why he left

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  48. Pascoe is a "most trusted Lieutenant" but Marsh?


    I think it is unlikely that he is hoping keeping schtum would work in his favour and if he was then he's clearly mistaken.

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  49. I'm not surprised he tried it. I'm surprised he managed it.

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  50. voice of reason8:22 pm, June 14, 2015

    well FSG's two main prospects to lead LFC were a man who won no silverware (BR) and another man who relegated Wigan (Martinez).... sure BR had a 300 page dossier as to why Pascoe and Marsh we're too blame and not himself

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  51. Completely correct. Too much rubbish being spoken about LFC at the moment. Sterling had a great game too. He's 20 and I've heard fans getting on his back since he was 18. No wonder he wants to leave

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  52. Have you thought fagare clearing the decks to prepare for klopp.who iinterested and rodgers has been told not to comment until the new season is imminent
    I believe ayres is in charge of transfers.shutting out rodgers due to his poor buys last year......fagwwon'tlet that happen twice.....my guess is rodgers for the chop

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  53. Seems a bit harsh on Sami! :)

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  54. Mad as a balloon.

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  55. Anyone who doesn't rate Lallana is an idiot.

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  56. Having Carragher as Assistant Manager would be an ideal choice. He is a good tactician, knows the club and -most importantly- he isn't afraid to let his opinions known! This is vital because somebody needs to tell Rodgers when things aren't going well because he is so stubborn!

    I'm sure if we had Carragher as Assistant Manger last season he would've told Rodgers after 5 games of the 4231 formation that it wasn't working and we wouldn't have dropped as many points as we did. Imagine switching to the 3421 earlier and starting that great run of form earlier! Carragher is key and would be a better choice than Hyypia because, let's face it, despite his stature as a defender he hasn't shown any tactical nous. I wouldn't mind him becoming Defensive Coach because we could use him there.

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  57. Yes but somebody as good as him at developing young players should stick with them rather than take the risk of moving up. If we could have even half the success that Porto did with their youth academy then we are in for a treat.

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  58. I might be reading too far in, but could it mean that BR has "already" been sacked, and is merely serving as an interim of sorts until the new manager is available?

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  59. This is just something you've made up. Nothing more, nothing less. It's fiction masquerading as fact.

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  60. This is just empty speculation. You have no idea whatsoever what has happened or why. None at all.

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  61. It seems BR is trying to turn LFC into one of those "air plants."

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  62. Kovacic not coming now? Admittedly only according to the Star though

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  63. Flippin' hec*....the star.....?!


    ...why is the world this way...they have a habit of getting every possible transfer 'into' our club over-exaggerated and wrong....


    ...but they'll probably get every cra*, disappointing bit of news for us right....!


    ...not james frigg*n' milner but s*d's friggin' law.....

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  64. I'm sure how much tactical nous carra has shown ......unless your counting circling players on a TV screen in a studio with no pressure after the result ,even I would look like Napoleon

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  65. Don't call jk a star stu

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  66. That's business as usual for. Logan

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  67. I thought you was on about jk on his own site

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  68. That's 5 months don't sit on the fence

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  69. Ray does surreal as good as python

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  70. I rate lallana I'd just rate him a lot more if he managed to actually run with ball without falling over

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  71. Really do not understand the obsession about bringing in former players. Sami - as good as he where as a player - have shown nothing to suggest he would be a good coach. Pepijn Lijnders on the other hand is highly regarded in the football world and an exelent coach. We need people in our club who is there because of what they can contribute with today. No point giving out roles because of what people has done before.

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  72. I've seen more reports saying we've agreed to 16.6M.

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  73. You are reading too far.

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  74. When Brodge does keep giving interviews, he's condemned for doing so, when he doesn't give interviews or opinions, again he's condemned; we can't have it both ways. I agree the silence is strange, but isn't that what many fans have been asking for? Maybe he's just on holiday...

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  75. Reports are only valid when they support Logan's POV. If the reports don't support Logan's POV, they should be taken with a grain of salt.


    It's Logan's world. We're all just living in it.

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  76. It's comedy gold for sure.

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  77. I'm not sure about the 'manifest lack of professionalism' there Jaimie...


    ...In the real world of politics if one has nothing of value to say...then better to say nothing at all...


    ...if the owners FSG have brought in this philosophy from their time running the Red Sox team in the USA then I'm all for it....


    ..We at LFc have been left behind somewhat in terms of pretty much everything by the teams above us and it's about time we stopped with the faux pas and 'foot in mouth' moments....


    ..Silence is probably their way of containing a very precarious time as fans, players and management (owners, admin et al) are all pretty adamant they know what's what...and it looks like all three oppose each other..... it's all looking like the top dogs are waiting for natural order to return as it always does when everyone calms down and then everyone can pull together in the same direction...

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  78. Rodgers is on holidays, maybe that's why he hasn't said anything...


    But, I do know that Rodgers did not force Pascoe and Marsh out. That was an FSG decision which Rodgers had to comply with if he wanted his job.

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  79. The less BR says the better:
    No more telegraphing our moves
    No more fantastics, outstandings, marquee signing blather

    Come on FSG, sign Klopp, get a big boy back office and get busy signing real strikers, a midfielder who can shoot and score to help Coutinho since little scoring is come from there now aside from Stevie's spot kicks. Sign a Dm like bender or Schneiderlin. Get a real GK insurance please! Sell all the deadwood...that at least is starting with Johnson, Coates, and hopefully Borini, Balo,,lambert, Enrique, Allen, MARKOVIC and relegate Lallana to squad guy only.....

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  80. voice of reason2:20 am, June 15, 2015

    source??

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  81. Thanks for the clarification.

    Signed,
    Silly American on holiday.

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  82. A picture has been circulating of him and his bangin' girlfriend together in Marbella

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  83. voice of reason5:48 am, June 15, 2015

    i have the pic.... so based on the pic how can u tell he wasn't involved in sacking Pascoe and Marsh... i'm confused is there a tag in the pic or something

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  84. You're right; businessmen don't do poisonous and counter-productive :P

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  85. Totally, totally agreed. We need specialist coaches with proven track records. Sentiment will be the death of us.

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  86. I definitely think it was Rodgers that threw them under the bus. It has the mark of a Rodgers move. The question is WHY would FSG choose to sack assistants? They know he won't quit so sacking assistants would do nothing. Only Rodgers benefits from them leaving because they are fences that protect his job.

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  87. We're definitely looking at missing out on all of the good ones.

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  88. The only nous Carra has is below his eyes (Kidding; Jaimie please don't delete my humorous remark).

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  89. westernbarbarian8:29 am, June 15, 2015

    The sackings just reflect FSG's money first mentality as well as Rodgers position being under threat.
    If a decision to give him the start of the season, the loss of Suarez combined with Sturridges injuries are compelling excuses, combined with the previous seasons 'first place losers' that should earn BR a stay of execution. But should he fail the custom of his backroom staff going as well made it 'sense' not to renew contracts, which would then have to be paid off, if anyone else is near the end of their contract they should probably start looking for a new job

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  90. In regards to squeezing BR out! Wouldn't FSG just appoint a Directo Of Football who is in charge of all transfers etc... Exactly what BR didn't want?
    This would have him resign!
    In terms of also bringing in his people, a lot of managers in all facets of work have people close to them are not better than them so if anything gets pear shape, they can't be immediately replaced with someone close!
    Either way, I think as good as FSG were in coming in and saving the club of financial hard ship from the previous Cowboys... FSG don't know football and it's coming at a cost to them and the obvious... Fans and players!

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  91. What he he was brought back in as a "Defensive Coach" only?
    As we bloody need it?

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  92. Just idiotic wishes of fair-weather fans. How quickly second place finish was forgotten or attributed to Suarez, who, btw. was with us full year and a half, never making us come second without Rodgers' set-up and his buys, Coutinho and Sturridge. He made Henderson from flop to possible next captain for LFC.

    Kanawar up to his old tricks again, wanting to out players and managers he personally dislikes.

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  93. I sincerely believe that without Daniel we wouldn't have challenged for the title, and there is a chance of not getting the top4 at all.. cOUTS AND hENDO TOO, definately..

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  94. Who said it was humorous? :)

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  95. amen to that !

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  96. I suspect Alex Inglethorpe would want to stay at the academy in case BR gets the old heave-ho at xmas, giving himself a chance at keeping a job. At least until the end of the season.

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  97. lady.b.ird πŸ’‹1:54 pm, June 15, 2015

    He's taken a vow of silence along with FSG.

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  98. lady.b.ird πŸ’‹1:56 pm, June 15, 2015

    Yes I haven't read that article either! ;)

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  99. lady.b.ird πŸ’‹1:57 pm, June 15, 2015

    was all a dream hun x

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  100. I think he will be intimidated by them. I cant see Pako or Sami yessing to the signings of the likes of Bogdan, Ings and Charlie Austin ALL in the same window. They have better scouting networks

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  101. O K Lallana was better yesterday BUT lets not get carries away - or should I say BLOWN AWAY

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  102. At least we don't have to listen to his drivel. looks to me as he's a sitting duck, heard that it will cost £10 million to get rid of him (money well spent), would like to have been a fly on the wall at the meeting, what ever is going on at Anfield, Rodgers is either keeping stum, or he's been told to.

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  103. Austin Greenhill7:01 pm, June 15, 2015

    No need to day anything carry on with the signings and look forward to nee season ynwa

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  104. Austin Greenhill7:02 pm, June 15, 2015

    Yes pakio will be good 2ic ynea

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  105. This is a partial quote. In the rest of this interview Lallana was praising the club for keeping Rodgers and in general bigging him up.
    Anyway what's he supposed to say? Good riddance, thank god they're gone?

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