If you use Twitter as a microcosm of Liverpool’s fan base and take heed of the most vocal of opinions, you would be forgiven for thinking the fan base is divided equally into two equal factions:
1. Those who have decided Brendan Rodgers is simply irredeemable, he is completely incapable of learning from his mistakes, every decision can be turned into a negative and in many cases simply dislike him, his demeanour and every word he says.
2. The ‘Rodgers lovers’ (a label I have seen used on multiple occasions). Those fans who simply will not hear a word against Rodgers and any line of negativity against him is written off as ‘Anti-Rodgers’ agenda and every decision can be spun into a positive, those who believe that to question the manager is sacrilege whilst he sits in the esteemed office of Liverpool manager.
The truth is that a third faction exists, those who aren’t driven by an agenda based on a finite decision being made regarding a view on Rodgers, those who may have doubts and issues but want to be positive and those who refuse to see everything as cut and dried.
The problem with taking individual issues on their own merit is that you then become pigeon-holed by those whose opinions reside in the extreme camps: If you are positive the ‘Rodgers haters’ assume you are ‘one of the others’ and vice versa.
With the new season underway and the gates of Anfield due to re-open in a few days, I wanted to state the case, a mission statement on behalf of the people in the ‘middle ground’, a manifesto of common sense if you will:
– It is possible to be positive whilst also acknowledging that the manager has made mistakes
For example, I think we have had a pretty good transfer window thus far. Pretty much every player we have brought in has been an upgrade on those that they have replaced ( Bogdan > Jones; Clyne > Johnson; Milner > Allen; Benteke > Balotelli/Lambert for example) or improve the quality (Firmino).
However, this does not change the fact that last summer’s business was a complete abomination. Very few of the players improved the first XI and the apparent disconnect between Rodgers and the committee left the manager with certain players he had no interest in trying to utilise properly.
– It is possible to praise an individual performance without automatically praising everything that person has ever done
For example, I personally thought Lovren had a good game against Stoke. He held his position well, won most of his individual tussles, used the ball in a decent manner and seemed less panicked and desperate to lunge out and intercept that ball than last year. Does that mean I want him to be first choice? No. Does that mean I forget the abhorrent performances of last year? No. Does that mean give credit where it is due and hope it leads to a better level of performance? Yes.
– The quickest way for the Reds to be successful is under the current regime
Like it or not, that’s the truth. FSG have backed Rodgers completely. He has a new team behind him and seemingly no conjecture around the signings being ‘his’. The only way he will be sacked is if he starts the season utterly appallingly and find ourselves in the bottom half with a decent amount of games gone. Or to put it another way: he will only be fired if our season is ruined, the players haven’t performed and the atmosphere becomes poisonous. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I don’t fancy paying £45 a fortnight (plus cup games) to build towards that. The best solution is if Rodgers has learnt from mistakes and has evolved into a manager who is now ready to take us forward. If he hasn’t then there’s plenty time for recriminations down the line.
– You can say negative things without being a totally negative person
On the flip side, If I think a team selection or player’s performance isn’t up to scratch it is fine to say so without facing accusations of being negative. If we lose a game and I think the system and selection is to blame, it does not mean I think Rodgers is incapable of ever making decent decisions, it means I think he got it wrong that day.
– Sitting back awaiting failure is NOT supporting your club
Some are already of the mindset that Rodgers is not good enough (or in playing terms Lovren, Benteke, etc.) and are just sat back watching and waiting to be proven right. I don’t see who this benefits. Take Rodgers as an example, I have my doubts, massive ones, about whether he will ultimately be the right man. But whilst he is in the manager’s seat I will support him, back him and hope that he is the right man. Otherwise, what is the alternative? Sitting in the stands, arms folded, nodding knowingly at every mistake and bad decision as it builds towards the moment where you can ultimately say “I was right”? Isn’t it better to be wrong in this instance, and actively hope you are?
I have always seen the start of any season as a time for optimism. The slate is clean, players and backroom staff have had chance to learn lessons from what has gone before and a chance to prove themselves should be awarded. If things do go badly wrong, there is plenty time to discuss, rant and complain then, but I would urge all Liverpool fans to get behind the team and the manager, park the pre-determined agendas and see what they can achieve on behalf of us all.
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