The pressure continues to build on Brendan Rodgers - but he's still the right man for the job

Despite yesterday’s victory over QPR, the pressure Brendan Rodgers is under has been growing for weeks and doesn't look like easing anytime soon. The discontent among the Anfield faithful, following a number of dismal performances, has led to some calling for his head in the knowledge that Jurgen Klopp and Rafael Benitez are available this summer. This led to the ‘Rodgers out Rafa in’ banner that was flown above Anfield during yesterday’s fixture. Whether the imbeciles were Liverpool fans or Man United fans having a joke remains to be seen, here’s hoping it was the latter attempting banter. Whoever it was, there’s no place for stunts like this in football.

The banner in question - allegedly made by Liverpool fans

Not long ago I wrote about the 5 reasons I thought Rodgers was still the right man for the job, and I still fully stand by this. He’s had a tough season, but he’s had more to deal with this year than any other of his career, with one thing after another seemingly going wrong.

Firstly, he originally had to deal with the extra pressure of the Champions League, this being his first season managing in the competition and arguably managing a team not equipped to deal with the rigorous midweek to weekend fixture schedule. This was the case as it turned out. Perhaps it was a season too soon, as silly as it sounds; I don’t think the team were ready for the enormous step up in quality. Having said that, Liverpool couldn't have drawn a better group; a clash with the Champions, the worst second seed team and unheard of minnows. Not qualifying from that group was massively disappointing.

Additionally Steven Gerrard’s decline has been a huge issue for the club and Rodgers struggled to deal with him in a respectful manner. Clearly he’s not good enough to play every week anymore but many, including myself, feel Rodgers could have dealt with the situation much better. It was just unfortunate for him that Gerrard is a club legend, a huge personality, something that Rodgers hasn’t encountered before in how to tell Gerrard in a dignified way that he’s not needed anymore. He will learn from this, but a blot on his copybook.

Raheem Sterling’s public contact issues have also been no favour to Rodgers, an extra distraction away from trying to improve the team. A team weakened by the summer departure of Luis Suarez, a player that almost single handily mounted Liverpool’s title challenge last season. Dealing with his loss was always going to be a massive task for any manager, unfortunately the summer signings haven’t come close to replacing his goals.

Suarez celebrating one of his many goals last season

Daniel Sturridge, a man who Rodgers would have pinpointed as the top striker at the club and the man to fill Suarez’s boots, has been ravaged with injury this season missing the majority of matches. Yet another massive dilemma that Rodgers has had to find a solution for, and with Fabio Borini, Rickie Lambert and Mario Balotelli as alternatives, it never looked solvable. This can be attributed to poor transfer business, considering all three are his signings.

However, despite all these problems and predicaments, Liverpool lie only four points behind Man United, who are fourth in the league, with three games to play which gives them an outside chance of Champions League qualification. However unlikely this may seem, considering everything that has happened this season and how poor Liverpool have been at times, it’s a respectable position to be in.

Therefore I still believe Rodgers should be given next season to turn it around and let his summer signings have another season under his management. After all, I am convinced those that have flattered to deceive such as Lazar Markovic and Dejan Lovren will turn it around and have a far better 2015/16.

One final point I will make is that there is no doubt in my mind that Rodgers needs help in the transfer market. His record since joining the club has been extremely poor in terms of how many bad players he’s bought. I’m not a fan of the Director of Football position that most clubs adopt, but I think with Brendan, it would be a massive help for him. However it should be considered with caution as Liverpool could easily hire someone equally inept in the transfer market who would deliver yet more disappointing signings. FSG surely have to be running out of patience, Rodgers needs a positive summer window this time around.

Whatever happens in terms of management, I will support whoever is at the helm whether it is Rodgers, Klopp or Benitez – all three I’m sure can do a great job at the club.