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.

Raheem Sterling and his agent - offer them what they want or cut our losses?

The infamous interview

Raheem Sterling has received a large amount of media attention surrounding contract issues and the will he, won’t he sign debacle has perpetuated, particularly in the last few days having given an interview around the subject for the BBC. I wrote back in March about the importance of keeping Sterling and my opinion hasn't changed – although a different perspective is required.

In the interview he was quoted saying ‘I’m not a money grabbing 20 year old’ which on the face of it is hard to believe if reports are true that he’s turned down a £100,000 contract offer. But if it’s not money, what is it preventing him signing a new deal?

Reports from inside the club have repeatedly stated that he wants to wait until the end of the season before making a decision about his future, so why is there a constant media buzz surrounding the issue? Apart from the interview, it’s his agent.

I’m not afraid to say that agents are completely ruining football. Extortionate fees, inflated prices, constant unsettling of players are just some of the consequences of agents. The term ‘money grabbing’ is much more suited to this group of leechers. They don’t care about football or player’s wellbeing, as long as they get a fat pay check at the end of the day, they’re happy. And it’s sad to see that they have such an influence over football.

Sterling’s agent is deliberately stirring things up in the media in the hope of his client receiving more money from a new contract, resulting in more money for himself. If this fails, other clubs will be monitoring the situation ready to take advantage of Liverpool’s dithering by paying a huge fee, from which his agent will profit from too. It wasn't Sterling’s idea to do the interview; it was a poorly advised decision from his agent hoping to squeeze every single drop of publicity out of the saga, which in turn will increase Sterling’s price.

I still maintain that we should try and do everything we can to keep Sterling, one of the biggest talents in world football, but if we could get £60m for him, that would be a tempting proposition for the club. Considering he will have 2 years left on his contact this summer, his value will probably start to fall if we keep him, even at his rate of development with pressures of losing him for free.

Having said this, Rodgers knows best and we have to trust him that he will make the best decision for the club. I think either way the fans will back the outcome.

Sterling contract talks rumble on

Sterling celebrating a goal against Arsenal in 2014

As contract talks surrounding Raheem Sterling rumble on like they have been for the last few months, will he won’t he sign seems to be the subject of much debate. But can Liverpool really afford to lose him?

It was as a 17 year old that Brendan Rodgers decided to give Sterling his first League start, in August 2012, against Man City in a 2-2 home draw after a series of bright performances in friendlies and Europa League qualifiers.

Sterling enjoyed a sharp rise to prominence with a host of excellent performances since his debut and scored his first Premier League goal in a 1-0 victory against Reading at Anfield in October 2012. His performances hadn't gone un-noticed, with Roy Hodgson keeping tabs on the talented youngster, well aware he was eligible for Jamaica as well as England. As a result he was awarded his full England debut against Sweden in a friendly, still at the age of 17.

So a world beater, wonderkid, mega talent – you name it, Sterling had probably been described that way – which is what happens when an English youngster has a handful of good games. He was subsequently offered a bumper contract extension and signed a new deal on 21^st December 2012.

There was a period of 2013 where he went quiet, performances stuttered and he looked fatigued. Quite understandable of an 18 year old playing regular first team football. As a result, Rodgers did the right thing and withdrew him from the limelight.

It seemed to work wonders as when he was reintroduced back into the first team picture on a regular basis late into 2013, his game took off. He formed a formidable trio with Sturridge and Suarez, contributing to one the most dangerous attacks in Europe. It was perfect timing as Liverpool were mounting a serious title challenge for the first time since the 2008/09 season.

Confidence, pace, goals in important games including a brace in the 5-1 demolition of Arsenal, everything was falling into place for the then 19 year old who was starting to fulfil his enormous potential.

Excelling in a season where Liverpool went so close, he was rewarded with a 2014 World Cup call up and after calls from the media and fans, he was given a starting birth in the opening match against Italy. Despite a disappointing 2-1 defeat, this was the game that propelled Sterling onto the world stage, producing a brilliant performance that even had Andrea Pirlo purring.

Sterling took his form into the new season, arguably being the best performer in a disappointing start to the season, which prompted talks of a new contract with Real Madrid sniffing around. Even with 2 years left on his current deal, he reportedly wants more that £100,000 a week. This seems excessive but if you believe the Mirror (ahem) he’s the seventh most valuable player in the world ahead of the likes of Sanchez and Fabregas. So a new deal seems more than justified.

Having apparently rejecting 2 new deals already including a £70,000 a week offer, it seems only a matter of time before a final decision is made. Rodgers has come out and said that an ‘incredible’ offer is on the table for Sterling and that he would be foolish to turn it down.

He’s an integral part of everything Liverpool do and has been vital to their upturn in fortunes since Christmas who will only get better with age, so it’s understandable that clubs like Real Madrid are keeping close tabs on the 20 year old.

He’s a once in a generation player and when a club legend like Steven Gerrard’s last wish before he leaves is to sign Sterling up to a new contract, it seems a necessity to keep him. So no, Liverpool can’t afford to lose him, even for huge money that would be required to take him away.

As per, comments are welcome!