A damning stat and a very scary one...we have to do our utmost to win any game at the moment. Any win gains confidence and if we fail to win this one then we'd better start waking up to the possibility of a relegation struggle.
we're three points closer to the 40 points mark. And that's a relief.
I read another very disturbing stat today on the BBC website - that prior to today's result, Arsenal had won more times at Anfield in 2012, than Liverpool had in 2012. Surreal.
Our overall form across this year, is not nearly relegation form, it is full-blown bottom 2 form.
But Barticus, it is hardly surprising, since we have been saying for the past 2 or 3 years about our incredulity at our manager appointments, transfer dealings and boardroom personnel.
To my eyes, we are no closer to any balance in the team (under Rodgers). We are merely playing masturbatory football. It is often pleasing on the eye. But why aren't we building from the back. A good defence is where one starts when building a team. And at the front, why did we jettison our forwards and bring nobody in.
I am an old fogey, when it comes to formations. But I was always used to the standard 4-4-2.....which could be changed and tweaked when and where applicable (often mid-game).
In such a formation, where does someone like Allen fit in? OK, I like the lad. His terrier style and interplay is pleasing on the eye. But in practical terms, where does he fit in. He is central midfielder. And yet, he is neither an attacking midfielder (he couldn;t hit a barn door, the stats are embarrassing across his career)....and he would never be strong enough to be a defensive midfielder. To me, he is a luxury player. Someone that one needs for masturbatory football. Generic masturbatory football gets you nowhere. The master of such football, is Arsene Wenger (a far better manager than Rodgers).....and yet, look at the lack of trophies he has won this past decade. So even masturbatory football at it's finest, offers limited returns. At the end of the day, there has to be an end product. Top level football is all about being clinical. It is not about passing the ball to death, or passing for the sake of passing.
And Gerrard is still in the centre of midfield......and has cost us several goals again this season.
The major positives, to date....the lad Sterling is a gem. And today, there were several touches from Wisdom that were delightful.
Long winter ahead. 40 points is our first target. Given a year or two, I see Rodgers as a top ten manager at best. Even with our vast riches (we are the league's 4th biggest wages payer), we struggle to break down the tiny teams, like stoke and reading. Most likely Everton will finish ahead of us this season (and they pay something like only 35 percent of the wages we pay).
*battening down the hatches....preparing for incoming scandinavian scuds*
